This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I'll earn a small fee at no extra cost to you.*
After the basic survival necessities of shelter, water, fire, and food have been satisfied, acquiring a firearm should be one of your highest priorities after the SHTF. In the event of a post-apocalyptic scenario, however, you may not be able to find one. For this reason, a good firearm is one of the most important things to acquire ahead of time.
Firearms can add an incredible amount of power to your inventory. With them, you have the ability to hunt, to defend yourself, and the leverage you might need in social scenarios to tip the balance of power in your favor.
In this article, we’ll cover the 9 best firearms to have after the SHTF: 3 rifles, 3 handguns, and 3 shotguns.
Rifles
There are many dissenting opinions out there about which firearm is the most important, but taking into account weapon maintenance, ammo weight, and availability, and overall weapon functionality, the rifle is probably the most useful.
It can be used readily in any hunting or defensive scenario you may come across. These three rugged options will serve you well almost anywhere.
1. Ruger 10/22 Takedown
One of the best, most versatile firearms you can have in a survival scenario is the Ruger 10/22 Takedown. This long rifle is excellent for hunting small game. Its .22 ammunition is readily available and extremely lightweight, making it the obvious choice when you want to carry hundreds of rounds of ammunition at a time.
Generally speaking, the ammunition is also fairly cheap, making it easy to stockpile ahead of time. The Ruger 10/22 Takedown is semiautomatic with a 10-round magazine, meaning it’s ideal for situations where you need to fire more quickly than you could with a bolt-action rifle.
2. ArmaLite AR-15
The classic, ever-popular AR-15 makes this list due to its durability, ease of use, and availability. The AR-15 is common enough that you could easily find parts for it, and its design makes it one of the easiest to clean and take apart. There are dozens of AR-15 variants out there, and most of these are good options as well.
Make sure you have your AR-15 chambered in 5.56, which allows it to shoot both 5.56 rounds and .223 rounds. This gives you added versatility if you need to forage for ammunition at some point.
3. Mosin-Nagant
Your third rifle option should be something of a larger caliber–think in terms of being able to take down the biggest game in your area. The Russian-made Mosin-Nagant fires a 7.62×54 round, packing a punch that most big game won’t be likely to shrug off.
Another benefit to the Mosin-Nagant is that millions of them were made in the earlier years of the 20th century, making them easy to find and their ammunition fairly common. This firearm can even fill the role of sniper rifle should the need arise.
Handguns
Handguns give you the element of surprise and convenient protection. While you can hunt with handguns, you probably wouldn’t choose to unless it was your only option. With that in mind, here are some of the best pistol options you should try.
4. Glock 17
Perhaps the most useful handgun to have in preparation for the SHTF is the Glock 17. With a magazine capacity of 17 rounds, you also carry almost twice the amount of ammunition as some other handguns, which is useful since its 9mm round doesn’t have the highest stopping power out there.
This weapon is the most widely used handgun by law enforcement all around the world. Not only does this mean the weapon is extremely reliable, it also means it is readily available should you ever need replacement parts or extra ammunition.
5. Colt M1911
The 1911 is an all-around winner when it comes to pistols. With a slim profile that still has all the stopping power of a .45 round, this handgun is a good choice because of its durability and availability. A tried and true weapon since World War I, this handgun will serve you well as your personal sidearm in any survival situation.
6. Smith and Wesson 586
No good handgun list would be complete without a tried and true revolver. The Smith and Wesson 586 is one of the most reliable revolvers available. Extremely easy to load and to clean, the Smith and Wesson 586 is the perfect survivalist pistol. Its only disadvantage is its ammunition capacity (6 or 7 rounds).
However, the revolver more than makes up for this by being versatile. The Smith and Wesson 586 can fire both .357 and .38 special rounds, making finding ammunition for the weapon easier.
Shotguns
Last but certainly not least, the shotgun is an important part of the survival arsenal. Most game can be hunted with one, and nothing says “don’t mess with me” like a shotgun.
