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

[Texashiker]

Lets say that the bombs have fallen and somehow you and your family have survived. What firearm would you want to help you survive in a post nuclear war world?

There are too many firearms to make a poll, but here are some basic ideas.

AR-15
Remington 870
M1A
FN/FAL
SKS
PTR-91
Ruger 10/22
Marlin model 60
Mossberg 590

If can not pick just 1 firearm, what combination would you want to use?

Pic of a DS Arms SA58 FN/FAL to get things rolling.

The 308 winchester is capable of taking just about any game animal in north America. A 150 grain bullet gives good penetration for urban survival situations, and the 20 round detachable magazine means fast reloading times.

 

[nick1985]

M1A

 

[Kroze]

I would use a Short barrel rifle such as this

Something that's light in weight and provide power and penetration of a rifle. Besides, you don't do combat at more than 300 yards anymore.

 

[HAL9000]

H&K MP5, lots of bits for it, relatively light, etc etc.

 

[nick1985]

I would use a Short barrel rifle such as this

Something that's light in weight and provide power and penetration of a rifle. Besides, you don't do combat at more than 300 yards anymore.

M1A Socom

 

[irishScott]

Kel-Tec RFB with an adjustable optic.

And I'd be IWBing my Springfield Armory Lightweight Champion Operator w/ extra mag at all times.

Edit: And a Ruger Scout rifle for hunting due to the bolt action reliability.

 

[nick1985]

H&K MP5, lots of bits for it, relatively light, etc etc.

9mm.

lol @ u

 

[Kroze]

Trust me it's not fun to haul those big rifles around. I can tell from experience, you want something that's small/compact and light in weight. SBR is the perfect choice.

 

[HAL9000]

9mm.

lol @ u

Yup 9MM.

 

[PottedMeat]

 

[rudder]

I just need my hands.

 

[Meghan54]

While I would keep a rifle around, the long barrel is a major downside.

For primary street use, probably something like this:

 

[irishScott]

Trust me it's not fun to haul those big rifles around. I can tell from experience, you want something that's small/compact and light in weight. SBR is the perfect choice.

RFB's an 8 lb compact 20 shot .308. Not the lightest or shortest, but very carry-able and capable of relatively long shots (I've heard up to 500 yards) accurately. Plus still legal in most states in case I meet up with an overzealous cop. 🙂

 

[irishScott]

While I would keep a rifle around, the long barrel is a major downside.

For primary street use, probably something like this:

Street use? What street use? If shit hits the fan I'm staying as far away from cities as possible lol. Besides, we're talking nuclear apocalypse right? All major cities will be gone.

 

[Brigandier]

Something relatively simple, that will never fail. I'd probably have a lever action rifle in the same caliber as my handgun.

 

[insect9]

I'd probably learn to make/use a bow, and fletch arrows and trap. Bullets wouldn't be around forever. Until then, I'd choose a rifle capable of taking down decent sized game, and a pistol for closer range protection. My decision on WHICH rifle/pistol would be based on ease of repair and abundance of ammunition.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

I'd want an accurate bolt action .22 LR, maybe a cz-452 with good glass.

I can carry lots of ammo and make every shot count.

 

[BurnItDwn]

For long gun, I'd go with an AK simply due to their durabillity.
For short gun, I'd go with a 357 magnum revolver.

 

[Specop 007]

Assuming I'm not concerned about ammo (As in finding it or having a common caliber) I'll go with an AR15 in 6.5 Grendel for the rifle and probably a Springfield in 9mm for the pistol. Give me a 1-4 optic on a QD mount and a nice 5-22 or some such optic for longer range use.

Which is exactly the rifle I'm building. Although for SHTF I might go with the 6.5 Grendel in an AK just for reliability concerns.

 

[FDF12389]

Rifle: HK G36
Reasons: Common ammo, extreme reliability.

Pistol: S&W 8 in .357 revolver with speed loaders.
Reason: Ammo availability, extreme reliability, longer range if needed.

Shotgun: 870 tactical
Reasons: Reliable and easy to maintain. Handles reloads better than any 12 gauge I've used.

 

[Farmer]

A bolter in .458 Rem Magnum, for hunting 10 foot tall mutant cockroaches.

When considering extreme reliability, why would anyone forgot AK74.

 

[preslove]

AK 47 for its durability
shotgun for close combat & simplicity
Beretta 92 or other nice 9mm for the plentiful ammo

 

[Howard]

Probably an AK47 as a primary, and a musket as a backup in case I needed to make my own ammo and didn't have the right equipment.

Then the nice stuff.

 

[Farmer]

OP:

That is like the 100th time you posted that same photo of your FAL. Maybe some new action shots.

 

[Scotteq]

...phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range.. 😉



If Parts/Ammo availability is an issue, then an AR. .223 is (just...) enough to hunt deer~sized game, which we have plenty of around here.

Alternate choice: Remington 870, an example of which I already own.

Remove parts/ammo from the equation: .308 is a great caliber, and a SCAR-H looks badazz, performs, and... it's initials are SCAR!!! So that means I'm cool, right!?!?

Ultimately, it's the guy/gal behind the trigger that really counts, though. The weapon is merely the means.

I'm also of the opinion that when it really counts, "a Handgun is what you use until you can fight your way to a REAL gun". But to continue the scenario: If parts/ammo are an issue, then a 9mm Glock (most Law Enforcement around here use it, which helps with.. scavenging..). They don't fit my hand very well, though. So I'd be on the lookout for something else, like a Sig P226.

I already have a Springfield 1911 in .45acp.

So if "it" happened today, I would have a Remington 870 and a 1911 for backup.