Yeah.... It's unfinished.... You got to deal with it....
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Now it's come to my attention that even though I did provide a massive wall of text for firearm selection some members do not know how to put together a suitable collection of firearms for survival and/or are trying to find one do it all swiss army weapon (shotgun is as close as you can get). Now if this has entered you're mind you're more wrong than two boys kissing in a baptist church wearing feathers. I'll run this by everyone... In fact I'll run it by everyone four times... Ready?
THERE IS NO PERFECT DO IT ALL WEAPON!
THERE IS NO PERFECT DO IT ALL WEAPON!
THERE IS NO PERFECT DO IT ALL WEAPON!
THERE IS NO PERFECT DO IT ALL WEAPON!
Savvy?
Now... Here happens to be what I consider the bare bones survival collection anyone inside the US should have:
1. Main rifle.
2. Distance rifle.
3. Shotgun.
4. Hide out pistol.
5. Rimfire rifle.
That's the pretty basic setup without a whole lot of information. Purpose of said weapons?
Main rifle: Your main weapon. If chosen correctly it'll give you one hell of an edge again the z threat and put you on equal(ish) footing with any goblins you encounter. It can also put food on the table if need be and the opportunity presents itself. Under my requirements it must be a semi-auto or repeating rifle holding at least ten rounds.
Distance Rifle: This is a specialized weapon. Used as a main weapon to meet certain requirements needed by your group or that cannot be handled by your main rifle. It should be picked up if you need to make precise shots well outside the comfort zone of main rifle use and/or to suppress enemy movement at a range your main rifle cannot reach out to reliably. This is up to the user. After seeing a few semi-autos reach bolt gun accuracy I'm not going to argue.
Shotgun: Another specialized weapon and the swiss army knife of the firearm world if chosen properly. Their are three roles this weapon can fill. One of them cannot be handled by it if it cannot hold more than three shots. First role is foraging. With the right shot you can take any bird or large rodent that crosses your path. With buckshot and slug you can step up to heavy and dangerous game. The second role is up to the user. They can use whatever they like, but for defense against anything that makes it over the property line I'll take the old scattergun. If something goes bump within the walls of my humble abode last thing they're going to hear is the roar of my hallway howitzer. This is something even an old double barrel can handle. Now the third role it can be suitable fo depending on the user and who they've got for back up. Take it out on the offensive. You already know my choice if I've got to run and gun through the boonies around here with only the moon to light my way. It's my personal choice because as soon as the mob of ghouls/goblins is hit I'm either conducting a tacticool withdraw or swapping to my secondary weapon while my back up keeps them busy. Not to mention a good slide-action or double barrel would be handy in case you're stuck with scavenged or poor quality ammunition.
Hideout pistol: No way in God's post apocalyptic world am I going to speak to anyone unarmed. Even if they specifically request that I meet them unarmed I will be armed. It's going to be a little hard to smuggle a long gun to the meet in my pants ("Born lucky" won't cut it). Even with a full sized pistol it's going to be a little tough to hide the bulge. Possible exception of winter climate. Even a .22 pocket rocket will do if things get really hairy. Not saying that's all you should carry though. Just fire off a round into their face to get them out of your personal space giving you time to access something else or put those boogie shoes to work.
Rimfire rifle: Another great foraging tool that just might leave the shotgun in the dust depending on the shooter. Also depending on your choice of said rifle an excellent training tool. I'm a bit skeptical about calling it a weapon. In my eyes the best way I can describe it is "Household appliance". Just remember it is possible to kill someone with a kitchen knife or skillet. Only I won't put it down as a things have gone to hell last ditch weapon. Goblins don't like to be shot by anything. They'll put their heads down if you start ringing their bell with a squirrel gun.
Now what would I consider the ideal collection....
