Just remarking - this sure has turned into an interesting thread!
Good job, g-dad!
So, something sevens said got me thinking: I think he's completely right about the Swiss rule . . . but the question is what does one define as something that "might be pressed into service"? Personally, I think the rule makes great sense for those guns that in the military category owned by those us who perceive a duty to maintain "well regulated" preparedness status under the 2A. I keep ammo around for them (I just don't load it myself). On the other hand, guns that are used for more casual defensive purposes - for instance, my .32 S&W Long Improved I-Frame gets some carry now and again, but it's not a "Minuteman" gun I'd grab - well, I don't see any reason to load a bunch for them.
Thanks to all who've posted on this thread: I think it's really turning into a fun discussion.
I can see where some exemptions could be made.
A 1917 might be a piece teetering between service weapon and museum piece. same might be said of a P08 Luger. but in either case you likely have something else feeding from the same trough. I'd honestly just maintain 100 - 200 for something like a 30 luger. such things will never see the front lines again.
the whole concept of the "Swiss reserve" is born of various experiences, and it extends into the state of repair of ones arms as well.
I can't get into all the accounts in the time allotted, but I'll tell you of Marvy .....
Marv was the kind of deep alcoholic that could not function sober.
His family abandoned him as his alcoholism took it's course.
We were stomping about for small game one winters day along trails that took us by the trailer of old Marv. I stopped and stared at that property for a while. It took a bit to figure out what bothered me about it. The snow cover was pristine. At first glance it was a bit Norman Rockwell in its purity, and that was the problem.
unmolested snow stood where it shouldn't.
I guess someone had to find him, and that someone was us.
I won't get into the scene much beyond the the Marlin 336 whos front site was taped into place, and how it was found where it landed when he threw it. Empty and his only box of 30-30 completely expended. he was trying to kill a deer to feed himself with a carbine that would have gotten him through if it were kept up a little better and had the ammo behind it. Best case ... he had 20 rounds going in. worst case, 3 rounds given the empties I saw on the floor. As we can determine 3 for sure, it wasn't enough to overcome the trial and error situation presented by the sites, nor the probable inebriated state of the man pressed into living by his rifle. whatever the actual quantity was, it wasn't enough to make it till we found him, let alone make it till spring.
If the situation was possible at all, 200 rounds for a solid arm likely would have met this comfortably.
We all live right. This should avoid us getting ourselves getting into a situation like his...... "should".
It bothers me enough to this day to wonder if my own chosen life path is enough to avoid similar.
