Apocalypse gun choices?

[Andy Griffith]

The problem that I see with this whole thing is...

Too many guns, not enough apocalypse.

There needs to be more than just one apocalypse, there should be several and that way, we can see exactly which guns fare better in different scenarios.

Plus, then the gun writers would make more money.
It needs to be done in the way Douglas Adams would write it. Don't forget your towel.

 

[Rule3]

3- Glocks 19"s

3- SW 686

3-Marlin lever action 357 Mag

3- Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 12guage

3-SW 617

Got all my replacement parts and can load for all of them.(cept the 22lr)

OK throw in a AR 15 or any bolt action 223

 

[Step N. Mud]

Ruger single action & Marlin rifle, both in 44 magnum.

 

[Kid Sopris]

I hope I don't have to make that choice, I also hope if faced with civil discourse I am not limited to just one.

But My choices in no paticular order;
M1A
1911
K Frame S&W or Colt Double Action .357 or .38
Colt Detective Special or J Frame S&W .357 or .38
Colt SAA in any caliber, but I like 44-40.
12 Gauge Shotgun in any configuration
Lever Action Rifle(s) in several calibers

Any and all I pick up off the street from those that didn't survive.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

The problem that I see with this whole thing is...

Too many guns, not enough apocalypse.

There needs to be more than just one apocalypse, there should be several and that way, we can see exactly which guns fare better in different scenarios.

Plus, then the gun writers would make more money.
It needs to be done in the way Douglas Adams would write it. Don't forget your towel.

BIG +1 on that!!!
Regular apocalypse-870, 617 and my SP101
Road Warrior apocalypse- M&P 9mm with plenty of magazines, AR 15 & 870
Waterworld apocalypse- Stainless mini 14, 870 Marine Magnum and a GP100 stainless
Bear Country apocalypse- Marlin Guide gun, 870 shotgun & S&W 460 Bear Kit.
HOLY SHT WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE APOCALYPSE- SIG 220ST, large bottle of scotch and a carton of marlboros

 

[alde]

Just something big enough to do myself in if I read one more SHTF thread. Just kidding, I love these threads.

For me it would be my M1 Garand and my Kimber 1911. Have plenty of ammo for both and they always work. Of course it might be different if I had no vehicle to carry them in. If I had to walk I might swap the Garand for the M1 Carbine. With the right ammo it will still work for SD and hunting.

 

[Lenshappy]

I'll carry Rimfired's ammo.....he's been there before.

 

[Black_Sheep]

HOLY SHT WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE APOCALYPSE- SIG 220ST, large bottle of scotch and a carton of marlboros

I'd be right there with you Caj...

 

[gizamo]

Remington Rolling Block No.4 in .22 loaded with sub sonics....probably back that up with a bunch of Victor No. 4 traps. Head for the backcountry...

And wish the rest of you luck...


giz

 

[minuteman]

.22

Probably 22 LR for all the reasons already mentioned. Revolver would be my K22 and the rifle my Marlin 39M. Can shoot all kinds of 22s in them with no problem.

 

[pred]

I think simple.
If only one firearm allowed,
6" model 17 and about 40K rounds.
I can transport lots of .22 ammo.
I cant transport too much 45 acp.
Peter

 

[jkc]

Interesting replies! More shotgun fans here than I'd have guessed. I didn't have any preconceptions, but after looking at the availability of parts and ammo, ease of maintenance (or minimal maintenance requirements), and overall expected longevity of the weapons, I ended up looking at these choices ---

Glock pistol, probably a 9mm, assuming abundant ammo in military caliber. Few parts prone to break or wear out, cheap and easy to replace any that do. Yes, I favor .45ACP, but suppose 9mm will be more commonly available.

Either a 617 or SS Ruger MK X pistol --- the pistol has fewer parts susceptible to catastrophic damage and is easier to "fix" without special tools, and small parts are few and cheap. Rimfire ammo is of indeterminate supply, as is, it can be argued, centerfire reloading components...

A SS/synthetic stock .22 rifle --- the Ruger bolt guns and 1022 look about equally appealing, the bolt gun perhaps a little less complicated to repair/replace parts, but both are of known longevity, with abundant parts.

A SS/synthetic stock rifle, in .223, or, if one was really serious, same rifle with chamber reamed to .556mm specs, so as to feed and safely fire any available ammo, however dubious. The Remington Model Seven or Ruger equivalent would serve.

