Okay, so we’re literally in the middle of an apocalyptic event. It may not be the end of the world, but people sure are treating it like it is. I’m not going to beat around the bush here, things are pretty bad, and are likely only to get worse. Why? Because we’re also in an election season. People generally make a run on guns and ammo in the months leading up to a presidential election out of uncertainty.
This means that, currently, the prices you’re seeing are low and will only continue to rise for the foreseeable future. And, while stock is lower than it was this time last month, it won’t be getting replenished as fast.
It also means that, if you need to buy guns or ammo, that you need to do it right now because it’s only going to get worse.
Why? Because the way things were already going with more background checks taking place month over month are an indicator that we were already heading in this direction. This COVID-19 thing is just making things much worse, much faster.
So, what are the best guns for a SHTF situation like we’re in right now? I’ve written articles on this topic before, but this time it’s different because we’re already knee deep into something, so I figured I’d tackle this again.
AR-15
Every gun owner in the country needs an AR-15 pattern rifle or pistol. Plain and simple. This is the most popular firearm in existence for the American populace for a reason. They’re reliable, parts are readily available, and they shoot common ammunition.
That being said, you have some soul searching to do because if you’re coming into this game late, chances are excellent that you won’t be able to buy a good amount of ammunition for your gun.
The standard ARs usually come in 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington and those specific rifle calibers are usually one of the first types to fly off the shelf when there is a run on ammo. And, while you may end up paying more in the long run for a rifle chambered in one of the other calibers they’re less commonly found in, it may still be a good idea to buy one of them, or, better yet, buy one lower receiver with two uppers.
That’s what I’ve done.
Your common multi-cal AR-15 lower is a generic piece and is what is considered to be the serialized gun. The upper can come in many different calibers. I’ve got 6.8 SPCII upper (with a matched barrel and bolt carrier group), and an upper chambered in 5.56 NATO (also with matched parts).
That way, while I’m spending a bit more money stocking two different calibers, I’ve got two different calibers I can use should it hit the fan. And it has, by the way. It has officially hit the fan.
Shotgun
I’m also a firm believer that every gun owner should own at least one shotgun. A shotgun is, for me, a last resort gun. If you’ve got one of the popular guages of shotgun, like 12 or 20, the ammo should be plentiful. In fact, a lot of the time, ammunition for shotguns is one of the last types to sell because they’re generally not as much fun to shoot.
In fact, a shotty can be quite the opposite of fun. They can be downright painful depending on your setup. Still, I’ve got a Mossberg 500 that’s setup to take sabot (pronounced say-bo) slugs that is absolutely devastating out to 100 yards or more, that is still quite capable of shooting bird and buck shot if needed.
Off-caliber handgun
If it gets so bad you’ll also wish you had a pistol you could carry around on your body. I USED to recommend people buy a 9mm pistol out of abundance of ammunition and overall affordability. As of right now in this climate I’m no longer recommending 9mm. The main reason why, is because people cannot find affordable 9mm ammunition right now.
So, what am I recommending to people?
My current recommendation for people is to buy a big 7 or 8 shot revolver chambered in 357 magnum like a S&W 627 PC. Why? Because they hold more ammunition than a snubby will AND because you can technically shoot 38 Special or .357 magnum in it meaning you can keep your eye out for both. Recoil on a 38 round is similar to a 9mm is, and doesn’t lose much ballistically.
And again, because you can buy two different types of less-common (than 9mm) ammunition, you’ll stand a better chance of actually finding some.
That about sums up my current recommendations for the best guns to have or buy in a SHTF situation like the one we’re currently in.