Picked up a couple of neat guns at value prices this morning, a Winchester "Ranger" 30/30 carbine and an early pre-war M&P. Both guns were priced at $299 each, I got them both for $500. I had seen the 30/30 in his shop a month or so ago, but the owner said a guy had it on layaway. Well, the guy lost his job, so the rifle is now mine! Here's some pics:



So, my survival battery (long guns) now consists of the 30/30, a scoped Remington .308, three .22 rifles (a Romainian .22 military training rifle, a Norinco copy of a German military training rifle, and a stainless steel Taurus pump .22). Now I need to salt back about 500 rounds each of 30/30 and .308 soft point hunting ammo. I have a plethora of .22 ammo.

For handguns, four .22 revolvers and pistols, and many .38 revolvers. I have enough .38 revolvers to arm family members if need arises.

Here's a pic of my long gun survival batterry:



Share some thoughts and pics of your survival battery! Gatorfarmer, you may have to post a slide show...

Picked up a couple of neat guns at value prices this morning, a Winchester "Ranger" 30/30 carbine and an early pre-war M&P. Both guns were priced at $299 each, I got them both for $500. I had seen the 30/30 in his shop a month or so ago, but the owner said a guy had it on layaway. Well, the guy lost his job, so the rifle is now mine! Here's some pics:



So, my survival battery (long guns) now consists of the 30/30, a scoped Remington .308, three .22 rifles (a Romainian .22 military training rifle, a Norinco copy of a German military training rifle, and a stainless steel Taurus pump .22). Now I need to salt back about 500 rounds each of 30/30 and .308 soft point hunting ammo. I have a plethora of .22 ammo.

For handguns, four .22 revolvers and pistols, and many .38 revolvers. I have enough .38 revolvers to arm family members if need arises.

Here's a pic of my long gun survival batterry:



Share some thoughts and pics of your survival battery! Gatorfarmer, you may have to post a slide show...

There's ALWAYS something else you can add. Hahaha
Nice collection though.

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NRA Endowment Member

Aren't you going to hunt some birds too?

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Regulate Banks, not guns

That is a nice looking Winchester. Since we always need an excuse for more guns, you might consider a 12 gauge pump.

I have owned shotguns, but since I am a very poor wing shot (maybe a 25% hit ratio on clay birds), I figured I'd stick with what I am good at, rifle and pistol shooting.

If I had to shoot a bird for survival food, I would have to shoot it sitting, "ground sluice it". I can do that with a .22 rifle.

The 30/30 should be good for home defense and deer hunting, the scoped .308 for long range shots, hunting and defence, the handguns carried all the time and readily available for home defense.

The best thing about this battery, they are all guns that I enjoy shooting and collecting, so even if thier never comes a "SHTF" scenario, I'll enjoy them until I die.

C/G,
ANYTHING works in a SHTF scenario! Don't forget that a rifle sighted 12 smooth bore pump, can also digest slugs quite effectively! Depending upon it's owners proclivities.
Besides, someone in your family or pack may not be as good as you are with only one projectile? Just a thought...

Simple clean with a Weaver scope and irons as well.
Smith Corona 03A3.
Just found and bought 880 rounds of mil surp ammo in two cans for 250.
.22 will keep you eating easy for many years.
3006 will keep you protected from 1/2 mile away!

Peter.

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Need 1/2 moon Chiefs special

Where's your shotguns? Short and long barrels are required. If anyone is recoil sensitive a 16 or 20 gauge is also mandatory.
Good start on the rifles and handguns though.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

re: "GatorFarmers survival battery"

Last week when photos of that Mexican arms bust was posted...guess what came to mind....

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

Very nice start for your long gun collection. There are a couple of holes on that gun rack that need filling though. So, to repeat what others have said, you will need a pump action or semi,auto 12ga. shotgun. You best start saving now, because it is inevitable!

BTW, I think you got a very good deal on the M&P and the 30-30. I am a big fan of leverguns, and that one looks nice. Good luck with them.

