Personally, I believe that it's a good idea to have AT LEAST 1000 rounds for each caliber, maybe even that much for each weapon even if you have multiple weapons of the same caliber.
Absolutely. There's a certain logic in having multiple .22 rifles/pistols, since you can get literally tens of thousands of rounds cheaply, and without having to dig an ammo bunker in your back yard.
Rifle - AK-47 (+ 10 extra mags) - There is no more reliable weapon in the world than an even moderately maintained AK. Ammo is reasonable too, and in short range defensive situations it is more than adequate.
Shotgun - Mossberg 590A1 - Military spec 12GA has 9rounds on board with a recoil absorbing adjustable stock and two external side saddles with 11 additional rounds, and a 50 round bandolier.
Handgun - 1911 in .45ACP (+ 10 extra mags) - My favorite handgun. It's what I shoot best, and it has never failed me. YMMV
Blades - At least one machete, an axe, a boot knife, and bayonets for each long gun.
All long guns need slings. They are convenient for carry, and if you know how to use one properly they will steay your shots.
AMEN! Let me expand on that to include magazines, clips, and speedloaders:
Rule of thumb for .22 cal LR guns:
Note: If you have never shot a gun, and don't own one: STOP! Go to www.nra.org and find a "First Handgun" and "First Rifle" safety course. Your first purchase should be a VERY EASY firearm to load/chamber, fire, unload/extract, clean and store. I would suggest a .22LR revolver and then a bolt or lever action .22LR. You can upgrade to semi-auto .22LR when you feel comfortable.
With that being said, don't let anyone fool you. Many rednecks ( I count myself as one) have taken many large deer with a .22 LR in the head back when it was legal. A .22 CAN (eventually) kill a man with center of mass shots, and will be your primary game getter.
A .22 LR handgun and rifle is an essential part of any contingency plan, and IMHO should be in EVERY law-abiding household.
Anyways, I would suggest a case (10,000 rounds) for every PAIR of .22 LR handgun/rifle combo.
Example: If you have a S&W 8-shot .22LR and a Ruger 10/22 (or 77/22), you should have 20,000 rounds (2 cases (not two (2) bricks (500 rds ea))).
Magazines: Have at least ten (10) Ruger Mk II Mags/Speedloader, and ten (10) Butler creek hotlip/steel lip hi-cap mags for the 77/22 or 10/22. If you don't want to go the Ruger route, any lever action .22LR will suffice, albiet at slower ROF.
I would also order extra bolts and extractors.
Rule of thumb for handguns/revolvers:
Have 1000 rounds of regular target FMJ (WInchester, Fiochi, American Eagle, reloads, etc) per gun per caliber for plinking/hunting and approx 2-300 rounds of high-quality JHP (Corbon, Federal Hydrashock, Golden Saber, etc).
Example: If you have a Glock 22, HK USP 40, a Model 640 S&W, and a Glock 27 you should have 3,000 .40 S&W cal. FMJ rounds, 1,000 .357 MAG, 1,000 .38SPL, and approx. 1,000 rounds of JHP.
Also, have at least six (6) magazines (preferably ten (10) handgun magazines per pistol (speed loaders for revolvers).
Be sure to purchase cheap holsters for every single handgun you own to dole out to family members. You'll need every set of eyes and trigger finger if SHTF.
Rule of thumb for your current hunting rifle: Many gunowners are what I call "Fudds" (Elmer Type). They have a .22 LR, a shotgun for bird season, and a bolt or lever action for deer hunting. They have no need for handguns usually, don't carry concealed, and only hunt for pleasure or heritage, NOT TO SURVIVE. Fudd gunners are my Father and Brother. They have just a couple of guns a piece and are for hunting during game season.
Take into consideration your family and friend's arsenal and make sure that, (esp. if you are a "FUDD") you have at least 100 rounds per hunting rifle, a up to date zeroed scope, tools, and a protective cover. You might want to buy five (5) or so extra 5-shot magazines for your Remington 7400's etc. A dedicated hunting rifle will take game at a distance and will be your families ad-hoc "sniper" rifle (shhhhh....don't let sarah brady hear that). Anyways, size up the existing guns in your family and get magazines, ammo, spare parts for them. If the stock is cracked on your uncle's Winchester bolt action, get it fixed now.
Note: Alot of readers read these forums/threads/posts and run out and burn up the credit card. First things first: inventory what you and your loved ones have and update that first. Remember: 100 rounds per center-fire (per caliber, per gun).
Example: My brother, father, and sister-in-laws father has between them: A Remington 700, a Ruger 77 .243, and a Savage .300 Win Mag. Between them, they should have 100 rounds of hunting ammo, and 500 rounds of FMJ (Plinker/target) ammo per rifle.
Rules for black powder/muzzle loaders: Alot of people don't value muzzle loaders. In case of confiscation....muzzle loaders are not considered firearms! Not only that, you can make your own bullets with a caster! They are fun, and open up other legal hunting seasons. As far as self defense, they are your last resort, but better than using your fists!
