When most people think of preppers, one of the first images in their mind is probably a big bunker full of guns. Of course that isn’t the reality, but there’s no doubt guns are very valuable if you want to be ready for whatever the world throws at you. Whether for hunting or defense, having the right gun to hand can make the difference between life and death.
The question is, what is the right gun? There are thousands of firearms on the market, and choosing the best one can be a real struggle. It isn’t helped by the fact everyone has an opinion and not all of them translate into good advice.
Some people do build up large arsenals with a gun for every possible scenario, but for most people that isn’t realistic. Guns aren’t cheap, and as a prepper there’s always somewhere else you could spend the money. There’s also practicality to consider. If you’re out and about, you need to carry your guns.
Real life isn’t a video game where you have ten save slots for all your weapons. Guns are bulky and heavy, and get in the way when you’re trying to work. Realistically you can carry one long gun and, if you really need to, a handgun, Sometimes the handgun will be your only option.
Ideally, you need three guns; a handgun, a rifle and a shotgun. If you choose the right ones, these three between them will cover any scenario you’re likely to find yourself in – and any one of them will cope with most things.
So what guns should you choose? Here are my favorites.
Handgun
There are people who will tell you to get a revolver, because you can’t rely on a semi-automatic handgun. Ignore them. That might have been true 120 years ago, but it isn’t true now. Modern semi-autos might not be quite as reliable as revolvers, but they’re reliable enough – and they come with a list of other benefits that more than make up for the tiny chance of a stoppage.
Related: 6 Reliable “Pocket” Revolvers For Off-Grid Defense
Firstly, semi-automatics have a larger capacity and are much faster to reload.
The most common stoppage with any firearm is the one that happens when it’s empty, and that moment’s going to come a lot sooner with a revolver.
Secondly, they’re flatter. If you carry concealed (and you should; it’s a lot safer than open carry) a revolver will print badly. That bulky cylinder can also get uncomfortable.
Thirdly, they’re cheaper. A good revolver will cost more than a good semi-auto. Get the semi-auto and spend the extra money on something else.
You’ll also hear a lot of advice about calibers. Ignore it all and get a pistol chambered in 9mm Luger. It’s a powerful, high-velocity round, and while it won’t knock an attacker off their feet with a single shot, no other handgun round will either. The 9mm combines adequate power with high magazine capacity; if it’s good enough for the entire US military it’s good enough for me. It’s also the most common major-caliber handgun ammo in the country, so it’s going to be easy to buy, trade for or scrounge.
So, my recommended handgun is the Glock 17. Yes, I know this is a boring choice. It’s totally vanilla, the Liptons Yellow Label of firearms.
It’s also reliable, safe to carry with a round in the chamber, and affordable. You can get the latest Gen 5 model for under $500 if you shop around, there’s no end of accessories for it, and spare magazines are easy and cheap to find. No, it’s not as cool as a custom 1911, but it’s a third of the price and holds an extra ten rounds.
Rifle
A good rifle is an excellent hunting weapon, plus if you need to defend yourself it’s a great tool for keeping attackers at a distance. The trouble is there are more rifles to choose from than any other type of gun, and it’s easy to get seduced by space-age designs and exotic calibers. Don’t.
In a crisis, how easy do you think it’s going to be to find 6.5mm Creedmore or .300 Blackout? Probably not very, right? In any case, exotic calibers tend to be optimized for one thing – and they often suck at everything else.
You need an all-round cartridge that’s plentiful and easy to find, cheap enough that you can afford to practice regularly and stockpile a good amount, and effective enough to keep you alive.
There are two choices, and I can recommend a rifle in each of them.
You can’t go far wrong with an AR15-style carbine. Light and compact, capable of bringing down small or medium game and able to deliver accurate fire out past 300 yards, it’s a very versatile gun.
With a collapsing stock and 16” barrel it’s handy enough to be used for home defense (although its high-velocity rounds can over-penetrate) and it’s also easy to carry in the woods.
Are you going to be taking thousand-yard shots with it? No. Then again, why would you need to?
You can easily spend $2,000 or more on an AR15-type rifle, but there’s no need to. Palmetto State Armory’s PA-15 starts at $499 and it will do just fine. It’s a basic, military-spec rifle, so it might not be pretty but it’s reliable and accurate enough.
Related: The Complete Guide To Cleaning And Lubricating Your Ar-15
Put a compact scope on it and stock up on spare magazines and this rifle will serve you well. Chambered for 5.56mm NATO, it will also run fine on .223; you should never struggle to find ammunition for it.
Alternatively, there’s the Ruger 10/22. Yes, it’s a .22. That’s what’s so great about it!
The ammo is cheap and tiny, so you can store and carry a lot of it. It will take small game with ease, and while it’s not the best gun for defense, most intruders will still back down if you point a 10/22 at them. There’s a takedown carbine version that weighs just 4.5lb, so it’s easy to carry all day.
Seriously, .22LR is a great survival cartridge. Apart from its low price and tiny size, it’s a fairly quiet round if you buy a subsonic load – and if you’re willing to do the NFA paperwork and get a suppressor it’s extremely quiet. The ammunition is usually plentiful, too.
Shotgun
A shotgun is the most versatile gun you can get. An amazing range of ammunition means you can hunt anything, from small game to large mammals – and there’s something uniquely intimidating about them if you need to deter troublemakers. If deterrence doesn’t work, a few rounds of 12-gauge buckshot is also persuasive.
