Surviving the Undead: Zombie Guns

[OakRidgeStars]

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Surviving the Undead: Zombie Guns
Shooting Editor John Snow showcases his choices of guns for surviving the zombie apocalypse.
Photo Gallery by John B. Snow
Uploaded on March 03, 2010

Forget the hoary arguments about the .270 versus the .30/06. If you want to get some heat going among gun owners, ask what makes for the best zombie gun.

As with nearly every other subject of interest to shooters, it turns out the opinions are deeply held—even if the speaker’s personal experience with zombies is somewhat thin. However, the issue isn’t nearly as academic as you might think. In various “practical” shooting competitions—such as the fast-paced game of 3-gun, and even in cowboy action—it is not uncommon to see zombie stages where the shooter must face down a horde of targets. Typically these require precise shot placement and lots and lots of shooting.

On this much we can agree: High-capacity guns chambered in cartridges noted for their knockdown power are preferable. Target sights for accurate shooting and accessories, such as lights and lasers to aid in low-light situations, are a good thing too. My three zombie-fighters are listed on the opposite page. If all of this sounds like a barely veiled excuse to spend more money on yet another gun with all kinds of goodies hanging off it, well, who am I to argue?

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LCW AR-15
If your first reaction upon seeing this creation from Lauer Custom Weaponry is, “That doesn’t look stock,” congratulate yourself on your powers of observation.

Yes, Lauer can build you a rifle with an arrow gun attached that fires bolts with a .22 blank. And, yes, you can get one with a custom blood-spattered pattern that shows off your zombie-horde-fighting cred.

Underneath the unusual bolt-ons is a reliable .223 that is ready to take on any worm-eaten monstrosity you might face—or the zombie stage during your next 3-gun match. The compensator, from Bushmaster, does a good job of keeping the rifle on target, while the 3.5X ACOG gives you a clear and bright aiming point.

If you think the undead are scary, wait till you see the tiny cluster of holes this gun produces after emptying the 30-round magazine. [ $1,895, optics not included; lauerweaponry.com ]
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Cut down on reloads with the Beta C 100-round drum magazine.

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Remington 870
What this modified 870 lacks in subtlety it more than makes up for in effectiveness. The extended magazine tube, from Choate Machine and Tool Co., gives the gun a 7+1 capacity, while the adjustable stock from Knoxx lets you change the length of pull and has a built-in shock-absorbing spring that dampens felt recoil. And no zombie-fighting shotgun would be complete without a light for night work, which is why Surefire’s forend is a must-have accessory. [ Price varies; remington.com ]

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Para Super Hawg
To round out my trio of zombie guns I wanted to include a .45 that packs a punch. The Super Hawg from Para is a double-stack 14+1 1911 that fits the bill. The interchangeable fiber-optic front sight gives you the option of a red or green bead, depending on the flavor of undead you’re facing. The gun itself handles amazingly well. The long barrel and overall heft keep muzzle flip to a minimum during rapid fire, even with heavier loads. Plus, as my friend Kerby Smith, who works for Para, told me, “Zombies hate pork.” [ $1,369; para-usa.com ]

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Zombie Vitals?
That’s a trick question, son! Zombies don’t have vitals. They’re dead. The only way to take ‘em out is with a head shot. Remove what is left of the brain and, presto, no more zombie. So get to work on your marksmanship. Before it’s too late.

Want to brush up on your zombie slaying skills? Check our our ZOMBIE GAMES gallery and then enter your own zombie gun or idea to our ZOMBIE GUN CONTEST.


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[Unkn0wN]

That LCW AR-15 is crazy!!

[CCFan]

I'm digging that Para Super Hawg. 14+1 of .45 ACP?? Nice...

[wylde007]

I'm digging that Para Super Hawg. 14+1 of .45 ACP?? Nice...

That thing would probably make me feel like the "tiny hands" guy from the Burger King commercials.

[vbrtrmn]

The 5.56/.223 round is great, but it is designed to be used against human opponents, it is used to injure an enemy combatant, so that one or two other enemies need to pull the wounded off the battlefield, essentially removing double the number of enemies from a confrontation. Unfortunately, zombies don't really care if they're wounded or not and other zombies are certainly not going to help a wounded one off the battlefield.

