Which SHTF Rifle Is Best Seldom Addressed Factors

[411man]

In the great debate over which type of long arm is best suited or necessary for self-defense in a SHTF or Natural Disaster type situation, seldom are the following factors addressed.

One needs to first decide what types of fuctions this firearm will need to perform. Will it be needed for hunting or self-sefense primarily? If mainly for self-defense, do you anticipate dealing with a small group of gang types or raiders should the need arise? What type of weapons would the hostiles likely have in your area?

Anytime one lives in or near a city of even small size, expect to have hostiles come at you in groups and be armed with shotguns, handguns, and rifles (usually semi-auto types) . Gang types or even organized mauraders will recognize the necessity of being well armed if they intend to prevail.

Remember to keep in mind that the slimmer the pickings the further these hostiles must travel to keep themselves provisioned.

Also keep in mind that once all of the easy sources for food are exhasted despiration sets in with even the most civilized people muchless the criminal types. With despiration comes determination. If you are the guaranteed immediate source for needed provisions the hostiles will not easily be fended-off.

These are the reasons why a detachable magazine fed semi-automatic weapon with a large supply of high capacity magazines is a must for survival. This is especially true if one is on their own without the support of others or even a member of a small group (ie 3-6). As the despiration spreads the size of the hostile groups will grow.

This is the reality of human nature.

[padeep]

SHTF senarios leave many variables; all hypothetical.

During SHTF, any wound/injury could be grave. If a person gets shot in the leg with a 22LR within 100 yards, they will probably die from blood loss or infection unless medical attention/facilities are immediately available.

If 6 to 100 well armed zombies, 'bangers, or former SWAT team members come to your house, your gonna die no matter how well armed you think you are.

There is no magic gun, or amount of ammo that will guarantee your survival.


Pdp

[Dr. X]

There is no magic gun, or amount of ammo that will guarantee your survival...

But an FAL and some .308 ammo would go a far piece toward that goal, IMO...:cool:

as ever,
Dr. X

[tedbo]

I dunno,how about a 30 or 50 rd .22 magazine in a ruger 1022 with a bmf actuator?
Cheap ammo,fast flying spray and pray and a quieter sound signature than a Fal in .308!I know I wouldn't want to be on the recieving end of that!It would do very well inside of a 100yd radius and you are saving the .308 or 30-06 for the serious zombies.:D

[Dr. X]

I dunno,how about a 30 or 50 rd .22 magazine in a ruger 1022 with a bmf actuator?
Cheap ammo,fast flying spray and pray and a quieter sound signature than a Fal in .308!I know I wouldn't want to be on the recieving end of that!It would do very well inside of a 100yd radius and you are saving the .308 or 30-06 for the serious zombies.:D

No 10/22 here...Mossberg M48 bolt action. My FAL is my only semi-auto, soooo...serious zombie or not, trussrep on my place and be persecuted to the fullest extent of the LAWS (rocket, that is), and meet yer maker filled with .308 holes! :D

as ever,
Dr. X

[BRONZE]

Good topic

Anybody watch the last episode fo Jerico. Guys with shotguns and lever actions against ARs or semi auto platforms.

I think those that say "a lever action would be a great shtf gun" are fooling themselves.

Leveractions, shotguns, bolt actions are great as long as you don't come up against someone with a semi and ideas of taking what you have.

[Dr. X]

Guys with shotguns and lever actions against ARs or semi auto platforms...

Ouch!!!:(

Q) Who brought an EBR to a shotgun battle?

A) The winner...:D

as ever,
Dr. X

[411man]

While there is NO arguing with the idea that a small force too poor to afford $800-$1000 ARs muchless FAL's would be wise to acquire a suitable number of other type firearms, I have to believe from personal experience and the postings of others that where there is a Will there is a Way.

Aks can still be had for around $400 while a adequate number of HiCap mags and ammo would bring the total investment to around $1000 (thats rifle, 20 mags, and 2K of ammo) at least more if you hunt-up the best prices.

