help needed

[LvivLovers 39]

Yes give us a run down of what you bought. You can xxx out the serial numbers if you want.

We just got a couple Glock 22s right now...that's what my brother carries and recommended to us. I still want to get a few shotguns as well.

I really believe the poo is going to hit the fan so that's what we're preparing for...not just your typical home defense. Basically, looking for something to fend off repeated attacks from some of our inner city friends once the government spigot shuts off.

Anyone have rations, seed, survival companies they would recommend? That's the next area I'm looking to cover.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

We just got a couple Glock 22s right now...that's what my brother carries and recommended to us. I still want to get a few shotguns as well.

I really believe the poo is going to hit the fan so that's what we're preparing for...not just your typical home defense. Basically, looking for something to fend off repeated attacks from some of our inner city friends once the government spigot shuts off.

Anyone have rations, seed, survival companies they would recommend? That's the next area I'm looking to cover.

I have always been a traditional walnut and steel guy and the 2 ARs I own are pushing the limit of plastic allowed on guns in this house, so no Glocks for me. That said, they are an excellent firearm, entirely reliable, sturdy and functional. What else do you need? I readily admit I am biased and it is not based on any practical considerations. The Glock is very practical and useful.

Good luck with them. Not being a Glock guy, what cartridge is the M22 chambered for?

[eekee 182]

Are you guys also stocking up on tinfoil hats?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Are you guys also stocking up on tinfoil hats?

I don't think that was called for.

I happen to be a lifelong shootist and collector who enjoys shooting 1 or 2 times per week with my family, ALL my family. I mean what is the harm in that and how does that make me in the tinfoil hat league?

It so happens that I am also a frugal kind of guy that recognizes that ammunition has a shelf life of about 300 years and if I catch something I use a lot on sale I buy a quantity of it because it is likely not going to be cheaper 10 years from now, but it will still be good 10 years from now. I have .22 ammunition I bought at Pamida's for $1.99 per hundred in the early 90's and we still shoot it. It is about $8 per hundred now. I found some Federal Gold Medal .22s for $1.97 per 50 2 weeks ago and bought all they had. I have factory .351 Winchester ammo I bought at a gun shop in Arizona, all covered in dust on their back shelves in the 80's for $6 per 50. That ammunition has not been made since the mid-1960s. If you can find factory ammo for it now it sells for $60-75 per box of 50. Otherwise you handload for it which I also do. When I came home with a big box full of ammo last week she was happy and thought it was a good deal. She didn't say "Are you going to buy a tinfoil hat?"

Because of all that I have a respectable stockpile of stuff and Alla pretty well shoots "for free" There are no range fees at our club for the rifle range, it is $50 per year for the whole family and we have a key and can shoot when we want. $3 per round for skeet targets (honor system) and otherwise free. Many years of ammo already on the shelf, I print targets off the internet. What's the problem?

Not surprisingly, Alla is very attracted to shooting. She loves to challenge herself, accomplish goals, feel like she achieved something, improve herself. She likes to see an improvement, moves the target back and makes it more difficult when she improves. I seriously expect her to shift to pistol shooting soon or to start entering competitions next year (competition season here is over for this year)

[slim 1,525]

We just got a couple Glock 22s right now...that's what my brother carries and recommended to us. I still want to get a few shotguns as well.

Glock 22 is a nice sidearm. Notice I said sidearm. A pistol is what you use to get back to your long gun.

You should absolutely get some shotguns. You can't go wrong with the Remington 870, Winchester 1300 or Mossberg 500/590. Buy at least one of those in 12 gauge.

I really believe the poo is going to hit the fan so that's what we're preparing for...not just your typical home defense. Basically, looking for something to fend off repeated attacks from some of our inner city friends once the government spigot shuts off.

The AR-15 is king dingaling when it comes to zombie hunting. It cannot be stressed enough that AR parts and ammo will be everywhere along with 12ga. shotgun shells. I personally believe 12ga, .22LR and .223/5.56 will be the new currency after the lights go out.

