Whats your "Zombie Apocalypse" Weapon Setup?

[foxx]

I've been reading some, and decided to give my $.02 before finishing.

I'm not against the "Cowboy" idea, I find that revolvers and leverguns are very appealing. But not my first choice WTSHTF.

There's not much point in carrying two guns of the same caliber, with one lever rifle, and one revolver. A .357 will only go so much farther from a rifle than a pistol. Might as well lose the rifle, and get a stock for the revolver. That'd get rid of a lot of weight.

Recently, I read some test results comparing a 4" revolver to an 18" lever gun, both in .357 Magnum. The same ammo was being used, and the velocity was quite higher with the longer barrel. I wish I could find the article, I thought it was on the Chuck Hawks, but I can't find it there.
Anyway, the 4" barrel was getting speeds of 1250 fps or so, while the 18" lever rifle was reaching speeds of about 2000fps. The reason cowboys carried the two is to have the reach. The lever gun will allow you more accuracy over greater distances. What if your buddy needs help and you are 100yrds away? What if you see some four legged food at 150yrds away? I love my .357 mag revolver, but I can't shoot that well with it. Give me the rifle, and I'll have a chance.
The other advantage is the shared ammo. You'll have both guns to use until you're out of ammo. With two different calibers, you may need the gun that is out of ammo. With the Cowboy setup, you'll always have both guns to shoot.

[BaneOf]

Unless you run out of that ammo, of course.

Although you are in danger of running out of other ammo. But with assorted calibers, your chances of being able to use any ammo you pick up or find are doubled.

And as for distance, a dedicated rifle caliber would have a pistol caliber fired from a lever gun beat.

ALSO... When the real SHTF, and you're being swarmed, would you rather have a ten shot levergun, and a six shot revolver at your side? Or a .223 30 shot rifle, that reloads from clips, and an auto pistol, also reloading from clips.

Although, something interesting. If TS keeps HTF, and you run out of pre loaded clips from a pistol, I'd rather have a revolver as a holdout, so I could at least load me loose rounds faster than loading a clip.

Although for that, I'd prefer three guns in three different calibers.

[foxx]

Baneof,
I was just pointing out that if all you have is a handgun caliber, then a lever gun will have more power than just adding a stock to the revolver.
I'd always rather have a larger rifle caliber than a lever gun that shares my handgun cal. Then again, I'd rather have the right gun for the job, with ammo. Just depends on how the $hit hits the fan, how much ammo you have for which gun.
I don't own a rifle ATM. For cost, I could get a .357 mag lever gun for less than other rifles, and be better off than having no rifle. Seems to me that a cheap lever rifle would work better than a cheap AR, as far as reliability. Maybe a cheap AK-47 would be the more reliable "cheap" longarm. IDK, I'm still trying to figure out which way to go, for me.
My priority was to cover the closest range, and work my way out. I'm still looking into running shoes!

[BaneOf]

I wasn't intending to be a douche about it, just addressing what OP had said. One of his(or her) concerns was the weight of multiple ammo types. Why not get both worlds with a mare's leg carbine?

And, of course, having a choice of guns would be best.

[foxx]

No worries man, I didn't take in a bad way. I just was making sure to point out the difference in power once you lengthen the barrel. It's a big difference.
But, sure all of these options have their pros and cons. The PAW will sort out the best approach for each of us.
I just hope to find the right ammo along the way.

[Big Gulp]

Just for the record, they are MAGAZINES not CLIPS

Sorry I had to get that off of my chest. The Drill Sergeant in me can't let that go

It is great to be as prepared as possible with what you can afford and have access to. I am armed to the teeth with some of the finest weapons that modern technology has to offer.(that were within my credit limit)

The Navy SEALS have a great a great attitude that is reflected in the way they train and fight. "One mind, any weapon"

Be prepared to not only scavenge for the ammo you need but for weapons that are not needed by their previous owners. Usually the guys with the high dollar weapons are not the best fighters.
I personally own very popular weapons that use equally popular ammo. ie... AR 15- 5.56, Remington 870 - 12 gauge, Remington 700 - .308win, Sig 220 - .45 acp, Sig 229 - 9mm, Ruger 10/22 - .22 lr and a Browning Buck Mark - .22 lr. The more popular the type of weapon and ammo the more readily available the parts and ammo. Theoretically, if you have survived the initial outbreak/disaster because of your mad skills than there should be a smorgasbord of weapons and ammo out there to acquire from the schmoes that were not prepared. Maybe the Zombies themselves are armed. Find cops, soldiers and mall ninjas that have been turned and there is a walking resupply.

