Apocalypse gun choices?

[bubbajoe45]

Sir, as has been noted, gun choices depend on the nature of the apocalypse at hand (repelling boarders vs. hunting/gathering, etc.), but my default "go to" guns are a 1911 and a Garand. They're what I'd reach for if a situation were unclear but looking bad.

The main reason for choosing these two is that I shoot both well and have lived with both a long time--they're very familiar and comfortable. Moreover, my specific guns are accurate and as reliable as mechanical devices can be, and I know how to fix any problem that might crop up, from immediate action to actual gunsmithing. I also have plenty of ammo and spare parts for both, and both are easy to maintain in a low-tech or field environment.

If the situation called for foraging or running for the hills, I'd find time to grab a .22 rifle as well.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

Now you're talkin'! As much as I would love to have a SOCOM 16, I feel confident that there is far more 30.06 ammo around; certainly, it is at least more widely distributed throughout the countryside (kinda like 30-30). Furthermore, my Garand Tanker has never missed a beat (unlike the AK that I built; maybe that was the problem!) Nevertheless, the Garand has survived about 1.5 of my lifetimes and I don't worry too much about wearing it out. As Ron H. says, it is simple to work on and robust, but more than that a 30.06 is versatile.

I'll stick to the rules here - one rifle and one handgun (I love shotguns also, but would rather carry ammo than 2 long guns if afoot and on the move (make mine a Benelli M1).

And a 1911 (reliable, fast, effective, accurate, and versatile). A handgun is just a backup for the rifle anyway, so I shouldn't need 5000 rounds of ammo for it.

 

[ElToro]

an unlimited budget TEOTWAKI ? or stuff i got on hand TEOTWAKI ?

unlimited budget?

a genuine M14 with Hornady TAP 155 or 168
a Benelli Super 90 with assorted accesories
a fully tricked out wilson or or top name smith 1911

with what i got ?
my springfield SOCOM or rem 700, either in 308
my 870 or my cut down A5 , 12 ga
my Colt commander in 45 or my 4 inch 19 357

and lots of ammo, relatively common ammo choices.

after thinking about it, i'm leaning towards all manually operated and no semi auto with lots of more springs to go bad and more lube to worry about. since gun grease will probly be a premium item

my problem is i really hope they wait till i get home from work before they start the show cuz if it happens during the day, im hosed. i work about 30 miles as the crow flies from home but about a 1 hour public train ride... if i gotta hoof it, im screwed.

 

[Spotteddog]

FWIW,
Some of us wouldn't be such "easy pickin's" @ 100 yards with a ghost ring equipped shotgun running slugs. Nothing says you can't have a few 1 ouncers in a butt stock band, now does it? It won't hit M.O.A., but in competent hands it certainly will hit minute of chest cavity!

 

[mjr]

Well, if it's really the end of civilization, I'm taking revolvers and no autoloaders. If I run out of ammunition and have to reload with homemade black powder, the revolvers should function with it, but the bottomfeeders won't.

 

[44forever]

I want at least one .22 and would prefer revolver over auto (ammo availability, eazy to carry lots of ammo, not too noisy for small game) second gun would depend on the nature of the scenario. How much mobility is needed, how long, no government or too much, etc., etc., etc.

Reality is a person on foot or even in a vehicle can't carry enough ammo (possibly except .22 rimfire) to make weapon durability an issue. If you are forted up, there is no reason to limit your self to two guns.

Forced to choose a battle rifle, it would be an M1 Garand or a Springfield M1A.