Best Weapon to Keep on Hand for SHTF/TEOTWAWKI for someone living in the City

Preface: Though many of you may disagree, for myself I define SHTF as when Law Enforcement stops existing throughout all of the United States and I don't have to worry about legal ramifications about shooting someone who is breaking into my apartment or trying to attack me. Thus for myself personally, I wouldn't consider Katrina, SHTF, not that having a gun or rifle on hand during Katrina wouldn't help.

I have never really fired a gun, rifle, shotgun, etc., and totally realize that a person would be a fool not to have one in situations when Law Enforcement no longer exists. My question is what is the best weapon to have on hand if you've never used a firearm that would help protect you/fend off a group of people trying to break into your home and taking your resources when the SHTF? Offhand, it seems like an AK-15 or is it an AR-15, would be extremely handy but perhaps not for someone without experience. Thanks for your input.

 

Personally for someone with little weapons experience, I would suggest a shotgun. In many cases the sight of one or the sound of a round being chambered will end an altercation before it starts. Here is a suggestion of one with lower care requirements than most:
Remington Model 870 Special Purpose Marine Magnum Pump-Action Shotgun | Bass Pro Shops: The Best Hunting, Fishing, Camping & Outdoor Gear

 

Thank You Right now its on the top of my list

 

That being said, don't ever try to use a gun of any kind solely for intimidation. If you pull it out, you MUST be willing and able to use it for the express purpose of taking a life. If you don't/can't/aren't willing to pull the trigger and end the threat, there is a very real likelihood that it will be taken from you and used against you.

Many of us talk about pulling the trigger on a bad guy, myself included, but have never actually been faced with the situation and don't have a military or law enforcement background. I say that I will do whatever it takes to defend my family, and I truly do think I will, but I also recognize that pulling the trigger will change me permanently and there is also a non-zero chance that I will eat a bullet within 18 months without counseling.

I say that based on LEO statistics and the number that take their own lives after being involved in a officer involved shooting. No, they don't all check out, but a measurable percentage do.

Get whatever gun you choose, and then make pulling the trigger muscle memory, otherwise all you've done is given the bad guy another weapon.

 

Holy Crap @Tempstar ..... I fully agree with the Remington 870 pump shotgun, but couldn't you find a more expensive nickel plated firearm ??? $720 WOW. How about a Remington 870 express at $300 or just a bit less on sale! I might have got banned for life from Frugal Sq ........ but I still am very frugal with what little money I have. I have 3 Remington 870s. All express models with lots of rounds thru them. Very smooth action and reliable as can be attested by the military and many police departments. The 870 Rem has been around since 1955.
.
BTW; with regard to experience. I bought my 1st 870 Remington wingmaster deluxe in 1969. It was my go to gun until stolen in 1988. I promptly bought an 870 express as a replacement without all the frills. The $86 I bought in 69 was now priced over $400. I think that 1st express cost me less than $200. I also used them in the Navy from 1976-1994.
.
one quick search example ... Remington Model 870 Express Hardwood Pump-Action Shotgun | Bass Pro Shops: The Best Hunting, Fishing, Camping & Outdoor Gear

 

Getting some firearm training would be worthwhile....if only that it will enable you to use, maintain and store your weapon without serious risk of accidentally shooting yourself or some significant other.

My Appleseed Experience - The Truth About Guns

N.B. basic firearm training won't turn you into a combat competent rifleman, shotgunner or pistol shooter....that's a whole other level of competency to be attained.

 

I always suggest nickel to new gun owners. Sadly, a large percentage of them will eventually never shoot it again once the first range day is out of the way. At least the nickel won't rust into a blob of crap and will still have value if that happens. BTW, I own that same 870 Marine Magnum. I traded a Mossberg 500 to a moron who thought the M-500 pistol grip gun was "way cooler".

 

If you would like something with a little more than the standard 870 express for still a lot less than $720, this might fill the bill. Looks mighty nice to me. The 21 inch barrel is a bit longer than the standard 18" riot gun police and military use but still short enough to be pretty handy in close quarters. Additional magazine tube extensions are available that would allow 8 rounds without sticking out beyond the end of barrel. The turkey weapon rating tells me it probably has a full or modified choke tube insert and other inserts are available as well. This would be a good compact versatile shotgun. http://www.gunbroker.com/item/624554241

 

I have seen a lot of rust pitted nickel firearms. I prefer stainless for moist environments. Yes I know Remington has few Stainless long guns. I had satin silver armaloy put on one of my blue steel long guns and it is very forgiving as to rust damage. It is favored by many Alaskan fish and wildlife folks and some state police.

