John Walters has posted his list of 10 essential guns that will help you survive the time when civilization starts to crumble and fall over. His conclusion says it all:
Ten guns. Thousands of dollars. Hundreds of training hours. This isn’t hobbyism. It’s insurance against hard times, written in steel and gunpowder. My uncle understood what I’m only now fully grasping: preparation becomes necessity without announcement, and those ready sleep while others pace in darkness.
Acquire these tools. Learn them. Maintain them against the day when phones die and police stop coming. That day approaches regardless of elections or economic indicators.
Civilization persists where force maintains it. Ensure you possess sufficient force.
I think that everyone who visits my website with any regularity will be familiar with the concept, because I’ve been hammering on about it for over two decades.
As for his list, I have no problem with anything he says, because his rationale is well supported by common sense. (I may disagree with a couple of his specific guns, of course, as may any one of you, but that’s absolutely unimportant: the category and the need they address are well stated. Also, some of the categories kinda overlap, but that’s also not a major fault: there’s nothing wrong with a little redundancy, as any fule kno.)
- Pump Shotgun: 12-Gauge
- AR-15 Platform
- Service Pistol: .45 ACP Long-Range
- Hunter: .30-06 Springfield
- Rimfire Battery: .22 LR
- Concealed Companion: Subcompact 9mm
- Battle Rifle: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Revolver: .357 Magnum
- Tactical Shotgun: Semi-Automatic 12-Gauge
- Precision Instrument: Bolt-Action .308
One could argue that the “hunter” (.30-06) and “battle rifle “(7.62x51mm) could be addressed by the same rifle (e.g. an M1 Garand), and the “hunter” likewise with the “precision instrument” (e.g. a scoped Mauser in [pick one] chambering). As I said, there’s some overlap.
Interestingly, I am deficient in both shotgun categories — I don’t own a shotgun of any description at the moment — and I don’t really have a subcompact handgun either. (If Clint Smith carries two 1911s, I see no reason why I shouldn’t, or else carry two .357 Mag/.38 Special revolvers, as I sometimes do.) And really, those handguns are just there to buy me the time to get to the trunk of my car, where Hell Awaits To Be Unleashed™.
I am also somewhat leery of the “precision instrument”, mostly because my eyesight is becoming so crap that any shot needing to be made over 400 (300 even?) yards would see me seeking deep cover or retreating instead. (I do have a decent precision/hunting rifle or two, of course, but I’m no longer confident of my ability to reach out and touch anyone further out than the above, with any degree of confidence.)
I’m getting to the point, in other words, where my “hunter”, “battle” and “precision instrument” categories will soon be blended into a .357 Magnum lever rifle (with an old Ruger/S&W revolver as a companion piece when it comes to halitosis-range combat).
But don’t let me be a downer: get out there and do as the man says. Practice till you can’t practice anymore, and then practice again and again, as often as you can.
Your life may well depend on it.
Boston Tea Party wrote about this in his Boston’s Gun Bible back in the early 90s. The book is somewhat dated and needs to be updated but the basics remain sound.
I think he came up with a 6 gun battery or so which mirrors the 10 gun battery above.
He opted for the M1A or other .308 semi auto rifle, a scoped rifle for hunting and precision, a combo shotgun for bird and deer hunting etc. a 22lr pistol and rifle for small game hunting and training and then a center fire pistol for self defense.
That article has the STENCH of AI assist in the writing and the pictures. I responded thusly
https://substack.com/@doncurton873029/note/c-337974606
Remember, when civilization starts to crumble and fall over each of these fine firearms becomes a curio and relic, or at best a club, without sufficient ammunition to get you through the tribulation.
Put $1 into ammunition for every dollar put into hardware. Maybe even $2. And keep your stock topped off.
I think the list can be more generic, so each person can feed their needs
Fill in each category with YOUR preference
Here’s my .02 cents which ain’t worth much
1 – “Full” Size Centerfire Pistol (My Choice is Sig P229 9MM or Glock 19) (Yes, I am aware that 20 years ago these were considered compact size, today they are large guns compared to current offerings).
