Want to arm yourself for the impending apocalypse? It's a good idea to have a solid collection of weapons for not only protection but to hunt for food! Check out the options below before making any decisions about the safety of your home and family!
Remington 870 12 Gauge Pump-Action Shotgun
You can get a shotgun that’ll take a bigger shell, but you don’t need it. The 12 gauge is exceptionally common and it’ll take a variety of shells: birdshot for game hunting survival purposes; double-ought buck for pushing intruders not only down, but back out the window they came in through; and slugs for anything else.Advantages: common caliber; many accessories available for this model (pistol grips, tube extensions, etc.); obscene knock-down power
Disadvantages: none come to mind
Compact 9mm Handgun
What’s a more common caliber than the .45 ACP? The 9mm. Unfortunately, it’s the most common handgun caliber in the United States used against police officers. Thugs love it. Love the 9mm, but don’t be a thug.
Advantages: cheaper to shoot than the .45 (and thus practice with); high capacity magazines; easier to conceal and carry
Disadvantage: less lead
Ruger 10/22 Rifle
I can hear it now, “What!?” That’s right, the .22 rifle. It’s ALL about survivalism. Look, when TEOTWAWKI hits you’re going to want a rifle like the Ruger 10/22 for put some sort of meat on your dinner plate. Squirrels, gophers or the neighbors’ cats, the 10/22 is quiet, effective, and you can shoot all damn day for what it’d cost you to buy a 6-pack of PBR.
Additionally, a little recognized fact, Chechen rebels successfully used .22 rifles for sniping purposes against Russian troops in urban settings. The urban setting consisted of narrow streets and close buildings allowing these “snipers” to get exceptionally close to their targets. They strapped soda bottle silencers on them to further the effectiveness. I don’t care what you say about the .22lr, take one in the neck and you’ll think differently.Advantages: already stated – go buy one
Disadvantages: none whatsoever
The Mighty AR-15!
This should really come as no surprise. My only guess as to why so many survival writers don’t list the “Black Rifle” as their top choice is because they want to set themselves apart from the pack. Like in politics, when you’re the man on top, you can expect attacks. There are very solid reasons for the AR-15′s extreme popularity and cult-like following. There are very solid reasons why its the #1 choice of the U.S. military and para-military groups (“AR-15″ to include all variations).
It’s the best – period.
Explaining in great detail why I believe the AR-15 is the single best choice for survivalists goes beyond the scope of this post. I will detail it in the future, however. In the meantime, basically:Advantages: very common caliber; fast bullet with flat trajectory; highly adaptable platform that allows the user to meet mission specific needs; extensive options readily available; they’re everywhere (meaning so are parts); wide variety of available rounds from 55 grain to 75 grain, tracer rounds, steel penetrator tips, etc.; very, very light recoil; Made in the U.S.A., and in the case of Bushmaster, Made in Maine
Disadvantages: smaller caliber than what’s found in other battle rifles; many moving parts; rather annoying to clean compared to other rifles; the gas system often comes under criticism for throwing the “gunk” back into the chamber (some call this “shitting where it eats”), though this problem has been remedied in some newer models (at a higher cost).
Got any ideas about what kind of firearm you want to defend yourself with? To summarize, a 12 Gauge is ideal for a variety of short-range purposes, a 9mm is easy to conceal and carry and what it lacks in power it makes up for in sheer volume of rounds, a .22 should be your first purchase for hunting purposes, although you can definitely use one against foes, and of course the almighty AR-15 rounds out the bunch.
Hopefully, reading over these guns gave you a few ideas and makes your next firearm purchase an easy one.
For more information like this, check out the original article at SHTF Blog.
I’ll take my ar
30-06 and a .45.
Idc what anyine says oit of all my guns not including hand gun i would take my ruger 10/22 anyday for little and big game and protection is needed be but i made my own bow so i would use the 22 in case of emergency
Also should look into silencers, no one wants to give their position away…
400 for a silencer for mine but it is a life saver
I have an AR, but if I gotta back out the bad guys, my Ak47 will make them take notice also. Nothing against AR’s, but my AK runs like a sewing machine,clean or dirty. No scope to bump off center, iron sights with no bells or whistles.
