SHTF Rifle build?

[john_marsten_1873]

I chose the M1A Scout for California. 7.62x51mm is better for the lone man. You get more power and range. Read "Boston's Gun Bible" for some good battle rifle propaganda.

To each their own, however AR-15 is lighter and more maneuverable for me. Also, the parts and ammo (also lighter) are most common and easier to find out in the “wild” were the need to ever arise.

 

[LarpAnonymous]

I would say buy a 14.5 super duty and be done with it.

G$ barrel is equally as accurate and has 20,000+ round barrel life. Also the barrel profile is superior it gov. profile.
The BCG is probably one of the best on the market.
SSA-EX trigger standard.
MK16 Rail.

If you must have Ambi, get a complete MARS lower and a super duty upper.

Just my .02.

(coming from a dude who had a ddm4v7, DD MK18, and now a 11.5 URGI with a homie who has an 11.5 super duty)

 

[john_marsten_1873]

I would say buy a 14.5 super duty and be done with it.

G$ barrel is equally as accurate and has 20,000+ round barrel life. Also the barrel profile is superior it gov. profile.
The BCG is probably one of the best on the market.
SSA-EX trigger standard.
MK16 Rail.

If you must have Ambi, get a complete MARS lower and a super duty upper.

Just my .02.

(coming from a dude who had a ddm4v7, DD MK18, and now a 11.5 URGI with a homie who has an 11.5 super duty)

The SSA-E triggers are competition focused vs. duty, defense. I have both the SSA and SSA-X. Strongly prefer the Lightening bow triggers.

 

[BONECUTR]

In a real SHTF scenario, I’m using super powers and moving at night. After-all, if S really HTF, I’m assuming we have no power. And yes, for the record, I obviously hate money.. WP DTNVG with IR lasers for the win.

One main reason will prolly won't have power is due to an EMP....Unless you NV/PEQ and other stuff are shielded in a faraday cage they would just be expensive paperweights. Thought about building a faraday "room" in my garage and keeping safe/generator/and some other electronic devices in it just cause. Then I felt like I was prepping a little too hard. That said... all the people with gun safes that only have electric locks on them might be in some real trouble.

To the original question. If you are counting for SHTF you must consider EMP's so pick a magnified optic. Red Dots might be all dead.

 

[john_marsten_1873]

Found out the hard way that LMT MARS-L Lower doesn’t fit VLTOR MUR-1A upper (which was pretty difficult to find in stock).

The ambi-bolt catch interferes with the forward assist, also because the MUR-1A is thicker-walled for durability. I prefer forward assist even though I’ve only ever used it twice that I can remember.

I originally thought the MARS premium, duty reputation would be good for SHTF but now I don’t think so. Durability? Sure! But it’s too proprietary in a scenario where you might need to scavenge or find parts “out in the wild”. Ambi controls sound good for such a scenario but I’d need to find something more standard. Guess I just need to train the support side more.

Now, not sure whether I want to even keep the MARS-L lower anymore. That was basically $550 after all the taxes and fees

Anyhow, going with a Noveske lower N4 for the MUR and also ordered a Geissele SD upper. Might just end up building a Geissele for a training rifle

 

[john_marsten_1873]

One main reason will prolly won't have power is due to an EMP....Unless you NV/PEQ and other stuff are shielded in a faraday cage they would just be expensive paperweights. Thought about building a faraday "room" in my garage and keeping safe/generator/and some other electronic devices in it just cause. Then I felt like I was prepping a little too hard. That said... all the people with gun safes that only have electric locks on them might be in some real trouble.

To the original question. If you are counting for SHTF you must consider EMP's so pick a magnified optic. Red Dots might be all dead.

The prizm optics typically have etchings and illumination. If the battery dies at least it’s something.

 

[Brandon Breeze]

At some point you will have so many builds that you get that paralysis by analysis.

If I had nothing and know what I know now I would start with a top tier, proven brand.

16 or 18" barrel

1-6x LPVO

Tons of mags and ammo

And more importantly, training!

At this point, I'd be content with a 16" fixed carry handle and no optic TBH, lol. That said, I have builds of all shapes and sizes. Now I just do fun builds like .458 SOCOM or nostalgia builds like my Gordy inspired build, M16A2 inspired build, M4A2 Inspired build, M4A1 inspired build. You get the idea.

