Episode #422 "Five Firearms For SHTF Scenerios, Part 2”
This is the Second of two episodes titled: Five Firearms For SHTF Scenerios”
Last episode we covered the modern sporting rifle,
Today, we will cover the other four Firearms For SHTF Scenerios
The Four Handgun Rules Review
1. Treat all firearms as if they are loaded
2. Never let the muzzle point at anything that you are not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you
have made the decision to shoot.
4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it.
“Five Firearms For SHTF Scenarios”
When it comes to firearms for SHTF scenarios, consider:
Individual preferences
Semi/Revolver
Skill level
Revolver has shortest learning curve
Do something to make it shoot/safe
Misfires
Local laws and regulations
We have to be careful to abide by the laws of today, so we will still have guns tomorrow.
TITLE: “Five Firearms For SHTF Scenarios”
When it comes to personal defense, I want Two Guns: handgun, and rifle or a shotgun
I. A Reliable handgun:
This is your “on me at all times” personal defense weapon
If you can have only one gun, this is it.
The type you choose is personal preference – to some degree
Semi auto – explain
DAO, Single
Revolver – explain
Single/Double
Good for close-quarters self-defense and personal protection
(Especially without specific training and practice)
Can keep it low and ready
It is easier to keep control of the weapon
The barrel doesn’t go around the corner before you do
So, we want A Reliable“on me at all times” handgun:
Caliber
Personal preference
Consider the recoil you can handle
Good reason to “try before you buy” several calibers
For self defense, carry .38/.380 caliber or larger if you can control it
9mm – most common, most available ammo
Plenty adequate for self defense
After a grid-down SHTF event may be the easiest to scrounge
Other popular self defense rounds
.40 cal
.45 acp
10 mm
Newer calibers out, some very good, but hard to find - .327 magnum
Performance similar to .357, but much lower recoil
.357 magnum will also fire .38, making it more versatile
.38 cal was “THE” standard for many years
Used by police in much of the world
THE caliber owned by most “old men” in years gone by
.38 Ammo sitting in a lot of old gun cabinets
.357 magnum is a hot, fast, hard hitting round
.38 is the same diameter & weight projectile
lower power, lower recoil, meaning more controllable
faster recovery time to get back on target
Variety of ammo types
FMJ – Full metal jacket
Military round
Penetration w/ little expansion
HP - Expanding Hollow point
Jacketed soft core, designed to expand
Preferred self defense round
Soft lead point
Target rounds
Frangible ammo – designed to shatter upon impact with a hard surface
Glazer safety slug – touted as not penetrating walls
Testing showed it would penetrate a 2x4, but stopped
by a concrete block
Great for practicing on steel targets
Won’t splatter back at you.
For personal defense use:
NO reloads or crazy names, like Zombie killer – for legal reasons
Don’t want to complicate the issue in court if in a shooting
Carry high quality hollow point ammo
Remington Ultimate Defense
Hornady Critical Defense or Critical Duty
For a 38 revolver, especially a compact - Buffalo Bore +P 125 gr
Ask what local police use,
(It’s what the police carry, or it was recommended by the gun store
make a pretty good defense in court for ammo choice)
II. Modern Sporting Rifle, primarily AR-15, but also AK-47
Covered in episode #421
III. A Shotgun:
A repeating action shotgun
Pump-action
Semi-automatic
Lever
Effective for both self-defense and hunting various types of game, with appropriate ammo.
Three most common shotgun gauges
All are available in semi auto, pump, lever, double barrel, and single shot
12 Gauge:
The largest of the three
Most common shotgun size due to its versatility
Hunting a wide range of game
Home defense
20 Gauge:
This is the second-most common size after 12 gauge.
Lighter weight and recoil,
Popular choice for younger or smaller-statured shooters.
It's suitable for hunting a wide range of game, including deer
Home defense with buckshot
.410 Bore:
Smallest common shotgun size
It's actually a caliber, not a gauge.
Popular for young shooters due to its low recoil
Hunting small game
Has/Can be used for deer hunting
Two types of slugs Brenneke & Foster
Choose Brenneke
Four pellet buckshot
Ammo is Expensive
$1.50 - $9.00/shell
Variety of ammo types, each with its own specific uses
Birdshot:
The shotgun shell is filled with small pellets, ranging in size from 1.27 mm (#9 birdshot) to 4.57 mm (#1 birdshot).
Primarily used for hunting birds and small game
#4-#5 Turkey
#5-#7 Squirrel & rabbit
Buckshot:
Filled with larger pellets, used for larger game, such as deer (hence the name "buckshot").
Sizes typically range from #4 buck (6.1 mm) to 000 buck (9.1 mm).
Also, Commonly used for home defense due to its stopping power at close range.
Slugs:
A slug is a solid projectile fired from a shotgun.
Slugs are used for hunting larger game at medium distances, and in some jurisdictions where rifles are prohibited for hunting.
They also have applications in law enforcement and military use.
Specialty Rounds
“less-lethal rounds” – rubber bullets, bean bag, tear gas
Steel or Waterfowl Shot
These are variants of birdshot but made of steel or other non-toxic materials. They are used for hunting waterfowl
to prevent lead contamination in wetland environments.
IV. A .22 LR caliber rifle:
A lightweight and accurate .22 LR rifle
Small game hunting and practice shooting
Affordability and availability of .22 ammunition.
V. Long-range rifle:
A bolt-action rifle
A precision rifle
Larger caliber for long-range shooting and potential hunting of larger game,
For most of us, "long-range" is under 300 yards
So, there's my opinion on five firearms for SHTF
What is yours?
Stuff happens. Stay prepared.
If you find value in the podcast, would you be willing to give back by buying us a cup of coffee?
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee
buymeacoffee.com/practicalprep
Contact us:
Practical Prepping
Website: www.practicalprepping.info
Email at info@practicalprepping.info
Our Sponsors:
ProOne Water Filters - gravity water filters for prepping and everyday use.
Visit ProOne website
4Patriots - your go-to for long-term emergency food and gear. Use the code "prepper" at checkout for a 10% discount on your first order.
ProLine Digital Group
https://www.prolinedesigns.us
Email: info@prolinedesigns.us
AURA - is your total online protection against identity theft , and for VPN.
Jim Curtis Knives
https://www.facebook.com/Jimcurtisknives
Email Jim: j.curtis7mm@yahoo.com
Check out our sponsors. They are all linked from our website. Let them know you heard about them on Practical Prepping Podcast. If you can do business with them, please do. These are all people we do business with, and we trust them. Otherwise, we would not be recommending them to our listeners.
Join us on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for new episodes.