Main rifle
Distance rifle
Shotgun
Carbine
Pistol
Hideout Gun
Revolver
Rimfire rifle
Rimfire pistol
Rimfire revolver
Now some people would possibly expand on this (paging Zombie Tappan) or cut a few parts out of it to suit their needs. Nothing wrong with this. If it works for you then by all means do so. This is what I consider ideal. Don't bother challenging it, because one size (or plan) does not fit all. Like before all the weapons here have a purpose. However I'm not going into as much detail as I have on the rest. Then again I might, but I'm not covering the same weapons as before... Any who... Let's get this dog and pony show started...
Carbine- This is one of those could be either/or weapons I love/hate. Now a carbine by my humble definition is a short light rifle either (shazzam) using a pistol or (dag blammy!) rifle cartridge. Some would like to delve into what type of action it has, but to me it don't matter if it's a single-shot rifle or selective fire weapon. If it's covered under my definition it's a carbine. Now there are several jobs that can be handled by a carbine. It's basically an non-shotgun-shotgun of the firearm world in my humble opinion. Depending on what you're sporting you can use it for a little foraging. You can use it for defense inside the property line. Then again you can use it for offensive purposes. What would I take a carbine for? Plain and simple I'd want one as a secondary weapon (it'd have to be really small and light) and/or a car/trunk gun. One little requirement I have for any of my semi-auto carbines of a pistol caliber is that it must utilize the same magazines as my pistol. Then again there is always an exception to the rule. ;)
Pistol- Now you're probably wondering why I'd want another pistol when I've already got a hideout gun. Thing is MY (keyword) hideout gun is nothing more than a little pocket heater. That's what it'll be until something better comes along and I can afford it. "Still why would you want another pistol?" Plain and simple. I don't want to rely on a pocket heater if my primary weapon goes down. Therefore I want something with a little more bark and little more bite. Not to mention I might not want to be carrying a whole lot more weight. Besides a secondary weapon it'll be pretty much like a piece of clothing. Like bedroom slippers so to speak. Something I'll be wearing around the house since it would be a pain to haul around and work with a long gun all day. Something to have just in case things were to go crazy within the property line.
Revolver- I know what you're probably thinking now... "Alright. You've got a pistol and a hideout gun. Why would you want a revolver?" Several reasons. Reason one. I like revolvers. I love revolvers. I like and love shooting revolvers. I'm faster bringing a six gun into action than I am bringing a brass chucker into play. Also after a long period of time after all the good stuff runs out I might be forced into using scavanged or low quality remanufactured ammunition. Unlike most high priced autos revolvers don't rely on the muscle of the round. Which is also a good reason for tossing a few manuallty operated firearms into the collection, but that's for a different topic. Now for one of my favorite reasons for having a revolver in the collection. Like I've preached before detachable magazines wear out, get lose, get broken, and/or get stolen. One you're out of magazines all you've got is a crappy single-shot pistol. Then you're in deep doggy doo. Even if you're sporting a high quality mauser military you cobbled together in your garage machine shop (or an equivalent of one) you'd better have a good supply of charger clips or way to make them. Otherwise you're reduced to what you would be doing with a revolver.
Rimfire pistol/revolver- Last thing I'd consider a weapon. Not to be confused with a hideout gun. This is one of those little niche guns. Purely optional as far as a collection goes. Now what is it's purpose? Same thing as a .22 rifle. Foraging, training, and/or a last ditch weapon. Why take one for foraging instead of a .22 rifle? Size and weight. You might be going on a very long trip with little support. You may need to use it to help supplement your diet of carried food with wild game. Weight might be a major issue. So you might want to shave off as many ounces as you can without losing this ability. Also you might could squeeze training into your little hunts depending on the rimfire pistol/revolver you use. Small fast moving targets taken with a pistol/revolver very similar to the one you rely on. Think about that little bit of training that also puts food on the table.
