Urban Survival Firearms - Reader Question on Weapon Standardization

UrbanSurvivalSkills.com received the following question from a reader: "Anonymous has left a new comment, on your post "Urban Survival Firearms - Is this Survival Firearm, .......What about standardization of weapons for ammunition. It would be easier to stockpile ammo that way and be inter changeable?"

UrbanMan replies: Good question and here is what I think.

It would be preferred to have a Urban or other Survival Group likely equipped with the same firearms. This would support commonality of parts and stockage of repair parts; magazine exchange capability (assuming you standardize on a magazine fed weapon); commonality of training; and, commonality of ammunition.

It is hard to put together a Survival Group where the members will agree and abide by a majority group decision. I think at best, for most Survival Groups (especially in an Urban environment), a loose knit group with all members at various stages of preparation and a plan to rally on someone's Urban location would be the norm. Obviously, from this Urban location, there should be a plan and routes to a Safe Location outside of the urban environment to support contingencies where the Urban Location is not tenable.

It would be likely that members of your group, if they are serious about Prepping for Survival After the Collapse, or if you prefer, TEOTWAWKI, would own an M-16 or M-4 type weapon. That would solve a lot of your problems with standardization. If you cajole or pressure members of your group to procure the same weapon, you may build resentment. You may alleviate this problem by having a Group Charter or rules that mandate the procurement of a minimum Survival Gear and Equipment list to include firearms, magazines and ammunition. I think this is the preferred method. You may be able to bleed off those aspiring Urban Survival Group members who are not really serious, but DO expect them to come knocking when the SHTF.

I have a core group of Urban Survivalist planners who are equipped with the M-4 carbine as the base weapon...most of us have two or more M-4 or AR-15/M-16 version rifles. Many in the group also have M-1A1 or various versions of the excellent civilian M-14 rifle. We all have 12 gauge pump shotguns and all have several handguns in 9x19 and .40 S&W; many of us have handguns in .357 magnum and .45 ACP as well. This was not planned, we all had these firearms before we started getting together sharing knowledge, prep ideas and plans.

If the SHTF, I expect many, but not all of these Urban Survivors to end up at my location which is the easiest Urban Location to defend and withdrawal from. We have actually did planning exercises or Threat Vulnerability Assessments of each others Urban locations in order to build defense plans. But Urban Survival is a team sport and everyone in my group recognizes the need to team up to survive.

Another consideration would be having "junk" guns and odd ammunition for barter. We all have .22 LR rifles and handguns and PLENTY of .22 LR ammunition - this is good for hunting and training as well as barter. As is some of the odd ammunition we all stock individually such as .30-06, .30-40, .45-70, .243, 7mm Magnum and 7x57mm Mauser among many others.

I tell people don't give away the odd box of .45 LC, 9x18mm Marakov or whatever. Keep it for barter and in case you come across, battlefield recovery or whatever, a gun that fires that caliber.

I hope I gave you some things to thing about if not answered your question. Be safe, keep preparing- this planning and preparation phase if the most important phase.

Urban Survival Firearms - Is this Survival Firearms Battery Good Enough?

UrbanSurvivalSkills.com received the following comment on the post entitled 'Survival Mindset and (Survival) Keyword':...."Anonymous said,.....Thanks for that post. On a different note, I have a Marlin 9mm carbine, a Taurus 9mm semi-auto pistol, a 12 gauge shotgun (bird hunting type), and a 7mm Mauser rifle from WWII. Do you think that with sufficient ammunition stockpiled this is a decent armory?"

UrbanMan replies: Lots of factors and considerations goes into selecting firearms for survival applications. Hunting and Self Defense come first to mind. Other considerations may be: training people to use firearms; ammunition commonality and availability; and simply if the guns "fits" you - and this is primarily whether or not you can effective use it...a Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum revolver probably would not a good choice for 5'1" 95 lb person.

Generally, starting Survival Firearms Battery, in my mind, would consist of:

Pump Action Shotgun. In 3 inch, 12 gauge. Pump action since it will be more reliable with different brands of shells. You'll need a 3 inch chamber in order to be able to shoot all 12 gauge shells.

