You’ve got to grab one rifle

The only rifle I can shoulder at the moment, Beretta Cx4 in 9mm I have TONS of ammo and 30rd mags for it so no problem. With a red dot and 3x mag on the rail. It's got a bipod on it now too.
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Probably my AR 5.56 pistol. It’s accurate and any range I would be shooting anything in North America.

But I’ve always liked the idea of an SKS for SHTF. No magazines to maintain, good accuracy, rugged, very reliable, heavy caliber, and it has a bayonet just in case you need to stab someone or cook a rabbit over a fire.


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Probably my suppressed 9mm SBR. Assuming I remember to grab cleaning supplies so it doesn’t turn into a single shot. Finding additional ammo shouldn’t be too hard. :D
 
I think my CMMG that is piston driven because of the ammo that I have and can run it longer without worrying about keeping the bolt oiled. It is scoped and flip up sights.
 
NCFubar said:
I’m torn ... on 1 hand my favorite AR and suppressor (but its bark still announces my presence) and be fighting ready ... if fighting is actually the smart choice. On the other my CZ455 and suppressor (pretty damn quiet with standard velocity and I can carry a bunch of ammo) and be stealthy hunting or even sniping ... I’d bet there’d be weapons of opportunity along the way if you just fly under the radar.
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5.56 for intruders. Traps and snares hunting 24/7 is more effective.

CD
 
I’d take the AR in 5.56 because if it comes to shooting I feel pretty good about hitting a target at greater range than the average goober and I give that up by selecting a PCC.

Do hate to give up the suppression, so I guess it’s time to suppress an AR.
 
Lightweight 5.56 AR.
Everywhere that sells ammo even the hardware store with a dozen boxes, anything mil or LE, and a whole lotta houses are potential resupply points for ammo, mags, parts. Will handle just about anything requiring a gun that isn't heavily armored with proper shot placement. Very reliable cared for, fairly tolerant of neglect. Lightweight, fairly compact. Can't think of any long gun that's as good a compromise in the US.
 
What difference does the sound signature make? I would not be moving towards the sound of gunfire in a SHTF situation.
 
jmccracken1214 said:
I would think the amount of time out in the field would determine that. The group size you had, how hungry you are, low on supplies?
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I'm not going to be in the field. I'll be at home where all my guns and ammo are fighting from there.
 
B00ger said:
Probably my AR 5.56 pistol. It’s accurate and any range I would be shooting anything in North America.

But I’ve always liked the idea of an SKS for SHTF. No magazines to maintain, good accuracy, rugged, very reliable, heavy caliber, and it has a bayonet just in case you need to stab someone or cook a rabbit over a fire.


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I have an old SKS in a synthetic sidefolder. Its a solid old piece that I have hit targets out to 300yds with the irons. I didn't even consider that old girl until your post. It is the only gun I have chambered in 7.62x39 so my ammo supply is not as large. I would have no issues grabbing that rifle in a shtf situation.
 
jmccracken1214 said:
Doesn’t that also depend, on how long it’s been, and your supplies?
Can’t stay at home forever. If it were a real, collapse of cilvilazation.
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I can stay at home for a good while. When it comes time to leave here, I’ve only got one place to go. If I see that isn’t gonna work out, may as well just stay here and give em hell til I ain’t got no more hell to give
 
Man I went back and forth in my head for awhile over this. M90NP? It's an AK that shoots .223/5.56 and uses the ubiquitous AR mag. Mine also has a side folding stock on it for better concealability. But I don't trust the adjustable gas system to stand up to heavy, long-term abuse - if the tiny lever snagged on something and tore off, I'd be in trouble. Galil ACE in 7.62x39? My most expensive and arguably best rifle in my preferred caliber, it uses AK mags and is definitely my most accurate shooter. It's also heavy, new(ish), and doesn't like Tula ammo, which is one of the most prevalent x39 rounds available and something I'd likely stumble across if I was away from home and had to scavenge. Without modding the polymer receiver cover, the ACE also doesn't accept all AK mags (particularly Bulgarian Circle 10 waffles, which are my preferred go-to mags).

Honestly, if the shit went downhill fast and I had to flee in a pinch, I'd grab my Chinese paratrooper SKS. It's short, stubby, simple, and stubbornly reliable. It's comfy and easy to shoot, has a folding bayonet, and doesn't use external mags or require aftermarket parts to make it better. I can still reliably hit targets out to a couple hundred yards with irons. I'm Scrooge McDuck when it comes to 7.62x39 ammo and also have a small mountain of Chinese surplus stripper clips, many already loaded. I can carry more ammo and save weight over AK mags, and in all likelihood I'm going to shoot my gun as infrequently as possible in one of these situations, opting instead to keep my head down and my body out of sight.

