As you know you’ll need at least one gun to effectively survive the volatile situation we will have to endure. The question is, how do you know you’re choosing the right gun? Ideally, you will have an arsenal of different firearms for different situations, but if you plan on only procuring one weapon to defend yourself from potential attackers during the SHTF scenario, your choice in what firearm to procure will mostly come down to personal preferences.
If you’re a convicted felon in the United States, or if you live in a country where firearm procurement is almost impossible like the UK or Australia, it is so important that you have some means to defend yourself. You can consider options like a sword or machete, or you can opt for non-lethal weapons like pepper spray or a taser gun. If any of those scenarios apply to you, I’m reminded of a story I once heard of people in the old Soviet Union “oiling their gardens” if you catch my drift.
Shotgun Selection
A shotgun would be thought by many to be the most versatile firearm you could select to defend yourself in a SHTF situation. A shotgun is a very powerful weapon, and it also makes a statement that most other guns can’t compare to. If someone is trying to enter your home by force, when they see you pointing a shotgun right at them they will know that you can literally blow a hole right through them, and the chances of surviving that are slim to none.
While a shotgun is useful on so many levels, many people would prefer the feel of a pistol, or maybe even a revolver. A handheld pistol or revolver can certainly get the job done, and it is also far easier to conceal than a shotgun would be.
Rifle Selection
Rifles are typically better suited for hunting. If someone was trying to choose just one gun, a rifle probably wouldn’t be their best option. Having a rifle sure is a lot better than having no guns at all though. The 22 caliber rifle is one of the most common guns and could likely be obtained at a cheaper cost than other firearm options. The ammunition is also cheaper, due to its abundance. Finding bullets for a 22 caliber rifle will be easier than any other type of ammunition.
If you find yourself in a scenario where you have to leave your home and head to your strategically planned bug out location however, a rifle is an excellent weapon to have with you. You can store hundreds or even thousands of rounds in a very compact fashion, and they will easily fit in your bug out bag. For this scenario alone a rifle is a must have for me. If I had a crystal ball and knew I wouldn’t have to leave my home, my choice on owning a rifle might be a bit more iffy.
Pistol Selection
For me this is a must have, even if I’m well equipped with my 12 gauge shotgun with an abundance of shells. I’d advise the same for anyone who is interested in prepping. Which pistol should you select though? You might want to visit your local firing range and get a feel for different calibers and what works best for you. I am very partial to the 9mm. The ammunition is cheap and abundant, and it has a low recoil and very comfortable feel for me.
Don’t become content after you’ve purchased your pistol. You will need to then focus on having more than enough ammunition than you think you need. Ammunition shortages seem to always conveniently occur at the worst possible times, like during the pandemic for example. In addition to being well stocked with ammo, I would also suggest looking into buying a nice holster for ease of use. I prefer attaching my holster to my waistband, but you can holster your weapon on numerous places of your body.
A perfect scenario would be to have 2 guns instead of one. Sorry, a perfect scenario would be to have a diverse arsenal of firearms, but some don’t have the interest in taking things to that level. When you commit to arming yourself with 2 firearms instead of just one though, you can have the best of both worlds. You can have a pistol with a holster attached to your body for easy access, and you can have a powerful shotgun when that is necessary as well.
