Defense In Threes Non-fiction Writing Contest Submission by Joel M
The latest deadliest whiz-bang self-defense gun on the market is worthless without bullets. With that thought in mind this is my budget plan. I can’t afford to arm myself with an expensive fire arm that uses expensive ammunition.
I remember reading about the Warsaw ghetto in WWII they were armed with whatever rag-tag weapons they could get their hands on, many of them were obsolete when they shot the only five bullets they had for that gun. With that said I think it is more important to have a stock pile of ammunition for a limited number of guns, than have a gun for every reason & season with limited ammunition.
I like to think and plan in threes. Three different weapons using the same ammunition, 1,000 rounds of ammunition for each and the ability to reload ammunition. You break or lose a gun you still have two others to use your ammunition supply. You can split your stockpile into three places one of each gun and 1/3 of the ammunition for each.
I have my plan and I am working toward filling in the holes. These are my thoughts and others are welcome to disagree. I work for a living and do not have tons of cash to throw toward purchasing an arsenal.
I feel it is important to have 1,000 rounds of ammunition for each type of gun, and enough primers to reload another thousand. Am I there? No I am not but I am working for it, and over halfway there.
I have a 22 single shot rifle. Small compact good to put meat in the pot. I also have a 22 automatic target pistol that uses the same ammunition. You cannot reload 22LR so I have 2,000 rounds of ammunition. On my list of guns to purchase is a 22 automatic rifle. Hopefully one that I can purchase a large capacity magazine for.
Many will say a 22 is a toy gun, but I would rather have it than no gun at all. Once I get the last rifle I will have less than $600 invested in 22 ammunitions and hardware. Every time I go to the store with extra money I pick up a few more boxes. This setup can be used for defense, but more likely to put meat on the table. 22 caliber ammunition is affordable; you can purchase 1,000 rounds for less than $40. Also the guns are the least expensive and affordable.
Next is a 12 gauge shotgun, here I have an old single shot inherited from my Dad, and a double barrel I purchased because I liked the outside hammers and the way it looks, besides two shots are better than one. I want to add a 12 gauge pump shotgun. Again this is a common size and I have been buying shotgun shells 100 at time at the local store. I have 1,000 rounds purchased, and still need a reloading system, 1,000 primers, powder and some shot. Push comes to shove I can cast shot, or slugs.
My son and I each use an old sks rifle scoped for hunting. Not my first choice, but I own them and at Y2K stocked up on ammunition for them. I plan on getting another for $200 and fill out my ammunition to bring it up to 1,000 rounds. I have some brass I can reload, and still need primers, powder, lead, and a bullet mould. There are better rifle choices out there just use what you have or choose a common one, for cost of ammunition and availability.
For serous protection and concealed carry I have a 357 magnum pistol. I have reloaded 1,000 rounds of ammunition. I only have this one; I would like to get one more revolver, and possibly a rifle that uses the 357 round. They seem to be expensive, but if I can find one at the right price, I would purchase it or a third 357 Magnum pistol. I have a bullet mould for this caliber, and 1,000 extra primers and 2 pounds of powder. My buddy has a reloading system and is teaching me how to use it and what to buy.
Last but not least I have one black powder rifles, one shotgun, one smooth bore flintlock. For hand guns one revolver and one single shot pistol. I need one more pistol, nice thing about black powder no background checks and you can order mail order. I have 20 pounds of powder, a hundred pounds of lead, a bullet mould for each gun, extra flints and 500 extra caps. Need to build up the cap supply, as you cannot make your own.
However you can scrounge lead and flints. I will be adding more lead to my hoard. I also have the recipe to make black powder, but that will be a last resort. Hope to never get to that point.
I would lose all arguments about which bullet, powder, gun combination is the most effective. A gun you own with plenty of ammunition is better than the one you wish you had when you need it. Or one you can only afford one box of bullets for.
Hope this have given you something to think about, and make your own plan. Start with what you have, what you can sell, and what ammunition you have stockpiled. I do have several orphan guns, with only a few boxes of shells. May sell them, keep them to sacrifice or trade. Not sure what do to with them. My long-term plan will be to split into three caches, with one of each weapon, 1/3 of the ammo for it.
Nothing fancy here guns as plain vanilla as you can get basic firearms for basic needs. Nothing exotic or delicate, just tools to get the job done, whether it be to keep what is yours, let you sleep at night or put food on the table.
Makes sense to me, besides it’s my plan and I am sticking to it!
{ 13 comments }
Buying multiples of the same weapon sure does make logistics easier. For example we use 9mm Glocks and .38/.357magnum revolvers. I only need to keep track of one type of magazine and two types of pistol cartridges.
Joel,
You have a plan, and that’s better than 99% of people do. Since you are on a tight budget, I would only suggest you add a Mosin-Nagant or similar bolt action rifle. They are very inexpensive, and the ammo is as well. It would serve as a longer range hunting rifle, and also would be better at counter-sniping than the SKS. And please don’t depend too much on the .22rimfire. It is good for some things, but my pellet gun is just about as good for small game, and makes no noise. The .22rimfire is not a man stopper, either. That’s not to say the .22rimfire is not useful, and the ammo might just be better than gold for barter, so buy some more if you can afford it after your other purchases. I stock 10,000 rounds of .22rimfire myself, mostly for barter purposes.
