SHTF Newb (anyone else?)

[Radio Relay]

Originally Posted by Bonehead

I still need a shot gun and a .22 handgun for SHTF.

Walmart is a good place to get shotguns, and hunting rifles. Reasonable prices, and good selection of quality long guns in the popular hunting calibers.

I've got a little NAA mini-revolver as my .22 handgun. Most people think it's not worth much, but it's easy to hide on your body, and figure if someone gets the drop on me, and takes my larger gun, they might miss the mini and I still have something to fight back with. Right now I just carry it in my front pocket, in a little pocket holster with a pouch that has ten extra rounds, but it could easily be put in other places that would probably not be searched by your average zombie.

I have the SHTF guns that I'm going to use, but really, really want a long range sniper rifle for SHTF. Like a 50BMG, or M1A1. However, it probably ain't gonna happen.

Presently, I'm putting most of my SHTF prep money into precious metals. Although, if everything keeps going along, i.e. the economy doesn't tank, there is no big problem with rioting, and we can get the current bunch of authoritarian lefties out of our hair with most our rights still intact, then my next long gun will be a .50 cal.

[AZXD]

Guns are darn near worthless when you're starving, unless you want/need to become a marauding criminal.

Stockpile food, and develop a defense plan.

[Radio Relay]

Originally Posted by AZXD

Guns are darn near worthless when you're starving, unless you want/need to become a marauding criminal.

Stockpile food, and develop a defense plan.

Food, water, and shelter first, but you better have something to defend it, because there will be a lot of marauding criminals, if it gets real bad. Also, might need them to defend yourself if you have to get out of Dodge, and leave everything behind.

I want to a 50BMG to defend my farm, but it'll be defended without the big gun, anyway.

[Bonehead]

the way my city and neighborhood is, I prioritized :

1) guns and ammo
2) food
3) other gear


I have a small amount of food stashed and had to seriously budget to make weapons happen. money is tight and it takes some juggling but now I am not completely defenseless.

when some debt gets paid off in about 6 months I want to try to kick up preps.

I keep thinking "I don't have enough food and not enough ammo" but I have more than I used to have. at least I have something now. at least I have a plan.


I would like to have a converted saiga 12 but I may have to be happy with a 500. I don't know that I will be able to afford a saiga 12. prices went way up. it would seem when I prioritized my wasr over the saiga 12 I missed my chance.

[AZXD]

Originally Posted by Bonehead

the way my city and neighborhood is, I prioritized :

1) guns and ammo
2) food
3) other gear


I have a small amount of food stashed and had to seriously budget to make weapons happen. money is tight and it takes some juggling but now I am not completely defenseless.

when some debt gets paid off in about 6 months I want to try to kick up preps.

I keep thinking "I don't have enough food and not enough ammo" but I have more than I used to have. at least I have something now. at least I have a plan.


I would like to have a converted saiga 12 but I may have to be happy with a 500. I don't know that I will be able to afford a saiga 12. prices went way up. it would seem when I prioritized my wasr over the saiga 12 I missed my chance.

I've been thinking about trading the 4x4 (Toyota (toy)) for a van, just to have a place for storage, escape, and most importantly sleeping ... If I were to loose the house.

Go with the 500 ... It's a solid system

[Groo]

Originally Posted by Bonehead

I still need a shot gun and a .22 handgun for SHTF.

Shotguns are good if you have to do it all with a single gun, or you are looking to kill fast moving small objects (clays , bunnies, or birds). For any other purpose (save for deer hunting were it is your only legal option) you'd be better off with something else.

I am also not a huge fan of a 22 handgun for SHTF. I mentioned a Ruger Charger before, but that is more of a mini precision rifle and not a real handgun, plus it has a long enough barrel to get more for a 22 than a normal 22 pistol would. A true handgun; I see more as a last resort backup defense weapon. For that I'd want more than a 22 if at all feasible.

as the old story goes:
When asked if he was expecting trouble because he was wearing his pistol, the old sheriff answered, "Nope. If I was expecting trouble, I'd have brought my rifle."

[Bonehead]

I have the mosin, the AK, the .40 XDm, and the 10/22. I was just thinking a 12ga and a .22 handgun would round it out fairly well. the .22 handgun and rifle would make it easier to practice marksmanship, if nothing else.

I have been looking at vans too.

so much stuff I need to get done, so little time.

[GAGTO]

Carolina Shooting Supply has the Saiga on sale for 579 IIRC, it's the best deal I've seen. I bought my conversion kit from them, they've got videos on how to do it on youtube.

I found mine locally for 730 with a 12 round drum.

[robinsre]

The way I see it when the **** hits the fan you are going to feel like you don't have enough :

Guns,
Ammo,
Food,
Water,
Experience,
Barter items.

Regardless of how much you've squirreled away it won't be enough, until you have enough and then have to leave half of it behind when you are forced to evacuate.

Do what you can day in day out. Become as proficient as possible with the tools you own. Know them, inside and out. Be industrious and prepare without dragging your family into crushing debt.

Pray you'll never need it, but learn to make do with what you have when you do. Even if you've given it ANY forethought you're well beyond what 99.9% of the general population has done.

Remember the little things too. Lots of folks have food, water and ammunition. How many people have surgical masks and latex gloves. What about a good mechanic's toolkit stocked with plenty of replacement parts for things around the home?

[Groo]

Originally Posted by GAGTO

Carolina Shooting Supply has the Saiga on sale for 579 IIRC, it's the best deal I've seen. I bought my conversion kit from them, they've got videos on how to do it on youtube.

I found mine locally for 730 with a 12 round drum.

your conversion sure makes the new Keltec shotty sound like a bargain. More capacity, no shell deformation while sitting loaded, less bulk, lifetime warranty and Made in the USA, all for about the same price.....if you can find it....