Letter Re: Poor Man's Survival Arsenal

While I agree with the gist of your article, I have a different philosophy. It’s based on caliber availability. As a former gunsmith, factory trained and certified by all the major handgun and long arm manufacturers in the US and a couple European, I’ve had the chance to play with all the toys and learned what was reliable and what wasn’t. This has lead me to take a long hard look at what to include in my personal arsenal.

In the end, everything was chosen on the availability of ammunition. Anyone can stockpile odd calibers, but when it comes down to it, eventually you will run out. What then? I’ve based my choices on tradition and military use. The very first two were automatic, necessities if you will. The twelve gauge and the twenty-two long rifle. These are the most common firearms in the US and therefore the most plentiful in ammunition availability. They also make the most useful food suppliers not to mention the twenty-two allows for the largest amount of ammo in the smallest space as well as lowest cost. I also believe in multi use when possible. So single caliber handgun and long guns are in the arsenal as the handgun can always be on hand for opportunistic use.

As much as I dislike the caliber, 9mm handguns fall into the list as this is a military round and thus adds to post eotwawki availability as do the 5.56/223, 7.62/.308,and 7.62×39. Also on my list due to popularity are .30-06, .45acp, and the .357/.38spl is tied with the .40 S&W. By no means other that the 12ga and the .22lr are these meant by suitability of use, rather they are simply on the list as they are the most commonly available in their specific class.

Arguments could be made for the .30-30 or against the .357/.38spl but the 30-30 isn’t likely to have continued supply sources in the “aftermath” and the .357/.38spl other than having twice the chance of available ammo is the revolver with the highest expectation of available ammo. The .40S&W is only on the list as it is the current caliber of law enforcement choice, hence high probability of ammo availability.

Granted choosing firearms this way does add cost to the arsenal, it does however, ensure ones ability to put meat on the table as well as enable continued personal protection. All of the long gun calibers are available in single shot firearms, the 357/38 is available as a long gun capable of taking up to deer sized game as well as staying with the concept of matching handgun and long gun calibers which has been proven as it served in the taming of the “Old West”. Duplication of firearms on same calibers also serves to keep the ammo stockpile useful should mechanical failure of one happen.

I didn’t mean to start writing a dissertation, rather to point out that choosing survival firearms can be a daunting task depending upon what you are intending to survive.