For zombie killing, you're going to need a larger caliber, one which doesn't ricochet off of bone, but goes right through turning the bone into splinters. The round for that is 7.62 and no, I'm not saying to get an AK or nothing; there are plenty of 7.62 rounds out there: .308 = 7.62x51, .30-06 = 7.62x63, .30-30 = 7.62x51, .300 Win Magnum = 7.62x67. Then of course you've got 7.62x54R, which should pack a punch, especially since there's a lot of steel core surplus floating around.

Make sure you teach your friends how to shoot, I tell mine, "Learn how to shoot or we're using you as zombie bait!"

I recommend a converted Saiga 12 with an MD Arms 20-round drum, a 7.62/.30 caliber rifle, and a handgun with a larger caliber than 9mm. Give your friends who don't know how to shoot really well the shotguns, let them slow the horde down, you get the rifle and pick your shots.

Yes, I've thought about this too much. Meet me on the roof of Costco!

[BluemontGlock]

Paul,
I am with you....308 at the least...and has to be a semi AT THE least, in case you run into a group of "high- functioning" zombies that can really run up the sides of buildings, immune to cold, see in color, etc...

but , if the chips are down...can i get one of those vietnam era jeeps with a .50 on the rear... ya know , for clearing the costco parking lot of undesirable undead types...

I'll even drive... DO I HAVE GUNNER?

[zephyp]

Man I love shooting those Ma Deuces...I'll stand in the back....

[vbrtrmn]

Paul,
I am with you....308 at the least...and has to be a semi AT THE least, in case you run into a group of "high- functioning" zombies that can really run up the sides of buildings, immune to cold, see in color, etc...

If we have high-functioning/supernatural-style zombies, we're all f*ed.

[zephyp]

Paul,
I am with you....308 at the least...and has to be a semi AT THE least, in case you run into a group of "high- functioning" zombies that can really run up the sides of buildings, immune to cold, see in color, etc...

If we have high-functioning/supernatural-style zombies, we're all f*ed.

Congress is full of those...

[230therapy]

I think it really depends upon the context.

If you're in a camouflaged position, such as on a roof, perhaps a scoped and suppressed rifle chambered in 22 Long Rifle, 22 Magnum or 17 HMR would be the way to go. The suppressor would prevent the horde from zeroing in on you.

If I were venturing out to scrounge for food or gear, I'd want several items:

1) Leather armor with riot helmet and face shield...anything to prevent bites.
2) Suppressed rifle with 30 round magazines.
3) Spiked, one handed club, short sword and knives.
4) Suppressed handgun.
5) Camelback and ancillary gear.

The clubs and short sword would be used to silently take out zombies since they tend to cluster around human generated noises. The suppressors would be extremely important. Again, the sound of the bullet will be loud, but the suppression will prevent more distant zombies from zoning in. The problem is the infamous groaning, which they use to summon nearby zombies. The rifles would be more useful for singles and doubles, so silent weapons would be a necessity.

[bennihanna]

me and all the guys at my shop talk about this on a regular basis, the shop i work at backs right onto the interstate and is right across the parking lot from one of the busiest walmarts on the east coast, the roof is flat and has a 360 degree unobstructed view with a 3 foot ledge all the way around, the bay doors would have to be reinforced but they are easily and quickly opened and closed from the inside which is where we'd keep my buddies deuce and a half, my roommates f350, my 4wd tracker, and for a quick getaway if needed my other roommates supra. seeing as its right by walmart we could hit it up on the way to the stronghold for rations, ammo (what little they usually have), and any other essentials we could fit in the 3 trucks, wed have a modest little arsenal, an m4, yugo sks, m1 carbine, mosin nagant, mossberg 500, remington 870, another archaic shotgun, a s&w sigma 40, baby desert eagle 40, taurus 45, 454 magnum, and a few others im forgetting. now all we'll need is a s*** ton of sheet metal, plasma cutter, and a welder for all the modifications to the building/vehicles and wed have a decent little castle.

yes weve talked about it a lot, even started stockpiling, granted we may never need it... but theres always that chance

oh and 230therapy, i got your back on the swords and knives, ive been collecting them since i was about 10, ive got so many i have a full closet with just swords knives and katanas packed full, always gotta have a backup

[Quigley]

I think my AK and My Glock 22 should do the job. At least I know they will not go jamming up on me in my time of need. I also think that they have enough umph to get the job done.

[coltman]

Re: Supernatural zombies, note: supernatural zombies are absolutely allergic to salt, particularly salt blessed by a priest. Pack your hollow points with a paste made from holy water and salt. Any hit will cause your non chemically induced zombie to burst into flames. Old Haitian Solution.