WG840

__________________
Freedom above all else.

You know, while i was in the shop buying the 30/30 and the M&P, a guy came in trying to sell the owner a Winchester Model 1300 sporting shotgun. They didn't agree on a price, so the guy asked me as I was walking out "What would you give me for this shotgun". I examined it, looked brand new, not a mark on it, screw in chokes, long barrel, nice field shotgun. I in turn asked him what he had to have for it he said $190. I knew that was probably a good deal, and should have taken it, but I had spent all the money I wanted to spend this month buying the rifle and revolver, so reluctantly had to pass.

Shotguns are easy to find, and one may end up in my rack. I have had several over the years, but they just don't interest me like rifles and pistols, hard to get excited about spending money stockpiling shotgun shells you probably will never use.

I do have family members that are hard over excited about shotguns, shooting trap, hunting doves and ducks, so if the SHTF, maybe we can join forces. My hunting buddy probably has eight shotguns, and a trained lab for retrieving. I hunt deer and squirrels with him (with rifles), but give a pass on the bird hunts.

You might want to get a dedicated defensive rifle (aka EBR) and suitable accessories if you're concerned about needing firearms in an emergency. While fine and enjoyable firearms, sporting arms aren't usually designed to stand up to the rigors and abusive environment of weapons that have a military pedigree.

Nice collection so far. My comment is that since you already have .22 and .38 handguns, look for lever actions in those calibers, such as a Marlin 39 and Marlin 1894C. Then you'd have handguns and long guns that could feed exactly the same ammunition, and in two calibers that cover the gamut from putting game on the table to putting two-legged threats down.

I also agree you should have at least one 12 ga. shotgun, regardless of friends/family that have their own. Since you're asking about survival conditions you need to have it yourself and not be relying on others for it. Have some bird, buck and slugs to go with it. If only getting one shotgun I'd go with a pump action.

Not being critical; you asked for comments. BTW, at the nice price you paid for the 30/30 and the M&P I'd probably have bought them, too.

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NRA Life Member

I'm ready... I got my .45 Colt pair over six years ago. Of course, the 625MG needs no introduction. Neither does the Fred Vollmer 'Utility Knife'. The Puma M1892 is a 24" SS octagon barrel, also in .45 Colt. It came drilled/tapped for a tang site - the Marbles was a no-brainer. Easily dispatches marauding shotgun clays - standing and handheld (The rifle...) - at 100 yd. Sadly, anyone can do it... the thing is a great shooter in anyone's hands.

I did a bad thing when it was brandy-new - right outta da box. I lost this nylon stick that must have been under the mag spring. Anyhow, it still works great - but will fit 12 + 1 .45 Colts. As my other long guns are all .22 rimfires, I guess the M1892 is my 'assault rifle' - of sorts. If you are a Zombie intent on attacking me, give me warning - it takes time to load it!



Nothing like a proper lever gun/revolver combo.

Stainz

Gatorfarmer,

I have owned and enjoyed EBR's in the past, I have owned AK's, AR's, FN's, M1A's, etc, and they were fun and eye catching, as well as great investments. I sold all of mine a few years ago to pay for my wifes college and seminary education, now she is the breadwinner, and now I play on my Navy retirement!

I'd love to have another AR-15, but for the cost of one AR and 1000 rounds of ammo, you could assemble a full survival batterry. I paid $538 (with two boxes of 30/30 cartridges)out the door Saturday for the 30/30 and a .38 Special M&P revolver, was offered a pump shotgun (Winchester Model 1300) for $190 from a customer in the store. If I had bouhgt the shotgun, my total cost for a three gun battery would have been $728. Leaving lots of money for ammunition for above. I think if I had to buy an AR-15 and 1000 rounds of ammo, it would be at least $2000.

Another consideration about moving around the civilian populace, a guy carrying a 30/30 carbine slung over his shoulder will garner less attention than a guy carrying an AR-15.

I agree, for combat, none of these weapons I have will do, but I don't intend to engage in combat if at all possible. Food gathering and protection from evil minded people are what I have in mind.

Nice guns.

The 30-30 is not a bad ebr on the down low.

Emory

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Hard To Kill

I have seen similar threads about survival guns in situations, but, I must confess, I can't quite imagine what those situations could be.

If power goes out for a long period, or there is a natural disaster, etc., I suppose one who lives in a rural or semi-rural area could hunt for food.