Yes, get a 12-gauge. A 20-gauge gives up a lot of effectiveness, and the ammunition is also harder to find. Look for a gun chambered for 3” or 3.5” Magnum shells; they’ll also fire anything shorter. A slug barrel and rifle sights will give you a heavy punch out to better than a hundred yards.
Get a gun with a fixed or folding stock; pistol grip only shotguns are useless as survival guns and not much better for defense.
My favorite shotgun is the classic Remington 870. It’s been in production for over 70 years, but it’s been constantly upgraded and it’s still a reliable and effective weapon. There are also plenty of after market accessories for it.
With a magazine capacity of up to 7+1, this gives you a lot of short-range firepower in a package that will also take pretty much any game you can get within range of. If you only buy one gun, make it a shotgun.
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Generally, I agree with your points in this article but I have a slightly different take. For the handgun 9mm is a good choice for most people. I recommend hollow point ammo to lessen your risk of over penetration with the 9mm. I do not think a Glock 17 is a best choice. Get a handgun that fits your hand and will be easy to operate safely. Also, stick with proven brands. For the rifle I feel you should have two. One for defense and large game hunting and one for small game. I chose a Ruger Mini 30 for myself because I didn’t have to revamp my ammo supply. The other reason I chose the Mini 30 is it is chambered in 7.62x39mm, which has been very cheap and in the case of an invasion scenario the enemy will very likely be carrying your resupply of ammo for you. If you have or like the 5.56 ammo then I recommend the Ruger Mini 14. It has two distinct advantages. It is very reliable and it does not draw the unwanted attention that the AR-15 does. The second rifle to have is a 22 cal. The Ruger 10/22 is an excellent choice but don’t discount a bolt action magazine fed 22 or a lever action 22. The 22 is an excellent small game rifle that is relatively quiet. For the shotgun the 870 is a very good choice but the Mossberg 500 series shotguns are also very reliable and less expensive if you are on a budget. 12 gauge is the preferred ammo, 00 buck, slugs, and also a box or two of game rounds. Keep in mind that the 12 gauge has a lot of recoil and if that is a problem the 20ga will work and is easier to control. One last point don’t fill the closet without getting out there and practicing with your choice of weapons. The best gun is useless if you aren’t proficient with it. These are my choices now you will need to do what works best for you and your budget.
My choice for guns of any type are only the ones I can hit my intended target with. Other than that, I only really need about 100 rounds of ammo over and above my target ammo as the fire fight will be over way before I spend the last round, one way or the other.
Liked your comment about when a firefight will be over. Good judgement and common sense never go out of style.
in a SHTF situation, are you expecting only one encounter that you will need to defend yourself and/or others? That’s like experiencing one hurricane, earthquake, flood, or wildfire and telling yourself “glad that’s over”, not preparing for the next dangerous situation, and cancelling your insurance. I would rather stock up on as much supplies and ammo as I can manage and if I don’t use it, I will consider that as insurance I was fortunate enough not to need, but damn glad to have in case I ever did need it.
What about the next firefight?
Richard, well, you may have narrowed your perspective to just one firefight, but I intend to survive and engage in many more if necessary, so I have a lot 9mm, 5.56, and 12-gauge rounds on hand, as well as other calibers. I also intend to forage as much as I can manage, but you can only do that if you survive long enough to do so.
Please also do not overlook the new breed of pellet guns-inexpensive, accurate, and surprisingly powerful, with no report past about 15 ft. Wrist rocket style slingshots are also tenable food getters. Not suitable for anything larger than say a large chicken; but then, if you have reached the point of hunting frogs and rats without making noise, a large caliber is detrimental.
Actually my favorite gun of all is a 17 HMR semi-auto. Can’t buy any more ammo for it but it is an absolute tack driver at 100 yrds. My 10/22 is next with a 20 shot clip. Then #3 is my 12 ga and then my AR-15. But I do have 2 pellet guns and lots of ammo that I also prize. Anyway, everything that goes BANG has a place and function at my house.
Steve: Definitely. LCC liked them, sort of, the newer, more powerful pellet guns. niio
I recently added a .22 cal pellet rifle to my inventory. I agree with you 100% on the new technology. I would not use the older spring type rifle as the performance is inconsistent in cold weather due to the spring gumming up in cold grease. The other problem with the spring type air gun is it won’t hold the charge for long.
The new gas piston pneumatic type can be cocked and ready to fire for a long period of time without losing the charge. This makes it usable for hunting. There is no spring, so there is no cold weather issue. The important part to consider is the .18 grain pellet will travel at about 1200 FPS in a reasonably priced rifle around the $250 range. There is a wide variety of ammo types from target pellets to high penetration hunting pellets. With enough practice it can potentially take down small game within 50 yards with nearly no sound report.
In comparison, the .22 cal bullet is about .40 grain and travels between 1200-1700 FPS depending on the ammunition.
This puts the modern .22 cal pellet rifle into the range as a usable survival pack rifle. It can reasonably be used for silently taking down small/medium game in a situation you don’t want half the county knowing you are out hunting for protein. Also consider that the cost of a 500 count tin of hunting pellets is about $10. You can also carry a large amount of pellets in your pack with negligible impact on your weight/space budget.
