Choosing A SHTF Gun – What You Should Know
What is the Best SHTF Gun
The issue of the best SHTF gun has been worked top to bottom, bottom to top and side to side and back again, it is nothing new.
While they aren’t wrong – at least under certain circumstances, they fail to see the big picture or fail to realize what really happens after a collapse.
It would seem many survivalist have been influenced by Hollywood or writers of fiction and can’t separate reality from illusion. Leave make-believe to armchair commandos and teenage boys.
- You won’t be engaging constant combat.
- Those wanting to do you harm will not announce the fact.
- Anyone wanting to rob or steal from you will attack when you’re most vulnerable.
- If you’re attacked it will be up close, quick and violent.
After a collapse, violent crime will increase to levels never thought possible, theft, robbery, kidnappings and home invasion will be the norm. You’ll need to be armed . Not following this rule will almost guarantee that you will be abused, robbed, raped, tortured and killed at some point.
Keeping a rifle or shotgun on your person is impossible. Working the garden, feeding the chickens, cutting firewood, setting traps etc. And don’t forget barter markets where going armed will likely be forbidden. Criminals will know this and will wait to attack when you leave the market area.
It’s been said before; the first rule of winning a fight is to have a gun, in this regard a handgun makes the most sense. I know many of you look to be attacked from a distance, you see yourself returning fire from 300 or more yards away.
It could happen – but it’s not likely. In war yes; but not in a SHTF situation – most survivalist confuse the two. You’re more likely to need to defend yourself at arm’s length than from a distance of several hundred yards, if you’re attacked it will be fast, brutal and in your face closeup.
In a recent study it was found that 90% of police and civilian self-defense shooting occurred at ranges of less than 15 feet. With 34% being from contact to 3 feet.
I can’t find one justifiable civilian self-defense shooting taking place at 100 yards or beyond – if you know of a documented case, please let us know.
Like any firearm, handguns are encumbered by a number of limitations; namely low power and limited range compared to a rifle or shotgun – but a handgun can be there when you need it and that is most important…
Related posts:
January 3rd, 2010 at 2:09 AM
I'm thinking slingshot for hunting small animals. Perhaps a bow/crossbow would be an alternative. I wouldn't waste bullets on hunting as so many primitive weapons can be made for such purposes and the projectile is reusable and the energy is just stored energy. A shotgun can do most of the tasks needed so it would be the weapon I can't be without but having a backup handgun like a glock 19 or glock 22 is a big plus. A pistol would be most suatable for day to day activities; however, if things are that bad, people may opt to carry their long guns everywhere they go making it a common occurences.
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January 10th, 2010 at 10:11 PM
I don't buy into all this Zombie invasion, Mayan 2012 and Nostradamus crap I see on the internet and TV but being a history buff I see history repeating itself and not in a good way. The scenario I see as most probable is a world wide economic collapse and a breakdown of civil infrastructure and authority. I think neighborhoods and small communities would eventually band together to provide each other with the necessities but I also think the "predators" will organize much more quickly. Just playback the video from New Orleans after Katrina. That's what we would be up against on a much larger scale. In the event of a major collapse what do you suppose they wil do with the inmates in the jails and prisons?
If that is the scenario water may not be as much of an issue in some locations but food will be in short supply and any supplies will have to be defended. In my location I have a good field of view and a large caliber bolt action and a good semi-auto pistol make sense with a couple .22's for small stuff. I live in a small farming town where most households have at least one firearm and someone who knows how to use it. Many households have multiple long guns and shotguns and there at least a few AR's, AK's and SKS's. I believe there are enough firearms within a 2 mile radius of my house to arm a medium size company. I am probably being conservative and I am NOT including rimfires in that estimate, I'm strictly speaking centerfire.
Some of my neighbors and I have been discussing the current world situation and all agree it looks pretty grim. We really don't believe it will happen and we don't consider ourselves "survivalists" as such but we have it in our minds that the conditions are certainly building up to the possibility of TEOTWAWKI and we plan to be as prepared as possible. We'd gladly help anyone in need if we could but in the absence of higher authority predators and looters would not be tolerated and I can assure you our "intolerance" would be swift and severe.
