When "it hits the fan" - what will be YOUR rifle?

[epj]

Currently my only CF rifle is my Mini-14 in .223. I have no use for any sort of CF rifle as I no longer hunt. The only reason I have the little Ruger is SHTF senarios. Maybe not the best choice, but it's what I have. At the time I got it black rifles were unavailable or priced out the roof. So were the Rugers for that matter.

 

[Frailer]

We don't even get trick-or-treaters at our place on Halloween, so I don't anticipate a zombie mob. I'm comfortable with a couple of 22s to harvest the squirrels and doves that pay frequent visits to our feeders.

 

[GatorFarmer]

The boys that come after you in your neighborhood are going to be wearing standard body armor so unless you are using the latest steel penetrator 223's you are SOL. You need something like the 308 or 30/06 that can get the job done. My Remington 03A3 with 3X9 and glassed stock is minute of dirtbag accurate to 800+ yards and M2 ball will penetrate even Dragonskin inside 100 yards.

Dragonskin was all marketing and hype, it tends to fail under rough use. Multi curve level IV+ plates are expensive and rare. M2 AP doesn't penetrate. They're good up to six or more hits of it. They were designed to ameliorate the effectiveness of snipers with 7.62x54R rifles and AP ammo.

Modern ESAPI and XSAPI plates are essentially in this category.

The M955 black tip, not commecially sold, but can be obtained, actually penetrates better than M2 AP from a Garand.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Just about every store that has ammo will have 30-06, 308, and 223 and I have one of each .

 

[feralmerril]

I have many good rifles and most of them would qualify. Surprisenly I had this remington 760 in 30-06 sitting in my safe for about 9 years and never fired it until last year! Its in a great caliber, accurate, light and fast handeling. It has a peep. My dad shot his last big buck with it at 87 years old. Dad died two months short of 90. This will do the job as well as any gun I own. I have winchester 70s, levers, bar, browning safari, ruger 77 etc. This is probley one of my cheapest rifles, yet I belive one of the best for the job and sitting right under my nose untill tried out as a after thought last year! Dance with the one ya brung!

 

[deanodog]

My mini-14 and 10/22

 

[Snapping Twig]

Lots to choose from, but it would depend on which one I could grab first.

Semi or a lever would be my choice. I have an old Rem 740 in LNIB condition, should be good and the '06 does reach out and touch. Mini 30 with a scope and 150g handloads - lots of handloads. Should work.

Lever option allows 9 heavy .44's in the magazine and a 100 yard "safe zone". More actually, but 100 yards is a nice round figure.

If more is needed, 45-70 loaded hot with a 2x scout scope should do the trick.

In any event, it's all academic and I'd hope never a reality.

 

[M29since14]

Jeff Cooper used to talk about the 1894 in .30/30. They are pretty slick little guns. Don't take up much space, are pretty accurate, and they put out a pretty good punch. In the back of your car, they don't attract the attention of Mr. Police Officer like an AR or an AK does. I like the M-1 Carbine, too. Carbines seem pretty mundane - at least to me.

I feel pretty comfortable with either of these two. I have never felt real comfortable hauling around one of the "science fiction" guns, unless I am actually on the way to the range. Wouldn't worry about it if it was all I had, but ARs just seem to attract too much attention.

 

[Sprefix]

Nothing fancy, but all business.....

These are both needed. If you dis-agree, that's OK. One should have an AK variant because "IF" it happens, YOU WILL SEE THEM!!!!!! The 7.62x39 is used widely all over the globe and is plentiful. Just ask any Vietnam era veteran.......unfortunately, you will hear how good the AK is. JMO and Thanks to all those that discovered this first-hand.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I think a lot of it depends on where you are, and who or what you expect to encounter. The old cowboy combo of long gun/handgun makes a lot of sense to me, my Marlin 9MM Camp Carbine uses the magazines for my S&W M-659, my Marlin 45 uses the same magazines as my Colt MK IV,
then there my Marlin M1894s in .357 and 44 Magnum. Stinker that I am I note that even if you just wound an opponent the chances of them getting prompt medical treatment are pretty low. Where I live in Central NJ is pretty much 100 yard country, hence long range capacity is not needed.

 

[NE450No2]

I've given some thought to this subject. A serious terrorist attack that may disrupt the infrastructure. A government that may run amok on law-abiding citizens for whatever reason. A nuclear attack. A natural disaster - flood, hurricane, earthquake. All of these things may or may not be probable, but they are possible.

So the question is - what rifle would YOU use to defend home and hearth? I'm not talking shotguns or handguns here, only rifles, which can serve for both short and longer-range duty.