I rejected the semi-auto "assault rifles" as candidates because of the complexity of maintenance and repair, and questions about parts availability. Arguments expected...

The Thompson Center platform also appeals --- simple, rugged action, mix and match pistol and rifle calibers and configurations, run about any ammo you can chamber (once), reload with Lee Loader kits in numerous calibers, minimal parts list, etc.

 

[WildCard ZX6R]

I rejected the semi-auto "assault rifles" as candidates because of the complexity of maintenance and repair, and questions about parts availability. Arguments expected...

Not to argue, but have you ever seen the inside of an AK type rifle ? Very few parts, and the parts that are there are large and well made. Not likely to fail unlike the small, more delicate parts found on most rifles that are commonly thought to be "rugged" and "simple".

I would also like to point out that just because a type of arm is widespread, does not mean that parts will be "available". Take the 1911, sure theres tons of them out there and its probably the most common pistol other than a K frame .38, but 1911 parts are 90% of the time, not "drop in" and require at least minor fitting. In times of strife looking for a machine shop or set of files to get your gun working again is not gonna cut it. A gun with looser clearances like a glock or something similar would avoid this issue.

Just a bit of food for thought.

 

[jkc]

Not to argue, but have you ever seen the inside of an AK type rifle ? Very few parts, and the parts that are there are large and well made. Not likely to fail unlike the small, more delicate parts found on most rifles that are commonly thought to be "rugged" and "simple".

I would also like to point out that just because a type of arm is widespread, does not mean that parts will be "available". Take the 1911, sure theres tons of them out there and its probably the most common pistol other than a K frame .38, but 1911 parts are 90% of the time, not "drop in" and require at least minor fitting. In times of strife looking for a machine shop or set of files to get your gun working again is not gonna cut it. A gun with looser clearances like a glock or something similar would avoid this issue.

Just a bit of food for thought.

I'm not familiar with the AK mechanism, but of course acknowledge its proven reliability, but wonder, given its innumerable variations, about parts compatibility/availability. I rejected the 1911 for exactly the reason you mentioned --- a 1911 is like a Chinese puzzle, with a whole bunch of parts that need to fit properly to work --- maybe you could find them, probably not. All my other "choices" involve inexpensive, readily available (currently available) interchangeable "drop in" parts, to rebuild a worn-out mechanism.

 

[WildCard ZX6R]

I'm not familiar with the AK mechanism, but of course acknowledge its proven reliability, but wonder, given its innumerable variations, about parts compatibility/availability. I rejected the 1911 for exactly the reason you mentioned --- a 1911 is like a Chinese puzzle, with a whole bunch of parts that need to fit properly to work --- maybe you could find them, probably not. All my other "choices" involve inexpensive, readily available (currently available) interchangeable "drop in" parts, to rebuild a worn-out mechanism.

There i go, not giving people enough credit again ...

But as far as AK's go, i built one a few years back with a amalgamation of Chinese, Romainian, and Hungarian parts; and it has never skipped a beat in the 4,000 or so rounds through the pipe. It looks like crap since none of the parts fit correctly due to different countries of origin, but it still runs.

I would seriously rate my AK over any other firearm i own in terms of reliabilty other than my NEF single shot 12 gauge. But even then, that has quite a few less rounds through it. Though those are the only 2 that have had absolutely ZERO failures.

 

[TXSWFAN]

If ammo wasn't a problem to be had, I'd take an FAL and my Glock 20. The FAL is the greatest battle rifle ever made and the G20 holds 15 rounds of 10mm goodness.

For all those choosing the shotgun, you'd be easy pickens at 100 yards.

 

[WildCard ZX6R]

For all those choosing the shotgun, you'd be easy pickens at 100 yards.

As you would be at 25 with that FAL

 

[tecrsq]

Here are my choices from my gun room.

Colt 6450 9mm Carbine

GLOCK 19

 

[Ron H.]

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.

 

[akjaeger]

The rifle would be my Winchester pre-64 featherweight in .308 with a 2.5 X 8 Leupold. Good to 500 yds and wicked fast.
The hand gun would probably be my S&W TRR8 in .357, concealable, powerful, fast, accurate.
Should be able to find ammo for either, that is if I lasted longer than my ammo......