Guns For Preppers

The Five Guns Every Survivalist
Must Own To Survive Hard Times

Survival Prepping For Hard Times Series

Sobert Gummer

www.sobertgummer.com

Copyright

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you'd like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.

Copyright © 2013 Browning Direct, Inc. All rights reserved. Including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the author.

Version 2013.04.22

"Without doubt one is allowed to resist against the unjust aggressor to one's life, one's goods or one's physical integrity; sometimes, even 'til the aggressor’s death.... In fact, this act is aimed at preserving one’s life or one’s goods and to make the aggressor powerless. Thus, it is a good act, which is the right of the victim."
- Thomas Aquinas

CHAPTER ONE

Guns For Preppers?

Who Is Sobert Gummer And Why Should You Listen To Me?

My name is Sobert Gummer.  And yes, that is a pen name. 

As a writer, my assignments have allowed me to live in and/or travel to some of the most dangerous cities in the world.  I've also had the opportunity to interview individuals who have lived in: Bogota, Colombia; Israel and the Territories; Iraq; Nicaragua; Afghanistan; various cities in South Africa; Argentina, Peru, Chad, Nigeria, Cuba and countless others.  Not to mention Detroit, the bad streets of Baltimore, East St. Louis and Compton, California... which in some respects are already very similar to third world countries.

In my travels and life as an expat, I've survived a home invasion, foiled a strong arm robbery, slipped away from crooked cops, bribed a third world government worker (to get papers) negotiated past armed gangs, gambled with hoodlums and all sorts of other nonsense that would probably make for a good novel.  I've also met a lot of decent, hard working people who-- one way or another-- have adapted survival strategies for living through hard times.  And firearms play a crucial role in helping them do that, in many cases. 

Guns In America Vs. Guns In The Third World

In America, guns are kept mostly for hunting or for self defense-- but usually they’re locked away in a night stand or a gun safe where the owner thinks to himself, "If I ever need it, I'll go get it."  But in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East guns are a constant companion kept for security, rodent control, hunting and self defense as part of their every day protocol.  For many, carrying a gun is a part of their lifestyle out of necessity.

It will become this way in the United States, too.

Please note: I will be intentionally limiting the scope of this book to discussing what guns and types of guns work best for the individual who is new to Urban Survival and Prepping.  This book will show you the guns I own and what-- in my opinion-- make the best firearms to survive hard times in an urban environment.  Keep reading, as I think you might be surprised that there simply isn’t, "one gun" that does it all.

If you're looking for a book to help you prepare for a "survival fantasy scenario" like in the Mad Max movies or the book by Cormac McCarthy's, "The Road" -- then stop reading... this book is not for you. 

I'm not prepping for fantasy scenarios, I'm prepping for the likelihood of real world hard times that we may be facing in the near future… a Great Depression 2.0 of sorts. Whether it’s triggered by a man-made or natural disaster, terrorism, war, a pandemic… I don’t know.  But the end point is always the same: Hard times.  Hard times where owning the right tools (in this case… the right guns) can make a big difference as to whether you survive or not.

Note: The term, "Survivalist" and "Prepper" are used interchangeably in this text to refer to anyone with an eye toward preparing to survive hard times.

Do You Really Need A Gun?

I'd like to make the assumption that anyone who picked up this book already understands why they should own a gun.  But if I make that assumption, somebody will come along and post a one-star review on Amazon.com and say, "He never convinced me why I needed a gun in the first place."

And to those people I say: G-d help you.  If you can't figure out why you might need a gun in a "without-rule-of-law" society then I encourage you to sit down and do some serious thinking about the nature of man.  (Or even in a “Within Rule Of Law” society — hat tip, Nut ‘N Fancy).

I will however give you a good place to start:

You May Need A Gun As A Deterrent To Violence And Crime

During the Los Angeles Riots in 1992, the Los Angeles Police Department made a tactical decision not to interfere while rioters literally burned down Koreatown.

From Wikipedia: “Due to their low social status and language barrier, Korean Americans received very little if any aid or protection from police authorities.  David Joo, a manager of the gun store, said, "I want to make it clear that we didn't open fire first. At that time, four police cars were there. Somebody started to shoot at us. The LAPD ran away in half a second. I never saw such a fast escape. I was pretty disappointed." Carl Rhyu, a participant in the Korean immigrants' armed response to the rioting, said, "If it was your own business and your own property, would you be willing to trust it to someone else? We are glad the National Guard is here. They're good backup. But when our shops were burning we called the police every five minutes; no response.  At a shopping center several miles north of Koreatown, Jay Rhee, who estimated that he and others fired five hundred shots into the ground and air, said, "We have lost our faith in the police. Where were you when we needed you?" Korean Americans were ignored. Koreatown was isolated from South Central Los Angeles, yet despite such exclusion it was the heaviest hit.”

Imagine working your whole life to build up a small business. All of your life savings, your blood, your sweat and your tears are suddenly put at risk because of the senseless rioting of savages.  The police don’t respond to your calls and no one can help defend what is yours. 

But for a small group of Koreans who had the foresight to obtain guns… the outcome was far different: They perched atop the roof's of their business and fired warning shots at anyone who threatened their livelihood.  And it worked!  Those businesses that were defended with firearms were left alone.  The rioters went on to find other (read: easier) targets.

And this outcome has been repeated time and again both recently and throughout history: A mere display of overwhelming force can prevent violence.  From the "Drunks With Guns" of Hurricane Katrina to the Warsaw Ghetto uprisings (a few Jewish neighborhoods were able to stall the German army for three-and-a-half weeks with small arms they had obtained on the black market.  Just imagine if all six million Jews had owned firearms.  It might not have completely prevented the holocaust, but I'm certain the outcome would have been far different).

But I digress.

In order for a gun to be used as a deterrent you must first own a gun and know how to use it.  Not just how the gun works mechanically, but how to use the gun in a tactical sense. As a prepper, your goal is to be prepared and that’s why you’re reading this book: To begin your journey toward gun ownership that will eventually lead to acquiring the skills to use it.  That journey does not end with this book… it begins.

You May Need A Gun For Self Defense

Being prepared means being able to take care of yourself.  And in the context of self defense it could mean that the police are unavailable to protect you and your family.  Or perhaps they’re unable to get to you in time.  “When seconds matter, the police are minutes away.” 

There’s no getting around the fact that you are your best bodyguard.  Sam Colt is reported to have said, “The gun is the great equalizer.” He was right: There’s no other tool on the face of this earth that will allow my 97lb wife to defeat a 300lb drug-crazed rapist with the certainty that a firearm will. 

You May Need A Gun To Hunt For Food

When the supply lines have been closed for months and there aren’t any grocery stores; Or the next Great Depression has made buying food prohibitively expensive, you may find yourself in a scenario where it’s cheaper to hunt for your food than to buy it.  Acquiring the guns and skills to do so (before such a scenario) can prove to be intelligent foresight even more valuable than gold or silver. 

You May Need A Gun For Rodent Control

Imagine an extreme cut-back in government services: No longer can you call for animal control because there is a rabid raccoon threatening your dog.  Not to mention that trash is now only picked up once a month… if at all.  Rats and mice are rampant and small packs of semi-feral dogs have been roaming the neighborhood.  Wouldn’t having a gun in such a scenario prove invaluable?

Perhaps some of the scenarios I’ve just described have gotten you to think that you need more than one gun?  But what type of guns do you really need?  How many is enough?  Trust me, I've spent many sleepless nights asking myself the same questions.  After testing, consulting with experts and buying way more guns than I’ll ever need I’ve compiled the information in this book to help you through the process and hopefully save you much time and money in allowing you to skip the trial and error I went through and acquire the following five guns (and the skills to use them) as soon as possible.

