The SHTF gun means many things to many people. Having actually taken incoming fire and proven I cannot stop a bullet, I have a different idea than the casually interested. Planning for an apocalyptic nightmare seems a popular pastime—especially for cinematic writers. Just the same there are times when the need may be real.
Man’s propensity for savagery, slavery, and mayhem has little diminished since Neolithic times. Geopolitical woes, revolution, disease, and natural disaster are real concerns. I am not one looking forward to such a trial and I think none that are right minded are. Each of these world wide disasters have been an excuse for the scum of a country to loot rape and burn.
The pillagers still exist. Caesars men and the barbarians did so. None did so on the Nazi scale though. There were looters and rapists during the power outage in New York City in 1968. Read about it sometime and you will not be content to live in a home without a firearm. The question is which firearm, and how many, are enough.
The first and most important step is to have a gun. And let’s not allow the liberals to disarm us while they are taking a political bend. As I mentioned to one of my liberal friends, while he was ranting something about Putin and the Ukraine, where in the hell were you liberals the last 100 years when the Brits were putting the heel to Ireland? He was aghast.
Ill conceived ideas lead to a downfall. Some have bright and fluffy ideas that do not wash. Anyone who thinks they know how the Lord thinks, as an example, is pretty arrogant. No one has Him figured out. I once mentioned to one of my friends that God would not let Israel fall. Scott laughed and referred me back to the scripture. How often has He allowed my people to serve in slavery over the past few thousand years? We still fight.
So, forget the misconception of any overlaying protection America has. When our enemy looks at America and calls us the Great Satan, well, look at Hollywood and Washington. They enemy may have a leg to stand on! As my good Jewish friend pointed out, protection is individual not national. The individual is concerned with personal safety, the government, national security. Let’s keep that straight. Individual safety is another thing.
The Brits and their social order and restrictions on freedom are his idols I suppose. If a political upheaval comes, and I hope it does not, no one will help us. The French marquis fought bravely against the Nazis because there was hope. The Americans were coming. Our oldest ally had hope. Who will help us? No one. No one will and no one could.
Forget the police. They will be as scared as you are. This varies from agency to agency, the training they have, and how they feel about the community. Officers recruited from the community have ties. Others do not. New York City cops raced toward the Twin Towers. Cops in the recent Florida school shooting hid.
The National Guard will be invaluable. As a National Guard general in New Orleans commented shortly after hurricane Katrina, I have never seen so many people, so scared of large groups of poor people. (He was commenting on heavily armed officers patrolling in armored vehicles. The Guard and church groups fed millions of people.) The Red Cross and FEMA will be your hope in such a situation.
As for New Orleans, when society takes a hit, old scores are sometimes settled. Lets hope you have been even handed in dealing with your brothers and sisters. You may need more help than I can give. Hopefully the situation will be similar to other natural disasters and short lived. You may have a governor like Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana that cried and asked for Federal help. She seemed inept and unable to make a decision. Or, you may have Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina in a command post reading after-action intelligence from the guard a few minutes after it was written and directing from the front line.
Each of these actions was largely the finest hour for the National Guard as they saved uncounted lives. The South Carolina Highway Patrol conducted orderly and intelligent evacuations. In Louisiana it was mayhem. I am not knocking New Orleans; I love the Big Easy. However, the contrast is stark.
I am a law enforcement veteran without any military experience and I have to call it as I see it. The chief and mayor in New Orleans were despicable corrupt individuals that proved inept. They confiscated guns from honest citizens. Have your firearms hidden and well oiled. Breaking the law? They broke the constitution as subsequent lawsuits from the Second Amendment Foundation and National Rifle Association proved, but the lawsuits did little to help the person on the spot at that moment.
On another theme, a friend of mine who has enjoyed a long career as an educator is retiring to the North Carolina mountains and a small home. He is ecstatic at the prospect, and I wish him well. He owns perhaps a dozen guns and doesn’t wish to take the gun safe with him. What one gun he asks me? This is a question from a man that isn’t a firearms enthusiast, but instead, a reasonable person who recognized the need to be armed against criminals.
Dopers find their way into the wild as a few recent incidents have shown. A person my age was recently murdered for his truck in NC. The Sheriffs Office not only captured the escaped convict responsible, but arrested several members of his family for accessory to murder as they hid the POS out. It can happen anywhere.
