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My Disaster Gun

 (10 Photos)

If you had to choose one gun—and only one gun—to get you through a disaster (be it traditional or zombie-related), what would it be? If you could have one firearm (that’s realistically available) to protect yourself, your family and your assets, what would it be and why? Here are 10 choices made by some of the editors and contributors in NRA Publications. What would you choose? Let us know.

  • Springfield Armory SOCOM 16
  • Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle
  • M4 Carbine
  • Remington VersaMax Tactical Shotgun
  • Ruger Mini-14/20GB-F
  • Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .30-06
  • Ruger 10/22
  • SRM Arms Model 1216
  • M134 Minigun
  • Any Black Powder Rifle
M4 Carbine
Posted by: Joe Kurtenbach, American Rifleman

M4 Carbine

If I could only have one gun for the “End of the World” disaster situation, it’s a no brainer: the M4 Carbine, chambered in 5.56x45 mm NATO. I can hear the M1/M14 fans sniggering already, so let me explain.

First, the rifle is a proven platform from a family of firearms that have served as the standard battle rifle for the United States for over 50 years, longer than any other service arm. Also, I have confidence in the rifle due to its service record and my personal training/experience with it as a soldier in the U.S. Army.

Next, the M4s and other AR-15s are prevalent and parts are easy to come by. Not only are these rifles stocked in military armories all over the world, civilian models can be had from many major manufacturers and can be found in gun shops and sporting good stores, even Wal-Mart. If I’m looking at having one gun to get me through, I want replacement parts to be easy to come by, and the high degree of parts interchangeability, even between government-issue and civilian models, ensures my ability to keep the gun running for a long time to come.

The previous reasoning also applies to ammunition. As a NATO standard round, I’m not worried about being able to scrounge some 5.56. Also, I have the option to fire any .223 Rem. ammunition I come across, and because of its popularity as a sporting round, I will probably come across a lot of it.

Finally, I have to recognize the customization options that make the M4 an ideal disaster gun. Equipped with a rail system, and mine would be, all manner of optics, lights, lasers, bipods, grips, etc. are on the table. In minutes this gun can transform from medium-range hunting rifle to close combat weapon.

To sum it up: known reliability; easy to find parts and ammo; and the only limit to customization is your imagination and the contents of your pocket book.

  • Mark

    12/11/2012 6:15:17 PM

    I'm in a toss up between my FAL and my ar. It's hard to choose to be honest. The FAL is 9 lbs with optic (14 in barrel), the ar is about 8 with an optic. What I like about the ar is the ability to carry so much more ammo. Accuracy? My FAL is almost up to with the ar. Both have 1-4x scopes.

  • Shiftee

    11/27/2012 2:40:39 AM

    Have to agree with this choice. People may try and argue reliability but treated properly you can't go wrong with an AR. Plus the simple fact that not only are parts plentiful, they're mostly drop in. So if something breaks you dont need a gunsmith wizard to fix it. Of all the varients I'd probably go with one like LMT makes with interchangeable barrels. Supply hunting with a CQB 11.5 inch barrel one minute and reaching out to touch something with a 20inch the next. As long as I'm not fighting off bears the 5.56/.223 is fine and plentiful. AR platform, best single gun choice by far.

  • SLR106FR

    11/22/2012 12:06:05 PM

    I agree with your ammo choice, but not the platform. Why not an AK that shoots .223 or 5.45x45 like the Arsenal SLR106FR? The AR platform is great in the hands of law enforcement or military, but for civilians, you can't beat the AK platform for ease of use & reliability. Mine is a side folder for portability & with a PK-AS red/black dot scope,defense or hunting is covered in any light condition whether indoors or outdoors. No need hunting for extra parts, as it doesn't break, but to be safe, an extra bolt, trigger spring, & recoil spring & you're set for life.

  • AR-47

    11/20/2012 9:29:25 PM

    I have built AR's for 10 years. The best all-around AR I have built during this time is the 7.62x39mm chambered AR. With ASC magazines the mag reliability issue is now mute and the last round bolt hold open still works like the 5.56/.223 version. 7.62x39mm gives the option of hitting a target hard while offering the ability to carry many rounds with less weight. Ammo cost is also much less than .308 with polymer coated steel case being prevalent.