I would suggest a beginner muzzle loader kit, sufficient black powder quantities (ATF limit for possession is 19 lbs I think...check with them). Get a casting kit, and accessories and sit on them. Be sure to get lots of primers, a charge rod, and slings. Lots of barrel cleaner and cleaning rods also! DO NOT LEAVE A MUZZLE LOADING REVOLVER/RIFLE LOADED LONG TERM!
Rule of thumb for semi-automatic rifles:
Semi-automatic rifles have been around for more than a century. They were perfected around WWII with the Garand rifles. Semi-auto rifles will be your stand off rifle and main battle implement if someone is dumb enough to test the safety of your family.
As far as ammo is concerned, I would have a semi-auto with detachable high capacity magazines. Have 5,000 rounds of FMJ ammo per gun per caliber, and ten (10) (preferably twenty (20)) magazines per gun per caliber. Try to collect 500 rounds per gun, per caliber of high grade HP/match grade ammo also.
Example: If you own an AR-15 clone and a Norinko MAK-90, I would have 5,000 rounds of .223 FMJ, 5,000 Rounds of surplus 7.62.39 ammo, and lots of magazines (and loaders).
Rule of thumb for shotguns:
Well, I guess between the .22 LR and the shotgun fans, if there is any long arm that you must possess for home defense, the shotgun wins hands down.
For protection within the home (under 75 feet) use number 4 buckshot.
For any type of penetrating factors, or use against personnel in the sub-zero temperature that have LOTS of clothing, use #00 buck. (NOTE: 00 Buck will penetrate SEVERAL interior walls and possibly your neighbors house).
For your SHTF storage, keep spare parts, bolts, extractors, a stock or two, along with 1-200 rounds of shotgun ammo per gun, per caliber. .20 gauge are great for teens/small females.
There are alot of wierd rounds for shotguns such as flamethrowers, salt, etc. ....stay away from them.
Get various loads and make sure your gun can chamber them. In a panic around Y2K, I saw lots of ignorant people buy 3.5" magnum rounds for shotguns that wouldn't take 3.5" magnum rounds.
Example: I have a Remington 870, Benelli Nova, and a Mossberg 500. I should have approximately 600-800 rounds of shotgun ammo split between duck loads/slugs/#4 buck for defense inside home/#00 buck for outside home/turkey loads/etc.
Submachine guns: NOTE: It is illegal to posses select fire "machine guns" as per NFA and USC Title 18 laws. You will get in serious trouble messing around with machine guns that are not transferable (ATF Form 4) or you are not a Class II/Class III SOT.
With that being said, if you are fortunate it enough to own a submachine gun, they have their uses. A submachine gun is great for close combat, and great for sentries/patrols. The main purpose of a submachine gun (or any machine gun even) is to suppress an enemy IOT for your maneuver forces to close in and kill.
In the Arab-Israeli wars, the IDF used the ubiquitous Uzi submachinegun because of its high rate of fire in Jerusalem IOT suppress Arabs firing from windows so that the maneuver forces (armed with bolt action rifles and grenades) closed in for the kill.
Nothing says "stay the hell away from my place" like dumping a magazine from a machine gun. Given today's ammo prices, you can't be doing that every time someone walks on your property ;)
Anyways, if you do own a sub-machinegun, have 5,000 rounds per gun, per caliber and six (6) to twelve (12) magazines per gun. Always have spare bolts, springs, and parts! I have three (3) bolts per subgun I own. If you have a registered receiver, you can have all the spare parts for it you want.
If you do NOT have a submachine gun, you would be very surprised at how damn easy they are to make with a drill press and a lathe. I will not disclose how to make one due to the conspiracy to violate the NFA act, but if I were a superstitious person, I would have a STEN GUN Mk II or Uzi PARTS set, at my house, and have a relative/friend store a BLANK receiver (not a firearm until 75% complete). When the SHTF, you can do whatever you think is right. If you have a parts kit and a half completed or possible a blank receiver together = BIG TROUBLE if no Form 1, Form 4, or Form 3! Do not mess around with NFA Title 2 firearms unless you can afford ten (10) years in prison, and $300,000.00 fines!
Rules of thumbs for automatic rifles:
As with above, please follow all NFA rules. You must be a Class II/Class III SOT or hold an individual ATF Form 4 for possession.
As far as ammo is concerned, I would have 10,000 rounds per gun, per caliber and fourteen (14) to twenty (20) magazines per assault rifle.
Example, If I legally owned an AR-15 with a registered sear and a legally converted AK-47, I would have 10k rounds of surplus .223 cal. and 10k rounds of surplus 7.62x39mm.
I would also have as many full auto spare parts as you can legally have because of the stress and breakage of full auto parts over time.
NOTE: Don't get cute with full auto parts sets. ATF will bust you for "constructive possession (10 years)". When I say, "don't get cute" I mean, don't have one (1) legal AR-15 with a sear, and a rack of ten (10) AR-15 semi-automatics, and conveniently store ten (10) sears, ten (10) M16 trigger sets, and ten (10) M16 bolts as spare parts for your one (1) Form 4'd sear. Same goes for M2 parts sets for your M1 carbine.
