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Fantasy, but might be fun to speculate.
Doc
Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
A well-known blogger asked readers to submit their ideas for the perfect combo of guns to take on a fantasy trek across pre-Columbian America. You can arm yourself with any two long guns and one handgun. You will be mounted with a pack animal so weight will not be a primary concern. You might have to defend yourself against hostiles, and you will need to feed yourself by hunting game.
What three guns would you choose? Of course, 250 years ago there was no ATF and no gun laws so if you really want that Thompson SMG it's no problem.
I thought about it and there's probably no one perfect response. Each person will have preferences and good arguments can be made for any number of different firearms. But I did come up with my selection.
I would quickly choose a 12 gauge shotgun (Mossberg 500 with a 24" barrel) with a few slug loads, a few more 00 buck loads, and mostly #6 shot loads for potting birds and small game while maintaining defensive capabilities as well. The second long gun is more of a puzzler.
A .22 rifle for small game? A battle rifle for defense? An accurate bolt gun (the rules of this game called for open sights, BTW)? I am thinking maybe a Winchester Trapper Model 94 in .44 Magnum. Handy, fast handling, powerful enough for hunting anything found in America (at reasonable ranges), and certainly capable of defense against small groups of attackers. I think I could live with any number of choices but this one appeals to me.
The handgun is another problem. truth is, if I have a powerful rifle and a shotgun I likely wouldn't have much need for a pistol. Maybe a really accurate .22 target pistol for small game gathering? A .44 Mag revolver to match the carbine might appeal to some but not me. If I have a rifle in that caliber why would I want a pistol that I can't shoot as well and holds fewer rounds? Maybe a purely SD pistol like a short .357 or a 1911. I can't really argue against such a choice except to note that I do have a rifle and a shotgun.
OK, to me the handgun would be back-up at best. I would not use it for any hunting or SD as a first choice but it would be nice to have a gun readily at hand when I must set the long guns aside to do chores, etc. So maybe a 2.5" S&W Model 19? A great last-ditch SD pistol and not so bulky and heavy as to be a real burden on the belt. There are other revolvers that would work as well but I like S&Ws and I already have a 2.5" 19. In fact, I already own all of the guns I have chosen.
There it is. A Winchester Trapper in .44 Magnum, a 24" Mossberg 500 and a snubby M19.
What would you choose?
What three guns would you choose? Of course, 250 years ago there was no ATF and no gun laws so if you really want that Thompson SMG it's no problem.
I thought about it and there's probably no one perfect response. Each person will have preferences and good arguments can be made for any number of different firearms. But I did come up with my selection.
I would quickly choose a 12 gauge shotgun (Mossberg 500 with a 24" barrel) with a few slug loads, a few more 00 buck loads, and mostly #6 shot loads for potting birds and small game while maintaining defensive capabilities as well. The second long gun is more of a puzzler.
A .22 rifle for small game? A battle rifle for defense? An accurate bolt gun (the rules of this game called for open sights, BTW)? I am thinking maybe a Winchester Trapper Model 94 in .44 Magnum. Handy, fast handling, powerful enough for hunting anything found in America (at reasonable ranges), and certainly capable of defense against small groups of attackers. I think I could live with any number of choices but this one appeals to me.
The handgun is another problem. truth is, if I have a powerful rifle and a shotgun I likely wouldn't have much need for a pistol. Maybe a really accurate .22 target pistol for small game gathering? A .44 Mag revolver to match the carbine might appeal to some but not me. If I have a rifle in that caliber why would I want a pistol that I can't shoot as well and holds fewer rounds? Maybe a purely SD pistol like a short .357 or a 1911. I can't really argue against such a choice except to note that I do have a rifle and a shotgun.
OK, to me the handgun would be back-up at best. I would not use it for any hunting or SD as a first choice but it would be nice to have a gun readily at hand when I must set the long guns aside to do chores, etc. So maybe a 2.5" S&W Model 19? A great last-ditch SD pistol and not so bulky and heavy as to be a real burden on the belt. There are other revolvers that would work as well but I like S&Ws and I already have a 2.5" 19. In fact, I already own all of the guns I have chosen.
There it is. A Winchester Trapper in .44 Magnum, a 24" Mossberg 500 and a snubby M19.
