That SOCOM16 highy modified is very cool, and seems like a great all-purpose combat weapon. I like it, but I think it is a little excessive for a post-hurricane situation.
In such a scenario, you don't need a bipod, or even magnified optics. If magnified, no more than 2x. It is highly unlikely that a threat will present itself at 100 yards or greater. I'm not saying it can't. If someone is shooting at you from down the street, and down the street is 150 yards - you've got a threat. What I'm saying is, it's not like you can't engage it with a lesser cartridge. Which is why the 9mm carbine is a good choice too. Or even a shotgun. Heck, it's not like you couldn't return fire with a pistol at 125 yards. Might not hit or have great effectivness, but the bullets WILL get there.
The pictures of the M1 Carbine are good. Those rifles are just about perfect for a SHTF post-hurricane. Light, handy, reliable - and the cartridge is good enough. Not as powerful as an AK or AR, but the .30carbine cartridge should do the job out to any distance a real threat will present itself. High capacity. Very nice. I like the idea. An M1 Carbine with an ultimak rail and a low-mounted Aimpoint using the standard Aimpoint ring would be great. Either that, OR some type of tritium irons for night time or dusk/dawn use. That would keep bulk down and weight down too. Although, the Aimpoint isn't that heavy - that would be a light package. Nothing else is needed.
Perhaps a synthetic stock could further lower weight. Lightweight is a huge factor, especially if you have to carry the thing around everywhere you're at (even around your property, you'll start noticing the weight). Speaking of that, there's a great test/trial/experiment you can do to determine how light you like something. On your day off, when you know you'll be home doing chores, bumming around, or doing whatever...carry your "SHTF" rifle with the expected load-out everywhere you go. If to the garage. Carry it to the garage. If to the kitchen, carry to the kitchen. Take it with you to the bathroom. If the weight/bulk of the rifle gets annoying - it's TOO HEAVY. No cheating. Must be within arms reach at all times. No exceptions! In a SHTF, trouble can and will come to you when you least expect it. You might be inside your partially destroyed home trying to sort through things, when in just a moment or two - your generator might get stolen. It can happen as fast as two guys can drive up to it and lift it on a pick up truck....That can be quick!
That being said, if you have a heavy rifle and don't want to carry it, consider getting a holster and carrying a pistol. That will serve 95% of what you need and will deter looters. If not, it will buy you time till you can get to the rifle. Otherwise, if using a two-handed firearm...make sure it's light.
. The Yugo SKS was a comfort to me during Rita (along with my Polish P-64 pistol). I got the Bubba'ed Ishapore 2A1 in May of this year in hopes of getting a polymer stock set for it.
