Apocalypse gun choices?

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jkc

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Another thread prompted this question --- what guns should be in our "apocalypse" inventories? Choose one handgun and one rifle, on the basis of the following criteria, and support /defend your recommendations...

-Unlikely to break or wear out after much long/hard use.
-Simplicity of maintenance; or repairing or replacing failed parts.
-Present availability of spare parts.
-Availability of ammunition, components for reloading, etc.
-Not limited to cartridge arms, centerfire (reloadable) ammo, etc.

In other words, what's going to run forever, or can be maintained to do so, and will be easily fed, in times of scarce ammo???
 
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Well... I'd probably grab a .308 rifle, maybe an M1A or something like that. And then for a sidearm, probably a M1911-A1 in .45 ACP. Should be plenty of parts and ammo for them.

Plenty of firepower for damage and penetration.
 
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AK 47 Type Rifle : Cheap, effective, not very likely to break (obviously :D), widely available ammo, commonly encountered resulting in easily obtained parts.

Glock 17 OR K Frame .38 special. Same as above.

And i know you said Rifle and hangun but i think that a shotgun is probably more effective and versatile than either, so my pick for that is :

Remington 870 : Again, same arguments apply.
 
Well, depends on how deep and thick it gets and the size of fan, doesn't it? :p

You didn't mention shotgun...I'd trade the rifle for a shotgun if that was all I could have. A Model 12 Winchester heavy duck gun, proven and even if worn-looking will still work full of crud longer than any other gun out there- and will feed nearly any shell- from the short 2" British sporting loads to 3" mags, and even works with black powder too. Ever consider the power that a 12ga slug has? It is underestimated and downplayed in gun writers articles typically- short range, but effective.

Other than that...any good S&W revolver in .38 or .357- plenty of ammunition to be had stored away in the majority of homes in the US. I believe that .38 Special is the "American" caliber.
 
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681 on my hip, Mossberg 500 slung across my shoulder. I'd also like to have my M&P40c.... and my 642. But the first two for sure. Wouldn't mind having my 06 either.
 
Yer Kiddin Right?

1911A1 sidearm and a CAR-16 with oodles of ammo.
Next question?
 
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I'll give up the rifle for my Browning A-5. For a handgun I'll take the Glock 19.
 
4" K or L frame S/S .357 fixed sights.
If only a rifle-SMLE or Moisin-Nagant in a carbine length. (Lee pocket loader-like the Eskimo)
If only a shotgun-870 or Mossberg 590 18"-20" cyl. bore, ghost ring sights. In S/S would be nice! And while I'm at it, I'd prefer the Mossberg rear ghost, due to it having "ears". Does anyone make a front that offers "ears"? Like to have that too!
 
I would go with a utility quality (Stevens 311) SXS 12 gauge shotgun with double triggers. You have two single-shot firearms. If one trigger mechanism fails, you have the other to fall back on. With both working, you have the two quickest shots available.

For a handgun, probably a Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt if I am to have access to my loading setup. If not, then a K-frame .38 or .357 with as much ammo as I can carry.

I would have to slip a rifle in there, and it would be a good SKS with plenty of ammo.
 
I would want a .357 revolver because it would be rugged, simple and the option of using .38's or .357's increases ammo availability. Something in .223 would be my choice of rifle, probably an AR-15 or AR-15 variant due to spare parts and magazine availability. Although the OP didn't mention shotguns, my choice would be a Mossberg 590 12 gauge. Again, because it's simple, rugged and can handle 2 3/4" or 3" ammunition.
 
30/30 lever rifle and a stainless steel 4" .357 revolver.

Even with all the ammo shortages of the last year, you can still go to Wal-Mart and get a box of 30/30 cartridges for $13.00. Every sporting goods and hardware store will have them, plus lots in peoples homes to trade. 30/30 is stout enough to take a deer and defend you if necessary.
 
My picks

Savage 110 bolt rifle, left handed, in .308 caliber.

Colt Commander, stainless steel, in .45 ACP.

If a shotgun is allowed, Remington 870 in 12 gauge, 18 inch barrel, with 7 shot mag tube with epoxy finish.

Steve
 
I'm not a long gun guy, but the most common wheelgun calibers, .38sp and .22lr would be my choice for handgun ammo as I have many J's, a couple of K's, a cobra and Smith/Taurus .22lrs. I would also pickup a .22lr rifle. Certainly not the most lethal arsenal but what I know about and can handle.
 
SHTF Rifles....

My idea of the perfect SHTF rifle has changed over the years.... I started out 20+ years ago with the AKS because they were inexpensive and I know first hand they will work under adverse conditions....

When AR's became more refined and available, I moved up to the CAR patterns and was pretty satisfied with an SP and a couple of Bushmaster "M-Forgeries"...

However of late, after working out with one owned by an ICE Agent pal of mine, my primary has changed to a SOCOM 16.

Ammo isn't as portable as for the AR's, but at this point in my life I'm probably beyond running too far and will likely fort up when the end comes....

Sidearm will be a G22 or a SiG220.
 
Rifle: Remington 700 in .308, 4-12 Scope. Simple, rugged, reliable, ammo easily available.

Pistol: S&W 686. Simple, rugged, reliable, multiple ammo sources of the most common kind available.

Shotgun: Remington 870. Simple, rugged, reliable, (12 GA) most common shotgun ammo available everywhere.
 
There isnt any one best for all in handguns, shotguns or rifles. If in working order most will do the job. We all have our favorites though and can come up with excuses for our choice.
What I do find interesting in these common theorys is that few people suggest the lowly .22 rifle. Yet, I belive in a survival situation where you need to both eat and fight for your life the .22 rifle should be a key gun to have. 1st, its queit if you need to poach game and remain undiscovered. 2nd, if you need to zap a lone enemy solider, same reason, his comrades may go on unalarmed. 3rd, you can carry a ton more rounds than anything else. 4th, they are by far more available and much, much cheaper. 5th, if ran to ground and caught and questioned the fact that you have a lowly .22 rifle and not percived "killer" calibers should help you look like a peasant just trying to snipe small game to get through the crisis.
Think about it. One person wears swat or camo, carrys all "tactical" stuff that whannabys think they need, a AR and 9mm or 45 auto, The other peasant is wearing levis, a ragged baseball cap and carrying a "harmless" .22 rifle to eat with. Both are caught by foreign invaders or blue hats. If one talks his way out of instant exicution, who do you think would get the pass?
 
Ar-15 with several upper assemblies...20" heavy barrel, M-4, 10" shorty, 6.8m/m, etc., and also a 22LR conversion unit. I don't like Glocks or 9m/ms, but a Glock 17 might be the handgun I would choose.
 
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