Maybe I fail to grasp the need for survival weapons since I live in such an urban area and if everything ground to a halt, I'd be stuck here in my quiet little neighborhood. Food and medicene would be my priority.

And, again, it may be that since Florida has statutes that, in the event of a "Declaration of Emergency" (F.S. 870.041-.048) one of the provisions is no possession of a firearm in a public place except by police/military, I know I won't be walking around with a firearm either openly or concealed (unless I am willing to be arrested)that makes me think that I don't need such things.

I do, of course, have weapons (rifles, shotguns and handguns) capable of defending myself, my family and my home, but I can't quite picture a situation where I would need them.

I do have a J-frame in my pocket all the time, and (am I just naive?) think that will cover most anything that might happen here.

I worry more about the occasional burglar/robber than zombies.

Red Dawn was a very entertaining movie, but, I doubt such antics would be doable (at least not for long) in the face of regular soldiers and there's no mountains to hide in here and it is too far to go to the Everglades.

So, I guess my question is: What situation do you envision where such a survival battery will really be necessary?

Bob

Straightshooter,

The survival scenarios I prepare for are not "Red Dawn" situations, sonething more like:

Extended power outages or riots in large parts of the country cause chaos, travel into cities to get groceries are unsafe (LA after the Rodney King verdict).

You are out of work for a long time, family is hungry. a deer walks by the edge of the woods...

Extended trips into the backcountry, you have enough food for the trip, but have a survival rifle tucked away in case a mishap causes you to lose part of your food.

Traveling in remote areas by light aircraft or four wheel drive vehicle, having a survival weapon to gather game and signal.

Hurricane causes devastation in your area, protect yourself and property with a survival weapon.

A weapon in your home to protect your family from intruders.

A survival weapon or two in your vehicle while traveling.

The weapons I have chosen will blend in a little easier than an AR-15. A vehicle search by a State Trooper revealing a cased 30/30 rifle should not be a cause for alarm, if the driver is being polite.

OK, I see your points. Unfortunately, in my State, I won't be traveling with a gun because of the statutes if there's an emergency.

If no food available, we'd eat a lot of fist or, perhaps, egrets and cranes (I hear they taste just like chicken)!

We do, as I say, have guns and reloading materials for all, too.

I stocked up loooooong before the election but did buy 10K of primers on Saturday for $36 per thousand.

Bob

The downside to ARs is indeed that they can tend to be expensive. I made sure to have one for every family member (including children), but I have "issues" that stem from spending my formative adult years as a slumlord in a decaying midwestern city.

Ironically, I'm now a homemaker and my wife is in the Navy. Everyone's financial ability will differ.

Where I currently reside, an M4 clone equates to "good guy".

If you google "Ferfal" and "Argentina" you'll find some advice from a guy who went through Argentina's economic collapse and subsequent increase in crime.

I have doubts about the ability to gather food via hunting if everyone is out and about with the same idea and an empty stomach. I base this on noticing that the deer and other animals are harder to harvest further into hunting season - and that's with bag limits and game wardens. If you have the room, you might want to buy some rabbits. Once you have two (a male and a female), you'll soon have more rabbits. They're docile enough and also quite tasty. A claw hammer suffices for harvesting them and never runs out of ammo. Though I do see the utility in being able to harvest animals in a "depression" as opposed to some other possible problems.

Any situation that would require a firearm for personal defense, and that allows one to have a rifle handy. Rifles do a better job of dealing with threats than do handguns. They're easier to hit with and more powerful. The current "in" thing is to simply use an M4 clone as a house gun. Other than necessitating ear plugs (WHAT? I can't hear you....), they have a lot going for them in that role.

To be fair there's a "split" between "survival" guns as foraging guns and survival guns as defensive items. A .22, shotgun, and centerfire rifle usually suffice for the former, the latter gets more complex.

I suppose if you want scenarios, you could start by reading the Congressional reports about the dangers of an EMP attack or read postings about life in Argentina, the former Yugoslavia, et al once those areas developed problems.

And then there are always the zombies.....

WG840

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Freedom above all else.

GF-Not sure about the applicability of Argentina or Yugoslavia to my area.

And, I don't think I'd want to be shooting a rifle in my neighborhood as there are bazillions of people living here, kids, etc. I think if I were using a long gun, it'd be my wife's or my Beretta semiautos with something like 7 1/2s at close range.

