[lobo2gun]

OK so here is the scenario . It's the end of the world as we know it for whatever reason government, society, manufacturing all gone tomorrow . You find your self in the worlds largest guns store with literally every gun ever made with a bazillion rds for each . However you only have 5 minutes to assemble any gun you have ever wanted and all the ammo you can carry . So what do you pick ? remember this will likely be the last gun you will ever get and you must carry it and the ammo .

 

[kudzu]

Ruger 10/22.

 

[larryp]

M1a.

 

[wolfspotter]

Older style M-16/AR-15 A1.

 

[curt mini14]

mini14 no ?

 

[Mr. Snuffalupagus]

gonna go out on a limb -

Keltec RFB... with a Millet DMS1 scope on it..

yeah... you heard right - an RFB.

here is why:
Lightweight, compact firepower.
I've heard good things about it's ergonomics, (especially for lefties - which my Wife is) it's compact size makes it easy to handle (my wife really can't even handle my Mini 30 correctly due to length) I've heard it has a pretty nice trigger pull, and they are pretty rugged and easy to field strip and clean

at 26" long you can stuff it quite a few places out of sight should it be appropriate to avoid attention. but it still has an 18" barrel
It'll fit completely inside my 3 day Pack with no problems at all
(try doing that with a Full sized M1A at 44" long or even a scout squad at 40" )

it shoots 7.62x51 / .308 (which hopefully should be one of the more common rounds that can be scavenged later) a round that has proven to be adequate for any four or two legged target you may find necessary to shoot. - I did think of sticking to 5.56/.223 but then thought about the "shot placement" factor of hunting for large/medium game with a small bore rifle - if I need to RELY on hunting for some meat - i'd rather shoot a cartridge that will do the job even on a marginal hit - instead of having to waste precious energy and time tracking an animal that didn't go down right away because you didn't bring enough gun, and you are cold, hungry and exhausted and didn't put it though the 10 ring.

it uses FAL magazines - which while not as cheap or prolific as HKG3/Cetme mags but they are about as common as M1a mags or AR10 mags. hopefully they can be scavenged relatively easy too.

parts availability would be an issue - but somehow despite the movies... I really don't think you are going to get into any Balls out firefights on a regular basis, and if properly cared for guns are pretty simple to keep running and can last a lifetime. I really think in a survival situation, your gun is going to see less use than it does now (monthly range trips where you rattle off 2-300 ounds like it's nothing will be a thing of the past, no?)
I foresee you'll be using couple of well aimed shots per month to harvest some meat - or maybe a mag load once a great while to convince some scavenger that what you have in your pack is best kept in your backpack and not his.

 

[StreetMini]

Rem 870, extended mag tube, with several spare barrels, different lengths for hunting (long with bead sight) and self defense (shorter with rifle sights). All the slugs, 00 buck, and #6 shot I can carry.

 

[whtsmoke]

End of the world, between the AR15 and the Ruger 10/22 it would have to be the 10/22, light weight, accurate, easy to maintain. You would not be out there sniping others in this type of a situation unless they were real close, the 22lr wins again, good power to kill with when needed, great for small game as you have to eat, and the ammo doesnt weigh much so you can carry alot of it. I dont even think id have a scope on it but I might have one packed away for it.

 

[Kevin]

Either my ruger 10/22, or the FN/FAL.

 

[A-FIXER]

Ok, I'll go with the .22 but it would be a bolt with a tube fed magazine. I would be able to carry thousands of rounds with me and a 1.5x7 power scope would do the trick, CCI mini-mags hp's so I would go with a cz, marlin, savage.

 

[jimbobborg]

A select fire 18" AR-15 in 6.8 SPC, 10 Barret mags, 10 PRI mags, 2 ammo cans full of the older SSA 115gr SMK combat loads, 2 ammo cans full of SSA 110gr ProHunter combat loads, a Nikon M223 scope 2-8x with a mini Aimpoint red dot on an angled mount. And all of my reloading equipment!

Jim

 

[calibrator]

Two schools of thought; (1) A pistol will allow you to go "shopping" for a rifle. (2) All the Tacti-cool guys have ARs, so parts, ammo, mags etc... will be more common. The Military and "Blue Helmets" will also be able to provide plenty of the above for the careful shopper. Go Wolverines!!!

 

[Punisher56]

My Rock River 7.62x39 A3 AR15 with eight 30round loaded CProducts mags..
bang bang !!!:ar15:

 

[jimbobborg]

Two schools of thought; (1) A pistol will allow you to go "shopping" for a rifle. (2) All the Tacti-cool guys have ARs, so parts, ammo, mags etc... will be more common. The Military and "Blue Helmets" will also be able to provide plenty of the above for the careful shopper. Go Wolverines!!!

Don't bring a pistol to a rifle fight! And don't depend on other people for your supplies! If you aren't prepared before SHTF, you will not last long without pimping yourself or loved ones out!

Jim

 

[calibrator]

During WW II the OSS developed a cute little single shot .45 cal pistol called the "Liberator". It came with several rounds in the grip as well as a wooden dowel to extract empties. I believe that it also had an instruction sheet, wordless, it was illustrated to show function and how to employ it on target. It was air dropped or otherwise distributed to the French Partisans. The whole idea was for it to be used to neutralize an enemy soldier and take his weapon. Your idea of SHTF seems to imply there will be a polite code of conduct (like the British expected in the Revolution), no nasty ambushes when you least expect it. There will also be no countdown clock so everyone is in their cozy bunker when the whistle blows. Imagine being 120 miles from home when the diaster occurs and the Sheeple riot, looting the gas stations and grocery stores, all highways are choked with wreckage. Someone in good shape could walk home in 4-5 days if motivated and equipped, and not dodging scavengers or FEMA patrols. My Glock 30 has been like a Siamese Twin for over 10 yrs and I have more trust in it than ALL but a handful of people.

 

[Ralph T]

Uumm, the closest gun I can get my hands on since the zombie's are right behind me..come on man, this ain't a doomsday forum! If the SHTF, then a gun store is the last place I would be heading to..if u still ain't ready, you won't make it to the store!

 

[wonderdog451]

My short-gas FN-Fal is now my main go to rifle, The 870 would be next followed by the Uzi.

 

[Slims00ls1z28]

M-14, select fire .308 baby. One with a bullpup stock like what H2O man has and at least one of the Beta Cmags for it. Compact long range SAW.

 

[m1key]

Saiga 223 wearing 1-3x scope, loaded with Hornady 75 HP Training ammo and a handful of full 20-round mags carried in a shoulder pouch. h34r:

M

 

[XR750]

AK-47 & Sig 226 .40Cal + mags & ammo.