 

[Ammo Guy]

Our view on this is defiantly durability over precision. If you're trying to survive with a small crew in the bush or make a supply run into Night City then we don't think you'll want to be popping guys past 400 yards all that often.

We'd do as follows:
Upper:
BCM M4 Upper
SOLGW Bolt Carrier w/ OCKS Screws
Geissele CHF 16" or Criterion CORE 16"
Colt M4 Low Profile 2 Pin Gas Block (If you can find one), If not MK12 Gas Block (Rocksett those Set Screws)
A Not Quality Mid Length Gas Tube
A2 Flash Hider or Something Gucci, just keep muzzle brakes off this one
Whatever charging handle works, I'd go Geissele Airborn
Whatever rail you swear by. I'd go Geissele 15"
Throw a LPVO for mainly observation and a light on it.

Lower:
Anderson Poverty Pony Lower (if you're based)
SOLGW Blaster Guts Part Kit or CMNG Lower Parts Kit
A5 with A5H2 buffer and Green Spring co buffer spring
Whatever furniture you want
Ambi stuff if you want

 

[shooter556]

I have a slingshot for SHTF. Ammo is everywhere. I might add an optic to it.

 

[EliteArmoryCV]

Dealer's choice of AR15 chambered in 5.56 with a high-candela weapon light, full power MFAL and a 1x red dot/3-5x magnifier is my preferred setup for a general use rifle, to include SHTF. Mine is as follows

- 16in. BCM4 with Mk16 rail and VLTOR IMOD stock
- Surefire M3040DFT Pro, full power PEQ-15, Aimpoint H2/EOTech G33 3x magnifier
- Edgar Sherman Design sling

Not a Gucci setup by any means, but it's the same gun/optic setup I've used over the past decade and I'm confident shooting it both up close and out to the 600-700yd envelope with 55gr. It works during daytime and at night with NODs - checks all the boxes for me. I also will take a bit of reduced output with certain electronics to ensure single-cell usage during times of affected supply chains, where batteries might hard to source; in this vein, I like having any accessories on my gun to be dual-fuel if possible. My preference is onboard storage of CR123s/18350s and a single coin cell battery for my Aimpoint, which gives me anywhere from 5-10 years of constant on from my optic.

Lastly, 2-point adjustable sling is the way to roll as it provides more secure retention and an option for supported shooting for longer shots.

 

[Charles0413]

SHTF for what ? Small chance of riot for 2028 election ? Or next “COVID” ?

 

[john_marsten_1873]

SHTF for what ? Small chance of riot for 2028 election ? Or next “COVID” ?

That's a fair question so I'll narrow the context a bit more:

Think preparedness over any specific event but something that best sets you up for most scenario's. For example, the same reasons you might have emergency food storage and/or go bag

Scenarios:

• Shelter-in-place - What are you building/using to protect your home or shelter
• Bugout (this is where the build really matters) - paths or areas to your emergency location are not safe, have to move in unfamiliar/unplanned direction where your next long-term shelter might be
  • Sheltering is no longer safe and you need to move
  • You're heading to one of your emergency locations

With this is mind you're typically looking for:

• common platform - if you're moving, expect traveling light, and scavenging parts/repairs. Proprietary will hurt here
• ammo - readily available caliber, even scavenging from poor souls who forced you to defend
• power/portability - balances good terminal ballistics, easy(ish) to travel with (what if you're on foot?)
• versatility/maneuverability - CQB, mid-range, (50-200yds), some long-range if you really need to. Urban, forested, desert
• durability/ruggedness - you need it to be resilient along with everything else so not cheap and not Gucci

 

[john_marsten_1873]

Dealer's choice of AR15 chambered in 5.56 with a high-candela weapon light, full power MFAL and a 1x red dot/3-5x magnifier is my preferred setup for a general use rifle, to include SHTF. Mine is as follows

- 16in. BCM4 with Mk16 rail and VLTOR IMOD stock
- Surefire M3040DFT Pro, full power PEQ-15, Aimpoint H2/EOTech G33 3x magnifier
- Edgar Sherman Design sling

Not a Gucci setup by any means, but it's the same gun/optic setup I've used over the past decade and I'm confident shooting it both up close and out to the 600-700yd envelope with 55gr. It works during daytime and at night with NODs - checks all the boxes for me. I also will take a bit of reduced output with certain electronics to ensure single-cell usage during times of affected supply chains, where batteries might hard to source; in this vein, I like having any accessories on my gun to be dual-fuel if possible. My preference is onboard storage of CR123s/18350s and a single coin cell battery for my Aimpoint, which gives me anywhere from 5-10 years of constant on from my optic.