I can understand a rifle for self defense in a rural or semi rural area, though.

I still can't imagine something like that happening here.

But, what's an EMP attack?

EDITED: I think maybe you are talking about a nuclear weapon? Unfortunately for me, I don't live far from McDill AFB with SOCOM, etc. If they use such a weapon there, I am afraid I won't be needing any guns or food or meds. Just a dust pan to pick me up.

Bob

Actually, we're going through what happened in Argentina circa 2001 to present in some ways. They were a first world country, then the economy collapsed, inflation became a problem, people went hungry, crime rose, etc. A charismatic leader came to power, and didn't quite fix things. Sound familiar?

Yugoslavia was a nice place once. They used to grow fine tobacco around Sarajevo. Then people stopped getting along and a multicultural/multiethnic country reverted into something else.

5.56mm carbines, with the right ammunition, present less of an issue with overpenetration (through barriers) than do many other choices. Unlike something like birdshot from a shotgun, they still offer sufficient penetration in living tissue.

EMP= electromagnetic pulse. It isn't a conventional nuclear attack, but would suffice to put the lights out for a while. It's sufficiently worrisome that the DoD implemented new standards to harden their facilities against it. It'd be like the 2003 blackout, but nationally, and causing lots of problems to correct.

I have some experience with both 5.56 and shotguns with "birdshot."

At close range, the shotgun is deadly. My situation is simply that there are too many people to chance shooting a rifle, though I have 30 or so to choose from.

I still have a hard time believing that there will be such a situation arise that requires me to consider one of them for defense. But, I understand there are many who disagree and are prepared or preparing.

And, if I am wrong, I am already "prepared" having been a rifle shooter and reloader for many years.



Bob

You could write a bigggggggg book if you put in all the (what if's) when it comes to what you need in a survival battery.
What would you need if?

1.--You live in the inner city when a Rodney King riot breaks out.
2.--Theres a disaster that takes all power out , and you have gangs roaming the streets looting and killing at random.(Katrina)
4.--There is a terrorist attack that involves terrorist groups going through towns and taking hostages.
Some of these may seem far fetched , but who ever thought that a few terrorists could pull off 9/11?
It's best to prepare for the worst.
Have double the ammo that you think you will need.
Have a (combat) rifle that can make hits out to 300-400 yards.
A 12ga. pump shotgun.
A good centerfire handgun, and a 22 rimfire handgun for the hell of it.

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Jeb

See Jeb, that's kinda what I was thinking about.

Making hits with a rifle at 3-400 yards. There's no place where there's 3-400 yards anywhere near my house. My neighborhood is full of houses and people and kids. I have a big "yard" and can talk in a low conversational voice to my neighbors.

Inner city when a riot broke out-why would I be there to begin with? Ain't gonna happen. I've been through a number of riots as a LEO and one of the two in St. Petersburg when certain folks were really upset about an "unarmed child" being killed by a cop (who shot to stop the escapee from running over him). All of these were "up close and personal" experiences. Ain't gonna happen again.

And the Hurricane scenario-the gangs would be in the evacuation areas (if there were gangs). Or, in St. Petersburg's Southside.

It'd take 'em half a day or more to get to my neighborhood, if they could find it.

But, if I lived in an inner city I might be concerned. If I lived where I had to worry about those other things, I'd be (maybe) concerned. Actually, if anyone lives in any of these places, they ought to move.

But, remember, Florida, in any of these situations can declare an "Emergency" and there won't be any legal guns in public places, concealed or otherwise, except for LEO/Military and, therefore, I will just stay home.

But, I have all those you list, and a lot more. I just don't think I need to worry about using them.

Bob

Let me be clear. I am not putting down anyone who thinks they should be prepared if some catastrophic event occurs.

I am just interested in figuring out what event could possibly cause ME to need such preparation, given where I live.

Again, I don't see anything wrong with ARs or other rifles for self defense, I can't imagine using one here because (1) I can't imagine needing to use it here and (2) I couldn't, in good conscience, shoot it because of the others in my area.

Bob

And you're telling other people to think about moving?