Nobody knows what the future holds, I'm preparing for what I believe to be the most likely possibility as best I can and prayng we're all wrong.
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January 12th, 2010 at 3:16 AM
I agree that the handgun will be your most important weapon. 3ft, 3sec, 3rds. Encounters will be within 3 ft, over in 3 seconds, needs 3 rounds placed in center mass.
Defending your home with a long gun, rifle or shotgun, is best case. you should NEVER be without a good sidearm capable of stopping power. I know the .22 can kill (or the .380) but a real caliber is called for in emergencies.
It will be increasingly important for communities to stick together. Alone you are just an ambush away from losing everything.
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January 20th, 2010 at 3:53 AM
I dont know, if I had 1 suprise shot and theres one guy in a flanel shirt w a lever action and another in camo with a AR Im takin out the guy with the AR. Perhaps we should think a little on how we appear to others. Id strive for dont mess with me, but im no major threat to you and your family. I opt for my lever action in my hand, with my AR outta view but close at hand. But hey, im just a little old school I guess…
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January 20th, 2010 at 7:27 PM
Hello everyone,
I am a mom of 2 and I also take care of my mom. I have been trying to prepare for a year now. I have reached the part of the task where I have to purchase a gun or two out of my income tax refund.
I am confused by all the gun talk; I went to the library and got a few books (Guns Illustrated and Guns Recognition Guide). Yes, they made my head swim… :) But they did allow me to make a list of what options I think the guns will need to possess. I need to know if the list is right and what gun(s) has the ability to meet most of the items on my wish list:
*fires when wet- you never know…
*ability to fire rapidly and/or change the ammo quickly if needed
*less likely to misfire or back fire
*low priced ammo but the bullets need to be big enough to stop someone in a frenzy
*low kick back- I have carpel tunnel and herniated disks
*light weight
*easy to clean and maintain
*has a sight marker to help me hunt if needed
*ambidextrous handle in case my right hand goes out on me
I read about Glock guns and have heard that they work when wet (19 different kinds listed in the book) my head is swimming from all the different types of guns. I agree that I should try to get a shot gun and a hand gun that both use the same ammo. Can someone please advise me as to which ones to get and where would be the cheapest place to get them? Are used guns sold? If so, should they be considered?
Thank you all very much for your assistance with this most important matter. I wish you all good luck and brightest blessings in the years to come.
Heather~
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oathkeeper Reply:
May 27th, 2010 at 9:06 PM
“Heather”, in case you actually stop backin or get a reply. Firearms selection can be mind blowing for the inexperienced.Due to the rambo myths,movies and individual ideas of what constitutes a SHtf scenario. the scenario and ideas above conform to information put forth by a blogger,”survival writer” and survivor of the collapse in argentina. pen named “ferfal”His writing can be found bygoogle.
My advice in choice for a handgun for an inexperienced person is the .38 caliber revolver. “wet” is not really an issue.I would have perfect confidence dropping a revolver in a stream picking it out;point it down 1) open the cylinder shake any water out of the barrel and cylinder,close the cylinder and press on. the There are no safeties to manipulate; they are extremely easy to understand load,clear and clean,there is no magazine to lose. chances of a failure are almot nil. at hand gun ranges its easy to employ, has adequate stopping power with out the heavy muzzle blast ( NOISE AND FLASH)you get with magnum cartridges. the .357 magnum is a stronger heavier gun will chamber and fire both the .38 and .357magnum cartridges.( but the .357 magnum cartridge is longer than a .38 on purpose so you cannot fire a .357 round by mistake in a .38 gun.
semiautomatic handguns are good choices for people familiar with guns and willing to practice. the semi automatic is a fairly complicated machine in your hand that has the capacity for numerous points of failure that must be diagnosed immediately under stress,resolved and the gun returned to working without much thought. Overall you are not a soldier.your requirements are different than an infantry soldier.