[jrswanson1]

Baneof,
I was just pointing out that if all you have is a handgun caliber, then a lever gun will have more power than just adding a stock to the revolver.
I'd always rather have a larger rifle caliber than a lever gun that shares my handgun cal. Then again, I'd rather have the right gun for the job, with ammo. Just depends on how the $hit hits the fan, how much ammo you have for which gun.
I don't own a rifle ATM. For cost, I could get a .357 mag lever gun for less than other rifles, and be better off than having no rifle. Seems to me that a cheap lever rifle would work better than a cheap AR, as far as reliability. Maybe a cheap AK-47 would be the more reliable "cheap" longarm. IDK, I'm still trying to figure out which way to go, for me.
My priority was to cover the closest range, and work my way out. I'm still looking into running shoes!

Having priced new lever guns, there aren't any "inexpensive" .357s left. $500 for a used Winchester 94 in .357? Anyway, you can order a Saiga rifle in 7.62x39 or 5.45x39 for $299 + shipping and transfer fees depending on where you are.

Jim

[Neville]

I have a few options...

I'm in the process of upgrading my ZA loadout. One of my favorites from times past was my GP-100 .357 revolver and Timberwolf pump carbine (also .357). I still think these are good guns... but the reload factor leaves something to be desired. Still, it's a good solid combo for Zed work. Pistol for up close and tight quarters agility, and long-gun for reach-out-and-touch-someone range.

I also like my CZ 75b 9mm and M1 .30 Carbine. That addresses the reload factor, and is still pretty close to ideal for shambler takedown. Still, the ammo commonality is missing, so if one gun is lost or becomes inoperable, you just wasted all that ammo which you now may as well dump. If that happens, you just lost half your ammo as well as half your guns.

I found what I think may be the perfect combo for me. I'm currently working on getting set up with a .40 CZ75b and Kel Tec Sub 2000 also in .40. The KT S2K is the Beretta model, and I have been told that if you swap in the SIG-compatible mag release (free part available from Kel Tec) then it will accept CZ magazines. I think this would be about as close to perfect as I will ever need for going toe to toe with the undead. No one will argue that .40 is insufficient for head or spinal shots. And few would claim it is overkill, although there are arguably smaller rounds that will do the job if circumstances are favorable, there is something lacking when it comes to the solidity of the performance of those rounds when circumstances are less than ideal. .40 is beyond all reasonable doubt, sufficient to the task. Using the same round for long-gun and handgun preserves the versatility of both, and takes advantage of shared ammo and magazines, a huge benefit if one gun goes down on you.

[TDW586]

The Navy SEALS have a great a great attitude that is reflected in the way they train and fight. "One mind, any weapon"

Just a quick correction, that's a USMC saying, not SEALs. It's the motto of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Semper Fi, oorah, out.

[Big Gulp]

The Navy SEALS have a great a great attitude that is reflected in the way they train and fight. "One mind, any weapon"

Just a quick correction, that's a USMC saying, not SEALs. It's the motto of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Semper Fi, oorah, out.

I heard it from a SEAL... the Marines do get everything from the Navy!

[Kelvar]

Just for the record, they are MAGAZINES not CLIPS

Sorry I had to get that off of my chest. The Drill Sergeant in me can't let that go

It is great to be as prepared as possible with what you can afford and have access to. I am armed to the teeth with some of the finest weapons that modern technology has to offer.(that were within my credit limit)

The Navy SEALS have a great a great attitude that is reflected in the way they train and fight. "One mind, any weapon"

Be prepared to not only scavenge for the ammo you need but for weapons that are not needed by their previous owners. Usually the guys with the high dollar weapons are not the best fighters.
I personally own very popular weapons that use equally popular ammo. ie... AR 15- 5.56, Remington 870 - 12 gauge, Remington 700 - .308win, Sig 220 - .45 acp, Sig 229 - 9mm, Ruger 10/22 - .22 lr and a Browning Buck Mark - .22 lr. The more popular the type of weapon and ammo the more readily available the parts and ammo. Theoretically, if you have survived the initial outbreak/disaster because of your mad skills than there should be a smorgasbord of weapons and ammo out there to acquire from the schmoes that were not prepared. Maybe the Zombies themselves are armed. Find cops, soldiers and mall ninjas that have been turned and there is a walking resupply.

Well, you are right about one thing--they *are* magazines, not "clips." But the rest of your post is a "soup sandwich."

Since you're new here, I'm just going to give you this warning here, unofficially, but as a reminder to others, as well.
First, before you post again on the ZS forums, I have to insist that you read The Rules, located here:
http://www.zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=19895

From now on, being new will not be a reason to break the rules.

