The Poor Man's Survival Arsenal

I know we all like our toys, no doubt about it. After all having the biggest most expensive firearm on the range can be sort of a status symbol . Leading to being looked up to by the other shooters, giving way to pride and boasting, and a feelings of self worth, or something like that. We want the best guns available but very few of us survivalist types have unlimited funds. Not everyone can afford to put down a large sum of cash for a survival arsenal. But being poor or cheap does not mean you must be held to a disadvantage.

Let’s say I can tell you about a basic three gun battery that will have you equipped to handle most any survival situation. Most of what we buy are things we want, not need, once we separate the wants from the needs, wise and frugal choices can be made with regard to survival firearms. The three firearms I suggest are low cost, reliable weapons that will serve you well when tshtf. Meeting the needs of foraging and defense of self and property.

(1- Russian Mosin Nagant 91 rifle) I don’t plan to lay down a field of fire over areas to keep the other fellows head down. I know I can’t carry or afford, enough ammo for that and I doubt there are many reading this that could. In WW II , the Garand battle pack carried by troops was only 160 rounds per soldier. They were taught to shoot and shoot accurately. In Viet Nam, with everyone mostly armed with full auto weapons it was estimated that it took 100,000 rounds of ammunition per enemy killed. Spray and pray will not work for the survivalist, every shot fired had better kill or at least wound your attacker, or you will soon be wilding a club.

The Russian Mosin Naget 91 rifle chambered 7.62X54R (R for Rimmed not R for Russian), at less then $100 bucks each are a steal. This old workhorse is accurate, rugged and will be taking down bad guys long after that black rifle has been reduced to taking up space in the junk bin. In my latest issue of the Cheaper Than Dirt catalog, 7.62X54R 147 grain FMJ ammunition in a sealed can (excellent for long term storage) was listed at $69.97 for 440 rounds. Sure it’s corrosive and you will need to clean the rifle after use, but you should be doing that anyway.

(2 -Single Shot .12 gauge) A good used single shot can often be found for under $100 and anyone selling any type of ammunition will carry at least a few sizes and weights of shot shells. According to stories told by my grandfather who lived through the great depression (now 92 years old) they only had one firearm, a single shot 10-gauge shotgun. He said they used fine shot for small game and birds, heaver shot for varmints and medium sized game, and round lead slugs for large game, such as whitetail deer and black bears. He said that old 10-gauge was all they needed to keep meat on the table and pest from raiding the garden.

(3-Smith&Wesson model 10) The Smith & Wesson Model 10 Military & Police Revolver is the most successful handgun of all time. The revolver has been manufactured largely in its current form since 1902 and has been produced with many variations for both commercial and military use. Even after a full century of technological advancements the Model 10 is still hanging in there as a reliable weapon with respectable stopping power. As a survival handgun one could do much worse than having the model 10 strapped on your side. Used ones start at around $200.

So there you have a basic three gun survival arsenal for less then $350 bucks.
Subscribe to Survivalist Blog to learn more about survival and emergency preparedness.

Survival 101