Guns, Ammo, & All the Essentials for Trying Times
Terry Nelson 03.19.20
Several years ago, I wrote an article about top picks for survival guns and being prepared for chaos. It appears that time is here. Ammunition shortages are now the norm along with empty shelves for essentials like bottled water, toilet paper, and canned goods. It’s mostly panic and fear driving the buying spree, but nevertheless it is occurring. If you have not laid in a good supply of ammunition for defense, hunting, training, or bartering, you will most likely not find enough now to fill these needs.
Look to online retailers, there are several that still have some common ammunition calibers but expect ten or more days to receive your order because of backlogs in shipping. Many are buying up guns as fast as dealers can put them on shelves with little thought to ammunition availability down the road. In addition, some major cities along with mayors and city councils, such as Albuquerque New Mexico, are trying to pass ordinances that violate the 2nd Amendment and, in some cases, even the states’ own constitutions concerning right to keep and bear arms. Shame on them! It is trying times folks, but no time to panic much less take away the right of self-protection.
So here are a few factors to consider in our current state of affairs. The reasons to have a firearm (or two) are endless and unique to you and your environment. In general, it’s fairly straightforward. Self-defense and hunting are naturally the top uses for a survival gun. Since we are talking about an out-of-the-norm event such as the one we’re currently in, I would want to keep my selections simple. To accomplish this, I would consider such factors as ammo availability. When I say ammo availability, understand I am referring to calibers that the majority of gun owners will already have on hand, making it more likely you can at least obtain some by bartering.
Within the United States, some calibers (or shotgun ammo) that would be much more likely to be found in hard times are 22 long rifle (surprisingly still very much available), 12 gauge, 223/5.56, 9mm, and 308 or 30-06. In stressful times you may find 22 Magnum, 28 gauge, 222, 357 Sig, and 270 Winchester Short Mag hard to come by. In other words, your hard times gun should be in a caliber that you have a good supply of, or calibers that might be easier to find via scavenging or barter. Another factor I would consider is the track record of reliability with my chosen gun, whether by reputation, personal experience, or better yet, both. Confidence in each firearm’s system—including accessories and ammunition, as well as my ability to use it well, is critical. Efficiency of operation, basic field maintenance, and ease of transport are also points to consider. Keep in mind that just a few years ago even the most common ammunition was hard to come by. As of this writing, 9mm and .223/5.56 has become very difficult to find on store shelves, some is available via online retailers.
With the above in mind, here are some great choices for consideration in a firearm, if you can find them:
- Henry AR-7 in 22 long rifle, grab the Survival Pack that Henry Repeating Arms offers with the AR- 7 if you can find it.
- Ruger 10/22 takedown in 22 long rifle
- KetTec CMR (carbine) and PMR (pistol) 30 in 22 Magnum (although 22 mag ammo is becoming more scarce day by day)
- AR Platform Carbine in 223/5.56 or 300 Blackout (I would go with the 223/5.56, there are scads of ammo around if you know where to look)
- AK-platform carbine or one of its variants in 7.62×39
- A pump action 12-gauge shotgun; 20 gauge would be my second choice
- A self-defense pistol or two. Glock, S&W, Springfield, Ruger, Sig Sauer, and the like in a striker-fired platform would be my choice; 9mm would also be at the top of the list followed by 45 ACP or 40 S&W. Don’t overlook the possibility of a good revolver.
- If I could go the extra mile, a bolt action rifle with a quality optic in a common caliber such as .308 or 30-06 depending on your ammo-scrounging abilities.
All the aforementioned firearm platforms I have personally used extensively over the years. Of course, any firearm that you currently own and have ammunition for or the ability to reload for is great regardless of the caliber. A few things to remember, I can always place a low-power optic on my AR platform and use for both hunting and self-defense and even for precision rifle needs at distance if needed.
Other essentials would include medical gear. I’m not talking band aids and gauze; think more along the lines of tourniquets, pressure bandages, quick clot gauze, and occlusive dressings – in other words last-ditch medical items. It goes without saying other items for daily living are already gone off many shelves, water, canned goods, toilet paper, fuel, and the like. I’m not suggesting now is the time to hoard, rather put back a little at a time and be a good citizen as other folks are most likely hurting more than you.
These are but a few of many choices. They are listed here because I have made extensive use of them over the years in many venues. I believe that the key is to keep your selections simple, reliable, and practical. The decisions are yours. The goal is to be prepared now and into the future.
