I was talking with my father in law the other day and we were discussion how he has certain arms and so do and why he spends crazy money on arms, I tend to have less arms and more ammo. He says guns never lose value true on most good firearms. I said well ammo never ever gets cheaper no matter what kinda ammo you buy it want ever drop in price later one. Then we talked about well if your bugging out and not staying put you can't take a dozen guns and 800lbs of ammo with you easily I agreed. We had along discussion about reliable guns vs cool guns to have an so on. I didn't put this in the firearms section cause it kinda is a Guns and SHTF question discussion. So when stocking up and such what is your key thought more guns or more ammo and why?
When I was young I overbought on guns, never had enough ammo to shoot a lot because I had blown my wad on hardware. Then with maturity I cut my inventory of guns, took the money from that and stocked up on ammo for what I had left in the way of guns. I think a reliable gun should have an ample supply of ammo to feed it. Also if SHTF, ammo might become a form of currency, of course you would have to be careful who you traded with, as they might turn around and use it on you.
I let the mission dictate. I have (at the bottom of the lake) a selection of arms to pick from, needs dependent. I try to keep 5 or 6 ammo loadouts around for each. If I have to carry it -- Other than that, hardware is not only mission critical, it can be fun, so have enough fodder for a good, long, time of practice, both with the mission weapons and the fun ones that will not be carried. Use and replace. Keep a minimum for loadout on the mission.
Ammo. I do not collect weapons. Yes I know they never lose value but I do not see my guns as investments. I see them as tools or protection.
Guns - one AR per person, plus one or two spares depending on the size of the group. Shotguns as needed, and one or two long range bolties. Pistols have limited usefulness, IMO, outside of concealed carry. Note that a round of 9mm weighs about the same as 5.56. I'd rather carry the weight of a pistol and it's ammo in 5.56. Don't forget spare parts and tools to keep your guns working. Ammo - the amount depends what you are preparing for. As a rule of thumb, 1 to 2 thousand per AR/AK, 200 per boltie, a bit more per shotgun. You can't have too much ammo. Don't forget reloading equipment and supplies. Also extra mags.
At a minimum, I think one needs a good (emphasis on 'good') AR type rifle in perfect working order and the same in a high-capacity magazine handgun for each member of the family. The calibers should be the same, for example 5.56 and 9mm, no mix and match. And, possibly 1 each pump tactical 12 gauge. Anything beyond that is a bonus that can be used or traded if necessary. I don't believe in lots of guns...but I do like lots of ammo because without it the guns are worthless...extra ammo can always be buried.
Five identical ARs (down to the slings), 3 12's, a 243 bolt, 2 9mm and various 22's. Looking for a Rem 700 26". Have not decided on caliber. Suggestions?
308 if you can reload. A little more KE than a 556/223. I have a Rem700 Varmit STS with a 26 barrel that has anew stock and a Viper PST 6x24x50 FFP MILDOT Need to ge tthe time to shoot it more with a load I work up for accuracy.
Actually, I did! I managed to get about 3 magazines through it before the Range Officer noticed I was using 'green tip' rounds (light-armor piercing) and told me that wasn't allow. It was at a State Park range but I still don't know why because one is shooting into 10-15 feet thick berms. I can't think of any reason except PC but I didn't argue with him and went and shot the handgun. I did purchase a slick VTAC-MK2 sling for it. I need a decent scope or maybe a red-dot but not going to worry about it too much right now...my second one will definitely be a piston gun, actually, I want one for me and one for the wife but we'll see.
I know I am the outsider on some of this in my mind I want simple and reliable, I tend to think at first SHTF trading and such will be very limited as well as people wanting give up parts. Just like 22LR is getting better, in 2013 people were willing to pay 80.00 for just one box of 500 and even then no one would part it was pretty crazy. I have so called black guns but one I prep prepare to use most is the SKS. Ugly, yes simple sturdy and easy to disassemble yes and few moving parts. No mags required and the ammo is cheap right now for the taking. I realize people say yes but there is way more 223 to trade for, and thats what I do not want to do is rely on others for resources. For me this is my setup. I do not think the AK-47's that I do like to shoot would be as practical for me, also the sks is easy prone use no mags to worry about breaking or needed. I am pretty fast with stripper clips too. Have about 500 of those. My sks are also easily adapted for the extended mags and have bolts shaved to accommodate safely. I want to have ammo to shoot not wall trophies so is why I have less firepower and go with more ammo.
A primary firearm- AR, 12 ga. shotie, primary pistol (.40 cal.) and a back-up pistol (9MM)... standard per person issue. Other than that a few others for GP... a long gun (or more), 10-22 (small game) , and some AK/SKS rifles (for new team members), I also have some hi-points in 9MM and .45 for barter or extended team members......and a shit lot of ammo. I profess to never wanting all my eggs in one basket... so I have hid several of them in the nearby lake. As @3M-TA3 said, never forget about common spare parts and mag's!!!!
More ammo, more guns? I guess my answer would be "yes".... Spare parts, armor's manuals, variety of calibers and gauges, semi-auto, pump, lever and bolt action, smoke-poles... enough ammo to weigh a car down to the bump stops... One of these days I might buy one
Ammo works in percentages in my mind. Primary battle rifle... 10K.... 12 ga. Shotie, at least 500 of various loads, pistol 500 per caliber, 10-22.. a million rounds and so on for the others. A 1,000 rounds per team weapon....
I would like to have three of everything, everything being 5.56X45/.223 chambered semi-auto rifle, .308/7.62X51 bolt gun, 9MM pistol and carbine, .45ACP pistol and 12 gauge semi-auto or pump combat shotty, .22LR rifle of any platform... So my ammunition stores are 5.56/.223, 7.62/.308, 9MM Luger, .45 ACP, 12 gauge 00 & #4 shot and .22LR. Granted, when I'm out of .45 ACP bullets, large pistol primers and suitable powder, there will be little to none to scrounge, but as long as Law Enforcement and the military embraces the 9MM, 5.56X45 and 7.62X51 there should be ammo around somewhere. But what I wouldn't give for this...
9MM, .40, .45, .270,.308, 5.56, 7.62X39,12 ga. OO, slug and bird shot...... I call that a good start.
Is trading with something that can later be used to kill you such a good idea? If you want something to trade with stock up on food, water, silver, booze, pills, fuel, batteries. In Afghanistan as you get further away from base the most valuable thing for trade is bottles of water.
Not being a rich feller, I had to put my love for collectible firearms on the back burner and now concentrate on "useful", "modern" firearms, ammo, accessories, reloading components and equipment, etc. These days those stacks, while never complete, are at least acceptable, so I've been able to indulge in looking at fine old vintage/collectible stuff again.