Guest Post: Survival Firearms, My Unpopular Truth, by Bryan Lynch

Firearms have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and my family used them as many people do. We used them for hunting to add meat in the freezer. We spent long days at the target range honing skills, swapping stories, and overall, just having fun. And in a worst-case scenario we had the comfort of knowing those tools were available to protect the family.

However, due to the rise and popularity of what I call fantasy survival leagues, I believe many people have fallen a little too far from the tree.

In my experience chatting with people, the idea of firearms in a survival situation has become a bit romanticized. People seem to want to load up with exotic calibers, complex platforms, and every accessory, site, and scope under the Sun to hit long range targets or to act as though they are the next John Wick. While all these calibers and accessories are fun to play with and to use during normal times, I believe they will lose their position in a true, long term survival situation. That is why my unpopular truth is to stick to the absolute basics when it comes to platforms and calibers when TSHTF.

I have known many gun owners over the years who have graciously shown me their collections. And just like a snowflake, no two collections were identical. But there was one thing they did have in common and It did not matter if I was looking into the gun safe of a farmer, hunter, prepper, military veteran, collector, or target shooter. Every single one of them had a simple, plain 12-gauge shotgun and a .22 caliber rifle or handgun. The models I most commonly saw were Remington 870 shotguns, Ruger 10/22 rifles and a handgun such as the Browning Buck Mark or the Heritage Rough Rider.

In my mind, these two calibers cover a lot of bases in a world gone haywire.

1. They are incredibly common. That means the likelihood of coming by ammunition or spare parts is particularly good.

2. Again, because of how common they are, being able to barter with them or ammunition will be easier.

3. The knowledge of the platform’s operation is simple and fairly universal. This makes them very user friendly.

4. They do not require complex or unique tools to clean and maintain

5. Between the variety of shotgun ammunition and the .22, I believe most realistic hunting and defensive needs can be fulfilled.

6. If need be, a lot of .22 ammunition can be easily carried.

7. They are great platforms for training new firearm users.

8. Reloading supplies are common

9. They are easy and accurate to shoot, even for inexperienced users.

10. Typically, they are not picky and will chew through most ammunition.

11. These types of firearms are some of the most affordable on the market. This means multiple firearms and more ammunition can be bought.

Do not get me wrong. I will continue to enjoy the endless models, calibers, and accessories available. But at the end of the day I will hold to my unpopular truth as it pertains to long term survival scenarios. At the end of your day you must make the best firearm decision for you and yours. Need a little help in choosing your next firearm? Check out the great resources at GunCritic.com

 

Bryan Lynch is an outdoor and emergency preparedness enthusiast. Additionally, he is the author of Swiss Army Knife Camping and Outdoor Survival Guide as well as a content creator for various websites including www.guncritic.com
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About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

12 Comments

  1. anonymous June 1, 2020 at 06:44

    Your description above matches what my maternal Grandfather used as their personal fireams. A surplus SMLE (.303 British), single shot 12 gauge (of indeterminate manufacture, probably a hardware store brand) and a Mossberg .22 bolt action rifle. Those three did it all and the future owner of them value the stories of how they kept the family safe and fed are told over and over.

    Back then, many of the shotgun seen in the truck rack were break open single shot ‘Farmer’s Friends’. Not really considered firearms, they were tools, plain and simple, taken out and rarely admired for their looks. What made them so versatile was that it was simple to switch out bird shot with buck shot or slugs, as the task required. The single shot .410 was for around the homestead, where valuable tools and livestock were nearby and ranges were shorter so required less shot. Raccoon, oppossum and other small vermin bothering the hen house were dispatched with these. Right behind the kitchen door with a working flashlight was a common storage method.

    .22s are likely the most common round in the world. If a household holds a single firearm within its confines, its a good bet it will be chambered in .22 rimfire. Whether plinking for fun or practice and serious meat gathering, the .22 gets a lot of use. Quiet is a big part of that – people with property and livestock equate loud with damaged property.

  2. anonymous June 1, 2020 at 06:44

    Your description above matches what my maternal Grandfather used as their personal fireams. A surplus SMLE (.303 British), single shot 12 gauge (of indeterminate manufacture, probably a hardware store brand) and a Mossberg .22 bolt action rifle. Those three did it all and the future owner of them value the stories of how they kept the family safe and fed are told over and over.

    Back then, many of the shotgun seen in the truck rack were break open single shot ‘Farmer’s Friends’. Not really considered firearms, they were tools, plain and simple, taken out and rarely admired for their looks. What made them so versatile was that it was simple to switch out bird shot with buck shot or slugs, as the task required. The single shot .410 was for around the homestead, where valuable tools and livestock were nearby and ranges were shorter so required less shot. Raccoon, oppossum and other small vermin bothering the hen house were dispatched with these. Right behind the kitchen door with a working flashlight was a common storage method.

