We all love our guns and we can’t imagine life without them. We live by the survivalist’s golden rule, the 3 G’s : guns, gold and a getaway plan. But, if you’re a realist, you must take into consideration any plausible scenario and one of them (maybe the most disturbing one) is the following:
What are you going to do in a survival situation when you’re running out of ammo and you still have to defend yourself or your loved ones? I don’t know if you saw the movie “Snatch”, but if you didn’t, I highly recommend it.
Don’t expect a survival-movie, but it contains one epic scene where Boris The Blade, a Russian weapons dealer, is trying to sell a big bad-ass looking pistol to some guy, and he says (after the customer noticed that the gun is pretty heavy): “Heavy is good, heavy is reliable, if it doesn’t work, you can always hit him with it”.
Basically, this sums it up: when you’re running out of ammo, use blunt force trauma! It always works, if you hit hard enough and are fortunate enough to beat your opponent to the punch.
Now, on a more serious note, in any kind of scenario including societal collapse or zombie apocalypse, you can find yourself in an unpleasant situation where you’re out of ammo for that nice AR-15 of yours and you have to protect your life or your property. Don’t worry, there are ways of surviving without firearms; humanity managed to endure for thousands of years without guns.
I don’t advocate relying on cold weapons as your primary means of self-defense, but here’s a list of “alternatives” that every survivalist should be aware of if SHTF and you’re out of ammo:
Knives
Consider carrying a knife on your person at all times. Knives are tools in the first place and they come handy in a multitude of situations not associated with violence. But, when the moment comes, you have to do what you have to do. Carrying a solid knife presents obvious advantages; blades don’t need reloading.
Aside from cutting rope and opening boxes, a knife may save your life someday. A word of caution though:, use it wisely and remember that knife fighting exists only in B-rated movies. In a real life survival situation, a knife must be use stealthily, quickly and decisively.
Meele Weapons
Meele Weapons Besides knives, there are plenty of other “melee” weapons that can be used for self-defense in a survival situation.
Weapons like spears, swords, clubs, hammers, police batons, baseball batshell, even a fire extinguisher, a crowbar or a shovel will do the trick in close combat when absolutely necessary. They aren’t as portable as a knife but they’re still pretty good for home-defense in a pinch.
A high-tech melee weapon would be a Taser, but if you’re out of ammo and you can’t resupply, I seriously doubt that you have power available for charging such a gizmo.
Bows and Arrows
If you enjoyed The Hunger Games (the movie), then bows and arrows are familiar to you. The good thing about bows and arrows is that they can be improvised from scratch, even if you don’t own or can’t afford a high-tech modern bow bought from Sporting Goods. You can easily manufacture one and the same goes for the arrows. The hard part is to train yourself in the fine art of archery, but it can be done.
Aside from protecting yourself, bows are pretty useful for hunting game, so you should take bows and archery seriously if you’re into prepping.
Crossbows are basically high-tech, mechanized bows, just more powerful and more precise and also much easier to master and to aim with. They are easy to load and some of the high-end models available on the market come with scopes. Using them is childs play compared to aiming and firing a recurve or compound bow; they are reliable and make for a formidable cold weapon.
The biggest advantages when using bows and arrows are that they’re stealthy, silent, deadly and, perhaps most importantly, you can re-use the arrows(unlike bullets) and also you can build new ones from scratch.
The Slinghot
The SlinghotAnother old-school cold weapon, used for thousands of years, is the slingshot. If you had a real childhood, like I had, you surely know what I mean when I say that slingshots are awesome! You can build yourself a powerful slingshot or buy one; they’re pretty cheap.
Getting ammo for a slingshot presents no significant problem, and if your aim is good, a slingshot can be as deadly as a firearm from close distance. If you aim for the head; remember the story of David and Goliath. You can use anything from rocks to scraps of metal for ammo and you can even hunt small game if you have the skill..
Last but not least, you must deal with the fact that sometimes you’ll have to improvise, in the heat of the moment. There are no definitive solutions (nor answers) to all life’s problems.