The Gun As A Tool

I briefly referenced Sam Colt, earlier.  The actual saying goes, “God made men, but Sam Colt made them equal.”  And it's true: The gun really is The Great Equalizer. But a gun is also a tool and it must be viewed as such. 

And just like any endeavor that requires tools to successfully achieve an objective, owning guns as a prepper is no different.  The gun choices you make in order to start down the road to preparedness must be viewed with impartiality.  Discard any favoritism based on familiarity, regional or ethnic ancestry or “because it’s the gun made by my grandfather old country.”  Your guns are your tools and the tools I’m recommending will best “cover all bases” when you’re on a limited budget.

Gun Safety

Even before you purchase your first gun it is important to understand the four rules of gun safety.  In addition, I recommend that you take a local gun safety class before purchasing a gun.  Contact a firearms vendor near you: If they don’t run a class themselves, they’ll be able to refer you to someone who does.  A gun safety class is the bare minimum.  In addition, you should begin taking tactical firearms classes.  I reference a few of the better gun fighting schools at the end of this booklet.

The four rules of firearms safety are:

1.  Treat all guns as if they were loaded.  (Even if you’re “sure” they’re not).

2.  Never point the muzzle at anything you’re not willing to destroy.

3.  Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until your sights are on target and you’re ready to fire.

4.  Be sure of both your target and what is behind it.

    In addition, you should make plans for a safe place to keep your firearms, especially if you have children in the house.  A large gun safe is recommended as well as a smaller “quick access” gun safe for whatever firearm you choose to keep for home defense.  We chose a Liberty Safe as our primary gun safe and it has served us well.

"I Just Want To Buy One Gun. 

Can't You Just Tell Me What Gun To Buy?"

If you were building a house, you wouldn't buy just one screw driver, right?  What would happen if you lost your only screw driver?  Or if it broke?  So, the prudent thing to do would be to buy a backup screw driver.  Or what about other tools, like a hammer and a saw?  Anything that might help you achieve your same objective of building a house.

Earlier in this text I mentioned that there are several different reasons you might need a gun: As a show of force to prevent violence, for self defense, for hunting and for rodent control.  What I failed to mention is that there is not one gun that can do it all, with ease.  Sure, you could use a screw driver to hammer a nail.  But why would you want to?  Just buy a hammer. 

Guns are the same way.

Even if there was one single gun that could solve every problem that you might run into as a prepper you'd still want to adopt the, "Two Is One, One Is None" mindset just like you would with your other preparations.  But before you buy two of any gun, I recommend that you buy one from each category described below.  I'll explain why in just a moment. 

The Bare Minimum:

Five Guns Every Prepper Should Own

At a bare minimum, I've boiled down five types of guns that every prepper should own.

"Five different types of guns?" you're asking yourself?  "Surely I don't need five different types of guns."

Yes, you do.  Five different types of guns.  Since two is one, and one is none-- each of these five types of guns will in some way overlap in their main use.  Later you may choose to “double up” on each gun.

Again-- think back to my construction metaphor: When you're building a house it's best to have a variety of tools and it's best to have some back-up tools, too... in case you lose a tool or your tool breaks.

For my money, this is the bare minimum:

1. A .22 rifle for small game, rodent control and as an all-around survival gun.

2. A handgun, to fight your way to your rifle and for when it's inappropriate to carry a rifle.

3. A Shotgun, for home defense and hunting-- slugs, buckshot and birdshot.

4. A small, highly concealable handgun for when it's inappropriate to carry your main handgun, or you need a backup handgun or if you're expecting to find yourself in a situation where it is imperative that no one knows you're carrying a gun.

5. A semi-automatic "Battle" rifle that can be used for hunting larger game (if push comes to shove), gun fighting and as a visible show of force if the situation calls for it.

After you’ve acquired these five guns you might also consider a long range rifle for hunting big game or for sharpshooting.  ** If you live way out in the country you might consider substituting #4 for a long rifle.

"What If I Need To Bug Out?  How Am I Going To Carry All Of These Guns?"

You’re not.

Set aside any “survival fantasy” notions of living off the land or traversing hundreds (or thousands?) of miles on foot all the while schlepping multiple guns, food, water, water purification, maps, clothing for all type of environment, a tent, a sleeping bag and more.  It's just not going to happen, Cowboy.

If you’re still clinging to such notions I encourage you to take a four-day backpacking excursion that covers 70-80+ miles on foot.  You’re going to carry at least sixty pounds of gear plus an additional 40 pounds of guns, cleaning supplies and ammo. 

Trust me, it’s not going to happen.  I don’t care what kind of uber-mensch you think you are… planning to hump 90 pounds of supplies over hundreds of miles in a high stress scenario is planning for failure.

If I had to bug out on foot, I’d carry nothing more than a .22 LR rifle.  And maybe a small pocket pistol.  Even that might be pushing it.  It’s just not practical to carry much more than that plus a load-out of gear.

“But the army does it!”

Yes, but the army has resupply lines and chopper evacuations in case a soldier gets injured (which happens a lot!).  Most soldiers are in their prime of life (18-25) and train all the time.  If you’re planning to bug out on foot, you won’t have such luxuries as resupply lines or have been training night and day.  Better to make alternate plans instead of indulging a poorly thought-out bug out survival fantasy.

CHAPTER TWO

The Ruger 10/22

Why You'll Want A Ruger 10/22

Sobert Gummer says: "The .22 rifle is the perfect gun for taking small game and for rodent control. It’s also the rifle of choice for the new shooter to learn marksmanship. Coincidentally, more people and game have been killed with this round (worldwide) than any other. The Ruger 10/22 is at the top of the list when it comes to an inexpensive but effective .22 rifle. Get one!"

As anyone who considers themselves to be a survivalist or a "prepper" knows, it is important to have weapons on hand and plenty of ammunition for those chosen weapons. For home and personal defense and hunting, weapons can be your biggest asset. Arguably, high quality and versatile weapons are more important than a large quantity of single use weapons. It is also of the utmost importance to know how to properly use and maintain any gun or rifle that you own and it is equally important to have plenty of experience firing your weapons at the range before you depend on it for basic survival. Practice is part of preparedness and a great choice for a rifle that will allow a lot of practice without spending a lot of money, either on the rifle itself or the endless rounds of ammunition it takes to become comfortable with the rifle and to develop good marksmanship, is the Ruger 10/22.

The Ruger 10/22 has enjoyed immense popularity since its initial release for sale in 1964. The Ruger 10/22 was the first .22 caliber rifle to be made for adults and was designed as a serious weapon, not just a youth or beginner's rifle as all .22 caliber rifles were previously. Ruger's adaptation of the .22 caliber rifle for an adult target-market included styling that was more ergonomically-friendly for adults because it was heavier and featured a more solid construction. These changes effectively eradicated the widely held preconceived notions that smaller caliber .22 rifles were cheaply made "toys" for children. That being said, a big part of the Ruger 10/22's popularity is the fact that it is fun to shoot.

The Ruger 10/22 is a semi-automatic rimfire rifle that chambers .22 caliber long rifle ammunition (.22LR), one of the most commonly used and widely available ammunition in the world. One of the advantages of owning a rifle that chambers the .22LR is the relative inexpensiveness of the ammunition, making target shooting much more economical. Due to the vast number of weapons on the market today that chamber this particular ammunition, owning multiple weapons that chamber the ..22LR makes stockpiling ammunition easier and cheaper for the survivalist than other caliber ammunition should you chose to "double up" on firearms, later.

Even though the Ruger 10/22 is an adult rifle, the ease of handling and negligible recoil makes shooting easy and less intimidating for younger, smaller or novice shooters. The Ruger 10/22 is also very popular with small game hunters due to its light weight, accuracy and ease of use. The most common uses for the Ruger 10/22 are target practice and marksmanship competitions, "plinking" and small game hunting. 

