"SHTF" Rifle?

**Newhouse** · 05-22-2009, 10:55 PM

Well, If I dont need to go anywhere I've plenty of guns in the house that cover every end of the firearms spectrum, so I'm pretty much covered there.

If I need to be mobile though I would carry my .357, which will shoot .38 S&W, .38 special, .357 Mag, and 9mm (with half moons) so ammo availability wouldn't really be an issue and I would also take my NEF handi-Rifle in .243, its small, light, and the synthetic stock makes it durable. .243 is pretty common and accurate enough to hit and kill anything I'd be shooting at.

But really I guess it would all depend on the situation, if they're fighting in the streets I'd probably want my Garand for obvious reasons, if its a disaster situation and theres just some shady activity going on all I'd probably take is the .357 or possibly a shotgun with 00 buck.

Which brings me to another thought, why not a shotgun with a slug barrel, you can shoot bird, buck , and ball, and have the ability to kill pretty much anything, accuracy might be the only issue but lets face it most people aren't 800 yard shooters hell most people aren't even 250 yard shooters. Plus 12 Ga. ammo is everywhere.

Im buying my dad a breakdown .22 for his SHTF rifle. Im thinking the U.S Survival by Henry.

I think this would be a pretty good choice too. .22 ammo is everywhere, its accurate enough, recoil is light, and can kill squirrels to people. Now I know its not the best choice as a man stopper but I know I wouldnt want to get shot with one. plus the AR-7 has the ability to break down into the stock making it very compact and easy to carry or store and it floats, which would be handy in a hurricane/flood situation.

**Syme** · 05-23-2009, 12:16 AM

What kind of .357 do you have that can take both rimmed revolver ammo and 9mm on half-moons without any modification?

**fm2176** · 05-23-2009, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by piranhas

Im buying my dad a breakdown .22 for his SHTF rifle. Im thinking the U.S Survival by Henry.

I own one and may break it out on Memorial Day for some shootin'. You might want to check out the Marlin Papoose as well, they break down and have a padded case that supposedly floats. Mine is a great shooter. Either rifle would be a great bugout gun.

Originally Posted by solecistic

So this is for the zombie apocalypse, right?

As Syme said, "SHTF" is basically a coverall fantasy for any disruption of order. True preparedness aficionados ensure they are well stocked with food, water, and other necessities; firearms and a supply of ammunition are maintained as well, but not the sole focus, think Burt Gummer for a Hollywood version. On the other side of the scale are the ones who buy military weaponry with thousands of rounds of ammo but do not otherwise prepare. Again, think Burt Gummer if he hadn't invested in all those MREs in Tremors 2.

It seems as though many people who invest in "SHTF" weapons actually want such a scenario to happen. When I was younger my friends and I would discuss it and all it takes is a venture to some of the more "serious" gun forums out there to see outright arguments over when and how it will happen and what you can do to prepare. Having seen my share of a war torn country, coupled with recent cynicism, I've all but disavowed myself from any past contacts I've had. Being prepared is one thing, misleading yourself is another. Hence, my move away from the "cool" guns to something much more practical for all but the worst of situations.

Two rifles pop into my head when it comes to such scenarios now. Honestly, I've become more the hunker down sort, so it could be argued that I have close to thirty "SHTF" rifles. Anyway, the Yugo SKS and the Gibbs Enfield could both serve fairly well. Both are ten round capacity, quick shooting and accurate enough for the layman, and reliable battle proven designs. The SKS is of course 7.62 Soviet while the Enfield is .308. Well, almost time for Texas.

**fm2176** · 05-23-2009, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by Syme

What kind of .357 do you have that can take both rimmed revolver ammo and 9mm on half-moons without any modification?

A revolver I've wanted since I first saw it in the pages of American Survival Guide is the Medusa, which would fire almost any .355-.357 caliber cartridge. http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms...a_Model_47.htm
http://www.popularmechanics.com/outd...s/1277301.html

They are out of production and almost never encountered for sale, unfortunately.