older gunner

I've been wanting to share some thoughts that have been on my mind and, since Katrina, have prompted me to take some action regarding survival.
First of all, I've changed my weapons collection. I got rid of my Taurus 627. I have been in love with the .357 mag for something like 50 years now. I just couldn't get comfortable with the Taurus. It was the hardest kicking handgun I ever owned. So, I'm now the proud owner of a Winchester 94 in .357 mag. (I also have been in love with lever actions.) I haven't had a rifle for a while now, and I realized that this was an omission I just couldn't afford if I wanted to better prepare for any breakdown of law and order in the future.
I also updated my pistol selections. I now have a Ruger 944, a Glock 23, and the newest aquisition, a CZ 40P. All are in .40 S&W. I also have two Sigs, Model 232 in SS that my wife shoots.
I also have coming a two week supply of MRE's with assorted supplies of water, first aid materials, light sticks, several flashlights, several knives, my Surefire, and a 6500 W generator for if we stay home but loose power.
I hope I never use any of the supplies, but I personally think the odds are in favor of having to do so sometime in the future. Living in Florida makes weather hazards real, plus the terrorist climate and proximaty to the Miami area makes me stop and think.
Don't know how you folks feel about these things, but I thought it was time to take some action. Of course buying a gun or two is fun anytime. Sorry for the long post, but I've wanted to get this off my chest for a while now. Thanks.

Team American

Sounds like solid steps for preparation against future hurricane damage...and if global warming causes more hurricanes, we could be in for a stretch of them....the solar cycle (based on data of Martian polar caps melting) seems to be on an up-swing...all good reasons to upgrade readiness (like you need a reason to buy new guns )

P.S. I like the "Ranting Geezer" avatar

__________________
"I surrounded 'em"- Alvin York

"They're ain't many troubles that a man can't fix with seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six"- Jeff Cooper

DirksterG30

older gunner,

I'm glad to hear you're getting more prepared. After Katrina, my wife and I have begun similar preparations/precautions. I think you will see a lot more people doing similar things after we all witnessed the debacle in New Orleans.

Congrats on the new pistols - especially the 40P. I've got one and it is a great pistol. Hope you like it!

rocky

things to consider if you don't have em. Batteries, spare flashlight bulbs. small cook stove for canned goods. Sleeping bags. Life jackets? Water purification system. Plan for several situations. Stay and ride out a storm, travel plans, ect.

Tangle

Older Gunner,
I had the privilege of shooting my rangemaster's Marlin .45-70 in my last Gunsite class. There were only three of us in the Advanced Tactical Pistol Class so we had time on our hands more than once.

I fell in love with the lever action, but I had no use for such a powerful loading. Since then I have been trying to figure out a good defensive caliber for a lever action carbine. I just like'em.

I know they are available in .357 and .44 mag. but I'd really like to have one in 9mm. I know that's an "under" kill, but that's what I carry in my handgun and I wouldn't have to stock and transport two different calibers.

In N.O. type disasters, I haven't seen that a AR or AK would be especially advantageous and even in the hills, it would probably be rare that one would be defending himself over 50 or so yards away. I mean if they're that far away, I think one would be dead, or at least shot, before he knew they were there.

Finally, sounds to me like you've put some wise thought into your preperation and I may use some of your ideas.

FortyFive

Sounds like your right on track to a healty future in case something happens where you need to survivie for awhile. It woke us all up hearing the tales from the destruction and bad guys running around. We too are trying to get better at preparation but its slow but sure. Good luck and your topic is great.

__________________
As you slide down the banister of life,
May the splinters never point the wrong way.
---
NRA Life Member

Rob72

Hey, guys, here's an economical little goodie I picked up:
http://www.wholesalehunter.com/produ...ccessories.htm

It's not shown in the pics, but click the pull-down "Buy Now" menu, and you'll see the siphon filter, for $50. It is exactly what it says. If you have two buckets, you can gravity filter your H2O. Roughly 1 gal/hr; if you buy two filters, you double the rate; 3- triple, and so on. Not the best "Bug Out" choice, but I'm more of a Bug-In setup. We live near a reservoir, so.......

P95Carry

Ron - if you want a 9mm ''companion'' then the CX-4 Beretta Storm is handy - very compact, 15 round mag's and well accurate to 100 yards.

I like OG's logic re the .357 - I have for a long time tried to cover pistol cals with long arm alternatives and so have Win 94 myself in .357, and a Marlin lever in .44 mag. Beyond those, the Storm of course for 9mm plus also in 9mm a Camp 9. The Camp 45 also can see useful duty.

The wake-up call (calls) this year have in one respect at least been useful - in as much as they have made most of us think harder and out of the box too even.

There is preparedness and survivalism - I think for most part the former is our priority, without necessarily having to go to extremes.

__________________
Chris - P95
NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member.

"To own a gun and assume that you are armed
is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

Tangle

Oh sure, Chris, try to distract me with facts!

older gunner

Took the new guns to the range today.
First, the Model 94 in .357:
I bench rested with the open buckhorn site at 50 yds. I put 8 out of 20 in the black, 5 in the 7 ring, 1 in the 5 ring, 2 in the cardboard backer, and the other 4 I couldn't find. Boy, the old eyes really make a difference. Then, I put the target at 60 ft. and fired 5 rounds off hand from a standing position, fairly fast. Much better results. 3 in the 9 ring 5/8" apart, 1 above them in the 8 ring, and another in the 7 ring just above that. Overall group was 2-1/4". That boosted my confidence. For what I want the rifle for, I'm satisfied that I can be effective.
Then I fired 200 rounds through the CZ. It is very accurate and fits my hand well. However, it doesn't like HP's. I've been reading about the need to polish the ramp, and I may do so. However, it was flawless with jacketed ammo. So, I've ordered some Corbon Pow'Rball, some Winchester Silvertips, and some Federal expanding FMJ. The Winchester and Corbon produce 500 ft.lbs, and 526 ft.lbs, respectively. If they work as well as I think they will, I'll probably settle for them and shoot cheap FMJ for practice. Anyone with a CZ , (DirksterG30), please comment.