We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
The best guns for any SHTF situation are the ones that you can rely on to perform when chaos is all around. This means that firearms with low recoil, high magazine capacity, and good accuracy are going to be your best bet.
We’ve compiled some of the best guns for this type of emergency below. Read on to discover which gun will work best for you!
A 12 Gauge Shotgun
The 12 Gauge Shotgun is a standard staple. This is a great all-around gun because it can fire pellets of different sizes and types depending on the situation. These shotguns are also very easy to use, which means that even beginners will be able to pick one up quickly in an emergency situation or SHTF event.
This makes it extremely versatile, inexpensive, and often very reliable.
The 12 Gauge Shotgun can be used to hunt anything from rabbits and birds to deer and even defend against bears just by using different rounds.
Here is the bonus: ammo is extremely common.
If you are looking for a reliable, versatile gun that is easy to use and won’t break the bank then this shotgun will be perfect.
Mossberg 500 12 Gauge Pump
The Mossberg 500 12 Gauge pump-action shotgun can also work well in an emergency situation or SHTF event because it has a higher firing rate than other shotguns – which means more pellets hitting your target. It also has a safety mechanism so it can be stored and used easily without accidentally shooting someone,
The Mossberg 500 12 Gauge pump-action shotgun is also lightweight – which means that you won’t have to worry about the gun weighing down your pack or bag when carrying it in an emergency situation or SHTF event.
9mm Pistol
A 9mm Pistol should be your second item to stock. Again, it uses a very common round, so you should be able to stockpile your ammo. It is also small enough to carry on you at all times.
That means it can easily be used against most attackers, assuming they’re not large animals like bears.
You will find a wide variety of prices on these guns ranging from high-end competition to bargain-bin pricing, yet functioning should all be roughly all be the same.
The Glock 19
The Glock 19 has a good reputation for reliability and is available in most areas.
It also comes with the added bonus of being lightweight, so it won’t slow you down when carrying it around during an emergency situation or SHTF event. There has got to be a reason the police use it.
“Finding one gun that can do everything may not be possible – but finding a few guns that can do most things is.”
The AR-15
If you have the funds for it, we recommend investing in an AR-15 or Similar Rifle. This rifle has many uses and will be reliable as long as it’s kept clean. It also comes with a variety of optics available to suit your needs, which makes it handy to be used against attackers at a longer distance.
The AR-15 is also good for hunting, as it can be used to take down a deer or other large game with ease.
Again, 5.56/.223 is widely available all over the US, so stocking up on ammo should be fairly easy.
Bolt-Action Rifles
If you’re looking for more of an all-around gun in the best shtf guns list: we recommend having two bolt action rifles on hand and plenty of shells (preferably .308).
The bolt action rifle is a great weapon for long-distance shots, as it will be able to take down most targets with one well-placed shot. It also requires less ammo and can fire off more rounds before needing to reload.
And if you’re in need of defense at closer ranges: the pump shotgun.
These are common for hunting, usually well built and suited for outdoor environments. They should be able to take some abuse from a survival situation and still work well.
Where can you hide your guns?
If you don’t have a gun safe but want your weapons stashed around your home? Get our FREE Printable list of places that will work for any SHTF situation. Please make sure ALL family members know the locations as well as how to handle the weapons safely.
Last, but not least, I want to mention a .22 Breakdown Rifle.
While a .22 isn’t particularly powerful and shouldn’t be your first choice when looking at the best guns for survival, but the ammo is very cheap, meaning you can get a lot of practice with it. The rifles can be used by the whole family due to low recoil, and the breakdown versions allow them to be easily stored.
These are great for small game hunting, and a good choice if you’re not going to be shooting at anything farther than 100 yards. They can take down lots of small game up to coyotes and can kill people if really needed in a split decision situation.
It’s also less expensive than other rifles due to the weapon being made of fewer parts, making it easier on your wallet in a SHTF situation or survival scenario.
If you’re looking for a rifle but have to keep a low profile in public, the Ruger Mini-14 is perfect for you. It can be discreetly carried and quickly drawn when needed without drawing attention as an AR-style weapon might.
Which one is the best gun for a prepper?
The best guns for any survivalist or prepper?
I always recommend trying out different firearms until one clicks with you so that you can make your own decision.
For some people, the feel and weight of a gun will be more comfortable than others.
What might suit someone with smaller hands better may not work for an individual with larger hands, so it’s important to try out different weapons until one clicks for you personally!