So much of preparedness is based up one's level of commitment and even willingness to sacrifice to achieve a superior level of preparedness. I as well as others have literally eaten beans for weeks on end to acquire a critical piece of survival equipment. Some have gone on a Top Ramem diet to accomplish their goals.

I am here to tell one and all that such extreme measures are not needed in order to acquire a supply of excellent high quality survival gear. It does require sacrifice, research, careful planning, and commitment to see the job done.

I have offered my help on many occasions to give information on How and Where to find the best deals and prices on critical survival supplies. If one carefully looks at triming from their normal monthly expenses certain optional or luxury purchases for a while it is amazing the cash one can have to purchase survival supplies with. Such areas as fast food, recreational activities are two that come to mind. One need not go totally without but rather curb or change the amount and types of such expenditures.

I hope this give some ideas to aid in affording top quality survival supplies and tools.

[akfanatic]

So much of preparedness is based up one's level of commitment and even willingness to sacrifice to achieve a superior level of preparedness. I as well as others have literally eaten beans for weeks on end to acquire a critical piece of survival equipment. Some have gone on a Top Ramem diet to accomplish their goals.
You must be talking about me on the week between paychecks...:p

Ahem,
I totally agree.
What little I have (compared to others in higher income brackets) FAL, M1A, various AKs etc... were NOT small investments for me and it DID take some SERIOUS sacrifice to get them!

[witchdoctor]

Yes AKFanatic you know the Tuna Helper and Top Raman diet all too well. At least you still can afford Tuna for the Helper.

Anyway, I have a decent income and still cannot afford a lot of the stuff I want / need. I do live in a nice place and drive a nice utilitarian vehicle. I do not want for much in life, but I do buy what I can when I can. I probably need to put myself out for a little while and save up some money and buy my M1A without taking out a loan.


Now to the point of the thread.

I have thought seriously about the roll of the rifle in a post SHTF society. If you have to gather food I would want another rifle, such as a hunting rifle or shotgun for birds and small game. I have decided to bug-out with my AK, 7.62x39 flavor, and my 30-06 semi-auto hunting rifle. This will allow me to snipe and hunt.

[bsdmon]

pick up the rifle that you're most accurate with and familiar with. Reliable and accurate helps. How much ammo I have would determine two. It doesn't matter if you have an rpg and he has a pistol. Who gets the drop on who does. I would go with an l1a1 or I guess an ar type second maybe... probably just take an sks.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

+1 for what bsdmon said

[Kyrottimus]

I'd recommend against an AR in a survival situation.... unless you like spending a lot of your "free time" gutting your weapon and scouring it clean.

I'd stick with an AK or an FAL with sandcuts. Both are reliable and easy to maintain in piss-poor environments... It would really depend on which one I had more ammo, mags and spare parts for.

In my case it'd pretty much be even.

[lew]

I'm most familiar and confident with an FAL, so I wouldn't think twice about grabbing mine. Not to mention, I don't feel guilty about not cleaning the FAL. It'll work when I need it. My only other semi-auto at the moment is an FN49, so the FAL is the go-to gun.

[Swamp Rat]

Alot depends on what you are doing as no one rifle does everything. For pure survival here in N.GA I will have a levergun/wheelgun for general hunting. Daily carry is a 1911 and would repel borders or go to a fight with a FAL. I am not bugging out as I did much research about where to go and if I leave home I would just be going from the fring pan into the fire.

[Bawana Jim]

Well I hate to be a stick in the mud on my first post but sometimes a man just has to do it:D So you got your best gun and your moving through my neighborhood carrying it in a threatening manner. I don't know you but I see you are armed with an FAL and lots of ammo.

Are you headed for my house to harm my family so you can survive? Should I take the chance and let you go or me and the neighbors protect our homes and families.

What I am talking about is how you will look post SHTF. Guys that run around all decked out are going to be killed by their own neighbors as they will fear them. Better to work on a non offensive look that tells people to be wary but you are not threatening.

jim