Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Just one gun

A "what if" scenario. Think of it as the basis for a fictional book about the US in the not too distant future. It's just a fantasy, k?

The idea will probably rile many members of the campfire, but please stay focused. It's only a story. Pretend that you're contributing ideas to some scriptwriter for the movie of the week.

Here's the situation: Some leftist government has come to power. They allow hunting, but it is strictly controlled, as are the firearms and ammunition used. As a result, you can only own one firearm. What would it be?

A few parameters should be set for this discussion.

1. You cannot move out of the USA.
2. You cannot hide, bury or conceal anything.
3. You cannot give your firearms to family members or friends.
4. You are being watched by the FBI, the state and local police, the PTA, the Neighborhood Watch and the community in general to ensure strict compliance. They will rat on you!
5. Punishment for failure to follow the law will be swift and hard - 10 years in jail for every firearm above the legal limit of one.
6. You cannot reload! Possessing powder or primers is against the law. Ammunition will be purchased from the government controlled store.

You must be precise. Choose the make, model and calibre.

No temper tantrums please, this is pure fiction. You're facing the crunch: one gun!

Think of what you need to hunt and defend yourself. We all know that you would resist this tyranny, but in this situation you cannot. Despite your testosterone and rebellious nature, you have no control. You cannot fight city hall. Nobody cares about "how unjust" this law is. No one cares about your rebel ideas, it will only get you and anyone who listens in trouble. IOW, everyone lives in fear.

Now quick, make your decision!

my encore in .243 would suffice

Remington 870, 12 gauge.

this is a SHTF - Rifle.

Your Scenario is SHTF.

.30-06

Not mine BTW - Pic off the net.

If you reply to this thread with anything other than "Over my dead body", I don't want you around me if a government like the one in this scenario comes to power.

Remington 870 12 gauge worked over by someone good (Wilson Combat,Vang perhaps). Robar NP3-plus finish, tough iron sights, interchangeable choke tubes, good recoil pad. A top-side rail might be nice for a dot sight or scope for hunting.

There's probably not much that I do now that that wouldn't work for.

Hopefully I'll be dead and forgotten by the time our situation gets that bad.

If you're ruling out switch barrels....It would hurt not to have a rifle but for versatility I think Otto's on the right track.

Steve - you said, "one firearm".

IF a drilling/shotgun qualifies, I would get a rifle of mid bore and 12 ga.

A 300 WM or 7 RM would cover everything I would hunt w/a rifle.

A 12 ga would cover small game, birds, ducks, etc. AND home defense.


I'm speculating drillings/shotguns do not qualify.

I'm AFRAID we are closer to that than we might think.

OTOH, that might generate another Civil War.
Personally, I believe our Forefathers would HAVE ALREADY taken up arms.

A firearm chambered in whatever 'they' carry so most likely a fast twisted 223Rem.
Cheers...
Con

Probably my 870 pump.

"OTOH, that might generate another Civil War.
Personally, I believe our Forefathers would HAVE ALREADY taken up arms."

Never happen i this day and age. Too much apathy. "Don't bother me. I'm watching Dancing With The stars." Nuff said?
Paul B.

12 gauge pump is the only answer.

I've already been preparing myself, just in case. .17HMR. Cheap, effective to 100yds on various things. A lot of ammo in a small place.

I would pick the 12x12x.30-06 Sauer drilling I used to own, with a .22 Long Rifle insert for one barrel.

Not fortunate enough to own a drilling so I guess I could survive with my old Winchester Model 12 in 12 gauge.

My choice would be a hard decision between my Ruger M77 all-weather .308 or my Winchester M94 in .30-30, with the practical side of my brain saying the Ruger.

Either round is easy to find, but the Ruger is more versatile.

Neither am I fortunate enough to PRESENTLY own a drilling.

IF this scenario was developing, I have enough others to turn over INTO a drilling.

Hopefully it will never happen/ if it does, I hope to be gone.

Jery

In that scenario I need either a silenced 22 pistol, or a MA Deuce, cause brother I ain't going to be a sheep in any one's socialist meadow.