Training makes perfect and a positive attitude may save your life someday. Being able to think on your feet is perhaps your greatest weapon. When practicing, make a habit of thinking outside the box when you consider running out of ammo.
That way, your brain will already be in that mode if you actually find yourself in that situation.
One final word of advice: when using cold-weapons (or any other weapons for that matter), keep in mind that you’re not a ninja or a vigilante and don’t use them against fellow human beings unless it’s absolutely necessary. Use your best judgment at all times and be prepared for the worst!
This article has been written by Chris Black for Survivopedia.
Phil | February 4, 2014
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I also have a SKS in my armory. It is heavy and has a badass bayonet on the end. It could keep you going for a while in an Zombie attack.
ReadyPrepper | February 6, 2014
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Ya think I should stock 100k rounds for my Vulcan or do you think I should get a few thousand more rounds?????…..OK, another 100k rounds should hold me till spring.
John Davise | March 28, 2014
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Where can I order a reliable used SKS for a reasonable price. I have no firearms at this time.
Old Food | February 4, 2014
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I’m sorry but I have an issue with this. At today’s prices, ammo is again cheap and available so there is no excuse for the lives of anyone’s family and loved ones to depend on something as outlandish as a sling shot. Seriously; how can a person run out of ammo? Who among preppers is so foolish as to only have one box of ammo for a weapon that is intended to defend their family and loved ones for an extended period of time? Most of us are guilty of the opposite which is having more ammo than we can realistically use. What possible scenario is there where you have expended 300+ rounds of ammo and you’re still alive? If you have that many targets you aren’t going to survive no matter how much ammo you have, not with that many people shooting back at you. Every firefight you engage in creates an excellent opportunity for you or someone in your group to be hit. How many firefights do you plan on living through without getting hit that you will go through all the ammo you have? It’s far more likely that your gun suffers a failure of some kind. Most preppers haven’t given enough thought to spare parts or cleaning kits. This is a more realistic scenario though it is highly improbable for anyone who takes care of their weapons. In this case another weapon should be available. A cheap firearm is infinity better than a sharp stick. Nobody with any understanding of Murphy’s Law at all has only one firearm. Certainly no real prepper has only one in his entire family or group. Anyone who is depending on a club to defend their loved ones in a world where your adversaries have assault weapons, side arms and lots of ammo mercifully won’t live long enough to have to watch his family killed and raped. Forgive me but I just can’t imagine a scenario or a real prepper that will end up defending his family with his cars keys. Hiding and staying out of sight is a much better option than bringing a knife to a gun fight.
Dry Creek | February 6, 2014
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I’m saving up for a Drone.
Edith | February 6, 2014
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There are late-comers to prepping and there are people who don’t have the funds to buy a lot of ammo because they’re too busy working to make ends meet as it is. I think those are the people to whom this is directed.
don | February 6, 2014
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You can be separated from your ammo. It can be seized, burned in a fire, etc.
Having a back up plan and tools is never a bad idea.
I believe every household needs a few weapons. A pump action shotgun, a .22 rifle, both are essential. A handgun for each adult member of the family. At least ONE large bore, military rifle, bayonet capable with a real butt stock you can use for smashing a face in as well. (Anyone who took bayonet fighting training prior to the Military adopting that infants weapon, the M4 should remember why).
saber-dance | February 6, 2014
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About car keys: When you come out of a building and someone decides to give you a hard time in the parking lot, let’s see you go for your AR15 and 300 rounds of ammo.
Ronald Howard | February 6, 2014
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Your handle, “Old Fool” fits you well. If you are, in fact “Old” then you know that the likelyhood of a jam or failure may happen, no matter how well you clean and maintain your weapon. Smart people will always have alternate plans.
Bobalou | November 1, 2015
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Ron, His Handle is “Old Food” not “Old Fool”
evone | July 14, 2017
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Ahahahahahaha old fool sooooooo funny.
Washington Prepper | February 7, 2014
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You are right on the money. People who will have to depend on their slingshots probably won’t be around long if a shtf scenario strikes. If they would rather depend on the government to protect and feed them, than to prepare to take care of themselves then they pretty much are lost already. My advice buy your cold weapons now. If you don’t how to shoot a bow and arrow then consider a crossbow. There some good basic ones for $50. Also I have several Katanas as part of my defences. So to summerize Don’t wait till it’s too late to prep.
