Some time ago I wrote The Poor Man’s Survival Arsenal and The Poor Man’s Survival Arsenal Revisited, both articles detailed a bare bones set of survival guns – this basic set of firearms would cover everything from foraging to self-defense, yet be low-cost.Below I’ll outline five arsenals covering a broad range of tasks, needs and budgets. If nothing else my suggestions should generate discourse.
I work at Wal-Mart Arsenal
1. Mosin Nagant 91 rifle
2. Single Shot .12 gauge
3. Smith&Wesson model 10
The Government Welfare Arsenal
1. Short Magazine Lee-Enfield
2. Mossberg Maverick 88 12 gauge pump
3. Smith&Wesson model 10
4. Ruger 10/22
I have a full-time Job Arsenal
1. Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle or AR-15
2. Mossberg 500 12 Gauge
3. Glock Model 19
4. Ruger 10/22
Two Jobs and Maxed Credit Card Arsenal
1. Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle or AR-15
2. Reminton 870 express with spare riot barrel
3. Glock 19
4. Ruger 10/22
5. Winchester Model 70 in .308 Win.
6. Taurus CIA Model 850 .38 SPL. Revolver
And Finally the Yuppie Survival Arsenal
1. L1A1 Rifle chambered in .308 Winchester
2. Remington Model 7 bolt-action chambered in .223
3. Winchester Model 70 in 308 Win.
4. Remington 870 express with spare riot gun barrel
5. Colt 1911 A1 .45 ACP
6. Taurus CIA Model 850 .38 SPL. Revolver
7. Savage Model 24F .223 Remington over 12 gauge (if you can find one used)
8. Ruger 10/22
{ 19 comments }
GREAT BLOG HERE!!!
My personal collection.
1. Tikka T-3 .308 for hunting – Most accurate gun I have ever fired
2. Mossberg 500 12 Ga. (8rd Mag)Cruiser with a knox recoil absorbing handle with flip out stock. If you have a cruiser 12 ga. A knox is a must. 1 handed firing of 3 inch magnum buck shot can be done with these recoil absorbing handles. best 100.00 i ever spent.
3. Glock Mod 22 .40SW – With an extra 9mm and a .22 rimfire barrel.
4. SW J frame .357/.38
5. Ruger 10/22
6. Rossi Combo .410/.22/.243
7. Bowteck Commander Compound bow with 50 carbon arrows with broadheads
8. Crossman .177 air rifle
Like the extra barrels for the glock, the rossi is just for backup in case i need a gun in that caliber. They are not primaries and I do not stock mass ammo for them. But that is a cheap way of having a variety or a barter.
Also, the .40SW should be considered for the defensivve handgun. In the recent ammo runs we have had, I havent seen .40 be out of stock at the local haunts. The same cannot be said for .38 .357, and .45. Watch your own and I'll bet the same is true.
All of these were new when bought, and I have under 2000 invested. All private party. If you have a trader magazine in your area and a little patience, you can get a heck of a setup for a lot less.
The ammo recommendation is dead on.
After reading all of these opinions, I've not seen comments on the trusty ole lever action .Mine is the marlin 30-30, .What would be so hard in finding shells WAHBL???
Hmmm…..how about an arsenal for the guy that just got divorced, lost his ass, had to file for bankruptcy and is starting from scratch.
No..that's not me but I've had a friend or two in that situation. I would suggest a decent handgun in a common caliber to begin with followed by a common model of shotgun such as a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. I would then add a Ruger 10/22 as soon as possible. Next would come some form of battle rifle.
Note: this is for someone in an urban area. For those surrounded by nothing but fields and trees, a rifle would move up the list.
Your thoughts?
My Field Gear options: Springfield M1A .308 12-20 rd magazines; an FN PS90 (5.7 x 28)with 10-30 rd & 5-50 rd magazines; a Remington 870 shotgun only pistol grip modified; two Glock 22 pistols-16 magazines total; two Colt .45 Combat Commanders-Stainless with total of 16 magazines. I have kept over 2000 rds for each (Ex Shotgun-1000 rds)for nearly 25 years now, adding the ammo as I acquired the weapons. Aluminum foil makes a great spinner folded into small triangle when fishing. I use a tri-hook in survi-Altoids can with other gear. Prefer dehy-backpackers food in field-fill bag with canteen water(Usually warm anyways), sometimes MRE's. Also, for Rice Balls, add tablespoon or two of honey-sticks great and gives energy boost. Tastes good. freeze in strong baggies and snack in field as they thaw. No worries for several days at least. Hammock w/mozzi net and poncho for sleep. Tents only when REALLY secure. I like alcohol stoves and "pocket folding stoves. I use BlackHawk Pack sim to Alice. Not worried about similarity to military. I will be happy to be alive at that point and will thrive & drive to "Never Say Quit!!!" My knives include a BK2 Becker Companion, a BK9 Becker, Kershaw Boot Knife, TOPS "Black Eagle & Alaskan Harpoon", amongst others. But in the end, its just gear, and is only a christmas bonus compared to the value of knowledge acquired.