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thedean Reply:
July 9th, 2010 at 8:35 PM
oathkeeper,
I think that your advice to Heather is good. Semi-automatics are complicated. I had one of my semi-autos sitting in a safe with a loaded magazine next to it, a good magazine mind you, I brought the gun out to do some recreational shooting one day with the magazine that had previously tested well and what did I find? When I tried releasing the bolt it would snag on the top of the magazine. The magazine had bent slightly do to the pressure that the spring and bullets exerted on it for a few months. The bolt would not go forward after several attempts. I ended up throwing the magazine out. If I had needed it in a life or death situation it would have been useless and it would have turned the gun into a club. Other advice Heather, buy stainless steel.
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January 22nd, 2010 at 1:14 AM
Under the current situation, I agree with you that the handgun is the choice to carry since it can be with you at all times. However, during a true WTSHTF situation, I will be carrying either my shotgun or rifle with me everywhere. When I chop wood, draw water etc., mostly because I will not be weary of what the neighbors may say or police (unless I was entering an area where my gun could be taken by some sort of government entity).
I don't care to have the hassle now, or I would carry the shotgun around everywhere, but I don't need some hippie freaking out because he's nervous that I'm crazy.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 1:23 PM
I carry my 2.5 foot of garden hose. It has worked many times for me with well armed and training people that never saw me coming. In the old west days on like what T.V. and movies show. Most professionals never showed what they carried and only made their move at the last moment without warning. The best overall choice of a sidearm is a 357 ruger speed/security six. Small amount of parts and with a lee's hand reloader and bullet puller and some knowledge a person can use 38's, 357, 357 maximum, 9mm and 380's by pulling the bullets and reloading the 38 or 357 shells with the bullet, primer and powder into the cases. Yes, you can remove the primer from the other ammo. The 357 can also use blackpowder and old primer can be reloaded and reused with some hand made tools. Don't worry you will have plenty of time on your hands without T.V.
My father got us out of Fla. after the Cuban Missile Drill in the Sixties. We moved to a remote southwest state and have been preparing for this for a long time.
Remember this, if you have something after the colapse, the government has hoarder laws that they used in WWII that are still on the books. They will try to use the laws to take from you for the governments use. Never look like you have more food then anyone else or more than the basic weapons or the government will step in.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 5:06 PM
A good sidearm in a common caliber is a must for a SHTF gun. It should however not be the only gun a person has. You do not want to find yourself in a "Fair" fight. You want to outgun your opponent and while a pistol is most likely to be at hand when needed a MBR whould always be close by.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 6:04 PM
Heather
First off I am NO EXPERT. Everyone has opinions, heres mine. Glocks are great, very reliable. If you have problems with your hands, perhaps a smaller caliber wuld be better. For example 9mm. The larger the round the heavier the weapon. Also the harder it is to control. Getting a 45 that you cant handle and shoot accurately will do you no good. Get the largest caliber you can handle well. My wife likes the 9mm.
As far as a long gun goes, I wouldnt jump to get a shotgun. Some might argue with me, but in my opinion again NOT A EXPERT they are heavy, slow to manuver dont hold much ammo and have allot of recoil. IF you cant manage the recoil it will be of little use to you. My wife dose not like my shotgun at all.
I would recomend you look at a 9mm glock modle 17 or 19. If you want a long gun that will shoot the same ammo as the 9mm, id recomend a Beretta CX4 Storm. Its a 9mm carbine. Its light, reliable, easy to clean. The glock is about $500 + – the Beretta CX4 Storm is about $800-900.
Another good option is a revolver. You can get a smaller frame in .357. They will shoot a .38 round as well. The .38 has less stopping power than 357 but much easier to control. You can match that up with a lever action rifle in .357. This will also shoot .38
a good revolver ex Ruger SP101 is about $500. I would recomend a lever action marlin 1894 there about 500 used in very good condition.
The glock 17 or 19 and the beretta cx4 storm woould hold more ammo and be faster to reload. However you could prob get the revolver and the lever action for less $$$ Theres a good video on the beretta CX4 storm on civiliantacticalweapons.com Glock handguns and the Beretta Cx4 storm both come in 9mm .40 cal and .45. If you are recoil sensitive id opt for the 9mm. Again if you cant shoot it well, its no good to you.
Just my opinon, and again, im not a expert.