The standard Ruger 10/22 employs an innovative and very reliable ten round, black rotary magazine that fits snugly into the rifle and creates a well balanced firearm for better marksmanship adding to the rifles excellent reputation for target shooting. The rotary magazine is unique in its design compared to other magazines and offers the rifle little opportunity for jamming. Ruger also makes a five round rotary magazine for states that have magazine restrictions. The 40th anniversary rotary magazine was made from a clear polycarbonate that allows a clear view of the mechanism that makes it operate. In addition to the rotary magazine, many different sizes and types of magazines are available for the 10/22.

One of the most customizable rifles on the market today, the Ruger 10/22 appeals to prospective buyers for a wide variety of uses, especially when seeking a rifle that is inexpensive to purchase and shoot. Ruger makes many parts to customize their rifle, however, the popularity of the rifle has led to the manufacture of a wide variety of aftermarket parts that are mostly interchangeable with the Ruger model to suit any budget, although some aftermarket parts can be both high quality and very expensive. Clones of the 10/22 by custom gun makers are also on the market but can be quite a bit more expensive, although they are usually deemed to be of higher quality in craftsmanship.

Aftermarket parts are available to improve performance, increase the magazine style and size, and change the looks of the rifle even though the standard, off the shelf version of the Ruger 10/22 is commonly thought to be a high quality rifle.  Ruger has a proven track record of sales and repeat buyers to back up these claims.

Due to its unique design, barrel replacement is achievable and even easy, allowing the owner to do the job without employing a gunsmith unlike most other rifles. The barrel is not threaded but instead uses two small screws to facilitate removal. All the other replaceable or changeable parts can be removed by an average person with a screw driver, a hex key and metal punches making the Ruger 10/22 ideal for anyone who does not have the expertise of a gunsmith but would prefer, or need to do the work themselves which can be crucial in a survival situation. 

Also, since the Ruger 10/22 is a rimfire rifle, fixing a faulty barrel is more achievable by an average person as well. Rimfire rifles do not need to have the exact bore specifications of a center fire rifle barrel which should not be repaired by an amateur. The barrel of a rimfire rifle can be inexpensively bored out and replaced with a commercially made barrel liner if the barrel becomes faulty. 

Currently, the Ruger 10/22 comes in six basic models, not including distributor exclusive models. Ruger 10/22s are available in hardwood, laminated wood or synthetic stocks with many variations on stock size and styling available. Standard barrel length is 20", 18 1/2" for the carbine model. Ruger also sells a compact model which has a 16 1/8" barrel and a shorter stock. The 10/22 "Target" model has a 20" bull barrel and no iron sights. The 10/22 was available in a 22" stainless barrel model without a barrel band and exclusively available at Wal-Mart, but Ruger has since discontinued production of that model. All .22 LR versions have an aluminum receiver, and iron sights are standard on many models, however, the Ruger 10/22 is easily outfitted to carry a wide variety of scopes to suit any purpose. Other aftermarket parts such as muzzle brakes, folding stocks and pistol grip stocks can also be purchased and easily exchanged for the stock parts. One particular customization kit mimics the styling of the ever popular AR-15 assault rifle and available high round capacity drum and box magazines effectively throw out the notion of the Ruger 10/22 not being a serious rifle. Ruger makes a pistol, the 22 Charger Pistol, based on the 10/22 action which comes equipped with a bi-pod and scope instead of the iron sights and is 20" long. However, due to the magazine's location outside the pistol grip, the Charger is not legal in most US states.

One of the newest versions or the Ruger 10/22 on the market today is the "Takedown" which Ruger released in the Spring of 2012. The "Takedown" version of the 10/22 features an 18 1/2" stainless barrel and a synthetic black stock. The stock separates into two sub-pieces and comes in a backpack-style case for an easily transportable weapon that keeps the features that have made the Ruger 10/22 popular since 1964.

When all is said and done, being prepared for whatever is in the future means taking action now. While no one rifle is perfect for every person or every situation, owning a Ruger 10/22 and keeping a stockpile of reserve ammunition can be one of the best investments you can make now. This rifle is inexpensive enough to take lack of funds out of the equation. If you are new to shooting or just need more target practice, the cheaper ammunition and satisfaction of shooting an accurate, well-balanced rifle make this rifle an excellent choice as well. So, if you need to make your first gun purchase or are looking to add to your stockpile of weapons, a .22 caliber rifle is an excellent choice in a rifle for many reasons. The Ruger 10/22 is a quality .22 caliber rifle with many available aftermarket parts, so you may style your rifle however you like. Ruger has gained an enviable reputation in the weapons industry making the Ruger 10/22 an easy choice when deciding which weapon you should purchase first.

CHAPTER THREE

The Glock 19

The Need For A Good Handgun

Sobert Gummer says, “The Colt .45 was the gun of choice amongst combat instructors before the Glock came on the scene. Now it’s about 60/40 Glock to Colt in my most unscientific survey. While both guns are excellent, the Glock has only five major parts, making it easier for the new gun owner to disassemble and clean. And you can shoot the Glock for literally thousands of rounds without having to clean it if push comes to shove. For a SHTF gun… that gives the Glock a decided edge. The Glock 19 is easy to shoot and the 9mm is a round that is ubiquitous.”

If art reflects culture, what will historians of tomorrow say about the current state of the world? With The Hunger Games and The Walking Dead topping everyone's Netflix queues, we seem to have a newfound fascination with survivalism and the question, "What would happen if - ?" The protagonists of this new genre all have one thing in common: weapons. It's no wonder that the resurgence of the survivalist and urban prepper movement has renewed interest in one of the most popular handguns: the Glock 19.  And for good reason.

Blame it on economic and political instability or the wake-up call that Hurricanes Sandy and Katrina gave to thousands of people dependent on urban infrastructure. Governments can only do so much, and at the end of the day we need to be ready to protect ourselves, our friends and our families in all regards. 

Meet the Glock

The Glock is a semi-automatic handgun manufactured by the Austrian company Glock Ges.m.b.H., which was founded by scientist Gaston Glock. Dr. Glock actually had no prior experience in gun design before being asked to manufacture the original Glock 17 in the 1980s, but his knowledge of how to use synthetic polymers to resist corrosion revolutionized the handgun market making the Glock the industry standard. 

Though some doubters initially questioned the durability of a gun with a plastic frame, Glock's pistols now account for more than half of all handguns used by law enforcement in the U.S. Glock also manufactures guns for military use around the world.

The Glock's History

In 1980, the Austrian government issued a call for gun companies to submit pistols for consideration to become the standard for their military. The government required that the guns be self-loading and require only one hand to use. They wanted it to be designed for easy cleaning and disassembly requiring no tools. They polled police officers and even gun hobbyists to determine the qualities that people who use guns prefer. 

Glock was quick to create a prototype, and the Glock 17 became their 17th patent just three months after the initial call was made. After two years of rigorous testing, the Austrian military announced that the Glock 17 outperformed all other applicants and adopted the Glock as their military's standard handgun. It only took one year for the United States Department of Defense to take notice and request samples of Glocks to appraise for law enforcement use. Norway and Sweden soon followed suit, and the Glock quickly became the NATO standard. In 1992, just a decade after the Austrian military approved the Glock for mass production, more than 350,000 were in circulation in over 40 countries. More than half were in the United States. 

What Makes the Glock Tick

The key to the Glock's durability is its unique polymer coating. Polymer 2, invented by Gaston Glock himself, makes up the Glock's durable magazine body. Polymer 2 offers more resilience than most steel alloys. The specially designed polymer resists caustic liquids, shock and high or low temperatures which would deform rival steel alloys or make them brittle. It is more resistant to corrosion than any other finish, from Teflon to phosphates to hard chrome plating. A decorative coating serves as the final layer of the guns surface but the protective polymer coating remains intact even if the decorative surface becomes damaged. 