The reason the AR is so wonderful is it's extremely accurate, fairly light, and not difficult to operate, especially with a little practice. Women have no problem running these rifles either and it's mighty nice to have two (or more) people working together with the same rifles. I highly recommend the AR-15 for the end of the world.

Anyone have rations, seed, survival companies they would recommend? That's the next area I'm looking to cover.

Rations - Keep an eye on Craigslist for MREs. They're hands down the best way to eat when you're on the go. GIs coming back from the box will sell them for under $4 each and one is enough to keep you going all day. Two is better.

After that comes Mountain House and any of the other camping/backpacking foods. More expensive but probably a little better tasting and closer to "traditional" food. For long term storage at your rally point, sheltering in place, etc., you don't need to go too far from your local Sam's Club or Costco. A bag of rice, salt, sugar, a jar of honey and jug of oil, some peanut butter and a few cans of tuna will keep you fed for several months when complimented with small game, etc. And don't forget about pet food! A can of soup or beans will last several years and if you rotate your stock, the shelves will stay full plus keep you fed for years to come. Coupons are your friend.

You'll hear a lot about getting buckets with mylar liners and oxygen absorbers and whatnot for stockpiling grains, wheat, beans, etc., but you don't really need to do any of that unless you plan on staying there for a long, long time. Think big storm. Really big storm that knocks the power out for a few weeks. If it's longer than that, you probably need to relocate anyway.

Seeds - Do you even have a place to plant/grow them? If so, any feed company will be the best place to get bulk seeds. The survival rations websites aren't bad but way more expensive. If you don't have a place to plant yet you can buy heirloom seeds already sealed in a tube and keep them in your freezer. Just google "heirloom seeds" or "survival seeds" or something like that. Personally, I'm not too big on it since you need land to grow stuff and it takes a long, long time. Plus, you have to protect your crops. Plowshares back into swords. I'm going to be relocating so it doesn't make sense for me to integrate seeds into my bugout plan. Once I get a retreat location set up it will have seeds and crops growing but I'm not going to stock that at my current location because then I'd have to move it. I want to move the least amount of ####### possible.

A quick note on that.... my stuff is set up to first be vehicle mobile - anything I can fit in my Jeep and my wife's car. Everything we can carry for comfort and long term life after whatever happens. Everything from pillows and a laptop to pictures and keepsakes. Next is what we can fit into one vehicle. Anything "important" will be in my Jeep and we'll sh!tcan her car if needed. Gone is the pictures and pillows... retained is the tools, food and bullets. Next is man-portable. What can we push/pull, drag, roll, carry? Less tools, more bullets! And then it's what fits in my rucksack and what I can carry. Portable shelter, sleeping bag, food, ammo. Very light but still sustains life for a few weeks to a few months. Lastly is double time bugout run for your life and only take what's attached to your kit. Water, ammo, socks, food. I have stuff on me that would enable me to last for three days to three weeks.

Always carry a Leatherman or similar multitool. Have a few good, strong, sharp blades. Have a way to carry water (and purify/cook if possible) and start a fire. Have a gun if possible. Two, even better. A compass isn't a bad idea. A whistle is great and light too. A poncho or tarp is wonderful for shelter. A towel or light blanket is good too. Extra socks can save your life.

The second most important thing you have is your boots.

There are a whole bunch of sites out there. Survival blog is probably one of the better ones and you can read books like Patriots and Boston's Gun Bible, etc. The high road, ar15.com, etc., are all good gun sites and have survival/TEOTWAWKI stuff on there. Zombie squad is fun. Sipsey Street irregulars is always great. For some really practical, no BS info about all this stuff go to YouTube and check out southernprepper1. He does some very basic videos with great info in an easy to understand format.

Another interesting read - www.theplacewithnoname.com - Great site for putting things in perspective. Little stuff most of us have never thought about written by a guy who went through Katrina. Very practical and a great place to start since preps are more about pillows than firepower.

Are you guys also stocking up on tinfoil hats?

I have a tinfoil tricorner hat. Kind of a modern interpretation of the good ol' Colonial masterpiece. You can see it on my facebook page.

[eekee 182]

I mean, you guys don't think you're being a wee bit paranoid? Seed companies? Really? People are going to go full-on Zombie Apocalypse and attack your house and loot stores for rations?

