Specialize or Diversify guns
 

I've reached a point where my mind is too cluttered for my own logic.

What would be more logical?

Specialize: with just a couple each in (12ga, .22, .357, .308) and hoard lots of ammo.

Diversify: Have one or more weapons in the following calibers (12ga, .22, 9mm, .357, .44, .45, 5.56, 7.62x39 and .308) but with lots of ammo in one or two and much less ammo each of the rest.

The diversity idea was to be able to have more flexibility (trade/barter/spares/backups...) when these things go underground.

Either way, I would be spending about the same amount of $ and as a last resort would it matter 'cause if we had to move fast we could only carry so much without a uhaul. Did I answer my own question here?:albertein

Feel free to critisize.:turtle:

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

you need three guns, not more than five or so.

one pistol, one rifle, one shotgun.

or maybe, two pistos, if you carry a lot, a big'un and a lil'un. or one in 45 one in 9x19. like that.

or if you hunt, two rifles and two shotguns. like a mossberg 590 and a bird gun.

for rifles, make life easy on yerself and get one in 223 and one in 308. like an ar-15 and a springfield miA. or an ar-15 and a Steyr Scout.

What's the point in a bunch of guns you dont shoot often, and so by definiition you cant shoot well?

The main thing is having one when you need it, and being able to use it well.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

My philosophy (and I'm admittedly a new gun owner) is to not spread myself too thin with various types of ammo.

Like AntyEp said, get 3-5 guns you'll actually use, and all in easy to find cartridges.

For example, I've got a tactical 12ga, a scoped .22 rifle, and a glock 9mm. I'd like to supplement that with a kel-tec sub2000 9mm carbine which uses the same ammo and magazines as my glock. That way I only have to buy three types of ammo, all cheap, and all widely available therefore useful in TSHTF situations as well as home defense situations.

JMHO.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

For what it is worth, I just got the Springfield SOCOM 2, the dressed up version of the M1A. Pick one up you won't put it down.

CC

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

1 - AR-15 - .223 with add on 50bmg upper...battle rifle + long range

1 - FAL SA-58 - .308....good long distance and battle rifle

1- Colt 1911 - .45 cal with Mech-Tech upper....pistol + rifle top add on

1 - Glock 19 - 9mm - with 15 round and 33 round Scherer mags

1 - Ruger 10/22 - .22 cal - fun to shoot, cheap ammo, lightweight, low recoil

A nice wish list

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Heres what I am doing. 308 and 223 rifles. 45 and 357/38 pistols. 12 gauge shottys and 22lr cal rifle


I own a nine millimeter and a 30 06 but my main focus is the above calibers. I am buying ammo ever chance I get.


For what it is worth, I just got the Springfield SOCOM 2, the dressed up version of the M1A. Pick one up you won't put it down.

CC

I just got one of these and they rock. Expensive, but it would be my first choice in tshtf situation.

NOOB

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

That thread about the .50 cal really got me thinking. Let's not forget that when you start purchasing a collection of arms, you might have to use them. If it gets to point that you need to use them, there might be people close to you that didn't take your advice and stock up before. However, you won't leave them hanging. It just means that you need redundant weapons, both for cases of failure and parts and for other people that could wield them in common defense.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

I agree 100%. REMEMBER THIS!!!!!!!!!! GUNS and AMMO are NOT for barter! Because they will be used against you! NEVER consider trading off guns or ammo!!!! Trade gold, silver, food, women, whatever, but not something that can be used against you! This includes scopes, night vision eqpt, bow/arrows, et cetera. 5 good guns in the calibres listed above, and at least 1000 rounds per gun should do ya great. I suggest considering guns that are POPULAR so you can easily get spare parts (Rugers, mossbergs, remingtons) and in popular calibers, so you can get more ammo for them.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Agree with the last two posts.

Redundancy is good. Two is one, one is none.

Take into account your own situation. If you live in an apartment and need to bug out, you don't want to carry an arsenal.

You might want to cache something @ your bugout point, and/or make sure your systems are compatable with those with whom you'll be meeting.

If you live on a compound, "handouts" are a must.

Personally, I like the idea of specializing on one weapon/system/cartridge for rifle, pistol, shotgun. Then you add something else as a backup.

Maybe you have the afore mentioned SOCOM II for CQB(sorry, but those rails are a gimmick) and a tricked out M21 for long range. These share just about everything but the barrel, but then you have a cheap AR or even a bolt or break down in 5.56, just in case that's the only ammo you can aquire.