Now I do understand that a good survival collection cannot consist only of firearms in the case of our members in countries other than the United States. In that scenario they might be reduced to only two or three firearms. With those pulling double duty (defensive and survival roles) and melee weapons filling in the gaps that other firearms would have. Now I'm going to take a step waaaaaay out on a thin branch by saying this. Still it is not a rule set in stone (unless you're working on my bankroll) and it is purely my humble opinion. The only rifles I deem suitable as a main rifle in place of semi-auto rifles are slide-action (pump) and lever-action rifles meeting what I consider the minimum ammunition capacity (ten rounds). To my knowledge lever-action rifles are allowed in just about every Western country. I know for a fact that even pistol caliber lever-action rifles are legal in the UK. Those using the .357 magnum or .38 special cartridges being the most popular. I wouldn't feel under armed sporting one of those or one using a different cartridge (.44 magnum, .44 special, .45 long colt, .454 casull) with a magazine capacity of 10-18rds. Load up on some of those Hornady rounds with the polymer tip which tacks on another hundred yards or two on the effective range... Let's just say you've got one mean rifle that will put you on equal footing with the most well armed goblin if you do your part. All this applies to slide-action rifles as well.
Still you're not only restricted to pistol caliber rifles. Lever and slide-action rifles can be had using other cartridges as well. Whether it be .30-30.223, .308, .243, 7mmRemMag, ..308 Marlin Express, 300WSM, or a host of others I don't know about. Most of the ones I know of using detachable magazines (since tubular would cause hell with spitzer bullets and primers). The list can go on and on with the number of lever and slide-action guns that have been made. All you've got to do is look.
Now I'm not going to write off bolt-guns completely. If that is the only repeater you can get, you can throw a bolt faster than you can a lever-slide, and/or that's just what you want to use by all means pick up one. It's still a step above a single-shot. Just maintain the weapon, any needed equipment, and practice loading/cycling that rifle until your fingers bleed. I expect you to do the same as you would with any other rifle. I expect a lot more if you're sporting a bolt-action rifle. Put as much lead down range as quickly and accurately as you can. Faster than someone/something trying to kill you as quickly as it/they can.
Before someone suggests it... Pull up a picture of a .22lr cartridge and compare it to a .45-70 cartridge. Then compare the information of the two. The latter might be heavier to carry and harder to find outside the US. However it can put some of the biggest meanest of the most dangerous game in their place pretty quick. Something to think about in case you run across my favorite arch nemesis Grandmasta Goblin.You can use that .45-70 to keep him at bay long enough to knock him off and borrow that illegal rifle/pistol that was smuggled into the country for sale by a biker gang that borrowed it from a Swedish military armory that he would use to kill/threaten you so he can take your supplies and do cruel unusual things to your loved ones. If not a .45-70 just about any other center-fire cartridge fired from a rifle would be suitable.
My main rifle would be a M1A Super Match. I'm partial to the larger calibers. Distance rifle would be a Steyr SSG with a sixteen-inch barrel. If I really need to reach out, then the CheyTac Intervention would be my choice. For shotgun, I like the Kel-Tec KSG bullpup pump action shotgun. It holds a total of fourteen shells in two tubes, making it a better choice than the older shotguns. For handgun, I like the Springfield Range Officer. Glock 36 for concealed. Small but still packs the punch of a .45. My choice revolver would be the old Vaquero chambered for .357 Magnum customized for speed shooting with a blued finish and Oak grips. Ruger 10/22 why bother with others when you can have the best? Ruger MK. II Internal Suppressor. And last is Ruger Single Six.
If you don't know how great this country is, I know someone who does; Russia- Robert Frost
No offense, but i could really even pair that list down to three firearms "basics".
You have your "reach out and touch someone" rifle. For me that would most likely be the Mossberg 270 i use for deer hunting. Good, reliable rifle for longer distances and larger targets.
Next, a shotgun would be good. If we were going with what we have now, i would use my Ithica Featherweight .20. If I had time to do some shopping around, i would consider a siaga, or a 12 semiauto or pump.
Lastly i would carry my side arm. I have a Taurus PT24/7 pro in .40 S&W.
I'm not saying you shouldn't have any more guns someplace available for use, but those are the three types of firearms i would want MOST over anything else.