Yup!
I have a .22 pellet rifle( 1300 FPS) it has penetrated 2 inches of wood!!! Very quiet with a 10 round single break per round mag!!! Awesome!
The biggest drawback to the Mini-14 and the plus-up for the AR is the availability of spare parts and parts kits. I have a Mini and have had since 1982. It’s a good rifle, but I do not have the spare parts I do for my AR’s.
How many breakdowns with the mini 14 have you had compared to the AR? I have had none with my mini and enough with the AR to get rid of it.
Lol the invasion…….
Ok maybe in the 60
Russians currently use 5.45 and Chinese use some 6mm custom round.
Your mini 30 became over night a nice boat anchor as x39 ammo is banned.
Glock is a poor choice for many people. It is a good gun, well made with very poor ergonomics for a lot of people. A natural feeling grip is important, very important.
You are forgetting a good 50 cal back powder gun u can load it with hollow points.or make it into a shot gun in a pinch I have one that will drop large game at 150 yards for Penny’s a shot it’s a inline not a old one with a nice scope. Plenty of powder plenty of shot.I have a Ar and a 40 sw side arm if ammo runs dry well I really will not be dry.
As said, guns are important but only a small part of prepping. This list is plenty good for a non gun enthusiast with money they need to spend on other things. If I could only recommend one gun it would be the Ruger 10/22. It’s the Swiss Army knife of guns. It can do nearly all gun things just none of them outstandingly well. But it is reliable, rugged, easy to shoot, super accurate in its range capability, and light. Plus you can stock or carry a lot of .22 ammunition compared to other calibers.
I agree that an AR15 rifle is a great rifle, I own more than one and used them to great effect in multiple tours in Iraq. The only potential issue in survival is maintenance. When an AR has issues, they tend to be issues that require knowledge, tools, and sometimes parts.
Long term reliability (decades, if not more) is found good quality lever action and bolt action guns.
Yes, I understand there are advantages to high capacity and ability to rapidly fire as in the semiauto platforms in threat situations, but for survival and longevity I suggest considering lever action and bolt action.
I own several bolt action rifles from 300 Winmag to .22, and leveraction from 308 to .22.
If I had to select only one rifle from now until ???? it would be my Henry Long Ranger 308, box magazine so it will fire any and all types of 308 ammo without safety issues, free floated barrel, good to hundreds of meters with great accuracy, easy to clean and maintain, very low likelihood of parts issues.
only defense use for a .22 cal is for suckering “Them” in >>> you confront someone with a ,22 or start popping off rounds – they’ll figure on an eazy mark >> just have your timing right for opening up with the real battery ….
I totally agree if you can’t place your shots where they need to go.
We shoot 400# pigs in Texas with a 22 at 50 yrds. All you have to do is place the shot if you’re good enough in the ear. Drops like a fly. But, I agree that if you can’t place it you’re much better off using a cannon.
to the two that disagree for some reason >>> learn what kills a person – you need penetration & damage >>
even the uber shocks & wad spreaders in the .22cal just don’t do the job – not on a 200lb plus guy – especially if he’s juiced – he’ll take your hits thru his leather and layers of clothes >> kill you – rape everything in sight including your dog – eat the food in your frig – order a few premium channel events – take a nap in your bed – go out & party a few nites before he goes “Ouch” ….
A 400# man will drop like a fly if you penetrate his skull with a high speed pellet gun. You are way off base with your analysis of the 22. You shoot for unprotected areas in the first place not body armor. Besides, if the 22 was such a benign weapon why, for the last 100 years, do hit men and mafia goons use it as their weapon of choice?
Not if you put the 10 rounds in his forehead/throat area…He’ll just make a bigger mess!!!
Oh and the remaining 20 High velocity HP rounds are just incase he still wants to to Dance!!!
Im a convicted felon and not allowed near a weapon my choice would b a shot guu a loud one at that
That certainly doesn’t stop people around here from carrying on the street. That’s said, following the law, you’re to be commended. There are lots of other ways to defend oneself, many of which are presented here in detail in other articles and comments to them. Read on! It pays to be educated!
nothing says you can’t have a crossbow they are very deadly!
There is also a double barrel black powder pistol, for those that have legal issues
Most I have seen are single shot!
My cross bow would be my go to hunting weapon. It’s powerful, silent, and much of the time the ammo is reusable. Oh, it’ll kill humans too.
also very clumsy, and somewhat difficult to operate in a hurry. Poor choice but any port in a storm. Your first choice should be a firearm that you are proficient with, and easy for you to operate. evaluate your situation. Buy the weapon that best fits your needs, and most of all, learn to use it proficiently. All defense weapons serve no purpose except to further arm your adversary if you don’t know how to use them. Comon sense is a great attribute.
There is also a double barrel black powder pistol, for those that have legal issues
You MAY be able to legally own black-powder arms. Check very carefully before buying. Good luck.
You aren’t allowed near a firearm. Check your state laws. I know felons who are allowed to compete in archery matches. See if you’re allowed to have a cross bow or compound bow. But, also prepare if you can for a SHTF scenario because, if it does indeed hit the fan, all cops,prosecutors and judges will be in the same situation of protecting themselves and their families as you are. All laws and prior convictions will be out the window.
Doreen: any way to get help from your congressman in your state? If allowable, a wrist rock will do a lot of damage. A blow pipe (short, 18 inches) loaded with something nasty will, as well.
