I don’t know about anyone else but now that we’ve heard from our commander-in-chief about the state of our union… I feel better! Cancel all your plans for taking care of yourselves, it just won’t be necessary! All systems go, just get out and resume irresponsible spending!

 

  Seriously, I don’t see anything changing soon… Not that this comes as a surprise to me but we can always hope to see a shred of leadership or realistic change in course, sorry – no dice!

 

   So far I have attempted to stay away from the firearms topic as this isn’t my specialty. I do however have some opinions on the subject and since I get various emails asking what I think about this gun or caliber, I decided I would do a post on my personal views of firearms and how they fit into MY personal preparedness plans. I already know there will be folks that disagree with me and that’s just fine. Guns are the sacred totem of our fellowship and I am only offering my opinion, it is not to be held as gospel, merely one mans accumulation of experience.

 

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   Let me start off today saying that I have been interested in firearms for as long as I can remember. I started collecting or accumulating them since before it was legal for me to even own them. This was done without the knowledge of my parents of course. Somehow I was able to get through my teenage years without hurting myself or anyone else. I was a responsible young man but still children and gun use should be supervised!

 

   Over the years I have owned more guns than I could list or count. If you asked me specifically if I had ever owned or used such and such, I’d be able to tell you but beyond that, who can remember! I’m mentioning this only to give background on how I’ve come to the conclusions that I hold now.

 

   As a younger man but legal gun owner, I tended to go for the sexy assault rifles and all of the accoutrements that go along with them. Don’t get me wrong they are cool but now it seems that the status of being able to own a $1000+ dollar AR15 has lost some of its luster for me. Over the last decade, everyone and their brother, brother-in-law, son and son of a gun have been able to acquire an M-forgery.

 

   Now as a National trend, I think this is great as it puts a lot of firepower in the hands of the citizens but as the prices have risen and ownership with them, I have spent some time deciding if these are really the right firearms for my long term goals. High capacity semi-auto rifles do have their place and I am certainly not against anyone owning them! I actually think the more of them that are in the law abiding citizens hands the better! Hopefully this section will pacify the readers that are watching my every move as to see if I’m really a good patriotic American – I am and I sleep better at night knowing I have armed brethren within ear shot of both of my homes!

 

 

   Moving into what I really wanted to discuss today… What are the guns that I feel are needed for or by the “prepper”? Some of us still believe that an armed populous will be required to keep the government in check, I don’t disagree but I no longer think the government is hiding behind every tree waiting to grab our guns. Believe me I use to hold these views and do respect those that hold them. I just have come to the conclusion that the government officials know they aren’t going to get them away from us and will use other tactics to gain the upper-hand they need in controling us. A hungry man is a pliable man and the father of a hungry child is even more so! This brings us back to the systems I advocate all of us be setting up for ourselves to achieve true freedom, a freedom that a gun alone will never provide! 

 

   The prepper firearms battery that I think will be of the most value will not send tingles down anyone spine. It is a very basic set of working guns. Of course these guns could do double duty and provide protection as well but they aren’t primarily designed for this purpose. I’ll give you my short list of guns that I don’t think any prepper should be without…

 

   Lets start with the trusty .22 rifle as a good starter for a working gun battery. Ammunition is still relatively cheap but like everything else is only continuing to rise in cost. Keeping this in mind it won’t break the bank to purchase a good rifle and spent the needed time getting proficient with its use. In the hands of a competent shooter, this little gun will take many small game animals. Rabbits, squirrels and other targets of opportunity will be good additions to the stew pot. Many young or new shooters have been trained on a .22 rifle as well. This single gun will fill a host of needs and with the most inexpensive ammunition, just can’t be over looked for the Prepper.

 

Cost: $250 for a good used gun, $100 for 2500 rounds ammunition.

 

 

   OK, lets talk shotguns! Where do you even start with the capabilities that a decent shotgun can provide. How about taking those birds post SHTF? I know some of you can knock a crow out of the air at 200 yards with your carry piece but for those of us that aren’t confirmed crack-shots, a shotgun might be a good addition. As a small game getter the shotgun will shine as well. Granted the appropriate shell be used so the meat isn’t destroyed. How about the larger animals we might come across, such as deer? Well, they don’t call it buckshot because it sounds good and just rolls of the tongue. It wouldn’t be my first choice for going looking for deer but it is capable of being used in this capacity. What about predators? Mountain lions, black bears, etc. – think a shotgun would leave you under powered? I doubt it!

 

   How’s that for a 2 gun battery that will take care of a good portion of your SHTF food gathering duties? Wait, what about that Mutant Zombie Biker that showed up last Wednesday when you were working in the garden? Yep, the handy dandy shotgun you had leaning against the fence was more than enough gun to answer his questions about your missing welcome mat.

  

   A shotgun from any of the popular manufactures will serve you well for more years than you’ll need it. I suggest the Mossberg 500 as it is widely available as a sporting/defense package. You know the one with a 26″ hunting barrel as well as the 18″ home defence configuration. I’ve owned more than a few of these guns over the years and it is quick and easy to switch barrels. I find the versatility this provides to be a great feature. The guns are also moderately priced. I haven’t priced shotgun shells in quite a while but would guess that they have  risen in price along with everything else. I would be willing to wager that a selection of shot and slug shells could be acquired to handle most any need for under $200 bucks. Granted you won’t be out plinking with this meager stock of ammunition but it would cover your prepper bases for many years.

 

Cost: $250 for a good used gun, $200 for a selection of shot/slug shells

 

 

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   I told you this wasn’t going to blow your skirt up but I think its a realistic view of what can be done with a meager gun battery and under a thousand dollars, so far. I’ll wrap this up tomorrow by rounding out the other firearms that I think are reasonable to keep on hand for our needs.

See ya tomorrow,

 

Prepper