This thread isn't about downsizing or a minimalist approach. It is more about having the right tool for the right job. If your life were found to be in your hands and you did not have anybody to rely upon but yourself,I assume you would want the right tools for the task at hand. This list is meant to cover all the firearms one would find useful while practicing self reliance. You can get buy with just one gun, you can get buy with no guns that isn't the point though. This is about having the correct tool for the job. Can you hunt rabbits and small birds with a 20 gauge? Yeah, but I would rather do it with a .22. Can you hunt deer with a .22? Yeah, but I would rather have a 30-30. Can you kill a bad guy with a 30-30? Yeah, but I would rather have an AK. Can you conceal an AK in your coat? Yeah but I would rather have a glock. The list goes on but I think you catch my drift.
I like knives
I am partial to the Big hammer method. Carrying one big hammer does most of the jobs. If it is in sufficient then hit harder and more often till it does the job. I got guns. I'd carry the guns I got. Don't need to specialize. Over specialization is one step closer to being obsolete. "Spetsnaz are not trained how to use weapons. Spetsnaz are trained to become the weapon, so that any tool will do the job when the time comes." (don't remember where I heard it, maybe the discovery channel)I think the same is true with survivalists.
@ survival guy 21, When shooting 1000 yard high power competition the M1A or M14 is an excellent choice. I'm not saying you shouldn't use it as a main rifle, but I am saying that by the time the bullet reaches the target at 1000 yards the target has a hole in the 10 ring for nearly a second before the sound from the rifle reaches it.
Now for my decisions.
Main rifle: mini 14, because it's an M14 except tiny and I learned to shoot on an M14. The only reason I would change is because the ammo is lighter and finding a magazine for an M14 longer than 20 rounds is like finding an invisible needle in a haystack.
Reach out and touch rifle: Put a scope on the mini 14. If its outside the range of a mini 14 then why do I care what it does? I'm not exactly certian of the effective range of the rifle, but the .223 round has a good flat trajectory. Great for long shots.
Shotgun: I want to believe the new Kel-Tec shotgun is as cool as they say, because I like the look and I like the capacity, but I'm going to stick with a good ol' Mossberg 500 until the cool shotgun is proven.
Hand gun: Sig P228 I love the P series, sue me.
Itty bitty handgun: Bondarms .45 colt/.410, because if I have to shoot a gun that hurts to shoot you're gonna know about it
A revolver: 9mm Taurus gut gun, because the P228 already shoots a 9mm round, why carry two kinds of ammo? I'm not even that excited by revolvers.
I'm not sure why I would be carrying a rim fire rifle if I had the option of carrying anything else, but if it were the last thing left: An MP5 clone. Well if I'm going to have to carry it might as well look like I'm carrying something with more substance. The MP5 also happens to be one of my all time favorite submachine guns.
And a rimfire revolver? I'd rather throw rocks. Ok, I would rather have the pistol, but that's only because I can't throw a rock as far as I can shoot a bullet. I used to know a guy who had a cool little 11 shot .22 revolver.
"If you can't think of a good reason to blow some stuff up then you're playing the wrong game my friend." -GM
I really don't think you want to shoot a squirrel with a 30-06. This is the exact opposite of specializing this is covering as many basis as possible. There is nothing wrong with giving yourself the option to choose the proper size and caliber weapon for the task at hand. Granted owning a collection similar to the one mentioned above would be expensive and take years to acquire but it is worth it. As a community dedicated to preparation for possible future calamity we have a tendency to pick and choose what disaster we think will happen. I personally feel that trying to forecast future disasters is really quite silly and outside our comprehension. Instead of preparing for a specific scenario and hopping that the events that aspire conform to what we planed for, we should try to cover as many basis as possible. They day may come when we find ourselves shooting robins out of the trees with .22 shorts for sustenance. In the city of Stalingrad even the birds were quite because they were no more, people were butchered in the literal sense by starving civilians. I do believe that a .22 rifle would be far better suited to staving off starvation in an urban environment than a high powered rifle.