2 – “Full” Size revolver (My choice Ruger GP100 4 inch stainless 357 Mag)
3 – Compact AND / OR ultra compact (My Choice Ruger LCR 38 or S&W Bodyguard 2.0 380 ACP)
4 – Rimfire handgun (My choice Ruger Single Six convertible 22 LR & WMR aka Mag)
5 – Rimfire rifle (My choice Ruger 10 / 22)
6 – Shotgun (My old choice used to be 12 gauge, but I am finding this to be very punishing recoil wise. Might have to think about a 410, but 410 ammo is pricey and hard to find…)
7 – Center Fire Rifle (My choice bolt action .270). Some people want a semi auto like an AR or an AK 47. If I did not live in a blue nanny state, maybe I’d go for the AK).
8 – get a backup of the top 1 or 2 guns that you use most.
AMMO – AT LEAST 1,000 rounds for every gun you own. A gun is a paperweight without ammo. Though one could argue, a gun like the GP100 or 686 makes a fine impact weapon during the zombie apocalypse.
YMMV
ALSO – I agree with Don above – LOTS of AI videos, lists and content online these days. Not sure what is real and what is not.
My list:
1. Pump Shotgun: Winchester Model 12
2. AR-15 Platform: Seriously?? Steyr AUG
for 5.56, Vz58 for 7.62×39.
3. Service Pistol: Stock M1911
4. Hunter: See 7, below.
5. Rimfire: Ruger 10/22
6. Concealed Companion: Glock 19
7. Battle Rifle: FN-FAL. There can be only
one.
8. Revolver: Ruger Security Six, 38./357
9. Tactical Shotgun: Remington 870
10. Precision Instrument: Steyr SSG
My major concern with this kind of listing is the ammo proliferation that it leads to. I’ve already got too many calibers for different firearms and I’m getting rid of some of them just so I don’t have to stock ammunition for them.
That being said, here’s what I currently have for the list.
Pump Shotgun: 12-Gauge
– That’s covered with a couple of Mossberg 500’s in 12 gauge. One of them is the first firearm I ever bought which survived an apartment fire. Standard magazine tube (5 round, plug removed) and an 18″ straight tube that has rifle sights. My wife’s is a 20 gauge.
AR-15 Platform
Nope. Not going there in 5.56/.223. I’m not going to be shooting at varmints. I’ve got a Frankengun from RRA that has an AR-style upper in 7.62×39 and a lower that accepts AK magazines. Plenty of mags and plenty (cases) of ammo.
Service Pistol: .45 ACP Long-Range
There’s one in each vehicle (including the motorcycle) and a bunch through the house. Duh.
Hunter: .30-06 Springfield
A couple of bolt guns and plenty of ammo. I sold off my Garands this year because I wasn’t competing any more (eyesight has gone to heck…100 yards is my limit with open sights). Both guns are scoped.
Rimfire Battery: .22 LR
Yeah, we’ve got a bunch of 10/22’s but my wife’s favorite rifle is her Marlin 39A lever gun.
Concealed Companion: Subcompact 9mm
Nope. I carry a Sig C3 which is the perfect .45 ACP carry gun in my opinion. Officer’s size aluminum frame with Commander length slide and barrel. When I don’t feel like carrying a pistol I’ve got a Ruger LC9, but it sure isn’t my first choice for a SHTF situation.
Battle Rifle: 7.62x51mm NATO
Nope. Don’t need yet another 30-caliber ammo to stock. Got my Frankengun and AK’s for short range (25 to 100 yards). Long range will be .30-06 (100 to 300 yards).
Revolver: .357 Magnum
Well, I’ve got one, a big 6″-barreled monster, and my wife’s carry gun is an SP101. But for the same purposes a full-sized 1911 in .45 ACP will do just fine.
Tactical Shotgun: Semi-Automatic 12-Gauge
Nope. Not gonna bother when I’ve got a perfectly useful Mossy in the safe.
Precision Instrument: Bolt-Action .308
Nope. Yet again, ammo proliferation. Even with a scope my eyesight sucks badly enough that I won’t be willing to take a shot at more than 300 yards from a rest/prone, or off-hand at more than 100 yards.