Here's part of the problem: "Be prepared to not only scavenge for the ammo you need but for weapons. . ." First of all, as you hopefully know, this is a site about emergency and disaster preparedness. (And we like talking about zombies). Posts in this part of the forum sometimes get a pass, because we're starting with a fun, but fictional, premise. This crosses the line though. Saying "Be prepared...to scavenge" is inherently contradictory. If you are sufficiently prepared, you won't feel compelled to "scavenge." "Scavenging" is what immoral and/or unethical people do because they didn't bother to prepare. More problematic for ZS and our rules is that taking things that don't belong to you is not "scavenging," it is stealing. (I'm a lawyer, I know these things). Please see Rule #1. That's numero uno. "No discussion of illegal activities as a viable option." So, the problem is that your post violates rule #1, but it also goes against the spirit of what we're about--we prepare. We prepare so we can help ourselves, our families, maybe even our friends and neighbors to the extent we can. We certainly don't "plan" on stealing from other people--living, dead or undead.

Second, it is great that you have some nice weapons in "common" calibers--that means that it should be (somewhat) less expensive to buy your ammo now--*before* you need it--rather than having to become a dirty looter and steal it from others. If you're saying it is a good idea so you can loot the ammo you want from other people or corpses, see Rule #1. More importantly, while it is great that you have these cool guns, ask yourself, "How much food do I have put away? How much water? How many diapers & wipes (if you have a baby)? How squared away is my first aid kit? Do my flashlights have fresh batteries? Do I have a well thought-out Bug-out bag if the unthinkable should happen and I have to leave my home. Are my official documents in order? Do I know where a copy of my insurance policy is and my agent's number if I have to file a claim? Do I have enough hygiene gear on hand to stay comfortable and healthy for an extended period of time? Can I keep my family fed and hydrated for a week (or more, hopefully) if we can't leave the house or if the grocery stores are closed?"

For most disasters, these questions are going to be much, *much* more important than having the latest military hardware on hand. Think about the most likely disasters for your area and plan for them accordingly.

Here's another problem: "Theoretically, if you have survived the initial outbreak/disaster because of your mad skills than there should be a smorgasbord of weapons and ammo out there to acquire from the schmoes that were not prepared."
This sentence is a trainwreck. Where to begin? Let's see, number one, maybe there's a chance you survived simply due to dumb luck, rather than "mad skills." Also, what are the odds of there really being a "smorgasbord" of other people's weapon and ammo? Again, taking such things is a crime, but how do you know some other looters won't beat you to it? If you were a Drill Sergeant, I'm sure you know that Honor and Integrity are vital parts of the Army Values.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LDRSHIP

Also, given that our purpose at ZS is to spread knowledge about the importance of preparedness and to (hopefully) intoduce more and more unprepared people to the notion that they, too, should be prepared, we don't refer to the unprepared with name-calling. Educate, don't denigrate, hooah? So we don't call them "schmoes" or "sheep" or anything like that. Call them "the unprepared" if you must, or, hopefully, "future ZS members."

Also, using the word "acquire" doesn't change the fact that it is really stealing.

Anyway, this is meant as much for you as for everyone. Remember the rules, folks--they *do* still apply, even in ZCT.

For the record, I like firearms as much as anyone, and I have some pretty nice ones, too, but there's a lot more involved in being prepared, as you probably know.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me or any other moderator to discuss.

Kelvar

P.S. The Army rocks.

P.P.S. Happy Decemberween!

[Dogan]

Yes, .22LR will be useless agianst medium or large game animals. Just somehting I've been thinking about. Any advice is appreciated.

IIRC, taking a shot, base of the skull, straight below the ear should drop a deer like a sack of potatoes, even with a .22.

So I suppose the old "shot placement" arguement goes here. Within reason and range, obviously.

[Theholybull]

Maybe I'm wrong here but if the whole world is dead and you find some ammo on a corpse that's not looting. If ths zombie apocalypse does in fact happen then even the most well prepared will eventually have to resupply food, water, ammo, ect. He wasn't talking about Loading up on laptops, he understands in a post apocalyptic world rules will change.

"Oh there's a wrecked ambulance there and there are some needles in there I could use to inject my insulin. I have been using the same one for six weeks, na I won't get a new sharp one that's looting. Maybe a zombie cop I'll arrest me!"

The world has ended, it ain't stealing if the owner and all the owners family are dead. Besides if it's on a dead soldier you can claim it as yours because your tax dollars paid for it. You know and I know the military has better weapons than most of us have and can afford. If they are just laying there rotting away, the crime would be not to take them.