Geof S | February 7, 2014
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There are many scenarios when a gun would either be undesirable or impractical. If I am trying to lay low and I need to hunt. I am much better off with a bow and arrow. The report of a rifle would give me away.
Your guns could be confiscated. Your ammo could be lost in the earthquake or the fire that consumes your house. You could be just out with the family and not in arms reach of your rifle.
It is inconceivable to me that any prepper worth his salt would completely discount any form of backup weapon and depend only on the guns and ammo he can carry. After all, if you have to bug out and all you can take is a backpack and a rifle, you probably should consider something a little more than ammo to put in your bag.
There is a reason the Navy Seals carry back up guns. But there is also a reason they carry knives and other weapons, too.
But, no worries. While you are protecting your stockpile of food against 300 zombies, I will be here in the real world. Living off the grid and silently. When I have to shoot, I will. But, my gun is not always my first choice.
Sharon Moran | February 7, 2014
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Well said, especially when you don’t want to give away your location when there are how many other people out there without the guns & weapons that need them also, & since they can hear that you have a gun by the noise it makes, you could make a mistake & let your location be a dead giveaway. Don’t think just because you have a gun that you will be able to defend yourself in case there are 5 other people within hearing distance. You have to think about you & your family. How many other people out there will be able to get to you if they hear a gun shot? I know if I did not have a gun, I would take a chance on trying to get the gun that you heard fire a shot. You need protection, food, a way to get to the next place that you plan to arrive at, you don’t want to be without your main source of both being able to protect your family & to get food for your family by killing a animal when you need to. It would be dumb to let your location be made because you just had to fire that shot. I would rather be using something else (instead of firing a gun) unless it is absolutely necessary. I guess too many people just want to get on with it & in a way demonstrate that they were prepared by getting a gun, so that you do have a fighting chance to be able to get out of tough situations & to also get food for your family! It is too dangerous & also not necessary to give your location to someone just because you just had to fire the gun. There will probably be plenty of other times that you can do that, but if you do it too soon, it could be your last time that you get to fire the gun. Keep what you have under your hat, & use your brain for other means of what to use as a weapon in the time that it takes to get it & fire it. If someone knows that you have a gun, they will then think that you came prepared, & you could lose everything that you worked so hard to achieve. So try to keep it down unless you know that someone cannot find you, & that you are so smart that they will not want to find you as you might shoot them. Don’t forget that anyone else that comes after you will want what you have. Good Luck!
infantry architect | February 7, 2014
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both of the above are good replies. We live where there is plentiful game, but also plentiful game wardens.
My grandparents survived the great depression on venison and by gardening.
One can envision a time where there is a need to take game outside the official government sanctioned “season”. Archery skills take a long time to learn, so A cross bow might be a good non firearm for people. I failed to make note of that in my first reply.
bill in lexington | February 12, 2014
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If you go through 300 rounds, there should be a resupply laying around on the battle field. I have 500 .22 in my bob, 100 .308 on a bandoleer (homemade) and 200 9mm in my Calico LWS magazines.
If I am still alive after half of that is gone and there is still incoming, I might as well charge. Maybe seeing a fat naked Irishman charging will be enough to make them turn tail! :~)
(Gawd knows it makes the women run away!)
Richard | February 6, 2014
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The sling is actually the weapon David used against Goliath. No rubber needed. It works like an aid to increase the speed when throwing a rock overhand. Sling warriors would sometimes wrap them around their head like a bandana for storage. Some authorities consider it more effective than bow and arrow; also much quicker and easier to make. Yeah, one step above throwing rocks by hand.
infantry architect | February 7, 2014
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up arrow for Biblical Reference
bill in lexington | February 12, 2014
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It’s a big step … the sling can hurl the wee pebbles fast and long. Accuracy, well, that takes practice.
