- Joined
- Mar 24, 2013
I did a search and haven't seen anything dedicated to this discussion. I've always thought it was a fun topic.
Lets talk about tips, tactics, weapons, and gear that would be useful for zombie survival.
My suggestions for a primary weapon in Zombie Survival/SHTF is something chambered in 5.56x45mm/.223 Rem and takes AR15/M16 magazines. The AR15 has become the most popular firearm available by a large margin. The vast majority of Law Enforcement and Government agencies issue the AR15 as a patrol rifle and most SWAT teams use select-fire versions like the M4 Carbine and Colt Commando. Of course the US Military issues the M16, M4, and other variants of the M16. Both the M16/Variants and AR15 chamber the same ammunition and take the same magazines. This makes finding reloads much easier and more abundant than any other weapon, a huge benefit in a zombie survival scenario. The Special Operations units of the Military issue updated versions of the M16 like the HK416, a gas piston variant of the M16. There are many other rifles that accept the M16/AR15 magazine and ammunition like the FN Mk16s SCAR, the Bushmaster ACR, the IWI Tavor, and many others. Even the Steyr AUG, my rifle of choice, can accept the AR magazine with a simple swap of the stock unit.
Bladed weapons are a must have. Avoid weapons like the Katana. Pop culture has engrained in our collective mind that the Katana is the ultimate be-all, end-all weapon when it comes to swords, but it requires years of practice to gain the skills needed to properly wield one without completely fucking it up. A better weapon would be some kind of two-handed, or one-and-a-half handed short sword. You want something light enough to be useable with one hand if needed, and short enough to be useable indoors. I recommend something like the Zombie Tools Deuce. A good, high quality machete is an excellent choice as well. Axes are useable as both a tool and a weapon. You may need to breech into a boarded up house or building in search of food, supplies, and ammunition. An axe would be a good tool for this kind of work. A variety of blades is useful, from a small pocket knife for delicate work, to a full size combat knife for utility work and cleaning game, up to a sword for lopping of zombie heads.
Clothing is also essential here. Things like high quality leather motorcycle jackets and pants will protect your body and extremities from bites. If it will save you from flaying the skin from your bones in a motorcycle wreck it will protect you from bite. Cheap leather will offer you some protection, but nowhere near what a quality jacket from a company like Icon Moto or Alpinestars. Under this protective layer should be another layer of durable clothing like denim or heavy cotton/poly-cotton twill like that found on military combat clothing. A tactical vest for carrying your spare rifle magazines and a small backpack for carrying tools, food, and other essentials is also a must-have
Shotguns have their place, but in no means should be your primary firearm. They offer lower capacity and are slower to reload than a quality self defense rifle and the recoil impulse, the "kick" of the weapon, is not for novices. The recoil will slow follow-up shots and will fatigue you much faster than a rifle like an AR15 with moderate recoil, higher capacity, longer range, and better accuracy. Shotguns are also not the "point in the general direction of enemy and pull trigger" weapon movies have taught us they are. Reloading speed can be overcome with magazine-fed shotguns like the Saiga-12 or VEPR 12, but you are still limited in the overall capacity of the weapon and how many magazines you can carry as they are much larger than a rifle mag. You still also have the recoil issue.
A good sidearm is a must. I suggest sticking to whatever the common sidearm for your local law enforcement uses. This is typically some form of GLOCK in either 9mm or .40 Smith and Wesson, though other rounds like .45 ACP or .357 SIG will be used. Another good option is the Beretta 92/M9 as it is the standard sidearm of the US Military and some law enforcement still carry them. Again, go with what is common in your area as it will make finding ammunition and magazines much easier for you.
I realize I'm writing this in a very serious tone, but I think this could be a fun topic. It will be interesting to see what weapons, gear, tips and tactics everyone will have. Feel free to post picture of what your preferred gear and load outs would be.
Lets talk about tips, tactics, weapons, and gear that would be useful for zombie survival.
My suggestions for a primary weapon in Zombie Survival/SHTF is something chambered in 5.56x45mm/.223 Rem and takes AR15/M16 magazines. The AR15 has become the most popular firearm available by a large margin. The vast majority of Law Enforcement and Government agencies issue the AR15 as a patrol rifle and most SWAT teams use select-fire versions like the M4 Carbine and Colt Commando. Of course the US Military issues the M16, M4, and other variants of the M16. Both the M16/Variants and AR15 chamber the same ammunition and take the same magazines. This makes finding reloads much easier and more abundant than any other weapon, a huge benefit in a zombie survival scenario. The Special Operations units of the Military issue updated versions of the M16 like the HK416, a gas piston variant of the M16. There are many other rifles that accept the M16/AR15 magazine and ammunition like the FN Mk16s SCAR, the Bushmaster ACR, the IWI Tavor, and many others. Even the Steyr AUG, my rifle of choice, can accept the AR magazine with a simple swap of the stock unit.
Bladed weapons are a must have. Avoid weapons like the Katana. Pop culture has engrained in our collective mind that the Katana is the ultimate be-all, end-all weapon when it comes to swords, but it requires years of practice to gain the skills needed to properly wield one without completely fucking it up. A better weapon would be some kind of two-handed, or one-and-a-half handed short sword. You want something light enough to be useable with one hand if needed, and short enough to be useable indoors. I recommend something like the Zombie Tools Deuce. A good, high quality machete is an excellent choice as well. Axes are useable as both a tool and a weapon. You may need to breech into a boarded up house or building in search of food, supplies, and ammunition. An axe would be a good tool for this kind of work. A variety of blades is useful, from a small pocket knife for delicate work, to a full size combat knife for utility work and cleaning game, up to a sword for lopping of zombie heads.
Clothing is also essential here. Things like high quality leather motorcycle jackets and pants will protect your body and extremities from bites. If it will save you from flaying the skin from your bones in a motorcycle wreck it will protect you from bite. Cheap leather will offer you some protection, but nowhere near what a quality jacket from a company like Icon Moto or Alpinestars. Under this protective layer should be another layer of durable clothing like denim or heavy cotton/poly-cotton twill like that found on military combat clothing. A tactical vest for carrying your spare rifle magazines and a small backpack for carrying tools, food, and other essentials is also a must-have
Shotguns have their place, but in no means should be your primary firearm. They offer lower capacity and are slower to reload than a quality self defense rifle and the recoil impulse, the "kick" of the weapon, is not for novices. The recoil will slow follow-up shots and will fatigue you much faster than a rifle like an AR15 with moderate recoil, higher capacity, longer range, and better accuracy. Shotguns are also not the "point in the general direction of enemy and pull trigger" weapon movies have taught us they are. Reloading speed can be overcome with magazine-fed shotguns like the Saiga-12 or VEPR 12, but you are still limited in the overall capacity of the weapon and how many magazines you can carry as they are much larger than a rifle mag. You still also have the recoil issue.
A good sidearm is a must. I suggest sticking to whatever the common sidearm for your local law enforcement uses. This is typically some form of GLOCK in either 9mm or .40 Smith and Wesson, though other rounds like .45 ACP or .357 SIG will be used. Another good option is the Beretta 92/M9 as it is the standard sidearm of the US Military and some law enforcement still carry them. Again, go with what is common in your area as it will make finding ammunition and magazines much easier for you.
I realize I'm writing this in a very serious tone, but I think this could be a fun topic. It will be interesting to see what weapons, gear, tips and tactics everyone will have. Feel free to post picture of what your preferred gear and load outs would be.