I think the SKS is close to perfect for such a scenario. That said, if I could only grab one rifle, I'd use my SKS to rob the first person I saw carrying a duffle bag. Then I'd run back home with the bag and also grab my trusty WASR-10 and a few drum mags, for no reason other than to continue espousing my undying love for the cheap Romanian guns to anyone within earshot, far down the road into the post-apocalypse ... just as I do here on the Forum, at the range, and to Jehovah's Witnesses, Girl Scouts, and so on :p
 
jmccracken1214 said:
A suppressed , supersonic 556 can still be heard a good ways off.

Like, 500+ yards, right?
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But you have no idea where it comes from. You’re hearing the sonic crack of the projectile in flight, and that noise bouncing off everything it comes across. Not much of the muzzle blast which would narrow down where the shooter is.

Same theory for what happens when you shoot at one creature that’s in a group. To the rest of them, they hear the sonic crack echo/bounce of whatever is behind them, and they start running right at you (away from the noise)...because they didn’t really hear the shot itself.

And in an urban/suburban setting, that echo is bouncing off all kinds of structures.

I’m about to head out the door to PHA. Meet me there and I’ll demonstrate it. :D
 
I get that effect all the time at the range. Supersonic suppressed , if you aren’t the shooter or the target, just sounds like a bullet fly by and a thump from the POI.
 
Combat Diver said:
5.56 for intruders. Traps and snares hunting 24/7 is more effective.

CD
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Suppressed .22 bolt gun with CCI Quiets. Pretty much just a *click*

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If S does hit the F, I’ll be putting in a lot more time with this. And I’ll finally paint it.
 
I would grab my Daniel Defense AR. I am very proficient with that rifle and have a ton of mags and ammo to feed it.
 
JRHorne said:
If sh!t hits the fan, those of you with 5.56 without a good can are screwing you hearing with every shot. And in a scenario where you have to be vigilent and alert to your surroundings, hearing is likely your second most important sense and source of data. Therefore, I believe you pick up the quietest platform with which you are comfortable.
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Agreed; I have had the unfortunate experience of having to fire my M4 indoors (many times) and having several buddies shoot their M4s and a SAW right next to me. I have some pretty extensive hearing damage nowadays as a result of that.

This is why I keep electronic ear pro next to my rifle and all other HD guns
 
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Derek8404 said:
Agreed; I have had the unfortunate experience of having to fire my M4 indoors (many times) and having several buddies shoot their M4s and a SAW right next to me. I have some pretty extensive hearing damage nowadays as a result of that.

This is why I keep electronic ear pro next to my rifle and all other HD guns
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Same here! After being around howitzers and mortars and tanks for 30 years, my hearing is for shit! I keep several pairs of Walker Razors around. One each in the truck and Jeep, one in my bag, one one the backpack and a pair of small headsets in my bag. And plenty of batteries!
 
If I only have one, it’s going to be my Rock River M4 clone with a Trijicon ACOG and Surefire Scout light. Proven platform, lots of rounds though it with no malfunction and I have plenty of mags for it. I thought about one of my AR pistols but the scopes on them are good, but I wouldn’t take them into a fight. The .300 Blackout is too finicky on ammo and tends to double feed. The 5.56 is great but has a Vortex scope on it. The AR 9 is a super little weapon with a Sig Romeo and is also suppressed but 9mm? Nah! That’s like taking a knife to a gun fight! The AR 10 is too heavy and can’t carry enough ammo. Same for the M1As. The 20 inch barrels of 3 of my other 5.56 rifles rules them out. Full size M4 for the heavy work wins! I really need a couple good 5.56 suppressors and a few more .22 suppressors in my game!
 
@Combat Diver, I was going to ask what you were doing up at this hour, but it’s only like what, 1800ish over there now? Have a good evening!
 
I'm always surprised to hear about people suggesting a rifle cartridge SBR in these scenarios. Unless you have the luxury of multiple barrels on hand, I'd avoid these as they're going to wear quicker with excessive throat erosion. They're great, and have their time and place for being appropriate, but it's just not durable enough for me to consider for this type of situation. Carbine length or longer would be more durable over time.

While I also love the idea of a 9mm or .22LR just for the shear volume of ammo I would be able to carry, they just don't have the effective range to be viable when there are likely going to be many others with greater distance capacity. Given that information, and needing an appropriate stand off distance, 5.56 would be the smallest I would feel comfortable with relying upon. I'll sure as hell try to avoid any and all gunfights, but avoidance alone will not prevent a scenario.

