SHTF gun whats your ideal gun?

You'll need to work on that flinch.

You do realize all I did was describe a typical ambush by Regulars or Irregulars.
good guys --bullets--> bad guys -->this way to punji stakes/mines/etc

LOL

 

Punji sticks rubbed with garlic and feces...oh yeah baby. Tannerite "mines"...oh I am getting all quivery inside.

 

I've seen the sticks and had the shivers .
Don't think I want to do it again anytime soon.

 

No one wants to do it especially those who have done it before. Unfortunately, someone else will make that choice for us.

 

Hey everyone. This is my first post, I figured I would open by posting on a question that I always find interesting, and love to discuss. I'll throw out the little disclaimer, that this is my opinion; it works for me, but others may prefer a different setup.

I'm assuming a bug out situation, and therefore must try and keep everything relatively light and compact, seeing as it will be carried with the rest of my backpacking/survival gear. Also, hunting is definitely one of the primary purposes; where I'm at, the population is spread out, and people generally keep to themselves. That's one of the things I like about this setup. It all LOOKS politically correct, it's all efficient for hunting, and is still MORE than adequate for self defense. So let me know what you guys think!

For a rifle, I absolutely LOVE the Marlin 1894 in .44 magnum. It is extremely versatile. It's short and compact, fairly light, and packs a punch. I'm out in a rural area, mostly sorrounded by woods. So as long as I'm avoiding the open fields, the odds of having to shoot over 75 yards are slim, and out to 150 yards is unheard of. The lever action allows for fast follow up shots, and the addition of Skinner reciever sights makes getting a sight picture easy as pie.

To compliment the 1894, a Ruger Redhawk in .44 magnum. Unlike the Blackhawk, the Redhawk is double action, and the cylinder swings out. These are definitely features that I want, in case it ever has to be used in a defensive situation. While .44 means difficult follow up shots and a MASSIVE report, especially out of a 5.5" barrel, it allows me to share ammo between my sidearm and rifle. No worries about FTF or FTE, although I suppose timing could be an issue. That's one reason for going with the Ruger over the Smith; in my experiences, Rugers are built like freakin' tanks.

.44 magnum is easy to reload, and you can reload with black powder (which can be made yourself) and cast bullets. 400 rounds of .44 magnum, a brick of 1,000 primers, a bullet mold, and a Lee hand loader, you actually have 1400 rounds. Both the rifle and handgun are capable of taking medium sized game, no problem.

For small game, a Ruger Mk II provides a lightweight, compact solution that will easily take rabbit and squirrel. Also, a 550 round box of federal bulk .22 is about the same size as 2 50-round boxes of the .44 magnum. That's a lot of firepower in a small package, and it'll keep your stew pot full.

Others may have different preferences, but that's what I like. What are your thoughts?

 

I have a ruger super redhawk in 44 mag and love it. Ruger makes some great revolvers

 

For a man it's hard to beat a good pump gun in 12 ga. for CQB along with a 1911 or Glock type auto and a real main battle rifle in .308 along the lines of a M1a while a healthy woman would probably be more comfortable with the same pump gun in 20 ga. followed up by a quality auto in 9mm and maybe a little black battle rifle to round things out. Personally I'd rather keep all the weapons the same but it just ain't a perfect world.

 

Unless you swap things up a wee bit. 12 gauge for both, low recoil rounds for the gals. 9mils loaded to bear with Hydrashoks, and a main battle rifle for the healthy man and woman in 7.62x51. Swap the battle rifles down to a 5.56, and you have a standard CQC load out for the average ground pounder in Afghanistan. Of course those lady soldiers don't want low recoil rounds...

Yes, Johnny you can have your cake, and eat it too!

 

I hear a lot of people who choose 9mm; while it may work for them, these are my reasons for choosing .45 ACP. I'm not trying to hijack the thread and turn it into a 9 vs 45 debate, or say that anyone who chooses 9mm is wrong; I'm just putting my opinion on the matter.

9mm is a formidable round, WITH THE PROPER AMMO. That's where I have a problem. All of the stuff you find, whether it's military issue, or winchester white box, or the hardware store special, is 115 or 124 gr FMJ. These rounds just seem a little weak. No, I wouldn't want to be shot by one. Yes, they are still capable of killing. Most 9mm handguns have low recoil, high capacity, and are cheap to practice with. Great for carry, plinking, competition, and pretty much any other scenario.

However, defense ammo is few and far between; if SHTF, the majority of what's out there will be practice ammo. This is why I like the .45 ACP; the standard load, the cheapest stuff, what everyone uses for practice, is 230 gr hardball. If I'm stuck with fmj, I want that fmj to be .45 ACP.

