SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Discuss survival and preparedness strategies. What will you do when the zombies come to get us?
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OleMan
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by OleMan »

itsme wrote:What do we do about our 'sheeple-we-don't-like/own-guns' neighbors who come running to us 'rednecks clinging to their guns' for protection when they have zero firepower and 911 gives 'em a busy signal?

UMMM simple

THEY ARE THE ROOT CAUSE of why the SHTF

Why would u acknowledge them ?

They are a already bitten casualty one heartbeat from full zomb, write em off, after you evaluate them for potential, medical experience, assets they have, and liablities they come with (spouses kids etc).

In most cases, c ya.

Tell them to go open a dailouge with the zombs, that they understand where they are coming from, only want to help them etc etc, that will give them something to do and keep them out of yer hair.
I'm guilty of the sarcastic " 'sheeple-we-don't-like/own-guns' neighbors' " comment, but it was an honest thought. I'm am getting old and slow and honestly don't know a single neighbor I could really trust. The one I think I could trust (thinks more like me) is disabled with arthritis and can't get around, and already has three adult children nearby to help him get to a cabin in the country. Other than him and his wife, I can't imagine any neighbors actually wanting to help me.

In my case, I think I would travel relatively light - one scoped 6.8 mm semi-auto and a few handguns with as much food and water as possible- and try to get to the country (less than 50 miles) in my 4X4 to join my son and his family for mutual help. Put briefly, the safety of me, my wife, & my children and grandchildren is vastly more important than that of neighbors who don't like me, are anti-gun or already have a track record of taking advantage.

I do plan to later get a scoped bolt rifle and a shotgun, so that might change or add to my choice of firepower.
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by Reverenddel »

Back to the "Disasters as the main SHTF" THANK YOU!

Talks of fallin' guv'mints, and zombies aside... Disasters are the main brunt of prepping.

Between wind, and rain, you can lose LOTS of gear! Remember to SECURE YOUR GEAR BEFORE THE DISASTER STARTS! Trying to tie stuff down in 100 MPH winds ain't easy, fun, or suggestable.

Three things about surviving:
Protect yourself, your food/water, and shelter.

You can have a PLETHORA of supplies, but if you cannot defend it? I have a plethora of supplies. Hence I cannot advocate Liberal Wienie "Preppers" who will not take up arms.

You have to have continual water source, lemme say that again, CONTINUAL...WATER... SOURCE! In Hurricane Isabelle, my water didn't run for two days, and the stuff coming out after that? You needed a coffee filter before you could even boil it.

Protect yourself. How? STAY OUTTA SIGHT! Do NOT make yourself a target! I stayed off my balcony, and put up a few chairs on the back stairs... No one was coming up without having a good purpose, and I funnelled them into a small area (thank you history class, and Leonidas)

Caliber? You know what's the best caliber? The one that is in your hand, with loooottttsss of ammo!
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derek141
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by derek141 »

My advice: talk to your neighborhood Mormon.
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by jim100 »

my advice: sell your house in the city, go to the country before the (insert your SHFT of choice) and forget about snooty urbanite neighbors, then get to know your country neighbors.
The way of the fool is right in his own eyes. Proverbs 12:15 KJV

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enry David Thoreau
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by Reverenddel »

Trying Jim... I'm trying REAL hard! I gotta get the girlfriend, and her kids OUT of the "I'll run down to the store" mindset.

"My advice: talk to your neighborhood Mormon."

YEP! Though I not be LDS, I have found them to be a dependable, and great source of survivalist knowledge. And damned fine neighbors. If they'd just leave me be with the recruitin'! HAHAHAHA

I ain't givin' up my party liquor, and I ain't gittin' married! Period! HUSH! :hysterical:
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by derek141 »

Reverenddel wrote:Trying Jim... I'm trying REAL hard! I gotta get the girlfriend, and her kids OUT of the "I'll run down to the store" mindset.

"My advice: talk to your neighborhood Mormon."

YEP! Though I not be LDS, I have found them to be a dependable, and great source of survivalist knowledge. And damned fine neighbors. If they'd just leave me be with the recruitin'! HAHAHAHA

I ain't givin' up my party liquor, and I ain't gittin' married! Period! HUSH! :hysterical:
LOL, +1
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by Mindflayer »

I've given this some thought.

Assuming my SO is there, I would have her carry the Mini 14 or AR. Both shoot .223 Remington/5.56 NATO, which is ubiquitous. The Mini 14 is damned solid, while the AR offers a more compact platform and parts can be found a lot of places. The 9mm would be hers; the .45 ACP would be mine. Again, common calibers. The question is whether I would take a rifle or a shotgun....
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by jim100 »

Mindflayer wrote:I've given this some thought.

