"REALESTIC" ONE firearm choice for long term SHTF reality.

[rice paddy daddy]

For a TEOTWAWKI long gun I would choose an AK.
Built like a Mack truck, will be working long after most other rifles have turned to junk.
The cartridge is capable of putting meat on the table and more than capable of self defense against humans.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Not sure why I'd ever only have one firearm. I've got enough ammo for every gun I own to last a couple lifetimes. And enough reloading components for another lifetime.

 

[Sourdough]

Not sure why I'd ever only have one firearm. I've got enough ammo for every gun I own to last a couple lifetimes. And enough reloading components for another lifetime.

How many firearms can you carry, "PLUS" a 5 gallon jug of water in each hand. Let state the purpose of the thread differently than I have.

What ONE firearm would someone expect to carry/use the most in a long term SHTF. Said differently the one used the most hours per day while doing physical work..?? I can't haul a square of shingles up a ladder two stories and install then packing a long firearm.

Mountain Trapper "SORRY" I was not attacking you. I think you and I live roughly the same lifestyle. I pack a handgun outside the cabin, return to the cabin for the .375 H&H if needed.

 

[Biggkidd]

How many firearms can you carry, "PLUS" a 5 gallon jug of water in each hand. Let state the purpose of the thread differently than I have.

What ONE firearm would someone expect to carry/use the most in a long term SHTF. Said differently the one used the most hours per day while doing physical work..?? I can't haul a square of shingles up a ladder two stories and install then packing a long firearm.

Mountain Trapper "SORRY" I was not attacking you. I think you and I live roughly the same lifestyle. I pack a handgun outside the cabin, return to the cabin for the .375 H&H if needed.

More than likely I'll stick to the same old 1911's I've been carrying for many years. I hardly even know it's there anymore. Yet without it I walk crooked / out of balance! I do every job with it in place EXCEPT underwater or in the deep mud. I say 1911's because I have two I switch between sometimes for various reasons. One has a laser sight and is maybe 0.5% more accurate than the other which holds another 7 rounds.....

 

[SoJer]

Realistic not fantasy. If we are talking years, not days or few weeks...

I have Long maintained that if I could ONLY (and I mean the 'Real World ONLY' - not the TV or movies 'only'.. have ONE Rifle / Cal.. it would be the .45-70...

Rationales: PLENTY of 'near-field Punch', and since I have 'proven to Myself' that the round definitely has Value out to 800 yds (or Further! ) even though, Sure - ya gotta 'lob the heck out of it', but.. Plenty of penetration-power, even that far out..

...Easier to reload a straight-wall, and a Nice, easy 'pill' to mold / shape.. Likely more 'forgiving' with a rougher / cruder 'DIY powder', as well.. (once all the 'Commercial' smokeless runs out, etc..) And, easier to work on / repair / less 'core-critical parts' (say, vs an AR-platform Whatever..) and nothing to lose or 'Additionally-break' / go-wrong (like Mags, etc..)

Sure, 'not a lot of Capacity' (vs, say, a 30 rd Mag, etc) but.. That's why ya Buy 2x - have one getting re-stuffed, Whilst Yer takin down [whatever].. And a Second rifle Also serves as a 'backup unit'..

YMMV and all, but.. That's One Rifle I'd have No hesitation 'betting my Life on'..

jd

 

[Bacpacker]

What brand is the 45-70 SoJer? Nice lookin rifle

 

[Haertig]

How many firearms can you carry, "PLUS" a 5 gallon jug of water in each hand.

If I were worried enough that I felt a strong need to carry a firearm in the first place, I would not have BOTH of my hands full carrying water jugs.

But, for the sake of playing along, if I WERE to be carrying two water jugs in a dangerous environment, then I would have my wife carrying the gun as she walked along beside me. I think she would prefer an AR15 in this scenario.

Chances are that's not the answer you wanted either. So I guess I will have to go with, "I'd carry a full size Glock 9mm in a OWB holster if I were alone post-SHTF and carrying two 5 gallon water jugs for whatever reason (probably to give myself a heart attack)".

 

[Mountain trapper]

How many firearms can you carry, "PLUS" a 5 gallon jug of water in each hand. Let state the purpose of the thread differently than I have.

What ONE firearm would someone expect to carry/use the most in a long term SHTF. Said differently the one used the most hours per day while doing physical work..?? I can't haul a square of shingles up a ladder two stories and install then packing a long firearm.

Mountain Trapper "SORRY" I was not attacking you. I think you and I live roughly the same lifestyle. I pack a handgun outside the cabin, return to the cabin for the .375 H&H if needed.

I guess if I had to leave the ranch for some reason, and could only take one firearm, it would probably be my Winchester 1894 Trapper in .357 mag. It has a 16" barrel so it's compact and easy to carry. It'll take down a deer, elk or black bear, if necessary. I have a Ruger single action Blackhawk also in .357 mag to go along with the Winchester. It has a 9mm cylinder for even more versatility.

 

[backlash]

I don't think i'd be comfortable with one firearm , but if I had to it would be my CZ452 .22LR

Very nice.
I really enjoy shooting my CZ452. One hole groups at 25 yards all day long.

 

[Sourdough]

Chances are that's not the answer you wanted either.

There is no special answer I want to hear. My point is that most see their AR or AK as their most useful firearm in a SHTF living environment.

I don't that. Largely because I have been living a near SHTF wilderness lifestyle for five decades.