Also, If I may,….Someone earlier in a related topic said that it is unreasonable to expect to carry more than two guns at a time; one pistol/handgun and one rifle or shotgun. Maybe if you have only one hand/arm and one leg. I have comfortably carried/worn two pistols in thigh rigs and a waist/back carry .22 backup along with a TOPS Alaskan harpoon knife & a shotgun slung about my shoulder & my Springfield M1A in my hands. Does that make me a better shot..? Hell No!!! But it does give me an advantage in choices. All the while wearing a DOAV BlackHawk vest loaded with gear/magazines/cannisters. But I practice with all the gear on most of the time.
Another variation: the "Somewhat Employed" Budget Durability Arsenal:
(somewhere in between the Government Welfare Arsenal and the Full Time Job Arsenal)
AK-47 (30 round) or SKS (10 round) 7.62x.39
Remington 870 Express 12 Gauge
Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum
Ruger 10/22 .22LR
Between $300 and $500 per firearm. Ammo is cheap and plentiful. Absolutely solid, proven weapons.
Won't win a "King Of The Hill" Contest… but, should be enough to get you by for a very long time if you can keep your head low.
Might have to learn to grow a lot of vegetables, and fish :)
I thought I'd point out that surplus Markarov pistols are around the same price range (in my observation at least) as the S&W Model 10, but they're automatic pistols (and hence accept detachable magazines).
Lots of the old iron curtain guns are still available on the cheap. I second the suggestion for the SKS and AK.
Just remember as you buy your gear: Training beats gear any day. A trained man with a 22 and a tee-shirt is better than a clueless man with a battle rifle and body armor. It dosen't matter so much what you have, if you train well, you'll live well.
The best gun is the one you have when you need it.
The best round is the one you can afford to have more of.
I can buy two HiPoint 9mm's for the price of any 1 other. I can have extra mags. 9mm rounds are cheaper than others.
I can buy used Remington 870 shotguns for a few hundred. 12 Gauge is cheap.
I can buy .22 rifles at Christmas/Thanksgiving for as little as $99 with 10 rd mags. .22 is cheap.
I can spend a little money on something .223 because the military uses it and it will be around.
Ok heres my opinion;
If some one is just starting out I think the first gun you should buy is a 12ga pump action smooth boor. Pumps are extremely reliable and with a smooth boor you can shoot buck shoot or a rifled slug. So you have a lager range of ammo options and that is important. Also 12ga is easy to find and cheap. Second should be a hand gun. I like the semi auto over a revolver. You have 10-15 rounds ( depending on your state) over 6. If you buy one the main thing to look at is the grip. Like with the Glocks you can’t change the grips and are uncomfortable for some shooters. Not to say the Glock is a bad gun I have one. But there are a lot of manufacturers that are making interchangeable grips. Next rifle for long range shooting. I tend to look at the ammo and ballistics. 300 are 308 are great rounds but pricey. The 30-06 is older than God and is cheap in comparison and can be found anywhere. Last an assault rifle. AK or AR? The AK is very reliable and has a large caliber, but lacks the accuracy of an AR. The AR is very accurate but lacks the reliability of the AK. But AR can be made just as reliable. Two reasons the AK is more reliable is one, looser tolerances ( at the cost of accuracy) and two a gas piston. A lot of manufacturers have drop in gas pistons for the ARs. The other point in the ARs favor is versatility. You can have a 14″ barrel ( again depending on you state) and have a complete upper with a 24″ barrel. And its about a 20 second job to swap the uppers out.
I own a 22lr for every menber of my family and my younger son has a mosin nagent.I am working on a shotgun then I will work on handguns.I will get onother 06 and pssibly a 270 if time permits.
I have to admit that when this article came out a year ago I didn’t have more than a .22 rifle in my arsenal, which I’ve had that since I was 7 years old; and, since I come from a “Civil Defense” background where government agencies on most levels don’t necessarily recommend having an arsenal at all, discussions about having one were very scarce. It took me a year, but I finally have the “I have a full-time job arsenal”. Now I’m practicing at a local range and have learned a lot. The (new) Ruger Mini 14 sure beats my old .22 and I find it quite accurate, too – contrary to some criticism I read before I bought it.
In my opinion I would have a least 3 guns.
A Rifle
A Pistol
A Shotgun
In firearms (as with a lot of things) you always get what you pay for.
Buy good guns now and you can give them to your grandkids. Find the best ammo for your guns and stock up.
My opinion:
9mm Beretta or a good mil-spec 1911,
Ar-15 or any Mil-spec Rifle
Remington 870 or Mossberg 500
I’m surprised no one has mentioned the M1 Carbine. A WW2 classic, still in production and reconficured for modern combat. It’s light, rugged, decent ranged, and cheap. You can get it in the WW2 30-06 carbine or more modern .45 pistol rounds. Really good for a versital combat rifle.