Emory

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Hard To Kill

Yep, this is Paradise. The idea of the law, I think, is that people ought not to be out there during an "Emergency" anyway, and if they are, shouldn't be armed.

It applies to law abiding as well as non-law abiding people.

Bob

Check out this good read. It takes place in Florida:
http://www.amazon.com/Alas-Bab...-Frank/dp/0060741872

http://www.abebooks.com/search...rank/tn/alas+babylon

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NRA Life Member

I'm more of a go where I want, when I want, with my guns kinda guy.

Emory

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Hard To Kill

Yeah, should work as well as the laws against rioting, looting and such in the first place do. Shrug. Until recently it was against the law in nearby D.C. to have a gun period, with a mandatory year or so in jail if you were caught. As is well known, that completely eliminated gun crime and violence there...

The thing that happens when/if the lights go out, is that the 'hood can come to you, you don't have to go to it. Suburbia generally isn't prepared for that sort of thing. (Google Wichita Massacre. Two guys armed with a mere Davis did that since their victims lacked the will to fight.)

Though I actually miss living in crackville. It was better than TV and I could get better deals on Menthol cigarettes.

Where I lived LE response was lackluster at the best of times. (I once sat on hold with 911 for five minutes to report a minor matter...) Reporting something like an attempted murder... eh... someone might come by in an hour or so to see. Attempted rape? Probably won't come out at all.

It's better where I am now, but my learned response is the same - I'm not going to find myself wishing for "less gun" if the need arises that I needed a gun in the first place. 300 meters? Eh. 300 centimeters and it works just as well. Handguns are tools of convenience. One carries them when a rifle would be socially unacceptable. If I'm at home it's a rifle or carbine world.

WHOA! So I checked out your post, and was looking away while the pic loaded... much to my surprise, I turn around to see my rifle!

It's a fine shot!

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- The Federalist #46 -

Sorry, the link got shortened and you can't see the name. It's "Alas Babylon" by Pat Frank, originally published in 1959.

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NRA Life Member

The idea of a survival rifle to me is a tool to be cairried in case of an emergency, like a spare tire in a car. When I go on an extended canoe trip, the rifle is cased and secured to the boat in case of a mishap, along with an ammo box of other survival gear, fire starting stuff, spare knife, handgun, etc, The rifle, survival kit and a spare paddle are tied to the boat.

When traveling by vehicle, the rifle is cased and stowed in the trunk, the survival kit comes along carrying 20 rounds or so of ammo, more if I decide to take to take a .22.

On the fun side, a .22 rifle cairied on a canoeing trip can be used for target shooting in camp, where legal.

A rifle in camp, visible but not brandished, maybe leaning against your gear, may cause criminals looking for easy prey to move on to something easier.

So, to me, a survival rifle is not a battle rifle, just a tool to be used in an emergency that may save your life.

GF-the law works quite well. It keeps law abiding folks from being armed in public. I don't intend to violate any laws, mostly because I don't think I will need to.

I am sure the bad guys will give this law the same regard and respect they do all the others.

And, I agree that a rifle is a great self defense weapon. But, it is not a good thing to rely on when there are bazillions of innocents all around.

In just my neighborhood, it is impossible to walk in a straight line and not walk into a house within a short distance. There's no hills, no fields, no nothing but people.

By the same token, if the "bad guys" were coming, I couldn't see them from the front of my house till they were actually here. So, I'd be shooting at a distance of 25-40 feet with neighbors and their houses as backstops.

I could see them from a greater distance out my back door, across the pool and patio. I probably could shoot at them with any of my rifles, but the two schools, which would be the backstops on one part of the rear and the forty or fifty houses that would make up the backstop on the other part, convinces me not to use one.

I think we have two separate "thinkings" about survival guns.

Canoeguy is thinking of survival, plinking, hunting on, for example a canoe trip. So, he takes along a 22 or something similar. Great idea.

GF and others are thinking of weapons to protect their homes when something real bad happens, or to gather food, and to protect themselves while looking for food, etc.

That's fine, too, but it seems an unlikely thing to happen. If it does, I have what I need and have had for years.

My real concern, in the unlikely event to some catastrophic event, will be medicine. That's one thing that is hard to stockpile and, as far as I know, impossible to make yourself.

Bob