Posted: 10/5/2008 10:12:50 AM EDT
I was straightening up the garage and checking my winter supplies yesterday. I was checking the spark plug on my generator and I was pleased to find out it is the same plug my lawn tractor uses. Great, I've already got a couple of spares plus the ones in the tractor. Later, I started to think about it and I have been making a move towards equipment with common parts or supplies. The move was mostly just out of convenience, but it is a smart preparedness move. Everything at my place that uses motor oil (cars, tractor, gen, etc.) uses Mobil1. All of the two cycle stuff uses the same univeral gas/oil mix from Ace. I've narrowed down the centerfire stuff to 12ga, .223, 9mm and .357/.38. I keep wanting to buy an AK, but it would make more sense to buy another AR rather than buying different mags, spare parts, diiferent ammo, etc. How much thought/effort do you guys put into consolidating parts, supplies, weapons? What some other ways to consolidate? |
Goes back a long way.... K.I.S.S.-- Keep it simply sucker... we all would love to have the latest " gizmo or gadget" but unless it is realist and feasible and goes with what preps I already have set up, no way. Unless it can cook, clean, provide, and make apearances out of thin air the protection and needs of my family I stick with what I have and add to those needs without the toys. |
|
I have been consolidating as much as possible. You mentioned Mobil 1 oil. My department has around 1,200 officers. Mobil 1 is used to lube all weapons. (food for thought) I like the idea of consolidating as it pertains to firearms. Guns, Parts, Ammo, Mags, Cleaning gear, Carry gear/support gear, and (in my mind) most important of all, consolidating the "Training and usage aspect" of it. Easier and cheaper to consolidate. With one type of pistol, rifle, ect, it's easier to train every member of the family, even those not as interested in shooting. When every rifle 's controls are the same, because they are the same type of gun, it doesn't matter as much who's gun the wife might pick up in a hurry. The safety works the same for every AR 15 I own. Same principle applies to pistols, shot guns, ect. All of my Glock 9mm's load the same. All of my Remington 870's action release buttons are in the same location. You get the idea... I try REAL hard not to buy any item needing batteries, unless it uses AA's. I became real fond of the AA LED lights during the week long black out we had after Ike hit SW Ohio. I am sure there are other areas where consolidation can make it cheaper and easier for you to prep, but I can't think of any right now. |
|
To the OP: Good move. This is my (new) mantra. It took a good friend to help me move away from gun collector mode and into realistic prepper mode. I had to sell several guns, which was painful, but I'm glad I did it now. So now, my whole family and extended network of friends are all on the same page for caliber, mags spare parts etc. We are on the same standard you were talking about for caliber with the addition of .308 and .22. That said I do have an AK, but only becuase I wanted to become familiar with it, as it's the most common weapon system on earth. So I don't think that getting one is a bad idea, just don't prep too much for it, and only get one after you have 2 of everything else. Next move for me is getting everybody on the same vehicle standard, we've looked at everything and have decided on the Toyota Tacoma platform for standardidzation, reliability, and versatility. Especially considering the same platform encompasses the FJ cruiser, Tacoma, and 4Runner. My .02. -Green. |
That was a consideration when I started switching over to Mobil 1. I am curious though, do they sell it in small bottles or does your dept just issue everyone a quart? |
|
Good post... It is a great idea to decide on a few types of things in each category, and stock parts, etc for each. Problem with gun owners is that you like to have several of each.  It is hard to say "I think I'll just standardize on AR15s or AKs" when there are so many neat guns to be had. I guess standardization is the smart thing.As in... only buy AA flashlights, only buy 9mm or 45 handguns, get all the same type of car so you can interchange parts... etc.. It certainly has its advantages, but would be boring.  Variety is a good thing if you can afford to have several of each type, but probably most folks should standardize as much as possible |
|
Cover the bases first. Glock 17's all around, AR's with mags and optics all around. Then go splurge on the crap you dont need like SPAS 12's and Desert Eagles. You can never have too much ammo. Or mags. If you go AK, you might want one in 5.45x39. 1080 rounds for around 120-150 dollars. |
The ammo cost was the main thing temping me. However, I can't' seem to be able to find any cheap 5.45 rifles other than the side folders. Should have bought a SAR-2 back in '01 when they were $250. |
Well price of a rifle is a big factor. Especially if you plan on owning several. I have 2 Bulgarians. The mid range of the AK74's. Im looking at getting a Century Arms Tantal to go with them. You could go all out and pick up a couple of S&W MP15 chambered for 5.45. Pricey but great ergonomics and optic options. Supposedly Cproducts will be making a ton of mags for it. |
|
did the same.. I have 6 AR platform and a dozen 1911 and 2 MkII pistols, parts, ammo, mags etc. interchangable and a several K rds of ammo in each caliber on the other hand. I have one 10/22 for target and small game I have one 308 for heavy game and reach out and touch someone and one 12ga for game/house gun the 3 Game/target guns, hang in the living room as what I call Neighbor guns, neighbors stop by, see guns, freak or fan you find out pretty quick..and few question an old 22, an old 870 or an old bolt action. ARs 1911, Mk II are in the safe. I get tempted in wanting to add..saw a neat looking AK today, keep thinking I want a .44mag etc..but,,I just keep adding to the base in ammo, mags, etc and grit my teeth a bit. |
|
I have a few Cals 243 I use it to hunt (x2 Remy and a T/C Encore.) 223 1 AR 1 Mini-14 (on the sale list to friend xd 40 (want a Glock to match cal) SKS and 1000 rnds got it and ammo cheap a while back so it stays. At least till ammo and SKS jump again.) 10/22 and MK II 2 12 gauges 1187 and BPS ALso want to add a Kel U 2000 in 40 to match the glock by. Both on the hold till Mini goes I wont to build my lower just no money plenty of time after last lay off.... |
|