I like knives
I think between a .22 rifle and a 36ga or 12ga shotgun most feasible grounds are covered. Sadly I do not collect guns, yet. I have what I must, and will be getting fun stuff later in life. Now as far as urban hunting, I can't think of anything better than a 48ga. Birds rodents and cats.
I agree with you. I like to prep for Zombies, but it's like Penn says, "not likely, but a fun theme". Cover as many bases as possible.
The problem is, you may very well need BOTH the .22 and the "high powered" rifle. I think that's the point that you and the OP was trying to make.
Yeah and a bunch of other things in between those two as well to cover any unforeseen/dangerous scenarios one might encounter.
I like knives
Change the M1A to a Norveske Rifle Works N4 Diplomat. Better for close quarters, plus the lighter 5.56
If you don't know how great this country is, I know someone who does; Russia- Robert Frost
Main Rifle- AR-15 H-Bar Sporter.
Carbine-- Ruger Mini 14 (not sure if this would count)
Distance Rifle- Enfield P-17 in 30.06. 100 years old and Sporterized by my Grandfather to hunt deer, but still a good solid platform for shooting over 400 yards
Shotgun--Mossberg 500
Revolver-Ruger Security Six in .357
Rimfier rifle--Ruger 10/22 with heavy bull barrell and scope
Rimfire pistol---Ruger SR-22
Pistol-Tough choice, but probably my Glock 17 G4.
Hideout gun---Glock 26
JIC gun---Colt 1991 A1
WTF gun---H&K P2000 (not mine, service issued)
In my case, that would leave a few weapons to hand out to the other members of my nomadic tribe or even neighbors who would be going on the road---My Beretta 92F, S&W 22A, Old as Dirt 12 gauge single shot H&R, Marlin .22lr bolt action.
I believe that having guns in multiple calibers increases the possibililty of finding ammo that could be useful. When my Dad passed away and I took posession of his guns and ammo, I found a really old box of ammunition in .38 Smith and Wesson caliber. My dad did not have a gun that would fire .38 S&W, so WTF? I wound up giving it and a box of .30/30 to one of my co-workers who has guns that fire both.
Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
Bingo. Now by all means downsize if it comes to bugging out. However if I had to bug out I would be looking into a cache or two. As far as carrying. I'd have it downsized to a rim-fire revolver, the smallest lightest shotgun in my possession, and main rifle.
"Spetsnaz are not trained how to use weapons. Spetsnaz are trained to become the weapon, so that any tool will do the job when the time comes." (don't remember where I heard it, maybe the discovery channel)I think the same is true with survivalists.
Can you remove a screw with a hammer? Can you loosen pipes with a hammer? Can you remove pins with a hammer? Can you remove bolts with a hammer? Not without destroying whatever it is you are working on. That's if you manage to do so before burning yourself out or breaking the handle of your hammer. Come to think of it the hammer, the screw driver, the pipe wrench, the pin punch, and the wrench (whichever type) is a specialized tool that so far isn't obsolete. It may evolve to become something powered by air or electricity, but it's still the same tool. Now you can use some other items in their place. Such as pliers, a knife, etc. However they might (key word) get the job done. Not as well or not without injury/cursing (blood blisters, small cuts, jammed fingers, ruined tool, etc.).
No it isn't. We are not a para-military group with the might of a modern mechanized military force behind us. Not to mention it all goes back to the big hammer criticism. They're only used for one thing. Flying ninja back-flip hatchet attack on a terrorist. That is the only thing they do. Only thing they are really good at. They won't have to raise crops, repair vehicles, build a house, construct a hydraulic lift from scratch, design a water a purifier, etc. They've got a thousand other people who are paid to do that for them. The mightiest military group in the world is nothing without it's support chain. I'm fairly certain the best special forces groups in the world could not survive long term. If so not as well as most people in the world. They are trained to survive long enough to complete the mission be extracted. Anything beyond that point and eventually most of their members are likely to say "Screw it I'm going to live to live with the farmers." Even spetznaz. Only group I could think that could truly survive in the wilderness long term are a few aboriginal. Simple because they are living that life and have been living that life for hundreds (if not thousands) of years.
