YAGT: What firearm would you use in a post nuclear world?

[JulesMaximus]

I think I'd rather have not survived.

 

[SagaLore]

Crossbow.

Everyone else will run out of bullets.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Crossbow.

Everyone else will run out of bullets.

And a catamaran?

 

[bobdole369]

I'm no gun nut, but I suspect reliability and availability of scavenged spare parts and ammo, and even the life expectancy (will the weapon wear out) will be a factor.

 

[lord_emperor]

Based on my Fallout experience a scoped Smith & Wesson Model 29.

 

[brblx]

silly thread.

it's the apocalypse. you use what's available. you're not going to go find a sweet-looking WA2000 or an orgasmic M134.

i would imagine i would use whatever pistols i could get my hands on, preferably a glock or something of known reliability, pref 9mm or .40 for ease of finding ammo. rifles, again, whatever is reliable and you can find ammo for. prob not anything with a propensity to jam repeatedly if not cleaned, i.e. ar-15. so likely an AK variant.

but, assuming this is a zombie apocalypse or something, it's all about ammo. i'd much rather have a semi .22LR and a big fucking box of ammo than an assault rifle that requires me to scrounge for smaller and rarer boxes of ammo.

 

[Josh123]

 

[Texashiker]

silly thread.

it's the apocalypse. you use what's available.

You dont own any firearms?

My problem is, I have more 223 and 7.62x39 stockpiled then I do 308.

 

[TridenT]

You dont own any firearms?

My problem is, I have more 223 and 7.62x39 stockpiled then I do 308.

Unless you have 10,000 bullets that weigh nothing, you don't have enough...

 

[BoomerD]

Unless you have 10,000 bullets that weigh nothing, you don't have enough...

We all know...you're locked and loaded...

 

[brblx]

You dont own any firearms?

My problem is, I have more 223 and 7.62x39 stockpiled then I do 308.

oh, was this more of a 'what part of your arsenal would you strap to your back?' type thing? 'cause my first thought in the case of like, worldwide anarchy (e.g. zombpocalypse), i would just raid the nearest sporting goods store as a first line of defense. plenty of shotguns, rifles, and ammo, and many places around here have handguns. gun stores would be less of a target since i'd probably have to have a torch or something (i've seen, very, very few without very sturdy barred doors and windows, for obvious reasons).

and no, i do not own real firearms. i or someone else would already be dead. i do have military training and still enjoy shooting them occasionally, though. just not armed for possible mass hysteria. not worried so much about a break-in or something- either it'll be a pro who robs and/or kills me in my sleep, or it'll be some crackhead who gets scared off by the angry naked man chasing him with a board with a nail in it.

edit- also i dont see much purpose for .30[06] or .308 in this situation. fun round to shoot, but too much kick to want to have to defend yourself with it. .223 will get the same results if you shoot center mass (either death or incapacitation). hell, like i said, even tiny 'ol .22LR is still going to be a hell of a lot better than nothing.

 

[Squisher]

Having a FN five-seven and a P90 sharing ammo might be worthy.

 

[Zargon]

my glock 19, or another 9mm glock or beretta or sig.....

I'd take a 1911 if I have to

a 12ga pump, moss 500, 870, 1187, etc

decent 308 rifle and a 223 if I can

if its really ONE firearm, in urban areas, 9mm semi auto pistol or mp5

country, 308 is preferred, 223 would be alright

 

[lxskllr]

I'd pick an over/under .22/.410 USAF survival rifle. It's lightweight, and ammo is easy to carry. You have something for birds, and ground animals.

 

[Zargon]

true, a 410 slug is nothing to sneeze at

 

[SunnyD]

Whatever is closest at hand. Let's face it, there's no need to be picky in this sort of situation. The zombies will arrive before you can make an informed decision.

 

[Texashiker]

Whatever is closest at hand. Let's face it, there's no need to be picky in this sort of situation.

Well, some people would walk into their gunsafe or closet, and it would be like ordering at burger king or mcdonalds.

Even though my first pick would be the FN/FAL, it would not hurt my feelings if I had to resort to the AK-47 or AR-15. Even if I had to dig to the bottom of the barrel and get the ruger 10/22 or the mossberg 590, I would be still be happy.

 

[JTsyo]

I just need my hands.

Well duh, how else would you fire your gun?

I would go with a SAW mounted to a turret on a sturdy 4X4. Something like CROWS would be even better.

 

[pontifex]

you want something that you can easily find parts and ammo for and is reliable.

In the US, that would most likely be a 9mm pistol, probably a Glock. Rifle would probably be something in .223, maybe a AR-15 or a Ruger Mini-14, or maybe something in 30-30 or 30.06 which is also very common.

 

[pontifex]

you guys saying AK realize that its not that popular here in the US. Isn't most ammo for it imported? Also, going to make it harder to find parts.

 

[coxmaster]

you guys saying AK realize that its not that popular here in the US. Isn't most ammo for it imported? Also, going to make it harder to find parts.

I've never had trouble finding ammo.. as for parts, things dont fail that often so you should be fine

 

[Texashiker]

you guys saying AK realize that its not that popular here in the US. Isn't most ammo for it imported? Also, going to make it harder to find parts.

Considering the AK-47 has been heavily imported since the 1980s, they should not be "that" rare.

While most 7.62x39 ammo is imported, there are domestic companies that produce the ammo.

If your into reloading, the 7.62x39 (AK-47 and SKS) uses the same bullet as the 308 and 30-06. Someone could stockpile thousands of bullets and reload all three calibers with the same bullet and primer. Foreign produced 7.62x39 bullet diameter ranges anywhere from .308 - .311. That 3 thousands of an inch is not going to matter too much.

 

[Zargon]

the ak isnt that rare and they sell ammo for it at my local walmart

 

[pontifex]

I've never had trouble finding ammo.. as for parts, things dont fail that often so you should be fine

i've never been in a post apocalyptic event, have you?

and you'll have all the tools and supplies you need to maintain your gun too? what if you fall or drop it and something breaks off or gets bent and it doesn't function?

you have to think long term. its not like the nuclear apocalypse is going to decide to go on vacation a week later and leave everything the way it was before.

 

[pontifex]

Considering the AK-47 has been heavily imported since the 1980s, they should not be "that" rare.

While most 7.62x39 ammo is imported, there are domestic companies that produce the ammo.

If your into reloading, the 7.62x39 (AK-47 and SKS) uses the same bullet as the 308 and 30-06. Someone could stockpile thousands of bullets and reload all three calibers with the same bullet and primer. Foreign produced 7.62x39 bullet diameter ranges anywhere from .308 - .311. That 3 thousands of an inch is not going to matter too much.

but its not as common as say .223 or 30-06