Handgun. In 9x19mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP primary calibers; I would consider the following calibers adequate .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .45 Long Colt but these are going to be in revolvers. I would not buy a handgun in .380 ACP, .32 ACP and such before I bought a larger caliber. The .380 and .32 Autos are hideout guns, usually short barreled, hard to shoot accurately, have limited stopping power and the .380 cartridge in particular is very hard to find on gun shop shelves. Never knew so many people owned them!

Remember a handgun is a defensive weapon. A magazine fed handgun (a semi- automatic) is generally a better choice since it usually holds more cartridges if a person is adequate trained. A revolver is much easier to operate, but slower to reload and maybe harder to train someone to shoot if effectively.

Rifle. In a common centerfire chambering such as .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield. I supposed your rifle in 7x57mm Mauser is okay if you have enough ammunition for it, since after a collapse you'll have a hard time finding any. Most Survivalists have an M-16, AR-15, M-4 type rifle/carbine in .223 Remington also known as 5.56x45mm NATO. This cartridge is actually a carbine round, but a good choice in an AR platform due to it's accuracy and magazine capacity. While your bolt action Mauser is a good rifle, particularly for hunting, it is not a battle or self defense rifle since it is not a semi- auto and is much slower to load and shoot.

Your Marlin 9x19mm Carbine is a large platform for that relatively anemic round. Too bad your handgun is not a Ruger P85, in which the magazines would be inter-changeable.

Your handgun in 9x10mm is a good gun, albeit for a defensive purpose.

I would ensure you have adequate ammunition stockpiled. Don't forget about extra magazines for the Marlin carbine and Taurus handgun.

I would really consider getting a magazine fed rifle or carbine, such as an M-4, as this is a much better defensive weapons that a bolt gun. I have several and my survival armory is built around the AR platforms.

I would also consider getting a .22 LR firearm, rifle or handgun. I would probably buy a .22 LR handgun, such as a Ruger or Browning because any game you will be taking with it can be taken with a handgun and it can serve as a defensive sidearm for anybody intimidated by a larger caliber.

Survival, especially in an Urban Environment is going to be a Team effort. First rule, everyone should be armed. Some people who end up into your Survival Group may not show up, Collapse +1, with a firearm. Better to have more firearms than not enough.

If I was starting from sratch this is what I would buy, in that priority:

1. M-4 Carbine, .223 Remington (5.56x45mm caliber)
2. Pump Action Shotgun, 3 inch 12 gauge
3. Handgun, 9x19mm, The S&W M&P semi-autos are great guns!
4. Rifle, in .308 Winchester (7.62x51mm NATO), M1A1 rifle (magazine fed) but I would not feel bad with a decent Remington slide action .308 or a bolt gun.
5. Handgun, .22 LR, Ruger or Browning or good choices.
6. I would then look for good deals on several others guns: another M-4, a .357 magnum revolver since .38 special and .357 magnum ammunition is common,..maybe a rifle in .30-06.

If you are looking for a gun, then I would suggest checking out GunBroker.com, click here to see what they have available, or you can enter it at the bottom on this site.

Wilderness Survival - Heimo's Artic Refuge

Since we have talking about Wilderness Survival on UrbanSurvivalSkills.com, we opted to post this VBS.TV video on Heimo Korth, called the Omega Man of America's Final Frontier, the last of six families of settlers who was grandfathered in and allowed to stay when President Jimmy Carter (remember that Buffoon?) established the Arctic National Wildlife Refugee.

This may give some people a more realistic look at life in the wilderness. However, after a collapse I doubt you will be able to get to "civilization" for supplies every once in a while.

Survival - Eight Deadly Dangers of Survival

When faced with an Urban or Wilderness Survival Challenge there are many dangers. The result of not dealing with these dangers in a successful manner can and will be death. We are calling these dangers, the Eight Deadly Dangers of Survival.

