Just One (1) Gun...
 

If the SHTF and you only had one gun what would it be. Provide reasons.

Mine wouldn't be the Ruger 10/22 that I and others think so highly of.

It would be the Marlin 982VR .22WMR

.22 Magnum has longer range and power for larger game than the basic .22LR. Plus, the ammo is lightweight and easy to carry. The Marlin takes detachable clips so reloading wouldn't be a problem. It's also a bolt action which will be easier to maintain than an automatic.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

If just one, then a shotgun.
It can't do everything, but it
can do a wider variety of tasks
than a sidearm or rifle.

dtnwn

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

That guns is the best evidence that things are getting worse... Why don't they make those monsters anymore!!!

:beer: :beer: :beer:

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Also, unlike metallic cartridges,
shotshells are easy to reload.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

The only problems that I see with a shotgun:

Limited capacity for ammo and slow reload
Limited range for shooting

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Ok, ok................

http://www.bredow-web.de/a_Mauser_2.jpg

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

The problem here is:

slow rate of fire
small caliber:cheerful:

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

you can hunt and kill eatable game with this?

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

20mm @ 6,000 round per minute,
is too small and too slow?????

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

If I could have only one, I think I'd want something that I could conceal, yet have a high cap magazine, and have widely available ammo. So probably a 9mm GLOCK.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

I talked to a jet jockey at an airshow.
He said that 20mm cannon is awesome,
and very versatile.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Again, what game could you shoot with that?

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

sarcasm mon frere

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

<A href="http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_11_49/ai_109351843">Shotgun versatility</A>

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

shotgun. if it is the only one for you and julie then get 20 guage shotgun. shep pump, like mossberg with 2 barrels can be had for 250, the 2 barrels are 18.5 and 26 inch. then get differnt loads and you can learn to do pretty much all a man on the american frontier had to.
the big minus is that now there is much less game and many more people. but it is good for shooting people too. just go ask your local coroner

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

22 WMR is an odd round.....rimfire, so you can't reload it. More costly than 22LR, so not all that popular. Every country store in the US has some boxes of 22LR.....very few will have the 22WMR.

Shotgun would also be my choice.

Doesn't hold much ?? Hey, one 3" round of #00 buck is 15 .30cal pellets released with one shot. Even a fairly standard pump shotgun with one in the chamber and 5 in the tube means you have the equavilent of 90 rounds all bigger than that 22 mag round WITHOUT reloading. And it's easy to tactical reload a pump as you shoot.....simply keep sticking 'em in between shots and you're never out....no mag to change.

Range is limited, but ammo comes in all kinds from slug to birdshot to flechette to starburst flare rounds.

Nope, for all round use, a 12ga shotgun is hard to beat.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Trying again.
(I'm new to this forum)

shotgun versatility

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Welcome Sam.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Thanks Tn...Andy

Large birdshot, #6 or even # 7-1/2,
is entirely adequate for self defense,
and much safer than buckshot indoors.
I was told that law enforcement agencys
are switching to birdshot.

Coors if you know you will be shooting
outdoors, then something bigger, but
still not buckshot. If I remember right
Mel Tappan reco'd #4? It's been many
years since I read "Survival Guns"

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

I don't expect to live off of game in any scenario. IMO, the primary reason for a SHTF firearm is personal protection in whatever situation-- at home, on the street, group of thugs coming at me, etc.

I would have said 12 gauge shotgun, but you can't conceal it or walk around town with it. Well, I guess you could, but it might attract some attention ;)

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Once, long ago, at night, at home, I heard choppers.

Turned on my scanner.

Three guys had held up a liquor store, and were hopping
backyard fences in my neighborhood, coming towards my
house. I grabbed my loaded handgun (a Colt 1911 at the time),
then I took the time to open my safe and load a short barrel
12 ga pump.

Having a shotgun at the ready made me feel much better.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

FAL by DSArms in .308 (M1A as an alternate)

powerful
accurate
detachable mags
common caliper
long range capable as well as effective up close
#1 choice among 90+ countries worldwide as a military weapon
some old steel core ammo still available
reloadable

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Then there's Jeff Cooper's idea

scout rifle

Gotta go get some work done ...............