I'll most likely grab my HK MR556, but I'm also thinking I need a can for it now....
 
My LWRC/PSA mutt. I bought one the 16" M6A2 uppers a few years ago from CDNN and put it on one of the PSA EPT lowers (As much as I would love to own one my thiftiness kept me from buying a LWRC lower).
 
Combat Diver said:
Thank you, 8.5 hrs ahead.

CD
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Yeah, I remember those days. I’d call my dad and brother who would be out on the back porch drinking coffee about 1500ish and it would be 0630ish back home. I wore a key to our cabin on my dog tag chain and would rub it when I’d get home sick. That thing was shiny when I left there!
 
J R Green said:
I didn't know time zones worked in 1/2 hour increments.
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Afghanistan uses UTC+4:30
Why? Because they want to and because they can. Any sovereign country can choose to set any time standards that suits it.
It is usual for countries to set their standard time in one hour increments to form a standard time shift pattern around the world, but that is a convention and not a compulsion. They can set their own country’s time to suit themselves.

There are some time zones that use 45 minutes too. Depending on the season there's 37/39 time zones.
 
I’d probably grab my ar. I know u said one gun but I would have my 92fs in my holster


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Grim said:
I'm always surprised to hear about people suggesting a rifle cartridge SBR in these scenarios. Unless you have the luxury of multiple barrels on hand, I'd avoid these as they're going to wear quicker with excessive throat erosion. They're great, and have their time and place for being appropriate, but it's just not durable enough for me to consider for this type of situation. Carbine length or longer would be more durable over time.

While I also love the idea of a 9mm or .22LR just for the shear volume of ammo I would be able to carry, they just don't have the effective range to be viable when there are likely going to be many others with greater distance capacity. Given that information, and needing an appropriate stand off distance, 5.56 would be the smallest I would feel comfortable with relying upon. I'll sure as hell try to avoid any and all gunfights, but avoidance alone will not prevent a scenario.

I'll most likely grab my HK MR556, but I'm also thinking I need a can for it now....
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I think the realistic answer is that in a true SHTF scenario the amount of rounds being expended is going to drastically fall.

Two main scenarios:

immediate action: you have to fight your way out of something or fight your way TOO something. You will not wear out a barrel in this period of time. I don’t believe I will be surviving a 10,000 round firefight nor can I even carry enough ammo to shoot that much.

Long term SHTF: Most of us will no longer be doing 3/4/500 rounds per week/month training and plinking days. We are talking more 1-20 rounds for hunting, maybe 100 for practice. If a “firefight” breaks out, maybe at most 100-300 during that period.

So unless you are shooting something extremely hot like 6.5 or whatever, the life of the equipment won’t really come into play. 5...10 years down the road? Maybe...but I would hope by then things have settled down and you have fixed these issues.






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B00ger said:
I think the realistic answer is that in a true SHTF scenario the amount of rounds being expended is going to drastically fall.

Two main scenarios:

immediate action: you have to fight your way out of something or fight your way TOO something. You will not wear out a barrel in this period of time. I don’t believe I will be surviving a 10,000 round firefight nor can I even carry enough ammo to shoot that much.

Long term SHTF: Most of us will no longer be doing 3/4/500 rounds per week/month training and plinking days. We are talking more 1-20 rounds for hunting, maybe 100 for practice. If a “firefight” breaks out, maybe at most 100-300 during that period.

So unless you are shooting something extremely hot like 6.5 or whatever, the life of the equipment won’t really come into play. 5...10 years down the road? Maybe...but I would hope by then things have settled down and you have fixed these issues.


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I see where you're coming from, and I agree that round counts were not going to be anything like what we would typically see today. I guess my interpretation of the SHTF doesn't have a return to normal.
 
Grim said:
I'm always surprised to hear about people suggesting a rifle cartridge SBR in these scenarios. Unless you have the luxury of multiple barrels on hand, I'd avoid these as they're going to wear quicker with excessive throat erosion. They're great, and have their time and place for being appropriate, but it's just not durable enough for me to consider for this type of situation. Carbine length or longer would be more durable over time.
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Throat erosion is primarily caused by pressure and heat as I understand it, how does an SBR change either? Genuinely curious I have never heard barrel length as a contributing factor to it.
 
What ever is chosen make sure you have enough ammo. Just because I heard something bout how much is enough...

Me? 10.5" AR Pistol, iron sights. Nut'in fancy needed to get it done.
 
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