SHTF...What guns would you take?

[hopelessjoe]

Let's say that you own a revolver and lever action rifle/carbine in the same caliber...

You also own a semi auto handgun and a semi auto carbine/rifle in the same or different calibers...

You can only carry a long gun and a handgun...as well as five hundred rounds (weight is a factor...you need to carry food and water as well)

Do you go with the tried and true revolver/lever action combo or do you go with your semi autos?

I still haven't figured out my answer to this...

Curious about what you think you would take.

 

[Defensory]

Semi-autos, hands down. Higher hit potential under stress, greater firepower, faster reloading, etc.

 

[Golden Hound]

1911 and an AK or some variant thereof. For my rifle, I want something with cheap and common ammunition. I'd also take a horse, because if the S really hit the F, there might not be any gasoline, and it'd be great to have a vehicle that could run on vegetation.

 

[gunman42782]

Semi-auto. I am at heart a revolver guy, but there is no denying the firepower inherent in a semi-auto.

 

[hopelessjoe]

I dont have the option of horse based trasportation, but it is a good idea.

I was thinking of having to hoof it yourself with an 80 Lb. pack...food, water, ammo and guns.

I am not an outdoorsy type and the folks in my suburban neighborhood would freak out at the sight of a guy preparing for a possible need to escape.

The woods are about 10 miles away. The middle of nowhere is about 50 miles from here.

This is discounting the fact that I would go look for children (who are 20 miles away) first.

 

[Regolith]

Well....it depends.

What is my means of conveyance? Exactly what type of scenario are we talking about here? What are my other resources? What kind of resistance can I expect? At what range can I expect to be meeting that resistance? And so on.

Lets use a Katrina-type scenario, as it's the most likely. I'd probably want a shotgun with a mix of slug and buckshot loads. An 870 with a 18-20" barrel would be about right. Any pistol would do, so long as its reliable - I'd prefer either a 1911 or a .357 wheel gun, but its not quite as important as the long gun.

A .357 levergun/revolver combination wouldn't be bad either, but it wouldn't have quite the versatility as the shotgun for that situation.

The reason for going with the shotgun is that in that particular scenario, the ranges of use will be short, and skirmishes will not last long. I'd probably want the same loadout for a riot situation; I believe it's sm who keeps bringing up the ability to hit a Molotov cocktail out of the sky before it hits its intended target using a shotgun, and I can see where that would be useful.

A different scenario may require a different set of tools.

 

[EHCRain10]

Have to agree with the short shotgun plus a reliable handgun in a major caliber

 

[loop]

Um, folks, my horse requires 30 gallons of water on a hot day and 20 pounds of alfalfa every day.

If it is eating grass it takes more like 40 pounds and takes 12 hours to chew it up.

I'll take the autos. Mine go bang every time and I live by the Russian slogan "One man, one bullet."

Autos let me take one man at a time at a faster rate.

If you think a horse is a free ride, you don't own a horse.

 

[hopelessjoe]

Dooh...

I totally forgot about my lightweight shotgun.

OK, I'll tack an extra five pounds on to include the shotgun and various ammo (slugs, 00buck, birdshot, etc...)

Realistically, I would have to make 100 miles in no less than three days.

This includes the possibility of my two middle age (7 and 9) children who would be helping with the load, but they are not pack mules.

Just trying to get a feel for bugging out.

The way things are going has got me feeling a tad bit strangled.

 

[Golden Hound]

If there's no gasoline (I mean, we're really assuming a worst-case scenario here) then I'd still think a horse is the best option. It depends on where you are, of course, but if there are rivers or streams nearby and abundant forage, there's no reason why a horse would be an unfeasible option. I mean, our forefathers got by with horses back in the day before there were cars.

 

[DWFan]

35 miles a day on foot with two younger children in a SHTF situation? Not a chance. That is a steady 3 miles per hour for 12 straight hours EACH DAY thru possibly dangerous terrain and maybe over broken ground and unknown obstacles while loaded down with gear.
Forget the semi autos, their only advantage is in a firefight and if you get in a firefight, they die or you will protecting them. Take a .357 revolver and a shotgun because they are simpler for kids to use (they may have to protect YOU) and avoid contact with everyone. Plan on at least a week for 100 miles.

 

[qajaq59]

Forget the horses. They eat too much and are a real stinkers to hide or keep quiet.
I'd take my camo duck hunting kayaks and a shotgun and travel by water after dark. I'd make it too.

 

[Silvanus]

I only have one rifle, a FAL, so that's what I would take with me. Out of my handguns I would choose the Glock 17. It's the pistol I shoot the most and best.

 

[Sixtigers]

Mil-surp semi-auto, in both handgun and rifle. I love lever action carbines, but have you ever tried field-stripping one? Not so much. Revolvers I like, but I think I'd rather have the firepower an auto pistol offers.

