What to Buy in a SHTF Rifle? (SHTF Edit Added)
Considering that I am mildly inebriated and curious of your opinions because of that alone ([:o)][;)]), let me pose the following circumstances....
I am the proud owner of an amount of firearms that shall be left unsaid. Primarily, they are of a sporting variety and of antique and vintage period. there are a number of exceptions to this "general rule", i.e. a "number" of modern handguns for recreation, duty, SHTF etc, and a "number" of military style long-guns, at "least" one is an AR-15 in .223/5.56.
That being said, I have a bug up my a ss to get another AR style rifle. My dilemma is based mainly on caliber. Understand that I have a "number" of heavy caliber repeating long-guns (Sporting type) that would certainly prove useful in a SHTF scenario.
Should I go for another .223/5.56, or step up to a .308. Replacement parts, ammo cost and availability, parts interchangeability, and magazine cost must be balanced by versatility, range, knockdown power, ammo cost and availability, ease of obtaining replacement parts etc.
Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated and considered..
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Good morning, here is a no longer inebriated, "fuzzy headed" edit on SHTF from my perspective:
Could be anything from a home invasion (crooks or cops) to a local or regional emergency, national emergency, disaster event, political upheaval, civil unrest, Aztlan event, gun ban scenario, foreign invasion, lawless gangs uncontrolled by the police, meteor strike, biblical tribulation etc.....
Basically a "just in case" gun, but NOT one that is going to be cosmolined and buried in the back 40.
[;)]
I am the proud owner of an amount of firearms that shall be left unsaid. Primarily, they are of a sporting variety and of antique and vintage period. there are a number of exceptions to this "general rule", i.e. a "number" of modern handguns for recreation, duty, SHTF etc, and a "number" of military style long-guns, at "least" one is an AR-15 in .223/5.56.
That being said, I have a bug up my a ss to get another AR style rifle. My dilemma is based mainly on caliber. Understand that I have a "number" of heavy caliber repeating long-guns (Sporting type) that would certainly prove useful in a SHTF scenario.
Should I go for another .223/5.56, or step up to a .308. Replacement parts, ammo cost and availability, parts interchangeability, and magazine cost must be balanced by versatility, range, knockdown power, ammo cost and availability, ease of obtaining replacement parts etc.
Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated and considered..
______________________________________________________________
Good morning, here is a no longer inebriated, "fuzzy headed" edit on SHTF from my perspective:
Could be anything from a home invasion (crooks or cops) to a local or regional emergency, national emergency, disaster event, political upheaval, civil unrest, Aztlan event, gun ban scenario, foreign invasion, lawless gangs uncontrolled by the police, meteor strike, biblical tribulation etc.....
Basically a "just in case" gun, but NOT one that is going to be cosmolined and buried in the back 40.
[;)]
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223. Carry more ammo, lighter, chances are the 223 will be more available in the event of something like that.
However, you say you want "another" AR variant. I assume you have one in 223/5.56 already?
In that case I'd step up to the 308.0 -
get a bmg[:D] you will love it 0 -
Yep, if it was me I'd go for the 308. 0 -
I'm never sure what people see as SHTF. It's already hitting it with the southern invasion.
However, if the money runs out for the freebees they are getting, along with a major seaboard power failure of several weeks, I'd recommend a 5.56, a few 20-rounders, and plenty of ammo, two very reliable side-arms [per person], and a 7.62NATO rifle.
Get to know your neighbors and formulate a cohesive plan of protection.
Because the civil structure of crime prevention will be nill. The police will be swamped, between taking care of their own, our troops are overseas, and the NG is stretched pretty thin.
If the sewage plants stop working, it will get nasty. Disease.
Be glad if you live in a rural area, especially a small, relatively self-sufficient town, with controllable entry and egress.
The city folks are screwed unless they can protect themselves [and have the forsight to lay in water and canned goods for a couple of months].0 -
quote:be balanced by versatility, range, knockdown power, ammo cost and availability
Due to your above statement you are outlining a .308, best choice all around, for the ability to obtain replacement parts I would look at a M1A or FAL insted of the AR platform0 -
You can get the Rock River Arms Version of the AR10 308 for about 1100.00 retail and it uses the inexpensive FAL magazines.
Excellent rifles!