  • Tactical Eagles

    11/20/2012 12:50:57 PM

    The AR Platform is the best choice for me. 600 yards to point blank range. 30 rounds before reloading, and plenty of parts and accessories makes this gun numero UNO in a disaster... ( and this is coming from a M14/M1a fan)

  • Chris

    11/19/2012 8:34:51 PM

    I'd go with my SIG 716. It's got the feel and function of the M4. It's built like a tank, has the take down power of the 7.62x51/.308. You can get .308 everywhere. I also have an ACOG sitting on top of it already.

  • Dave

    11/19/2012 6:33:42 PM

    To protect my family means defensive, not offensive weapons. I think my M4 with medium power optics and my handloaded ammo will do fine starting out at 750 yds and closing to hand shaking distance. If I was going to take it to them, I'd need a sniper rifle.

  • Shooter

    11/18/2012 4:52:00 PM

    And to think many moons ago I wouldn't consider an AR platform; 30 years of shooting have taught me better. For light weight, affordability of quality models, high ammo volume to cost and weight ratio and the ability to lay down A LOT of fire accurately [even in semi-auto] and *reliably* with Mil/LE parts commonality an M4 (or clone) is it. Honorable mention to the M1 Garand and Carbine - I'd really be equally as confident.

  • tom

    11/17/2012 11:24:01 PM

    ar-15 family or rifles. ammo availability parts power add ons, scope laser, lights weight, ammo capacity ease of operation a no brainer

  • Richard

    11/17/2012 2:15:12 AM

    If I really need one (and I manage to survive the turmoil and upheaval), there will probably be 8,000,000 of these bloody (literally) things laying around without an owner.

  • jas

    10/7/2012 4:19:14 PM

    i would take a M-4 Crbin in 6.5 are 6.8spc with a 40mm launcher attachment and the a red dot with magnefier as back up the glock 21cc gen4 with night sights are the para ordance double stack mag1911

  • David

    10/3/2012 7:48:08 PM

    Very good versatile platform but the 5.56/223 is a lousy cartidge and I say that with 20 years of military service and wear the 1st ID Big Red One, 101st Airborne Air Assault Screaming Eagle, 3rd ID Rock of the Marne, and the 13th ESC among my Combat Patches with multiple tours with most of them I personally own the best of both worlds with my 7.62X51/.308 early model Bushmaster AR my weapon uses standard and metric FN FAL magazines and the 7.62X51/.308 Win is even more common not just in the state but worldwide than the 5.56/.223 wich serves best as a varmit round wich is where it should stay not in a combat or defensive weapon so to sum up I have all the versatility and familiarity of an AR with the punch of an M1A/M14 with a fully loaded weight of just 9.20 lbs

  • larry

    10/2/2012 1:31:09 PM

    I too would choose the M14 or one of its variations for the same reasons.

  • gary

    9/28/2012 8:12:49 AM

    excellent choice. Light, can carry lots of ammo unlike the larger cal. weapons. this weapon can take on targets in an up close firefight and I can hit a target 200 yards out without a problem.

  • Pioneer

    9/28/2012 12:56:12 AM

    In a scenario I would probably arm myself with one of my magazine fed 5.56 caliber semi-autos, M-4 or Mini-14. I like them both, and if I am limited to only one, the Mini is a much simpler and rugged design, and shoots as well as my AR. Besides, I have plenty of ammo and magazines (for both) staged and ready to go with my "GOOD" gear. Assuming my wife gets a choice too, we will take both rifles.

  • smithman 10

    9/26/2012 10:25:47 AM

    AR-15 of course with iron sights. For all the obvious reasons. Only other sensible choice would be any reliable rifle in .22 rimfire, preferably semi-auto.

  • Thunder 7

    9/22/2012 8:01:48 AM

    After using this type of weapon for 22 years as an Army Infantryman, there is not doubt that this is the ulitmate set up/weapon for survival and winning a firefight. It's great for close quarters combat as well as semi-sniper operations. I have had VERY FEW malfunctions as well as breakdowns with this platform. The 5.56 is not the most powerful round, however, it does take bad guys down and inflict some serious damage for it's size. I have personally watched this platform evolve from M16A1 through my M4 that I carried in Iraq. There is no other individual weapon that suits this "grunts" preference and all this is based on first hand experience.

  • Larry

    9/19/2012 12:21:27 AM

    I tend to agree with you that the M4/AR-15 series would also be my choice also due to popularity among the civilian, law enforcement users and that parts and ammo would be available from sporting goods stores and gun shops.

  • Peter Payne

    9/18/2012 2:51:59 PM

    Yeah I was one of those people sniggering.I am not a fan of the look of this weapon but I do give it respect for serving so long with having so many options open to it as in how it can be fielded.