I can follow along with MOST of the stuff. But when Y'all get into acronyms (well some of them at least), I tend to get a little lost. AND with names of some of the different firearms names.

Well time for SS and Church. Later doggies.

You all have to understand - I didn't have a "normal", "typical", "socially acceptable" youth.

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This is why I'm totally / completely / utterly opposed to the militant prepper movement today.

^^^ I'm having a tough time getting the last posts

GD, that's because I edited out details.

In a nutshell, my experience has it's foundation in growing up in a survivalist household. When I say "survivalist" I'm referring to the 1980's Red Dawn / First Blood variety....not the Internet "preppers" of today. Suffice to say, I learned a lot but it wasn't a healthy environment.

ETA: this is why I am not and will never be a prepper. It's like a preacher's son who grows up and can't stand church because of what he saw (the ugly side) growing up.

In context: I assembled my first AR15A1 from a poly bag parts kit at age 10, and owned two AR's by the end of that year. By age 11 I had added a USGI 1911 and a Mauser k98K.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with a person having some food, water and defense stored. It is just common 18th century sense to do so.

I do, however, get irritated by people who talk about "bugging out" and their X month food supply. This is a fool's errand. Murphy told me so. If you have 12 months it will last 24. Where are you going to but out to?

The proper response for self-preservation minded people is to live a simple rural life where you already fight for the means of survival. You grow your own food, draw your own well water, dispose of your own waste, and defend yourself.

Growing up I was forced to study history - everyday. (We actually lived it too by visiting WW2 vets - from both sides - and listening to them explain the nuances of surviving "total war and collapse"). I was tested on what I learned.

Having said this, against my better judgement, I will add:

Study the Battle of Stalingrad. This is the reality of survival. It isn't fun like everyone seems to act online.

Circling the Donner Party wagon back around to 308 Battle Rifles...

I feel the FAL is the best option for the general population who don't want to spend $4000 on a single rifle rig. The 762Nato round is my personal favorite, but I have no plans on fighting a horde of zombies. In my little part of the world, distances are greater than in a city and cover exists everywhere.

If someone told me I had a relative who died and left me $5k in his will with the stipulation that he knew I didn't own a gun and I had to spend the money on guns I would buy:

Arsenal SLR-106FR AKM $1000
(15) 556 Circle 10 30rd Mags $600
(3000) M193 Ammo $1500
Glock 26 $500
(3 additional) Glock Mags $75
(2000) 9mm Ammo $600
Ruger 10/22 Stainless $225
(5 additional) Ruger 10rd Mags $100
(3000) 22lr Ammo $300

If he left me $7500....

Substitute this for the AKM:

Springfield Armory SAR48 FAL $2250
(15) FAL Mags $300
(3000) M80 762Nato Ammo $2100

If he left me $10k....

Substitute this for the FAL:

FN Scar 17 $2500
Trijicon TA11 ACOG $1000
LaRue Mount $125
(15) Scar Mags $600
(3000) M80 762Nato Ammo $2100

Any left over money would go into sending rounds down range .

And a Leupold scope for the 10/22.