SHTF/Survival Guns

[atljetmech]

I know this has been brought up before but realistically if it came down to being on foot (ie...non mechanized travel) during or after a shtf situation, where movement day to day or night to night is a must, what weapon(s) would you look to load out and depend on for survival? Survival meaning possible protection from other people with weapons and hunting for your food.

Keep in mind lack of the following: Extremely limited ammo restock, replacement weapon parts, replacement magazines/clips, weapon cleaning supplies, etc...

Now I love my my semi-auto rifles but my definition of a true shtf/survival weapon is not dependent upon accessories (ie...magazines/clips), gas impingement, or piston cycling to make it shoot.
As much as I love my lever actions for simplicity and dependability one crushing blow to the thin wall mag tube and you've now turned it into a single shot. Same goes for a broken spring or extractor in most semi-autos. A good bolt gun you say? Well most have detachable mags to lose and/or get damaged. An internal mag bolt gun would be better but still relying on a flat spring to feed the next round. Hmmm

Pistols now. I'm down to either a single or double action revolver. Imo, a stainless double action revolver would be best choice for quick follow up shots and corrosion resistance but a single action will have fewer parts. Hmmm

What caliber you say??? Imo preferably both weapons will shoot the same caliber. But what about weight and quantity you're able to load out? What caliber would be best all around for any situation? Hmmm

I'm really leaning towards the little tried and trued 22LR. Light weight weapons and light weight ammo meaning they won't weigh you down as much and can carry many more rounds being so small. Can kill humans (or fend off at a minimum), can kill game for eating. Not having a single shot rifle in 22 would mean I'm going with my all weather Ruger 77/22. I'd have to take my chances on the mags but if all else failed I'd still have a single shot that I could hand feed fairly easy. Paired with my little stainless Rossi double action 22lr revolver, I think the two would last in all types of weather and be uber reliable with minimal maintenance.

What are your thoughts/comments???

 

[gth813x]

Fact is an internal mag bolt could be turned into a sinle shot, and with most bolt
Guns you would
Probably die before something ultimately fail ima bolt from use

 

[oldmetlfan]

7.62x39, and then change guns as needed as I pick them up.
357 or 45 for a sidearm.

If I am needing to always defend myself daily, I'm not screwing around with a 22.

 

[Omega]

I believe in 556 because the military and leos use it. Seems like it would be more acailable in a real shtf situation

 

[Patronus]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...versatility is key.

For SHTF long gun there is no better option IMO than an AR15(unless you come across an M16) with a 22 LR conversion kit. You have a .223 that is capable of both combat and hunting any game in Georgia(are bears game?). Yo can drop in the conversion kit and mag and small game hunt with the 22LR saving the larger, heavier .223 for more appropriate uses allowing you to put meat on the fire with a few hundred rounds of small, light ammo.

For the handgun, there really is not substitute to me for the Glock 27 with 9MM conversion barrel and a couple of mags. This gives you not only an absolutely dependable gun it gives you the two most common calibers available for scavenging ammo, and it does it without having to carry a complete second gun, keeping the weight and size component to a minimum.

Fortunately for me, wherever I go, my wife will go. So she will be carrying the AR15 and a Glock 27. I will be carrying an AK47 and another Glock 27. Or my Glock 30SF....I know, I know...stick with the plan dammit. lol.

 

[Survivor Johnny]

.22 with a suppressor and a 12 gauge with those shell to bullet converters in 9mm and .38. It would b hard to walk away from an SKS too tho

 

[PopsBwell]

.22 with a suppressor and a 12 gauge with those shell to bullet converters in 9mm and .38. It would b hard to walk away from an SKS too tho

Be nice to have a nice sks!

 

[GAGunguy]

How about a Bond Derringer in the pack?

Small, and you can change out barrels easily for what ever ammo you can scrounge.

Carry the 410 Barrel (410 shells, 45lc) , 9mm barrel, 357(and 38) barrel and 22 (long, short, quiet) barrel. Not a lot of moving parts, and its an absolute tank of a gun.

Downside is that it only shoots two shots at a time, but maybe that's all you will need for close quarters, or as a last resort.

 

[Inbonuscivis]

Depends on your AO

AR or AK because I am familiar with both platforms as well upkeep in the field.
Side Arm....Glock 9mm or 40sw (I can convert 40's to 9's if I need too)

But this is by design, everyone in my group all carries these platforms so sharing ammo, mags, etc thus a combat multiplier for the situation.

However, if I were in a highly populated area silence would be my new best friend.....so probably a suppressed 22 and a strong handgun in 357 or 45.

 

[zesty]

There could be all kinds of SHTF scenarios. If it's weather related and people are being generally nice, a 22LR would be good. If it's an enemy invasion, then an AR or AK is in order. If giant mole-people rise to the surface to enslave the human race, I might need a 50 cal.

My strategy is to just own one of everything so I'm prepared no matter what. It's the only sure way to prep properly.