Guns should not require a degree in mechanical engineering to assemble or disassemble. The ease with which a gun can be disassembled is a consideration of convenience and safety, as you can rest assured a gun will not fire when unassembled. Glocks disassemble into five major parts: the slide, the recoil-spring assembly, the barrel, the frame and the magazine. You can leave it disassembled at times you definitely know your gun will not be in use. You can and even hide one of the necessary parts in a different location from the others to keep children or anyone else from using it. And you can just as easily put it back together if the need arises.  [Sobert Gummer adds: A good gun safe should negate the necessity to do this, but I guess it is possible to find yourself in a position where you're staying at somebody else's house and need to stash the gun?]

Glock Safety

Since guns should be used only in emergencies, the gun owner should be foremost concerned with their gun's safety mechanisms. Ideally, you will never have to use your gun other than when you learn or practice how to operate it. The creators of the Glock line advertised their confidence in their product with its full name, the Glock "Safe Action" Pistol. 

Three mechanisms protect the gun from discharging accidentally. The external trigger safety is complimented by two internal safeties. The safety mechanisms disengage when the the user squeezes the trigger and reactivate when the user releases. The automatic activation of the safety features distinguishes it from guns with hammers and safeties with levers. 

The Internal Locking System (ILS) was introduced in 2003. The ILS is on the Glock's grip and must be locked or unlocked with a key. When the ILS is engaged, a tab protrudes from the back of the gun, giving a clear indication of its position. The Glock can neither be fired nor disassembled when the ILS is engaged. Most Glock guns come in models that feature ILS. 

Glock Accessories

Like any product with wide appeal, the Glock is accompanied by a plethora of accessories. Lasers, flashlights, white lights and even infrared lights can be mounted on many Glock models. Other accessories available include optional slide stops, underwater spring cups, recoil springs and magazine release levers. The different Glock models differ in the slide length, caliber and frame, and all models come in different frame colors.  I recommend that you keep the Glock in stock form, as modifying the gun can present additional unwanted legal issues should you find yourself involved in court after a shooting.

Why the Glock 19?

For the new shooter, the Glock 19 is easy to handle and more compact than it's big brother, the 17.  The 9mm is a round that is easy to control and quick to get back on target.  Because it is such a popular round, it will be an easy form of ammunition to barter with (or for) should the need arise. The Glock 19 is small and easy to conceal. Introduced in 1988 for military use, it is a compact version of the Glock 17 for all intent and purposes. The pistol grip and barrel are half an inch shorter than those on the original model providing the same high performance required by the Austrian military in a smaller package. The Glock 19 magazines hold 15 rounds, and it can also support magazines designed for the 17 and 18 models which hold from 10 to 33 bullets. Its slide is identical to the Glock 17 to maintain the recoil system's integrity. 

The Impeccable Legacy Of The Glock

Glock established its reputation over three decades ago by undergoing some of the most rigid military testing and beating out all other major gun manufactures of the time. Glock has continued to perfect their products and have answered the call for a compact model in the Glock 19. A stamp of approval from the United States military and law enforcement agencies - not to mention those of dozens of other countries - make the Glock 19 an obvious choice for the urban prepper.

CHAPTER FOUR

The 12 Gauge Shotgun--

(Either The Mossberg 590

Or The Remington 870)

Sobert Gummer says, "There is no gun more versatile than the shotgun: Bird shot, Buck shot or Slugs... the shotgun can be used in a wide variety of situations.  Both the Remington and the Mossberg below are great guns.  I own both but prefer the Mossberg because the safety is on the top of the gun and slides forward and back, whereas the safety on the Remington is on the trigger guard.  The Remington, however, is a much more refined gun.  Either will do."

Why You'll Want A Shotgun

Building a home arsenal is as important for preparedness and survival as food storage and other self-sufficiency measures. Anyone who is legitimately intent on being prepared should own or seriously consider owning a pump action 12 gauge shotgun as part of a well-stocked, personal arsenal. For home defense and survival, no other gun is quite as versatile as a shotgun. 

In general, shotguns are more readily available than handguns or many of the semi-auto rifles that are in demand by preppers, today. Gun legislation is getting tougher and shotguns are not protected from current or future anti-gun laws, however, the inherent nature of a shotgun and the current legal definition of a shotgun does make the probability of an all-out ban much less likely. Most gun laws are aimed at guns that have higher magazine capabilities and less sporting uses. New anti-gun laws are also focusing on imported guns and many of the most popular shotguns are made here in the USA. However, certain modifications may be increasingly difficult or impossible to obtain due to gun legislation. 

Shotguns are sometimes referred to as "pepper guns" or "scatter guns." In the past, they were called "fowling pieces." Shotguns are available with a wide range of operating mechanisms including breech-loading, pump-action, bolt-action or lever-action. Shotguns can be single-barreled, double-barreled or a combination. Shotguns designed specifically for the military can even be semi-automatic or fully-automatic . The size of the gun itself can range from very small to very large with bores (inside barrel diameters) ranging from 5.5mm (.22in) all the way to 5cm (2in). Shotguns are commonly used as riot control weapons by police and military personnel because officers are capable of firing non-lethal ammunition to disperse an unruly crowd without the repercussions of using lethal force. Also, bird shot or the rubber pellet shot commonly employed by police will spread after firing for maximum attention garnering capabilities.

Shotguns are useful to preppers for several different reasons. The role of the shotgun changes depending upon the type of ammunition, called shotgun shells or just shells. Shotguns are loaded with a cartridge that is full of gun powder on one end and pellets, balls or solid slugs on the other. When fired, the gun powder side of the cartridge is hit by the firing pin and the resulting explosion forces the shot through the barrel of the gun. Bird shot and buck shot are round balls or pellets that are loaded into each cartridge. The shot spreads after leaving the gun, forming a pattern of shot, so hitting a target does not require perfect aim at farther distances. The pattern that the shot forms can be changed by a barrel choke to force the shot to spread further or to stay closer together depending on the choke. As a rule of thumb, bird shot are smaller pellets that are loaded into the cartridge by weight and buck shot is large enough to be counted and must be stacked inside the cartridge. A slug is a solid shot that will do maximum damage at close range and has somewhat greater accuracy over a longer distance, however, no shotgun is accurate over a very long distance like a rifle. The recoil of the shotgun is directly related to the weight of the shot with buckshot and slugs delivering the greatest amount of recoil.

The caliber of a shotgun is measured by its gauge. Gauge is a number that represents a solid sphere of lead with a diameter that will fit snugly inside the barrel. The number represents the weight of the solid sphere of lead in fractions of a pound. For example, a 12 gauge shotgun has a bore that will hold a solid sphere of lead that weighs one-twelfth of a pound. The most common gauges of shotguns available on the market today are 12 gauge and 20 gauge.

Two of the most popular home defense shotguns are the Mossberg 590 and the Remington 870. Both guns are 12 gauge and are pump-action shotguns. In a pump-action gun, the user manually grips the pump and pulls the shell into firing position with a quick pull back on the pump. These types of shotguns are especially good for a multipurpose gun because this set up allows the ammunition to be fed from the magazine or from the opening that is revealed at the top of the shotgun that ejects the spent shell after the gun is fired. Most home defense shotguns are pump-action. The user can quickly feed ammo into the weapon and, importantly, the sound of the pump can be quite intimidating to a would be intruder.

The Remington 870

The Remington 870 is made in the USA and has been around for quite awhile. The 870 was Remington's fourth design in a series of pump-action shotguns. Remington developed the 870 to compete with Winchester's popular Model 12 shotgun. The 870 was introduced in 1949 and has had steady sales since. By 2009, Remington had sold 10 million model 870 shotguns and currently holds the record for best-selling shotgun in history.

