I'm no expert, but it seems to me that whatever weapon(s) you have, you need to be able to use them well, and you need ammunition that you can carry. It's lovely to have a .50 caliber, but you can't carry much, and the chances are good that you'll never need that much fire power.

I'm assuming that you'd be using your weapons for both self defense and for hunting food. I am skeptical about carrying more than one weapon at a time - or at least, not more than one rifle. It's certainly possible, but I just can't see walking around with a low- to medium-caliber rifle for game, as well as, say, an AK-47. So, for my use, I'd probably go with a relatively small-caliber rifle for hunting. I'm assuming most of the game will be relatively small, so I don't want to vaporize it.

If I ran into bad guys, I'd hope to be able to discourage or neutralize them with accurate shooting, rather than trying to go full-automatic and hose them all down. Aside from that being ineffective, I'm thinking I'd need to be as sparing as possible with ammo. No telling how long I'll need to preserve it, so the less I waste the better.

Aside from that, I've only got experience with rifles and shotguns. I've never fired an automatic, never practiced. I don't think I'd want to try to learn as I go.

I could see carrying a handgun as well, but it doesn't seem that it would be all that useful. I would hope that I wouldn't let a threat get so close to me that a handgun would be effective. It seems to me that a handgun would be like a last resort, if you've used all your ammo and someone gets in close to you. But in that case, they'd probably already have taken you out from a distance.

Another consideration is that right now I live in Chicago, where you can't own a handgun without a special permit. I could buy rifles and shotguns, but no handguns. So, at least until I move out of this area, I'm limited in what I can legally buy. I want to stay as legal as possible, simply because prison won't be a good place to be, when TSHTF. Come to think of it, there won't be very many good places to be, when TSHTF...

This site is awesome. Keep the info coming. Some is over my head, but it lets me know what I need to learn.

I believe just about every scenario I can imagine has been touched on here.

It's time to limber up my rusty skills with some practice.

Originally posted by Paroxysm
I picked myself up one of these Kel-Tec SU-16C's, for close to half the price of a new AR-15:

I would be interested to know your thoughts once you've taken it
out to the range. It looks like they made some serious upgrades
in the C model and it might even be in my price range. I love the
idea that you can still shoot it with the stock folded up.

I don't carry an axe, bowie or machete for several reasons:
weight - they're all relatively heavy
size - anything that big will interfere with movement
noise - The sound of chopping woods travels for miles. A small
folding saw is very quiet and will do the same job except for
fighting of course. You can split wood with any good fixed
blade knife and a wooden baton or a rock if you dont mind
scraping up the back of your blade.

One final thing Semper, perhaps you could write a thread on
body armor, I don't think that's been covered on ATS. I'm
really digging this thread it's one of my favorite subjects.

I'm not sure if this is the right area to post this question but I am interested in a car holster for a S&W 38 Special. I am more interested in a holster that can be removed. Any ideas?
Thanks

i used to just clip my belt clip holster under my seat but that was dumb.
i would do what my pal the auto restorer did - press 2 buttons on his cd player and out pops a hidden compartment under his ashtray with his .380 sig ready to go.

My apology, I know what I'm thinking My thoughts are of a bracket that can be mounted under dash, in front of the seat, on the console, etc. The holster would then be slid into the bracket while traveling but can then be removed when you leave the vehicle.
Thanks

You really have to asses the situation first.
I like to plan for the worst, and hope for the best. Therefore, a 22lr for small game and ability to carry many hundreds of rounds in a bug out is essential.
Both the rifles and ammo are inexpensive, just pick a semi-auto model that fits your preference as to weight and accuracy.
For larger game and protection, a 7.62 of your choice would be my recommendation. First, they are inexpensive---you can pick up a used Saiga for a hundred bucks, second, the ammo is worldwide and used by many militaries.
Stockpiles are everywhere, and even if the worst case happens, someone will have the ammo for trade.
Something that might get pricey for your hunting rounds---if any are available.
Same with a handgun---the 45 acp used to be everywhere, but the 9mm has overtaken it in terms of ammo availability.

For a test, try to find your particular ammo this week in a store.
Now imagine trying to find it when there are no stores.
With the fear and stockpiling, many calibers are on back order---but the 9mm and 7.62 are usually available, even if at 5 times the price of last year, and as they are so popular, many manufacturers of those rounds have expanded production.
If there is a break in the buying of these for a few weeks, there will be a glut on the market.

Just having a weapon is great.

I prefer or have or wish I had...

ar-15...for self defence

30-06...for hunting larger game

10/22...for smaller game

ak47....for more self defence

.45acp...for a pistol

44 mag...for a back up pistol

With atleast 1000-10,000 rounds for each semi auto and 500-1000 rounds for the single shot or bolt action weapon.

There are others that I would like or may have.
However the internet in no place to brag about your weapons now a days.

So with that being said, I only have rubberbands and coconut shells to repel the nasty bad guys with.

Seriously just have a good weapon and know how to use it, if you have a weapon and it breaks how will you fix it in a SHTF???

Know your weapon(s) and your abilities with it/them.

Spare parts kits and how to detail dissassemble and fix if need be with what ever is available to you.

I really need to get to the store and make a purchase of at least a bb/pellet gun.

Great tread and SEMPER FI/BROTHER.

Only hits count.....Hog Wash.

Your not gonna take out everyone....

What if your moving through THEIR area and you just want to get by and not storm the castle so to speak, because you are just going to your castle in the wilderness.

They could be a source of help later since they are like minded...right?

What happens if you only need to cover your movement from concealment to cover?

You do know the differance right?