Is an ar 15 necessary for a shtf situation

[Blackhawk2001]

Since I have limited experience with AR-style rifles and have never owned one, I've thought considerably about this. Availability of ammo, weight of ammo & weapons, availability of mags and parts, line-of-sight distances to shoot, etc. I own a couple AKs and they'll have to do for now.

 

[NyleRN]

I think the action on say a mini 14, or mini 30 is much less finicky and more reliable. Agreed though....AR parts are all over....kind of like Chevy SB use to be. Ha!

Dude, you're smoking crack. You HAVE to use factory ruger mags in order to make the mini function. And they will never be as accurate as an AR.

 

[rhino]

I think the action on say a mini 14, or mini 30 is much less finicky and more reliable. Agreed though....AR parts are all over....kind of like Chevy SB use to be. Ha!

Are you joking?

 

[Amishman44]

The short answer is that there is no universal right answer.

Pick a gun or guns that you can shoot well, are very reliable and easily repaired, and have reasonably common ammunition. Everything else is merely opinion, and a thread like this generates a lot of opinions.

Here's a hint though, very few people will survive extended or multiple gun battles.

Very true...simple guns are the best...keep to common calibers that are simple and over-lapping, which will help with consolidating ammo prep. Pick 1-2-3 solid, and I would say 'popular', calibers (9mm, .45, 5.56, 12 GA, etc.) and keep it simple. Personally, I prefer lever-action rifles in .30-30...simple, effective, and easy to operate.

Good clothing that will handle elements + shoes/boots that are 'combat' tough. I keep 3 sets of BDU's and Magnum boots (worn slightly to break them in) + 7-day supply of undergarments.

Primary plan is to lay-low + sit-tight and not be seen (initially) and survive by sitting-out any initial 'issues' being sorted out by others.

I was a volunteer EMT for 25 years and have a 'decent' medical set-up to handle minor medical issues.

Knives...don't forget knives...tarps are handy...duct tape is handy...ropes are handy...etc.

 

[SSGSAD]

An AR "only" gives you 30rnds between mag changes; relatively high rate of fire; and if accessorized with a red dot holographic sight, fast target aquisition. Important for winning a gun battle but NO substitute for being way outnumbered.

I'd rather have 20 competent friends with bolt action rifles.

IIRC the rule-of-thumb is that you need 3:1 superiority to successfully attack an enemy that doesnt have an entrenched position

Ever watched the movie Sgt. York ?????

Bolt action 5 shot, IIRC, and he took a LOT of prisoners .....

 

[natdscott]

An AR "necessary?

Well it depends on how good you are, I guess.

-Nate

 

[Jackson]

An AR "necessary?

Well it depends on how good you are, I guess.

-Nate

How good you are at what?

 

[easy]

The simple answer is - yes.

 

[SSGSAD]

Will 9 mm carbines be enough or do you think that a center fire semi auto rifle is needed? Just a hypothetical question. I know it would depend upon the situation, let's say an all out long term shtf scenario.

For some, it might not be ..... Since I already have one, for me, YES .....

I have around 30 years of experience, with one, so that will be my go to gun .....

 

[Grimmis]

I think any rifle in a common caliber that is accurate at 100yds is necessary.

 

[Icarry2]

Years back I standardized most of my tools to work with NATO food. With a few exceptions...

There are two arguments, availability and lack of food for NATO tools.

Our government being one of those with the largest stockpiles of food for NATO tools I would think finding some NATO food would be easier than an odd ball tool that only liked specialty food.

My tools like 9mm, 5.56, 7.62x51 and 12 gauge food.. Exceptions are 22LR (cheap and useful) and 7.62x39 (everyone but NATO uses it..)

Any other tool is better than no tool but when there is no food it's a less useful tool..

 

[rhino]

Years back I standardized most of my tools to work with NATO food. With a few exceptions...

There are two arguments, availability and lack of food for NATO tools.

Our government being one of those with the largest stockpiles of food for NATO tools I would think finding some NATO food would be easier than an odd ball tool that only liked specialty food.

My tools like 9mm, 5.56, 7.62x51 and 12 gauge food.. Exceptions are 22LR (cheap and useful) and 7.62x39 (everyone but NATO uses it..)

Any other tool is better than no tool but when there is no food it's a less useful tool..

Wait . . . whaaaa??

 

[Grimmis]

That man made not sense....

 

[jamil]

May I mombo dogface to the banana patch?

 

[actaeon277]

It makes sense to me.

 

[bacon#1]

Years back I standardized most of my tools to work with NATO food. With a few exceptions...

There are two arguments, availability and lack of food for NATO tools.

Our government being one of those with the largest stockpiles of food for NATO tools I would think finding some NATO food would be easier than an odd ball tool that only liked specialty food.

My tools like 9mm, 5.56, 7.62x51 and 12 gauge food.. Exceptions are 22LR (cheap and useful) and 7.62x39 (everyone but NATO uses it..)

Any other tool is better than no tool but when there is no food it's a less useful tool..

 

[flatlander]

Years back I standardized most of my tools to work with NATO food. With a few exceptions...

There are two arguments, availability and lack of food for NATO tools.

Our government being one of those with the largest stockpiles of food for NATO tools I would think finding some NATO food would be easier than an odd ball tool that only liked specialty food.

My tools like 9mm, 5.56, 7.62x51 and 12 gauge food.. Exceptions are 22LR (cheap and useful) and 7.62x39 (everyone but NATO uses it..)

Any other tool is better than no tool but when there is no food it's a less useful tool..

Agree with the exception of the 7.62x39. Easier to feed everything in quantity rather than ration all.

Bob

 

[actaeon277]

food is ammo.
duh

 

[natdscott]

How good you are at what?

Lots of things.

Avoiding other humans, or staying with them.

Avoiding the fight, or ending the fight.

Making food, or taking food.

Living in--and through--disaster, or dying because of it.


Rifles are probably the least of an average former-American's issues in truly bad situation.

-Nate