Survival Guns

There are many people from all kinds of backgrounds who will give you advice on the “perfect” preparedness gun and ammunition. I am here to tell you that I am the only one who has the correct information! Actually, as in all things, this is a very personal thing. I think you can generalize preparedness, but when it comes right down to it, it is something that is individual. So I want to present some ideas about this and my opinion to a certain degree. Take this as a guide or a foundation, then find what is right for you.
Handgun
Examples: 1911, Springfield Armory (.45ACP) HK UMP .45ACP, S&W M&P, Glock
Uses: Concealed carry, day-to-day shooting, self-defense, backup weapon to rifle
What to look for when choosing a handgun: Center-fire cartridge, minimum 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP for automatic or .357 magnum for revolver
Recommended rounds to store: At least 1000 rounds
Bottom line: A handgun is a must-have for self-defense and survival, especially if you want to concealed carry (which you should). Ammo for 9mm handguns is abundant, which is a huge plus. 9mm’s are also easy enough to handle for women and young adults. The debate between automatic and revolver is never ending, but it all comes down to personal preference.
Battle rifle
Examples: AR-15, HK-91, AK-47, M1A/M14, Ruger mini 14 or 30 in either .308 or .223
Uses: Defense, hunting
What to look for when choosing a combat rifle: magazine-fed, semi-auto, minimum 300 meter accuracy, center-fired rifle cartridge, detachable magazine with capacity for at least 20 rounds (if legal in your state), dependable iron sights.
Recommended rounds to store: At least 2000 rounds
Bottom line: A good combat rifle makes an ideal go-to weapon for both hunting and self-defense, so this is not a weapon you want to scrimp on. If you’re only going to have one survival gun, this should be it.
Shotgun
Examples: Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Stevens/Savage 511, Benelli Super-90
Uses: Typically a hunting weapon, but often used in combat as well. Best for up-close shooting unless hunting.
What to look for when choosing a shotgun: 12 gauge (or 20 gauge for less experienced shooters) Pump action over semi-auto, it’s more reliable.
Recommended rounds to store: At least 500 rounds
Bottom line: This is a really versatile survival weapon with many variables. I prefer pump-action, but other types are great too. Shotguns have great accuracy and are easy to shoot, but may not be the best choice for self-defense.
Hunting/Sniper rifle
Examples: Winchester Model 70, Remington 700, AR-30, M40A3, Nighthawk Tactical .338 Lapua Magnum, Barrett 98/Bravo .338 Lapua Magnum
Uses: Long-range precision shooting, hunting
What to look for when choosing a long-range rifle: Center-fire cartridge, ability to take down medium to large game, 308 or 30-06 (my preferences; your needs may vary depending on your environment and skill), accuracy.
Recommended rounds to store: At least 500 rounds
Bottom line: If you have a combat rifle, it’s debatable whether you need a long-range rifle too. But these guns are great for shooting big game at a distance, and the US military even uses some long-range rifles as sniper weapons. These weapons and their ammo aren’t cheap, but in certain situations and environments, it’s worth the investment.
Rimfire rifle
Examples: Ruger 10/22, Marlin 60, Henry Lever action
Uses: Small game, last-resort self defense
What to look for when choosing a rimfire rifle: A .22 is your best bet. Bolt, lever, semi-auto, magazine, single shot, or tube fed all comes down to personal preference. I love 10-22’s!
Recommended rounds to store: At least 3000 rounds
Bottom line: This is a handy gun, compact, and easy to shoot and carry. It’s also inexpensive and ammo is easy to come by. A .22 is a great “starter gun” for novice shooters.
Surplus Rifle
Examples: Mosin Nagant, SKS, Makarov, M-1 Carbine, Enfield Jungle Carbine
Uses: Backup weapon, good for novice or ill-equipped shooters (in other words, when things go bad, you can loan it to someone you trust)
What to look for when choosing a surplus weapon: This will depend on the specific weapon, since surplus weapons can come in a variety of styles. Generally, stick with the recommendations listed for other guns.
Recommended rounds to store: At least 2000 rounds
Bottom line: In general, ammo for surplus weapons is cheap and readily available. The weapons themselves are in low demand, making them inexpensive and easy to find. While not an essential item, a surplus weapon is great to have as backup and is usually durable, and well-built.
A well-stocked gun safe with a variety of reliable guns and ammo is essential. In my opinion, these six guns are the basics of any decent gun collection. Every gun on this list is affordable (around $300 or less) and would do the trick if needed for self-defense or hunting food.
Since each gun serves its own unique purpose, it’s good to have a well-stocked gun safe with plenty of survival weapons to choose from. Plus, who doesn’t want an excuse to buy more guns and ammo?
There are all kinds of ideas in how much ammunition to store. The above recommendations are my own. Can you ever have too much ammo?
Remember, this is just a working foundation. If you start with these recommendations, figure out your needs and wants, and built your survival gun safe.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn