With the latest addition of a shotgun to my collection, I realized I had put together the perfect "Poor Man's Survival Combo", a rifle, shotgun and handgun for less than $750, less than the price of a single AR-15, and much more effective and versatile, in my humble opinion.

This combination can be used for defense and gathering game, ammunition widely available and cheap, stone cold reliable.

Rifle: Winchester "Ranger" 30/30, price $250, shown with SKS sling and ammo pouch on stock, holding ten rounds at the ready:



Shotgun: Remington 870 "Express Magnum", like new, recently purchased for $225:



Handgun: Smith and Wesson Model 64, .38 Special, Cost $265, shown with Bianchi #5BH holster and Buck 110 Folding Hunter. The Buck knife is one I've had since 1979, bought it with my first Navy paycheck when I got out of Boot Camp:



One could say a .22 rifle could replace the 30/30 as the rifle in a Three Gun Survival Combo, letting the shotgun take up the defensive and heavy game duties. I handload mild cast lead rounds for the rifle for small game, 170 grain bullet at 1300 FPS, quiet and accurate.

Total cost for all three guns $740....

What is your Three Gun Survival Combo?

You have good choices represented there , that should serve you well. I have a SS marlin .44 Mag Id probably use with one of my 629's so id have one type of ammo for both guns. I also have an 870 id pick and one of my .22 rifles and handguns (same ammo again). You started a good thread here!

I am presently playing with 98 and 118 grain loads for my 30/30 for real light loads. Have even tried some .310 round ball with miniscule charges of Bullseye. Sounds like an air gun . Great for real small game.

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Lost in Penn's Woods

So many of the so called "TEOTWAWKI" people think they will be repealing hordes of nomad bikers they feel they need their AK, converted Saiga shotgun, and high capacity 40 it can get amusing at times. They say "I will scavenge food and ammo from my enemies" without thinking that if these so called enemies has plenty of food and ammo they would be sitting at home, not roaming the countryside. My idea of surviving includes being as low profile as I can possibly be, something hard to do if you hunt with a gun that can be heard 2 counties over. I have no delusions about taking on hoards of heavily armed looters unless given absolutely no choice.

If I had to choose a three gun battery and not allowed to keep all the firearms stashed at home I would go with my 10/22 which would get a nice OD paint jobs and I would replace the red dot with my Trijicon Reflex sight so I wouldn't be dependent on batteries. It would also be very easy to suppress with "found" components. This would work fine on small game, birds (yes I would happily shoot a goose on the ground for survival), and even on smaller deer like a nice 2 year old doe (poachers have been doing so successfully for years).



The other two guns would be more defensive in nature and perhaps not what you would expect. A sub-caliber carbine and handgun that use the same ammo and the same magazines would be a major advantage so I would choose my Mech Tech conversion and Glock 19. The carbine is good out to 200 yards easily shooting minute of felon at that range and yes, I have shot 9mm carbines at that distance. However I would prefer to E&E rather than engage if possible. I would put the irons back on the carbine or pull another Trijicon off another rifle.



The shotgun? I wouldn't include one actually. The carbine will do very well for SD and as I stated I have no problem with shooting game birds on the ground. Shotgun ammo is both bulky and very heavy, I would rather have 250 rounds of 22 instead of 25 rounds of 12 gauge.

These might not be a traditional 3 gun battery but they would serve my purposes very well. However I don't see abandoning my firearms at home. Only thing that would force my family out of our family compound would be radiation from a close nuke or nuclear winter. I live in a small midwest farming community where folks tend to pull together. I think we would be fairly self supporting with a barter system if it was anything but a temporary situation.

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Dum vivimus, vivamus!

Not a thing in the world wrong with those three. Variations on that are an SKS with a trigger job, various 4" .38/.357 K-frames, and a Savage 24C in .22LR/20 Ga. (and a .30-30 liner) A tool is a tool is a tool.

Only reason there isn't an 870 in the mix is that the one I had suited my son a lot better than me so I gave it to him.

I'd like to see the logistics train that has to accompany some of these future warlords.

Since I plan on keeping my family with me I'm figuring on a 12 gun survival battery. ;D Though realistically if we're moving around I expect that pretty quick it would get whittled down to 8 firearms, one long gun and one side arm per person. I'm real sure my son would never leave the Garand behind so he would probably have that and his CZ52. My daughter would take the Rossi pump in 22 Mag and S&W M30. Wife would probably go with the Ithaca 37 and 1911A1 by the same maker, she's kind of a traditionalist. I don't know what I'd take because it's be to hard deciding what to leave behind.

"a rifle, shotgun and handgun for less than $750, less than the price of a single AR-15, and much more effective and versatile, in my humble opinion."


OP, if you could expound on that, I'd be interested.

IMO, if I had to choose between all three or the AR, I'll take the AR. Great platform for defense and hunting. It's much more accurate at distance than a 30/30.