Woodco | February 23, 2016
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The sling is capable of throwing other objects than rocks. I use 5/8 split shot lead sinkers and terrorize rabbits, grouse and squirrels. It’s possible to throw big objects like grenades and Molotovs. M80’s with a little extra weight like BB’s or buckshot packed in the ends go a fair distance, much farther than you could ever throw them.
infantry architect | February 6, 2014
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Talking with vets who have been to “The Sand box” and older ones who trained me for the Infantry, were from “Nam”; 300 rounds goes by pretty fast in a fire fight, and yes people do survive multiple battles. (no guarantee it will be you or me though)
“Suppressive fire” is the concept, and is something entirely different from all the “one shot one kill” rhetoric I hear from the Mosin Nagant/ SKS, Ruger Scout, etc crowd. Yes excellent marksmanship is an essential skill, but laying down overwhelming firepower has its merits. ( but another discussion is the high value of snipers in asymmetrical warfare)
If an opposition force has the ability to keep me pinned down with a steady barrage of suppressive fire so I cannot fire back, or even move, I am out of the fight, and may need to rethink my objective. So a lot of bullets is really important, plus accurate placement. If I am behind cover, sustained fire can break down many types of cover, vehicles, trees, concrete block or brick walls, can all be pummeled with enough fire to render the cover ineffective.
So this concept of suppressive fire, combined with techniques of team movement such as bounding over-watch, are how infantry units seize an objective and eliminate a threat.
When would we have need of “cold weapons” ? Well in “Nam they sent soldiers into tunnels with a flashlight, a .45 pistol and a Ka- bar knife. In the Middle East Special Ops have developed knives with Martial Artist James Williams, and CRKT modeled after the most effective real Edo period Japenese “O-Tantos” such as the Hisshou, Hissatsu, and Shinbu. These are real killing blades, and the Special ops teams are trained to use them in tight confines of CQB ops. Sometimes your main rifle fails, sometimes the enemy closes on you physically and its no use going for the handgun as the blade is faster and provides more options in a grapple fight.
But for the survivalist? What comes to mind to me the following.
My WROL, SHTF, Mad Max, “the Road” apocalypse weapon is a milspec pump shotgun, with a factory bayonet lug. if the person survives TEOTWAWKI, we will eventually be reduced to 18th century living. Eventually ammo runs out. A person can have a hand reload kit, even make black powder, and stock up many primers in a very small amount of space. The black powder loads will not cycle a semi auto action, so pump action solves this. The shotshells can be reloaded with less precise tolerance than a rifle casing, so it seems to be the longest term post collapse firearm, except an actual flintlock (which might be a last resort). But the shotgun holds usually less than 9 rounds total and is a very close work weapon. You can shoot yourself defenseless very quick! So one could forsee the need for a bayonet in a close combat situation. This was the case for the World War One US shotgun teams infiltrating German Trenches.
These we 5 man teams, two point men shooters, two men behind them with spare shotguns and a bag of shells to reload the shotguns, and a rear guard with a bolt action rifle. The team would infiltrate a German trench, which were all zig zag afffairs so no machine gun could wipe out an entire company with plunging fire. So the US team would sneak up on a zig zag corner and jump out, and rush forward with two gunners blasting away til empty, and reach back to the loaders for the spare fresh shotgun and blast away again. if that did not finish the job sometimes the last of the job was to bayonet the remaining Germans before they could fire back.
The effectiveness of these team was so horrific to the Germans, that they called for a treaty to outlaw the shotgun from the battle field. (no luck for them with that)
Other cold weapons stories of effectiveness were the Japanese use of the Samurai Sword during WWII, sometimes this was a hugely fearful aspect of combat to the US Marines, sometimes it was little more than suicide by the Japanese officer when confronted by armed GIs with a Thompson or Garand.
We studied Kendo for nearly two years, three hours every tuesday night. and after two years, there were still 70 year old Japanese men, and 13 year old children who could score two kill hits on us before either my wife or I could score a single hit.
The blade is wicked fast in trained hands, but the novice surely dies under the masters blade.
