Who will carry 2?

[SwampFox320]

Just wondering, who, if anyone would be carrying 2 long arms should you need to bug? And if you are, what will ya carry? I actually have got a few more arms in the past month and not sure which I'd carry. Some are newer some are WWII era (as most of you know, I own a Garand, lol). Just curious, I know 2 would could be a lot on top of gear and the extra ammo. Just wondering!

Fox

[Arizona Highlander]

As a 51-year-old dude with bad knees, I'm not likely to be bugging out on foot. And if I were, I'd grab more water before I'd worry about carrying a second gun (of course, I live in Arizona - if you live where the waters flow freely, it might not be as big a concern).

Were I bugging out in my truck, though, I'd certainly take along at least one battle rifle (your Garand is a great choice, BTW) and at least one handgun. And maybe even a third rifle (like a folding stock AK) that handier inside a vehicle (the Garand, effective as it is, is a little cumbersome sometimes).

If one is escaping on foot, I sometimes think that Jeff Cooper's concept of a "Scout Rifle" has some merit: a LIGHTWEIGHT, handy little rifle that may not do anything perfectly, but does everything pretty well.

I don't have a "Scout Rifle," and I think its utility is of lesser value for someone planning on a bug-in situation (which includes me) since there's no advantage to owning just one rifle if you're bugging in. I've got several specialized rifles, and I intend to grab the one best suited for whatever purpose when the need arises.

But, I'd seriously consider a "Scout" if bugging out on foot was a likely possibility.

[Bidah]

Many hands make for light work..

I most likely will not be carrying a second rifle if I am leaving on foot. Eight pounds is a lot of weight for other stuff that can be carried that may be more essential.

I am not really sold on the Scout Rifle, but I have a friend that is. Does that count?

-Bidah

[Arizona Highlander]

I am not really sold on the Scout Rifle, but I have a friend that is. Does that count?

Actually, though I’m fascinated by the idea, I admit that I’m not 100% sold on the Scout Rifle concept yet, either. :D

Biggest problem is that by the time you’ve got it scoped and ready to go, an authentic Steyr Scout is likely to set you back close to $3K. Now, I’m something of a “Steyroid,” and love their rifles from Austria, but any way you slice it, that’s a big chunk of change.

Savage came out with a “Savage Scout,” a short-barreled, synthetically stocked rifle with a forward scope mounting. It’s a lot less expensive than the Steyr, but Jeff Cooper really ripped into the Savage version (he flat-out hated it). But, Boston T. Party (author of “Boston’s Gun Bible”) thought the “Savage Scout” was terrific. Go figure.

Still, I think that unless someone is really forced into a situation where they can only have one rifle (and that rifle, therefore, will have to do everything the owner might ask of it) I think a more conventional battery of arms might be a better way to go.

But - back to the main point - if you're heading out on foot, you won't be able to carry 'em al!

[Bidah]

Well, in case you are interested, there is a Scout Rifle book that is printed by Paladin Press(?) that will show you how to make them cheaper.

A friend uses an M1A with a scout mounted scope, and is also looking to do that with his FAL. I prefer irons, or a conventional scope. Maybe when I am older.. :)

-Bidah

[glock4me]

M14 & AK 4me if SHTF ;)

[CabofDoom]

Dont think I would carry 2 long guns. I do have the benifit of a large family group close at hand. Three sons and a daughter, three oldest 18, 21 and 23. Youngest is ten and can carry his required load out. Wife is stong and willing. Thats 5 long guns (6 if daughters BF BO's with us) and 4-5 handguns.

Truth is tho, bugging out is the worst case scenario. I have no desire to become a refugee and I have no realistic fall back option bug in is it for me

COD

[tedbo]

I'm buggin' in. I ain't 100% physically and even if I was, I am safer with my surroundings.

[kurbelgehause]

I second the plan to bug in. If everything goes to hell in a handcart, unless you have access to your own helicopter or you are already out of harm's way, you will just be a part of the unlucky masses stuck on whatever highway everyone else tried to leave on too. Better to stay put and wait out the fun and games while watching it all on t.v.:D

[CA357]

I'm building my own scout rifle. I bought a Mosin Nagant M38 in great condition that had been re-arsenaled. I bought an ATI Monte Carlo stock, a Weaver scope mount and a Nikon Monarch 2X20 EER scope.
I swapped stocks, it was simple and it looks pretty good. I bought a Mossy Oak camo stock instead of black. I haven't mounted the scope yet because I wanted to see how it shot first. It shoots a tad low at 100 yds. with the stock iron sights. I'll mount the scope one night this week.
Total cost to date is around $350. including the rifle. The rifle was $120. the scope was a closeout for $209. and the scope mount around $22.50 I still have to buy a sling for it, so my final total will probably be around $400. or less.
I have a DSA SA58, an M1 carbine and a Mossberg 12ga. shorty pump as well. I like having some options.

[MrGrey]

Bugging out?

Bugging In?

You may not have a choice. When the lava flow is heading your way, when the flash flood is heading your way, you bug out one way or the other. Its not always invading armies and/ or zombie hords.

Bugging in:

Mathmaticly, if we look at a wide variety of events, bugging in is the most likely thing you will do. Well if your staying home you have everything you have at home. So you can load and prep everything and stage it by the door or window or what ever.

Bugging out:

Not very likely, in this area, that you are going to go on foot at least at first. You will drive as far as a tank of gas (and any spare fuel you have) will take you. Then you start walking. If you live some place else like some third world country, I have no idea what means of travel you may have. Don't laugh about the ox cart. You can haul a load of junk in one of those if you have one but no its not going to travel very far at high speed. So if you must leave, leave early.

In any case bugging out can become critical. Getting out and on the road before every one else, can put you ahead of the traffic jam. Getting family rounded up from school, work, best friends house etc can be a time killer. Getting loaded and topping off the fuel tank can also be a time killer. Having at least a half a tank of gas and some fuel cans around and your bug out gear prepacked and handy will also help. I and my kids can cycle through the potty, load the truck and hit the road in about 20 minutes. While every one else is trying to figure out what to pack and where the kid left it last, where is the flashlight, its dead, where are the batteries, don't we havev any batteries, I'm already gone.

Only about 3% of the population can be packed and gone in under 30 minutes. Thats the group to be in. The bulk of traffic will be scrambling to find family, get home, get to the store, get to the gas station, etc. Once your out of town and on the freeway, you have a better than average shot of getting clear of the area. Katrina taught some important lessons. One woman was stuck in traffic 2 blocks from her home. Eighteen hours later she was still only a few blocks from home. 5 Days warning, and every one who left, waited till the last minute. Stupid. In the hurricane that followed Katrina (I for got the name) there were people who got out only because they had maps and GPS gear that helped them find back roads that got them around traffic jams so they got out while others were forced to ride out the storm sitting on the on ramp to the freeway. Again stupidity prevails.

If your leaving, leave early. If your staying, hunker down early

Noah didn't wait till the first rains fell before he started building the ark. He also didn't wait, till the flood waters were half way up the side of the boat before he closed the door and sealed it up.

Take what you can carry with the means that you have available.

My choice? Rifle, (30-06) and shotgun (12 gauge) and daughter takes her ruger 10/22. Thats my long gun choice. So put me down for 3 of them. I may also saddle my other daugter with my .223. If I'm forced to move on foot for a long distance, .223 and or the ruger as they are the lightest weight and lightest ammo weight.

Food for thought.