But if it came down to just a few firearms and ammo selections I’d boil it down to one pump shotgun in 12-gauge, the Sig C3 in .45 ACP, the Savage bolt-gun in .30-06, and a Ruger 10/22. That’s four calibers, getting rid of the extraneous 9mm, .357/.38, and the .308/7.62×51
First off, I don’t do lists of my stuff on the internet.
Next, beware the man who owns one gun. He probably knows how to use it. (I am discounting those one-off feel good handgun purchases that sit gathering dust).
I agree with Don C. that this article has the flavor of those click bait YooToob videos that all have the same voice of the “Asian Guy”.
You don’t need a battery to cover every conceivable scenario on the planet (although if that’s what you have, well done. Enjoy). As already noted, do what suits you and your AO. And pardon my Captain Obvious hat, but most important element overlooked in these “Being Ready” discussions is RANGE TIME.
A field report on some ammo. You can learn a lot reading John’s quips. Worth subscribing.
https://defense-training.com/big-game-hunting/
I am simplifying my life as I doddle into my dotage.
My essentials:
1) Shotgun(s): Mossberg 590A1 and FN SLP (in case you need 8 rounds down range in less than 1 sec)
2) AK47: Zastava ZPAPM70
3) AR15: Several
4) .22/.22WMR: Hammerli B1 (et al)
5) Revolver: Colt Python .357, et al
6) Pistol: Assorted .45’s
7) Long range “hunter” : Ruger Precision Rifle, .338 Lapua
8) Medium range hunter: CZ 557, 30-06
9) Truck gun: S&W FPC carbine in 9MM (mag matches the S&W mags for all their Shield handguns)
10) CCW: Hellcat or Sig XL365
Rounds for each: Almost enough, just not “quite” enough.
Some entertaining gun insights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDJ3EJuUo0w
I am reasonably certain I could still make a 300 to 400 meter shot with any of my hunting rifles. However, there are not many ranges hereabouts with over 100 yards/meters to test that assertion. There is also the problem that old age has limited my ability to hike over broken ground all day or crawl through underbrush. Personally, I think my hunting for sport days are pretty much behind me.
So… Since the the goal seems to be at-a-minimum I think I am OK.
For shotguns I have a Remington 870, and Mossberg 500A. Both in 12G. Like you I combined the hunter, battle and precision categories into a 77-357 (yes, a bolt action 357) set up with a 2-7×32 scope and a Marlin 1894C as a walkabout rifle. Handguns are a Ruger Security Six or S&W 686P with SP101 or J-frame as backup.
For 22 LR, a Browning Buckmark or a BL-22. Probably both. The BL-22 has a controlled feed so it handles even those short little CCI 22 Shorts making it a really nice rifle for quietly taking small game.
I have other guns that might qualify for the list but the above should make my minimum.
In reality this list can be pared down to half that length. How often would you need to reach out 400 yds and, honestly, would you take that shot knowing ammo is uncertain? Look closely around your go to location. Odds are clear shots won’t exceed 150-200 yds and most will be under 100. Manually operated, tube fed rifles work reliably, even when dirty, and are generally chambered in a revolver caliber. (30-30 & 45-70 being notable outliers). Magazines need to be loaded. That’s time consuming without a device and are yet another failure point & expense. 12 ga is nice, but at shotty range a 20 will do as well; with the added features of less recoil, lighter weight & easier handling by smaller sized compainions. Down side is ammo is slightly pricier.
Scattergun: 20 ga pump action
Rifle: Levergun in .357, .44 Mag, 45 Colt. (If you live where you’re not the top of the food chain as do I, maybe add a 45-70.)
Sidearm: Wheelgun in a companion caliber to the levergun. 2 guns, 1 round
Rimfire: Bolt action in .22 WMR.
If you absolutely have to go semi-auto, Ruger makes a dandy take down PCC in 9mm & .40 S&W that are accurate out to at least 100 yds. There are myriad sidearms in those to pair it with.
Learn to reload. A good setup can be had for the cost of a case of ammo.
Agree with some of you but my list is 870 in 20 gauge.