Assuming my SO is there, I would have her carry the Mini 14 or AR. Both shoot .223 Remington/5.56 NATO, which is ubiquitous. The Mini 14 is damned solid, while the AR offers a more compact platform and parts can be found a lot of places. The 9mm would be hers; the .45 ACP would be mine. Again, common calibers. The question is whether I would take a rifle or a shotgun....

Both if possible. But I personally would take a rifle. Remember a rifle can shoot far and short distances, a shotgun can shoot only short distances.
The way of the fool is right in his own eyes. Proverbs 12:15 KJV

For every thousand people hacking at the branches of evil there is only one hacking at the roots. H
enry David Thoreau
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by kps »

my choices are probably unusual.

for a rifle I would choose a plain & simple lever action 30-30 preferably a D-ring easily reloaded, but have to carry rounds loose.

for pistol I would choose a Glock 9mm.

then a 22 plinker, like a ruger mark 1

a 22 rifle like the winchester model 190 & 290 comes to mind. tubular magazine, but compact.

then a normal lightweight shotgun

none of these raise any eyebrows, none would be considered "assault" but all could serve a very useful purpose.

if you think you may need to hunt, to provide food. possibility of bears, or other wild animals.

a 22 can take a squirrel, or rabbit, if you do your part, & is alot cheaper to shoot.

the 30-30 can do its part for large game. & has proven reliability beyond what alot of more modern guns have.

when I bought my house, I made sure I had a place thats remote. & has a spring, & lots of hardwoods. but I also have a second place 45 miles away that over 1 mile off the road, it has no shelter, but has many springs, creeks, lots of water, mountains. fishing.

however my stuff is here. & I ride a motorcycle, & even if roads ever get blocked due to trees, or debris, a motorcycle can usually get through, but that doesnt get my kerosene cook stove, kerosene lamps, wood stove, wood heater, etc to my other location if had to leave here. I dont have to rely on electricity unless I want to. plus I have 5 generators by fluke, one of which is DC voltage only.

Randy
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by Reverenddel »

As to SHTF calibers... we're avoiding the elephant in the room....

When the hurricane came thru NC... they made carrying a firearm illegal, and do not quote me on this, but I think they restricted firearms PURCHASES!

If a BIG SHTF scenario comes about... we have to be able to replenish ammo supplies after awhile... unless you're like some, and have pallets of the stuff just lying about...

We apartment dwellers, nah so lucky!

It's why I broke down a few years back, and bought an AR... Not being morbid, but guv'mint employees will have these lying around, and after they get into it with some "militant" folk? These mags with ammo may just be "lying around"...

Scavenger? YOU BET!
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by scratch »

I have 1 AR15 with 1000 rounds 5.56 62 gr. green tip,, 1 ak47 with 1000 round, 1 22 with 5000 rounds, 1 9mm with 1000 round and one 45 with 1000 rounds. just need to get a shotgun now.
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by feralmuse »

As a newbie to the list I am thrilled with the variety of topics on this forum.

I'm definitely not as gun savvy as most of you are but as a female I'd like to throw my 2 cents in on this one.

I have 4 brothers, along with myself. 2 are preparing for when shtf. They decided that no way was their only sister not going to be armed. One gave me the 22 revolver, the other gave me the hi point 40 cal and the 22 rifle with 500+ rounds for each.

I know they aren't the best guns but my attitude is that during a survival situation ANY weapon is better than no weapon at all. So while a lot of what you guys are discussing may be a little over my head...I do feel pretty secure in the weapons and ammo I have in stock.

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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by Taggure »

feralmuse wrote:As a newbie to the list I am thrilled with the variety of topics on this forum.

I'm definitely not as gun savvy as most of you are but as a female I'd like to throw my 2 cents in on this one.

I have 4 brothers, along with myself. 2 are preparing for when shtf. They decided that no way was their only sister not going to be armed. One gave me the 22 revolver, the other gave me the hi point 40 cal and the 22 rifle with 500+ rounds for each.

I know they aren't the best guns but my attitude is that during a survival situation ANY weapon is better than no weapon at all. So while a lot of what you guys are discussing may be a little over my head...I do feel pretty secure in the weapons and ammo I have in stock.

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Now just take each of those fine weapons and Practice Practice Practice with them untill using them become second nature. :sniper: :pistol:
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by Palladin »

Taggure wrote:
feralmuse wrote:As a newbie to the list I am thrilled with the variety of topics on this forum.

I'm definitely not as gun savvy as most of you are but as a female I'd like to throw my 2 cents in on this one.

I have 4 brothers, along with myself. 2 are preparing for when shtf. They decided that no way was their only sister not going to be armed. One gave me the 22 revolver, the other gave me the hi point 40 cal and the 22 rifle with 500+ rounds for each.