12 Guage pump wiith a 3″ chamber. Most versatile, reliable and effective SHTF gun there is.
Love the ruger 10/22 best all around rifle very reliable ,
I’m set then haha
All u need is a s&w 1066 with an extra clip
I’m good
You need a gun for each need!!! Ruger 10/22 for small animals, Remington 700 30-06 for deer or wild hogs, AR, SKS, AK, etc… for your tactical rifle and a shotgun for bird or home defense, plus your side arm
You need a really good break action pellet rifle…
WWII style 🙂
Break action air rifles are seriously under rated. You can store 100 years worth of ammo (or make more with primitive tools) and spare parts in a relatively small space, are quiet enough to not give away your position, and effective enough to take small game. You could even use it on humans if you have a height advantage and a good escape route – most people aren’t going to stick around if you give them a decent wound from a hidden location. They will assume you *could* have used lethal force, and beat feet to safety.
Jordan Akins
yep, cheap,quiet, reliable, and now accurate!
Agreed!
Meghan Sheetz
Everyone’s like you only need whichever rifle, or you only need to carry these seven rifles. My solution is both, my Thompson center dimension is essentially 10 rifles in one and can change caliber in nearly five minutes if you were ever in a total apocalypse situation where you had to scrounge ammo or use various rounds. Another plus, fits into a backpack, coupled with a sidearm and there is no reason you couldn’t defend yourself or put whatever food on the table.
Lol been saying it for yrs. the 22lg is a winner but what does a vet know anyways
Wow I have every one of those, personally I would grab my .45 1911 over my 9mm
Marlon Wood agreed, because WTSHTF, the government won’t let you hear them coming at you.
my .338 Lapua with Suppressor and reloading supplies and my cross bow and am good to go
Don’t overlook a 1400 fps break barrel air rifle. .177 or .22 pellets. You can always get small game, squirrel or birds, etc. No one knows your even in the area hunting. And you can carry 1000 rounds in one pocket.
Air rifle, 1 shoot 1 kill on small animals. Yes, very quiet and can carry thousands of pellets on your person. Then a good 9mm on your side for defense or whatever gets in your way.
Have to agree on the shotgun and 22 rifle. The 9mm pistol is good. But the 22 pistol is just as or more concealed. Also in combination with 22 rifle. Only one type of ammo needed. Less confusing for the all of a sudden preper.
A proper Sling/ Sling Bow with practice can be a very useful item also.
1 of each type
Depends on if you’re trying to eat or kill your nieghbors!
Yes! My .177 break is super accurate and goes through squirrels. Took a large opossum down with it out by my chickens one night.
Best rifle ever made
Thank you!! Im glad smart people still go on fb!!
I only need to add a Gamo to the regiment. Have .22 for small medium game, .40 and .380 for personal, 5.56 in both M193 and M855 for mid to long and a .270 for reaching out to touch someone one. The Citori and Fury can handle close quarter as well.
Mike Rushing
Center primers are best, you can tap out the dent in the primer after fried , use a pack of match heads and the striker on the side of the box, grin to a fine powder refill your primers, make ya gun powder, mold your tip of your round pew pew, works good for 12 ga rounds as well
I would suspect any one you have ammo for and shoots somewhat accurately and safely… you may not have a choice
Thank you for your really great share.
James Cameron take a peek
Fascinating article!
Firearms for survival are like tools in the toolbox.
You covered the basics that are universal and those are the ones to stick to .
As for air rifles you can’t beat the Sheridan .
A single action 44 Magnum. Ammo availability, reloadable with a variety of load types, even can be loaded with black powder if needed. Simple operation and easy to maintain/clean. Oh yeah, high accuracy. I’d still take an Enfield over an AR15. 12 gauge is the ultimate utility gun though.
David Vincil