The Mossberg 590

The Mossberg 590 is a popular shotgun in their 500 series. The gun is similar to the original 500 model, however, improvements have made parts replacement and barrel changes easier. The 590 model has a rigid plastic trigger guard and the 590A1, designed for military use has a metal trigger guard and a heavier barrel. The 590A1 is able to withstand rough handling and adverse conditions for military purposes. 

Both Multi-Purpose Guns

Modern versions of both the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 590 are available for a wide range of purposes. Both guns are excellent for the sport shooter, target shooter, duck and small game hunter and large game hunter. Both guns are also widely popular with the military and law enforcement and for home defense. 

The Mossberg 590 is classified as a special purpose gun. The 6 shot version of the 590 comes with an 18.5in barrel and the 8 or 9 shot version comes with a 20in barrel, however, all the barrel lengths in the 500 series are interchangeable with the 590. A shorter barrel and/or a shorter stock is ideal for home defense or urban combat due to greater ease of manipulation in tight places. 

A new modular version of the Remington 870 is now available called the MCS (Modular Combat Shotgun) which allows the user to easily change barrels, magazines and stocks for different purposes.

The versatility of a shotgun is due to the fact that the user can choose different barrels, chokes and shells to suit a specific need. For survival purposes, small game hunting, especially airborne game such as waterfowl, is ideal for bird shot. The spread of the pellets requires less than perfect aim for a fast moving target and the small size of the ammunition means that smaller game will not be ruined by the kill shot. For larger game, such as deer, buck shot and a choke that prevents too much spread is ideal. Larger game requires more power for a successful and humane kill shot, while a smaller spread means less ruined meat. For home and personal defense, any ammunition will send a message, however, many military institutions employ a round of buck shot followed by a slug if the first round is unsuccessful. Regardless of ammunition, a shotgun has tremendous stopping power at a close range or in tight places. Beginning with a round of a lighter weight ammunition prevents accidental shooting through walls and lessens the chance of unintended victims. One of the only drawbacks to a pump-action shotgun as a personal or home defense weapon is the necessity to reload. Most shotguns only hold six to nine rounds. A shotgun is generally easy to reload, however, and in a difficult situation, three to five shots usually gives the user ample time to reload.  I personally keep a "sock" on the stock of my shotgun that holds an additional five shells.

Stopping Power

Because of its tremendous stopping power, especially at close range, the shotgun has a long history of use as a defensive weapon. In the past, shotguns were often used on stagecoaches and trains and are currently widely employed by military personnel when combat is expected to be up close and personal. Shotguns are also used by law enforcement and military for riot control due to the wide spread pattern associated with non-lethal ammunition such as rubber pellets and bean bags, although this use is questionable for the prepper. In a civilian context, if you're going to fire a weapon-- you'd better be firing it to stop an attacker. The many different uses for one gun make the shotgun an indispensable piece of equipment for the prepper.

CHAPTER FIVE

The Ruger LCP

Why You'll Need A Pocket Pistol

(And Why The Ruger LCP .380 ACP Pocket Pistol
May Be The Perfect Concealed Carry Weapon)

Sobert Gummer says, "You may find yourself in a place where you absolutely, positively cannot risk being caught with a gun.  For deep concealment, the Ruger LCP is the way to go.  I carry one every day and it literally disappears into the front pocket of my jeans.  The .380 cartridge is considered marginal for self defense, but with hollow point rounds the stopping power really isn't that much less than what you get with the 9mm.  Get yourself a Ruger LCP and you'll literally forget you're carrying it."

Pocket pistols are among the most popular firearms selling today, and the Ruger LCP stands at the top of the selection. Chambered for the .380 ACP pistol cartridge, the LCP is especially popular with female shooters who are looking for a pistol that packs a punch but can also fit easily into a purse or handbag. Shooters of all kinds are turning to this pint-sized protector as an alternative to heavier, more cumbersome EDC pistols. By designing a concealable firearm that maximizes functionality, the Ruger firearms company is setting a precedent for all other contenders in the personal protection market.

Pocket Pistols: Specifications

Modern pocket pistols come in a vast variety of configurations, each with their own characteristics. They vary in caliber, weight, size and accessories but they generally share a few common features. Most are very light with an average weight of approximately 10-15 ounces. This is due to the fact that many pocket pistols are constructed with full or partially polymer frames. The majority of these handguns are less than six inches in length when measured from muzzle to the most rearward point of the gun. The Ruger LCP weighs in at 9.40 oz with an empty magazine and an overall length of 5.16 inches. These specs make the LCP among the lightest and most concealable of all modern pocket pistols.

Looks Can Be Deceiving

At first glance, the Ruger LCP may seem diminutive, almost toy-like. Despite its slight stature, this pistol is certainly no toy. It carries six rounds of .380 ACP in a magazine with one round in the barrel. This may seem like a low capacity when compared to full-size pistols but many would argue that in most self-defense situations, the distances and speeds at which combat occurs do not allow for more than a few shots. But let's be honest: It's a compromise, as are all handguns.

Like the LCP, the .380 caliber delivers surprising performance in a small package. First developed in 1908 by John Browning, this cartridge has become very popular for self-defense purposes. Its primary advantage is its relatively soft kick which creates a negligible amount of recoil, allowing for quick and accurate follow-up shots. This ability greatly enhances the likelihood of a critically placed hit on the target. Incidentally, the low power of the cartridge is also its greatest weakness. Compared to most other pistol calibers, the .380 offers limited penetration and bullet expansion upon target impact. Although it is certainly a capable self-defense cartridge, the .380 ACP is by no means a guaranteed "one shot stopper."

Designed for Protection

The Ruger LCP really shines when it comes to the gun's features. Not only is it small, short and light, it is also quite slim. No clunky mag releases protrude from the gun's frame to catch on a waistband or pocket edge. When drawing under pressure, even a slight snag can throw off a shooter's rhythm and Ruger took care of this potential issue in the LCP's design. Both the front and rear sights are contoured close to the slide frame to allow for a quick draw while still providing an adequate sight picture. The grip is long enough for most shooters to wrap two full fingers around the grip in addition to the trigger finger.  Personally, I have no problem wrapping three fingers around the grip.

The trigger itself is also designed with close quarters combat in mind. The LCP is double action only, which creates a heavier trigger pull. A heavy pull would be disadvantageous when drawing on a target at the local gun range but in a self-defense situation there is rarely enough time to align an ideal sight picture. Instinct and muscle memory take control and aiming at center of mass is almost always the best strategy.

A light pull could cause a yanked trigger or a limp-wristed shot, sending a bullet high or wide. When seconds count and lives are on the line, a well-placed shot can mean the difference between life or death. The combination of a substantial trigger weight and low profile sights make the Ruger LCP the ideal choice for rapid target acquisition and critical placement of multiple shots.

Some Things to Consider About The LCP

Although the LCP is an excellent self-defense firearm, it may not be the best choice for everyone. Knowing the limitations of any firearm is necessary for making an informed decision when shopping for a self-defense weapon. Such knowledge is not necessarily a negative critique of a particular firearm or its manufacturer; it is part of the process that leads a person to the firearm that is best suited for their needs. Of course, each person will have a unique set of needs but there are a few key points that can apply to the majority of shooters.

The first potential issue that might cause problems for some shooters is the size of the LCP's grip and trigger guard. Shooters with large hands and fingers may have difficulty securing a proper grip with two fingers fully or mostly around the grip frame. Also, a person with large fingers may experience difficulty placing a finger through the trigger guard in order to secure an optimum trigger squeeze, so try one first before you buy one.