Here's a LWRC 6.8 short barrel rifle. I can put a 3x multiplier behind the Aimpoint or a PVS-14 night vision. Pretty versatile to me.

This isn't meant as a crack, I'd shoot any one of your guns. Killed my first two deer with a 30/30.

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Smith & Wesson beat four aces

More effective and versatile....

For $750, you have a handgun which can be concealed, can't "easily" conceal an AR-15.

You have a shotgun which can be used to take moving game, such as squirrels in a tree, flying birds, or use slugs or buckshot to take heavy game, or for defense.

You have a repeating rifle for close in defense and taking heavy game.

All three weapons are mechanically operated, not gas operated, making them intrinsically more reliable. Neither one requires a magazine to make it work. Lose the magazine for a semi-auto rifle or pistol, and you have an expensive single shot. Some pistols just plain won't work without a magazine inserted, those with a magazine safety.

The whole package is more versatile than an AR-15, which is considerably more expensive, .223 ammuntion is limited in it's game taking capability, and a lot of AR-15's are not nearly as reliable as I would like to have in a gun that must work, every time. I've had a lot of AR-15's over the years, and the only ones that I found to be reliable were Colts.

AR-15's to me make excellent target rifles, and good combat rifles if you are accompanied by a lot of guys armed and ready to back you up if your rifle fails.

Edited: I guess what I'm saying is AR-15's are OK, but not the best "Survival", multi-purpose rifle...

A 3 gun survival pack for under $750, hmmm... Ok here's my picks; either a Mossberg 590 or a police trade in Remington 870 12 ga with the rifle sights.
Winchester or Marlin 30/30 with I ghost ring rear sight.
Ruger Security Six or Blackhawk in .357 Magnum.
I'm with canoeguy on the manual operation thing! Your pretty much going to be on your own out in the boonies and the gunsmith or parts store is miles away. And knowing how to detail strip you piece does come in handy. Also a spare parts bag should be a part of you bug out bag too! Dale
PS: Honorable mention to the British Lee Enfield .303. The rounds are somewhat expensive but the rifles aren't! And the Ruger Mk 2 .22 pistol, the things just don't seem to break!

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

ARs are actually the easiest of long arms to conceal. Several specialized variants can be had that go into a specialized Storm case, but it's also possible to hide a short bbl variant under a coat.

It's the accessories really that can make one useful, and the same set of accessories can work on many guns. Downside is that they are expensive. The PVS-14 (in -17 mode as made by ITT) is part of that equation. Sticking on a PEQ-2 or similar IR illuminator/laser is another part. Sticking a suppressor on is the third leg on that stool. Quiet, no muzzle flash, and out to 100 yards, you don't even need the Aimpoint, just follow the IR aiming spot that only someone with NVG can see.

Expensive, but if people are what one worries about, such a set up, combined with a nice daytime optic allowing rapid target aquisition, well that will let someone do interesting things.

All that stuff is expensive though. A first rate PVS will run perhaps 3600 for it alone. The PEQ-2 another grand or more. Figure at least that much and likely more for the daytime optic, plus the cost of a suppressor and transfer tax... It's pricey. Even more so if someone buys good body armor and rifle plates to go with their weapon.

Doesn't really matter the platform so much if a person can afford those accessories.

Like everything else, it's a cost benefit equation. If someone is worried about "things" and really wants an advantage, certain gear - and proper training - gives a very large edge.

If one is going to forage and just try to hunt for their supper? A .22 rifle, most any will do, and a handgun also so chambered ought do nicely.

Marlin 1894C and a 686. 2 guns would do it for me...

...AA12 with a drum or two,an HK MK23 Mod 0, and a Barrett .50 just so i dont have to break the .45 out,,,,we can dream cant we...??

M1A (love that rifle) Scout, M&P 9mm FS (23rds mags), & Mossy 500.


"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"- Benjamin Franklin

Well, I'll take heat on this but I want my old Bear Whitetail II Bow with a full quiver of arrows for food gathering. Quiet and it will drop a man at 45-50 yds with hunting broad heads on. Cut you to pieces. You can kill small game and fish with various arrow heads. I have all of these. I've shot bass with the fishing points and reel attachment. Survival means stealth and nothings quieter than an old bow. The new compounds and crossbows can be heard 20-40 yards away but not the old bows.

Next would be my Ruger 10-22 with a 3X9X50 scope and my S&W Model 10-6 .38 or my M&P FS .40. I have plenty ammo for all three.

There is a lot out there. To keep things to a minimum, here is my short list: A winchester 92 clone in .357 and a .357 revolver of your choice. Interchangable ammo, a lot of guys over at levergunners think 357 in a carbine almost as good as a 30-30. Any 12 guage shotgun, a 870 would be a good choice. Well thats three so far, but I really would like to see a nice 22 rifle in there. Queit, deadly carry a lot of cheap available deadly ammo. Notice all calibers listed, 22 lr, 357 and 12 guage should be more available then anything else.