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Some food for thought,

http://www.military.com/soldiertech/...XM-26,,00.html

While this is just a tad bit on the exotic side there used to be a company called Northstar Arsenal in Tulsa, Ok. that made mounting systems for the mbr to shotgun combination. Did some googleing and while I could not find this company, I'm sure a compitantant gunsmith could duplicate the effort.

When I was in the big uncle's green machine my personal choice was the M-16/M-203.Could put a round through a fleas ass at 300m and a grenade through a window at 150m.

Yes I know that these are technically not one gun, we (consensus of the board) have decided that there is no single magic gun for all situations. And it beats trying to carry around 2 or 3 differant guns

Remington, Winchester, Savage and Marlin each manufacters side/side and over/under single shot rifle/shotgun combos. In my expieriance these are the choice for the bush. Several times while hunting moose in Canada I've crossed paths with a bear. When competing with other predators for the same food it's best to have what will handle both. For moose I prefer a .300 Winchester mag./12 guage combo. I know others that like a .410 with a slug barrel on the other. See your local gunsmith.

Jmho and please excuse any spelling errors. I'm just an old country boy and my spell checker isn't working


DBD

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

22 mag is a great cartridge. I have shot one in bolt action. Works really good on gophers out to about 100 yards with a 4x scope. Also works well on coyotes. You could probably take deer in an emergency with a well placed shot. Best of all you can easily carry 100 rounds in a jacket pocket.

My ballistics table shows a 40 grain bullet at 1910 FPS with 324 FT-LBS muzzle energy. So I would think that it would penetrate most body armor.

So yeah, 22 mag is an excellent round.

Shotguns are also very versatile and better for defense I think. Have never been a fan of shotguns though.

If you are looking for a defensive gun and you live in urban areas, and are not planning on using it on game than a Glock 17 sounds about right.

It really is a personal choice and you have to factor in the specifics of your situation.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Attachment 18476



If I could only have ONE gun, life wouldn't be worth living!

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Think outside the circle....... you don't need a gun in order to get a gun...

Back in Cuba in order to become part of Castro's guerrilla forces you had to get bring your own firearm and the only way to obtain one was to hit an army soldier over the head (or kill him) and take his weapon away from him.

Even though I own my guns I still prefer my crossbow for human hunting and then take his gun away..... specially at night with my night vision glasses.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Die Hard.

Now I've got a Machine Gun!

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/history/1940/images/multi.jpg

zip guns

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

I don't own a Sig these days, but my old P220 was pretty sweet. P229 is even better, methinks. I'm a Glock owner now, but the P229 is hard to argue with. Drool.

Shotgun is a good choice, but whatever you feel most comfortable shooting and have confidence in. If you have practice with a pistol, you will benefit in many scenarios. Shotguns don't require much practice, but don't fit every situation.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

For most people a shotgun would be the best.

Ponce is right about being locked into a small frame of mind regarding survival.
You can always work your way up to the next best weapon.

I would choose a 10/.22.











While I know that you were asking someone else this...






A well placed .22 LR like a fountain pen is lethal.


I have killed way more than my share of elk and deer with just a stick and a string. I guaranty you that I could do it with the 10/.22 or even with nearly every pistol that I own.


In the depression they poached the game around here with a .22 short so the Regulators wouldn't hear it.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

I like my sig 229, but the gun above is the single stack 239. Both nice carry pieces.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

I would have to say my AK.... 7.62x39...

I will not argue about how someones M1, AR, M14, or whatever their choice gun is, is way better...

My choice is my AK...

I have a few, they have all been extreamly durable, reliable and accurate... After running up hill or soing a ton of situps and push ups I can hit pretty much any man or medium sized game at well over 100 yards... 150 with a scope and or a range finder... Getting beter on my distances...

I know people have stuff that goes from 300-1000 yards, but I have not been in many places where I needed that... If I need that distance, I'll move... Walk, run or drive...

I have a ton of ammo and spare parts for my AKs... I feel comfortable and confident that that is the weapon of choice for me...