Another characteristic of the Ruger LCP that may put off some shooters is the relatively low capacity magazine. With only six rounds in the mag and one in the chamber, some shooters may feel that the LCP simply does not provide enough firepower to deal with multiple attackers or to compensate for missed shots. Along with this concern comes the underpowered .380 cartridge. For example, a sizable number of firearms enthusiasts feel that the .38 S&W cartridge is underpowered and the .380 ACP is slightly less powerful than that. Again, it's a compromise.  But compared to other deep concealment handguns, the LCP still comes out a winner.

Accessories and Customization

Although the Ruger LCP has a couple of minor drawbacks, the degree to which it can be customized makes it a truly unique platform. In fact, some of the major accessory options come standard with some of the LCP models. These options take what is an already capable self-defense tool and carry it to the next level.

The first and most prominent accessory is the Crimson Trace Laserguard. Used by law enforcement and civilians alike, the Laserguard is one of the most popular laser sights on the market. The Laserguard comes standard on the LCP-CT model with only a slight increase in price. In a high-stress environment, there is rarely enough time to align the iron sights and fully extend the arms into a textbook firing stance. With a laser sight mounted just below the muzzle, close range target acquisition is as simple as raising the pistol until the laser is located on a critical area. 

The LCP can also be ordered with a LaserMax CenterFire laser sight. Like the Crimson Trace, the LaserMax greatly simplifies the aiming process in a self-defense situation. The LCP-LM model is less expensive than the CT model for those who want the benefits of a laser sight without stretching their budget. 

Ruger also manufactures a proprietary extended magazine floorplate for the LCP. This floorplate adds length to the grip and provides a contour to secure the fingers below the trigger guard. This strengthens the grip and makes multiple shot placement easier. Several companies manufacture ten and fifteen round aftermarket magazines that can be used at the gun range instead of spending time reloading the standard six round mags. All of these accessories are affordable and widely available through the Internet or from a local gun store. 

The Verdict

When all of these factors are taken into consideration, the Ruger LCP may be the perfect concealable handgun for everyday carry. It is for me. The learning curve for this pocket pistol is not steep and virtually anyone can achieve competence with this weapon in a short amount of time. This makes the LCP a great choice for a first handgun-- although I do recommend that you purchase the other four types of guns in this booklet as soon as possible. New shooters are sometimes intimidated when firing a handgun because they fear that the felt recoil will be painful. The LCP has negligible recoil, allowing new shooters a great starting point to the world of pistol shooting.

For those who are experienced with handguns, the LCP offers an alternative to bulkier pistols that can become a nuisance to carry while exercising or hiking in hot climates. A gun that can be worn comfortably is more likely to be carried and therefore more likely to be there when needed. Women can also take advantage of the LCP's slim profile when they are wearing clothing which does not allow for waistband or pocket concealment. Again, this makes it easier to bring protection into any environment that may call for it. 

As the saying goes, the best weapon for self-defense is the one you have with you when your life is threatened. However, the chances for survival are multiplied when that weapon is designed with concealed carry in mind. The Ruger LCP fills a role that allows anyone to carry affordable protection.

CHAPTER SIX

The AK Platform (AK47)

The "AK-47" For Home Defense and More

"AK-47. The very best there is. When you absolutely, positively got to kill every motherf------ in the room, accept no substitutes." -- Samuel Jackson as Ordell Robbie in the movie, Jackie Brown.

Sobert Gummer says, "The AK is an easy gun for the new shooter to master: Designed for peasants to be able to learn to shoot, disassemble and clean with less than an hour's worth of instruction -- and still fire reliably if said peasant forgets to clean it!  The AK is an affordable, dependable battle rifle.  Chambered in it's standard 7.62 x 39, the round is heavy enough to penetrate an automobile if necessary.  Second hand reports from Afghanistan spoke about Afghani tribals cleaning their AKs with shoe laces dipped in motor oil.  And the rifles still functioned flawlessly!  That's the kind of gun I want when the SHTF.  That's why I own three."

In the constant struggle for preparedness, choosing the right weapons now is investing in the currency of the future. Most gun owners are emotionally attached to the weapons they choose to own and there is usually a lot of hype surrounding different weapons. But, when it all comes down to it, staring down the business end of a pistol or a shotgun may be no picnic... but a semi-automatic rifle, like the AK-47 is even more intimidating. The AK-47 is a weapon that most people have heard of and recognize. The gun is so popular that it is a part of the flag for Mozambique and has been been displayed on coins and sung about in folk songs. Its popularity in Hollywood as the "terrorist's rifle" has made it legendary.   Whatever.

The AK-47 style rifle is a general purpose, anti-personnel weapon that almost every military in the world has employed at some point in time. The AK-47 is one of the most widely produced guns ever designed, and the design has not changed a lot since the Soviets perfected it after the end of World War II. It was engineered to be a reliable gun for direct combat operations that could stand up to the harsh environment of a Soviet battlefield - freezing temperatures, mud, snow and ice. The AK-47 is widely recognized as reliable and easy to operate and maintain, but the design has been copied so many times, sometimes badly, that it is also commonly thought to be inaccurate and cheaply made. However, more AK-style rifles have been produced than any other assault rifle in history which alone says enough about the superiority of the design. Gabe Suarez of Suarez International reports hitting targets as far away as 600 yards with his AK. 

Owning a weapon like the AK-47 7.62 x 39mm caliber rifle takes preparedness to the next level, and, if the situation arises, well, cliche aside, it's definitely better to be safe than sorry.

The AK-47 was designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov towards the end of WWII to arm Soviet troops with a weapon that would be effective against the German made Sturmgewehr 44. The AK stands for Avtomat Kalashnikova and the gun is also known as a Kalashnikov or Kalash. The original design work began in 1945, and the model that was developed in 1947 became the gun that Soviet troops and most members of the Warsaw Pact employed in 1949. Like the Germans, who were the first to develop an assault style rifle, the Soviets realized that most fire fights happened within 400 meters and sought to develop a rifle that was selective fire, meaning that a switch could transform the gun from a single shot, semi-automatic rifle to a fully automatic weapon, combining the fire power of a sub-machine gun with the range and accuracy of a rifle. The Soviets had a design competition which led to the eventual development of the AK-47. At the time, the Soviet army was seeking a weapon that could chamber the newly designed 7.62 x 41mm cartridge and also withstand the harsh terrain of the typical Soviet battlefield. Kalashnikov's first design was a carbine which lost out to the weapon that eventually became the SKS, however, the Soviets were searching for a selective fire assault rifle. Two years later, Kalashnikov and his design team entered another competition with his new prototype for a gas operated assault rifle that featured a curved magazine and a breech block mechanism similar to the one on his earlier carbine design. This new weapon made it to the final round of the competition when, at the urging of one of his assistants, Kalashnikov changed the gun's design into what is now recognized as the AK-47. The changes improved the gun's reliability and usability under a wide range of conditions. Production began in 1947. The AK-47's design was heavily influenced by existing, tried and true weapons, bringing the best characteristics of the guns into one rifle.

The AK-47 in its original design ran into some production problems that eventually evolved the gun into what is technically referred to as the AKM, the M standing for, "modernized." The original design had a stamped receiver which was difficult to weld, resulting in higher production costs. Quickly, this receiver was replaced with a heavily machined receiver that raised production costs, but the guns were able to be produced more quickly. Due to these problems, the gun was not widely distributed to Soviet soldiers until 1956. In 1959, the gun was transformed into the AKM variant, which is the most often replicated variant with a stamped receiver, slanted muzzle brake to reduce barrel rise under recoil and a rate reducer which prevents the gun from being fired out of sequence and prevents too many rounds from being fired in automatic mode. These changes created the weapon that has been produced over 10 million times world wide in most major countries with little design variation, however quality of material and workmanship has varied. 