No idea what your state claims as a weapon but my son, a convicted felon was working on getting his rights reinstated here in AZ. niio
Who cares get a gun
Shall not infringe
I know here in Louisiana. I have a friend that is a convicted felon he is allowed here to use black powder weapons and keeps 2 black powder revolvers handy has a black powder rifle as well and on occasion has made his own black powder and has his own mold for his pistol and rifle for the projectiles to make it convenient to keep them well maintained and used. Just check your state and the laws there.
A 12 gauge with some chamber adapters is very handy in a shtf scenario. I keep my mossberg 500 in a sling and the adapters tucked into the ammo carriers. 12g, 20g, 410/45, 38/ 357, 22 are all there so I can pick up almost any ammo and fire it. I keep a 12g double barrel at my camp with the same and a couple of rifle caliber adapters as well.
Always have a 9 mm on me.
I have several at style rifles and keep one with the 22 adapter in its case and I could always grab a 9mm upper from another to carry and that would be extremely versatile.
Have you actually tried running those adaptors though the action?
Double barrels are for bird hunting and looking cool in the movies. 2 shots without a reload???? 12ga. with a capacity of 5, 6, 7, 8 is a much better choice for defense. It also has some sociological advantage when the adversary can hear the action working as a load is chambered. Double barrels, to be ready must be loaded. That means 2 rounds chambered with the hammers back. Only a safety that can fail and falling over that could produce an accidental discharge. A pump shotgun can have a magazine full, but safe enough to fall off the house roof with no shot fired. It can be brought to the ready with a round chambered in 1/10 of a second, but harmless and safe till needed.
Watch me with a knife lol
Doreen: Hoo Rah! Me, too, and I’m allowed all the guns I want. All I have is a pellet gun, and that’s fine. Neighbors, tho, are stocked well. It is Arizona. to get to the house, someone needs to walk the garden path from the front or back. Try another else and they sink as much as 3 feet into garden beds (inground hugelkultur a la American Indians).
A peeping tom, a woman with mental issues, did that once, then stayed on the path. then one night she had a small run in with Mouser, the rattlesnake. Poor Mouser, when she screamed she nearly gave us both heart attacks (me and poor Mouser), then stayed away till winter 🙂
What’s you favorite blade? niio
Watch you die sure
You DO know it is extremely impolite to bring a knife to a gun fight, right?
Nothing sats you can’t have a crossbow or a muzzeloader both very deadly!
The laws in every state vary as to what a convicted felon can possess or be in close proximity to. Then the feds have their own set of rules about felons possessing firearms (no distinction between black powder and smokeless both of which are classified as firearms) gun parts and ammunition. So under federal rules if one is a convicted felon or convicted of various crimes involving violence and has in his possession the recoil spring to a 1911 style .45 ACP, he is liable under the same statute prohibiting the possession of a complete firearm.
I will have to disagree with the selection of weapons as Best Do-it-all guns for preppers. It is a flat-out statement, with specific choices, will little to no allowance for all the variables that are part and parcel to Do-it-all, much less ‘best’.
A 9mmP semi-auto handgun is a good choice. For some people. For some situations. It is far from Do-it-all. And there are many fine handguns in 9mmP.
5.56mm is a long ways from being a Do-it-all round. And while the AR-15 platform has many good features, it is also not a Do-it-all weapon. Even with multiple uppers in various calibers. 5.56 has a good range for jungle fighting. Not so much for open country, urban areas where you might have to shoot down a road or street for hundreds of yards, or penetrate some pretty effective cover.
And while a 12-gauge shotgun does have a great deal of versatility, given the right selection of shells, it is a very short range Do-it-all weapon. One-hundred yards maximum for very good shooters. Much less with most shooters. And while the pumps mentioned are very good, those that do not shoot regularly with a pump action are not going to be all that proficient with one. Plus, there are many people that simply cannot hold up a pump action shotgun and work the pump. Just not enough strength.
So, while conceptually the idea is good, in practice not so much. To get a decent Do-it-all weapons battery, consider your needs and your capabilities, and look at many other options.
Just my opinion.
Open country 600 meters is pretty easy for most ar15 models on the 556 platform. The beyond that range becomes a interesting concept and sure you could use a different caliber or ar10
I have several .22 LR rifles, none of them is a 10/22. Why? I like the old fashioned tubular fed that holds 17+1, has a longer barrel great for squirrels and rabbits. I also have a tubular loader. I hate loading a magazine. My favorite pistol is a .45ACP. It isn’t a 1911, they’re too expensive. But it goes bang very reliably. I also have several pump shotguns and a lot of #4 and Buckshot. I don’t like 3″ or 3.5″ loads. Ouch!
Unless your lookin to purchase a Cabot or a Springfield Silent Operator, 1911’s are not that expensive, I own RIA A1CS I purchased new for $443 in 2010 and they still start at $400+ and up depending what you want, you can find 1911’s everywhere at a reasonable price, it don’t gotta be new, I love my 1911 but it’s like your carrying around a brick no matter how you carry it, So if it stopped fuctioning for some reason you can always use it as a club or hammer, they’re also good at removing the head from the torso but it wouldn’t be my main grab.