Same thing with pistols or shotguns. I'm currently looking for a glock 17. I despise glocks, but the world is awash with both them and their cute little ammo. (It's almost like a real bullet, only smaller.:aetsch: )

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Don't forget, CHEAPER!! :tee:

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

I assure you, if you were shot with a 9mm JHP +P round, you wouldn't think it was very cute :wazzup_sg

hehe..

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

If you don't trust them enough to GIVE them a gun, you'd be nuts to trade with them..

I like guns. Besides all the "Defence against Tyrants and Thugs", I think they're cool! :cool: So I have some odd calibers. But I make sure I have at least 100 rounds for each of them. The basics-like 12 gauge, .22, 7.62 by whatever-I have a lot more. The more guns you familiarize yourself with, the more likely it is that you will be able to use an unfamiliar weapon successfully should you have to. Or evaluate the safety/shootability/worth of one.

Just don't neglect your other preps.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Well, if you're asking this question at all, I'd say you should probably specialize.

Diversification isn't done so much for SHTF logic as it is for a love of shooting. Personally, I maintain redundancy in my "SHTF" guns and in my favorite calibers. I keep a good supply of ammo on hand in those (and I don't consider 1000 rounds to be a good supply of ammo), and I reload, too. Being a gun nut, however, I also buy guns I want to shoot without regard for how useful they'll be in a SHTF scenario. I suspect most people with a lot of guns aren't buying all of them with SHTF scenarios in mind.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

This maybe a dumb question, but I'll ask anyways...

What is/are the U.N.'s/NATO's standard caliber(s)

Just wondering.

Thanks!

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

NATO uses 7.62x51(308) for rifles & 9mm for handguns.(or at leat they did...)

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Thanks! That helps.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

.223 is also a NATO round unless I'm mistaken

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Also good to know. I appreciate it. :coolbeer:

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Too much diversity can lead to paperweights. I've got a few that I bought knowing full well they wouldn't get used much if at all. Anybody got any .32 rimfire?

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

I've changed a little on my thoughts reguarding needs for SHTF. I read a article I agree with. Big Pistol small Rifle.

Big pistol because if you pull it its probebly a close eminent threat needing immediate stopping.

Small rifle Survivalist=22 other needs=.223 because you would use it more for food or defense a longer distances. Smaller rifle means lighter ammunition weight so more can be carried.

12 guage in the House for things that go bump in the night.

E-A

Quick answer 3

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

bulk of nato infantry uses 5.56 for personal infantry weapons. 762x51 for MG and sniper. some places may still carry the FN FAL in 308 like Lichtenshtein or something but USA France and England are all in 223 now. Dont know bout the rest.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

True,the US uses that but I think all Europeans use the 7.62x51.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Looks like you're correct:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.56_x_45_mm_NATO

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

H&R top break, 5 shot, most likely an officer's off-duty weapon from 50-60-70 years ago. Shoots fine at very short distances. Can't remember how much I paid, but it must have been under $50 perhaps $25 back in the mid 1980's. Even still, I'd consider it more valuable than a paperweight.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Fear the man with only one rifle.


(and plenty of spare parts of course) :wink

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Hi all,

The rifle should have a mild kick to it so when your in a target rich environment you shoot fast and hit hard!

Take Care
Fast1

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Mild kick? My .22 hit pretty hard at age 4.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Thanks for the reality check. I figure we'll put together a family of 3 plan of 4-.357 revolvers, 2-.357 1894's, 2-12ga 870's & a .308 7600. What do you think?

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Oh, forgot to mention I'm not including .22's since they're a given.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

I also like the .357 pistol/carbine combo-it makes a good intermediate power round out of a longer barrel; it's close to a 30-30.

Once you have them, learn to clean and disassemble them. Buy the spare parts most likely to fail you.

But once you have all that, I'd add an SKS. They're virtually unbreakable, easy to use and maintain, and cheap, and there may come a time when you want not just rapid fire but rapid reload. The ammo is common, and while a little pricier than it was two years ago, still a good deal.

Re: Specialize or Diversify guns
 

Glocks. I used to hate them, then, having never fired one before, I shot a score of 465 out of 466... AFTER firing almost 500 rounds AND no cleaning!
The gun is ugly and does not fit my hand, but they are amazing.
I can't lie though, I sold my Glock 29 and 31 and now I carry and shoot a ParaArms ParaCarry in 45 and a full size Colt series 70. They just fit better.
I would own a Glock for survival use any day. Great gun. Too bad America does not have engineers like the ones in Austria.
A 9mm glock 17 or 19 IMHO would be a good choice for survival.