I see usefulness in three cold weapons, the mounted bayonet, the Katana, (with training) and the O-tanto for close last resort decisiveness. I respect a blunt trama devise as devastating upon impact, but the Men-Kote-Dooooo! of the katana and the thrust of a bayonet are lightning fast and fully lethal. If I had a lifetime to train, the Naginata would be a top choice. Japanese women have defended villages with the Naginata from actual marauding samurai, but they train to be experts at the forms with wickedly graceful swooping, decapitating blade from the time they can say O To San and O Ga San (Daddy and Mommy)
CSou | February 6, 2014
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Actually, I can think of a few scenarios where your ammo runs out or you can’t get to it. I can also think of a few scenarios where you wouldn’t want to use a gun but still need to defend or attack.
And then there is the old Robert A. Heinlein idea that having a gun can make it seem reasonable to fight when you should run or be still. A variation of when you have a hammer everything looks like a nail.
Not to dismiss guns or firepower but to use the analogy of the hammer, having a toolbox with a variety of tools means you are more likely to have the right tool for the job.
Just my 2 cents.
bill in lexington | February 12, 2014
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Grokked.
Not all problems are bullet problems. When a problem can be solved with a bullet and time is of the essence, do it. The fellow you just shot will gladly donate his spare ammunition, firearm, food, clothing and money. There IS no ‘wrong caliber’ … what you don’t use you can trade with someone too wily – or too useful – to kill.
But if you can solve it with words or strategy, better. Form alliances when you can.
Shoot the bastid if you can’t. Or slice him, or stick him or crush him or hang him or tape his mouth and nose shut … whatever. For goodness sake man, don’t hold back how you feel … let it out!
Duct tape, you’ll recall, holds the universe together. It’s quiet, non-staining, and reusable. It can heal wounds and it can wound heels.
But explore the option of an alliance first. That way, when you kill him later, you can have ALL of his stuff. :~)
Monty | February 6, 2014
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An AK 47 & a granade loncher.
Gary Lee | February 7, 2014
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Some of you guys have been watching too many Arnold Schwarzenegger movies and playing too many video war games. You’re living in la-la land. When the SHTF you ain’t going to be fighting battles; you’re going to be trying to survive with water, food, warmth and shelter. Two or three auto and/or pump 12 gauge shotguns loaded with double-ought buck is all you need for protection. Kill one trespasser-thief and the word will get around, “Don’t mess with that dude.” And Yeah, it wouldn’t hurt to have 10 or 20 boxes of ammo on hand.
infantry architect | February 7, 2014
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I up arrowed you. Yes a shotgun is often enough to defend a home. Masaad Ayoob writes extensively on the decisive advantages of the shotgun. The military has studies which show all shooter have a higher hit probability with a shotgun. als yes,there are too many Mall Ninjas/wanna bees/ “Arnold’s”, but it has always been such. And possibly your response was even a rebuttal to my posting, despite my comments being based on historical events, veterans experiences and US Army Training.
It is not lost on me that my service time did not include actual combat. Who knows, I could be face down peeing myself when it happens, but so far I’ve aggressively waded into fights that were too big for me and either prevailed or got my ass handed to me, so far, to live another day.
But let us not forget the LA Riots, Koreans shop keepers defending their own. pick an image, any image
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0SO8xF0LfRSSmcA2hFXNyoA?p=la+riots+koreans&fr=ytff1-&fr2=piv-web
I also wiki searched the War in Kosovo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_War
The LA Riots and/or Katrina aftermath should be our baseline benchmark of what really happens in a US collapse senario.
Please also search youtube for “Black Friday Riots”
Summary Statement:
If this is how our culture functions for “peace, love and Joy to the World” Christmas shopping, or following a natural disaster, or following an unfavorable court ruling, you can baseline that; and make a rational, sane, conservative, extrapolation of possible activity,for the possible time if there was ever a national emergency.
For this reason I left a major metro area for a rural village, and left a gun control state for a concealed and open carry one, stay fit, practice with a team of former soldiers weekly and keep alert, plant a garden and orchard. I could be popped with the opening volley but there is also a legend of the farmer who left Virginia during the civil war to avoid the conflict. He bought a piece of land near Gettysburg P.A. …and so you never know how Effed life can be even planning the best we can.
bill in lexington | February 12, 2014
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Life is like a football … it takes funny bounces.
