If you come into a desperate situation where you need to reinforce the word “NO,” you’ll be able to do it more powerfully if you have a semi-automatic pistol on your person. The handgun is concealable and a powerful asset in a head-to-head confrontation. Any reliable 9mm or .45 caliber model will speak. The Beretta Px4 Storm, Smith & Wesson M&P, and the Springfield 1911 are all viable options.
Whichever model you choose, the most important thing is to get familiar with that specific gun. To get comfortable, practice loading the magazine, putting a round in the chamber, and turning off the safety. Practice your draw and have some loaded magazines ready to go. Twelve round magazines provide multiple shots, as long as your gun is clean and doesn’t jam. If you are worried about the rounds jamming, consider investing in a stainless steel revolver and a handful of speed loaders. There are fewer shots to be had from a revolver, but if you are accurate, why waste rounds anyway?
If you are stationed at home on your own property, the best self defense weapon is the pump action shotgun. The sound and sight of the shotgun is a quick deterrent. When loaded with buckshot, the shotgun is most effective for taking down attackers because the projectiles fan out and create a larger kill shot surface area. Do not use this gun in a hostage situation or if other innocents are nearby. This gun is also valuable because it can be loaded with slugs for large game hunting or bird shot for small game hunting. The 20 gauge shotgun has less recoil and is a good option for people with smaller frames. The more powerful 12 gauge shotgun has a strong recoil. The Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 are two great options that allow you to switch out long and short barrels. The shorter barrel is best suited for self defense and long barrel for hunting game. (Related: Best guns to have when SHTF.)
If you want to put meat on the table, you should consider investing in a large caliber hunter rifle such as the .308 Winchester. The .308 is a popular, affordable round that will be a valuable barter item if SHTF. The Winchester has moderate recoil and is affordable. The Remington Model 700, and Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye are a little more pricey, but these high quality rifle options are smooth and will help you take down large game up to a thousand yards away. Always keep your hunting rifle sited in and locked away in a safe place. Practice with your rifle in different wind speeds and angles to prepare yourself for when every shot counts.
The Henry U.S. AR-7 Survival Rifle is a great piece to have if you are forced to backpack out of your area. The receiver, two magazines, and the barrel can be quickly disassembled and stored in the waterproof butt stock of the gun, allowing for easy concealment and transport of an effective .22 caliber rifle. This rifle is great for hunting small game and would be a great last resort gun if you are forced to head into the bush. The .22 rounds are cheap, light, and you could carry plenty in your backpack for continued survival.
If all hell breaks loose and you need a tool to accurately take down targets at short and mid range, the AR-15 is invaluable. With multiple 30 round magazines accessible, the AR-15 becomes the firearm with the most endurance. It has greater stopping power and velocity than a handgun, has very minimal recoil, and provides fast, accurate follow-up shots. These guns are budget-friendly and cost about as much as an iPhone. The Ruger AR-556 or Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II are two of the several great options on the market today. It’s wise to choose a model that can chamber in both the 5.56x45mm NATO round and the .223 Remington round.
With these five guns, a good stash of ammunition, a quality scope, and some training, you will be well suited to take on any hunting task or self defense duty if SHTF. For more, visit Guns.news.
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