After the furbar with Katrina there were all kinds of comments about what one should have for a disaster or otherwise.I agree with the author a good rifle,handgun and a shotgun your choice.However some of the discussions centered around having like calibers,The .357 cartridge is quite versatile there are some lever action rifles that chamber this cartridge as well as revolvers take your pick,yes the revolver isn’t quite as concealable as a semi auto,but there are semi auto pistol carbines some of which are able to take the same magazine. Kel-tec is one of them you have a choice of different manufacture’s for your pistol as well. The Glock fits the sub 2000 so you can have a choice between a 40 or a 9mm caliber same magazine all of a sudden you are able to reach out to a 100 yards.Same goes for the XD as well as a Sig you purchase the PC caliber to fit your hand gun,yes it won’t have quite the same effect as a standard rifle caliber,but you just eliminated having to have another cartridge.
I often travel with my Marlin 1894 or Rossi 92 in .357 as it doesn’t look so dangerous! I keep 4″ L Frame 681 with me and I have never felt under-gunned.
As far as breakdowns, I have never had one with an AR, but then again all of mine are quality items. There is a reason it has been produced in such large numbers. I haven’t ever done a “mil-spec” test of my Mini-14. I am confident it will do well, but it is a mechanical device and at some point it will break something!
Additionally, it will not shoot as accurate as any of my AR’s. It has combat accuracy, not hunter/sniper. I understand the new ones are much better on accuracy than my old -183.
I love the weapon, but if I could only have one?????
There are no “do-it-all” firearms, but a good quality pump shotgun is about as close as you’re gonna get, 12 gauge being the most common shotgun ammo, 20 gauge next. Be sure to get some slugs, buckshot, and also game loads for birds and small game. The only real drawbacks are the ammo is heavy and bulky, and the range is limited, but if I could only grab one firearm and “run for the hills”, it would be the 12 gauge Mossberg 500 and several ammo bandoliers and pouches I have pre-stocked with all three loads. If another family member had already grabbed the Mossberg, I’ll take the 12 gauge Remington 870, which is another excellent and reliable pump shotgun.
We do have several other firearms available such as rifles and handguns, but if I could only grab one and run, it would still be one of the 12 gauge pump shotguns and as much ammo as I could reasonably carry.
IMO, the 3 necessary would be: #1. A good .22. A Henry AR7 or a Ruger 10/22
#2 A .410 shotgun with a quantity of slug & shot shells & rifled barrel #3 A decent quality Air Rifle, combo .177 & .22
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/henry-us-survival-ar-7-semi-auto-rimfire-rifle
https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/category.cfm/sportsman/shotguns/of3/410-GA
https://beeman.com/air-rifles/
One of my favorite quotes.
“If you gotta put holes in ’em a .22 will do it, because nobody wants extra holes in ‘em.”
.22’s have put more men and women in the grave then people give it credit for. I think the only other weapon with a better battle record would be the M1 Garand. My money for the SHTF WEAPONS OF CHOICE would be ones I proficiently use now. Ones that over a lifetime would have allowed you to accumulated adequate ammunition and the necessary skill to be deadly in any situation. Following someone else’s ideals make you a K-mart or Walmart window shopper.
My next door neighbor borrowed my .22 to kill a woodchuck he caught in a trap. When he brought it back, his eyes were big & he asked what kind of ammo I had loaded it with. I asked him, “Why?”. He said, “That shot took the whole back of his skull out”. I laughed & told him that he apparently hit on the every other bullet in the clip that was a mini-mag hollow point that I ‘Dum-Dumed’. I opened up the hollow point slightly with a small drill bit & cut a shallow X. Going thru an aluminum beer can, they go in .22 size & come out the other side making a hole almost big enough to stick my thumb in.
A lot of good points and opinions here. I guess the main idea is carry what works for you. Recognize the limitations of what you choose and practice, practice, practice. Some limitations can be overcome or equalized by proficiency. A handgun is good for 0 to 20 yards. If you are proficient you can extend that quite a bit. A rifle allows you to reach out and touch someone. Realistically, a rifle is good for 50 to 200 yards. If they are further away than that you need to be moving and putting some distance between you and them. The shotgun makes up for some lack of proficiency or those times when you need to reach out and touch several people with fewer rounds. Shotguns are typically good for 5 to 30 yards. I do realize that many of you can shoot the balls off a gnat at 1000 yards with a wrist rocket and this isn’t about you. As my eyesight gets weaker I’m sure I will rely more on the shotgun..
I agree. When I was in my teens through 20’s I could shoot soda cans at distance with a .22 LR and a .30 caliber hunting rifle, both with open sights, but now I can’t even see a soda can at distance without some serious optics, and is why my .30 cal rifle has a Bushnell 4×9 scope. As you mentioned, rifles are great for when you need to “reach out and touch someone”, shotguns are excellent for clearing multiple targets at closer range, especially when moving, and it really does come down to practice, practice, practice to hone your skills. I do recommend learning to shoot and reload all your firearms both right handed and left handed, just in case you need to do it during a live fire situation you will at least know how before the SHTF.
The Missouri HP used to teach an officer survival course and I got the opportunity to attend one. In it they talked about backup guns and how to keep in the fight when you have been injured in the fight. They drilled us on how to reload one handed and how to chamber a round one handed in case you were shot and one of your arms was disabled. They drilled us on weak hand shooting and reloading. They taught us how to survive a bad situation and come out on top. They talked about shot placement to disable an attacker. You want to disable the gun hand, shoot the attached shoulder. Want to stop them from overrunning your position and put them on the ground, a shot to the pelvis. Kill shot equals center mass or the harder to hit target, a head shot. Knees are also good to take someone down but like the head are a smaller target to hit.
