LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for informational purposes only. Readers must: comply with all local, state, and federal laws regarding these weapons; understand that weapon laws vary by jurisdiction and can change; seek proper training and licensing if required; use extreme caution and prioritize safety if handling these weapons legally; never use these weapons to harm others except in lawful self-defense as a last resort. The authors and publishers assume no responsibility for actions taken based on this information. Readers proceed at their own risk. For specific legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.
In SHTF you always want your people to know where you are.
To everyone else, you might as well try and be invisible. At least long enough so you can dictate the timing and conditions of your interactions. Giving your position away is never a good thing. That is 2nd only to being surveilled without your knowing it.
Some people are hoping to hunt their way to a full belly all through SHTF. However, it’s important to remember that a single gunshot might attract unwanted attention from others who are better armed.
For those seeking silent alternatives, here are some effective tools that can help you remain invisible during SHTF.
Arrow
The arrow is an ancient projectile that is still effective to this day! There are a number of methods for sending these arrows through the air at incredible and deadly speeds. All of them are nearly silent.
Traditional Bow
Whether you prefer the idea of using a long bow or a recurve bow, modern traditional bows are affordable and very effective. The longbow is a larger weapon with slightly curving limbs. The recurve bow has a more extreme curvature in the limbs which allows it to be more compact.
Choosing the right traditional bow is a matter of preference. That said, the recurve shoots farther and faster than a longbow.
Compound Bow
The compound bow shoots farther and faster than either of the traditional archery weapons. The compound bow brings a lot of power to bear and even makes drawing and holding the drawn gun easier.
The compound bow also comes with many more moving parts that need maintenance and repair with time.
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They shoot between 300 to 340 FPS, nearly double the power of a traditional bow.
Learn how to repair a compound bow and have the parts and tools to do it.
Arrow Rifle
If you are looking to sling arrows at 450 FPS, then you can achieve that with a powerful arrow rifle like the AirSaber by Umarex. These weapons have the look and some even come equipped with scopes!
Once you have your scope dialed in these are one of the most effective silent weapons at range. Arrow rifles are amazing and a great option for people who live in places where they cannot own firearms.
Edged
Edge weapons are up close and personal. If you ever have to call on one for protection, then you will want to be sure it is going to get the job done. Knives are a great weapon in silence, and they can never run out of ammunition.
Full Tang Knife
A full tang knife is a type of knife where the handle and the blade are all one piece of metal. These knives are the most durable because of this design. They are also incredibly sturdy.
Since there are no folding mechanisms and things in a full tang knife it is a reliable weapon for self-defense.
Folding Knife
The beauty of a folding knife is that it is so easily concealed, and you can carry it discreetly. These knives are also razor sharp.
Related: Common Tactical Knife Myths that Can get You Killed
The folding knife has the same silent SHTF benefits of the full tang knife.
Karambit
The Karambit is a distinctive self-defense tool with a curved blade designed for close-quarters situations. Its unique shape resembles a claw or talon, which allows for a variety of defensive techniques.
The Karambit is a talon-shaped curved blade that you hold in one hand. It is sharpened like a dagger on both sides of the blade. It is a small and effective silent weapon for SHTF.
Tactical Tomahawk
The tactical tomahawk is a versatile tool that combines elements of an axe with those of a hammer, making it suitable for a range of practical and defensive applications. Its design typically features a thin, ax-like blade for cutting or chopping, and some models include a pointed opposite edge for additional functionality.
The tactical tomahawk is crafted to be durable. It can be used for tasks such as breaching or clearing obstacles, making it a valuable tool in various scenarios. While it is primarily designed for utility, it can also serve as a defensive tool if necessary.
Blunt
Blunt trauma can knock people unconscious. These kinds of weapons can dispatch a bad guy, particularly if taken by surprise, in one shot.
Metal Baton
The Metal Baton is a compact and durable tool designed for various practical applications, including self-defense. It features a solid construction that provides strength and reliability. Typically, metal batons are used for tasks such as securing areas, managing obstacles, or as a tool for self-defense if necessary.
Due to its design, a metal baton can offer a firm grip and effective control in close situations. While it can serve as a means of personal protection, it is crucial to use it responsibly.
