Posted on 02/19/2009 1:32:54 PM PST by terabyte
Given the instability of the world today and the very real possibility of worldwide economic collapse, let us accept that every family should own at least one firearm. There are more reasons, of course, and those have been discussed ad nausaeum on more websites than could possibly benamed here. Since our budgets will allow most of us to own only a few (or potentially just one) firearm, we should choose wisely.
The criteria is simple. The firearm must be very simple to operate. Ammunition must be plentiful, even in a scenario in which law enforcement and traditional retail markets have broken down. The firearm must be inexpensive, versatile, and be completely reliable. Each of the four firearms listed below has good marks in each of those five categories. There are too many excellent firearms on the market to compromise on any of those criteria.
1. The first firearm in any home should be the American standby, the twelve-gauge pump shotgun. There are numerous makes and models on the market, but the best is the venerable Remington 870. With easy-to-change barrels, it can switch duty from defending the home to putting food on the table in less than a minute. With the ability to fire a wide variety of birdshot, buckshot, and slugs, it can handle hunting duties from all but the smallest of small game up to deer-sized animals. Its stopping power is legendary. There is very little this shotgun cannot do. Buy one inexpensive 870 for around $250, and then simply purchase an extra barrel or two for the ultimate in versatility.
2. The second firearm in a home should be a high-quality pistol. The pistol should be in a caliber no smaller than 9mm Parabellum. Anything smaller than that is simply ineffective for anything other than target practice.
(Excerpt) Read more at associatedcontent.com ...
Ruger M77 7mm Remington Magnum with Nikon scope
Remington 870 Express Magnum 12G with fully rifled barrel
New Haven 20G bolt action (for the wife and kids)
.50 Kentucky long rifle (flint)
.50 Hawken (percussion)
Taurus Judge .45 LC/.410 (6” barrel, 3” cylinder)
Guess I need to update my collection.
And aftermarket parts galore.
Got my Romanian for $329 two years ago. They’ve gone up a lot since!
I was always partial to my Browning HP Practical .40 S&W
I wish I could afford one. But then again, the depleted Uranium rounds might be hard to come by to fend off those pesky APC's
The article needs to be updated. Glock 17's are going for $500 (not $350), if you can find any Glock in 9mm. It seems that 40S&W Glocks are easier to find and one can buy an after market Lone Wolf 40/9 conversion barrel. (Of course you'll need 9mm mags).
The AK47's are not <$400. They, too, have suffered price increases due to demand. I've seen them $>600 for the standard wood stock models. You'll pay more for the tricked out models. The biggest strike against the AK47 at this point is the unavailability of ammo. Can you believe it? What used to be plentiful is now hard to get. In contrast 5.56NATO to fuel an AR15 is easier to find. AR15's are $1000-1100. And I do not find them difficult to use in contrast to an AK47.
If one finds an AR15 too difficult to operate, get some training or use the 10/22 or (better) a Marlin bolt in 22lr which is even easier to use.
Amateur wrote this article.
I love the look, feel, and accuracy of my Marlin .22, but I have problems with cycling every time I shoot it unless I take it completely apart and spend an hour cleaning it. I finally bought a Ruger .22 and love that I don't have the maintenance on it that I have with the Marlin. It really brightens my day when I can shoot all day without a stovepipe or other cycling error. Just my .22 cents.
1) .308/7.62NATO and .223/5.56NATO ammunition are currently manufactured, in large quantity, in the United States.
2) 7.62x39 and 7.62x54R ammunition are not currently manufactured, in large quantity, in the United States.
Plan accordingly.
I guess it’s the area you live in. In an urban setting your collection would work. In the PNW, not so much. A 30-30 blasts through any brush in your way. I can handle maybe four or five shots before my shoulder falls off. My dad is looking into some good butt plate pads to put on it - but then it might make it too long ....
It does not meet the stated requirements. It's not inexpensive. It's not versatile. And ammo is both expensive and hard to find.
The 50BMG has few peers in its primary role (HTI), unless you move into NFA territory.
some states require you to have a liscense just to carry a gun concealed or other wise... I belive wisconsin is one of them.
How’s about these for tha end of civilization arms:
A reproduction Remington New Army Model (cal 0.44).
Any black powder long rifle; I have an Itilian made Remington “Zouave.” 0.57
I have a good supply of ammo including reproduction Minie balls plus Pyrodex and black powder. I do wonder what the shelf life is for caps.
Cool, I pretty much have this assortment, except a 30.06 replaces the AK-47.
I’d say a .22 would be the best rifle for putting food on the table because:
1. You can easily get large amounts of inexpensive ammo for it.
2. It’s perfect for killing squirrels, rabbits and birds. Those critters will always be in abundance.
I heard on talk radio this morning, a conservative candidate for our county executive position, who related this story. The topic was the shortage of deputies for the rural portions of our county.
She was at a community meeting, and had a guy tell her this story of what happened to him recently. The guy said a thug broke into his home at night. The homeowner HID IN THE CLOSET and CALLED 911. (OK right there, that’s not a plan). The homeowner said to the candidate, that he was in the closet hiding, while on the phone with 911, and waited a full half an hour before a deputy showed up. Then the candidate said where this happened, it was within 3 miles of my farm house.
I am appalled that any man, or woman for that matter, would hide in a closet, on 911, crapping their pants, while a thug robbed his or her home. Yes, most people are panty wastes like that. We are not. How pathetic that he would cower like a whipped dog while someone took his property and potentially could have taken his life.
I relayed this story to my husband who agreed there is a woeful lack of police coverage here. That is exactly why, after I called police two times many years ago, for separate suspicious activity incidents near my house, and had to wait 30 minutes and then 45 for a deputy...why I learned to take care of myself 10 years ago.
As a previous poster said, it is remarkable that so many are becoming first time buyers (that is great) and others are adding to the collections and stockpiling ammo. This is different than when Clinton was in office. This is a whole new level of evil we are dealing with. Gird your loins.
1. Kimber TLE .45
Ruger P89 9mm
2. Mossberg Persuader 12 guage
3. Ak-47 Assault rifle (yes...I believe every home should have one.) Currently pricing and reading up on my AR-15
4. Mosin Nagant 91/30 (for that long range, reach out and plug someone ability.
Reading these posts I was thinking the same thing.
So, I read 76 posts so far, and nobody mentioned Mossberg 835, or Ruger St St Mini-30. Now I’m worried about my purchases.
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