sefus
Member
I once heard a guy say that if the world ends and someone comes to him saying "I need a gun", he'd give them a butter knife and say "go capture one."
I always liked that.
Minimum Armament
- Thread starter 1911 guy
- Start date
- Status
I once heard a guy say that if the world ends and someone comes to him saying "I need a gun", he'd give them a butter knife and say "go capture one."
I always liked that.
MatthewVanitas
Member
I don't see much essential need for the shotgun. For HD, I'd far rather have an AR-15. Far more range than a 12ga, handier, more capacity, and not bad up-close with good ammo.
Setting aside entirely the fact that game would be et up or flee pretty quick if the cities emptied out into the country, I still don't see a shotgun as a good contigency hunting tool.
In the incredibly unlikely circumstance of postapocalyptic survival, I'd far rather shoot sitting ducks on the water w/ a .22 rifle or pistol, set snares (no I don't know how to do that currently), or even chuck rocks at birds, than use up a shotshell that's heavy to carry and larger than my thumb. Much less carry around an 8lb Rem870 just to shoot birds.
My vote for essentials:
a) some centerfire rifle
b) any pistol, rimfire or centerfire
If every American had the above two guns, we'd be one heavily armed country.
If your pistol is a centerfire, you might not need the rifle, depending on what's going on. I'd say most Americans living in cities probably don't need a rifle.
Everything else is just fun hobby gear. Nothing wrong with it, but there's a big difference between "essential" and "hobby".
-MV
Setting aside entirely the fact that game would be et up or flee pretty quick if the cities emptied out into the country, I still don't see a shotgun as a good contigency hunting tool.
In the incredibly unlikely circumstance of postapocalyptic survival, I'd far rather shoot sitting ducks on the water w/ a .22 rifle or pistol, set snares (no I don't know how to do that currently), or even chuck rocks at birds, than use up a shotshell that's heavy to carry and larger than my thumb. Much less carry around an 8lb Rem870 just to shoot birds.
My vote for essentials:
a) some centerfire rifle
b) any pistol, rimfire or centerfire
If every American had the above two guns, we'd be one heavily armed country.
If your pistol is a centerfire, you might not need the rifle, depending on what's going on. I'd say most Americans living in cities probably don't need a rifle.
Everything else is just fun hobby gear. Nothing wrong with it, but there's a big difference between "essential" and "hobby".
-MV
OP
OP
1911 guy
Member
"Essential" guns.
Thanks for all the responses and ideas. No, I'm not a closet gun banner. Quite the opposite. My question was sparked by the thread I mentioned and the thought that we often use "niche" guns when some we already own would fit the bill, albeit not as well. Most of us have a desire to own another gun and the ability to come up with the cash, so we go buy one eventually. Nothing wrong with that.
I'm not looking for end of the world, zombies at the door. What shooting sports do you enjoy? Do you think about ugly situations and prepare for them? Do you hunt? CCW? In other words, with the requirements you have right now, what do you need. I can get by with less than I have, but I'm not gonna sell the extras. All my guns are belong to me.
Thanks for all the responses and ideas. No, I'm not a closet gun banner. Quite the opposite. My question was sparked by the thread I mentioned and the thought that we often use "niche" guns when some we already own would fit the bill, albeit not as well. Most of us have a desire to own another gun and the ability to come up with the cash, so we go buy one eventually. Nothing wrong with that.
I'm not looking for end of the world, zombies at the door. What shooting sports do you enjoy? Do you think about ugly situations and prepare for them? Do you hunt? CCW? In other words, with the requirements you have right now, what do you need. I can get by with less than I have, but I'm not gonna sell the extras. All my guns are belong to me.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Armament
I could get by quite well with a USGI 1911A1 from any one of the five contractors...a .22 rifle...a Model 94 Winchester (.30-30) and a 12 gauge double shotgun with Modified/IC chokes....preferably with exposed hammers.