WTF?
And finding a good mini-14 magazine with a capacity of more than ten rounds for the next ten years (if that) is going to be like trying to find hens teeth. Especially in comparison to the M14 when M14 magazines are still manufactured and issued for the military. Eh... We never had a shortage any way...
A revolver: 9mm Taurus gut gun, because the P228 already shoots a 9mm round, why carry two kinds of ammo? I'm not even that excited by revolvers.
I'd take a .357 revolver with a conversion for 9mm. Then I've got three different types of ammunition to choose from if I can't scavenge any 9mm. I'm not excited about the fact that I don't have to worry about lost/broken/worn out magazines or under-powered ammunition/poorly manufactured ammunition.
I'm not sure why I would be carrying a rim fire rifle if I had the option of carrying anything else, but if it were the last thing left: An MP5 clone. Well if I'm going to have to carry it might as well look like I'm carrying something with more substance. The MP5 also happens to be one of my all time favorite submachine guns.
I'd take something else.... Why? "I'm not excited about the fact that I don't have to worry about lost/broken/worn out magazines or under-powered ammunition/poorly manufactured ammunition."
And a rimfire revolver? I'd rather throw rocks. Ok, I would rather have the pistol, but that's only because I can't throw a rock as far as I can shoot a bullet. I used to know a guy who had a cool little 11 shot .22 revolver.
"I'm not excited about the fact that I don't have to worry about lost/broken/worn out magazines or under-powered ammunition/poorly manufactured ammunition."
Ross Kemp can suck my sweaty hairy balls.
Big hammer principle is used in terms of any tool man not just hammers. As the tool we were conversing about is firearms, we are talking about firearms. A simple gun will do the same job as a tricked out monster of a gun. Point I was making is it ain't the gun. Pick an ideal combo sure, but how big does the list need to go? Gun A, Back up gun B, Specialty gun C. Gun A my big hammer which for me Mossburg 500. I don't need to be shooting at ranges beyond 100 yards, and with a few tweaks and some practice I have managed to stop flinching so bad as it doesn't break my shoulder anymore. Gun B back up, simple pistol. Main gun runs out need to get away bla bla bla. Its a gun it fires it works. Gun C I just like 22s. I don't need more. If i manage to find myself in no mans land with 1000 yard head shots happening all around me then I will consider a more long range option, until then I will let the other beefed up gun crazed members carry their 200lbs of ammo and guns and run point.
I only have one single point sling as I will only ever need one long arm at the ready. One point slings aren't tactical they are for lazy fs like me who chill around with a gun hanging from their chest all day and don't wanna carry it. Super easy to swap guns and throw the other in a holster.
As far as the idea of big hammer, I can use any of my pick 3 to serve any role I would possibly use it for from carry conceal to hunting, room clearing, breaching, security, armed body guarding, woodland sweeps, armed transport, what ever. Someday I may break down and swap the 22 out for a .223 or 7.62, but it isn't likely as I have no real use for one. There is work and there is play, for work you use a tool for play you have toys. Really think bout that before you list 30 guns as an ideal. Find the best damn hammer that does the most things that you could ever consider using it for.
A simple gun will do the same job as a tricked out monster of a gun.
I don't need to be shooting at ranges beyond 100 yards,
Gun B back up, simple pistol. Main gun runs out need to get away bla bla bla. Its a gun it fires it works.
Gun C I just like 22s. I don't need more.
If i manage to find myself in no mans land with 1000 yard head shots happening all around me then I will consider a more long range option, until then I will let the other beefed up gun crazed members carry their 200lbs of ammo and guns and run point.
I only have one single point sling as I will only ever need one long arm at the ready. One point slings aren't tactical they are for lazy fs like me who chill around with a gun hanging from their chest all day and don't wanna carry it.
As far as the idea of big hammer, I can use any of my pick 3 to serve any role I would possibly use it for from carry conceal to hunting, room clearing, breaching, security, armed body guarding, woodland sweeps, armed transport, what ever.