[Dogan]

*ahem* @TheHolyBull: In my story I'm writing, In Defense of The Hive, the main character "loots", but as payment, if he finds the owner/any bodies in the building he's looting, he buries them as best he can or burns them, as a way of posthumous payment. Respect for the dead, and all that.

There's looting, there's scavenging, and neither are discussed here, outside of the Fiction subforum. Period. It's in the rules.

[squinty]

Maybe I'm wrong here but if the whole world is dead and you find some ammo on a corpse that's not looting. If ths zombie apocalypse does in fact happen then even the most well prepared will eventually have to resupply food, water, ammo, ect. He wasn't talking about Loading up on laptops, he understands in a post apocalyptic world rules will change.

"Oh there's a wrecked ambulance there and there are some needles in there I could use to inject my insulin. I have been using the same one for six weeks, na I won't get a new sharp one that's looting. Maybe a zombie cop I'll arrest me!"

The world has ended, it ain't stealing if the owner and all the owners family are dead. Besides if it's on a dead soldier you can claim it as yours because your tax dollars paid for it. You know and I know the military has better weapons than most of us have and can afford. If they are just laying there rotting away, the crime would be not to take them.

Welcome to the mildly schizophrenic ZombieSquad. They like Zombie movies, they like to fantasize about how we'd cope if the tide of undead rose and threatened to overwhelm us. So far so good.
BUT...the sight also bills itself as an information clearinghouse for discussing actual REAL WORLD disaster prep. There won't be a real Zombie Apocalypse, but there are actual disasters, and ZS talks about how to survive the real thing as well (the ZA is sort of a metaphor for 'the worst of the worst disaster.') When you start to talk about 'scavenging' from victims in the context of real world disasters, the sight runs into legal trouble because it then seems to be advocating 'looting' or theft - and think about how well such scavenging expeditions worked out for people in some real disasters, and how legal their actions were. The people who sponsor the sight do so because Zombie Squad is also a charity. The sight could lose it's charitable status, and it's funding, if it became a source of advice for how to loot or scavenge or do other illegal things.

None of this is to pass moral judgement on you, or to dismiss the idea that moral grey areas exist wrt property and the preservation of life, nor an attempt to dictate the kind of choices you make in your own life. It's just an explanation of why certain things don't get talked about here.

[Theholybull]

Forgive me, I tend to look at the zombie apocalypse as fiction. Anything spoken about one here in my mind is as such. I am Also writing zombie fiction, and this may be why I am in this state of mind. I don't condone stealing, I never would. I work too hard for my things and wouldnt want anyone to take anything of mine I sure as hell ain't taking anyone else's.

Back on topic,

Sig mosquito 4 10 round mags
Marlin model 60. 18 round mag tube
Bond arms. .45/410 derringer w/.410 3" buckshot loads
Henry mares leg .22 10 rd mag tube
Custom mower blade machete

I have larger caliber weapons but .22 should be more than enough to stop the undead. The derringer is my current ccw and is easily hidden. Never know when some deviant may come along, good to have a back up. If I'm staying home the SKS and .40 cal ruger wil be in my arsenal as well. It's just too hard to carry that much weight and move fast. I think the op has the right idea, one well rounded caliber should do well.

[squinty]

Forgive me, I tend to look at the zombie apocalypse as fiction. Anything spoken about one here in my mind is as such. I am Also writing zombie fiction, and this may be why I am in this state of mind. I don't condone stealing, I never would. I work too hard for my things and wouldnt want anyone to take anything of mine I sure as hell ain't taking anyone else's.

Back on topic,

Sig mosquito 4 10 round mags
Marlin model 60. 18 round mag tube
Bond arms. .45/410 derringer w/.410 3" buckshot loads
Henry mares leg .22 10 rd mag tube
Custom mower blade machete

I have larger caliber weapons but .22 should be more than enough to stop the undead. The derringer is my current ccw and is easily hidden. Never know when some deviant may come along, good to have a back up. If I'm staying home the SKS and .40 cal ruger wil be in my arsenal as well. It's just too hard to carry that much weight and move fast. I think the op has the right idea, one well rounded caliber should do well.

I don't think you need to ask forgiveness. Like I said, there's a schizophrenic quality to the sight, and that can trip people up pretty easily - especially since the "scavenging in the ruins" scene is a time honored staple - almost a requirement - of not just zombie movies, but all apocalyptic fiction. I can't think of a PAW type movie that didn't feature some example of lifting supplies off dead people or looting deserted stores, from the gun store scene in the original Dawn of the Dead to Denzel Washington taking a dead man's boots near the beginning of Book of Eli. Contrast that with people who "scavenged" in New Orleans post Katrina, though, and you see why appearances become important on a public forum.