Baseball Bat
The Ol’ Slugger has long been a home defense standby. A bat is a great weapon for SHTF.
They are easy to find and store. Baseball bats also require very little upkeep.
Walking Stick
Most people don’t consider the walking stick or cane a weapon.
You can opt for a solid oak walking stick, or an aircraft-grade aluminum designed for self-defense! They have lots of options out there today.
Related: This Is What Looters Will Take First From Your Property
Electric
Electrocution is much quieter than something like a firearm. Some stun guns are designed to pop loudly with electricity so as to deter a bad guy. If silence is your goal, then avoid these types. There are tons of weapons that attack using electricity.
Tasers
These are weapons that can be fired at assailants and have them electrocuted with high voltage. Tasers can be used quietly and at a distance. These weapons can be pricey, but they will stop an attacker and do it silently.
Stun Guns
These are handheld devices that work at close range.
When the button is pressed these weapons can send millions of volts through attackers.
Yes, millions of volts! It sounds extreme but tech has taken the common stun gun to new places.
Though our goal is silence, many stun guns also come with blinding lights and high-decibel alarms built in.
Stun Batons
These weapons are a confluence between the blunt weapon and the electric weapon. It gives you two methods at once for incapacitating attackers. Stun batons are awesome. To wield one is to wield something out of a video game.
A stun baton is one of the best less than lethal weapons you can store in your vehicle. They fit right in the door pocket, and should you be confronted by a carjacker or attacker, you can quickly wield this and even attack from a seated position.
There are many options when it comes to arming yourself in SHTF. The silent options make it harder for more bad guys to pinpoint your location. They also allow you to save precious ammunition.
Equipping yourself with silent weapons like bows, knives, or stun batons is a great step in staying ready for any SHTF scenario. However, defending your home and family requires more than just the right tools; it demands a solid strategy and proven techniques that can be applied when the stakes are high.
As our society becomes more unpredictable, with looters, thugs, and home invaders becoming bolder, even in small towns, it’s more important than ever to ensure your home defense is bulletproof. Relying solely on weapons or hoping to evade danger isn’t enough. What you need is a complete plan that covers all aspects of home defense—from securing entry points to creating deterrents that will make looters think twice before targeting your home.
This is where the Special Forces Home Defense Academy can make all the difference. Led by a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran with 25 years of experience, the academy is designed to turn ordinary people into highly capable defenders of their homes and families.
Click here to join the Special Forces Home Defense Academy today and ensure you’re ready to stand your ground when the bad guys come knocking.
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Calling a category of knives “Razor sharp” is laughable. Any knife needs to be sharped and maintained to be razor sharp. An arrow rifle is more commonly called a crossbow.
I own two arrow rifles one is compressed air the other uses a 22blank for propulsion and they are much different than the ten point crossbow that I also own.
Incorrect. There are several categories of “sharpness” based on what the knife is intended to be used for. Granted the old adage ” a dull knife is a dangerous knife” still applies but it must be understood in context. A razor sharp knife is not necessary for processing kindling, however it is vital for taxidermy and medical applications. Again, it depends on what you are using the knife for (certainly not going to waste my time putting a razor edge on an implement I’m going to use for processing wood or prying up and cutting roots).
Still, calling any category of knives “razor sharp” is very problematic. Yes, any knife can be sharpened to have a very sharp edge, but it is the quality of the steel that determines how long such an edge will last. Scalpels and razor blades are made of very hard and brittle steel. A low quality pocket knife, like some lock-backs from India that I knew of several years ago, may have soft steel that does not keep an edge well. A sword must include somewhat soft steel, lest it snap, while a well-made Japanese sword will keep hard steel on its edge. Alloys can help in joining hardness with flexibility, enabling a sharp but tough edged blade. There is much to it. Interestingly, a traditional Nepalese army kukri is made of soft steel, but its sharpened edge cuts flesh much like a scalpel; just keep it from hitting bone or the like.
A sharp edge is great for surgery or for processing game meat. More of a saw edge is needed for cutting through wood, bone, etc., but again a sharp edge and point are best for carving such materials. As has been noted all too obviously, no edge for cutting should be used for digging in dirt.
