Four Firearms Every Family Should Own: When the World Comes Crashing Down, Protect You and Yours

Associated Content ^ | 10/10/2008 | Loran Montgomery

[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.

[EricT.]

Try the Wal-Mart in Hermitage.

Even better, go to the Reloader’s Bench in Mt. Juliet. Take the Mt. Juliet exit from 40 and go north about a 1/4 mile on the right. Don’t forget to stop into the BigBadWolf next door for some yummy grub.

[Joe 6-pack]

While not technically a "firearm", on should not overlook a quality pneumatic spring piston or pump pellet rifle/pistol. Ammo is still wayyyyy cheap and portable, and the propellant is free. In an urban or suburban setting one can silently harvest foodstuffs up to rabbit size without broadcasting the fact that you're armed, and save the brass and powder rounds for more serious work. In a breakdown of sanitation services, they can also be invaluable for pest control.

[ronnyquest]

I’ve heard the Mini-30 is a great firearm.

[bill49920]

1) Ruger GP 100 357
2) and for the knock down 454 casull Raging Bull
3) Colt AR match hbar
4) several variations of 12,20 and 410 shotguns
5) and the reach out and touch Rem 700 .338 ultra mag
6) many 22 rifle and pistols

[cowboyway]

I don't have to but I have a Savage Scout bolt rifle in .308. I figure having both in .308 means I could just stock up on one type of ammo.

There is something to be said for standardizing. My three main calibers are 223, 308 and 45 ACP and I have several firearms that will cycle each.

However, because I'm a 'gun nut' I'm currently supporting 11 other calibers and two gauges of smoothbore. They are in popular, easy to find calibers such as 30-06, 270, 7mm Rem Mag, etc.

[Skenderbej]

The AR is not more difficult to use than the AK, but it does have more buttons that can confuse an inexperienced user. The AK has a lever that is the safety and is located at the bolt. Push the lever, cock the bolt, then fire. Lever up for safety and magazine release at the magazine. That’s it.

The AR on the other hand has the bolt on top of the gun, the safety on the left hand thumb, and the mag release in front of that. I take both my AK and AR shooting when I go with my friends. I have never had to show how to operate the AK more than one time, but the AR always invokes more questions and blank stares when people are trying to figure out which switch does what. No doubt it is an easy gun to operate, but its design is not quite as simple as the AK.

In addition, I occasionally have problems with my AR jamming, but I don’t have problems with my much cheaper and much lower quality AK (probably because everything is so dang loose on that gun). There is no doubt though that the AR is a much tighter and better quality gun and the availability of ammo is better than 7.62x39. I’ve been waiting for 3 months now for my bulk order for my AK.

[Richard Kimball]

Anybody who lives in the country knows that the only place you'll find a cop is hunkered down on the side of the road trying to catch somebody going four miles over the limit or failing to come to a complete stop before making a right hand turn. Small town cops exist for one reason: to give out of towners tickets to fund city government. That's it. And I've lived in small towns and known a lot of small town cops, guys I know and like.

It's not their fault, but when there's one guy covering a territory that takes an hour to cover, you functionally have no police protection.

[Ghengis]

I have everything he mentions, plus a couple. I like a handgun and carbine combo in the same caliber as well. I am very fond of a .44 mag lever / revolver combo with a .357 lever / revolver combo coming in a close second. You can also get semi-auto carbine and pistol combos in 9mm or .45 ACP at not too crazy prices.

Also, on the author favoring the AK-47. I have a friend who tests firearms and is well published here in the states. He has convinced me that a Chinese SKS rates higher for versatility than the AK.

[KrisKrinkle]

“When the SHTF ...”

When the SHTF I’m going to miss the Internet.

[Blueflag]

Go to a Bass Pro Shop. Plenty of ammo.

Better buyers?

[RandallFlagg]

Bookmarking

[nonsporting]

I find the AR controls right where they ought to be. One does not have to remove the right hand from the weapon to operate the selector or push the mag release button.

The AK safety, if used, cannot be released with the right hand unless it is removed from the pistol grip. Reloading is slightly more difficult and slower, but an accomplished operator can get the job done quickly.

The AK's greatest drawback is that the bolt/bolt carrier does not lock back on an empty mag. The loudest sound in the a gunfight is "click" on an empty chamber.

[Doohickey]

Terrible article. Recommending against a revolver because it takes practice to reload? Puh-leez. Any firearm requires practice. Autos require practice to clean. Anyone’s first sidearm should be a revolver - simple to operate and fewer moving parts. Not to mention less chance of leaving brass lying around for The One’s minions to find. And you won’t find many handguns more versatile than revolver in .357 Magnum.

[bobby.223]

that is good to hear Zed. I have come across more then a few over the long years that have considered the tremendous responsibility of carrying a handgun about as important as buying themselves new t-shirts. no thought, no plan, no training whatsoever etc. just hard to believe but I have seen it to many damn times. stay safe!

[SonOfDarkSkies]

Thx!

[PilotDave]

I just helped my mother through this process. We were at the shot show where she could handle them all. She found that the .32 Tomcat Berretta with laser sights was great for her. Just be sure to use full metal jacket ammo for max penetration. She didn’t have the finger strength for any double action. Tomcat was nice because you can pull hammer back and then engage safety. Then all you have to do to use is safety off, nice light single action trigger. Before all you .45 freaks go crazy, remember, this is for a grandmother here...

[mojitojoe]

Check check, check, check. x5

[Doohickey]

The first rifle I shot as a 9 year old was my grandfather’s Marlin 60. I bought my my daughter a Marlin 60 for Christmas this past year.

[mojitojoe]

he doesn’t even mention wheelguns

I agree, that should be on the list. They are practically foolproof.

[acoulterfan]

That is very helpful, thanks. I have handled guns before that were empty and tried to pull the trigger and it was difficult. I have good index finger strength still. My arthritis is on the sides of my thumbs.