The only reason this list didn’t rank its value above that of the rifle’s is for the weight of its ammunition and its limited range. Still, for versatility, you can’t beat a good scattergun. Here are three great options when the SHTF.
7. Mossberg 500 12 Gauge
Easy to use and easy to maintain, the Mossberg 500 easily makes the top of the list for survival shotguns. While it is made in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410 bore variants, the 12 gauge is the most popular and allows the most customization.
Its pump action allows you to deliver firepower quickly and effectively–sometimes defending yourself takes more than one shot.
8. H&R Single Shot 12 Gauge
While many people dislike single shot shotguns for their slowness both in hunting and self-defense, the H&R single shot 12 gauge is perfect because it is a platform of possibilities. You can use a wide variety of chamber adapters, which allows you to effectively scavenge and use almost any kind of ammunition that comes your way.
Whether you find shotgun shells, birdshot, slugs, or a multitude of rifle ammunition, the H&R single shot 12 gauge with chamber adapters can have you covered.
9. Chiappa X-Caliber
The Chiappa X-Caliber is the ultimate survival option, sporting the ability to shoot both 12 gauge shotgun shells and .22 rounds with its double trigger, over-under style. It includes eight adapters that allow it to shoot eight separate pistol calibers. This truly is the one-tool option of the firearms world, if such a thing exists.
Want to prep but not sure where to begin? Sign Up for Our Newsletter and get your FREE One Year Urban Survival Plan!
How many guns do you plan on humping on the run?
I have a GOOD, QUALITY, AR-15, M4 version, in 5.56. I don’t like how complicated it would be to PROPERLY clean out in the field. But I am just NOT going to trust my life to a kids 10/22……
I have a S&W model 686 snubby. 7 shot, .38 & .357, with several speed loaders. Medium sized and powered bullets, both readily scavengeable.
And I have a S&W Governor. .410, .45ACP, & 45 Colt, with speed loaders in 45Colt.
Both revolvers are solid and ALL of my firearms fire multiple calibers.
And I would NEVER choose a shotgun to lug around, in a survival SHTF situation.
I would first say, you better think of NATO caliber weapons, first and foremost, especially if you don’t have a mountain of ammo stockpile. Reason: Here in the US, rather the US military are the good guys or the bad guys, their weapons and ammo are already HERE. Along with spare parts and magazines/etc. Being a former dealer in survival gear, plus a former Class III (Machine Gun) Dealer and a former Federal Police Officer (SWAT) the so called “survivalist/prepper ” tend to be some of the cheapest when they buy their weapons. Why someone trying to gear up for survival pick a SKS? Ok, the round it self is a good bush round, and at one time cheap, but the gun holds 10 rds., (original design) the ext. mag verison sucks, and now their was a embargo on the ammo coming into the country. Even the AK, unless this country is invaded and either Russia or China brings in their now out dated AK-47’s (not current issue weapon system), they will be no re-supplying your ammo stock or spare parts. It would be better to look at current Law Enforcement popular/common calibers and weapons. Or even World War II calibers like the 30-06. As far as re supply factors there too. My list would be: A AR 15, this weapon system will be encounted in the field, either by military or law enforcement forces, or civilians now days. There will be a lot of 5.56mm ammo out there too. 10/22…..with 30 rd mags for hunting, and at least keep people heads down while you reload your primary defense weapons, or to put the women or kids helping out in a firefight shooting while you reload. Maybe a M1/A or FN FAL/HK 91 for long range. Handgun wise……….any good 9mm hi cap. military grade, glock/sig/beretta/etc. Even a 1911. Just like any good carbine type weapon in either 9mm or .45ACP. Shotgun, you cant beat a Remington 870……..that’s why law enforcement uses them, as well as the military did.
