If you could have 1 or 2 long guns if the SHTF which would they be and why?

[xurceht]

One long gun - AR15. I can hunt most game with it and I'm already familiar with its use. 5.56 is probably the most common round in the US (7.62x39 for the world) except for .22LR. Spare parts will be readily available.

Two long guns - AR15 and .22LR or 12ga shotgun. Its a toss up for the second one. Probably go with the shotgun.

Either way in a SHTF scenario I'm sure I'll run across something I need eventually if I don't bite the big one first.

 

[MightySaucePan]

My thoughts are food gathering takes first priority so don't discount the single shot rifles. The next consideration is where are you going to be? If you are saying home, which is always the best option as long as your home still stands vs hitting the road on foot or by car. Defense to me will always be best suited with avoidance or with a range advantage but if you are at home you may have to settle for firepower instead. Still I do not believe it will go mad max outside riots burglaries sure, but thunderdome not a chance. All said here are my options in order from most limited budget to mucho dinero.

A Rossi single shot 308 and 22 matched pair if you get another barrel a 12ga or 410 would be nice.

Small light 22 like the Henry and an sks or ak (the price is right on the 545 but I'm not sold on the ballistics vs 7.62 x 39) or a saiga 308

AR-10 with one of the many pricey but very durable scope options and a silenced 22 rifle

Basically a 22 is the single most useful but a 308 is a great option but not for rabbit and squirrel and the small game that you will need be hunting. I dislike the 12ga in this senario because what ever the goal is the is a better option. For small game it wont leave anything to eat for medium and large game I would rather have a rifle caliber. For defense I want range first and then capacity second. Also size of the ammo complicates matters if you are mobile.

 

[User170512]

I think the reason there are more parts for AR's is because AR's NEED more spare parts.

^^^this^^^
LOL.
I have had a bunch of AR's and AK's over the years.
Have never broken an AK.
Had an under-folder years ago that I NEVER cleaned for 4-5k rounds just to see how it'd do (it ran flawlessly).
***edit, that was when ammo was super cheap***

AR's, have lost/broken several parts including a snapped bolt on one and a firing pin on another.
I have never had a gun that had easier to lose parts than my AR's.
Love the guns, but hate those flippin little springs and stops.
I have probably fired 3-4x as many rounds of 7.62x39 than 5.56.45.

I DO love using the converter to load an AR up with 22 though.

My two guns might well be a suppressed 10/22 takedown and a SBR/suppressed 300 Blackout, with a possible spare 5.56 upper.
In a societal breakdown scenario, not alerting a several square mile area to your actions may well keep you alive.

 

[ruffvrod]

My 17hmr and my FS2000

 

[Tony2X]

An AK and a 10/22.
I took a 7 point last year with my AK and you can get rabbits and squirrels with the .22.

 

[mtgldr]

An AK and a 10/22.
I took a 7 point last year with my AK and you can get rabbits and squirrels with the .22.

How far away was the Deer?

 

[sinac84]

I'd probably go with a 12 gauge and a 22lr.

 

[Tony2X]

How far away was the Deer?

About 35-40 yards, he dropped with 1 shot.

 

[ruffvrod]

cant wait till deer season want to see what the fs2000 will do

 

[Tony2X]

Side note: Yes, I was using a 5 rd. mag.