What would you choose?
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Too old to live...too young to die...
Too old to live...too young to die...
Comments
winchester 870 12gauge for shooting deer
and a 8 3/8 44 magnum for shooting pre-age politicians
[:o)]
A single action revolver and western holster for plinking and playing cowboy.
A Model 70 in 270 for food.
Most hunting would be done with bow, even if I had to trade the revolver for a good bow.
No slugs - a good portion of 000-Bukshot and a wide variety of regular shot.
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Magnum - Folding stock in .300WinMag(Heavy barrel) with Schmidt&Bender PM II scope 4-16x50 with Bryant Sights.
Glock 18 C with a few highcap magazines.
Cause if someone got too close for the rifle and doesn't respect the shotgun - I'd be sure to make them duck down with the handgun.
SPAs shotgun. assorted rds for hunting
holstered model 29 smith for up close and personal
IN CASE A BEAR ATTACKS[8D]
Remington 870 Express 12 Gauge 26" bbl
S&W 617 .22LR 6" bbl
The handgun is easy. It must be at hand, when the long gun is out of reach, and it must be capable of handling emergencies decisively, and it must be reliable. Smith & Wesson 66 or 686.
The rifle is harder. I would lean toward a scoped bolt action, but you say iron sights only. So, I would probably select a good semi-auto in .308 caliber. Maybe a FAL. The rifle would have to do double duty as a long range defense tool and a game getter.
Two extra pack mules for ammo. One extra pack mule for tools and parts.
2. S&W 60 .357 3"
3. G-3 ( HK-91 ) with a selector [:)]
2. Colt Green Label Hbar 5.56 AR-15
3. Gold Plated DE.50ae
1. M1 Garand
2. Ithaca Model 37 D.S. Police Special, 12 guage
3. S&W Model 27, .357 Magnum
FN/FAL
.22 Anschutz rifle with 4X scope
moss 500 24 inch bbl
ruger super redhawk .44 5.5inch bbl
7-shot semi-auto Benelli M1 Super 90 "Entry" model
Full Auto Glock 18C w/std.15 and 30 rnd clips
Then I'd take a p!ss before I left in order to pack up another box of ammunition.
Since there no gunsmiths around, and no ability to obtain spare parts, I'd want absolute reliability and ruggedness. Firepower isnt even a consideration since in pre-Columbus America *ANY* firearm would give you a massive firepower advantage over the natives! So I'd want stainless steel for everything and simple classic repeater actions (no semi-automatics).
Really the only point of the pistol is last ditch personal defense. For everything else, you'd use the rifle since its much more accurate and powerful. Game is plentiful, and there is no clearing anywhere. . .meaning shot distance is probably relatively short.
Again, keeping it maximally simple, you want common ammo between the wheelgun and rifle. That way you only have to worry about one kind and thats a tremendous boon in packing, transport, in case ammo gets lost, etc.
So that really only leaves one choice!
For handgun, a .44 magnum double action revolver (say Smith 629 with 6 inch barrel, Ruger Super Redhawk would work too), and for rifle, a decent lever .44 magnum in stainless steel.
For shotgun, any stainless over-under would work fine. If I could get a drilling with one or two shotgun barrels and one .44 mag rifle barrel that would be a pretty good choice too. Another option would be to completely forgo the shotgun, and carry two identical lever action rifles.
That way you have a duplicate rifle to cannibalize for spare parts should that become necessary, and you have an extra "New York reload" (extra fully loaded rifle) if things get REALLY hairy.
You could keep a few boxes of .44 magnum shotshells for the occasional close wingshot, or snakeshot.
If you want to take on the masses, diseased blankets would be your best bet.[V]
Ben
Milspec M14 w/ full auto capable on a Sage EBR Mk 14 stock and a long relief 2-7x32 scope and a Harris bi-pod, along with all equipment and ammo necissary for the rifle grenade. Semi auto for long range, large game hunting, full auto and grenade mode for self defence.
Desert Eagle .50 cal for self defence primarily, but also for hunting if the need should arise.
Anything bigger, like a minigun, as good an idea as it is, is just too heavy between the weapon, the batteries, and the ammount of ammo that would be required to make it effective over the long term.