I was wondering that myself and looked it up. I suppose you could call an “arrow rifle” the modern version of the traditional crossbow but it’s much different than a traditional crossbow. Instead of using compressed air or a .22 blank to fire pellets it fires arrows instead and looks like a modern rifle. If I had my druthers I’d rather opt for the traditional crossbow instead. My feeling is that it has much more penetrating power than this arrow rifle and can use crossbow bolts that have a much deadlier tip. The only downside to these is that they’re a one-shot deal and take a few seconds to reload. So they’re not really all that effective against a mob.
What is going on, since we the people are getting free speech and the second amendment downgraded to losing our rights to defend ourselves?
These alternative weapons will be what is left if and when the Harris-Walz administration is in charge.
You think twice attempts on Trump is news, wait when Trump is not elected, behind the scenes, elites like Soros Obama will be the Wizards of Oz in the Demoncrat run Harris-Walz team. They will Californicate America like they have in San Fransicko for decades.
The local city council leaders and SF mayor said they could not clean up the sidewalks of homeless for decades. Until China’s president Xi came for a visit, the streets were cleared off immediately.
Same thing I heard in San Diego when the gay mayor has televised professional sports events in town, they city temporary clears the streets of homeless from the public.
A relative tells me the Tijuana sewage crisis is now airborne with toxic chemicals similar to military grade gas weapons requiring residents to wear gas masks.
They have military bases close by. There are Chinese nationals flooding the open border.
The California Sacramento politics restricts citizens there from having 10 round magazines, no 15, 20 or 30 round magazines. But the Mexican gangs and other terrorist groups carry 30 rounds or more in their AK’s and AR’s.
The border states are still the hot spots for all the CONUS states to be forever border states.
Watch out for my former roommate to say stuff in my name, don’t know what her problem is.
Now is the time to buy your guns and ammo if Harris becomes the grand wizard of the USA, as she wants a confiscation buy back system on her watch.
Yeah I heard that California restricts all legal citizens from purchasing magazines more than ten rounds. Years ago a couple bank robbers had a shootout with police who had at least twenty round magazines. So the Sacramento to Washington DC California politicians made a big stink making laws for California residence to only purchase ten round magazines.
The political partisanship does not address the root causes. They let criminals out on the DA revolving door to not prosecute but prosecute the honest citizen that defends there civil rights.
This is why people leave NY and CA, most liberals take their liberal politics to ruin other states they move to. No wonder we are having a breakdown of our civil rights.
Before go to alternative weapons, maybe it starts at home, the teachers unionized schools need to be replaced. We parents need the right to decide what schools our kids need to be educated at. Reading, writing and arithmetic then some socialist agenda that produces spoiled kids and mass potential shooters, stick to real education, no smartphones in schools period.
I agree with you, I don’t want a to live in an America that’s become Communist. Another Civil War is very possible, I’m prepared to to fight and protect my family friends.
Donald Trump is our best bet, hopefully he’s not assinated. If that happens, it will be the become the beginning of the END. May God bless America and save us all.
Donald Trump is NOT your best bet. He will be 82 at the end of a 4 year term. His thoughts are not rational NOW, what do you think they will be in 4 years? He is an entitled Billionaire CHILD in an old man’s suit. As a Republican, you and all the other Republicans should demand a better candidate! (I am not from the United States!)
@A.E. If not Trump, then who? There is no perfect candidate right now. They all come with their accompanying emotional baggage. I agree with you that Trump is not a politician rather a businessman. Of sorts. 😉 Maybe the time has come that America needs a businessman as president. Someone or a group of these someones are doing everything to see that this does not happen. Two attempts on Trump’s life. BEFORE he’s potentially elected to office!? That’s absurd! To what depths has America now descended? Is it now rule by the law of the jungle? Anything goes? Those with the better weapons and the willingness to use them no matter what, win? What’s happened to civility between the people? The Demoncats have done nothing but eff up America. Relentlessly pushing it towards socialism and by the looks of it eventually to communism. Neither is a desirable outcome. Does America really want another 4 years of Demoncrap rule? I don’t think so. But someone wants that to be so. There are some very powerful forces at work here. Evil, corrupt forces. Harris may have been a competent AJ of Commiefornia but in most other ways she’s stupid as crap. So much of what comes out of her stupid, leering, cackling cake hole is misinformation. God help us all if that effing *itch is elected president. The wars will continue or even ramp up. Money will continue to be sent to Ukraine and Israel. Maybe even another war will be deliberately started so that the warmongers and the arms manufacturers become even more wealthy. Let’s hear it for oligarchy and corporatocracy. After all, isn’t that what we all want?
