BAArcher
Established Member
I like the AR platform but also have a sweet spot for some 12 ga buckshot
Suppressed 300blk out of a shorter barrel has easily become my favorite platform.I don’t think there is a perfect answer to this question. The main thing is are you proficient with whatever rifle you choose? Being useful for self defense and hunting would be important for the choice. Again though ones proficiency is likely much more important than the specific rifle. Having said the above if I was starting over today then I would spend funds for a SHTF situation in the following manner…..
-Daniel defense, CMMG, Sig or similar decent AR style rifle. Purchase multi caliber lower option with 5.56 and have a 2nd upper (~9”) in 300 black. Need at least 20 pmags and a comfortable sling. If funds weren’t limited I would just purchase 2 rifles in aforementioned calibers from the same maker to keep it simple.
-Spend the money for an acog for each rifle. There are many other choices on optics but in my experience the simplest is the acog. Aimpoint/eotech with magnifier isn’t bad but personal preference for me is an acog.
-Acquire at least 5k rounds of ammunition for 5.56 and 2k for 300 (mostly subsonic but mix 60/40) in reserve.
-Purchase night vision capability (thermal or PVS14 gen 3 preferred). I personally love thermals but have seen some significant ability to hide from those coming out of the Ukraine. Night vision is a super power.
-Get a good carrier and ceramic plates as body armor will be useful. Also a good tactical helmet.
-Get a silencer for the 300 rifle. Being relatively quite would be advantageous.
-Pick up a shotgun. A good ol’ Remington pump 870 is hard to beat. If going a little more on the self defense side a KSG is a good option although a Benelli M4 is good for self defense and can be used to hunt easily.
-Last would be a handgun as it has the lowest level of value in a SHTF scenario. Hard to beat the ultra reliable and inexpensive Glock 17 or 19. Some might purchase this higher on the list as it can be used for carry before SHTF situation but if it’s only for SHTF it’s a lower priority in my opinion. Also need at least 1k rounds of 9mm ammo.
Ammo could be used in trading. Having some spare parts for ones AR would also be valuable along with the potential to trade parts also. Of course I didn’t address food, medical or water needs.
Prepping is expensive! It’s a lot more than ones rifle choice.
Depending on your interpretation of shtf- (in home)for personal defense, a 12 or 20 ga pump with folding stock, an M-4 for is great choice for open area (like farm) but I built and like the Ruger Charger w/ brace and optics as a survival/bugout choice given it's size and the ability to pack 1000 rounds easily in a bag-defense or hunting food are possible and being honest you are more likely to survive on small game than hunting elk or deer.Is the AR/M4 the best platform for the average prepper to deal with a Shtf scenario? I say it's not.
All opinions are welcome.
There is probably 100k+ rounds of 5.56 in private hands within a 10 mile radius of where I live. It might be a lot more as I think about it.
Depending on your interpretation of shtf- (in home)for personal defense, a 12 or 20 ga pump with folding stock, an M-4 for is great choice for open area (like farm) but I built and like the Ruger Charger w/ brace and optics as a survival/bugout choice given it's size and the ability to pack 1000 rounds easily in a bag-defense or hunting food are possible and being honest you are more likely to survive on small game than hunting elk or deer.
We are but not happening anytime soon due to conflicts. Right now it’s being used in a DMR role.If you are prepping for the EndTimesApocolypse then whatever the military and police use. Lot better to be able to scavenge off of them. Then again, isn't the DOD moving to some .27 caliber rifle round?