I left Detroit for a Southeastern state. I’ve scouted a couple nearby springs, I garden and I’ll be putting in two 5,000 gallon cisterns this summer to collect rainwater for aquaponics and the garden. Oh, and some night I’ll run a line with a solar pump to the house, too. There is no way my wife and I can drink more than our roofs can collect … IF we can hold the downpours. Ten thousand gallons gives us a big cushion. I plan to run it through a sand filter on the way in … and on the way out.
Prep the best you can … with a good deal of luck, it may be enough. I like the idea that aquaponics is a JIT system. It can be destroyed but not stolen and should provide an animal protein excess for barter. I’m aiming for 5# a week (2-3 mature fish). Week after week, we can’t eat that much fish, but it’s not enough to be worth stealing.
I do like that you mentioned physical activity.
If anyone plans to haul a go-bag through the hills when SHTF, they’d best start doing it now while they can sit down and huff and puff for a spell … or turn around and try again another day. When the SHTF, there’ll be corpses all up and down the road. If you have room in your pack, go ahead and steal from the dead … but don’t load up so much that you join them in the face down parade.
infantry architect | February 12, 2014
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I “up arrowed” you. Liked it all; water, aquaponics, Left the snow belt, and yep, if one doesn’t know what its like to “hump a ruck” its a shocker. Out of shape folks will be surprised how the second day is so much harder, and how foot gear and water supply are prime concerns. Towing an all terrain hunting game cart is one suggestion.
http://www.cabelas.com/category/Game-Carts-Carriers/104353380.uts
Howard Wendel | February 7, 2014
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Thank you for your information it’s greatly appreciated.
Anonymous 2013 | February 7, 2014
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I wish “this” was a PDF…
admin | February 7, 2014
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You can convert the article to PDF using the link “Download as PDF” at the and of the text, above all the comments posted here.
Doctor Mom MacGyver | February 7, 2014
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Don’t forget, the only defensive “weapon” allowed on commercial flights is a sturdy cane with a crook handle. Not very classy looking–and you’ll have to limp a little to justify taking it on board–but, if that’s all you have…
Of course, when the SHTF we won’t be flying anywhere.
Then, again, walking the streets, swinging a cane in one hand, with the other hand ready to sneak out your concealed carry, well it might give you an advantage.
bill in lexington | February 12, 2014
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I have made a couple canes specifically for that purpose. The innocent looking prass head is filled with epoxy and the wood is epoxied around 3′ of all-thread. It balances nicely but transforms into a 3# club at the end of a 3′ handle in less than a second. It won’t break. It might splinter and it might bend, but it won’t break.
Tray | February 12, 2014
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I built a cane in two halves joined together with a couple inches of thin , nylon rope.
A brass sleeve slides down over the center where the two halves join.—making a good, solid looking cane. My original idea was to make a portable, folding cane, But all I have to do is slide the brass sleeve up, and I have a dandy set of “nun chucks”
Tray | February 7, 2014
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My own favorite “cold” weapon for close quarter fighting or defense is a SIX foot, hand held SPEAR. Fitted with a sharp metal head, Its quick, easy to use deadly and hard to defend against.
Avoid the temptation to make it too long, as it becomes slower and unwieldy or too short as it will put you in range of the hands of your opponent.—6 feet seems to be just right.
bill in lexington | February 12, 2014
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Good luck.
Nate | February 7, 2014
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Don’t forget the machete. Good offense and defense weapon. Can also be used to cut small wood for a survival fire or long sticks to build a lean-to. Easy to carry in a scabbard on your web belt, not too heavy and never needs reloading. 18″-20″ blade. I’m sure survivalists can think of about 50 other uses.