Getting people to realize that calamity or civil revolution could thrust all of us into situations of total self-reliance in a hostile environment is laudable. Some of your suggestions, however, are not practical.
Historically, the 9mm round — a submunition — has been unsuccessful despite deployment of the M9 pistol. The .40 S&W has better ballistics for defense, as does the .45 ACP.
The AR-15 chambered for 5.56x45mm is a good short-range rifle, but the same rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm as short-range rifle has better lethality for defensive purposes. The same rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm is a better weapon, usable both for mid-range defense and for hunting. The Mosin–Nagant rifle is ubiquitous in Europe, perhaps, but in most of the United States, the parts will be very difficult to find as would the ammunition: suggesting to people that they should acquire the rifle is as impractical as it is inappropriate.
As for shotguns, the Mossberg 500 has been produced for more than 60 years and is an excellent choice. Other than perhaps the Remington 870, parts are likely to be very obtainable for the next century. Off-brand selections might be unique in some aspects but very difficult to maintain in a SHTF future.
For hunting & sniping my “Old Faithful” 1903A3 and it’s brother the 1903 scoped and in 30.06 are my choices. Of course the Garand is there for rapid fire if needed, also 30.06.
This article was basically pretty decent except for the suggestion on using the ww2 Russian rifle as a sniper rifle. While it is a very hardyrifle that you can treat like crap and it will still come thru for you I would not like to have to depend on it for accuracy, saying that it is still a good rifle with a lot of take down power if you only have one shot.
The woman with her kids I would suggest that speed will be her most valuable asset purchase them I didn’t comeshe should leave as quick as she can before people realise just how bad it is then go nuts because we don’t have to have real zombies for there to be flesh eating mobs.Once the big cities run out of food all hell will break loose because most people around now haven’t gone a day without a meal. It won’t take them long to start feasting on the weak,vulnerable,and family pets. All our great millionaire leaders own huge estates in foreign counties with escape plans all drawn up.None of them have a real American bone in their bodies.
Honestly, this is the worst article ever written on this. 🙁
No it isn’t. You’re just trying to pirate this site’s readers to your own survival site.
Every one of those guns is great for it’s use. I would add an high powered air rifle to the list.
@tony: You are right. Any list like this is a judgement call, but I can tell based upon a lot of experience buying this kind of stuff, that this list is composed of the MOST COMMON, and cleverest selections, not every one was my personal choice (no Glock, no revolver, or Chiappa), but each made sense, given the SHTF precondition. The idea is to emphasize most commonly available ammunition, reliable firearms, and ones where spare parts can easily be found, along with some clever choices like the H&R which does allow for great versatility, and which is very light to carry (same logic as the 10/22 Ruger; easy to lug over huge distances). |
For people just getting into firearms, the arena is filled with very passionate fans of various firearms, and so, there are some who think anything not an AR is terrible, and some who think anything not a Glock is terrible, and others who simply hate the Mosin Nagant, and others who believe the 1911 should be dead and gone. Each is passionate, but frankly having shot a lot of these and studied, they all have some place, and if they are maintained and you practice with them, the firearms make sense. It’s important to study up. I have yet to buy a 1911, even though I respect it’s place in history, and know the value of a .45 cal sidearm. It’s a wonderful, and historic design, and the parts are everywhere, it can be easily upgraded to just what you like. Same is true for the AR15. Millions are out there, and the parts are everywhere.
For horrible national disaster like SHTF, then repair and replacement parts, as well as ammunition availability becomes a big issue. So, 12 gauge, 9mm, 5.56 NATO become logical choices. For larger caliber 308 Win, and 7.62 by 54 mm is a common choice, again due to being readily available. The listed firearms also tend not to be very expensive, mostly due to their huge supply in the market place. Some other really fine firearms like the M14 are a bit more expensive, even though they are legendary battle rifles, with hard hitting, and common ammunition. M14 rifles seem to run about $1,500 right now, new. An AR15 can be had for around $875. The Mossberg 500 can be had on sale for $350.
