A Military Surplus arm as a Survival Arm?

[Adam Helmer]

Last Thursday morning at 0900 at the local gun shop a dozen OLD Guys gathered around the coffee pot and a box of donuts at the rear or of store. The weekly meeting of the "Tioga Militia" was called to order and roll taken. A few odd ball guns were placed on the counter top for the usual "Show and Tell" segment of our meeting.

Just then a middle-aged fellow approached the group and asked, "What is the best military surplus arm for a survival situation?" The "Militia" huddeled for 30 seconds and then came up with the following suggestions: (Your opinion may vary)

1. A rifle in Very Good+ condition in a caliber commercially loaded.

2. If a bolt rifle is chosen, make it in caliber .30-06, .308, 6.5x55, 7mm, or 8mm.

3. A "Gas Gun" should be .223, 7.62x39mm, .308 or .30-06.

4. Acquire 6 box magazines or 40 Garand clips, or 40 chargers for SKS/AK-47 for the rifle.

5. Go shoot the chosen rifle a lot and begin reloading for same.

What did we miss?

Adam

[Mr. 16 gauge]

What did we miss?

1.) cleaning kits/supplies for each gun

2.) Make sure that the clips/magazines/strippers WORK prior to a bad situation, esp. if they are after market.

3.) spare parts kit, esp. for things that are known to 'break'....also, something like a broken shell extractor may be handy to have in a kit.

4.) If there is glass on the gun, I'd keep a camera cleaning kit handy.....has one of those brushes with the bulb to blow/wipe dust away, the nonstatic paper lens cleaners, ect.

I don't know if I necessarily agree with the choice of 8x57, 7x57, and 6.5x55 calibers. While they are great calibers, and while all are commercially loaded, they aren't as easy to find anymore like they used to be (esp. around here)......almost have to special order them anymore. And military surplus is almost unheard of in these calibers nowadays.

Why not a Winchester 94 or Marlin 336 in .30/30? Ammo is usually plentiful & fairly easy to find, easy to reload, has a range of about 150 yards w/ open sights, can lay down almost as much fire power as a garand, is faster than a bolt gun, and has minimum recoil and is easy to shoot.....
Not a 'military gun', but then again, neither is the garand or SK anymore.

[Joe Boleo]

I think it depends on what type of survival we are talking about. If you mean survival as when lost or stranded in a remote area that presents one set of criteria. In that situation, the military survival arm(s), ammo and everything you need has to be with you so include a large backpack.

On the other hand, if confronted with a breakdown in society and law and order then you best have a lot of reloading components at your base camp. My preference would be for an accurate and reliable bolt action rifle such as a Mauser, Springfield or Enfield. My back up would be a 1911A1 and a shotgun. Take care...
Joe

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

We were discussing military surplus arms. There are many bolt .30-06 arms like P-17s and 03s floating around as well as many Swedish M96 and M38s. The .30-06 is #1 with the group and brass for the 7mm and 8mm can be easily made from 30-06 cases by reloaders.

The fellow has a shotgun and asked about a handgun, which was addressed on "Handguns." He will reload and inends to stay in place when the end comes.

Adam

[GoodOlBoy]

a good truck gun/survival gun is the good old sks. rounds are cheap, and easy to find (relatively speaking of course) the guns are cheap and easy to find (relatively speaking) and they will function after heavy rain, mud, sleet, snow, car wrecks, etc. The ammo doesn't weigh a ton (though it is heavier than 223). They only downside is that many of them are not much better than pie plate accurate at 100 yards. That can be a problem if you are having to live off of small game. One upside is no magazines to lose, etc.

GoodOlBoy

[buckhunter]

My 2 cents would opt for a AK variant. There are a reported 50 million out there. They will shoot anything run down thru them. They can be cleaned with a shoelace. Work always. Ammo is pretty much #2 behind the 223. Just my 2 pennies.

[Gil Martin]

Military surplus arms would be ideal and are tough as nails. I know a fellow that has several .30-06 surplus bolt action rifles and buys factory ammo every month for his stash. He does not reload and wants to be prepared. All the best...
Gil

[buckhunter]

Gil,

We all have our own little or big stash. I bet you do too.

[Adam Helmer]

GOB,

I agree with you about the SKS. I recall in the late 1990s a NEW Chinese SKS in the box with sling, oiler, chest pouch and tools cost $85.00. A few found a good home with me at that price. A gun with chrome lined bore and chamber for that price is an ideal survival arm.

Adam

[Joe Boleo]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. The current reality is that prices for SKS rifles have moved right off the charts. One problem might be getting more ammo if you use up your stash. Reloading might be an option, but I doubt that many folks reload 7.62X39mm ammo.

I would stick with a .30-06, .308 or 8mm Mauser bolt gun. Just the idle thoughts of an idle fellow. Take care...
Joe

[doehunter]

Just about everyone has there idea of a "good" survival gun.I would have to go with the old style "black" rifles.chambered in 223 for a couple of reasons.one is small rounds are light to carry and no matter the target it does the job.small game doesnt "blow up" when hit,and deer size game drop.and had more than enough punch to knock a person off there feet..the other reason is just about anywhere u can find ammo,u can find 223. just my opinion..

[skeet]

I will have to agree with you on the 223. While it isn't quite the best round in my opinion for warfare..it is much more accurate and lighter than the ol 7.62x39..or any other older military round for that matter. And when all is said and done in a survival situation you shoot what ya brung..even a 22 short is better than rocks. And i do have to say...for simplicity...a bolt gun is probably the best option..for survival. Hopefully it will not come to that..but it IS lookin worse every day..

[GoodOlBoy]

too bad it has to be a military rifle. A good ruger 10/22 and a few thousand rounds of 22 ammo will take most any game with the shot placed right, and it will get you any other firearm you want in a pinch. . . . just saying.

GoodOlBoy