Most of us have more firearms that we need. That’s great but you cannot have a half dozen just in case firearms to lug around. I speak from experience; you cannot be proficient with that many firearms. What can you effectively use? The other guy coming at you is probably about as smart as you and perhaps as well armed. The level of practice makes the difference.
You need a reliable firearm. If a storm comes over the horizon, you may clear the Browning and Fox shotguns out and run because they have monetary value. However, if you are seeing a mob come over the hill, you need that trusty Mossberg 590. The long-term firearm should not be chosen just before the debacle. It should be on hand and something you have mastered to the best of your ability.
Like the survival vehicle, it should probably have a high capacity and the ammo load should be easy to carry. Kind of like the difference between my wife’s Jeep Patriot and the Silverado I drive. Her Patriot exhibits a brilliant 27 MPG average. My Silverado, more like 17—but my two tanks give me much greater range. Think about the logic.
If you are reading this, you probably own several guns. The good news is the fact that you can carry more than one at time. A pistol and a shotgun are not a problem, or a pistol and a rifle. The long gun is the most needed if the situation becomes grim for an extended period. One of my military friends tells me the pistol is good for shooting dogs and little else. Most folks have not mastered the handgun.
While useful for home defense, a good shotgun or rifle is much better suited to area defense. If the adversary has a long gun, you are in deep trouble. Even a service-grade pistol isn’t a match for a good .22 rifle as far as hit probability for the half trained. Compared to the .223, .308 and 12 gauge long guns the 9mm, .38, 10mm and .45 are more alike than they differ.
At close quarters for the unexpected, the pistol is the weapon of opportunity. The rifle is the gunfighter’s choice. You need to look at what you can reasonably carry along with a good supply of ammunition. Being caught in the present moron apocalypse, I don’t think the tools for a Zombie apocalypse are the best. The AR-15 is a great rifle, and we can carry plenty of ammunition. The same goes for the Ruger Mini 14.
Get a good rifle, not a fair rifle. Fair rifles are a dime a dozen at present. As for taking game, well, if you are already a good hunter and have been for some time, your deer rifle is a good choice, whatever it is. If you are not a hunter, and think you will be foraging for large game, you are in for a big let down. They don’t stand there and let you shoot them. You better know how to dress and prepare wild game too.
Overall, a good .22 rifle might be better than a pistol, and you may have to shoot dogs for food. That bad? Yep, its bad. I have heard they are pretty stringy. This end of the world thing isn’t for the age of the wimps.
The rifle and a few hundred rounds of ammunition are a minimum. I think a good quality bolt-action rifle in .308 with a decent scope might be a great life saver. You will be able to hit most folks a lot further out than they have trained to shoot, and you will be able to do so from a secure position. At close range, if you have practiced, you may get quick hits. If your scenario is more rural, consider the .308. I have split the difference and my personal SHTF rifle is a short Springfield M1A. Cannot gainsay that one, it hits hard and what you hit stays down. It will shoot through light cover and take anything on four legs in this continent with the right shot placement.
How about a shotgun? The shotgun is a great problem solver. Nothing hits quite like buckshot at a few feet. If your plan is to hunker down in the bungalow, and take what shots you must as the adversary attempts to break the window frame out, the shotgun is ideal. The problem is sustainability. Shotgun shells weigh a lot. Carrying a few hundred gets ugly.
A shotgun in the base of operations is good. However, if you are wandering, the rifle is the first choice—at least for me. Shotgun slugs change the picture a bit, but the rifle it seems is the best choice. For most of us this means a variation on the AR-15 rifle. The best examples are very reliable. Accuracy potential is also excellent.
The Colt M4 in my safe is fired often and will group 3 shots of Federal 62-grain JSTP into less than an inch at a long 100 yards. I like this. The Aero Precision rifle my son built for me features a SIG Romeo red dot and is more versatile overall and about 90% as accurate. That is good enough for me.
There are those who prefer the AK-47 format. That’s ok, as far as it goes, but there are a lot of cheap AKs made to sell, not serve, and they tie up and tear up as the original Kalashnikov never would. My friend Darrel keep an Arsenal AK handy, and that is as good as it gets. If you use an AK, use a good one.