Commonality aka K.I.S.S. is definitely one I saw in time being much better for me and mine instead of so many different rounds, mags, spare parts, controls to work and maintenance needs. I enjoy the lastest and the greatest too, but know what's more important. Right now I've refined it down to 3 rounds and quality, common firearms for them. 9mm, 7.62x51mm, and .22lr with Beretta pistols/carbine, M1A's and a Ruger 10/22. I realized listening to some people here is a very bad thing too. Counter to particular train of thought, I know I don't need or want tons of firearms. Just the basics and I don't want to be leaving firearms behind in an unattended home if I have to leave it. They'll all go in the truck and if it goes to foot what can't be carried will be buried. I may add some 5.56/.223's again if the ACR is all that or SIG gets it together and makes a more true 551 that runs AR mags, but that's about it. |
|
I tried to make all lights that depend on batteries AA. And I try to stick with the basic common calibers. I have thought about purchasing the reloading dies for several calibers as a just in case thing. Anybody know the ten most common calibers for pistol and rifle? |
They bought a HUGE box of these little empty bottles (about 2 oz, guessing). They fill the little bottles from 1 qt bottles of Mobil 1. They have about 20 "Cleaning stations" at the range facility, and put together a "cleaning kit" for each District and unit. Another good bottle is those Mil Spec little plastic bottles the Military uses. Try to find them sold by the dozen, then usually around $0.50 ea. |
We have 2 same year Caravans. All the switches, controls, engine, etc. are identical. No more fumbling for the windshield wipers in the wife’s car. I have the factory shop manual. Fix one and you how to fix the other. You can swap wheels if necessary, etc. ****************************** Some of you might laugh at my 'lowly' Caravan. On a recent camping trip to the Sierra my son and I took all dirt roads. When we get up to a fishing lodge at a 9000' lake, we are the only people without a 4x4 truck or SUV. The lake has both paved and dirt access and we are also the only vehicle that has a speck of dust on it! I realized this when the woman next to us is staring at the inch+ of dust on the rear bumper as we get our gear. The van has poor ground clearance but if you understand that, you can go some pretty rough places with it. (I had 4x4 truck for 18 yrs.) I can put 4x8 sheets inside with the rear seats out and haul small qty’s of 12-14’ lumber all the time. Am I going to drive up a high curb in a GOOD situation? Nope.. But I do get low 30's mpg on the highway. Another benefit is blending into the crowd. |
A bunch (probably more than I should). All emergency 'must have' gear is run by AA batteries - emergency AM/FM/Weather radios, FRS, lights, lamps etc. All on AAs. All of us use a 5.56 ARs, same ammo, magazines, manipulations. The carbines are also the same length, and general configuration to make things simpler. Overkill for sure, but why not? |
|
I am a flashlight junkie, but I have completely stopped buying flashlights that are not AA. I have 3 ARs and spare parts enough for all of them. I have 3-45XDs and 2-9mm XDs. Last week, I found out that the Johnson & Johnson Coach self adhering Elastic bandage totally rocks for holding gauze pads and the like, in place while you work (bad poison ivy incident!). Way better than any tape I have used. I bought 12 rolls so far. Walmart is fazing out the Natural Rubber versions, and they are the ones that work the best over the latex free, so I am buying them up as fast as I can get them. If I am going to train my family to use a particular product, I am going to have a lot of it on hand. I really like the Israeli bandages so everyone will train with them. All the first aid kits will have them in various sizes. Everyone will know how to use them and they will be readily available. The wrap listed above and kling will be in every kit as well as the same assortment of pads and kerlix for wound packing. Each item will have a multitude of uses, but each one will be maintained the same so no one is searching around for something in a crisis. My stock of .22 ammo consists of over 7,000 rds. of Federal Auto match because it shoots well out of all of my and my families rifles and pistols, so we are all, already sighted in for this round. I bought most of the fire starting equipment. I have a Sweedish steel and magnesium fire starter (that I posted in the gear section), lighter, and matches for every kit. They are all identical so everyone will be familiar with their use. It would be difficult to list all the places where I am using commonality. |
|
Nope not me....I have a hard time really understanding this, I guess i can see it if you are equiping an army you would want everybody armed the same but a single person?...Say I have an AR and a 1,000 rounds of .223...whats the difference if I buy another AR with a 1,000 rounds or if i buy a AK and a 1,000 rounds? In either case I will have 2 rifles and 2,000 rounds to shoot out of them. Yes if you have 2 ARs and one breaks you can use it for parts if the other one breaks too but is this a realistic thing to plan for? I would rather just have some extra likely to break parts put away. Other then I just like having different guns one reason I like having many different caliber guns is that I come across ammo all the time that I can often get cheap. Just this weekend picked up 100 rounds of 303 for $10...and of course I have a couple .303 rifles but if I didn't I would have missed out on a good deal. I passed on a box of 35 remington priced at $3 because I no longer have my old Remington pump rifle  Will admit to having besides lots of other guns 3 AR15s, 4 AKs and 5 Colt 1911s but is only because I want them and not having anything to do with "commonality".....Todd |
Several reasons. First if one breaks at 500 rounds. Then you have one rifle with 1K rounds and 500 rounds of a useless caliber in your scenario. By 'standardizing' you have 1 rifle with 1500 rounds... Secondly if one rifle breaks, your second rifle functions absoultly identical. Thus all that time training with rifle "A" immediately carries over to rifle "B". Things like magazine changes, stoppage clearances, and holdover. Third, if a have to arm a buddy who's came to hole up at your place, then you both have the same gear and can share magazines. Also, instead of maintaining spare parts for both, you only need to keep parts for 1 kind of rifle (saves $$). |