The modern AK-47 chambers a 7.62 x 39mm round and is fairly compact, generally rugged and easy to maintain. Its simplicity of design allows for greater mass production, reliability and is easy to operate and clean. It was designed to be shot by soldiers wearing heavy gloves, so all the essential parts are large and easily accessible. It was also designed to endure large amounts of foreign matter and fouling under rough battlefield conditions without jamming or misfiring. This reliability comes at the cost of accuracy, however, most experts agree that it is "accurate enough". One of the unique characteristics of the AK-47 is its use of a long stroke piston which pushes the bolt mechanism all the way back. In most modern rifles, the gas driven piston starts the backward stroke with a short forceful blow but does not follow through. This long stroke decreases the likelihood that the gun will jam due to foreign matter in the chamber. Chrome plating which is used on most modern versions of the AK-style rifle also decreases wear on the barrel from corrosive emissions that are a by-product of the firing process. The fire selector and safety switch on the modern version of the gun are one switch which allows a soldier under stress to easily engage the weapon. The semi-automatic switch is the full down position which a soldier in a combat situation is more likely to inadvertently choose over the fully automatic position which is the middle position. This allows for greater accuracy under stress. The selector switch is operated by the right forefingers to prevent the incidence of accidental firing. The switch is top- safety, middle- fully automatic, and down- semi-automatic. 

The original design incorporated an under folding stock that was replaced by a fixed stock, however, many models now employ a side folding stock. The rifle is equipped with adjustable front sights and notched rear iron sights. Windage adjustment is done before issue. The rifle can be used to support grenade launchers with little adjustment, and there are other available modifications available, such as a flip-up, lighted sight for night engagements.

It is estimated that 70 to 100 million AK-style weapons have been produced but it is difficult to discern due to the large amount of counterfeiting. The fall of the former Soviet Union put this weapon into the hands of anyone with the cash to purchase one, legally or on the black market. The AK-47 has long been associated with terrorist groups, drug cartels and bands of guerrilla fighters using weapons obtained through questionable means, earning this very effective weapon somewhat of a shady reputation. Conversely, it has also been the gun most used by freedom fighters and resistance groups against militaristic regimes.

History aside, the AK-47 has remained a popular gun for many reasons, but the most important reason is its reliability and ease of use. This weapon has made its fair share of appearances on the world's stage, and its popularity means greater accessibility of replacement parts and ammunition which makes owning an AK-style rifle a good choice for anyone who is concerned about preparedness for a grim future. When purchasing, be advised that careful research into the particulars of an individual weapon should be done to guarantee its craftsmanship. Overall, there is no weapon available quite like the AK-47, even with its somewhat dubious history. As far as protection of assets, loved ones and freedom, the history of this gun may just have begun to be written.

CHAPTER SEVEN

An Alternative To the AK: The AR-15

The AR-15: Well Suited For Many Uses

Sobert Gummer says, "The AR-15 is highly customizable and easy to shoot.  It is by far the most popular rifle in America which means that acquiring spare parts should be fairly easy.  It's biggest benefit is the low recoil of the .223 round, making it easy for women and small framed men to handle.  The AR is also available as a carbine (a shorter version) for easier use if you anticipate having to get in and out of an automobile frequently with the rifle, say on patrols of a large estate or property. Or for use in clearing rooms."

The AR-15 .223/5.56 caliber rifle is a highly versatile rifle that makes an excellent weapon for those who are concerned about being prepared for the unknown calamities that may lie ahead. Being well prepared means having a variety of rifles, guns and, perhaps most importantly, ammunition to be truly ready for what ever the future may bring. The AR-15 is a very versatile rifle and can be customized by its owner to chamber calibers other than the .223/5.56. The AR-15 is also capable of handling several different stocks, a multitude of sights and other accessories that make this one rifle exceptionally versatile.

The AR-15 was designed by engineers Eugene Stoner, Robert Fremont, and L. James Sullivan in the early 1950's. The United States military was seeking a better weapon for grounds troops after reviewing research that was collected after World Wars I and II and the Korean War. The research showed conclusively that, in a ground battle, aim is not as important as volume. The army was searching for a rifle for grounds troops that was selective fire, would chamber the .223/5.56 caliber bullet and had less recoil to allow troops to deliver fire power in volume. It was also important that the weapon and ammunition be lightweight. The result of the search was ArmaLite's AR-15. After many revisions and red tape, Secretary of Defense James McNamara chose to employ the AR-15 as the standard issue rifle for grounds troops under the name the M16. The AR-15 had an in-line stock to keep recoil to a minimum during automatic mode which prevents barrel rise. The rifle weighed in at 6.5 pounds fully loaded. It had a twenty round magazine. The rifle was manufactured by ArmaLite, a division of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation that was established in 1954 for the sole purpose of bringing the technology of high grade plastics and metal alloys to the weapons industry. The result was a relatively lightweight rifle that would be water, rust and corrosion resistant. 

In the late 1950s and early 1960s it was becoming apparent that conflicts in Vietnam would drag the United States into involvement and eventually war. In 1962, Colt, who had acquired the rights to manufacture and market the AR-15 from the failing ArmaLite company in 1959, convinced the War Department to consider the AR-15 for ground troops. The committee tested 1000 rifles and, following enthusiastic reports about the AR-15, chose to issue the AR-15 under the name the M16 for ground troops and for base security personnel in the Air Force. The Army strongly opposed this decision. However, early reports by the Ordnance Department determined that the M16 was not meeting expectations. It was determined that the rifle had problems with accuracy and reliability. The Ordinance Department wanted their own rifle, the M14 to be the primary rifle for troops, however, it was determined that the M14 was too heavy for the hot, humid conditions that the soldiers were facing, and the ammo was too heavy to carry more than 50-100 rounds on patrols, defeating the objective of a fully automatic weapon. The Department of Defense chose to use the M16 to arm troops for the war in Vietnam because its smaller size and lighter ammunition would serve well for the terrain in Southeast Asia, but failed to test the rifle properly in the humid jungle conditions that the troops would be subjected to in the ground battle in Vietnam. The high humidity in the jungles and the tighter tolerances in the rifle itself caused the M16 to need to be cleaned very often and troops were not trained in the proper maintenance techniques and were not issued cleaning kits with their rifles. These problems gave the M16 a bad reputation at the beginning of the war in Vietnam and news agencies reported that the faulty M16 was killing American troops because of its problems with jamming and fouling. This bad publicity and complaints from troops caused the Ordinance Department to reevaluate the M16. They determined that the best course of action was to fix the problems with the M16 and to train troops how to properly maintain their rifles. Improvements to the M16 at this time included cleaning kits in the butt stock, chrome lined barrels and chambers to prevent corrosion, a new buffer to slow the rate of fire, a 30 round magazine, a closed prong flash-hider and a forward bolt assist. The powder used in the original ammunition issued by the army was also causing fouling and increasing the rate of fire. The ammunition was replaced and the improved version of the M16, the M16A1 performed reliably for the remainder of the war. In 1978, the Army further improved upon the M-16A1 and developed the M16A2.

Following the development of the M16 for military issue, the AR-15 was primarily marketed in a semi-automatic version to civilians and law enforcement. The original rifle was very lightweight, under 6 pounds unloaded, however, some civilian versions can weigh 8.5 pounds. The AR-15 quickly gained popularity in these markets. It became well known for its accuracy and its ability to be customized heavily to suit individual preferences. 

The AR-15 today still carries its reputation for accuracy and reliability. It is a highly versatile rifle that allows the owner to customize the weapon to suit their needs. The AR-15 is semi-automatic and is not legally available in the fully automatic version (the M16) for civilian purchase. The AR-15 civilian rifle differs from the M16 military rifle internally, but it looks nearly identical on the outside. The lower receiver and bolt carrier are milled differently to prevent conversion into the fully automatic version, however an after market part, the "lightning-link" will convert the weapon to full auto, however, it will not be selective fire, meaning it will only operate on full auto, unless it is further customized. 

