with a Loc-Box so you can secure it and not need to worry about the crawlspace.
I like the idea of a 357 revolver but I'm considering the new Springfield Defender in .45 GAP. #4 buck is the ammo of choice for the Mossberg.
Posted on 09/03/2005 5:42:27 PM PDT by putupjob
I see from New Orleans that when the social order breaks down, we are responsible for our own defense. I am planning on getting a firearm with the correct training that will be stashed away in a crawl space, never to be used unless a dire situation arises. The scum looters can come for me, that's fine, but I am going out in a blaze of glory.
I am seeking advice on what I should get. A handgun, a rifle? I'm sure there are big time gunners on freep and I could use some solid advice. Thanks.
I've not read the others you mentioned but have read this. It has tons of information while written in a fictional setting.
A friend and I were talking this book just today. The veneer of decent society is just that, a veneer. When you take away food and water, things can get ugly pretty fast.
ping for later
Leaving a trail of blood and drag marks?
"I am planning on getting a firearm with the correct training that will be stashed away in a crawl space, never to be used unless a dire situation arises."
That parameter sort of narrows down the options. Without going into a whole new WTSHTF thread, the ghost ring pump can be very effective out to 25-35 yds., and even a bit beyond. Consider what that 100 ft cone encompasses. For self defense in urban/uburban environs( protecting one's home) it pretty well covers the distance across the street to the next house without going through the neighbors house. Pretty much the same if shooting from second story window. Unless one's house has a flat roof, like the LA Korean shops, most house having pitched roofs are not good fighting positions I would think. And the scenes that I saw of the LA riots, the Korean shooters were on 2nd story roofs (if even that) shooting primarily at direct threats to their stores( looters or molotov cocktailistas) and not leaving their positions to hunt vermin. Once you move out, you've lost cover and concealment as well the high ground for observation.
That said, a broader variety of social tools is the way to go, IF, and only if one is prepared to train properly and maintain proficiency through periodic practice. The almost forgotten pump shotgun in the crawl space scenario aint' a pretty one, but any long arm is better than a mere handgun. My Mossberg handles nicely and can be brought to bear on multiple targets quickly with the ghost rings if necessary til I can get to the quad .50's in the cupola...;>)
You have to consider what your likely threat is and if they have body armor as well, shotguns are very good unless the looters have procured body armor. Have you ever shot any firearm before?
with a Loc-Box so you can secure it and not need to worry about the crawlspace.
I like the idea of a 357 revolver but I'm considering the new Springfield Defender in .45 GAP. #4 buck is the ammo of choice for the Mossberg.
Thanks for the comments. I'll remain neutral on them because I know there will be others that prefer the shotgun. I'm not opposed to them and do think they make a great third option. I think you see them as a perferable first or second, and in some cases I might agree.
A "California Assualt Carbine" (AKA a Marlin .30-30 lever gun) is a swell tool.
But, a lot of folks, if they had to choose only one gun to defend hearth and home, would want a good 12-ga pump with an assortment of ammo.
A rifled slug will give you the 100 yard accuracy you specify in your post.
Add in buckshot for other outdoor work, and, if you want, birdshot for inside applications, and you've got a tool that will solve just about any problem one man can solve on his own. All for less than 300 bucks!
Of course, one of the great things about firearms is that they are perfectly happy if you have more than one. They don't get jealous of each other, and as long as you keep 'em clean, they never nag or complain. So get some shotguns, and some rifles!
I can buy into that theory of relativity. Good call.
Glad your firearms are team players. Heh heh he...
However there are better choices.
And a Pocket Rocket or a Street Sweeper would be preferable to a Bullet Hose or Sniper Rifle.
A .22 is a slightly different beast than a centerfire handgun when it comes to jams in semi-auto pistols.
Best way to avoid jams in a .22 like the Buckmark is to find a brand of ammo it likes, preferably high velocity stuff, and stick with it. If the pistol jams once in a while, make note, if you have more than one magazine, if there is a tendency for the jams to happen with one of the magazines. Bad magazines are a likely culprit.
I like to lubricate with a high quality lube like Tetra or Superlube, and apply it just a little more than sparingly on the slide rails if I know I am going to shoot it a lot.
If the problem persists, you could have the feed ramp polished. If it isn't smooth as glass, that could cause problems. Also, make sure you are holding the pistol firmly enough so that you are not absorbing any of the recoil force that is needed to work the action when the weapon fires.
In most cases, a .22 is a recreational gun, and because of the soft lead bullet with the waxy coating that can build up, the very small rim of the cartridge that needs to be handled somewhat gently by the extractor (so the rim doesn't tear off or dedonate the round while cycling manually) and the lack of outlandish quality control that goes in to making self-defense centerfire rounds, and the smaller amount of energy available to cycle the action, they are a little more "jam prone" than centerfire pistols.
I have a Ruger MKII that functions perfectly with ammo it likes, but with certain brands of ammo or crummy magazines it does jam once in awhile.
If getting a handgun (pistol) is a problem then a Winchester jr (16" barrell) chambered for .357 magnum is handy.
If you want a good complement to that try "Surviving Y2K (and Other Lovely Disasters)" by Boston T. Party.
His book is a layman's guide to preparing for SHTF. He covers most of the basics without being too general or overly specific.
You make valid points. Perhaps my language was a little hyperbolic with words like "can't" and "won't". I guess my point is I'm more accurate with my shotgun than my 357 mag. and I'm less likely to kill my neighbor (35 yards away) with my shotgun like I easily could with my mini-14. (223 round). Of course I'd use any of them in a NO situation. cheers.
I was afraid this would come up. Body Armor is a nasty thing, because I imagine it would require a head shot or an relatively high-powered rifle shot. In that case, I think I would probably want to have a semi-auto rifle at my disposal. I don't think I can really put the tactics you'd need on here without violating rules, but I think we all know the only real vulnerable place for folks with body armor.
On the other hand, most body armor consists of trauma plating. I am not sure how effective it would be, but I would imagine that getting hit with a rifled slug at one of those plates would still do a fair amount of damage. I would imagine that the force would be enough to knock a good sized person down, and potentially more than that.
Ruger 345 is the go to, pair of 12 ga. 870's if someone is very "frisky." That is what in my bed room. The SKS's and 5K of ammo is plastered in my walls. Have a nice day.
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