I agree with you.
This imbecile is in love with his own opinions at the expense of common sense, practicality, and physics. Suggesting a Russian rifle for which little ammunition will be available destroys his credibility, as does his choice of a submunition round (9mm) — proving that he’s one more moron with a keyboard and a lot of bad advice.
I carry my Glock 17 daily. But for SHTF, I have a JR 9mm carbine built on an AR format that uses Glock mags. Being interchangable makes for a lighter load to carry and the availability to reach out father with the carbine if necessary.
Rifles: Any .270 or .30-06, and good choice with the 7.62x54r. It is cheap, hard hitting, and decent up to 400 yards. I’d go with SR-22 Tactical Rifle in Ruger for a varmint gun/self defense. .22lr is less than $3/box for Federal down here.
Pistols: Military surplus is where you want to go. 9×18 is cheap and easy to get in bulk, plus it likely won’t be stolen from you. It hits harder than a .380 or .38 special. Makarov PM, P-64, P-83, or PA-63 are good, cheap choices. Secondly, any reliable 9mm will do. Do NOT buy Hi-Point, Bryco/Jennings/Raven/Taurus/Phoenix, Sccy, or Diamondback. Glock, CZ, Beretta, Springfield, Sig, FN, Ruger, HK, IMI, all good brands. Finally, try to have a pistol in all of the popular calibers if you can. 1911’s require too much maintenance to be practical. Glocks can be put through anything and not be cleaned or oiled. Same with FN’s. The Ruger P85 is affordable, reliable, easy to clean, high capacity, accurate, easy to shoot (low recoil), and absolutely indestructible.
Shotguns: Remington 870 if you live in the South. Everyone and their grandmother owns one. Mag tube extensions are plentiful and cheap. They are easy to modify and clean. They are reliable and accurate. They are cheap to purchase or repair. 12 gauge birdshot is dirt cheap. Buckshot is pretty cheap. Slugs are about $1/piece for 2.75″ one ounce rifled hp. Avoid semi-auto shotguns because they will cause you to use far more ammunition than is necessary. Stick with pump.
Another good utility gun is the JC Higgins bolt action shotgun. You can buy them for nothing, and 16 gauge will likely not be stolen from you.
Finally: Acquire as many little guns as you can, yet within easily obtained calibers. NAA revolvers in .22lr, Heritage Rough Rider, J-frames in .357, Smith & Wesson M&P series, Walther PPQ, Ruger SR-22/Walther P22, Kahr 9mm, Ruger SR9, Bersa Thunder, Glock 42, etc. The more choices you have, the better your survival chances.
If you can’t afford this stuff: Stick with 9×18 or 9mm pistols, .22lr guns, and Mosins. Just stockpile ammo whenever possible. It’s about $180/1000 rounds in 9×18, $100/1000 in .22 LR, and $225/500 rounds of 7.62x54r. Ammoseek.com is your best friend right now. Use it.
There’s just so much more to survival-relevant handguns than what you see on video games. The author should have taken ease of cleaning into consideration. Had he done so, the 1911 would not have made the list, nor would the AR-15. Both are great guns outside of long-term survival situations, but anything chambered in 7.62×39 takes more crap before jamming up, and they’re easy to clean. Also, this article was about urban survival. When crap hits the fan, get out of the city. If you want to survive, seek isolation with your family, live off the land, and work toward creating an invincible bunker.
People don’t realize the huge populace of people that plan to head for the hills and live off the land. Unless human flesh is your forte, you won’t have much luck surviving off of squirrels and poke salad! Humans can defoliate a Forrest in a relatively short period. When SHTF happens, the woods will be full of hungry, desperate, scared people. All will be searching for 1. Food 2. Water and 3. Shelter. They will find themselves begging, paying, bartering, stealing, and killing for those three basic things. It will be eat or be eaten…and the squirrels and poke salad will be but a dream.
