Without a doubt, one of the most useful survival tools you can have when you start stocking up for when SHTF is a reliable firearm.
While a firearm won't help you to plant crops, build shelters, or aid in the general day to day jobs around your bug out property, it will help you to defend the things you do have.
There will be those who haven't prepared, and they will be as desperate for survival as you are. Having a firearm will aid you in convincing them that the things you've saved aren't worth their trouble. Not only that, but guns will be useful in hunting to “bring home the bacon.”
There are a lot of features which can make or break a weapon in a SHTF situation. To see some of the top features for a prepper gun, check out what you should look for in a gun on the next page.
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When shtf. We will know answer.
Marksmanship.
12 ga pump..30.30 lever
223 and 556 have the same dimensions, but 556 have a heavier powder load. They will both cycle and fire from either weapon, but putting a 556 into a 223 can lead to catastrophic failure.
The best gun to have in a true shtf situation, is the one you own, have bullets for and trained with.
This is worse than, “best caliber” arguments.
A .22lr gsw was the first one I saw that killed a kid in my first tour through an ER. Every tube we placed in him, blood poured out. We had 2 IV’s trying to fill him, while a chest tube and urinary cath drained out. The entry wound about the size of a pencil behind his colarbone as he tried to duck and the bullet just bounced around inside him.
So just get a gun you are comfortable shooting and plenty of bullets.
Correct.
If you want to shoot their eye out use 17 win super mag
If you’re shooting through cinder blocks, yep it is.
Never been any confirmed kills with 7.62×39 at 800 meters, though.
30/30 Winchester! They will look at you and say oh$#%&!@*I pissed off John Wayne!
I love my Marlin 30/30 lever simple , reliable,good bush gun and at some distance if you know you gun at 300+ plus yds still has punch of 45 at point blank and I can hit a target at 300+ on steel sites 8 out of 10 times
My SHTF rifle is my 14″ 308. My sidearm is my 226 extreme 9mm (with 22lr conversion kit in my bag)
That has nothing to do with cleaning. The damn star chamber
Why are you taking a shout at 800 yards? Waist of bullets. Virtually all combat takes place within 300 yards. Mind you that study took place with military units. I won’t be engaging past 100 yards unless I absolutely have to.
My 270 and single shot 20 gauge winchester one of the most basic guns around and is from the 50s
I have an AR10 in .308. Its cool, but i prefer mre distance when shtf. For that, i have a 300 h&h, 270 weatherby, 3 30-06’s a 25-06 and 2 243’s
I have plenty of ammo for all and those are just long arms. All of them beat an AR15, with range and power.
Any gun can kill. Distance keeps you alive until artillery strikes.
Use what you have, preserve ammo, be accurate and deadly. Spray and pray leads to a funeral.
Duane Waller you’re on to something with you’re choice in larger cartridges. However.
All things considering, an decently equipped AR in 5.56 in the hands of a decent shooter will be able to make kills at almost 1000 yards with the right ammo. 500-600 with standard 55 grain ball.
Still no matter what one has, having an AR15 in 5.56 is a REQUIREMENT.
The rest is a bonus. 308 rifles are a very wise bonus as 308/7.62nato is used by every single law enforcement agency and all branches of the military and it’s that way almost world wide.
America is a bolt gun nation though. Bolt guns chambered for 243, 308, 270, 30-06, 7mm mag and 300 win mag, are also wise choices. 7mm rem mag being the tops as it has comparable to range to 338 Lapua.
Now as far as hand gun rounds. 9mm and 40s&w only.
12 gauge, yes it’s all over the place. But a shotgun is only for hunting. They are terrible for fighting, even though they do have devastating power. They’re strictly a grocery getter.
22lr, if you got one, ok. If you don’t have one pass. Ammo is very perishable and only good on small game. Get an air rifle for that. Lube and pellets is all you need to keep them running.
I left out 7.62×39, 5.45×39, 30-30, 45-70, 45acp, 45 colt, 38 spc, 357 mag and sig. They’re for slower firing slower reloading firearms, odd ball cartridges just not popular enough to bother with. Though they can have a place as a bonus weapon.
Again, in North America if you do not have a 5.56 AR15 for SHTF, you are literally fucked. Don’t bother doing anything else if you aren’t willing to get one. They are literally the single most important, top #1 item a prepper needs.
Only a 5.56 AR15. All else is a bonus.
There’s two different paths to follow when choosing the Right firearm. Fight or flight, makes a BIG difference. I’m not expert,but I’m sure your feedback is invited. If you are not able to leave your home in short notice ( mine being my wife is handicapped and can’t walk) so my options are limited. As for self protection. I should have several firearms at my disposal. Which I have. With that said, handgun if the bad guys get in, is probably my best option. Maybe even a short barreled shotgun or Mini 14 w/ fold up stock,you know, something for close quarters. I keep one in every room w/ extra mags. Find a safe place to make your stand,after all they will armed also and sheet rock isn’t much protection. If you have to go outside, I’m still comfortable with a handgun,but with a 30rd mag and one extra. Long guns are great, but as you know, you could be caught off guard in a small area and you got something like a broom in a closet. Just an example. I’ve got security cameras but don’t put all your faith in them,wire cutters will rain on your parade. Save the long guns to protect your property or out of house boundaries. Just a thought. And practice, practice. Also I found a night vision monocular, is not very expensive, about $150 is a good investment. Lastly, don’t waste ammo! Every shot needs to count,your families life is at stake. Just saying , open for discussion.