Urbanman replies: On the standard rifle issue. Standardization is good for commonality of ammunition, magazines, parts and training. There is something to be said for having a wide range of calibers to ensure ammunition can be found and/or bartered for, but I would prefer to stock enough from the get go, otherwise you could be at someone’s mercy.
I suspect that the $1000 agreed upon per person was to include all required accessories including load bearing kit, extra mags, cleaning kits, etc. If that is the case, a $1000 threshold makes it difficult to purchase AR type rifles for all including the necessary magazines. However, I’m going to assume that you all can save enough money for the next couple of months to purchase these and the $1000 is going only for a rifle nothing more. In that case the hands down winner would be an AR type rifle in the .223 Remington (also known as the 5.56x45mm) cartridge. I’m sure you can find various manufacturers’ copies of the M-4 carbine for under $1000. If your local gunshop cannot get them for that price, check of Gun Broker who can ship them to your gun shop and they should handle that the required transaction for a nominal fee, probably around $25 per gun.
I also saw where Cheaper than Dirt is offering various M-4 type clones for around $830 which would leave some room for purchasing some kit.
Ruger Mini-14’s are a good rifle. The sights are not as good as the AR types, but still serviceable. They take different magazines than the AR type of rifle but still shoot the .223 Remington and are reliable. These probably run around $650 or so.
As far as long duration food stocks, that would mean dehydrated food for maximum duration. I would stay away from one person buying dehydrated vegetables and the other buying dehydrated fruit. Each person’s purchased stocks should complete and standalone in case one or more of the Urban Survival Group members does not make it to the rendezvous.
If I was going to put only $250 into foods stocks then I would buy inclined to spend most of it on #10 cans of dehydrated food (meat, fruits and vegetables) and the rest on rice, beans, and bullion to store in vacuumed packed bags or better yet, sealed Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers.
I hope you all realize that guns and food are great, two of your essentials needs, but preparation across the board needs to be conducted such as procurement of a wide variety of Survival Gear, Equipment and Material and set up of Bug Out Bags. You should consider purchasing some previous metals such as Gold and Silver. Silver rounds or bullion is still fairly cheap and can be purchased in small amounts as you budget allows. I think procuring Silver for Survival and an insurance currency for barter is important.
Other than the above, I can't give you some specific recommendations unless I know what Urban Survival assets (Gear, Equipment, Material and Firearms) that you already have on hand. Good luck buddy.
I agree with most of all said here except I would point novice weapons owners to another system then an AR. It is not the end all system and does require more then a basis knowledge to opperate at max performance levels. Lever actions like the BLR 81 have magazines, Marlin lever actions carry 8 to 10 rounds. It is important not to go out as an aggressor force. Avoid all fights as much as possible, there wont be a lot of medical to be had in the TEOTWAWKI world.
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