Can do pistol/rifle same caliber in 22, 22 WMR, 9 mm and 357/38.
Long range 308 or 30-06.
Have both bolt and auto in 223/5.56 using ar mags
Also Beans, Bandaids, bullets.
Need a semi to haul it all but should I have to carry it I could reduce pretty easy.
I think the most likely scenario these days will be the economy blowing up, with a tie being Islamist trying to take over.
Course I know one guy who wants to retire to Laos, so there is that.
Something to point out….with modern machining, a semi auto can be just as accurate as a bolt action.
The bolt action may weight less, and poorly made semi auto (or one with greater clearances) may not be as accurate.
But if you buy a sub-1MOA semi auto it’s still sub MOA.
So if you can afford it (and the weight) what would you get a bolt gun?
This sounds like one of Kim’s famous “imagine you were . . .” games.
10 is at least five too many. And it’s important in a survival situation to keep to the rounds that one can find; your exotic super cool round, no matter how good it is, does you no good if you can’t find any. You need 4 guns, perhaps five:
1. a .22 rifle. This is probably your most used firearm. a 10-22 is probably your best bet, though there are lots of perfectly acceptable options.
2. a handgun; don’t care whether its “service” or not, in 9mm. Get a reliable brand, there’s lots of them, in 9mm. Glock, M&P, Sig, HK, Colt, Canik, etc. Doesn’t matter. It just has to reliably work. Kim, I know you like .45, but 9mm is far more available, cheaper, and gives you a higher capacity in the firearm. To each his own, however.
3. a shotgun, probably 12 gauge, though 20 would be OK. Steer clear of .410, or 16, or more exotic stuff. Again, it’s about ammo availability. And a shotgun does lots of things, with either birdshot, buckshot, or slugs. Reliability counts here, so a pump is probably preferable to an autoloader.
4. a military/service/defense rifle. The only sensible choice here is an AR pattern rifle in 5.56. Again, it’s about ammo availability. And inside 500 yards, 5.56 has been putting bad guys in the ground for 60 years. Sight it in at a 36-50 yard zero, and anything/anyone inside 300 yards is point and shoot. 5.56 is also effective for deer, varmints, and other game.
5. OPTIONAL: if you think you need it, a scoped rifle for 300-500+ yards. Your choice caliber, but since ammo availability is key, .308 makes a lot of sense. 30-06 would work about as well, .270 perhaps, and past that, the ammo availability drops off rapidly.
Multiple use ammo has some value too, so a .357 mag/.38 revolver, with a levergun in the same, is not a bad choice. A 9mm carbine, same idea, to pair up with the pistols.. Get several backups/duplicates/parts for the above, but stay in your caliber choices. You don’t want to have to stash a bunch of different calibers. .22, 9mm, 12/20 gauge, 5.56, perhaps a .308 or 30-06. That’s it.
And I’d strongly advise you get the .22, and perhaps the 5.56, suppressed. Two suppressors, one in .22, the other in up to 9mm, would cover much of the above. I have a single can that fits an AR in 5.56, a 9mm pistol, a .300 BLK, and a .308. Very useful. There’s lots of suppressors out there so capable. Get one. Especially now, as you can do so without a transfer tax (and perhaps without registration, if you so fit the litigation. IYKYK).
And most importantly, if you have any water near you – a rod and reel. a primary food provider.
You don’t need anything – firearms-wise, at least – past that. You should have several copies of each of the above, and lots of ammo, of course. But those 4, and 5 if you really feel the need, cover about anything you’ll need.
And yea, the video is AI trash. I didn’t have to look it up. Just reading the script is the dead giveaway. It screams AI.
“And a shotgun does lots of things, with either birdshot, buckshot, or slugs.”
And too many shooters think they can swap ammo to handle a sudden change in target in the field. HAHAHAHA…bull. Just watch a 3 gun match, and see near everyone screw this up!
“Reliability counts here, so a pump is probably preferable to an autoloader.”
Again, bull. Biggest screwup? Short stroke the pump. Most competitors flub this at least once at every match. And that’s not even as stressful as real combat.