I do like What Cubslover said about the AR15 in 223 and ammo though as far as being a rifle that is easy to carry.
The AR10 would be my second choice and would be my choice before the FAL.
How many of you go hunting and carry a rifle all day in the mountains.
I do and havve realized that weight matters more at the end of the day in the field then it does carrying a rifle from the truck to the shooting bench.
Sure its no big chore to carry the Barret rifles from the truck to the shooting bench but try and carry one around in the field all day.0 -
Buy two identical AR-10s.
D.0 -
7.62X39. Get an AK and/or SKS. Tough, reliable, accurate "enough" for duty, wide availability of relatively cheap ammo. What's not to love. 0 -
the way i see it, a SHTF weapon should be more powerful then what is standard issue to SWAT teams and national guard units. the reason is when the the poop truely hits the fan you will see a fractured and likely rogue police force and national guard units, in addition to a hostile public. good examples would be LA Riots in 92 and Katrina and also Waco. 0 -
Get the one you don't already have, or if you have them both, get the one that is less represented in your collection.
I'm not so into thinking about SHTF scenarios, but a friend of mine recently pointed out that if a major foodborne epidemic does shut down the grocery stores, then it will be only the fast or the armed who get to eat meat. And furthermore, if ammo becomes scarce, they will be those with the fire-arms accepting the most number of calibers who will have the advantage.
So by his logic, maximize the number of calibers you can use, and distribute your weapons evenly among those calibers so that you can arm your less-prepared friends.
Again, it's not my way of thinking, but if you are thinking about SHTF scenarios, then this approach makes sense to me.
I'm more inclined to buy the next fun gun. Maybe that makes me stupid, but it's how I work.0 -
Why have just one? 0 -
...no need to buy another, or any gun...just pick up the phone and call a Liberal...they in turn will tell you to call 911.
...They would place the call for you (their caring and sensitive) but with all the hand wringing upon hearing from you about the anarchy...would be unable to dial the phone...[^]
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If you want a real SHTF rifle, then it needs to be fitted with a grenade launcher. I mean, really, you aren't seriously going to go rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat with your rifle, trying to take out 30 or so storm troopers when they've got automatics and tanks. What you need, sir, is a healthy supply of grenades, a launcher, perhaps a mortar gun or two and a bagful of RPG7s. Then, and only then will you have an armament that can protect you when the SHTF.
And, if you want to cause some serious damage, you might want to save your money and purchase a Klingon Class IV disrupter with the optional holographic sighting system. I have a few if you have something interesting to trade.0 -
My idea of a SHTF gun is something that is stored away from everything else and protected from the environment. Something completely reliable and ammo is fairly common for.
This weapon is not for the collection or any other purpose except dire emergency. Something that won't be easily found if there is ever a house to house confiscation.
SKS comes to mind, as does a .22 bolt rifle and/or pistol, a Makarov would also be a good candidate. These can all be had for cheap and fit my requirements perfectly.0 -
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
If you want a real SHTF rifle, then it needs to be fitted with a grenade launcher. I mean, really, you aren't seriously going to go rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat with your rifle, trying to take out 30 or so storm troopers when they've got automatics and tanks. What you need, sir, is a healthy supply of grenades, a launcher, perhaps a mortar gun or two and a bagful of RPG7s. Then, and only then will you have an armament that can protect you when the SHTF.
And, if you want to cause some serious damage, you might want to save your money and purchase a Klingon Class IV disrupter with the optional holographic sighting system. I have a few if you have something interesting to trade.
If there are tanks and 30+ "storm troopers" I would be fading away into the brush. I am not playing in "your" SHTF scenarios, but mine. You sir, are a smart ass.[;)]0 -
In the Army of Arkadian Reparations, we prefer the term "When the balloon goes up". any scuba folks will appreciate this. Anything Military Grade will due as long as some current army carries the ammo. If the Balloon goes up, my goal is to Preserve and Spread the US constitution, creating One Nation, Under God. Otherwise I will continue to Pray for our Country and our leaders. Living as a hermit tossing my pearls to those who will receive them. All the while keeping in mind that God did create us to learn and suffer so that someday we will be strong and smart enough to return to him. War is Hell, therfore Hell is War. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by lt496
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
If you want a real SHTF rifle, then it needs to be fitted with a grenade launcher. I mean, really, you aren't seriously going to go rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat with your rifle, trying to take out 30 or so storm troopers when they've got automatics and tanks. What you need, sir, is a healthy supply of grenades, a launcher, perhaps a mortar gun or two and a bagful of RPG7s. Then, and only then will you have an armament that can protect you when the SHTF.