In my case, I want something relatively short, handy and light weight for manuevering. It doesn't need to be a really long-range proposition, as I anticipate an urban or suburban environment. The typical range will probably be within 200 yards. The ammo must be readily available and as light as possible for packing. Optical and open sights both. 6-position collapsible stock to compensate for differing clothing. A flash suppressor. Parts availability will be a factor. Don't need a "battle rifle" cartridge with the power of a .308 or .30/06; an intermediate "assault rifle" cartridge should do the trick. Full magazine capability desirable.

Here's my pick for duty: It's a Colt AR-15 with a 16-inch barrel, configured as a collapsible stock M4. Optical sight is an Aimpoint Comp ML2 with a 4-minute red dot for quick target acquisition. Back-up flip-up rear iron sight adjustable for windage; front sight is adjustable for elevation. Forward vertical grip for control. A Surefire high-intensity LED flashlight is attached for low- or no-light situations. Simple lightweight web sling. Extra batteries for the Aimpoint stored in the grip. Plenty of extra reliable 30-round magazines holding G.I. 5.56mm ammo in pouches.

It may never happen, and I hope it won't. But if it DOES hit the fan, I think I will be adequately armed.

How about you?

John

EVERYTHING considered your choice is a GREAT ONE.

EVERYBODY in the family should have a set up AR 15.
I like to have at least 2 lights on my AR.

If you live in the "country" your second light should be at least a SureFire with 3 batteries... [Think BRIGHT].

Also if in the "country" you might prefer a longer range sight like an ACOG.

The 223/5.56 is very effective with SP, HP, and Ballistic Tip ammo.

The AR is easy to shoot, accurate, holds lots of bullets, quick to reload, and very effective [with good ammo].

My favorite "rapid shooter" is an H&K 91....
I do love the 308...

But for most everybody, a good AR 15 is VERY HARD TO BEAT.
I keep one next to my bed every night.

 

[Mule88]

I have a AR .223 and .308 it would be one of them.

 

[Farmer17]

I've had a lot of ARs, Mini-14s, SKS's, and riot shotguns, but I've grown a little tired of the tactical weapons, and I'm not too worried about the world coming to an end. If I needed to "bug out" on foot I would probably want a 10/22 with sling, high cap mags, folding stock, and 1-4X scope, and a Browning Buckmark, and most importantly....a supressor.

 

[Lt JL]

The same as Paladin's, but without the cow tit.

 

[Engineer1911]

Over stocked

Something will be available in 22 LR, 223, 308, 30-06. Exotics could include 7 mm Mag, 30-06 Ack Imp, 45-70. Hand held options are 22 LR, 9 mm, 40 S&W, 38, 357, 44 Mag (ain't no specials) or 45 ACP. Mrs Engineer has a youth stocked Rem 700 in 223 that is lethal in her hands out a long ways for a city dweller.

If things get hectic we fall back to the Thompson and Mr Colt's finest. We can maintain firepower for the Zombinistas. I believe we've got most of the bases covered. Helicopter gunships do give an edge to the sky driver.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Some of you guys might want to think about painting your rifles if you expect to have anyone shooting at you. Black is a target indicator color. It also highlights against pretty much any other color. There's a reason that there's no longer any black on modern military uniforms and that weapons are usually found finished in coyote or dark earth these days.

Doesn't have to be fancy, a four dollar can of OD or khaki from Walmart will do.

 

[mike from st pete]

Too Late to the Party

I saw a good answer to this often posed question on another forum.

The fellow said a single-shot .22 and one round of ammo.

His thought was to let others stockpile as much as they wanted, then at the moment of truth they would hesitate. The man with a survivalist mindset would not.

I thought that was the best answer I'd ever read on the "what gun is best" question.

What it boils down to is are you willing to kill someone, not is a AR-15 better that a M-14.

Sorry for the heavy post Paladin, but that's the question you've asked in a roundabout way.

GF

But that would be my answer too

 

[Thuer]

My Winchester Hotchkiss in .45-70. That is the only rifle I own.
I realy dont want to kick back a 450 grain bullet.

 

[Grayfox]

M1 Carbine. Light weight, compact, low recoil, combat accurate and .30 caliber. Extra ammo is also small and light.
If its out of range of that, I don't consider it a threat.

 

[Bat Guano]

Similar to Paladin--M4gery with 1.5X ACOG, and light. Not optimal but certainly will serve; and like a 2" snubby, more likely to be at hand when needed.

A M70 '06 with 6X Weaver or the M1A with 3X ACOG appeal, but cumbersome in comparison with a shorty AR. Good gunbearers are hard to find nowadays.

And of course S never, ever will HTF. We are special, and the laws of history and gravity don't apply to us.