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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Beaten To Death (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 12/15/2006 4:29:40 PM EDT
| In you opinion what would be the best survival rifle. Okay folks lets keep it simple and no frills. Lets base it on a SHTF situation in the United States. If you chose other please elaborate. Have Fun |
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It's all what the person prefers and is better for them, but to me it's the M14. Which means my accurized M1A chromelined. I look at a shtf weapon choice though as it's best to stick to what is in the most current used military and LE calibers, would have the best chance of finding spare parts for and is in common use in our military too. When it comes to scrounging, which would be used in the most likely numbers across the board to enhance your chances of finding stuff for it. To me that's the M14 and the AR15 or a variant of. I know everytime I go to range I see atleast 2 to 3 AR's and 2 to 3 M14/M1A's. Every once in a while I see someone with a Fal or an AK and go over to check it out and maybe trade turns of a mag on the other person rifle, but no where close to the number of M14/M1A's and AR's. That means as I far as I'm concerned the FAL or AK or G3 or anything less common is not as good a complete choice on as many issues.  A better setup is to have both. You with the M14 and the little woman with the mouse gun. More people, also armed with the same is just higher strength of fire and control over more variables.  -----------------------  ---------------------------
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AUG, only because I have an assload of mags and parts to support it. Don't need any tools to change any parts, including the barrel if needed and it can run for thousands of rounds without cleaning. If I didn't have that supply o mags and parts, I'd take the AR. Easy to work on, lots of spare parts and minimal tools needed for armorer level work. |
| I voted AR15 because that is what I'm most familiar with, trained on in the Marines. In a SHTF scenario who is out an about and has plenty of ammo and mags? Military and police since they all have AR15s/M16s so if I run low or out of ammo I steal it and reload my mags since I'm not stupid enough to leave them lying empty as I go. |
| If people were my only threat I'd be more than happy with my midlength AR with Leupy CQT. If outdoor survival in the boonies where I'll need to shoot game I'm taking my FAL. I do have a DPMS LR308 but it doesnt have enough rounds through it yet to determine it's longterm reliability or it might just take the FAL and AR15s place. |
Unless its my WASR, in which case Ive had to replace a shit ton of parts to keep it functional. 
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WarDawg
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+1 advntrjnky
ETA: commercial bolt gun in .308/ .223. you need the caliber to pass the "walmart test" if walmart sells the ammo you will be able to find it everywhere. 30/30 lever would be good also. |
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Since I started this post I might as well place my .02 in. My primary weapon would be a M1A. I have a preban one that I cut the barrel down to 18" and installed a vortex flash suppressor. It is bedded in a a McMillian pistol grip stock. I have the option of mounting optics with comfort and ease if I so wish. Overall a great weapon. HOWEVER I think the 5.56 is one of the most used rifle cartridges of this country. This is my reasoning for adding a 5.56 to the survival situation. I cannot decide if I should purchase a AK in 5.56 or stick with the AR platform. I think the AK is proably the most reliable weapon out there in 7.62X39, however it lessons a bit with the 5.56 cartridge. Lets face it 5.56 AKs are out there but they are not that common. Second, despite the overwhelming common presence of the AR, it has the ability to convert to 9mm which is the most pouplar handgun round in the US. So far with my reasoning I think my next topic should be what AR platform for a SHTF situation. |
| From my own collection, the 1100. If I had a choice, I would get my grandfather's remington 742. Definiton of fudd gun. 30-06, wooden stock, 30 year old scope The largest magazine is 10 rounds, etc.. This comes in to play because it doesn't stand out very much, and 30-06 is common as around here. Plus, I really like the gun. |
+2, every hardware/tackle shop/ country store will likely have 30.06 or .308, and 12ga, and maybe .223/5.56 |
In a true SHTF scenario in this country, your best option is to leave the AO and let the Army/NG restore order & civilization... Nothing will be plentiful, everyone with common sense and the resources to do so will leave, which leaves the stay-behinds and the hood rats, ala NOLA... How much gun do you need to evacuate back to civilization? Now, if you honestly believe that there's the possibility for a nationwide collapse of Cold War nuke-strike proportions, well... That's another story... But realistically, that won't/can't happen... An AR carbine and about 7 mags of 5.56 should be enough gun... 5.56 being plentiful enough that you can get more if you need it... Russkie calibers are too rare... Same for 30-06 (Remember: some of the hotter modern 30-06 loads can damage a M1)... And the 308s are just too damn big... |
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Living in the Republik of Kalifornia, I'd have to go with the M1A due the fact that it's the only one on the list the can be had with detachable mags. ETA: In a long term SHTF situation I think it would be better to have a rifle chambered for commercial hunting ammunition ie. .223REM or .308WIN. Although 7.62x39 is cheap and widely available in many areas, the commercial loadings will be easier to find in BFE. |
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AR15A2 with a .223 AK coming in a very close second. The reasons are weight of rifle and ammo and ease of use by someone with little training. Nothing wrong with the other rifles though, I just prefer easier to shoot gun with more ammo in a SHTF situation. That being said I would be bringing my .50 if I had to bug out (and had enough spare room for it.) |
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The best? AKM in 7.62x39. It is the most reliable semi-auto platform available, it has proven lethal capabilities and it has a proven record of being able to withstand the most brutal abuse and neglect under some of the worst conditions in the world. If you have a few hundred rounds of ammo and a few extra mags stocked away then you are set for pretty much any disaster especially a short term disaster. Another great choice would be a lever action 30/30. They are simple, reliable, accurate and effective. There aren't many parts in them, so there isn't much to break and if you find yourself in a prolonged situation where you need to forage for ammo then it shouldn't be hard to find. If I ever had to bug out then I would grab my AK and my Marlin 336. |
+1 It might not be the BEST of all worlds, but it's plenty good enough for a wide range of needs and as said, parts and ammo are home grown. Unless you have a surpluse of parts and ammo that you can see lasting at least 6 months for a non-AR type rifle, you're making assumptions about unknown conditions that could really bite you in the ass. |
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From the list? AR, hands down. If you have a real AR and not a lemon, then you're set. The rifle requires no maintenance, if you keep it lubed you can put 15,000 rounds, or as many till your bolt breaks, through it without cleaning it once. *Search MisterPX's thread* It is deadly accurate, you can carry a lot of ammo for it, and have modularity for any situation that it calls for. My second choice from that list would be the M-14/M1a Accurate, reliable, durable and the receivers will last through a nuclear winter. Not to mention 7.62 NATO  Off the list, AR-10 Carbine |
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Quoted: Russkie calibers are too rare... Same for 30-06 (Remember: some of the hotter modern 30-06 loads can damage a M1)... True, but those are the "light magnum" loadings. Common .30-'06 should be fine and that is, by far, the most common caliber of ammunition in the USA. If you find ammo in a store, they'll have .30-'06 in stock. That would allow me to sling my Remington 700 and carry my M1 and have ammo commonality. I could also hand off my 760 pump gun to someone else and we'd all use the same ammo. Plus I have a bayonet for the M1. I agree on skipping the Russian calibers as ammo for those isn't nearly as common. Of course, I'd say the most correct answer to this question is, "Whatever weapon you have that you also have plenty of ammo for in your possession." |
Not if one buys a shitload of Greek .30-06 already loaded in enbloc clips from CMP. That a whole bunch of loose LC from the same source.  You think an AR10A2 carbine is too big?  Given that, I would not feel undergunned with one of my 5.56 rifles at all. |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Beaten To Death (Page 1 of 2)
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