The ONE gun for SHTF

[GunTroll]

Not stupid choices but stupid people perhaps?

I picked the scatter gun due to the plethora of projectiles you can pick from and availability. Slugs, buck, bird type shot. Kind of the do all to me. Funny thing is I never use a shotgun for anything but turkey hunting. I don't rec shoot em' or nothing. Kind of boring to me. But it makes since in a one gun only scenario for me.

[jerrymrc]

Not stupid choices but stupid people perhaps?

I picked the scatter gun due to the plethora of projectiles you can pick from and availability. Slugs, buck, bird type shot. Kind of the do all to me. Funny thing is I never use a shotgun for anything but turkey hunting. I don't rec shoot em' or nothing. Kind of boring to me. But it makes since in a one gun only scenario for me.

And what that shows is you are very comfortable with a shotgun. My SIL is the same way. I went to an auto for three gun just because despite all the drills I was never very good with a pump. I did not even fire a shotgun till I was in my 40's. I grew up on rifles and pistols. I have a 12ga pump and a 20ga auto but for me even though I fully understand the ammo choices they are not the gun for me.

Part of this thread has to do with what one is comfortable with. That is why there are no right or wrong answers.

[68Charger]

I knew this would be popular. The great thing is nobody (so far) has called ones choice "stupid"
Thank You.

On some other boards, a less confrontational topic would lead to virtual fisticuffs...

[Marlin]

Marlin 45-70 with a 45LC caliber pistol may be the way to go. They both will work off of cast bullets and black powders effectively. Easy to reload with the same cast bullet.

Let me know how that works for you.. .45/70- .458 dia. .45LC- .452 dia.

[TFOGGER]

Let me know how that works for you.. .45/70- .458 dia. .45LC- .452 dia.

Maybe load up Minies in pure lead? then the base might expand to engage the rifling?

[7.62x39(4)life]

Gun confiscation is a major concern of mine... I want something nice and compact. andI would carry it in a non tactical case...

If I had to carry one of my own guns I would probably carry my left side folding ak-47

If I could have any gun it would be a "krink" or similar SBR ak-74 and I would pretend it was an MP5

[wrestler034]

I chose the Semi Auto .22 but upon more thought that would be more for TEOTWAWKI. In a SHTF situation I would go with my 1300 Defender due to sheer stopping power in a variety of situations. The reason I would take the 22 in a TEOTWAWKI situation is the ability to carry a lot of ammo for it. SHTF lasts maybe a month? TEOTWAWKI is much longer (permanent?) so having the ability to carry, in my estimation, 10 times the ammo vs 12ga is the deciding factor for me.

[hip55]

an interesting perspective -

http://www.ar15.com/content/articles/idealRifle/

[Troublco]

I like ARs but hunting is out with them. Like in that movie "I am Legend" the guy is hunting deer with his AR without much success.

I don't believe this to be the case. My 6.5 Grendel was acquired specifically for Antelope, and I think it'll work well on deer and the occasional 'yote. I got my .458 SOCOM for Feral hogs, and it's a hog hammer! Those with a 6.8 can go up to deer size game, and I know folks that use .300 Whisper (or Fireball) on deer or feral pigs out to about 100-150 yards. In a survival situation, I believe with the right bullets and shot placement a .223 would take up to deer size game out to 200-300 yards depending on the bullet. There are also those AR's chambered in .223 WSM, .243 WSM, and .25 WSM. I don't think I'd try hunting with FMJ bullets in an A2 rifle, but the right bullet with a scoped gun should work; you'd just have to make sure you were within effective range for whatever caliber you've got.

[sniper7]

I'll take a .22. You can carry a ton of rounds, kill up to medium sized game with it, pretty accurate, greater range than a shotgun, less weight and more ammo than a AR, smaller sized as well.

now if this is just for survival, that is what I will go with. if it is a SHTF situation where I may be fighting off looters, bad guys, zombies etc...then I will opt for my AR.

of course in reality i will have more than 1 gun, and plenty of ammo for everything.
I would probably grab an AR, 10/22, .45 or 9mm pistol as well as a 12 guage, and plenty of mags and ammo for each which I handily keep readily available!