Th
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February 4th, 2010 at 4:09 AM
I authored a moderate length thread Titled "The Reality of SHTF Weaponry for the Newly Awakened" it's a bunch of random Facts/Opinions/Theories about SHTF…Google will bring it up…I think it's a good read (Even if I wrote it)
For some the thread would be rudimentary; so it wouldn't be for you…Others might find some helpful tid-bits there as I have found here.
1 big thing people forget is TRAINING !…Formal training isn't cheap; neither is ammo anymore…(Thank god for .22LR) .. Newbies (or even Pro's) would be wise to put less money into # of guns and more into mags/ammo/training
I'll stroll out on that limb and say that the 'Best' SHTF gun is the 12g pump … Rock solid relibilty / Easy to learn and teach others / loads from Duck-to-Deer and Turkey-to-'Trash' … Even with that you 'Need' more; SHTF or not
My minimum gun list
.22- pistol for cheap practice
.22- rifle for cheap practice and small game
12g- speaks for itself
.30 cal rifle- hunting or easily punch through most 'Cover' to get to the Bad Guys
Newbies need to master those 4 before even considering anything else … IMO of course
All in all; though its sad to say…I see a Sloooow calculated slide towards "Socialism / Servitude" Without any serious conflict happening till we're Looong Gone … The 'Powers That Be' are Patient and Methodical, they've got nothing but Time, through school brainwashing and the slow decline of Patriotic minded famlies; the 'Elites' will get their way
check back in a hundred or so years to see real 'Change'
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Kevin Reply:
May 22nd, 2010 at 9:03 AM
This topic has been covered extensively, but if you are new, here are mine by priority:
9mm automatic pistol. The brand is your preference, I love the Sig226 as it is perfectly reliable but very expensive. I fire it at work, but one of my own is still on my wish list. I have my standard issue Beretta from work and a Hi-Point of my own. 9mm is the most common ammo around. The US and NATO use it as do about 70% of law enforcement offices throughout the US. Ammo has a good balance of availability, cost, capacity and stopping power. Alright: 40 and 45 lovers come and get me.
2nd weapon: another 9mm automatic. Better to have 2 than one. You may be disarmed or a small part of your weapon may break. Have one on you and one close by in a car or home.
9mm Carbine. I love the Hi-Point 995. The Beretta Storm may be better, but I haven’t put the money into it. I love the old west concept of a rifle/pistol combo that uses the same ammo. Even better is a combo that uses the same mags (15rds or more). The Kel-Tec Sub2000 is ugly as sin, but it is cheap and can even fold and hide in a small computer bag
I love my M4 at work, but again haven’t put the money into it. Most others have already pointed out that it most engagements will be at close range. The M4 has a great compromise of close quarters ability with the capability to reach out to 300m for the practiced marksman. I’ll stick with the 9mm due to cost and availability of ammo.
.22lr semi-automatic rifle. I have a bolt action Winchester 69 that was handed down from my grandfather. A semi-auto would be better, but the bolt action is fine for varmint hunting. It is light, non intimidating, quiet and deadly accurate to 100m. And, as several of you have stated, the ammo is dirt cheap and available everywhere. This is great for practice, practice, and more practice. It is also a good rifle for older kids and small women. After SHTF you even a small-budget survivor like me will have buckets of ammo for hunting and occasional practice without announcing yourself to the entire neighborhood.
7.62×39. AK, SKS, other… These are available for under $250 and will put a big hole in a bad guy. Ammo is plentiful and cheap. Not sexy like the CAR-15, but more economical. You can also dress it up with aftermarket stocks, grips, sights, lights, etc just like an AR.
7.62×54. A big, bolt action rifle has its advantages. 30-06, 308, etc are just as good, but I found a Mosin-Nagant 91-30 for $99 still in the packing grease. I put a sight and a bipod on it and I can put a hole through a head or heart at over 500m. The ammo is plentiful and inexpensive and it will stop a moose. Accuracy, ammo availability, economics, stopping power: best high caliber long rifle for my SHTF list.
Shotgun. 12 gauge Remington 870 for me. Nothing will make an intruder leave like the sound of a shotgun racking a round. I don’t trust automatic shotguns in a life or death situation. I have a mix of 1-1 buck and slug mix in mine. Great combo of spread and knockout power. I prefer my pistol or carbine most of the time to a cumbersome shotgun.