The AR-15 has a lot to offer to the prepper. It makes a good all purpose weapon that will serve equally well as a home defense rifle or a primary rifle for self preservation in the event of a major catastrophe or upheaval. The aircraft grade aluminum receiver is corrosion resistant, very lightweight and easy to reproduce. The straight stock prevents muzzle climb which ensures greater accuracy. The synthetic pistol grip or butt stock are not effected by the elements or moisture, and the smaller caliber .223/5.56 is ideal for hunting most smaller game, as it is generally considered a varmint round. The rifle's modular design makes part conversion and maintenance and repair easy. Additionally, the AR-15's ergonomic design allows for greater ease of operation. The AR-15 name is registered to Colt Industries, however, identical weapons with different trade names are manufactured by many other companies. These rifles are commonly referred to as AR-15s colloquially. The standard AR-15 utilizes the direct gas impingement method of operation, however, some manufacturers offer a short stroke/long stroke gas piston system in their versions of the rifle. The wide variety of after market parts available by different manufacturers really make the AR-15 exceptional. This rifle is available in a wide variety of configurations. Most AR-15s manufactured for civilian use are heavy barrel models, however, it is also available in a shorter carbine-length and can have an adjustable length stock. Suppressors, bi pods, muzzle brakes/flash hiders and vertical forward grips are some of the aftermarket parts available to customize this weapon. Traditionally the AR-15 chambers the .223/5.56 caliber ammunition which is an accurate, lightweight high velocity round, but it is easy and quick to change the receiver to allow the rifle to chamber many different rounds such as the .45 ACP and the .50 Beowulf. The front sights are adjustable for elevation and most of the rear iron sights are adjustable for windage and some for elevation. Also, a wide variety of scopes and other aiming devices such as night vision and laser target devices will fit this rifle with little conversion. The AR-15 can accept many different magazines including a 5 or 10 round clip for hunting and a 20 or 30 round magazine where legal. Additionally, traditional box magazines (40-45 rounds) or drums magazines (90 - 100 rounds) also exist.

The legality of the AR-15 and especially the aftermarket parts available for this rifle varies greatly in the US from state to state and in other countries around the world. The accuracy, dependability and ease of operation of a firearm are important key factors to consider before making a purchase. For the prepper, the AR-15 clearly delivers all this and more.

Why Not The .308?

Many gun experts recommend a battle rifle chambered in .308.  And they make a convincing argument: The .308 has more stopping power and has much farther range than the .223/5.56.  (The .223 and .556 are virtually the same caliber, the 5.56 being the NATO designation).

If you have the funds, definitely get one.  But for an AR-style gun, the following arguments ring true for me and why I recommend the .223/5.56 for this weapon system:

      5.56 is ubiquitous. Your friends and enemies will carry it.

      You can carry a LOT of .223 for the same weight as a little .308.

      5.56 is accurate and capable of hits out to 500 yards or more.

      Modern 5.56 bullets are super deadly. Ballistic tip, JHP’s… etc., are much deadlier than ball.

      You can get a variety of loading for 5.56. from .45 grain varmint loads all the way up to 75gr Big Foot killers.

      Recoil is lighter, guns are lighter, ammo is lighter.

      AR-15’s in 5.56 are light, highly adaptable and accurate. AR-15’s in .308 are huge, heavy and under engineered for the caliber.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Resources

Training

Appleseed:
http://www.appleseedinfo.org/

FrontSight
http://www.frontsight.com/

GunSite:
http://www.gunsite.com/

Suarez International
http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/

Thunder Ranch
http://www.thunderranchinc.com/

Combat Shooting And Tactics

http://www.combatshootingandtactics.com/

NRA Instructors Directory
http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx

Ammo

Cope’s Distributing
http://www.copesdistributing.com/

AmmoMan
http://www.ammoman.com

DPH Arms

http://dpharms.com/

Sunflower Ammo
http://sunflowerammo.com/

Cheaper Than Dirt
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/

Lucky Gunner
http://www.luckygunner.com/

Natchez Shooting Supplies
http://www.natchezss.com/

Midway USA
http://www.midwayusa.com/

AIM Surplus
http://www.aimsurplus.com/

Concealed Carry Laws

Defensive Carry Forum
http://www.defensivecarry.com/

USA Carry
http://www.usacarry.com/
http://www.usacarry.com/concealed_carry_permit_reciprocity_maps.html

Handgun Law US
http://www.handgunlaw.us/

CCRKRB- Gun Law Reciprocity
http://www.ccrkba.org/?p=1487

Dispelling Gun Myths
http://www.theboxotruth.com/

Gun Forums

AR15
http://www.ar15.com/

AK Files
http://www.akfiles.com/

Glock Talk
http://www.glocktalk.com/

The Firing Line
http://thefiringline.com/

The High Road
http://www.thehighroad.org/

Gun Manufacturers Mentioned In This Booklet

Ruger
http://www.ruger.com/index.html

Glock
http://www.glock.com/GlockLanding/index.html

Mossberg
http://www.mossberg.com/

Remington
http://www.remington.com/

DPMS Firearms (Maker of quality AR15's)
http://www.dpmsinc.com/

Bushmaster
http://www.bushmaster.com/

Colt
http://www.colt.com/

Gun Related and Preparedness Gear

Brigade Quartermaster
http://www.brigadeqm.com/

Major Surplus
http://www.majorsurplus.com/

Coleman Surplus
http://www.colemans.com/

Conclusion

God willing, you will never have to use your firearms in a survival context. While this may be the end of this text, firearm ownership is lifelong pursuit of more knowledge and more skill. It is an endless endeavor. There is always more training; more skills to acquire; and more guns to buy.

With the recent run-up in both gun prices and availability (or lack thereof) of ammunition, it’s more important than ever to be prepared and purchase the firearms that you will need to keep both you and your family safe… before we see a point where those guns (and ammunition) are impossible— or prohibitively expensive-- to obtain. Fortune favors the bold.

Be safe.

- Sobert Gummer

Your five star rating/review of this booklet at Amazon.com is greatly appreciated.

Other books by Sobert Gummer:

Dogs For Preppers
from the description at Amazon.com:

Are you an urban prepper looking to adopt a dog to protect your family? This book reveals which dog breeds are best to have by your side during a SHTF or TEOTWAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It) scenario. The author consulted with six of the top working dog trainers in America to answer the question: "What type of dog would you want if you were prepping for hard times?" Sixteen breeds are profiled and the author explains why each breed may or may not meet your needs as an urban prepper. 

Updated content includes a discussion between Sobert Gummer and Fernando "Ferfal" Aguirre (Author of the book: "The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse") ... on the role of dogs for preppers and some lesser known breeds to consider.

Additional topics include: 

     "Will my dog protect me?" 

     "Should I buy a rare breed?"

     "Should I buy a dog that is inherently suspicious of everyone?"

     "Can any dog be trained to do personal protection?"

     "Should the dog I choose be well-socialized?" 

     "How do I find a good breeder?" 

     Temperament tests you can use to pick a good dog

     "How much protection can a good dog provide?"

     "Which breeds have the least health problems?"

     "At what age will my dog protect me?"

     Why you can't train your own dog for personal protection.

     Why you probably don't want to buy a Schutzhund dog 

     Poison proofing your dog 

     And much more...

Highly recommended!

Also by Sobert Gummer:

The Man Who Never Cried

(from the description at Amazon.com)

Frank Pennington is a decorated World War II veteran in his late 90's who stopped aging when he was in his 50's. When a solar flare permanently knocks the power grid offline, Frank must escape the retirement home he lived in with his late wife and make his way on foot to rescue his ill-prepared son and family before all of civilization begins to fall apart.

To read more by the author, please visit his blog at:

http://www.sobertgummer.com