I agree that shuffling, headshot-sensitive zombies with squishy melons ought to fall from .22 lr rounds. I'd like the extra range I'd get from .223 or other centerfire caliber though. It's separate calibers for me, in my case .223 and a .45, though that might get modified to 12 gauge and a .45 'cause my rifle isn't the best choice for lugging around or moving quickly from target to target.

I've got a .44 mag revolver, and with practice I'm surprised at how far out I can make accurate shots with it, but my hands would get worn out and even maybe injured (joint problems) pretty quick if I had to rely on the .44 for any length of time as a defensive weapon against hordes of undead. That's another plus for your .22 I guess. Not the most effective caliber by a long shot, but easy to carry and it won't beat your hands up. Whereas I could easily imagine my hands going numb after a prolonged bout of Zombie defense, and my accuracy and dexterity shitting the bed as a result. The zeds break in and gnaw my noggin' as I frantically try to ice my hand to quell the swelling...

[BaneOf]

Even if it's not squishy zombies, a half dozen or so shots from a .22 to the pelvic area will most likely tear enough up, or break enough bone so they can only crawl toward you.


My set up would be, if I at least had a vehicle, if not some sort of base:

My H&K P30 9mm pistol. Reliable and I like it.
My Marlin .22.
Short machete.
Ka-Bar.
And I'm still looking into getting a more powerful long gun. Most likely a .308, or a 7.63x39.

[PackLemming]

12.ga & molotovs

[squinty]

Even if it's not squishy zombies, a half dozen or so shots from a .22 to the pelvic area will most likely tear enough up, or break enough bone so they can only crawl toward you.


My set up would be, if I at least had a vehicle, if not some sort of base:

My H&K P30 9mm pistol. Reliable and I like it.
My Marlin .22.
Short machete.
Ka-Bar.
And I'm still looking into getting a more powerful long gun. Most likely a .308, or a 7.63x39.

.222 lr won't break pelvic bone. Might puncture femoral arteries.

[foxx]

Even if it's not squishy zombies, a half dozen or so shots from a .22 to the pelvic area will most likely tear enough up, or break enough bone so they can only crawl toward you.


My set up would be, if I at least had a vehicle, if not some sort of base:

My H&K P30 9mm pistol. Reliable and I like it.
My Marlin .22.
Short machete.
Ka-Bar.
And I'm still looking into getting a more powerful long gun. Most likely a .308, or a 7.63x39.

.222 lr won't break pelvic bone. Might puncture femoral arteries.

I agree, a larger caliber is needed to do that. There's certain cases where the .22lr has killed a person, but did it stop them? How long before they died? If you're an excellent marksman while under stress, then maybe you'll do alright, with precise headshots. I want something with more punch, I want the pelvis shattered on the first shot. I can run away from a crawling zombie.
I like shooting .22lr for target shooting, but I'll keep my .357 magnum and my 9mm for defense.

[Theholybull]

The bones will become brittle over time causing them to shatter much easier, milk does a body good but being not dead does it better. While .22 may be a little underwhelming at the beginning it will work better as the undead begin to decay. Untill then the derringer (Mr. Blasty) will do all my pelvis shattering.

[MandoMan7]

while lever actions and revolvers might not be tacticle, the Cowboy Concept still has weight. personally my "shared cal" combo would be a 45. Colt 1911, and a 45. M1 Carbine, comando style with the folding buttstock for close work if possible. An M9/P90 combo would be good too, but you cant freak out and put an M1 on full auto like you could with a P90.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

while lever actions and revolvers might not be tacticle, the Cowboy Concept still has weight. personally my "shared cal" combo would be a 45. Colt 1911, and a 45. M1 Carbine, comando style with the folding buttstock for close work if possible. An M9/P90 combo would be good too, but you cant freak out and put an M1 on full auto like you could with a P90.

What the fuck?

M1 Carbines are chambered in .30 Carbine. The entire action rifle would have to be remanufactured. Barrel, bolt, gas system, magazines, ejectors...I think you might be able to hang on to the stock and sights, although the sights wouldn't be useful at that point, since the flight pattern is different.

The M9 is a 9mm pistol, and the P90 is a 5.7mm. The M9 is also kind of meh as pistols go. Also, unless you're a LEO or a Class III dealer with a dealer sample, there is no temptation to go full retard with a PS90 (the civvy version).