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Which Two Guns for SHTF

If I could only grab two firearms in a SHTF situation, they would be:

  • A rifle

    Votes: 303 52.2%
  • A carbine

    Votes: 210 36.2%
  • A shotgun

    Votes: 113 19.5%
  • A service sidearm

    Votes: 363 62.6%
  • A smaller sidearm for concealment

    Votes: 134 23.1%
  • Other

    Votes: 5 0.9%

  • Total voters
    580
depending on the situation, a PCP may be better for small game, much quieter (staying out of earshot would be a huge plus so to no alert others), their range is more than adequate for the task, and a hand pump can be used to fill them back up to pressure (a lot of pumping in some cases, but hopefully you get the point) , so having one in the collection is a good addition even in 'good' times.

but as mentioned above, this is not the movies and you wont be the star
 
The time it would take for the animals to come back, and assuming I was still alive, I probably would have different loadout by then due to unfortunate circumstances.



You’re absolutely right. Look at how much the deer population suffered during the Great Depression era. We had way less pressure and population in our country at that time. Wildlife would be gone in a blink in true SHTF with a likely recovery time of decades.
depending on the situation, a PCP may be better for small game, much quieter (staying out of earshot would be a huge plus so to no alert others), their range is more than adequate for the task, and a hand pump can be used to fill them back up to pressure (a lot of pumping in some cases, but hopefully you get the point) , so having one in the collection is a good addition even in 'good' times.

but as mentioned above, this is not the movies and you wont be the star
But but but guntuber has never done a video on stupid air rifles!!!!! 🤣


Exactly, everyone expects to be the protagonist but it’s more likely be the extra laying on the side of the road. Why would it be reasonable to assume that bullets/boots/etc. would be left on corpses if they are the commodity by which trade is conducted in Scenario X? Capable friends and community are so much more important in this scenario than stressing about platform x or y.
 
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woah, it got me thinking for a minute. Pretty sure I will grab my well trained G34 and EPC9 due to number one priority of mags compatible, both stay with me at all time. Home & car will have my CZ600 trail .223, stock folded for compact enough
 
The first 2 firearms I would go for is an AR15 in 556 with the parts to quickly convert it to a proper AR and not the maglock/featureless nonsense. Second would be a Glock 17 (the 19 doesn't fit my hand as well). Proper sling for the AR and a holster belt for the Glock, also spare mag holders for both to carry a few on the belt. Lots of 10rd mags that can be converted to standard capacity on both.

My reasoning is that 9mm and 556/223 ammo is plentiful and you will likely be able to find more much more readily than other calibers. Also the parts for the AR and Glock will be plentiful, and you will be able to find more of these easily with modular reuse of parts from stripped down spare firearms. Lastly both of these are pretty reliable and don't need to be babied to run, and can run quite a while between being cleaned/lubed, as well as being easy to field strip and clean/repair.

Some CLP would be good to have access to.

The AR is plenty accurate and with good skill be able to take down small to medium size game for food. As well as both are plenty capable to keep threats at bay. Also consider 9mm and 223/556 is relatively lightweight to carry some extra rounds with if you need to move extended distances.
 
When you consider finding yourself in a SHTF scenario, you'd probably want to have ready access to a whole arsenal of firearms. But what if you could only grab two California-compliant ones? What would they be?

As you consider each type, assume the make and model you have or would want is available, in the caliber you prefer, and with "enough" ammo of the kind you prefer (however much that is), including any slings, holsters, cases, optics, etc. But also assume they are in California-compliant configuration with California-compliant magazines you acquired in, say, July of 2024.
Wait a minute, if the Poop were to Hit The Fan; wouldn’t compliancy or AW characteristics not be an issue anymore? The S has already hit the fan. Lawlessness……. No?
 
The question was "what if" you could only grab California-compliant firearms, because the majority of people on these forums are only able to train with such. Which two you would actually choose, without such a restriction, is a different question.
At that point couldn’t they remove the compliance items such as fixed mag systems, change featureless grip back to pistol, remove stock stopper, or etc……?
 
Since it’s SHTF, if compliancy doesn’t matter, I’m picturing the tv show: walking dead, for transportation purposes against armed carjackers/gangs preying on innocent civilians coming back from the grocery store, to prevent them from taking the car in complete lawlessness similar to a war torn country, probably wouldn’t need to worry about innocent bystanders then; an AK pistol as an anti-carjacker doesn’t sound so bad….🤣
 
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Wait a minute, if the Poop were to Hit The Fan; wouldn’t compliancy or AW characteristics not be an issue anymore? The S has already hit the fan. Lawlessness……. No?
Sure, I might like having a SAW. But I wouldn't be training with a SAW in the years leading up to SHTF. This question is not "what's the ideal 2 guns for SHTF," it's more like "what 2 guns we Californians can generally pull out at the local range frequently for training that we would grab in case of SHTF."
 
I left all my non-compliant weapons outside of CA when I moved back here so my options if SHTF right now would be limited. If I was in a free state and had all my toys I'd have a different answer so I'll answer twice.

Right now, my choice from what I have available with me would be my trusty Norinco SKS and my Sig 220 Legion.
If I wasn't in a state like CA then absolutely my Sig 716i and a Sig 226 Legion.

I have lots of 556 guns but I like 308 mo bettah
 
My suggestion is do not be in an urban area for SHTF. Bug out immediately and you can still be gray. But us 2A guys are hard to be gray with our choice of clothing ;)
I used to have that kind of style. Then I realized how cringe and tryhard it was. Now I still try to dress as practical as I can but I avoid anything with overt 2a, mma, or military branding. Even flags on sleeves is too much imo. And I have that inked on my arm right under where it lies on my uniform lol. But for civilian attire, hell nah. I keep my gun nut lifestyle to myself.
 
Depends on the threat. If SHTF and there's civil/societal unrest then probably AR15/G17

Otherwise if one has to bug out into the woods probably a 12 gauge/.22.
What if the threat is a Zuckerberg-esque lizardpeople alien invasion? It's well documented that puny 556 bounces off them like 9mm off of windshields!
 
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