 

[Sourdough]

I have six CZ rifles all 22 Long rifle or 22 Magnum. Love them.

Very nice.
I really enjoy shooting my CZ452. One hole groups at 25 yards all day long.

 

[Hardcalibres]

There is no special answer I want to hear. My point is that most see their AR or AK as their most useful firearm in a SHTF living environment.

I don't that. Largely because I have been living a near SHTF wilderness lifestyle for five decades.

......sounds situational.......

 

[Haertig]

I don't that. Largely because I have been living a near SHTF wilderness lifestyle for five decades.

What is best in the wilderness is not necessarily best in urban/suburban. And there are very few people who actually live in the wilderness. Very few.

 

[elkhound]

Doing chores people just wont be carrying a long gun for long or for very many trips/times till they give up for lighter option.

Tending garden trying to feed yourself you cant hold a rifle and operate a hoe.Its reason i done edit on one of my posts saying 22lr semi auto pistol on the hip.Weight even there will be an issue over the long haul. One reason i have a gun rack on my tractor roll bar....lol

 

[SoJer]

What brand is the 45-70 SoJer? Nice lookin rifle

Thanks, that is a 'SoJer-customized' (the wood forestock..) Henry 'X'... Out of the box, it looks like:

..but I wanted Some way to 'fatten-up' the grip for my Grrls. so I got a 'replacement' forestock that's used on our .50 cal 'PCP's (ie: 50 Cal DC ) and I took a router / 2" bit to it / heat-set a 'Pem-nut' into the X-stock, and some Other 'custom touches', and made it a 'One of a Mine'. Love it, such a good shooter..

jd

 

[Bacpacker]

Very nice. I was just looking at a Henry 45-70 yesterday. I like the Marlin as well

 

[Hardcalibres]

There is no special answer I want to hear. My point is that most see their AR or AK as their most useful firearm in a SHTF living environment.

I don't that. Largely because I have been living a near SHTF wilderness lifestyle for five decades.

In the military, the sort of gun you are talking about is called a PDW (Personal Defense Weapon). They are not intended to be used in deliberate gun fights but more to defend yourself against a close to medium range immediate threat.

The PDWs that would work best for your situation are those that have a good power to weight/size ratio.

Those would be:
H&K G3K
H&K 51 or 53
H&K MP5/10
Mk18
AK Krink

The above are all military issue or perhaps Class 3 NFA options

In the retail world, there are options like this (20 inches long and 5.7 lbs):

https://danieldefense.com/ddm4-pdw.html

 

[Sourdough]

......sounds situational.......

Yes, which in a large part, is my point. I suspect my current lifestyle is closer to living a barbaric & precarious reality then anyone on this forum. Closer to the worse imagining of those preparing for long-term SHTF survival.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Very nice. I was just looking at a Henry 45-70 yesterday. I like the Marlin as well

I've got a Marlin 45-70 lever action. And an original Sharp's trapdoor saddle ring carbine in 45-70.

 

[Bacpacker]

Those Sharps are really nice

 

[Mountain trapper]

Along with the Sharp's I also have a Springfield trapdoor carbine in 50-70 caliber.

 

[Biggkidd]

There is no special answer I want to hear. My point is that most see their AR or AK as their most useful firearm in a SHTF living environment.

I don't that. Largely because I have been living a near SHTF wilderness lifestyle for five decades.

While my situation is far different to yours I have been living off grid two miles from anyone for 15 years. While not as wild as Alaska I have faced off with a 700lbs black bear mere feet from my front door. We often have bear deer and many other kinds of wild life within fifty feet of the house and sometimes in it when the door has been left open! The only thing that really bothers me is the baby copperhead & timber rattler snakes. Either one will kill a man and so small IE the size of a pencil.
I often go several weeks without seeing another human.

 

[backlash]

I failed to communicate what I wanted to communicate in this thread. O'well that's life.

I don't think you failed at all.
Your question was pretty clear but like most conversations it morphed into something completely different.
I will answer your original scenario again, a 12 GA double barrel would be my pick.

 

[Magus]

Can I use something customized and currently illegal?
My Super Red-hawk with an added shoulder stock and scope.

 

[ssonb]

Hey sour, I think I see what your pokin at.
Years and years......
A quality made flint lock 62cal smooth bore.
You can scrounge for material for projectile.
You can make yer on powder.
You can knap yer own primer.
And right now there are manufacturers who make um with stainless barrel.

 

[elkhound]

Hey sour, I think I see what your pokin at.
Years and years......
A quality made flint lock 62cal smooth bore.
You can scrounge for material for projectile.
You can make yer on powder.
You can knap yer own primer.
And right now there are manufacturers who make um with stainless barrel.

link please to this portion

 

[Mountain trapper]

I just found out that there's a Cabelas not far from our hotel. I think I'll go there this morning and see if there's one more gun that I need.

 

[FarmOR]

In these parts, A good bolt action 270 would garner top honors. Accurate. Common. And versatile.

 

[Mountain trapper]

In these parts, A good bolt action 270 would garner top honors. Accurate. Common. And versatile.

Got one. Ruger Model 77, with a nice Zeiss scope.

 

[ssonb]

I do not own a stainless bbl flint lock a few years ago I held one, your question had me a thinkin , well who does make um now???? It seems that now someone will have to have a barrel maker machine one for your stock.