SHTF : Why AR's ?

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G37 said:


I'm thinking a handgun is still the master here as anyone with a rifle will most likely be picked off by someone else with a rifle for his rifle and ammo.
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A handgun as back up you mean...

An AR shorty would have way more usefulness than a HG.
 
G37 said:
I'm thinking a handgun is still the master here as anyone with a rifle will most likely be picked off by someone else with a rifle for his rifle and ammo.
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this is interesting.. handguns are the master. Because anyone with a rifle will be picked off by someone else with a rifle.

So...no rifle? Wouldn't your above scenario indicate that the "someone else with a rifle" doing the picking off..is the "master"?

Wouldn't you rather have the tool of the "someone else" doing the picking off?

Sounds like the handgun strategy is just to appear unarmed and hope that "someone else with the rifle" passes over you.

I'd rather be that "someone else" with options, than just hope that all the riflemen take pity on me.
 
Whatever platform you're using? The main criteria is, It has to fit in the bathtub with your doggie.
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angryeyebrows said:
You can keep your .22 LR, I'll grab the AR. Magazines, parts and ammo would be plentiful simply due to the fact that the military uses a similar weapon. I think it's wise to use the service rifle of whatever country you are in. When your .22 s**ts the bed where will you get parts?

Obviously there are lots of variables and question marks in the whole scenario but at least from a supply point of view, if you were using an AR you'd be able to rebomb and repair using the CF's resources. :rockOn:
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Exactly, but the one thing I haven't seen here is the fact that most people who survive a SHTF scenario would have access to C7s and all the 223 ammo you could scrounge off dead military and police personnel who use it. Regardless of the scenario there would always be military and police installations that would store these weapons or there would be the personnel on the ground with them.

However, if you couldn't I would recommend using weapons that use the same ammo as the forces who would be fighting in the streets either to keep social order or repel an enemy. 9mm and 5.56 and most likely a 7.62 for longer range targets.
 
Not reading through 26 pages but my $0.02.

Police and military use C7/C8 rifle/carbine's - meaning in a eotw scenerio, having a similiar would be very beneficial. Mags, accessories, parts and ammo readily available.

Likewise, putting a CMMG .22 lr turns one SHTF gun into 2.
 
Just read it all.. it passed some time. :) My plan remains the same as it did before I started, you NEED a wood fireplace or one of those outside ones and the ability to bring it inside and give it a chimney through your roof on short notice. You NEED water and food stores so you don't have to leave your house for at least a month, so you have time to think.

Shotguns for home defense with 00 buck and Slugs (I'm using the 870 platform but it does not really matter as long as it holds several rounds), and a scoped rifle (I'm using a SKS with 5/30's because it's cheap, accurate enough and shares ammo with the CZ).


If the situation has not resolved itself by then and you have to forage for supplies, It's a folding stock CZ with tac light and sling to be concealed under a coat for mid range encounters and a S&W M&P .40 for backup. It's simple reliable and effective. The AR loses out for me due to it's length. I have a 10.5 Armalite, but the CZ with the folding stock just hangs smaller and I feel that it packs a bigger punch.

YMMV, but that combo feels right to me.

Also I should add that it makes sense to stay home in the most probable scenarios and leave heading to the country for later when there are less people.

EDIT: You should definately own an AR with a laser for a backup weapon though and :ninja: ELITE :ninja: foraging missions.
 
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In the short-term it doesn't really matter what you're rocking as long as you know how to use it and have enough ammunition.

Stretching that out a bit, I would suggest something in a popular calibre specific to your AO. Up in my neck of the woods that's 12 gauge and .30-06. On this side of the pond the military rounds are hard to find and only the serious folks will be running with it, which makes it difficult to scavenge without getting into a firefight or other kind of serious trouble. I can almost guarantee you that in whatever SHTF scenario, the military cartridges will be damn near impossible to procure if you're not part of a mil/LE supply chain.

In the long term it gets dicey. You'd be working with many-times-reloaded casings, home-cast bullets, and then you'd have to contend with the issue of primers and powder. It's not like you can order these things in or go buy them at your local gun shop. As absolutely crucial as defense is, everyone's first priority should be in obtaining the skills necessary to survive in a world without the crutches of modern society: acquiring potable water, acquiring edible food (ideally without eating the flesh of your fellow man), building shelter, making fire, and medicine.
 
Hey all,
I have been thinking about this for quite a while : Why do you guys build your SHTF guns on the AR platform ? Why .223 ?? Not critizing, just curious.
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This was the original question posed in this thread.

I'll jump back to the basics, and answer that from my perspective.

1. I've got the training and equipment on hand.

2. I have the ammo and components onhand.

3. I have the spare parts and tools onhand.

4. It's a simple weapon to train a new shooter to use.

5. Modularity allows easy reconfiguration for different applications.

Those are 5 reasons in response to the original question in this thread.

I'm not delving into situations, and potential uses, and what if, what if, what it.

Those are 5 simple facts for why I'd choose the AR Platform.

Why would (or do) you?

NS
 
I like the AR, specifically with a shorter barrel, for it's small, light size, especially when the stock is collapsed, and light rounds for easy or easier packing.
 
First of all I think any weapon that you are proficient at using is the best for you. In a SHTF scenario its true to use a common round. I personally like my original m14 platform with my shotty for up close work. I did park the M14 for a while and chased a few AR type weapons around but sold them all and reverted back to the M14 after I fell in love with it again. The reason for this is due to stopping power. I personally have become very accurate with my M14 and trust it with my life. 4000 rounds and only 1 FTE. I personally could not say that I honestly trusted any of the AR type platforms I owned there for I sold them. To each his own, I see nothing wrong with the AR platform and look forward to grabbing one off the ground along with the plethora of ammo if Teotwawki happens :D
 
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