Lastly, 2-point adjustable sling is the way to roll as it provides more secure retention and an option for supported shooting for longer shots.

So I ran a red dot and 3x magnifier at Bay Area Rifle Championship last month. Romeo 8T AMR set. The reticle automatically changes when you drop the magnifier in.

I was able to hit 6" steel on the 100yd and 200yd stages, but it was difficult and slow - also because I haven't trained out to those distances much.

All the top competitors ran the LPVO at 1x instead of the red dot for all the stages 25yds and under. Vortex Razor HD Gen II-E 1-6x24mm with second focal plane is supposed to be the best IIRC

On the other hand I'm also thinking of the Aimpoint Comp M4s Red Dot because it runs on a single AA battery or an etched prism optic. But I'm going to also get a Vortex and train with it.

 

[Hamburger Monster]

I have several ARs. I'd probably end up taking my lightweight 4.5lb naked rifle (loaded with a 20 round mag and an LPVO makes it a smidge over 6lbs total). Probably not the most reliable or longest lived. But if I have to carry that plus a bag of provisions and ammo. I'm taking what's lightweight. If I survive long enough to wear out the barrel or other parts, there is likely going to be many leftovers I could use. Plus, I doubt one would be able to hoard enough ammo to shoot out a barrel. One would have to have a bunker or somewhere to store it all. If you have this, why not several different firearms and not just the one.

Oh, and a nice 9mm pistol would be good to have

 

[Atomic Soldier]

How long into shtf do you think your red dots and flashlight batteries last until they die and become a hindrance or better yet an emp/ nuclear event occurs and you wish you had spend that money on ammo and practice with irons instead of gadgets?

 

[Hamburger Monster]

How long into shtf do you think your red dots and flashlight batteries last until they die and become a hindrance or better yet an emp/ nuclear event occurs and you wish you had spend that money on ammo and practice with irons instead of gadgets?

Many red dots can go for years on a battery if you don't run the brightest too high. And a few coin cells will last 10+ years in storage. And there are solar red dots that essentially eliminate the need to batteries.

Red dots are also very resistant to EMPs being shrouded in metal and contain short PCB traces that prevent large voltage being generated inside them. Likely more items will survive then most would expect

Food and ammo would be the first thing to go scarce

 

[john_marsten_1873]

How long into shtf do you think your red dots and flashlight batteries last until they die and become a hindrance or better yet an emp/ nuclear event occurs and you wish you had spend that money on ammo and practice with irons instead of gadgets?

I'm largely in the camp of what @Atomic Soldier said. The long lasting coin cells being one of the primary reasons I'm considering LPVO as primary optic. But yeah, I still train with irons.

 

[davethebull]

I chose the M1A Scout for California. 7.62x51mm is better for the lone man. You get more power and range. Read "Boston's Gun Bible" for some good battle rifle propaganda.

I’m with you on this. My submission:
M1A SOCOM 16

 

[gunsgunsguns]

That's a fair question so I'll narrow the context a bit more:

Think preparedness over any specific event but something that best sets you up for most scenario's. For example, the same reasons you might have emergency food storage and/or go bag

Scenarios:

• Shelter-in-place - What are you building/using to protect your home or shelter
• Bugout (this is where the build really matters) - paths or areas to your emergency location are not safe, have to move in unfamiliar/unplanned direction where your next long-term shelter mightbe
  • Sheltering is no longer safe and you need to move
  • You're heading to one of your emergency locations

With this is mind you're typically looking for:

• common platform - if you're moving, expect traveling light, and scavenging parts/repairs. Proprietary will hurt here
• ammo - readily available caliber, even scavenging from poor souls who forced you to defend
• power/portability - balances good terminal ballistics, easy(ish) to travel with (what if you're on foot?)
• versatility/maneuverability - CQB, mid-range, (50-200yds), some long-range if you really need to. Urban, forested, desert
• durability/ruggedness - you need it to be resilient along with everything else so not cheap and not Gucci

You’re just reposting some AI slop bull from ChatGPT

 

[john_marsten_1873]

You’re just reposting some AI slop bull from ChatGPT

Nope! 100% human. If I post anything AI generated I disclaim it very clearly.
I used em dashes long before the LLM craze. And you can tell because I often use them incorrectly or when unnecessary.