Hope that didn't put anyone to sleep, and hope that didn't put anyone in a raging fury. I think 9mm is a great round, and if it has a place in your SHTF/BO strategy, go for it. All guns are dangerous, all guns are capable of killing, they all have different advantages and drawbacks. We all weigh those criteria differently, and that's just how I weigh mine.

 

9mm Vs. 45
Why? Read the actual numbers. Make an INFORMED decision. I get more bang for my buck with a 9mm with equal damage. I do load out Hydra Shocks for the extra soft tissue boomage.

Trust me, before the .mil and police swapped out to the 9mm, there were studies done. TONS of studies. I was in the Navy during the transition from .45 to 9mm.

As with anything YMMV. Unless and UNTIL you have shot a human being with BOTH a 9mm and a .45, you personally have ZERO experience to base the choice of 9mm versus .45 other than personal preference. Saying anything else makes you look like a gun bigot. For me, it is raw data numbers coupled with cost and availability, as well as personal experience. Make mine a 9.

​

 

The 9mm vs the 45acp both fought in WWII; where both were proven in combat to be more than adequate using issue "Geneva legal" ammunition. The debate sells magazines; but war has shown either does the job.
Today, the 9 is in fashion simply because everything about the 9 from the cost of one round to the logistics of delivering one million rounds are better than the 45.

AFA lethality, unless one is dealing with one of those rare instances that defy reason; with either caliber it is a bang-bang they drop.

 

I have 3 my Stagg AR-15 with a aimpoint, flashlight and lazer
My Mossberg 590 7rd tube pistol grip
My 1911 Springfield 4.5 inch (The most dependable firearm ever 1911)

5.56x45 is what the military uses so say I run across a downed big brother ammo is mine.
12ga #4 buck (I love it) I use to like 00 still have some but #4 get more bang for the buck.
45ACP speakes for its self wheather ball ammo or hollow point.

 

While I'd agree, real autos start with a .4 and the 12 ga. is a marvel the M1a is IMHO the best MBR ever produced for 6' 200 lb man that wants a rifle that feels in all respects like an MBR and in a perfect world doubling up is the ideal. My reference to the 9 mm and little black rifle was strictly for the "little woman".

 

I spent most of the day reading this whole thread and have come to the conclusion that whatever ya have is what you're most comfortable with is the way to go .
I own a few weapons and have seen most of them named in this thread ,so I'm not going to pick. I picked the way I'm going to protect the family many years ago and have been living that life for many years now even after the kids all grew up and have kids of their own,We had to move about 3 years ago but it was only down the road about 15 miles so I know everybody in the area and I'll just stay here and pick and choose from the gun closet as to what would best for the situation at hand .
No matter what ya have if your life or the life of your family is in danger you're going to use it.

 

While I understand and respect the reasons many people choose 9mm, I'm still going to use a .45acp. You're right, I have no personal experience; I've never shot a person, and hope I never will. While both calibers will kill (and they have), it just makes sense in my mind that a bigger, heavier bullet will do more damage. I'm not sure how much more damage, maybe it's not even enough to justfiy sacraficing the capacity and lighter recoil. But it gives me piece of mind.

@Falcon15:

The article you posted was interesting, with a lot of real world data involved. It seemed that he was trying to dissuade from the rumors of "9mm sucks and .45 is a one hit man stopper." It did an excellent job of that. However, I still believe that the .45 acp offers a stopping power advantage over 9mm, based on the numbers off of the Federal Premium website. I'm not going to say you're wrong, in fact, I'm going to say you're right! You picked what works well for you, what you're sure will work. But I have also picked what works for me, and stated the reasons why.

Sorry to hijack this thread into a 9 vs 45 debate, that was not my intention in the least. I hope that puts it to rest so we can all get back on topic.

 

As a logistics officer, I like common ammo when possible. Therefore, I have a Ruger Vaquero chambered in .45 Colt and...a Marlin 1894 chambered in .45 Colt. I don't treat the Marlin like a sniper rifle, it's a carbine. So I have a short-range (Ruger) and a mid-range (Marlin) with the same ammo. Both work well with cast bullets (Keith SWC), and I can use Power Pistol powder with good results in both.

I'll admit that going this route is accepting "good enough", but the ability to shoot in this way enables me to do more with less. I might one day have less.

Now, if I really want to reach out and touch someone, I will need to reach back to my .308. And I always have my XD .45 close.

 

My goto when I need to cull a riot would be my integral suppressed Ma Deuce.

 

when you really need a gun... my go to is an A-10A... Why bother with the small stuff...

 

That'd make it quick and easy to get to your BOL, too