The best gun is the gun you feel comfortable with..not what someone told you…what you feel comfortable with…I feel comfortable with most but you won’t see me carrying an SKS. Maybe this article is outdated but depending on where. you live an AR10 with a .308 or my fav 6.5 creedmore is a must for keeping enemy back with any kind of distance past 500 yards OR for taking down big game for food. A slug with a shot gun can do that trick but you’ve got to get to at least 100 yards. I agree with the first reply 9mm is not the 9mm my instructor in the academy had shot through him 9 times and lived. A nasty 9mm hollow point from Hornady or similar will leave some holes in your attackers.
I am a retired (22 Year army combat engineer) veteran. I was a competition shooter for several years as well as a fire arms instructor. I am now a master gunsmith and have been since retiring in 1996.
I belong to a survival group and this question comes up quite often. I am addressing the “Survival” portion of this article. As stated above, proper bullet placement is the key. That being said, I will discuss the long gun. I have several of the Savage model 24 series combo guns. The 24C is a 20 gauge under with a .22 LR over. It is a break open long gun. If you are survival hunting, a #4 buckshot and a .22LR will be a good combination. In my state, there isn’t anything that a .22LR won’t bring down with proper bullet placement. That includes from deer to field mice. I also have a “Bug Out Bag” that is my EDC bag. I also have in it an AR7 survival rifle. The whole gun fits into the butt of the rifle and weighs a little over 4 pounds. Mine came with two 8 round magazines. I also carry two 100 round boxes of Aguila .22 LR ammo. My sidearm will be my Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory. It comes with two 10 round magazines. It has a 5.5 inch barrel and fiberoptic sights. With 25 rounds of 20 gauge ammo and 200 plus rounds of .22LR, I am well armed and able to hunt and defend myself.
I have several guns for personal defense. I also agree with the fact that 9mm being the most common ammo out there it is the best choice for handgun ammo. Any rifle that shoot 5.56 or .223 is also a good choice since this is the most common rifle ammo available. The U.S. Military uses both calibers as does many police departments across the U.S.
I personally prefer the Winchester model 94 in .30-.30 for my rifle as in my opinion it is the best for what I need it to do, kill deer sized game for food and man sized for self-defense. Remember that 5.56 or .223 is also a .22 caliber bullet so do not rule out the .22 long rifle as a good round for self-defense although not the best. Ask yourself which caliber you would rather be shot with. Any caliber is the best caliber if that’s all you got.
Johnny Crumpton, I would prefer not to be shot by any caliber. I have been shot and I can tell you it is not a picnic and it is not like in the movies.
While you see there is a lot of difference in what people choose for there own situation. Myself a 12 ga. shotgun is a very good choice even an old single barrel break open is good for defense or for game ( need practice so don’t miss) but for a handgun and rifle I chose the 357 for a revolver and lever action rifle. The 357 is more deadly b y far than the 9mm. and in a rifle will bring down a deer easily. My grandson just did that last year. You can also use 38 special ammo and just 38 in the revolver. It makes for a deadly combination, one caliber and usually available. (Up to the present time)
Neat idea and a good combo setup
As a retired cop, my husband’s loadout is a gunsmiths dream. I’m just a little ole nurse, a glock 26 fits my hand and my rifle, a ruger 9mm take down shares the same ammo and mags. My 12ga is fine, we both use the same ammo.
These are the largest I can handle comfortably and I’ve gotten proficient with all 3.
He has 2 ARs, one is .556, the other a 300 blackout. That one is for hunting and the ammo he’s gotten should last us a few years, especially as I will police the mags of anyone who bothers us.
I’m not really a gun person, they are just a tool for me.
I’ll handle the butchering and the damage control.
Curious what a gunsmiths dream would be.
Practice, Practice, practice…….
Learn the breathing techniques.
Learn the fire arm you have.
A well placed .22 round is better than a wayward .308 or .223.
Learn to shoot proficiency in many positions, standing, sitting, laying on the ground. Shoot in hot and cold weather, dry and hot days and in the pouring rain in the mud.
Learn to shoot on the run, from tree to tree, crawling on the ground.
Practice, Practice, practice…..
Then practice some more.
It doesn’t take many of rounds to do these things.
But it does take many hours.
If you were to make a conservative estimate for the amount of ammo needed to practice all of these skills, how many rounds would you say would be needed? Many are on budgets and don’t have the tools or the space to reload. Ammo is increasingly expensive, as you know.
I shoot twice per week. My husband is a gunsmith. We take shooting vacations (Knob Creek, the Whittington Center, Peacemaker, and other spots). We also attend shooting classes. We volunteer as range safety officers and trainers. Guns are pretty much our everyday thing. I do not know more than anyone else, but I have some background and experience. My husband has also served. He has been shot (twice), and I have seen him fix a firing pin, in a tent, at night, in the driving rain. Again, we don’t know more. We just live it.