I am not sold on pistol caliber carbines. Most are not as serviceable as a battle rifle. And why a pistol cartridge in a rifle anyway—if you need accuracy and something that hits hard? A lot of graves in the Old West were filled with men killed with pistol caliber carbines. However, when the .30-30 was introduced, professionals adopted it wholesale.
The Arizona Rangers wanted more, however, and adopted the Winchester 1895 in .30-40. If you are willing to pay for a Winchester or Browning lever action that’s good, the cheaper lever-action rifles may not always work out for you. In the gun ‘comic’ books you occasionally see a desk jockey recommending a lever-action rifle for survival use. Unless your name is Evil Roy, and you have a wall full of CAS trophies, this is probably not a good idea. No, definitely not.
It is difficult enough to master a self-loader with the proper technique. Stay in shape. If you are overweight and cannot climb and run on par with the assailant you face, then those relying on you are pretty much screwed. Also give thought to load bearing gear. A sturdy sling for every long gun is essential. For the handgun, a good holster, not a $10 rag or plastic trap, is well advised.
I have been short on pistol talk. Whatever you carry daily is fine. A high capacity 9mm pistol filled with good ammunition is the best choice for most shooters. I prefer a Government Model .45, but if I expend my energy in mastering the rifle, perhaps the pistol might not get as much attention. The 9mm is very easy to use well. That is the dark picture we hope isn’t coming. For my friend, narrowing the choice to one or two guns, the future is brighter. Be prepared, study recent history, and prepare accordingly.
What is your favorite SHTF gun? How many rounds of ammunition would you recommend others keep on hand as a minimum? Share your answers in the comment section.
Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.
A lot of very sound and well thought out advice. I own most of the types of firearms mentioned and would most likely carry my AR and my .45 as “survival” firearms. If sheltering in place, I can cover any scenario short of being attacked by a horde of “goblins” (as Jeff Cooper called them), using bulldozers as cover and destructive power. But that’s probably just as likely as a zombie apocalypse. My point is that nobody can prepare for every possible scenario, but you have come just about as close as possible to doing just that. Thank you.
Phil in TX
AA12 , Mossberg Tac shotgun, AR15 with drum magazine, Mac 10 & suppressor, Glock & suppresor, 44 Magnum S&W, 10mm Glock, AK 47.
Great write up. Try converting your M4 to a SOPMOD with a 14.5″ SOCOM mid barrel with pinned FH. You can upgrade the trigger and run a 1-9x optic and install a DD or Geisselle Rail. It’s a good all around recon rifle and will group a few inches at 400meters with milspec 62g SS109 and non magnified red dot.
Very well thought out article that covers the subject matter better than most. I own a lot of firearms, but they are mostly for recreational use. The first centerfire handgun I ever used was a Beretta 92 back in about 1994, and the first centerfire rifle I ever used was an AK in 7.62x39mm.
Having many years of experience using both, these are my go to choices in the event that I NEED a gun.
My go-to guns would be my Sar b6p 9mm. and my AR-15 300 rounds of each should be sufficient if back-packing. although a very nice article, one thing not mentioned and goes without saying I guess, is the importance of a good fixed blade knife. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst..
Good multi tool indispensable too.
Being on a fixed income limits one even further, but the limitation is also a blessing as I go all 9 mm in pistol and carbine, and the 14″ BBL 590 Shockwave .410 shotgun in 6 shot 🙂
Too old to run, so ya hunker down and defend what you have with the easiest and simplest methods !
Colt M4 and Beretta 92A1. For moving and overall power vs. portability. Can carry quite a bit of ammunition for them. Quality gear to carry essentials in. M9 Bayonet because a good blade will probably be needed. Hunkering in place would allow another weapon and that would be either Remington 870 or Mossberg 930. I’m choosing from what I already have and trust.
Daniel Defense AR, Rem 700 in .308, a selection of Sig Sauer handguns, and my trusty Mossberg 930 Defender should cover just about anything that could come down the pike. Thats not counting on what my wife will retain to use. Like the gentleman above I’m too old and broken to run (had a LOT of fun in my younger years). Could probably use a couple off Claymores. (just wishful thinking.