[slim 1,525]

I mean, you guys don't think you're being a wee bit paranoid? Seed companies? Really? People are going to go full-on Zombie Apocalypse and attack your house and loot stores for rations?

I sure hope not.

But, the question is, if they do... would I rather have all that stuff or not have all that stuff?

I tell my wife all the time I hope I'm just wasting all this money and it's for fun and camping. But... if it ever goes down, even SHE will be asking why I didn't spend more!

[baron555 934]

Don't forget your solar / hand crank flashlight and radio.

I personally don't like the looks/lines of Glocks....but they are very solid and trustworthy.

My preference for hit the road will be my M-14....in .308. I also have a RRA AR-15 Match that would be a second carry.

[LvivLovers 39]

I mean, you guys don't think you're being a wee bit paranoid? Seed companies? Really? People are going to go full-on Zombie Apocalypse and attack your house and loot stores for rations?

No. Yes. Yes. Possibly.

As someone who has been involved in the financial markets for many years, I can see what's coming. The world economy is a house of cards and there's a hurricane approaching. I don't know exactly how it will unfold but I'm confident things are going to happen that most Americans never imagined could happen here. If things really break down and people get desperate, they are going to resort to whatever they have to do. In my opinion, It doesn't take much for people to revert to being animals. Look how little excuse people need to start rioting. So yes, once the inner cities are thoroughly looted, I wouldn't be too surprised to see them heading further out. We already get a few robberies and home invasions occasionally out where I live in nice neighborhoods.

Maybe I will be over-prepared. I'll admit, I've never taken a loan out on cars, house, or anything else....I save up and pay cash. I've always maxed out contributions to retirement plans and done tax planning to minimize taxes as well. So I guess I do like to plan and be prepared. If we end up not needing our supplies (I still can't see what miraculous turn of events would prevent our financial collapse), I would be very happily surprised. The problem is though, if you do end up needing supplies, chances are you won't be able to get them once things go south. First it will get very expensive...then it will get impossible. So joke around about tin foil hats if you want and take your chances if you want, but I'm sure as hell not.

[LvivLovers 39]

Slim, thanks a ton for all the detailed recommendations and info! Extremely useful stuff!

Glock 22 is a nice sidearm. Notice I said sidearm. A pistol is what you use to get back to your long gun.

You should absolutely get some shotguns. You can't go wrong with the Remington 870, Winchester 1300 or Mossberg 500/590. Buy at least one of those in 12 gauge.

The AR-15 is king dingaling when it comes to zombie hunting. It cannot be stressed enough that AR parts and ammo will be everywhere along with 12ga. shotgun shells. I personally believe 12ga, .22LR and .223/5.56 will be the new currency after the lights go out.

The reason the AR is so wonderful is it's extremely accurate, fairly light, and not difficult to operate, especially with a little practice. Women have no problem running these rifles either and it's mighty nice to have two (or more) people working together with the same rifles. I highly recommend the AR-15 for the end of the world.

My brother's got an AR-15 in his arsenal as well. I completely agree about ammo being new currency. That and food. I've bought gold and silver in the past also, but you know you can't eat that and it won't protect you either so....

Rations - Keep an eye on Craigslist for MREs. They're hands down the best way to eat when you're on the go. GIs coming back from the box will sell them for under $4 each and one is enough to keep you going all day. Two is better.

After that comes Mountain House and any of the other camping/backpacking foods. More expensive but probably a little better tasting and closer to "traditional" food. For long term storage at your rally point, sheltering in place, etc., you don't need to go too far from your local Sam's Club or Costco. A bag of rice, salt, sugar, a jar of honey and jug of oil, some peanut butter and a few cans of tuna will keep you fed for several months when complimented with small game, etc. And don't forget about pet food! A can of soup or beans will last several years and if you rotate your stock, the shelves will stay full plus keep you fed for years to come. Coupons are your friend.