Glock 17s (or 19s, or…) do not fit every hand. That angle is NOT for everyone. Additionally, that Glock trigger can be a pain in the arse for those with neuropathy. I see it EVERY WEEK when I am working the line as a safety officer. New shooter is at the line, cannot get that brand new Glock to fire. Sorry you just spent $600 on a gun that you cannot shoot. Here, try mine. See, you can shoot that. No, I will not trade. The range master and other safety officers often joke that we are not range safety officers, we are AR un-jammers. This last Wednesday a veteran shooter, served in Iraq, a current police officer, spent most of my shift un jamming his $2,000 AR (with about $1500 in add-ons). One of the guys I was working with served for 22 years. He was severely wounded (IED). He and one of his combat buddies, and my husband, and I all went out after our shift. Both the guys, and my husband agreed… If they could choose any gun to bring into battle, it would NOT be an AR. Sure you can add lights, and optics, and a weather vane, and a cup holder, and audio speakers, but it is not the gun they would choose. The AK and the H&K G3 were their choices. The wounded soldier also likes the SOCOM.
Like someone else said, the best gun for you is the one you know how to shoot (and clean). To add to Terry’s comment. PRACTICE EVEN MORE. It just takes trigger time.
First of all, the AR was a Wilson Combat, so fudd you. Second, it was not A JAM. The gun kept jamming all shift. I am not a fudd.
I am not opposed to someone owning ANY firearm. I just do not believe the AR is the Best Do-It-All Guns For Preppers. I own two ARs. I shoot them at Camp Perry where I have finished in the top ten of the President’s match more than a few times. So… not a fudd. I am just presenting facts. Sorry if you do not like the facts. Really? You hate range safety officers with a passion? That is odd. You had the hots for one and he turned you down right?
Lol you deleted my comments eh
Nice Windsor rifle eh at 2k ….yikes I am curious what you consider 1500 in accessories would be then
Eotech XPS3 Red Dot Sight – $500+
EOTech G33 Magnifier – $500+
GRIP POD V2 foregrip – $125ish
DBAL-I2 Dual Beam Laser – $700ish
SureFire light – $200+
Ferfrans Muzzle Brake – $150+
Oh, you were correct. There were over $2100 in accessories.
Its nice you read recoil magazine … what a awesome time it must be.
So the guy affords that but installs it all on a 500 dollar rifle and no nvds.
Sure its amazing with your skills you couldn’t determine if the gas block was loose …. or shitty mags
Glad I run my own range and don’t deal with range officers
The other flip side is…. so one guy has a issue with his rifle so that “suggests all of that rifle is bad as well” I don’t get it the AR15 platforms have proven to be reliable easy to use, clean and repair. You can train a 10 year-old how to use one in about 60 mins and they can be nailing plates all day long.
I have to agree. I regard the AR with profound suspicion. I think of it as the firearm equivalent of the lures for sale to catch fishermen, rather than fish.
My own “arsenal” consists of the guns I’ve gotten down through the years since I was young, starting with an Italian made 20 ga. my dad gave me when I was 12 (still my favorite gun, though not one I would choose if I had to take only one in a SHTF situation.).
Right now, my two first choices would be the Model 586 .357 I bought in my 20s and the 870 12 ga. I’ve had for years, I’ve modified with a longer magazine tube and a multi-choke barrel. I’ve an old Remington bolt action .22, too, I’d definitely put toward the top of the “one gun” list. Since I gave my brother the .30-06 I had, and I’m not where I’m meat hunting (and so I’m _not_ hunting), I’ve not presently got a rifle.
That’s not to say these would be my ideal choices.
I’d probably prefer a 9mm for a side arm, and a single barrel break-breech 12 ga. with iron sights and multiple inserts (as well as a muzzle-loading breech plug), and a venerable enfield-action .308 as a rifle, preferably with peep sight (if such a thing is still possible). along with my Remington .22.
The point of all this is to suggest the best guns are the ones you can readily find and afford on the budget you have (including ammo). Preparation calls for a wide variety of expenses, and skills practices. The perfect is the enemy of the good enough.
Shot twice lol great
I like any shotgun and a .410 handgun. Why, because it is very simple to reload hulls/cartridges (by machine or hand) and they can fire anything that will fit down the barrel! You can form your own slugs and shot with minimum skill and effort (over an open fire). I have lots of 209 primers, powder and hulls (new and used). I am reloading shot and slugs for the shotgun and 3″ 5 pellet 000 buck for the .410 handgun (Judge) using Ballistic Products manuals. Reloading brass cartridges for handguns and rifles is a skill set everyone should develop but really need the correct reloading machines to do it safely. Add in a nice bow for long term hunting needs.
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Can’t argue with the author on that one. When one could get (cheap) imported military surplus 7.62×39 I’d say that belongs on the list too.
my biggest regret was not ordering a ak74 and the 5.45 ammo that was “mild ap” for stupid cheap prices….
I must respectfully disagree as to handguns. If one isn’t already a gun person, first undertake some impartial training. Through this, find what is most applicable to you… revolver or semi-auto. While the revolver has lower capacity, and a cylinder limits concealability, it may be more in one’s usefulness based upon other factors. In reality, a .38 Special, 5 shot revolver is quite concealable. I carry as a backup a Ruger LR9, primarily in an ankle holster…the 9mm is basically equal in power to the .38Spl., while I mostly carry a 9mm semi-auto in carry in a pocket holster as primary, the revolver is much more dependable in the filthy environs of an ankle. However, I have and will carry .38 spl., .45 Long Colt, or other revolvers as primary concealment firearms. As the famed instructor Clint Smith has often stated, a handgun is only to permit one to fight your way to a long gun for serious work! Also, consider what your purpose may be… personal self-defense where a .38/9mm/40 cal/ 45 auto are all wholly viable, or hunting or large animal defense where a ..357/.41/44/.45/10mm are almost mandatory.