And, if you want to cause some serious damage, you might want to save your money and purchase a Klingon Class IV disrupter with the optional holographic sighting system. I have a few if you have something interesting to trade.
If there are tanks and 30+ "storm troopers" I would be fading away into the brush. I am not playing in "your" SHTF scenarios, but mine. You sir, are a smart ass.[;)]
Ah, so you prefer the "one-soldier walking by" thing. In that case, a bowie knife would do just fine when the SHTF. As for me, well, I've got the fuel cells to my disruptors charged and 700 pounds of ammo placed in my pockets of various pieces of camoflauge.
One other thing I failed to mention was camoflauge. While I do think that blending into the woods or terrain is a fine idea, a more fruitful and insightful manner would be to obtain a cloaking device of some origin. The major problem, of course, is using your weaponry while your cloaking device is active. But, if you are not seen, it is far more difficult to be shot.
With regard to my being a smartass, well, today you may view me as a smartass. Tomorrow, when the SHTF, you will regard me as a prophethizer. [8D]0 -
Gentleman, this is a good topic. While running the risk of being considered paranoid, I believe it is prudent to consider all future scenarios.
Given the "New Congress," the wife and I are considering the imminent purchase of SHTF hardware. However, while I consider the .223/5.56m cartridge an excellent tool for killing small rodents, I have more faith in the .308 or 7.62x39.
I live in a remote portion of a low-population western state, and it is good to know that my nearest neighbors are also capable of a tactical mindset if there is ever "smoke on the horizon." This sector will be secure.0 -
Since you already have the AR in.223, I would go for the .308 AR-10.The .308 is a great round, and since that is what you seem to want,it will certainly get the job done. I bet a lot of soldiers in Iraq wish they were packing the .308 version. 0 -
Your enemies will be packing pop-guns...223's and 7.62x39's.
Want to stay alive ?
.308, minimum..with 175-180 grain bullets and practice at the furthest range you can access.
Cost a factor ? The FAL parts rifles are still 5-600 bucks..I saw a couple down at the Tulsa show over the weekend..and they will hold every round on a silhouite to 600 yards, generally..spare parts still availible...and the mags are 5-10 bucks.
The AR-10 have lots of problems...and factory help is pretty vague. A buddy has one, been trying to make it shoot twice in a row for a couple years...and is desperately looking for a sucker to buy it...
The FAL handled better then ANY M-14/AR varient...and is easier to work on.
The only down side is tight sling shooting..the sling is on the barrel with the FAl...I intend looking into that one of these days...ought to be a way...0 -
I keep a SKS close at hand in my workshop. 0 -
My idea of a good SHTF weapon is a .300 Win Mag with a 24X scope. That way I can fire and start my reposition before the fired upon even figures out what is going on. Plus a good hardball gun for close in work.
If you want an AR type rifle, go with the .308. I personally like the DMPS in .260 but not many people like that caliber. More velocity at short ranges and better ballistics for the long range.0 -
You've got the caliber. 5.56. You just have to figure out the platform. will it be a variant of the original Stoner rifle or something new and modular. I'd have to go with technology and get the all new, modular M-16 I think FN Herstal here in SC is building. 0 -
Here is another SHTF rifle that I like. Scroll all the way down and watch the vid.
http://www.cobb50.com/mcr.htm0 -
Here is another vid of the Cobb boys toys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXs0KZGmhdo&mode=related&search=0 -
http://www.fnhusa.com/products/firearms/model.asp?fid=FNF013&gid=FNG007&mid=FNM0038
or
http://www.heckler-koch.de/core.php?dat=Y29tcG9uZW50PWFydGljbGVzJmFjdGlvbj1zaG93JnhJRD1wcm9kdWN0QXJ0aWNsZURldGFpbHMmYXJ0aWNsZUlEPTI5MiZjYXRJRD0xMzAyJmxhbmdJRD01JnBhcmVudElEPTcyNCZuYXZpZ2F0aW9uSUQ9NzI4JnVzZUZsYXNoPTE=0
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