infantry Architect | February 8, 2014
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In the machete category, better tools for the job exist in the form of the Gurka Kukri, and possibly the filipino bolo., But over the years, having carried both a machete and a kukri in the field (not at the same time), I find the kukri a far better tool, and the Gurkas are legend for its use as a cqb weapon. they can be ordered online direct from India or Nepal for very reasonable prices in many sizes and configurations. for example if the primary use is as a cutting and chopping tool the Panawai type has a heavier thicker blade. if as a weapon, authentic repros of the military version are available. These are hand made from traditional materials ( steel from a truck leaf spring, re tempered, is the traditional steel of these). several sources exist. a quick google search revealed http://www.kukrisonline.com/ in Nepal, not where I bought mine, but seem equal in quality. The kukri makes a great all in one blade for a bug out bag,( or just light camping) axe and blade in one tool, since is can cut, slice, chop, and many come with two smaller little knives mounted to the back of the same scabbard.
steve | February 8, 2014
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please be aware that while carrying a baseball bat around pre-SHTF can be explained away especially if you have a base ball & or glove too, carrying a base ball bat embellished with studs like the one pictured will run you a-foul of current laws!
bill in lexington | February 12, 2014
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In NC, OWNING that bat would be enough to do the trick … you don’t even have to carry it.
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Denny | February 13, 2014
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I think this is a great article. Sure I have my guns and ammo but already my home state (Illinois) is about to start a gun AND ammunition registry before any of us can get our Concealed Carry Permits. Why do you think they would do that – or do you have to be a genius to figure it out? Duh! Plus I don’t carry my side arm with me in my house and I’ve been burglarized twice, one of which my daughter walked in on the guy but escaped unharmed using tactics I had taught her in my martial arts classes.
The best defense is a layered one. So I have swords, knives, cudgels, sling shots, various martial arts weapons (including long and short bow staff, shuriken and many other, which anyone can learn to use by watching cheap videos or just practicing freestyle, and numerous other devices that are both openly displayed and well hidden, but at arms length in any room of my house. Also the some does and windows are booby trapped.Plus I always carry at least two knives on me and teach classes on knife fighting and defense. Then at last I have my martial arts skills which are a whole set of weapons in themselves. Thus you see a “layered” defense system is the best system. Relying on your guns alone is foolish!
Tray | February 13, 2014
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You might want to join one of those mediaeval reenacting groups, Like SCA and learn how to effectively use some of the “primitive” weapons. properly. Even with a pistol, they are VERY hard to defend against when up against someone who knows how to use them. AT close range or hand to hand, a person of today would have little chance against a club mace or battle axe in the hands of someone who knows how to use them.
Knowledge of how to use such weapons could be a great advantage against even an armed opponent at close range.—-Even better against a person who has little or no experience (like most of us or the perps) or skill with these weapons.
Their use is not as obvious as most folks think. A time involved in the mock fights of SCA or a similar group will be well spent.
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Chaps | February 21, 2014
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I made a cane from oak and a solid brass Hame knob. I have carried it on a plane numerous times. I need it. It’s obvious I need it. It will also lay a dog out. I have cracked a couple shins with it but have no doubt it is effective as a protective device.
arial | March 16, 2014
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I have several cans of hornet spray which works as well as mace in the face of an intruder and I keep a golf club in my truck and in my house which gives me more force in swinging than a baseball bat would. If you have a gun, it will probably be taken my “police” or thugs so it’s better to make other prep plans. For hunting, definitely a compound bow. Knives are good too as well as hatchets.
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Homestead & Prepper | February 10, 2015
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Weapons to Use when Your Ammo Ends
Homemade Weapons for Self Defense in a SHTF Scenario
Clever Moniker | March 17, 2015
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The slingshot is an awesome hunting tool!! I’ve filled my freezer with it. You can also improvise on the bands by using balloons, chained office bands,inner tubes, condoms (last resort? lol).
Cheers,
CM
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Clifford Ishii | April 11, 2016
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I carry a Jo staff for self defense.
Bob Jones | March 6, 2017
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Some people waste too much of their life worrying about shtf scenarios. Enjoy life while you can instead of obsessing over end-of-the-world scenarios. It seems like you’re wishing for it! We live in the greatest of times. This seems like fear and insecurity. Humans lived like that in the past when it was necessary. We’ve got a break and maybe it’s an anomaly but enjoy it while it’s here. Life is too short!