Sounds like you have an excellent plan!
IMO, the OP has a good idea and on the right track. In the initial paragraph the cost of arming yourself was mentioned. I know that all the Oowaas out there will insist on heavy weapons….but on a tight budget, starting off consider the very basics first.
Anytime a gun may be involved in a confrontation, you need to make a quick assessment, fight or flight, sometimes it might be better to run and live to fight another day. Your personal protection should come first with your ability to defend yourself without a 357 mag in your hand, I know I don’t want to carry a gun 24/7! Start first with a good self defense class, that should not cost much, probably less than any AK.
With that, move on to improvised weapons, you can kill with a ball point pen, if you know how to use it! I’m sure there are books on the subject so I won’t go into detail.
Having a tactical advantage, the first being surprise, may be all you need. If my intruder is armed, we are in the dark, I have a huge advantage in my home. I don’t care how great of a shot he might be, chances a very good that I will end up with his weapon. A kitchen knife, ball bat, $35.00 taser, should get his attention sufficiently to take the gun. Knowing how to use a wide varity of weapons is key. You may not own an AK, but get with someone who does and learn how it works, you might have to use one and it might not be your weapon.
If I see 12 guys with AKs get out of a truck and run up to my house, that’s a hide-e-hole situation without a gun, maybe with one as well. Have a good fortified retreat, under a stair case landing for example where you can remove a panel and close it up again.
Sorry, I’m ranting off topic kinda but owning a closet full of guns just is not necessary from a self defense standpoint. IMO
I have one auto pistol, a pump shotgun and an AR. That will cover anything that comes up. If some bad guy shows up with an M-60 mounted on his truck, I will rely on tactics, not caliber, to put if out of commission, take it or take out the operator, I don’t need an M-60! Not in a defensive posture.
Great comments and good article!
Just making the point that on a budget, you may not need a $500 gun and a 1000 rounds.
It used to be a kind of ‘signature’ of the Chicago mobs when ‘eliminating’ someone to put 2 in the head and 2 in the heart with a 22. They not a toy, and not harmless. Yeah, I prefer something bigger, but 22s are small enough to hide, pretty quiet in the noisy world we live in now, and better than just a stick or large rock. They’re an excellent starter gun for kids, and with cheap ammo, good for target training. If you can’t hit it with a 22, what makes you think you could hit it with a 50 cal?
Don’t let the Elephant Gun Guys convince you there is no place for the dainty and unappreciated 22 rifle or pistol.
Good post. I like what you have to say.
On more than one ocation I have told my son “do not buy anything we do not alredy have ammo for” he being eighteen, has come home with more than one orphan. We have for the most part been able to keep it all in the family.
You are the first in some time to mention black powder. I think many folk just do not see it as a viable alternative. We have six in various calibers smooth and rifled. Lead, powder, and molds for all. Flint available for the knapping from 18th cent balast on the coast 1/4 mile away.
Long term or short, fun or backup, something most don’t seem to see.
Excellent post, good ideas and great follow through. SKS is a good gun and very popular just now, you might try to swap it for a lever gun in .357 to fit in better with your other guns. [i'd try to keep the SKS and come up with the lever gun somehow] My .22 battery is a bolt rifle, a semi carbine, a semi hand gun and a NAA lr/mag combo. [easiest gun to ALWAYS have on you] also have a NAA mini in black powder. The one thing I have to quible about is making percusion caps, I have a Tap-o-cap makes caps from beer cans and roll paper caps, don’t know as they can be had new but I have 100k roll caps in a small ammo can with my Tap-o-cap. Some black powder revolvers can be fitted with cartridge conversion cylinders [1858 remmie NMA for one] makes them more verstile. For reloading the Lee Precision Field loader is all you need for about $20-$30 comes in most of the popular calibers. Its made to be used with a hammer or mallet, I use an adjustable bottle capper to turn my field loaders into a press. The field loader fits in a box the size of a paperback novel, my .357 kit resides in an alice pack, with powder, primers, and bullet mold. I try to keep my guns of the same caliber together, personal preference, some prefer not all eggs one basket approach. My way is one BOB for guy with the .357′s one with a couple bricks of .22, and one for the BP guns, etc.
The more you have the longer you will be able to protect your family and youself. I like your plan.
“My son and I each use an old sks rifle scoped for hunting.”
I thought I read elswhere on your site that you have no children.
Joe,
I did not write this post it a Non-fiction Writing Contest Submission by Joel M.
Why stokpile and pay for lead? It will be free after the EMP. Scrounge the lead from vehicle wheels.
My ammunition is what I call the big 5.
1. 22 Long Rifle
2. 12-Gauge
3. 9mm Para
4. 5.56mm (.223 Remington) PS> I know the difference but interchangeable for the most part.
5. 7.62mm (.308 Winchester) PS> Same as 5.56
Any comments?
Steve
I was in a gunstore today and saw several guns that I would love to have.A smith and wesson 357 magnum.A savage 22 lr with an acutrigger.A marlin 336 in 30-30.several 45 autos.An o3 springfield and a titka in 25-06.There was several 12 guage pumps also.also a marlin in 270.Heck that would blow my budget for a good while. Steve I like your big 5 plan.Steve
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