You'll hear a lot about getting buckets with mylar liners and oxygen absorbers and whatnot for stockpiling grains, wheat, beans, etc., but you don't really need to do any of that unless you plan on staying there for a long, long time. Think big storm. Really big storm that knocks the power out for a few weeks. If it's longer than that, you probably need to relocate anyway.

I'm really wanting to squirrel away about a year's worth of stuff for the whole family. Probably a mix of all the things you mentioned above. We live on a good-sized lake so we've got good water supply (and fish too). Any idea how long twinkies keep?

Seeds - Do you even have a place to plant/grow them? If so, any feed company will be the best place to get bulk seeds. The survival rations websites aren't bad but way more expensive. If you don't have a place to plant yet you can buy heirloom seeds already sealed in a tube and keep them in your freezer. Just google "heirloom seeds" or "survival seeds" or something like that. Personally, I'm not too big on it since you need land to grow stuff and it takes a long, long time. Plus, you have to protect your crops. Plowshares back into swords. I'm going to be relocating so it doesn't make sense for me to integrate seeds into my bugout plan. Once I get a retreat location set up it will have seeds and crops growing but I'm not going to stock that at my current location because then I'd have to move it. I want to move the least amount of ####### possible.

We have a small area to grow stuff in and it works pretty good. The wife has grown quite a few things over the years cause she's into that. I've never eaten any of it yet, but I could in a pinch. We are looking into some nearby farmland as well, just in case.

A quick note on that.... my stuff is set up to first be vehicle mobile - anything I can fit in my Jeep and my wife's car. Everything we can carry for comfort and long term life after whatever happens. Everything from pillows and a laptop to pictures and keepsakes. Next is what we can fit into one vehicle. Anything "important" will be in my Jeep and we'll sh!tcan her car if needed. Gone is the pictures and pillows... retained is the tools, food and bullets. Next is man-portable. What can we push/pull, drag, roll, carry? Less tools, more bullets! And then it's what fits in my rucksack and what I can carry. Portable shelter, sleeping bag, food, ammo. Very light but still sustains life for a few weeks to a few months. Lastly is double time bugout run for your life and only take what's attached to your kit. Water, ammo, socks, food. I have stuff on me that would enable me to last for three days to three weeks.

Sounds like you've though about this quite a bit! Just out of curiosity, what scenario are you envisioning may unfold?

Always carry a Leatherman or similar multitool. Have a few good, strong, sharp blades. Have a way to carry water (and purify/cook if possible) and start a fire. Have a gun if possible. Two, even better. A compass isn't a bad idea. A whistle is great and light too. A poncho or tarp is wonderful for shelter. A towel or light blanket is good too. Extra socks can save your life.

The second most important thing you have is your boots.

There are a whole bunch of sites out there. Survival blog is probably one of the better ones and you can read books like Patriots and Boston's Gun Bible, etc. The high road, ar15.com, etc., are all good gun sites and have survival/TEOTWAWKI stuff on there. Zombie squad is fun. Sipsey Street irregulars is always great. For some really practical, no BS info about all this stuff go to YouTube and check out southernprepper1. He does some very basic videos with great info in an easy to understand format.

Another interesting read - www.theplacewithnoname.com - Great site for putting things in perspective. Little stuff most of us have never thought about written by a guy who went through Katrina. Very practical and a great place to start since preps are more about pillows than firepower.

All good info. So far I've been mostly concentrated on financial protection. Now I'm trying to get everything else covered, so this helps a ton! Thank you again.

I have a tinfoil tricorner hat. Kind of a modern interpretation of the good ol' Colonial masterpiece. You can see it on my facebook page.

=)

[LvivLovers 39]

Good luck with them. Not being a Glock guy, what cartridge is the M22 chambered for?

.40 S&W

[eekee 182]

If the world economy is on its way to collapse, it's because of all of the deregulation and lack of oversight. Keep electing people who want to just let the market go without any kind of supervision at all, and that's what you get.

[LvivLovers 39]

Greek bank runs starting...going to get ugly fast.

[eekee 182]

Greek bank runs starting...going to get ugly fast.

The EuroZone was a stupid, stupid idea.

[LvivLovers 39]

The EuroZone was a stupid, stupid idea.

Agreed.