Other stuff I keep around are pump bb guns (squirrel anyone?) and an array of sharp edge weapons. The bbs are almost close to free and can kill small food game without giving away your position to anyone more than a few dozen yards away. Machetes and Gurkha Kukris can be carried in the woods/garden in the pre-SHTF world without raising eyebrows and are great for clearing brush or defending oneself. I also always have a multitool and a small knife on me and in the car.
Before you spend 1500 on an AR-15 and all the lickey-chewies to go on it, ask yourself if you have water, food, radio, camp stove, and a plan to get through the first weeks of a SHTF scenario. Have a budget, a prioritized plan, and start preparing for what we hope will never happen.
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Squanto Reply:
June 2nd, 2010 at 10:40 PM
I have over 40 years experience firing almost every caliber known to man. I also have hundreds of small game hunting trips (and dozens of large game hunting trips) under my belt. So I feel very qualified to comment on your suggestions and I must say – you have nailed it pretty good. A .22 rifle is a must. A 12 ga. shotgun is also extremely valuable and a 30 caliber rifle for larger game is perfect. I would also add a 9mm, 40S&W or .45 auto pistol and a .223 AR platform rifle with at least 10 magazines to that list. My preference is the .45 auto for a carry pistol but a 9mm or 40S&W are acceptable. Once you have your five basic guns you can start adding specialty guns. I also recommend loading up on ammo for each of the calibers. All of these calibers are also excellent barter items so you can’t have too much.
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February 4th, 2010 at 5:55 AM
oppps…forgot
9mm high capacity pistol
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February 16th, 2010 at 3:43 AM
Hey M.D.
Your thinking is right on the money, it's better to not draw unwanted attention to yourself and thats exactly what carring a long gun around out in public will do. Also even in Iraq the engagements where pretty close, you got these people out here spewing there opinions when they won't even make a topic to write themselves. Everyone wants ther opinion to be heard I guess. Good work man.
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February 17th, 2010 at 10:03 PM
I got started late so I chose an all-around cartridge for home and self defense and SHTF. Now there are two bedside revolvers and a Win 92 under the bed, all in .357 magnum. (The wife's revolver has .38S+P at home.) I've got 500 rounds in the SHTF box. Many are just 125 grain but they do whistle out of the carbine.
I also have an M1 carbine but the CA-legal 10 round mags aren't reliable, and the state doesn't know I have it (or my 15 rd mags) and I'm going to keep it that way.
Now I can take a little time in rounding out the collection for more specific uses.
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March 4th, 2010 at 11:58 PM
That is stupid. In a SHTF situation it's not going to matter what is legal and not legal. A pistol is great but a sawed of shotgun would work much better.
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March 9th, 2010 at 1:41 AM
6" .357 revolver. That makes the most since to me. Small enough to conceal and long enough to take game. Can you take a deer with a 9mm or a .45?
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March 13th, 2010 at 6:41 AM
"6" .357 revolver. That makes the most since to me. Small enough to conceal and long enough to take game. Can you take a deer with a 9mm or a .45?"
If need be..sure can. Placement & full clip if needed
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July 2nd, 2010 at 2:37 PM
It might be asy to get loads of ammo in US, but here in Eu, its a bit harder to stockpile large amounts of ammo(or even get a gun, not to mention any kind of rifle). I do agree on at least 2 small firearms in most common caliber(from 9mm to .45). As much as Automatic rifle sounds good its just not practical for close combat, but it is good for defending home or settlement. my vote would be glock 17(in 9mm) or any equivalent in higher calibers for personel defense (daily work), at least one high caliber rifle for hunting/defending.Also somekind of silent weapon wouldnt look bad too.
But then again i live in rural place, and biggest town around here house 20.000 people( i know its more like village to you guys). IF SHTF happens there will be riots, looting and that crap.But what happens when there is no more food in store? or in any of neighbourhood? Gangs of starved and angry people will start to raid outlaying farms for food.
I hope that this will never happen, but judging on economy and the way we live this will happen sooner or later. Its just a question how will this resolve.
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