This has been a big issue in my life. I have always had a bug out backpack. Over the years, I’ve changed out my firearms. But as I’ve gotten older and now have more to care fore and guide to safety, this is now my list. (3) 10/22′s with 30, 10rd back up mags, 6000 rds ammo. (3) SU-16′s, 15, 30 rd mags, 3000 rds ammo. (2) 12 Ga, Rem 870′s, 100 rds buck, 500, rds bird, 50 rds slug. (2) Socom 16′s, 10 mags, 1000 rds. (2) XDM 9mm, 10 mags, 1000 rds. This is all carried in (3) Badlands 2200 packs with survival food (5) days and small water supply. All other goodies as needed to maintain life for 15 days or more with out seeing people. 4×4 gassed up with 4 spare gas cans. Drive till out of gas or have to leave vehicle and foot it. This set up is designed to get me and mine out of this area, which in the SHTF world, the police wont last 3 days and the criminal’s and thugs will take over. I have drop points of resupply already stashed, able to be reached by foot or vehicle well off the beaten path. These have been set out with (2) different final destinations in mind. I’ve been at this for several years.
I’m getting ready to add maybe a good scoped Winchester Model 70 in .308 w. As for the number of guns, I’m in your “Yuppie” group there. I also have a Mosin Nagant M-44 which I thought about trading, but I think I’ll keep unless I make my Winchester a 30.06. But then I’ve a got a .308 AK Saiga with hi-cap mags and about 1500 rds of .308, so it may be more efficient to make that Winchester 70 a .308, though I’ll need to start buying the more pricey rounds for it. I have another AK in 7.62×39 which would probably be better to be a .223 for more availability. But I’ve accummulated 1500+ rds for it, so probably should keep it too.
I really enjoyed reading everyones comments. I don’t really get out to shoot much. Been so busy with my new baby and career. I have a small survival asenal consisting of 1 ar15 4 mags 120 rounds, 1 ak47 6 mags 180 rounds, 1 westernfield 12ga, 80rnds, 1 glock26 500 rnds 2 (10rnd mags)mags, 1 para ordanance p12.45 500 rnds 3 mags(11 rnd mags) . I guess I’m very lite on the ammo, but I have some money freed up, any recomendations where I can get good ammo at a reasonable price?
Indigo, Hey you sound like your well armed. On rounds, I would stock up more as much as possible. Don’t know if you have a walmart close by but I just picked up several boxes of Federal 9mm 115 gr fmj, for $ 9.78 per box of 50. my 9 loves them (Glock) and point of aim is real close to my defense rounds. So I can just stock them up for TSHTF. Besides if your throwing rounds down range at lots of targets. A hit in a 2″ group is as good as a hit in a 5′ group. Also if you need to, bullets will be like gold and having some to barter with might just help out.
WELL IVE HAD A BUG OUT BAG PUT TOGETHER FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS AND CONTINUE TO ADD TO IT WEEKLY. AS FOR GUNS I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST FOR A BACKPACK GUN A KELTEC SUB 2000, IT TAKES ALL GLOCK MAGS,COMES IN CAL.S OF 9MM 40SW 45ACP. WITH FIBER OPTIC IRON SIGHTS, HAVE HAD MINE AT 120 YDS AND WORKS GREAT, AS FOR MY ARSNEL. ILL JUST NAME A FEW. ON ME HK UPS TACTICAL 45ACP THIGH HOLSTER EACH LEG 8 MAGS ON BELT, ALSO HAVE A GLOCK 27, 23, 19. HAVE 1000 ROUNDS FOR EACH. REMINGTON MODEL 700 SPS URBAN TACTICAL .308, 2000 ROUNDS 186 GR, BTHP . REM 870, 200 3 INCH COPPER SABOT SOLID SLUGS 500 3 INCH 000 BUCK 1000 BIRD SHOT DIF SIZES BACK PACK STASH KELTEC SUB 2000 40SW 500 HORNADAY CRITICAL DEFENSE ROUNDS, MULTIPUL 1911 MOSTLY SPRINGFIELD AND KIMBERS 3000 ROUNDS HORNADAY TAP. S&W 500 REVOLVER 250 ROUNDS. AR-15 MULTI ATTACHS. TRIJICON ACOG LASER LIGHT ECT. PS 90 5.7 AND FN 5.7 HAND GUN JUST PICKED UP A S.C.A.R -H 7.62 3000 ROUNDS MULTI STACHES ON IT AS WELL THAT JUST A FEW OF MY TOYS. MULTI STATES AND PROPERTIES TO BUG OUT TO WITH STACHES OF FOOD AND WATER ABOUT 4 DIFFERENT FAMILES AND FRIENDS IN 3 STATES INVOLVED ( SAFTEY IN NUMBERS).
I like this article. It certainly makes me think. I think I fall into the 2 Jobs and Maxed Out Credit Card Arsenal. This is mostly because I am or have been one of those “I need a lot of guns” type preppers. That is changing. I have to prep for 3 people, so my arms list is very eclectic. I have to change that. Currently, here is how I sit:
Saiga .223 defensive rifle
Norinco M98 shotgun (870 clone)
Remington 597 .22 semi (2)
Ruger SP 101
Glock 19
Walther P22
As you can see, I am all over the place with my arms. Here is my restructure.
(3) Ruger SR9
(3) Wasr GP10
(2) Remington 597
(1) Ruger 10/22 (for my wife, she’s short)
Much more uniformity and ease of stockpiling.
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