Rules #1 - Survive

Surviving doesn't mean hunt, or fight - it means survive. In a shtf scenario I am not looking to contact ANYONE that I don't already know, so I'm going to avoid movement unless necessary, I'm not going to hunt unless I'm starving and I'm going to run from a fight until I'm cornered.

Katrina confiscations? First they gotta find me, then since they always announce, they've gotta find where I stashed it. Since I am not roving about, I have a good hiding spot for my weapon. I am not worried about walking about with my AK, because I am not walking about. In situations that might require me to do so, I need to have a very compelling reason to do so because movement means vulnerability to snipers and roadblocks.

My weapon keeps me safe primarily. Any engagement beyond 25 yards and a pistol is not the best choice, any situation where I have to bury it in the muck or goo and an AK has a good chance of still working, if I dont have gun lube the AK works, and many other types do not. AK ammo is laquered and sealed and takes a lot of punishment and STILL fires. It wins any confrontation with a pistol and a rifle round STOPS a fight much quicker than a pistol round. Shotgun pellets of any type stop in many barriers, a rifle bullet penetrates moderate cover.

So considering my priorities and potential needs, an AK fits the bill.