I overall agree with the choice of the AR or a .22 rimfire, especially the Ruger 10/22. However, again, consider other factors. While even a .22 long rifle has taken deer, a .30-30 or other .30 caliber better ensures a clean kill…when hungry, it is not a good thing to have your prey wander off into the woods to die rather than fall within a short distance. The AR in .223//5.56mm has proven itself as a tol of war, but it cannot be counted on as a one-shot kill of humans, deer or other similar targets, and certainly not for larger animals. YOUR situation again must be considered.
A 12 gauge shotgun’s biggest advantage is accessibility…it is far and away the most common shotgun in America. However, 20 gauge has a strong following, and is especially useful for smaller framer shooters for whom the recoil of a 12 may be overwhelming. A pump in either is likely the best choice, but if not available, and an older but not abused double barrel is available, it can be a viable tool.
Ultimately, the person should become acquainted to firearms in general; a local gun club, a friend who is well rounded in firearms, or perhaps a gunshop that is willing to work with the individual and not just make a sale may be the best stepping stone.
I like any shotgun and a .410 handgun. Why, because it is very simple to reload hulls/cartridges (by machine or hand) and they can fire anything that will fit down the barrel! You can form your own slugs and shot with minimum skill and effort (over an open fire). I have lots of 209 primers, powder and hulls (new and used). I am reloading shot and slugs for the shotgun and 3″ 5 pellet 000 buck for the .410 handgun (Judge) using Ballistic Products manuals. Reloading brass cartridges for handguns and rifles is a skill set everyone should develop but really need the correct reloading machines to do it safely. Add in a nice bow for long term hunting needs.
This is a great guide. There is obviously so much more to know for any number of situations. But from the 30 years of research I’ve done on SHTF, it’s spot on in all ways.
Reading through comments, people missed a lot via common sense. A lot of people talking about hiding ammo and goods for later days. This guide isn’t about all that. It’s about getting from point A to point B. Truth is, if it isn’t Mad Max type scenario, you won’t be able to carry around a rifle with you.
In every economic collapse I’ve read about from people who lived through it, are still living through it, are writing blogs about it to this day in Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba, etc., People still have to go to work. Society will still have to function. Instead of the easy going police we have now, if someone sees you with a rifle they are going to shoot you and loot you. You carry concealed. That means a pistol. Glock 17 or Glock 19 are both great affordable 9mm options.
12g Shotgun is by far the best home defense weapon. Just always remember, all rounds go through drywall, stucko, and siding like butter. Don’t kill your neighbors sleeping baby because you went full cowboy.
No one will be able to survive SHTF alone. You have to group up or die. You have to organize or die to the ones that have. And they will. Gangs/cartels are the worst problem in SHTF.
America has at least 2 million enemies brought in by the regime that took our government from within. They shipped them here. Are paying them, housing them and letting them buy guns. Why do you think that is? We are already under attack. The subterfuge won’t last much longer so whatever they have planned is coming soon.
They are testing their attacks to see how we respond. Derailed trains, burned food processing plants, shutting down local farms, cutting off water supply, poisoning our air, water and processed foods. Our education systems are indoctrination mills now. Most of those teachers across the U.S. are full on trained communists now. They are in our court systems. They own and control our mainstream medias. Anyone who can’t see that has their head waaaay up their ass.
Those are mostly democrats who support this enemy. It was the same type of people who supported all the other communist take overs. They are part of the enemy’s system. They will rat you out every chance they get. So take stock of who those Kamala / Biden / Obama / Rainbow flag loving brainwashed people are.
I’ve read and followed hundreds of SHTF bloggers but this one is the best. If I could impart anything onto anyone, it is that they read this blog. All of it from start to finish. We’ve all been brainwashed NOT to band together. This blog will show you why you can’t be that way and what is realistic for what is coming to America. Actually, it’s already here. Our infrastructure and state of mind is the only thread holding it together at this point. Soon there will be no denying it. Even for the naysaying democrats.
https://when-shtf.blogspot.com/2010/12/surviving-argentinas-economic-collapse.html
I’d also like to add that my kids had to take a whole week off of school because it was hacked. Now they are using paper and pencils. Then the following week there was school lockdowns in the same entire school district. These weren’t local threats by some incel crazed leftist teen or warped tranny, these are organized. How do I know that? Because they weren’t caught and they still don’t know who it was. They say it was out of the country… Well why shut down all schools in an entire county? THE GOVERNMENT IS LYING TO US! HIDING THE TRUTH! I believe these threats and hacks were tests. Imagine getting a call finding out y our children have been taken hostage by some foreign army. That is what I see coming out of these tests. Imagine, what could you do as a parent other than comply? Law enforcement isn’t going to let you go rambo and save your kids. Something big is coming and soon. Be ready. Don’t put anything else off. Fill your gas cans. Top off your propane. Refill and clean your backup water supply. Clean your guns. Fill your magazines. Hell is coming to America.