Best SHTF rifles have changed - What's the best now?

Published on March 22, 2024
Duration: 15:14

This guide details the field stripping process for an SKS rifle, a crucial maintenance task for ensuring reliability. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding firearm mechanics for survival scenarios. The speaker, with high authority, walks through removing the dust cover, recoil spring, bolt carrier, bolt, and gas tube/handguard assembly.

Quick Summary

The AR-15 is now considered the best budget SHTF (Should Have To Fight) rifle due to its affordability and accessibility, with prices ranging from $400-$500 for budget builds. While the SKS and AKM were once the go-to choices for survival, they have become expensive collector's items, making the versatile AR-15 the most practical option for survival caches and arming multiple individuals.

Chapters

  1. 00:10Introduction: Survivalism & Shooting Shacks
  2. 01:14The SKS: Former Survival King
  3. 03:12AKM and Market Perception
  4. 05:17SKS Technical Features
  5. 07:39Survival Logistics and Cost
  6. 08:43AR-15: The New Budget King
  7. 11:16AR-15 Versatility and Quality

Frequently Asked Questions

What was considered the best SHTF rifle in the 1980s and 90s?

In the 1980s and 90s, the SKS was widely considered the premier survival rifle due to its extremely low cost, typically $50-$70, and the availability of inexpensive 7.62x39mm Chinese surplus ammunition.

Why is the AR-15 now considered the best budget SHTF rifle?

The AR-15 has become the most affordable survival option due to domestic production and market competition. While a Colt AR-15 cost significantly more in the past, budget AR-15s can now be purchased for $400-$500, making them accessible for survival caches.

What are the key technical features of the SKS rifle?

The SKS is a 1940s Soviet design featuring a reliable short-stroke gas piston system. It typically has a 10-round internal magazine and is fed using stripper clips, known for its ease of maintenance.

How has the market perception of AKMs changed for survival purposes?

Initially dismissed as 'Chinese junk' post-Vietnam, AKMs are now highly valued collector's items, with models like the 'Spiker' fetching thousands. This appreciation makes them impractical for basic survival caches compared to more affordable options.

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