Is one enough .

[SHOOTALL]

After the one gun debate ( no clear winner ) lets talk about a collection of useful guns . lets limit it to 4 . If someone wishes to add more than 4 list the most useful 3 first . A combo gun is still one gun . State why you choose what you do .
a M1-A  . A 12 ga. pump would offer protection and food gathering and a 1911 in 10 mm or 45acp with a 22 adapter would be nice . 4th gun a 22rf  bolt action rifle for small game and pest control.

[SHOOTALL]

sorry please change the 3 to a four thank you !

[Oldshooter]

 35 Rem lever- cause I like it
 12 gauge shotgun- so versatile
 22 lever- handy
 223 semi auto- cause it will make a riot go away

I may opt for the 308 bolt instead of the 35 rem but I dunno right now it would be a tuff decision to make.

I forgot the 45 auto but I will hide that from you so you wont know! 

[Bigeasy]

OK, 4 guns...

1) A 12ga pump with an extended magazine tube, peep sights, and mounted flashlght.  A good big game weapon up close with slugs, small game with bird shot, and an excellent close range self defence weapon with buck shot.

2)  A Ruger 10-22 rifle with a good scope, back up peep sights, and a box of spare magazines.  Ultra reliable, parts and ammo available everywere.  Perfect for gathering small game and birds of all types, and nothing to laugh at in skilled hands for self defence.

3)  A Scope sighted Mauser or Remington bolt action with back up peep sights in 308 Win.  Reliable, parts and ammo available everywere.  Can be used to kill any animal at any reasonible range, and be used to keep 2 legged varmints at bay.  A good military type semi-auto could be subsituted, but for really close up, un expected combat, the shotgun rules.  Living to see another day is paramount, and at anything past shotgun ranges, you should be trying to get out of dodge...Not staying to fight a rifle range firefight.

4)  A Glock #19.  Again, reliable, common and effective ammo available.  To be kept on ones person, along with 2 spare mags, at  ALL TIMES.  Forget about handgun hunting, thats what the other stuff is better suited for, this is your last ditch save your bacon tool when things suddenly and without notice, go bad.

I would be sure to stock up on spare parts, magazines, and plenty of ammo for each of the above.  A good night vision scope, and binoc's would also be of great value..

Larry

[mcwoodduck]

Four guns.

22 Lr handgun.  (Are you good with a hand gun?)  If not a 22 rifle.
A 12ga shotgun.  Pref a pump 18 to 20" (meat gun.  Birds, small game, as well as biggame)
308 or 30-06 bolt rifle. Big game and presicion
and a wonder gun.  223 or 7.62X39 (ranch protection)

[mannyrock]

   Very hard to argue with someone who chooses a Vanilla Four:

    1.  .22 lr rifle (lever, pump or semi-auto).

    2.   .308 or .30-06 rifle (preferably in semi-auto)

    3.   12 gauge pump or semi-auto.

    4.   9mm or .45 pistol

    Universal ammo availability.  I believe that in a moment of weakness, Jeff Cooper lamented that these four cartridges would be all that anyone in North America would really need anyway.

[pab1]

1. 4" Redhawk .44 mag w/holster carried strongside for defense and close range big game

2. 5.5" Single-Six .22lr w/holster carried crossdraw for small game and last ditch defense

3. 10" Contender Scoped w/Burris2-7 Ballistic Plex .44 mag carried in shoulder holster for big game

4. 18" Remington 870 12 Ga with sling, extended magazine and side saddle for defense and big/small game

My list is assuming you had to remain mobile, possibly without transportation. Being a handgun hunter, handguns tend to dominate my list. I often carry 1-3 on my list on multi-day backpack hunts with no problems other than when my belt is undone to answer natures call. Having two guns in the same caliber will cut down on the amount of ammo to be carried. The 4" Redhawk is strong and dependable. Its accurate enough for big game and defense out to 75+ yards. My Single-Six is a great 30 yard small game gun. My 10" Contender with the Burris BP scope can reach out to 300+ yards for long range defense and work well for big game out to 150+ yards. I only limit the effective hunting range for ethical shot placement on game. I would want a mix of shot, 00 buck and slugs for the 12 gauge to cover both defense and big/small game. My 15" Encore in .308 with a 2-7 Burris BP scope was a close 2nd to the 10" .44 mag.  Its flatter trajectory would help with accurate shot placement in open terrain, but for wooded terrain I prefer the Contender. 