Colvonluck | July 30, 2017
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I THINK SOME OF YOU MIGHT BE MISSING THE POINT. IF YOU’RE IN A SHTF SCENARIO, YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF NEEDING TO HUNT AND DO SO IN A VERY QUIET MANOR SO AS NOT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO YOURSELF OR GIVE AWAY YOUR POSITION THE WAY A RIFLE REPORT WILL. HUNTING WITH A BOW AND ARROW OR EVEN A SLINGSHOT IS QUIET…GET IN, GET OUT, GO EAT LEAVING NOTHING BEHIND BUT FOOTPRINTS. THE BOW IS MY PREFERRED STEALTH WEAPON BECAUSE IT’S EFFECTIVE AGAINST LARGER GAME (E.G. DEER). AND COULD BE USED QUIETLY AND EFFECTIVELY AGAINST TANGOS OR FERAL HUMANS IN A HIT AND RUN SCENARIO (BUT I WOULDN’T RECOMMEND IT UNLESS YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO OTHER CHOICE…AND THERE’S USUALLY ANOTHER CHOICE) .
ONE WEAPON THAT’S NOT GOING TO BE HOME MADE BUT SHOULDN’T BE OVER LOOKED IS AN AIR RIFLE. I HAVE ONE FOR HUNTING IN 5.5MM THAT IF YOU WERE 10 FT. AWAY, FROM ME YOU WOULDN’T HEAR IT FIRE YET IT WILL GO THROUGH HALF INCH PLYWOOD AT 30M USING 22G PELLETS. MORE THAN ENOUGH TO TAKE DOWN SMALL GAME AND QUIET ENOUGH TO GET A SECOND SHOT IF YOU MISS. THE AIR RIFLE HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 1800’S AND WAS USED AS A MILITARY WEAPON AGAINST NAPOLEON (50 CAL, RIFLED BARREL AND ACCURATE TO 50M AND LETHAL TO 100 WITH A RATE OF FIRE @ 6-10 PER MINUTE AND NO SMOKE VS. MUSKET AT 1.5 PER MINUTE). YOU CAN GET THEM IN JUST ABOUT ANY CALIBER BUT THE HIGH CALIBERS (9MM, 308, 30, ETC) WILL BE LOUD.. WHILE NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS A FIREARM (I WOULD HAVE BOTH) YOU CAN CARY 1,000 ROUNDS IN YOUR POCKETS AND 50,000 ROUNDS WILL FIT IN THE SPACE OF A DESKTOP COMPUTER…THAT’S A LOT OF RABBITS.
AS TO THE KEYS IN HANDS…SERIOUSLY BAD IDEA…A ROLL OF QUARTERS IN A PAIR OF SOCKS WOULD BE BETTER AND WHILE YOU MAY NOT CARRY THAT IN YOUR POCKET, I ALWAYS CARRY A SPRING OPEN ASSISTED KNIFE.
Colvonluck | July 30, 2017
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apologies FOR THE ALL CAPS…MY BROWSER MAY BE INTERACTING WITH THIS PAGE BADLY BECAUSE i HAVE CAP LOCK TURNED OFF…SEEMS FINE IN OTHER PROGRAMS. nO MATTER WHAT I DO i CAN’T GET LOWER CASE….SO, YOUR INDULGENCE IS APPRECIATED.
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RamBoze | June 18, 2018
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If you have a good weapon, find yourself a suppressor and some sub-sonic ammo, without s-s ammo the suppressor can still be heard from a distance, and when it comes to hunting for food, be smart, a cross-bow for large game and snares for the smaller stuff. In fact there is an art form to using snares, they can be used to trap critters or people, there is much info on the internet about using snares, they go back thousands of years and are deadly quiet, and I do mean deadly. RamBoze
Erik Himmel | April 13, 2020
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Hey there! I’ve read the whole your writing.Hope you can help me advice. I have few guns that I use for hunting birds and practice shooting. Recently I have added a recurve bow to my armory. This is also for my practice purpose. In my country, using weapons for no reason is illegal the legal way is only sports parcticing. Now my point is- If if when to protection of me and my family, Which weapons can be better? the legal ones? let me know