Post by captbart on Jul 29, 2023 13:25:16 GMT -5
For various reasons, I've been looking at how to start preping on a tight budget. That got me to thinking about what to buy on a very limited budget and no firearms in the house. So, what are budget buys for survival work for someone with nothing?
To my mind the single most important firearm for SHTF is a shotgun. The truth is it wasn't the 6-shooter or lever gun that won the west; it was the double barrel shotgun. Every farmer had one as did the ranchers and wagon guards and teamsters. On a tight budget, you can get a single barrel shotgun, usually in 12 gauge but 20 gauge works just fine; even a .410 if that is all that is available. For a little more or if you find a good deal, a double shotgun leaves nothing on the table for home defense or hunting. With slugs you can even consider bear in the mix.
If you must carry a concealed weapon add a .38 SPL. You can still get deals on police surplus or new revolvers. They won't be S&W,Colt, or even Ruger but there are many out there. $300 dollars is not a bad target for a .38 used. You might also find some surprise deals on semi-autos. Again, no Colts or Glocks but the folks in the Philippines have been making 1911's since around 1946 (I own one of theirs) and it shoots as well as my Colt 1911. Again, target price for less than $400.
For hunting, unless you must take game at over 300 yards (I have a bias against long distance hunting but that's me) any number of used .30-30, .30-06 (if you're a vet you might get ammo from the Government Civilian Marksmanship program)or something in the .270 range. Again in the under $400 range used.
Finally, a .22LR is a great deal. IF I could only have 2 weapons it would be a .22 and a 20 gauge. If I could only have 1 it would still be the shotgun but I wouldn't feel disarmed with a .22! Yeah, a big bore bigot like me is saying if you can only have one, make it a .22 if a 20 gauge or .410 isn't available. Something like the Henry AR-7 is $325 on the website. A "survival package" is listed there for right at $500 dollars that has some food and other survival gear in a tote bag.
Why is the .22 so important? Well, it provides a way to hunt small game, practice shooting without breaking the bank, have plenty of ammo on hand and self defense. Yes, self defense - the .22 is NOT my first or even second choice for defense and it is not effective against large predators like bear. It will work against smaller game like pigs, coyote, bob cat etc. It also allows to you reach out beyond pistol range for targets. No one wants to get shot with any caliber and a .22LR can put holes into targets with lethal force out to over a hundred yards accurately. An older bolt action or single shot .22 is easily under $250. So, you can be armed for under $250 if you look carefully at a gun show or the used section of a local gun store. Food, water and medicine first but then get that first gun if you don't already own one.
To my mind the single most important firearm for SHTF is a shotgun. The truth is it wasn't the 6-shooter or lever gun that won the west; it was the double barrel shotgun. Every farmer had one as did the ranchers and wagon guards and teamsters. On a tight budget, you can get a single barrel shotgun, usually in 12 gauge but 20 gauge works just fine; even a .410 if that is all that is available. For a little more or if you find a good deal, a double shotgun leaves nothing on the table for home defense or hunting. With slugs you can even consider bear in the mix.
If you must carry a concealed weapon add a .38 SPL. You can still get deals on police surplus or new revolvers. They won't be S&W,Colt, or even Ruger but there are many out there. $300 dollars is not a bad target for a .38 used. You might also find some surprise deals on semi-autos. Again, no Colts or Glocks but the folks in the Philippines have been making 1911's since around 1946 (I own one of theirs) and it shoots as well as my Colt 1911. Again, target price for less than $400.
For hunting, unless you must take game at over 300 yards (I have a bias against long distance hunting but that's me) any number of used .30-30, .30-06 (if you're a vet you might get ammo from the Government Civilian Marksmanship program)or something in the .270 range. Again in the under $400 range used.
Finally, a .22LR is a great deal. IF I could only have 2 weapons it would be a .22 and a 20 gauge. If I could only have 1 it would still be the shotgun but I wouldn't feel disarmed with a .22! Yeah, a big bore bigot like me is saying if you can only have one, make it a .22 if a 20 gauge or .410 isn't available. Something like the Henry AR-7 is $325 on the website. A "survival package" is listed there for right at $500 dollars that has some food and other survival gear in a tote bag.
Why is the .22 so important? Well, it provides a way to hunt small game, practice shooting without breaking the bank, have plenty of ammo on hand and self defense. Yes, self defense - the .22 is NOT my first or even second choice for defense and it is not effective against large predators like bear. It will work against smaller game like pigs, coyote, bob cat etc. It also allows to you reach out beyond pistol range for targets. No one wants to get shot with any caliber and a .22LR can put holes into targets with lethal force out to over a hundred yards accurately. An older bolt action or single shot .22 is easily under $250. So, you can be armed for under $250 if you look carefully at a gun show or the used section of a local gun store. Food, water and medicine first but then get that first gun if you don't already own one.