Now an M60, or an M240B wouldn't be bad choices if you really wanted a full auto .308. If I couldn't have the M14 described above, I'd take my Savage Model 111C 30-06 bolt action and a lot of spare mags. Lets face it...5 rounds of 30-06 just isn't enough...ever. I'd like to design a 20 round mag for it...I think that'd be awesome.
1. Sprinfeild M1A1 National Match w/stainless bbl and quick mount scope bracket and a premium scope. (all steel parts anti-corrosion coated)
2. Savage model 24S-E, 12ga and 22LR combo rifle with composite stock and everything metal treated with Tuff-Cote or similar anti-rusting finish.
3. S&W Performance Center Model 627 , .357mag 8 SHOT , STAINLESS, , 5" BARREL, ADJUSTABLE night SIGHTS
Not one single .45 1911 has appeared.. I guess Vess1 is the only 9mm guy...There you have it. 9mm beats .45
The whole thing is kind of foolish, but i'm not going to let anybody get the idea that the 9mm is accpetable over the .45 Ever hear about Wavoca? he was a Paiute, and his followers were known a the Ghost Dancers. They wore a Ghost Shirt that was supposed to be impervious to bullets.
Apparently the rumor came about when Wavoca traded fifty horses to a St.Louis friend in exchange for a 9mm pistol. Wavoca tested his ghost Shirt with 9mm and the shirt stopped the bullets. Unfortunately troopers of the seventh cavalry at Wounded Knee were shooting .45 LC and .45-70 and the plucky but misinformed Ghost Dancers were mowed down like grass.
An M14 or M1A 308 with Quality variable power scope with quick detachable scope mounts and iron sights. Ammo loaded with bullets suitable for combat or beasts at close or long range.
A SS Smith and Wesson 629 mountain gun in 44 Magnum with a 4" bbl for ease of carry and a good selection of ammo loaded with bullets suited for man or beast, plus some 44 shotshells.
That should about cover it...........[^]
2. Lazer cannon
3. Photon torpedos
a mini gun for tribal defense.
Chit, you beat me to it.
I'd pick a 12-gauge, Mossberg 835 for my second LG.
For my handgun, I'd choose a 45 ACP. Why screw around with anything less reliable?
Not one single .45 1911 has appeared.. I guess Vess1 is the only 9mm guy...There you have it. 9mm beats .45
With the 2 afformentioned pieces, I can't imagine the pistol being for much more than show. Really in any of these cases. Go to machineguntours.com, scroll down and click on the video. Don't even watch. Just listen.... 1300 rpm emptying. I think just the sound from one 30 rnd clip of 9mm ripping off would be deterent enough for self defense.
I guess I didn't catch all the details to this thread either. This visit would be temporary or permanent? Might have to change my mind if it were more permanent.
S&W Mod 60, for self defense.
Reliable hardware, simplified ammo requirements (.38 spc or .357 mag when necessary), and both weapons are fairly light to carry, important for any extended trek through the wilderness.
If you really want to feed yourself, you can always use traps, or barter... bring whiskey?
As For me the old west had it pretty right,
Henry .44-40
Colt .44-40
some form of shotgun.
No autos as parts are scarce, and use the same ammo to eliminate confusion in the haste of reloading under pressure.
A .22 bolt action
A 1911
12 ga. pump - probably mossberg
45 pistol of some sort- probably a witness, maybe a 1911
I want a M1 Abrams Tank, weapon, transportation and buffalo herd all in one. Oh yeah...converted to run on maize oil (that's corn to you folks in the future).
Then when on foot patrol hunting rabbits and such, I'd like that minigun from Preditor, the one the Gov. carried. I guess I need some fantasy muscles to hump the 200# gun and the 400# ammo can, and the 100# power supply.
And lastly my Seecamp, just in case I want to hunt down a Mastadon. My one concession to reality...
...might take two shots.
is ammunition an issue?
I mean, you take a minigun that fires 6 billion rounds per second and you have to carry a buttload of ammo.
Me? I'd take a very good, reliable, accurate muzzle loader with good optics. I'd take a remington 870 12 guage and spend my ammo on it. the handgun would be a 9mm 1911.