 

I think you need to start at the beginning. Learn about guns. Learn how to shoot safely and accurately. You may have as much need or more to shoot food as you do people. The more you know about guns and staying alive, the better. Guns and how they are used and what they can do on T.V. and in the movies, is mostly fiction. Learning to be efficient and a good shot takes time and a lot of practice. Don't wait until you need one to get one.

 

Now that's a troll question, if I've ever heard one. Do not get a gun to defend yourself with, you'll only end up damaging your property , yourself, or someone else. Get a really loud siren, a tear=gas grenade, and a baseball bat. You can hit them in the head while they are holding their ears and crying......or start spending some time at the firing range learning firearms safety and how to shoot defensively. You might actually find that you get a certain enjoyment out of shooting and eventually might even become proficient enough to actually defend your life and property. A gun, any gun, is not a magic wand that keeps you safe. It is a tool that is purpose designed and requires proper training to utilize safely, otherwise if you can maintain control over it, it is a poor substitute for a ball-bat.

 

A troll question, lol. What exactly is the point then of going to a survival forum and asking about the best weapon to defend myself in a SHTF/TEOTWAWKI circumstance when I know nothing about firearms? A troll question. Incredible! You've got to be kidding me.

 

Don't get your back up ED. There ARE plenty of trolls and spammers and total argumentative posters out there in this electronic battlefield. Also 3 letter agents looking for evil doers or possibly trying to entrap otherwise law abiding persons. You and us as well would be fools to think otherwise. We are almost always circumspect with regard to operational security with newbies. No foul or assault upon your person was intended. jus sayin .... relax and settle in.

 

I definitely would go with the 870 Remington; however, more importantly is Firearm Training to ensure you know how to use it, care of it and don't blow your toe off or worse. Never count on a firearm of any type that you have not fired before (trained with) to protect yourself and your family/friends. I think since you are living in apartments that a shotgun would be a good choice but you also must decide on what ammo to use which is another question that needs to be asked and answered. First things first: figure out where you can get training and where you can fire it before you buy it.

Why this is important. Two reasons... True story...On an impulse buy, I purchased a brand new 887 Remington 12 gauge shotgun. I was going to take it to the range the following day. When I got it home I happened to mention to my Gun Nut friend my purchase and he immediately said, "Holy Crap! They got a recall on them. They got a 'Slam Fire' problem". I did some internet research and sure enough they did. Luckily, mine had already been repaired and had the stamp to prove it (still, I didn't trust it until I got it out to the range). A 'Slam Fire' is when the shotgun fires without pulling the trigger. It fires when you rack the slide to insert a shell into the chamber. What would have happened if I loaded that firearm at home and it had not been repaired and/or counted on it in a bad situation? There would hopefully only be a hole in the wall. Second reason, firearms fail, have heavy/soft recoil, and/or have their own peculiarities. My wife could not rack the slide of a Kahr P9 I bought because the spring was too strong making it useless. One needs to be able to operate their firearm without thinking because if, God forbid, you need it for self defense you will not have time to think, only time to act or react, and some firearms have two safeties or etc. Finally, I watched a video of a guy that recently purchased new and very expensive Sig rifle, took it out on the range and before he fired 10 rounds through it the buffer spring broke, better then than if he was using it in self defense situation. The purchase is only a small part of the solution. Firearm Safety and Firearm Training, in truth, are the major parts.

 

Erm, your brain?

Ok, I'll expand a bit. One need the ability to avoid confrontation, be aware of one's surroundings and goings on.

Need to know when to escalate response to situation and when and how to defuse it. Last thing you want to do is to pull the trigger shooting though the front door only to find out it was a girl scout trying to sell her quota of cookies.

Just remember that if your only tool is a hammer, then everything is a nail.

 

+1 for a .20 Gauge Remmy 870 as a first skater gun, I always recomend the 870 over the Mossy 500 because the Remmy doesn't have loose parts that can get lost when taken apart for servicing and a neub would have a hell of a time getting it put back together correctly. In years past, I would have recommend a Winchester 1897 as they are plentiful and cheep, Now a days, not so much, and they slam fire BY DESIGN if you want them to, and for some of us, that is nice to have. For a neub, I still say the 870 is King.