SHTF Gun Group for a Family of 4

[pkbirdog]

People have mentioned the SKS and the Saiga as a good first AR's. Is there a reason why you wouldn't recommend the AR 15? I always figured it was a very reliable rifle and there is a lot ammo out there for it. I have 2 AR 15's but maybe I should invest in other ones.

[Lone_Gunman]

People have mentioned the SKS and the Saiga as a good first AR's. Is there a reason why you wouldn't recommend the AR 15? I always figured it was a very reliable rifle and there is a lot ammo out there for it. I have 2 AR 15's but maybe I should invest in other ones.

Mainly because the guy is on a pretty tight budget. If he had unlimited funds my list would be different. But the Saiga is nothing more that a sporterized AK, and we all know Aks run forever.


Skip to 1:50 to see why everyone needs at least 1 AK in their SHTF gear.

[echo1]

On a limited budget and with the clock running short, I'd forget about the side arm for now. Another 10/22 or a couple of 'em, bunch of mags, ton of .22 ammo will get his family covered. I'm pro SKS but I stocked up when they were inexpensive. Mosin's and their ammo is as cheap as it gets for center fire. If you're not expecting a firefight, goo-ole .30-30s are not too pricey used, I prefer the Marlins. Check out the pawn shop on Oakdale & Briggsmore for competative prices. PAX

[Ripon83]

Budget

As noted the budget is the only reason I did not suggest right to an AR-15. His funds like most of us - are limited.

SKS/Saiga combined with a reasonable sum of magazines and ammo can be done for $525 ish maybe $600. Add magazines and ammo to an AR-15 and you are in the $800 to $900 range and the ammo supply would probably be less.

If we have no issues and don't need them any time soon he could upgrade to an AR in a few years and have an extra. Probably not a bad idea seeing as his kids will only get older and more capable in time.

People have mentioned the SKS and the Saiga as a good first AR's. Is there a reason why you wouldn't recommend the AR 15? I always figured it was a very reliable rifle and there is a lot ammo out there for it. I have 2 AR 15's but maybe I should invest in other ones.

[Lucky Scott]

Not sure about the .22 pistol, I think a 9mm would be better. Low recoil, easy to handle, but still lethal.
Since the whole deal is budget based, how about throwing a mosin in the mix? Hundred bucks for a rifle, and a few bucks for some ammo and you have a 5 shot rifle that can be effective in someones hands. Sure, it is old tech, only 5 rounds, but for a hundred bucks it is a cheap way to add to the arsonel.
Also, my wife thinks a 20 gauge shotgun is a cannon. She wont even shoot the 12 gauge. A cheap used 20 gauge might be a good idea.

[john.t.singh]

I've seen Saigas in 7.62 go for about 299 new. Great solid rifles.

Why no mosin? $80 and you can buy 400 rounds of ammo for under $100 dollars. If we are talking budget here....

I would avoid 1911's and stick to a Glock 17 gen 3 used would be just under $400. SHTF you can load 17+1 rounds, which tops any 1911.

Also a Taurus wheel gun will run you easily under 500 depending on what caliber, I think I saw one for $250+ at Turners on sale.

.22 is all on you. The Marlin will work, but I just like the fit and feel of a ruger more.

[john.t.singh]

Not sure about the .22 pistol, I think a 9mm would be better. Low recoil, easy to handle, but still lethal.
Since the whole deal is budget based, how about throwing a mosin in the mix? Hundred bucks for a rifle, and a few bucks for some ammo and you have a 5 shot rifle that can be effective in someones hands. Sure, it is old tech, only 5 rounds, but for a hundred bucks it is a cheap way to add to the arsonel.
Also, my wife thinks a 20 gauge shotgun is a cannon. She wont even shoot the 12 gauge. A cheap used 20 gauge might be a good idea.

Forgot all about the shotty. Moss 500 at big 5 goes for relatively cheap. You can always use less recoil buck, or even bird...

[Paltik]

If you're talking SHTF here, I don't understand buying handguns before a carbine or rifle. I'd get the shotgun, then a carbine (a semi-auto version of an assault rifle works nice) or two, then a longer-range higher-caliber longer-barreled rifle with scope.

[smle-man]

I've seen Saigas in 7.62 go for about 299 new. Great solid rifles.

Why no mosin? $80 and you can buy 400 rounds of ammo for under $100 dollars. If we are talking budget here....

I would avoid 1911's and stick to a Glock 17 gen 3 used would be just under $400. SHTF you can load 17+1 rounds, which tops any 1911.

Also a Taurus wheel gun will run you easily under 500 depending on what caliber, I think I saw one for $250+ at Turners on sale.