Someday I may break down and swap the 22 out for a .223 or 7.62, but it isn't likely as I have no real use for one.
There is work and there is play, for work you use a tool for play you have toys. Really think bout that before you list 30 guns as an ideal. Find the best damn hammer that does the most things that you could ever consider using it for.
And when all you have is a hammer all problems start looking like nails. Yeah. Firearms are tools. Most are designed for specialized jobs. Others can take on more than one job, but beyond that they suck for others.
Until someone starts shooting at you from beyond that distance. Even then if you don't have a gun reaching out that far but your buddy does it still counts toward what I said. It's a tool in your tool box for a job that what you're carrying can't handle.
Not what I listed the pistol for. If you've ever done any kind of work with a long you'll know it sucks. Gets in the way and you've got to sit it down. Odds are you'll sit it down outside of arms reach or it will end up out of arms reach making it worthless. Pistol stays on your side and if you carry it right it doesn't get in the way. If you've ever done a bit of work in severely confined/cramped spaces you'll know or can imagine how much having a long gun sucks. Then it goes back to what I said before. Pistols to some people are considered back up guns. I mostly consider them EDC. Since I can reload or clear most malfunctions with a long gun faster than I can transition, index, and fire a pistol. Why add revolver to collection? Long term survival. Since magazines wear out, break, and/or get. Not to mention you might end up with s***** ammunition. Revolvers don't care if it's underloaded. Why add small easily concealed gun to collection? People have lives before the apocalypse. Still think it's a good idea to get in the habit of CC before anything happens. Carrying a full-sized pistol concealed sucks. Especially if you do it for a long period of time. A whole lot easier and painless to carry a compact, sub-compact, or mouse gun than a full-size piece of steel. Especially during the summer time. If that's your bag or state allows open carry more power to you.
Until someone starts eating your cover and ringing your ears with a real rifle.
Gee Whiz! There goes that goblin band traveling through the field well over three hundred yards off. We have been having skirmishes with them on and off for the past month. All we have are shotguns, pistols, .22s, and no rifles within anyone's comfort zone to take shots out that far. Sure wish we had a ideally set up to comfortably shoot out to that distance. Probably could cut the already identified known serious threat in half with minimal effort. By the way smarty pants. Who said anyone had to carry it all? Never said you had to anywhere in my original post. Just said it would be ideal to have it. Whether it be at home, cached, in a BOV, carried by someone else in the group, or whatever you so choose?
And they suck. Big time. Had them. Had other guys in the group who had them. Nearly all of them were ditched during or after training. The handful that kept them on simply did, but never used them as slings. Just kept them on because they were too lazy to take them off and their rifles sat on a rack in the vehicles because they were gunners or drivers. Everyone else.... Two point except for a handful of tacti-cool folks. Some of us didn't bother with slings. Didn't have a pistol, didn't plan on doing any work, and were never going to let our weapons leave our person. If you some how managed to make it work. Great for you. All of my guys found that it really sucked. Hell. I sent my WOLF sling to Bluewolf. Don't know if it worked for him or whoever he passed it off too. I gave my Mamba three point away to somebody. All I'm sporting now is a two point made from 550 cord.
Doesn't sound like a big hammer concept to me. Sounds like carpenter's hammer, set of dykes, and fancy screw driver.
Yeah... Have fun with that.
If you've actually done maintenance work you'll know much it sucks to have only three tools instead of an actual tool box equipped to deal with things you would encounter on the job. Same applies to firearms and warfare. Take away the crew served weapons, the SAWs, the fire support, the CAS, etc. and life really sucks. Nobody in their right mind would turn any of that stuff down. Unless you just don't have anything to do with either scenario. Got to love life. Even with the subject matter worlds apart it still is pretty much the same, and it's pretty darn simple.
Ross Kemp can suck my sweaty hairy balls.
I really dislike posts that start out with the hypothetical statement like "I would pick..." You can only pick from what you have, not any hypothetical or mythical world where you can choose anything. Livein the real world; pick from what you have on hand!
Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.