Rules of thumb for big bore rifles (.50 BMG):
Why would you want a .50 cal. BMG rifle? Freedom baby! Thats my answer. In all seriousness, a .50 cal. rifle is your long range "puncher". Due to the limited applications of this rifle, I would not store any more than 500 rounds ($2,500 worth in today's dollars) for defense. I would keep that weapon only for disabling vehicles that don't obey my "Keep out" signs if the SHTF and balling goes up. If your hungry zombies get smart and try to apply "Hillbilly Armor" to their SUV and come at you....have a couple of APIT rounds ;)
Finally, Rules for true machine guns (belt-feds):
Belt-fed machine guns are the ultimate property protector. They can lay waste to scores of zombies and goblins charging towards your house. As far as ammo is concerned: you will need 10-20k rounds per belt-fed, per caliber, and approximately 4,000 rounds of tracer, and 2,000 rounds of AP.
You will need lots of spare barrels, parts kits, bolts, locking rings, armorer's kit, asbestos glove, head-space timer, and a tripod or 2.
My favorite is the M1919 series. You can have 8mm, .308 (israeli), and 30-06 calibers. Changing from one caliber to another isn't that hard and allows you to cherry pick calibers when the price drops. Get the TM and learn how this gun works.
Example: You own an M1919 and have all three (3) barrels and headspacing kits. You will need lots of extra parts, and approx 30-60k rounds of the various calibers along with the linker/delinker or cloth belts.
You would be surprised to how simple a M1919 is to make. You can make almost any machine gun with a lathe and a drill press. However, with that being said, unless you are a TYPE 7 FFL/SOT Class II, or in possession of a ATF Form 4, you cant have one!
Now, what you can do, (if you are the worrying type) is have a complete M1919 parts set minus the receiver (side plates). If your brother/uncle/etc. collects metal side plates, that say, perhaps, resembles a side plate for the M1919, just make damn sure they are kept far apart (as in zip code/states apart)and not drilled or cut in any way to alleviate the constructive possession or conspiracy charges. Blank receivers and template sideplates are readily available on the Internet, and are NOT firearms until you start to drill/cut them. When you start that process, the balloon had better gone up, or you better be a SOT Class II manufacturer that has an approved Form 1, Form 3, or Form 4! My advice is to obey all NFA/GCA/FOPA laws when messing around with Title 2 firearms.
Miscellaneous:
Tracer/AP:
Don't neglect Tracer ammo or Armor piercing. I load x3 rounds of tracer to the bottom of every AR-15 /M14 magazine to tell me when I am about to need a magazine change. Also, tracers can be your "initiate fire" signal to family members aimed at where you want the fire to concentrate. If you've never been in a firefight, the most prevalent question is "WHERE!?", and the most common phrase is "HOLY S**T!"
If you have any type of 30-06 or .308, try to pick up 100 rounds of black tip Armor penetrating ammo. (Unless you have a .50 BMG...then forget the AP Ammo).
Corrosive Ammo (surplus): Corrosive ammunition have what is called corrosive primers. They will eventually foul up your gun and corrode your barrel. Corrosive ammunition will still funciton and there are still BILLIONS of rounds out there. I use it alot in full autos, but I also have hot, soapy water ready after I shoot. The hot (near boiling) soapy (dawn/Palmolive) will neutralize the crystals in your barrel and chamber. A good oiling IMMEDIATELY after drying your firearm will negate the effects of most corrosion. The reasoning I'm mentioning this is that if the SHTF, the bad guys aren't going to worry if they are getting hit with 50 year old surplus ammo at $0.10/rd vs. modern, expensive hunting ammo.
Reloading:
LEARN TO RELOAD! Stock up on reloading supplies.....hoarding ammo is DAMN expensive, and I've been doing this for fifteen (15) years)!
Accessories:
Don't skimp on accessories. Every handgun should have a holster. Every long gun should have a sling. Every semi-auto should have a magazine holder. I mean, whats the use of having fourteen (14) AR-15 30-round magazines if you cant carry them around? Start going to garage sales and buying black gym bags for storing accessories.
Storage:
If you own more than three (3) nice (>$500 ea) firearms: BUY A DAMN GUN SAFE! I get tired of hearing about breakins with 20 guns missing, or a fire taking out a collection that took 20 years to accumulate.
Insurance:
Most homeowner policies only give you a few thousand dollars for firearms and not for all the accessories/ammo you buy for them.
Get another policy for your guns and accessories!!
Practice: All the crap you have in your closet isn't worth a flip if you don't know how to use it, or don't know how to safely explain it to loved ones.
Silence:
Don't brag/show off your collection. IF the SHTF, you might be a target to extremist or hard-core types seeking to enhance their arsenal. If you suspect the balloon going up, head home ARMED.
Anyways, I've given my 30 mins a day to FR...hope you guys can take something from my ramblings....stay safe!...STAY LEGAL!....STAY FREE!
DCB