I’m a single mom of an 11 year old girl and a 3 year old son. I live about 3.5 hours away from my nearest relative and I can see where the world is starting to fall apart. My goal is to take refuge to my dad and his land about 4.5 hours way up in the mountains- if disaster strikes. I need to buy a couple of guns and want to know for safety and survival what should be a wise buy. Also if you have any suggestions in how to travel at a time of chaos where I can get to his place safely and without much notice I’d love to hear your ideas. Traveling with two young kids and trying to bring water and food would be tough and I would t know how much to bring
The article was interesting and had several good points to observe. I would get you a ruger 10/22. It is simple and there are a bunch of them around. No kick, good for varmits, easy to load magazine, keep the magazine separate from the gun so the kids can’t get into it without you there. A big rifle would be nice for deer and whatever might be in the mountains you are going to. I like bolt action because of durability and simplicity. I have an AR but too many moving parts.
I’m not a conceal handgun owner, I have a colt python that can take .357 and .38 ammo, big pistol but it has some stopping power and it’s easy to clean.
Shotgun is handy, pick the ammo by your body type, if you are petite, go with 20 gauge, if you can handle a more powerful weapon, go with 12 gauge. The article talks about shot for birds and slugs for bigger game or vandals.
Good luck
Hi, it will all depend on what you are personally able to handle effectively. I would try to see if any of your friends have guns and try to go shooting them. The 9mm, .40, .45 debate is still raging and will for some time. It’s a personal preference for a handgun round, imho. That said, as far as rifles are concerned, I personally like the AR-15. It’s very common and very shootable with not much recoil. And very accurate to 500 yards. With practice, of course. Handgun, I would say a 9mm, due to low recoil. I personally like the .40 because I am able to handle the higher recoil and like the fact that it has more mass than a 9mm and higher capacity than .45. That being said, the modern engineering has made 9mm just as lethal as .45 with almost double the capacity and far less recoil. I disagree with some of the posters saying that 9mm is a submunition. Go shooting, see what you can handle, and go from there. The most important thing is that with both a rifle and a handgun, it is important that you get rounds on target and are able to floolow up. I hope this helps.
I have owned four Taurus handguns in the last 15 years. They have all been accurate out of the box, NEVER have I had a jam, and all have been reliable to fire when I wanted them to. Don’t hate (or disqualify them) just because it seems “popular” to do so in some online forums. Taurus has become a quality brand regardless of bogus bias, and an affordable price tag. Try one out before you form your OWN oppinion. I’m GLAD I did.
I have been shooting since I was 10 years old. An avid reloader for 40 years, an NRA certified instructor, ex combat arms infantry Officer (airborne) type, so I have a bit of hands on experience with the platform . I do take exception to your comment about the reliability of the 1911 platform. In government testing it performed flawlessly and did so for me under extremely nasty conditions. Now if your speaking of the new super tight tolerances of some models….maybe if not broken in properly, otherwise I call BS.
The only thing that may be used as a so called gig is in the 7 or 8 round magazines when compared to some of the other tuberware pistols out there. I don’t see that as any real disadvantage when your talking 45 ACP, even with FMJ bullets….bad guys tend to go down and stay down. Point, Set , Match.
There is a good reason why some of our Special ops, Special Forces, and Navy Seals still opt out for the 1911 pistols.
after reading “one second after”, I am leaning towards black powder and lead balls
My brother actively owns, shoots and maintains black powder. It’s a huge pain. Close to half the time there is a misfire. Granted he uses the older guns. But there’s a reason Josey Wales had to carry 4 pistols and 2-3 rifles. They are unreliable, slow, and require constant maintenance. Maybe the new ones are better. But a Mossberg 500 shotgun is cheap and reliable. As is a Ruger 22 and a Glock. The work every time no matter what. Plus bullets will be easier to acquire and keep than black powder, imho.