I don't think it matters what you choose, the FEMA guys think they have the right to take it all away from you even if you are holed up in your own house.....All in the name of law and order. If you want to join one of their refugee camps (think Katrina / Super Dome) they even take your pocket knife.

I'm sorry...while I can see a three gun survuval battery, In reality...small game getting would probably be the order of the day.
In that vein, I only consider TWO firearms in my survival battery (along with my bug out pack and a good knife). Those are a Marlin Model 60 .22 caliber rifle with 250 rounds of ammo minimum...and a 1980's vintage Charter Arms Tracker .357 Magnum with one hundred rounds of ammo that run from .38 shotshells all the way to .357 Magnum JHP's.

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The Last Standing Knight

Good luck with your choice of weaponry. I don't think mother nature would care what kind of handgun, rifle or shotgun you chose. Most animals are smart enough or have a keen enough sense of smell to know when you are around. If you don't know how to make a trap, fish, and forage for other calories besides meat you'll probably starve to death or die of scurvy within the year.

+1...........I'll probably get more sustenance from what I catch in my live trap and rat traps (chipmunks) than I'd get with a gun. My favorite "game getter" is a 60+ year old Remington single shot .22 with iron sights. I practice a little Euell Gibbons wild food gathering once in a while. Wild onions are only good for burning my esophagus out! The wife wouldn't even consider cooking anything else I'd dig up or pick.
I'm more concerned w/ two legged predators. At home 12 gauge/00buck.
On the move 16" stainless Taurus pump in .22 mag. and my S&W642. Weight being the important consideration.

My three gun outfit consists of:

1) Mossberg 930 12 ga. auto
2) CZ 452 22 or 22 Mag rifle (I have both and it would be a hard choice)
3) S&W 627 Eight Times PC revolver

I'm set. Let the bad times roll. Not really expecting it to happen. But I am ready.

Out
West

I thought about multiple guns that would shoot ammo that I have in my stockpile. Cost was a consideration. If things get dicey I would want to share with my kids if they did not prepare. Gave thought to CCW, home protection, bugout, small/medium game hunting, and range use. So far I have

S&W 22a-1 22lr pistol
Henry AR7 Survival rifle
Rossi 22lr/20ga single shot rifle combo
Total $750

Heritage Rough Rider 22lr/22mag hardened 6.5in revolver
Rossi 22mag/12ga rifle combo
Maverick 88 12ga with 18" and rifled slug barrels
Total $800

S&W M&P Shield 40 pistol
Hi Point 40 JCP Pistol
Hi Point 4095 carbine
Total $850

2 Mosin Nagant 91/30's
(Longer range bigger game)
GSG 522 22lr (poor mans AR)
CVA Magbolt 150 50cal black powder rifle
Total $750

Looking over through the gun cabinet I come up with this. Prices are what I paid within the last three years. No "got them 25 years ago" prices.

Winchester '94 in 30-30... $325 (Made in 1959)
Mossberg 500A, 20" bbl with full length magazine... $165
Model 439... $220

That's $710.

A step farther adds...

Hideout gun - Model 38... $200
Small game - Marlin Glenfield .22 passed down from my father. Priceless.

How'd ya like to make $20?

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In dog years I'm dead.

Didn't post a picture of it because I didn't want everyone to throw up. It's definitely what I think is referred to as a truck gun. The finish is worn, nicked up, has a half-inch diameter spot where the bluing is gone all the way down to the alloy and the stocks that it came with were mismatched and chewed up. But a set of Pachys solved that, and it shoots just fine. Doesn't need to look good, which is fortunate because it certainly does not.

I figured the first pricing question would be a pre-'64 Model '94 for $325. It's a similar story. Finish on the gun is fine, but the stocks are heavily oil or grease stained. My plan is to take them off and see if my nephew who refinishes furniture can do anything with them.

I really like the Savage 24 series. I take the Camp-gun (22/20) with me everywhere I go. I have an inexpensive 22 revolver also. I've had these so long, I've got less than $200 in both. In the wilderness, this is all I would need. In the city add the 870 and a bandoleer or two, just to gt out of town. Ivan

Change my .30-30 to a Marlin 336 and I got the same linup

.30-30- $150
870 express- $320 (new)
M64- $120

total- $490

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an actual conservative

Great price on the Savage 24. I am jealous. I was bidding on a 24 (22 mag/20ga field grade) on gunbroker in the last year. It went to someone else for over $650. That is why I settled for a Rossi combo 22mag/12ga for around $150. The Savage was a great looking gun and had the ability to have both barrels loaded at once. You get a follow up shot without having to break open and reload.

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CA ban no sharp pencils ovr 3"