SHTF

[walter]

so I've always thought that an AR or AK would suffice for SHTF. but I've noticed that they use shotguns in zombie movies. I rarely shoot my AR and other than looking cool it's pretty useless to me. and I'm worried about knockdown power. thinking of selling the AR and getting an 870, but if we ever have to battle with the government or aliens from far distances, shotguns wouldn't be useful. thoughts?

[BillDill]

are you jokeing?
Not trying to be mean but the only situation i would trade a AR for a shot gun is fowl hunting.

[socal-shooter]

dont sell the AR

but do get an 870 , those are good gauges

you'll need both for the zombocalypse

[C.W.M.V.]

so I've always thought that an AR or AK would suffice for SHTF. but I've noticed that they use shotguns in zombie movies. I rarely shoot my AR and other than looking cool it's pretty useless to me. and I'm worried about knockdown power. thinking of selling the AR and getting an 870, but if we ever have to battle with the government or aliens from far distances, shotguns wouldn't be useful. thoughts?

My mossberg is deadly accurate at 100 meters with ghost ring sights and good slugs.

Most shotguns are cheap enough that you really wouldn't need to sell anything to finance it. I got my 500 for $200 bucks, and Ive seen new Maverick 88's going for around that. If you must have the 870 pattern look into the big 5 norinco (hawk?) 982. My father has one and it compares in every way to his 870 and my 500.

[bballwizard05]

are you jokeing?

not very helpful but I think I see your point.


OP: since zombies do not exist. And any semi realistic SHTF scenario is going to involve real people who are not completely stupid. keep AR, practice with it often, and buy a mossy 500 or 870 there pretty cheap. But if you only get to have one firearm to survive or w/e I really dont think a shotgun is a good idea.

[C.W.M.V.]

are you jokeing?
Not trying to be mean but the only situation i would trade a AR for a shot gun is fowl hunting.

Hell Id trade an M16 for a squirt gun! Only one I want is an old A2 SN 6505005, busted my cherry with that old rifle...
Hence why I don't have M16's, but for the price you guys buy them at I would definitely want to get more out of it than a $350 shotgun.

[bballwizard05]

well if your anti AR/AK why not a mini-14 or 30? I hear the new ones are much more accurate. and both are common calibers. With that sweeeet wood look

[C.W.M.V.]

well if your anti AR/AK why not a mini-14 or 30? I hear the new ones are much more accurate. and both are common calibers. With that sweeeet wood look

OP isnt anti AR/AK, I think hes just looking for a shotgun.

[bsg]

you might need to get a ray gun for dealing with aliens from outer space. i'd probably advise you watch "Zombieland" one more time and then make your decision.

[faterikcartman]

I need to see Shawn of the Dead to be sure what to do. And you meant if the governement is taken over by zombies right?

Save your money and have both eventually. I think the old republic has at least a few years left in her.

[Mr. Meeseeks]

I love these threads, as ridiculous as they are they're always fun. Some don't admit it but SHTF themed movies do still influence some of our fire arm buying decisions sometimes.

That said, IMHO if there were some sort of real catastrophe it would probably be best, at the very least, to have one of each; a rifle/carbine, shot gun, and a pistol/revolver. Each fill a specific purpose, for example, if there's an earth quake and you have to scavenge for food and supplies but don't want to attract the wrong kind of attention, the concealability of a handgun will come in handy (given that all laws were out the window).

If you really think about it, it'll probably be even better to have at least one back up for each of the caliber chamberings you choose to own as well. If modern civilization came to a sudden halt supply/tool redundancy will and can literally be a matter of life and death. A case of 12 gauge shot gun shells might as well be a bucket of rocks if your only shot gun was to be rendered unserviceable.

Once again just MHO.

[ruchik]

And remember, there's no such thing as "knockdown power". People do not go flying back when hit with bullets, even with a shotgun. Sure, they might disintegrate if the bullets big enough and traveling fast enough, but no flying action. The only things that will do one-shot stops, which is what I am assuming you mean by knockdown power, are either mounted on the wings of aircraft, or on the turret of a tank. Your AR is plenty good enough, just make your shots count. And yes people, the zombie apocalypse IS coming. The question is, will they be Resident Evil type zombies, Romero type zombies,28 Weeks Later type zombies, etc.

[C.W.M.V.]

And remember, there's no such thing as "knockdown power". People do not go flying back when hit with bullets, even with a shotgun. Sure, they might disintegrate if the bullets big enough and traveling fast enough, but no flying action. The only things that will do one-shot stops, which is what I am assuming you mean by knockdown power, are either mounted on the wings of aircraft, or on the turret of a tank. Your AR is plenty good enough, just make your shots count. And yes people, the zombie apocalypse IS coming. The question is, will they be Resident Evil type zombies, Romero type zombies,28 Weeks Later type zombies, etc.

Na you hit a dude with a powerful slug and they will go down 90% of the time. Hell .45 ACP 230gn FMJ has something like a 90+% one shot stop rate.
By the same token Ive seen haj take multiple hits from 240b's and keep going. Never have I ever seen a man go down with one shot from a 5.56.
I'm an advocate of biggest damn round you can get. People talk about shot placement but the fact of the matter is that the stress that combat/zombie apocalypses induce destroy fine motor skills. Train for sure, but normally when someone is shooting back at you people aim for center mass and pull the trigger. Thats why we train our soldiers that way. training will get you to hit the target, not on where you hit the target. That being said if I hit a target in the arm I want my round to be so damn big it takes his arm off!

[Joe]

And remember, there's no such thing as "knockdown power". People do not go flying back when hit with bullets, even with a shotgun. Sure, they might disintegrate if the bullets big enough and traveling fast enough, but no flying action. The only things that will do one-shot stops, which is what I am assuming you mean by knockdown power, are either mounted on the wings of aircraft, or on the turret of a tank. Your AR is plenty good enough, just make your shots count. And yes people, the zombie apocalypse IS coming. The question is, will they be Resident Evil type zombies, Romero type zombies,28 Weeks Later type zombies, etc.

Hopefully the slowest/weakest type

[C.W.M.V.]

Hopefully the slowest/weakest type

Agreed, the "active" zombies would suck.