I have several hidden at another place besides my house in case of fire or whathave you...

That said and I can never stay 100 percent on topic, I'm glad I have the arms and ammo that I have... I'd really hate to chose one...

I'd still like to stock up on some more ammo, firing pins, various springs and trigger groups and not least of all, Gun Cleaner and lube...

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

I don't follow the reasoning behind the ONE gun being a .22 cal firearm or a pistol. :confused:

Lack of stopping power in the .22, lack of range in the pistol.

Seems a 12gauge shotgun would be best followed by a rifle of adequate... size.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Well like I said it's situational. Pretty hard to easily conceal a shotgun if you are on foot. Are you going to waste a shotgun shell to shoot a squirrel for food? Would there be anything left? lol. Can you carry a hundred shotgun shells in a jacket pocket?

If you're looking at home defense only then yeah, shotgun all the way.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

If your sticking to .22s, a .223 beats a .22mag in every catagory, hands down...& for not that much more $.

cant go wrong with a pistol grip 12 bore....

But if I had to choose only 1 for every purpose.....AK-47 (forged reciever underfolder).

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Certainly the .22 ammo will be easier to carry, but you'll need much more of it to do the job (aside from plinking or killing squirrels and gophers). A .22 rifle and a shotgun don't differ too much in their concealability, do they?

And sure, you can shoot a squirrel with a shotgun. Pigeons, doves, etc. are all shot with shotguns and then consumed with plenty of meat left.:wink: That's the benefit of various sized shot loads. I think I'd also try and find game other than squirrels, such as deer or pigs... tough to bring down one of them or to stop a charging enemy in the form of a man with a .22.:redface:

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Smullen...Could you list suggested "spare parts" list for AK owner. I've been wondering this for some time now. Does someone sell a spare-parts-kit or something? And have you ever needed to replace parts, or is it really just "in case"? Thanks in advance.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

I chose a 12 guage pump for home security. There are as Andy said 12 30caliber projectiles. At less than 30 ft they won't go thru a wall and kill my neighbor accidently. Out doors its range would be to the neighbors garage behind me.

To dress it a little I put an elastic shell holder on the stock. That put the little rascal at 13 on hand.

I like It a lot but will get a KNOXSTOCK for the slugs to limit the kick.(reduces recoil by 95%)

If I thought about moving unnoticed I would have chosen a pistol to concele but baby steps first.

E-A

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

SUUUUWEEEEETuh.
Daddy I wont one.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

hmmmmm

I am familiar with birdshot loads, but not
buckshot loads. Maybe Mel Tappan meant
#4 buckshot. I didn't know there was
such a thing.

Anyway here's another "expert" opinion
on self defense loads. #1 buck, this time.

best shot size

Just a minute --------------------------------------------

Checked my locked ammo cabinet,
haven't done that in years, thanks folks!.
There's some lil boxes of
#00 buck and #4 buck in there,
no doubt because of Mel Tappan.

Things are always a trade off, give up some this,
to get some of that. Tappan apparently thought
pattern density at a reasonable distance was
more important than retained energy.

Checked my gun safe too. There's a bunch of
#6 birdshot on a shelf.

dtnwn

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

I choose the 10-22 but with a sound suppressor or moderator (silencer).

While overseas I use to make them for the AR-7 and all that you could hear was a click a a pssssssssss, I use to fix the bolt so that it would not open unless you did it by hand.

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Ah ain't no crack pistolero.
But apparently there are some noobs
to shootin here.

So instead of me shootin from da lip,
let me offer up this very old article by
Massad Ayoob
(sometimes spelled Masaad Ayoob)
I suggest that you copy and save it,
which is what I did a long time ago.

How to Shoot a Handgun Accurately

dtnwn

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Just ONE gun, eh?

heh heh

A very OLD, well-to-do cagey fart ,
once asserted to me-

Sam, to survive damn near anything,
you need to have THREE things in your family.

A lawyer

An MD
and

The right small business...........

dtnwn

Re: Just One (1) Gun...
 

Ambulance chasing family business?