Just sharing what I’ve seen when it comes to black powder.
Brother I was s Civil War re- enacter for years and I never had a misfire but I wouldn’t want to have a fire fight with an enemy that has semi auto modern weapons, Black powder would be excellent for hunting though as long as a person is well used to operating and firing their weapons.Being a Vegan survivalist I have studied what plants,roots,fungus, molds algae can be consumed because when it goes down there isn’t going to be many animals to hunt and not for long. One last thing cleaning black powder firearms is a job though.;)
Really, don’t know where you got your information from. I have been an active black powder shooter and attend many rendezvous’ for over 40 years and don’t have any such problems with reliability. If you are referring to flintlocks of poor manufacturing I would agree with you.
My flinters go off very reliably, even upside down to boot. Keep in mind that they are either high end manufactured rifles or custom built rifles.
Black powder is very easily ignited. Keep your powder dry
Denis
Remington 700, or other quality bolt action rifle in either 30.06 or 308 (7.62×51 NATO). Make sure it has both open sights and optics.
A quality 22 LR rifle with open sights and optics.
A robust and reliable semi auto rifle in an easy to find and acquire caliber (AK47, AR15, AR10).
Quality pump action shotgun, x2 preferably. 12 Guage is THE bore size.
Quality 1911 in 45 ACP.
Quality 9 mmP pistol (Glock is fine, but not my favorite ).
Quality (read Ruger, S&W, Colt, Dan Wesson) revolver with 4-6 inch barrel in 357 magnum is a must.
Make sure you have too many magazines and cleaning materials for each firearm. Too much ammo.? No such thing. Learn to reload- especially 12 Guage and 357/38. It’s easy and I have a good time with it. During extended SHTF/WROL you need to have the ability to clean water, build shelter, make fire, produce food and protect your family.
Any advice on learning how to begin reloading?
Get a Lyman reloading manual.
I would have thought the Remington 870 would make the list. Everyone has one and there are countless options for them. Just a general observation.
I’m a fan of the .30-06 for a rifle, and if you want a great shotgun, try the Mossberg 590 in 12ga. It’s a semi-auto, and holds 9 rounds!
590 is a pump. Still a great gun, but a pump
Being I collector and avid outdoorsman for many years I disagree in two areas my opinion only.
One although the moisin nagant 7.62 is a ok round the heft and length of the rifle is very cumbersome it has no really good way to mount a scope and the sights are average at best. Ammo is out there but when the poop hits the fan good luck. My choice would be any 30.06 capabilities beyond that of the Russian 7,62r.
Ammo is more available in all grains of bullets. Most are able to host a scope if desired.
Two although I am true American forget the AR the 5.56 round is good but the characteristics of the firearm will lead you to failures if not kept properl cleaned and who will have the time to do that. My choice is the AK47 7.62×39 hands down will do any job the Ras 47 or any other semi variant will not leave you with a failure. They are very dependable in all weather and terrain conditions and the ammo is plentiful.
Would add one more… an air rifle…. pellets are really cheap, little to no noise, and great for small game. They come in both .17 and .22 caliber and many are pushing up to 1400fps
Bingo!!! AMEN!
Couldn’t agree more.
1. My neighbor shot a boar between the eyes with an air rifle and killed it.
2. They don’t scare off other animals when you shoot it, so it’s great for squirrel.
3. Suburban hunting without any sound to draw the cops.
Beware eating squirrel, US stocks of this animal are now peppered with a form of Mad cow disease ( bovine spongeform encephalitis) that humans are highly susceptible to. If you consume one that’s infected you not only will get the disease and die but you will suffer and make your family go thru one of the worst nightmares imaginable.
I sure do like my AK-74. Ammunition is readily available at the time of this writing as are magazines.
Solid list. That over under one sounds great. I believe they had one on Out of the wild the Alaskan experiment. And it really helped them put meat on the table. I definitely want to add one to my gun case.