.22 is all on you. The Marlin will work, but I just like the fit and feel of a ruger more.

No bolt actions for folks who know nothing about guns and especially not MNs. It would seem that bolt actions are perfect for uninitiated shooters but there is a certain amount of training and practice needed to use a bolt action rifle. A Saiga however is point and shoot. Keep squeezing the trigger until nothing happens. The Saiga is better than the SKS: lighter, simpler, easier to reload. Stripper clips for brand new shooters can be another puzzle.

[Stormfeather]

I've been giving a lot of thought to a similar situation and here is what I've been thinking. I have a wife and three small kids. But I'm also anticipating family and very close friends might all need to use this equipment and none of them are very familiar with firearms.

I went with the Mossberg 500A. The 590 is a good gun but when fully loaded I think the balance is off because of the extended tube. I like the 5 shot tube. Then I've got extra rounds on the stock and side saddle.

Skip the GSG, and go straight for the RIA. In fact get two of them. Then get a used 22 conversion kit for training and the daughter. And don't listen to the Glock talk. Glocks are good guns, but the simplicity, ease of finding replacement parts and accuracy of a well tuned 1911 can not be matched by the glock.

1911 vs glock = 1911 is ammo deficient in comparison. Glock has less pieces to deal with, and unless hes planning on IDPA or IPSC competition, a finely tuned 1911 still loses out.

Say NO to the sks. I love them but I ditched all my russian stuff and went with, well ok, other russian stuff. Saiga's in 223. They are dirt cheap right now. If you shop around you can find them cheaper then your basic SKS. Plus in a shtf situation, 223 are going to be easier to get. I did the research and it isn't close, the number of 223 sales vs any other battle rifle. Also you can get a converter to make the Saiga take AR mags! How can you say no to that, the reliability of an AK and you can get ammo everywhere!

Stick with the sks if thats all you can afford. Some of us remember the times where sks's were $59.00 each sitting in a blue water barrel in the corner of the gunstore, and we stocked up appropriately. You can still find them cheap, and they still run like a grape ape. Accessibility of ammo is another issue. Buy it cheap and stock it deep, unfortunately 556/223 isnt cheap, in any way shape or form. So in a SHTF, how do you plan on getting to all this easily accessible 223 you are talking about, and where is it supposed to come from?

Now here is the tricky part. SELL THE 10/22. Yep sell it. Then go and buy 4 Marlin 795s. Unless you are going to trick out the 10/22, the out of the box accuracy is good but I'd say the 795 is better and you can buy three of them for the price of to rugers! And there is a $25 rebate going on right now.

No offense, but i totally disagree with this as well. Why sell it when he can just buy another one of those marlins you are talking about? You are basing all this on your personal opinion, not on facts. What may work for you, may not work in his situation. you have to remember that everyones situation isnt the same, take that into consideration. Also take into consideration, that the 10/22 has been around a heck of a lot longer than that Marlin 795 rifle.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Rebates/rebates_fall2011.asp

And just something to consider, the 12ga for the wife might be a bit much. Think about a 20ga semi auto, or at least a 12ga semi auto.

I agree with much at least, but you can also move the wife up to a 12 ga. shotgun, and just use a lesser load. This alleviates having to buy another different type of ammo.

[thomasesmith3]

I love how everybody argues about get this get that... Go to a range with rentals and tell the guy behind the counter his situation. A good one will ask questions and start him out on a .22, then progress to find what HE feels comfortable with... Spend a little money and get a gun that he's already shot and feels comfortable with... Everybody has an opinion, only by actively handling a gun will he find one that he likes and is ready to own...

[SteveSatch]

With a rifle and a handgun I don't think the shotgun is really needed, unless it will be used to hunt with.

[Fireguy]

Back in the stone age when I was starting out in shooting, an older timer told to stick with military rounds. My first rifle was a 30-06 and for over 50 years that has changed.
Updating that advise I'd go with the .223 round for rifles and 9mm for pistols because in a SHTF situation there will always be those rounds available. If there a police like unit or military within a hundred miles of you there will be black market ammo available.
Unless there is an invasion there will be limited 7.62 x 39.
I'm not a fan of the 9mm but military loves it so the will plenty available.
Once you decide the ammo get your guns.

[dogtrainer]

[USMC VET]

I believe you can find some ar's used for the price or a little more than the sks. AR or Mini 14 over sks IMO.

If he's going to stay with a 22 pistol I'd go with a P22. (has yet to fail me, 5k + down range )

I'd highly recommend a g17 for self defensive purposes.

lastly I would suggest a mosin for the price and ammo they are great shtf guns.