    .22s are likely the most common round in the world. If a household holds a single firearm within its confines, its a good bet it will be chambered in .22 rimfire. Whether plinking for fun or practice and serious meat gathering, the .22 gets a lot of use. Quiet is a big part of that – people with property and livestock equate loud with damaged property.

  3. Anonymous June 1, 2020 at 07:56

    4.5

  4. RB in GA June 1, 2020 at 07:59

    Totally agree. Anything extra is icing on the cake (Though I do love a lot of icing!).

  5. brunop June 1, 2020 at 13:50

    While I enjoyed the article, and agree with the points made that “simple is better” and “ammo & parts must be cheap and plentiful”, I think we’re missing one firearm here that fits the bill: and that is the AR-15.

    Cheap? Go to PSA – these *are* the “Good Ol’ Days”. If a guy makes $20/hour, he can buy a lightweight, high-capacity, ergonomic rifle for 2.5 days of wages. In “cowboy” days, a Winchester 1873 was half a month’s wages for a cowhand, so 600% more expensive.

    Plentiful ammo? Parts? Everyone already knows, so I don’t have to say it.

    Why the AR-15? Home invasion. Farm protection. Try shooting multiple coyotes at night in the wind even at 100 yards with the other two. Nope. How about the multitude of home invasions with multiple tangos? My wife and/or daughters can easily shoot the AR-15s and have a chance at winning. .22LR? Yeah – if you’re head-shooting everyone like John Wick. 12GA? She’ll get one round off. The girls in my house all weigh in the 120-130 range, and 12GA isn’t that easy to shoot for those people. Know what’s even worse? Trying to get them to train with one.

    I’m rooting for .22LR and 12GA. I’ve got multiples of both, and lots of food for them. But I’m rooting for everyone who doesn’t have an AR-15 to take advantage of the .mil and .gov expenditures over the past 50 years and buy something that’ll do the job that isn’t very likely (home invasion), or realistic (zombie hordes), but is probably the best tool for the job available to the Regular Guy.

  6. Anonymous June 1, 2020 at 13:50

    4

  7. Jim K June 1, 2020 at 14:55

    A good start, but I would add some sort of battle rifle, either an AR or AK (or both) and if you have the skill set something that will reach out and touch someone north of 600 yards. While a .22 pistol is a must, you might want to invest in something heavier for an EDC pistol. Just my 2 cents

  8. FlyBy June 1, 2020 at 18:19

    You have covered the basics. Like a couple of the other comments here, I’d add an AR in .223/5.56. Skip the exotic offerings. A bolt gun in .308 or 30.06 for those longer engagements if you have the skills to do so and a 9. All are popular calibers and somewhat ubiquitous if you’re having to scrounge for ammo.

  9. Anonymous June 1, 2020 at 20:11

    5

  10. Green Mountain Shooter June 1, 2020 at 20:20

    This commentary made me think….what firearms do have the most ammunition for? Sure enough it is the 12 Ga shotgun and .22 rimfire. My first hunting long gun was a 12 Ga pump. It digested slugs and buckshot for big game and varmints as well as self defense. I also hunted upland birds with great success. Then there is the home defense usage that cannot be ignored. The .22 rimfire is great for training and small game hunting. It can also turn the lights out on two legged critters in a pinch.

  11. Ben Leucking June 1, 2020 at 20:36

    I understand your sentiment and basic argument, but I’m definitely in agreement with FlyBy’s comments. The 12 Ga and 10-22 are such basic necessities that they are almost not worth discussing, much less debating. When it comes to the subject of survival, however, I would never think of depending upon a 22 revolver when I can reach for a 9mm semi-auto, instead. And, I would rather stop a threat at 300 yards with a 30-06 or .223/5.56 than wait for it to get within range of a shotgun.

  12. Arthur Sido June 2, 2020 at 07:43

    Everybody should have at a minimum some sort of 12 gauge and a .22, preferably a rifle, but as others have pointed out, there are all sorts of great reasons to have at least an AR-15. They can be had relatively inexpensively (although that is changing thanks to the riots and looting), the parts are interchangeable and the ammo is still pretty cheap. It is realistic to have an AR, 1000 rounds of ammo, spare parts and half a dozen 30 round mags for well under a grand. No reason to not have a $300-400 9mm handgun that holds 17+ so you can get to your AR. Other than that, most of the rest is just for fun.

    Leave the exotic calibers alone. Most people would be far better served getting really good at 2-3 calibers instead of being mediocre with two dozen.

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