[Bart Solo]

It depends on what you are trying to do. 

If I were going to survive in a cabin in the wilderness and I could buy new, I would say my three guns would include either a Redhawk or a Blackhawk in 454 Casull, a lever action rifle in 30-30 and a 12 gauge shotgun.  I might throw in a .22 for good measure. 

I have been reading a lot about the frontier and cowboys of late. Many of them liked a common round for rifle and pistol.  That makes a lot of sense to me.   Were I to visit my own safe I would pull out one of my Vaqueros and my 1892 Winchester clone, both in 45 LC.  I would also pull out my Remington 870 in 12 gauge. Of course, 44 mag might be the smartest caliber of all but I can't find any old model Vaqueros in 44 mag.   

[SHOOTALL]

trying to survive /exist for the rest of your life with choices in what ever comes along .

[mcwoodduck]

Last night I was digging through the vault and started to think of what I would do for only 4 guns in a survival situation.
I came to the conclusion after hauling out 2 or 3 dozen combinations going from high end to as cheap as possible.
Also i started to think of what area I would want the guns for.  here in commie occupied N. CA, Open Southern CA, or back in NC where the family has a farm.  Every time I shifted area my mix shifted.
I think you need to look at what game you have in your area and pick appropiate calibers for that.
What dangers are you going to have from preditors, two and four legged and how severe.
Are you good with a handgun or would you be better served having something else. or spending that $ on ammo for other guns you already have.

[45-70.gov]

357mag  640 smith  2 inch      more accuratethan you might  think  .. it never leaves my pocket....ever
44 mag smith 629  5 inch......very ccurate will  kill anything  and  i just like it the most......with  me often

ar-15  from  smith performance center.......most accurate gun  i own    30 shot clips you know the rest...
                    it also has red dot on topp of 4x12 nikon for  the night......lazer and flashlight

got  to have  a 12gage......undecided between double or pump

[Badnews Bob]

The only one that always come to hand would be my ruger GP 100, I can't make up my mind out of the other 40 or so I have now.

[teamnelson]

mcwoodduck hits it on the nose. You need to factor where you are, and what you have on hand. Chances are you (if you're on GBO) have all you need, except enough ammo. I also think about what I'll probably scrounge in my travels, and what I can drop early on.

pab1, I'm a pistolero myself so Taurus 94 .22 5" crossdraw, S&W 627 .357 5" strong side, .223 on the Contender, and a 12 pump. The 12 pump is the least critical to me and most likely to be dropped early.

[pab1]

The 12 pump is the least critical to me and most likely to be dropped early.

I agree. I might even prefer a good longbow with a supply of arrows as my 4th "gun". Its a great tool for both big and small game that doesn't announce to the world your presence when you take a shot.

[dpe.ahoy]

To damn hard to do, the brain shuts down when ever I try to narrow it down to just 4.  I have revolvers and rifles in 357,44 mag, 45 colt and 454 casull, so one of those combo's.  Then a longer range rifle, I like 7mm's and a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun.  DP

[Swampman]

One NEF 20 gauge single shot.  It's all I need and all I can carry/feed.  A .30-30 carbine would be nice if it were possible to carry & feed 2 guns.

I wouldn't even consider a semi-auto.

[gypsyman]

NO.1--AR-15,scoped,self defense,or hunting
NO.2--Ruger 10-22,short range,self defense,or hunting
NO.3--Savage Model 10,mine is in .270, but caliber of your choice
NO.4--1911 in .45,self defense,although I'm slowly changing my mind to my S&W M/P in .40. Getting more confidence in it,plus, 45 shots in 3 mags, don't really want to be in a position to need that many, but comforting to know you have that many. gypsyman

[Dee]

One NEF 20 gauge single shot.  It's all I need and all I can carry/feed.  A .30-30 carbine would be nice if it were possible to carry & feed 2 guns.