 

[Walkalong]

I'd take my camo duck hunting kayaks and a shotgun and travel by water after dark. I'd make it too.

I bet you would. We spent many a dark evening in the Kayaks at camp. A great way to travel quiet like. No, we were not supposed to be out at night.

 

[jmr40]

Ruger 10-22 and Glock 17. For the same amount of weight I would take around 3 magazinse full for the Glock and a couple thousand .22's with several hi cap mage for the 10-22

I can make head shots at 100 yards with the rifle and in a situation like this you only have to convince people to look for easier targets. I can forage for food with the rifle as well. The pistol is if surprized at close range.

 

[wideym]

A tactical kayak sounds like the aquatic answer to the tactial wheelbarrow.

 

[JWarren]

I'll comment.


First, what does SHTF mean? This hasn't been clearly defined in this thread.

Are we talking about a regional/localized natural disaster with the possibility of a protracted disruption of services and supply chains?

Are we talking about some kind of Red Dawn situatation?

Are we talking about a post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world where we all run around with spiked shoulder-pad and painting our faces?

What you are envisioning is fundamental to the question.


What firearm to take? Where are you going? What resources do you anticipate there and how do you think you'll procure them?

Me? I'm not going anywhere. When people talk about "bugging out," they usually are talking about heading to somewhere like where I live.

Because there is very little that can occur that will uproot me, the issues of caliber becomes moot. Stack deep, and you can feed what you have.

For that reason, I'll take what is best for the job. With me, it is different calibers. I'll take a rifle that has more power/ magazine capacity than my handgun. For my handgun, I'll want something that I can conceal easier-- that typically means a semi-auto. I'd also want the abilty for faster follow-up shots. That also means a semi-auto.


If we are talking about a Katrina-like situation, you aren't going hunting for your food. It isn't the same as a post-apocalyptic world. You want a handgun above anything else. I've posted about this several times on THR about my experiences in Katrina.

If you have to go into public (and you will at some point) you can't carry that shotgun, AK, or AR without getting unwanted attention. When doing the hundreds of chores that you WILL have to do to get life back to normal, you can't have a long gun stapped over your back. If you leave the long gun in a vehicle, or laying near you while you work, it is useless to you if you need it. And it is out of your supervision. If you have kids or other people around, you may want to consider that.

You want a weapon that you can holster and still work or move about with little attention.

If you have to go to a shelter, do you really think they AREN'T going to confiscate a long gun?


In Katrina, I kept an AK in my jeep or by my bed when we slept. For 95% of the time I was outside, it was impractical to keep up with. It stayed in my Jeep. Practically ALL of the time, I kept a Glock 19 with me.


If we are talking about a "Red Dawn"-like situation, it would be in your best interest to have your firearms the same design and caliber as the military units you will likely be encountering.


The reality of some SHTF scenerios is very different from what many people envision them to be.


If I were in a post-apocalyptic world, it would probably be best to make sure one of your firearms is a flintlock. I don't see any more ammo shipments coming to Wal-Mart in that world.



-- John

 

[bikerdoc]

nobody has mentioned, radios or communication CB,FRS, plain old AM, information is important. To stay on topic, wife has the 9mm set, me 357 all the way.In addition we have bug out backpacks ready to go, 125 miles to the family farm

 

[JWarren]

Baby Wipes. Trust me.


-- John

 

[Onmilo]

This one's easy.
Our military uses 5.56-7.62X51-9mm-12 guage.
I know which side I am on and who I intend to play nicey, nicey with,,,,,,

 

[qwert65]

Um, folks, my horse requires 30 gallons of water on a hot day and 20 pounds of alfalfa every day.

You need a different horse

Gun wise it's like JWarren said it would depend on the situation.
If I was staying and fixing up the property I'd take a carbine(I perfer it to a pistol you just need to be aware so you can grab it dogs are good for this)

If bugging out to the woulds to hide I'd take a 30-30

If it's really bad with people rioting I'd like a battle rifle

 

[Just Jim]

Take what you can best feed yourself and your family with. If you can shoot it straight for food then you can defend yourself with it. Same with the handgun, what you shoot the straightest with is what you take.

It doesn't matter the firepower if you can't hit your target. Accuracy first.

jj

 

[shevrock]

You know this sounds like he's asking us a question from the zombie survival guide. If it were only humans i was fighting { } i would use either a 454. Cassul lever, and double action revolver. or An AK47, and a 9mm glock, or a dessert eagle 50ae.

 

[22-rimfire]

I'd say home. I don't have to choose anything other than which one for today? If I'm quietly hunting, I'd take a 22LR. If I'm headed to the local emporium hoping to find some food or other goods, I take my Glock. Steath will be crucial in the woodlands.