Survival Weapons - Tips and OptionsOne thing people wonder about is survival weapons. In particular - do they need to purchase a gun, rifle or other firearm to protect themselves during an emergency? If you've read any books lately about the collapse of the dollar the coming depression/hard times, one of the things many authors do recommend is to purchase a gun and stock up on ammo.In fact I recently watched a show where they interviewed gun dealers saying they can't keep ammo in stock. So do you really need it? Well, ultimately it's up to you. Perhaps the more important question to ask yourself is: "Am I willing to kill another human being?" Most people are not. With that in mind, AR15s, AK47s, assault rifles, grenades, 50 caliber rifles or the like are probably survival weapons you don't need and would never use. Disclaimer: I am not condoning the use of a firearm on another human being, let alone killing anyone. Remember you will need to answer to whatever form of authority, and be subject to the laws at the time. So your actions will have consquences (legal, moral and ethical). Also, if you're going to get a gun, get some good firearms training. Dumb things happen because people aren't trained properly, or are too paranoid. So get some good training from qualified personnel. The bottom line is that you're responsible for any weapon you choose - both in training and in use of. If you do choose to go with survival weapons in the form of a firearm, there are some things to consider: Survival Handguns Handguns are typically a close range weapon (about 25 yards at the maximum with normal iron sites). When possible, you want to choose a handgun that is usuable by all members of your adult family. You might want to consider something in the 9mm range of handguns. Why? Because 9mm handguns are fairly affordable, ammunition is easily accessable, and usually any adult can easily handle the handgun with a little practice. While some may argue that a 9mm may not have enough stopping power, I think it will do the job when your objective is to scare off and be a deterrant against other armed thieves.
Shotgun For home defense, a shotgun is a great survival weapon tool. Just the sound of racking a shotgun can make amateurs run for the hills. But if that sound doesn't make them run, you better have something you can use. If you are looking for a survival shotgun, you may want to consider something in the 12 gauge (12GA) or 22 gauge (22GA) range. The barrel should be between 18 to 22 inches. If you are a small framed person, you may want to go to a 410GA, 20GA or 22GA with an 18 inch barrel, with a pistol grip.You don't want to be knocked on your butt when you fire it! Also look for something with either a pump action or autoloader (I prefer the pump action type). I know the double barrel shotguns look cool, but if you need to fire more than twice (usually a warning shot and a "business" shot), you'll probably want to go with a pump or autoloader. Again look for something all the adults in the family are comfortable using. As for ammunition, I'd look at birdshot (shells filled with smaller pellets for smaller animals), or buckshot (shells filled with larger pellets for larger animals). Rifles Rifles are a ranged weapon and good when you need to hit something about 100 yards or more (assuming you've had lots of practice too). Remember too that you will want something that all the adults in the family are comfortable using. Look for something with a simple action (I personally like the bolt action types), easily accessible for purchase (remember this if you need to repair it) and in a popular caliber. As for sites, keep them simple also. Remember the more toys you have, the more likely they are to break. Although again, I'm not advising anyone to buy or use a gun, if you do want to research your options, East Coast Gun Sales carry a wide variety of guns and hunting gear Now if you're a true urbanite - you probably don't need a rifle for protection. So you may want to look at other options. Other Survival Weapons Improvised weapons make great survival weapons. Some of these are the baseball bat, the handy 9 iron golf club, kitchen knives, short handled shovels to name a few. There are also tasers however again, you have to be careful since they are not lawful in all States and areas. So do your research before hand. So if you decide that firearms are not your thing, there are always alternatives. Choose something that you feel comfortable with. Remember that the best form of protection is avoiding a confrontation in the first place. So if the crap hits the fan, keep a low profile, don't stand out, be aware of your surroundings and never, ever tell anyone outside the family that you have survival food and water stashed away in your basement.
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