I am non prior military, but was a state corections officer. We were well trained on handguns (S&W .38 then Glock 22), Remington 870, and Ruger Mini14. In the early days of my career we were given boxes of state ammo, BOXES to go through and sharpen our firearm proficiency. Many of us knew that practice would disapear, it did. We took it upon ourselves to drill, practice range skill, drill disarming and retention tactics. Knife attacking skills were also folded in. The “new breed” are pathetic, cowardly, and mere fodder. Retired, distanced, and ready for The Day, I carry my Glock 30, Taurus PT92 is bedside, Remington870, and a FN SCAR 17 for The Day. 3 firearms, a few good knives, monkey fists, heavy socks that accomodate big stones for upclose twit dopers. My social circle is miniscule. Travel light, be ready, it is coming and coming fast as a wedding cock!!
My choice is a Kel-Tec SU-16, Two 10-round mags in the stock plus 2 30-round AR mags clamped together gives EIGHTY rounds right on the rifle!
the sidearm is a commander-sized Kimber plus 3 or 4 extra mags. A load-out vest carries extra mags for both guns plus a knife, multi tool, first aid equipment etc. On the idea of having a pistol-caliper carbine and pistol in matching caliber and mag interchangeability; if you know your contacts will be at 100 yards maximum this may work for you. But can you know that? Plus, it means you are LIMITED to that caliber! You better have plenty. Of course, that’s good advice no matter what.
Pretty good advice, even if the writing itself is a little clunky at times.
I wouldn’t be so quick to discount the usefulness of both PCC’s and lever actions. For example, I keep a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 (with Glock 9mm mags) hidden in my car’s trunk in the event I’m not at home when the SHTF. Its benefits? 1.) Weighs 4lbs 2.) Very compact 3.) Surprisingly accurate out to 150 meters 4.) Quick handling 5.) 100% reliable 6.) Takes inexpensive 33rd mags, providing an impressive amount of firepower in a very light & compact package 7.) It’s silly simple to use 8.) It’s affordable 9.) If it’s stolen you’re not out thousands of dollars; and 10.) At short distance and with the rifle barrel, +P ammo packs the same wallop as a .357 (according to the owner’s manual). I think it’s a perfect “get home gun” for a crisis situation. For the right environment or task, PCC’s can make a lot of sense.
As for lever actions, those can also have some advantages. They aren’t banned in any states (as far as I know), the 30-30 is a proven killer (as millions of deer can attest), they’re lightweight and fairly compact, with practice they can ALMOST be as quick as a semi-auto, they don’t stand out or look particularly menacing (which can add some real value in certain situations), they are by nature reliable & durable, with .357 or .44 you can have a 10-shot rifle and 6-shot revolver that share the same effective ammo, and you can buy solid rifles for not a lot of money (e.g., an older and proven Marlin 336 can be had for <$300). Sure, given all the other available options these days a lever action is not ideal. But I wouldn’t go so far as to say (as the author did) that lever actions are “definitely” not a good SHTF option.
BTW, I appreciate the author mentioning one HUGELY important factor: physical fitness. Whenever I go to a gun show I see LOTS of people who wouldn’t be able to run 200 feet if their lives depended on it. Those people had better hope they’re good shots, because a great deal of the time simply escaping from a dangerous situation is the best option. The surest way to survive a fire fight is to not be in one to begin with.
PX4 sub compact and CX4 carbine by Berreta. Only a 9mm, but the mags are compatible and lots of light ammo.
The CX rifle also has a version that takes 92 mags which are very plentiful and cheap. If I were to opt for a pistol caliber rifle that would be it for me.
I am torn between my
PX4 sub compact and CX4 carbine by Berreta
or
My 92S and ruger mini14 rancher. The first combo is a light combo and uses interchangeable magazines. The second is a lot more deadly. Probably have to decide on D-day.
I like my FAL, Love my Noveske N6, 11.5” 5.56 is great…
But 12.5” 6.5 Grendel…cheap wolf ammo, heavier than 5.56, as accurate as my FAL to distance, more ammo, lighter…
And an HK VP9….
Those are my run around in the apocolopyse guns. Of course I’m not running, I’m hunkering down with family and or friends. In which case I’ll get out the .308 or 300 winmag to keep people away…have someone lay down cover fire with the FAL….and sneak up on them with that Grendel or …something else..