I know they aren't the best guns but my attitude is that during a survival situation ANY weapon is better than no weapon at all. So while a lot of what you guys are discussing may be a little over my head...I do feel pretty secure in the weapons and ammo I have in stock.

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Now just take each of those fine weapons and Practice Practice Practice with them untill using them become second nature. :sniper: :pistol:
+2 ! :clap:
Now is the time for all good men to get off their rusty dustys...
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by feralmuse »

I'm a pretty good shot with the handguns but im in dire need of practice with the rifle. Ok...Im terrible with the rifle. Im not sure if its just too big or I'm just doing something wrong, it just does not feel right when I hold it. But I'm not gonna give up on it!!!

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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by bryanrheem »

gonna revive this thread!

I have had a Mossy 590a1 as my goto HD/SHTF weapon. However, the more I handle my ar15, the more I realize I'm much more comfortable with that platform than the shotgun. Benefits:

1) AR15 is much lighter. The 590a1 is HEAVY. That is one of the benefits of that shotgun, but it is also a bear when fully loaded (and with my ontario bayo & flashlight mounted). I know I'm just a sissy, but the heavier weight makes it harder to handle. The AR15 is much easier to get on target, and in a SHTF scenario, easier to transport.

2) AR15 ammo capacity is better. My 590a1 can carry a good amount (8 +1, 6 in the tac holder, 5 in the knoxx stock), plus my fully loaded bandolier, but reloading is much more difficult and time consuming. Replacing a magazine and having 30 more rounds (or 60 with the new surefire mags) is a better scenario.

3) In a SHTF scenario, 5.56 ammo is probably going to be more common than shotgun shells.

4) AR15 can be easily suppressed... shotgun, not so much...

While nothing beats the raw power (and cool factor) of racking the slide and sending buckshot down range (did I mention I have an Ontario bayonet on the end??), the AR15 looks to be more of a practical and effective HD and SHTF weapon.

Thoughts????
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by traveler »

Nobody ever heard of Ciener or other maker's .22lr conversion units for the Mini-14, AK, AR-15 and several pistols? you don't have to settle for having just a .22lr, or just a centerfire. with a 20 second caliber swap, you can have both. the .22 unit weighs but 3/4 lb, costs about $150, there's no reason at all to not have one, along with a couple of 30 rd mags for it. Practicinig with your 10-22 doesn't feel anything like your AK, HK, FAL, etc. the sights, safety, mag release, etc are all different. However, all are the same with the .22 unit. Furthermore, if you add night sights, scope, sound suppressor to the 223, you are also adding it to the .22 unit, so you save a bundle of money.
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by scrubber3 »

I'll use my SCAR17 and Glock 30. .308 and .45 all day long.... No, I'm not worried about weight. I'm no small guy and can probably lug as much large caliber ammo as most can small caliber. Oh, I'm not getting into a caliber debate either. To each their own as everyone has their own beliefs and trusts their own judgement. My fiancé will be carrying a Glock 19 and her SCAR16. 9mm and .223 respectively....

We plan on bugging in until/if we need to leave. I have my ducks in a row for an extended excursion, but need a little work on he home front. I have a bug out vehicle that's more than capable of going any darn where I point it and doesn't have a lot of computerized crap to go wrong. A popup camper that I'll be installing solar panels on soon, lots of fishing equipment, hunting/prepping equipment, and I have the resources to farm. I can also fix or build anything I want and as far as medical training goes, well I've more than got that covered.lol.

Oh yeah, I also have a high powered air rifle for quietly taking small game. Something worth thinking about.
I had a SCAR 17 and 16. I also had a bunch of Glocks and a couple H&K pistols. Oh and a DDM4, but I sold everything when our government told me these dangerous tools can actually hurt someone. Apparently they grow legs and go on killing sprees.
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by TacticalMom »

I agree with the what ever you are proficient with comment. However, I want will have one long range common caliber rifle, and our personal defense weapons.

As to my plans I don't normally talk about them especially online, suffice to say I have them. ;) I am willing to get together and talk with like minded people. Keep in mind that every plan will be different for every family/person.

But as always first and foremost, safety, health, and security of family is number one.

Hell I just revealed my plans to my family only just last week. I told them my concerns for the future and what I was planning to do. :clap:
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Re: SHTF - caliber and platform discussion

Post by Reverenddel »

We talk in generalities online....

Details are NOT to be given out. Helpful hints are expressed as "suggestions", doesn't mean it works in my situation.

Considering I've been living with the girlfriend for a year. I'm not in the city anymore... but I still don't trust my neighbors.

I still state Food/water-Shelter-Protection. Keep those three? Yer gonna survive.

Something else about SHTF Calibers, keep in mind, when disaster hit in an area, oportunists believe in making a profit. AMMO PRICES WILL GO UP!
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