• Fear and anxiety. Humans will be fearful of any new situation outside of their comfort zone. Have a decayed or non-existent infrastructure; being unsure of your very survival on a day by day basis; and, fearful for the future of your children are all factors that can drive even the most mentally sound people into paralysis. We are really going to be challenged in faith. Our belief in a higher authority; our beliefs in our abilities and the overall belief that a day by day scrapping to survival will be worth it. Knowing that fear and anxiety will be dangers is half the battle. Keep observation on your survival group for people giving into fear and anxiety. If you watched the movie: “The Road”, you’ll remember the mother of the young boy not being able to deal with the situation then walking out into the cold to presumably die (from Hypothermia)

• Cold and heat. Hypothermia and Heat Stroke. The components of battling cold are clothing, shelter and a heating source. The key here will be preparation. Be equipped with Survival Gear and Equipment such as fire starters, good clothing including rain gear and the ability to make or build a temporary shelter or even a fixed substantial structure. In very few instances will we be naked in a desert devoid of anything at all. If we find ourselves in a very degraded environment with little Survival equipment, then the improvisational part of our nature, enhanced through training, will be the difference in our survival,….or not. Rocks, terrain and depressions become ways to get out of the wind to minimize the cold and tree boughs and other plants become insulation. With the danger of Heat, causing heat injuries leading to heat stroke and death, we have to minimize the loss of our sweat. Too many people have been found dead with water still in their canteens. Don’t ration your water,..just use it wisely.

• Thirst. This danger goes along with thirst,..it’ll drive a person crazy. Crazy enough sometimes to drinks sea water without distilling the water from the salt (drinking saltwater will kill you); thirsty enough to drink polluted water. You need to know enough to, again ration your sweat, limit your food consumption…you can go along time (many days, even weeks) without food; but 2 days maybe 3, without water.

• Boredom and loneliness. Being separated from family and friends, a lack of normal communications means such as cell phones, e-mail, facebook, etc., will be hard on most people, but doubly so for children, teenagers and young adults who have grown up with this technology and will at a great loss without it. The hard work of daily survival may leave little time for fun and pleasure. If you are leading or managing a survival group you will need to consider how to alleviate boredom and loneliness. You may even be faced with a situation where there are more men than women and the potential trouble that may cause. You will have to deal with this swiftly and decisively.

• Fatigue. Hard work and lack of nutrition will bring on fatigue. There also is mental fatigue to consider as the daily grind of survival will weight heavily on people. With inadequate rest comes bad decisions,…ensure you and your people are getting adequate rest to be up to the challenge of hard physical work and the mental challenge of making well informed decisions.

• Hunger. Like I said before, you can go along time without food. You don’t necessary want to. Upon the immediate knowledge of a collapse or ability to procure commercially available foods, the Urban or Wilderness Survivalist or Survival Group should implement food rationing. Smaller meals twice a day are much better than one bigger meal a day. Gives people something to look forward to more often in a day as well as is better for the metabolism. Most of us could afford to lose a few pounds anyway. If you are in a decayed situation, understand that you have several days of not eating and still have 100% physical ability before your physical abilities start to degrade gradually or in some cases a little faster than gradually. Adjust your physical work accordingly. Work slower and work smarter.

• Pain and injury. Although when placed in a survival scenario whether it’s a collapse of the infrastructure or placed as an individual in wilderness survival situation, pain can be good,….it’s show us we are alive but can be a warning that something isn’t right and that we have sustained an injury. Be very careful not to let pain develop into an injury especially when our ability to seek and get medical care is greatly or totally diminished. Same of illnesses,…do not let sniffles and a head cold develop into a chest cold then pneumonia. Death follows pneumonia with high powered anti-biotics. Be prepared. Learned alternatives treatments.

• Poor security. Survival is a team sport. Security is not just an LP/OP or lookout providing forewarning of the approach of an outlaw motorcycle group or a bunch of armed zombies. Security is not just your ability to defend you and your group, your home or base camp. The exception to the Survival team sport rule is an individual survival situation in the wilderness,…and in this situation you probably won’t have people hunting you. If so, they take appropriate precautions. Have cold camps. Dry tinder/dry fuel fires during the day only, perhaps heating rocks for nighttime warmth. Be careful crossing linear danger areas/natural lines of drift (roads, trails, power lines trails, dry river beds, etc) and sterilize the signs of your passage to avoid detection. Skirt open areas (we call them irregular danger areas). Have light, noise and litter discipline as to not provide any clues where you are at.

These are the Eight Deadly Dangers of Survival. Being aware of them and the counter measures may make the difference between staying alive or being eaten by animals or cannibals.