I could get by quite well with a USGI 1911A1 from any one of the five contractors...a .22 rifle...a Model 94 Winchester (.30-30) and a 12 gauge double shotgun with Modified/IC chokes....preferably with exposed hammers.
MatthewVanitas
Member
I'd agree (see my post above)
Then toss in a pistol to carry when you need to be inobtrusive, and you're pretty much set.
It's all frosting after that.
Don't get me wrong, I do love me some frosting.
Are you going to break down and decide what you want already, quatin? There are only so many .30cal battle rifles out there... [Off to go open the UT range, will call you if a certain special guest comes by tonight]
-MV
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
re:
>Wouldn't having a semi-auto .308 take on all three roles of SD, hunting and ...."SHTF" ?<
****************
Not unless ya plan to pass up 30 0r 40 squirrels for the stewpot while ya wait for a deer...and you can wreak some serious havok with a .22 if ya think it through and plan ahead.
First rule: Survive. You won't survive for long by engaging in running gun battles while all alone. Keep low and watch six. Avoid fights if possible.
Second rule: See the first rule.
>Wouldn't having a semi-auto .308 take on all three roles of SD, hunting and ...."SHTF" ?<
****************
Not unless ya plan to pass up 30 0r 40 squirrels for the stewpot while ya wait for a deer...and you can wreak some serious havok with a .22 if ya think it through and plan ahead.
First rule: Survive. You won't survive for long by engaging in running gun battles while all alone. Keep low and watch six. Avoid fights if possible.
Second rule: See the first rule.
Mark Whiteman
Member
1) .22 pistol or rifle
2) .30cal rifle
3) .38 or larger hg
additional if party size allows
2) .30cal rifle
3) .38 or larger hg
additional if party size allows
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
If I give up food & water, can I keep the .40?
Minimum?
Okay, assuming some cataclysm.
I could get by with a revolver and carbine in .357 if I had to.
If I could carry a little more, I'd add .22 in pistol & rifle.
It is my belief that, as long as I felt I could get along without dining on grizzly and polar bears, those would get me by.
The revolver allows me to do chores with both hands and still be armed. The .357 also speaks .38, giving a wide range of game/varmint choices. The .22 can, with a little care, keep the pot supplied with rats of various persuasions, and the occasional bird.
And inside of 150 yards, the "shootin' back" aspect is well covered.
And, if the gods are kind, perhaps I'd get to add a 30-30 to that list.
Five weapons, three of which are rifles, all of which are in dirt-common calibres.
For now, I think that's my list.
Minimum?
Okay, assuming some cataclysm.
I could get by with a revolver and carbine in .357 if I had to.
If I could carry a little more, I'd add .22 in pistol & rifle.
It is my belief that, as long as I felt I could get along without dining on grizzly and polar bears, those would get me by.
The revolver allows me to do chores with both hands and still be armed. The .357 also speaks .38, giving a wide range of game/varmint choices. The .22 can, with a little care, keep the pot supplied with rats of various persuasions, and the occasional bird.
And inside of 150 yards, the "shootin' back" aspect is well covered.
And, if the gods are kind, perhaps I'd get to add a 30-30 to that list.
Five weapons, three of which are rifles, all of which are in dirt-common calibres.
For now, I think that's my list.
Absolute bare minimum:
.357 revolver - 6" barrel Concealable (ain't easy, but do-able), handloads can take down everything from squirrel to deer. Stainless steel won't rust.
Practical bare minimum:
.357 revolver
Lever action rifle - probably 30-30 Handloads are good for squirrel to (small) bears.
12 gauge pump - not only good for hunting, works well for home defense
.357 revolver - 6" barrel Concealable (ain't easy, but do-able), handloads can take down everything from squirrel to deer. Stainless steel won't rust.
Practical bare minimum:
.357 revolver
Lever action rifle - probably 30-30 Handloads are good for squirrel to (small) bears.
12 gauge pump - not only good for hunting, works well for home defense
- Status