Why does every comment have a “REPLY” button beneath it, but not A.E’s comment? Doesn’t he want to hear what the people who are “from here” have to say?
Why should we have to have alternative weapons then the real thing?
Since the internet began to become part of our culture we have become dumb and stupid as social media manipulates people like a drug similar to cocaine, pot and fentanyl.
Everyone lets these elected officials decide what we should or should not have in life. Quite voting total party line politics.
Why can’t we have a normal gun and ammo without red tape of the repressive politicians we have?
According to the Constitution, Bill of Rights, The Declaration of Independence, why should we be restricted to have any CCW in any of the 50 states of the united states of America?
Was it the layers put in place with previous presidential attempts and the ambulance chaser lawyers making a quick buck on the fly?
We the people need a reset of law and justice legal system and our education system taken over by socialist who hate America.
November 5th will decide America’s future where we go.
What will we decide freedom or enslavement?
When you run out of AMMO, you need a backup plan – Alternative weapons.
Sometimes stealth is needed weapon-wise. And save ammo for a genuine use (hunting for food is one or defense against government agents)
Why you ask. Simple. Because We The People keep getting on juries and voting our fellow citizens guilty of these phony made up crimes.
Alternative weapons now?
Maybe when all we have is sticks and stones after the real SHTF happens, maybe.
Are we that dumb we need a Legal Disclaimer before reading a posted article?
Have we gotten too paranoid in what can be said anymore?
Have the Chinese, I mean the United States social credit system is now activated, that we should rat on our neighbors as they do in China now?
We are now in a politically charged environment of whether the tipping of America is at the final access of freedom, while illegals get preferential treatment and vote.
Do we really need alternative weapons?
Alternate weapons are a good backup but not as a main use against a mob.
The CCW’s are a golden handcuff in which gun owners can be framed for something they did not do.
The permit has your fingerprints, serial number of the weapon registered, what else could go wrong in a electronic digital reporting system.
Police have been given the wrong information by some one reporting a real or fake incident. These may result in a potential dangerous situation on both sides.
We also need better trained citizens with NRA type training and law enforcement personnel educated in Constitutional rights not the liberal indoctrination we have in Demoncrat run cities and states that favor criminals over honest citizens.
Just drive to Reno and buy all the large capacity magazines you need. Bring em back in. They wont expect you have that many bullets to fight back with.
Once again the author has said something stupid. Surprised he didn’t say it comes with a hole especially for your index finger! I think it’s time for me to find a different prepper forum.
They forgot the ancient weapon called a slingshot.
Those can be very deadly (David and Goliath scenario)
A bolo is another old weapon. Easily constructed and quite deadly.
THE BEST weapon there is, is your BRAIN.
I also wondered why the slingshot wasn’t mentioned.
A claw hammer, ball-pine hammer or hatchet make effective tools. Screw drivers, large wrenches are also effective tools of the trade. Store them safely so as to prevent their use on your selves. The kitchen fire extinguisher (dry chemical) will stop intruders with a blast or blunt force. Learn how to use your tools ⚒️ before you have to use them.
Trench fighting in WW1 was often hand to hand. Favored weapons were a short weighted club called a cosh and the e tool. Saw a video years ago of a Green Beret demonstrating e tool striking techniques on a ballistic dummy, quick and deadly.
I sort of plead no commit on this one, although some of the reply’s were comical as usual, but somewhat entertaining… stupidity/ignorance runs ramped my friends, be aware, be very aware… hahahaha…
Consider learning (really learning well) to use a good old fashioned slingshot and ball bearings as ammunition.