This concept has merit, but I would opt for 12 gauge, as it IS the most prevalent in this country. The 3030? Why not? It also is part of the American backbone, and has been around since 1895.
For long term survival, one must look seriously at ANY magazine fed weapon. Can it be fed manually if the magazines are lost or damaged. Also MOVING PARTS should be taken into account LONG TERM.
Given the notion LONG TERM, I would have to heavily consider Swamper's theory. It could be the way to go.
Even Jeff Cooper said: Beware of the man with one rifle. He usually hits what he shoots at. Much merit there also.
In a survival scenario, all game laws, and sportsmanship are out the door. As a kid I used to SKILLET SHOOT QUAIL, when they were caught on the ground in a bunch. SKILLET SHOOTING was and is very productive. A pump shotgun will indeed do it all when properly loaded. AND, is not finicky in the way of loads that are light, OR OLD!

[PartsMan]

How much ammo are you guys planning on carrying? A year or two worth of 20-12g is pretty heavy.

Pound for pound a 22lr and its ammo will get you more food than anything.

Give me a 22 rifle bolt or single shot for every day game.
Then a 357 for protection and bigger game.

If I was holed up in a cabin then I would want a 30/30 and a 12g also.

[Cornbelt]

My choices would be: 8m/m Jap Nambu pistol,  .32 rimfire derringer,  .32 rimfire rifle, and .75 smoothebore arquebus.  The reason is simple; no woods around here big enough to get lost in, and anyone I meet will probably be doing what I'm doing. While I don't mind passing the time of day, I don't want to have to listen to a harrangue about him needing to borrow either guns or ammo. I don't think I'd have to.

[woodchukhntr]

12 Ga. pump shotgun with short barrel & interchangable chokes.  All kind of load options here.

.30-06 or .308 bolt action rifle with blind magazine (no magazine to get lost).  Common caliber, big enough for anything, can reach out and touch something, if you reload it can be loaded down.

.22/20 ga. or .22 mag./20 ga. combination gun.  Good all around gun, fills small game requirements.  A .22 rifle can be substituted.

.357 mag. revolver.  Good power, carriability  & all around versatility.

[Dee]

How much ammo are you guys planning on carrying? A year or two worth of 20-12g is pretty heavy.

Pound for pound a 22lr and its ammo will get you more food than anything.

Give me a 22 rifle bolt or single shot for every day game.
Then a 357 for protection and bigger game.

If I was holed up in a cabin then I would want a 30/30 and a 12g also.

Partsman, is it realistic to carry every round of ammo you own around with you at all times? Have you not thought of caches? To do the former would be not only laborious but, risky to the possibility of loss, damage, or confiscation.

[PartsMan]

I was thinking of me. The only reason I would cut back on guns is if I had to leave my home(gun safe) to survive.
At a shot or two a day just for meat I would rather carry a years worth of 22 than a months worth of 12g.
Even it I don't carry it on me all the time. It will have to be transported at some point.

If I am holed up in my house then I have all my guns.

[Swampman]

I have a friend that small game hunts with a .22 lever action.  He never kills anything because they never stop moving.  I always get my tree rats.

[SHOOTALL]

in bad times ( REAL BAD )one could consider the way the Gen MOSBY operated . he took what he need from his enemy as he needed it .

[Swampman]

Very much a part of my plan.

Use what you have to take what you need.

[Bart Solo]

If you are only wanting food, a dead fall trap or three will get you more than just about anything without wasting ammunition. Instead of a brick of bullets, you would be well advised to bring a jar of peanut butter. 

[SHOOTALL]

i figure a knife will be the most important tool one could have

[Dee]

If you are only wanting food, a dead fall trap or three will get you more than just about anything without wasting ammunition. Instead of a brick of bullets, you would be well advised to bring a jar of peanut butter. 

With that though Bart, why not a few MODIFIED rat traps to go with the peanut butter? It is like a fish trap. It fishes even while you sleep. Game Wardens be damned of course.

[SHOOTALL]

or the cook tent of your enemy ? got to be better than rat ?