How Much is Enough? - Realistic Preparation

[Paul]

I think you're about ten thousand times more likely to need water, food, and first aid supplies rather than ammo. If you're living in that one thousandth spot you already know it and for God's sake what are you doing living there any way?

I have hundreds of gallons of water, hundreds of meals, boxes full of first aid supplies, extra tents, sleeping bags, generator fuel, and of course, guns and ammo. I've got enough for me, mine, and my neighbors.

This is America last time I checked and zombies rarely attack. You'll be shooting your neighbors and classmates. Personally I wouldn't live in a neighborhood where I didn't know my neighbors and wouldn't put out for them.

Too many people have the fantasy of being the lone guy. That's a failure out of the gate. Most people can stay up and alert for 30-40 hours ... and then things get wacky. Alone you lose. If the zombies attack you'll want lots of well armed friends behind you.

[vandal]

It is tempting to look at the last big historical events to predict the future, but be careful about overcommitting to prepare for the "last war." Laws have changed, demographics have changed, the disaster will be different (earthquake, no warning vs hurricane/flood with warning). I would expect LA Riots II to be very different than LA Riots I. I bet a lot more people got armed with a lot more serious firepower after the first one. Also laws, demographics, emergency policies have changed. I don't think the National Guard would be deploying so late and with empty guns, for example.

Well as a history major back in college, I always look to the last big historical event - so.... ask the folks in Louisianna who had their guns taken from them by the police before they could fire a shot. Just how long do you think you will be left to blaze away before the cops come by?

[tankerman]

I don't care too much for the .357, but I am picking up a .45 soon after I stock up on AK's and AR's.

357 gives you range and stopping power, plus revolvers are more reliable.

[packnrat]

Thanks for the replies guys - as I stated in the first thread - I'm not asking about full blown SHTF. I'm just asking how much ammo would be wise to set aside in the event of a LA Riot/NOL Katrina scenario, not a full blown SHTF UN troops and black helicopters assisting the undead zombie hoards. As for bugging out, I was thinking along the lines of forced evacuation. It was not intended to be a SHTF thread, my apologies if it seemed that way.

Realistically, it seems that about 500 rounds of primary rifle ammo, 100-200 rounds of shotgun ammo, and 100-200 rounds of pistol ammo would be more than enough?

it depends ao what you need to do.

but i would say 10 30 round mags or 15 20 round mags for the ar/ak.

sks with 30 stippers.

4 -5 mags + 50 rounds (one box) for the pistol.

this with any luck will get you home. and not be too heavy.

all this and your bug out bag close to you at all times.
.

[hitman13]

if i were all of you and shtf i would keep the 223 at home and grab a 5.56 upper. that way you can resupply off the .mil or /mil bodies if it ever comes to that point....

SHTF im digging in if at all possible. if not im grabbing the go bags, 2 5.56 rifles, 1 7.62 rifle and 2 9mm pistols. if i have to go foot mobile then im stashing the 7.62 unless OPFOR is using the same, then im bringing it.


trim 1 5.56 and 1 9mm off if im traveling alone......

[ar15barrels]

357 gives you range and stopping power, plus revolvers are more reliable.

Preface that with the fact you are not in contact distance.
If a guy shoves a revolver in your gut, grab it across the cylinder and he will NOT be able to pull the trigger (double action) because you have a lot more power to hold the cylinder than he does to rotate the cylinder.

[Enzyme]

LA Riots I was back in 1965. The 1992 event was LA Riots II.

Both riots were followed by significant "gun control" bull (GCA, AWB), not citizens becoming better armed.

To get me home at the outbreak of LA Riots III, in the trunk of my car I have a 1903A1 with 25 rounds of .30-06 and a full Camelbak with basic disaster supplies and food rations for 3 days. Once home, I have an M1A Scout with 1500 rounds of .308 and a P226 with 1000 rounds of 9mm, and enough food and water for four people for two weeks and a more complete set of disaster supplies. I don't plan on bugging out once home.

It is tempting to look at the last big historical events to predict the future, but be careful about overcommitting to prepare for the "last war." Laws have changed, demographics have changed, the disaster will be different (earthquake, no warning vs hurricane/flood with warning). I would expect LA Riots II to be very different than LA Riots I. I bet a lot more people got armed with a lot more serious firepower after the first one. Also laws, demographics, emergency policies have changed. I don't think the National Guard would be deploying so late and with empty guns, for example.

[hitman13]

no offense enzyme but you SHOULD have a bug out plan. what are you going to do if its SHTF of another sort?? like the SD Fires, Tornadoes, Flat out WAR????????

[dgey]

I keep almost 6-8000 various rounds total for my guns and rifles, all stored and mags all ready to go... just gotta reach in the safe and everything is set to go...

[tankerman]

Preface that with the fact you are not in contact distance.
If a guy shoves a revolver in your gut, grab it across the cylinder and he will NOT be able to pull the trigger (double action) because you have a lot more power to hold the cylinder than he does to rotate the cylinder.

Don't forget that some semi-autos will not fire with pressure exerted on the muzzle. That's one of the things I look for when purchasing a defensive handgun. Put the business end into the palm of you hand, push on it and see if the hammer or firing pin will drop.

[Enzyme]

No offense taken. In the past, I've tried to come up with scenarios where I'd actually bug out. In the event of war, I'm already living in the hills, so there's no need to run to them.

Realistically, fire is probably the most likely issue to hit our area. Tornadoes are a remote possibility. I will need to look into the civil defense plans at city hall.

no offense enzyme but you SHOULD have a bug out plan. what are you going to do if its SHTF of another sort?? like the SD Fires, Tornadoes, Flat out WAR????????