[kev]

How many AR-15s, AK47s, FALs... are enough?

The title of the thread is battle rifles. Lets skip the semantics and splitting hairs and group all semi-automatic medium and large rifle calibers together. If it was designed for a military role since the 1940s, how many are enough?

The issue is, how many semi-automatic rifles are enough as compared to hunting rifles?

I would like to have another 308 rifle in bolt action. Then again, I would like to have another AR-15. we come to a point when we have to ask how many are enough?

Personally, I am leaning towards at 4 - 5 AR-15s. That is a nice sized number without being overly burdensome. If someone has been prepping for 10, 15, 20+ years, it would not be out of the question to collect several AR-15 rifles.

Maybe I have answered my own question with 4 - 5 AR rifles, then move onto something else?

However, perhaps someone may want to go with the FAL, PTR-91, AK-47, AK-74... or something besides the AR? Rather than an AR and 223 / 5.56mm, maybe go with a FAL or PTR-91 that is well suited for defense and hunting medium sized game.

Enough of the ranting. Someone post their thoughts on the idea?

 

[223shootersc]

A minimum of one each for your family members plus one. Also need at least two long range capable rifles in large caliber minimum 300 Win Mag.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

I'm not sure there is a good answer. Everyone will have different opinions. Some of the decision will be preparedness driven. Others collection driven. The two do overlap.

My collection would more than cover my needs including for spare parts. Spare parts being defined as actual individual parts as well as complete weapons.

I wouldn't mind expanding the collection a bit. Have always had a fondness for H&K pattern rifles however the H&K33 and 93 are more than I am willing to pay. Thus the interest in a PTR-91 and it would be nice if they had a version of the 93 as well.

Don't know. Can't really say if I know of a good answer to the question.

Now, ask that of Mrs. AZ_HighCountry and she may have a different opinion.

 

[DG23]

How many AR-15s, AK47s, FALs... are enough?

Enough for what?


Think about how much ammo it would take to shoot out a single barrel and ask yourself how close you are to having that...

 

[John Galt 1]

While I'm not as into heavy weaponry as some on this site we've all heard the saying:

Two is one, and one is none.

Since I'm no Rambo I figure 2 ARs similarly equipped with some replacement springs and pins is sufficient. If the worst case happens and the world turns into a shooting gallery I'll either win and have plenty of captured guns or I'll be dead with no use for a rifle.

 

[7.5x55 Swiss]

1 of each type and then extras of your favorites is how I do it, or would do it if I didn't lose my guns in a wheelbarrow accident.

 

[Ankylus]

Depends on what you want to do. If you want to fend off a solitary intruder breaking into your home, 1 will suffice. If you want to defend the pass at Thermopylae, well, you are going to need more than 1.

The question is too vague for a simple, single number answer.

 

[Nomad 2nd]

I think I should abstain.

 

[Plagued707]

I'm selling some and buying more ammo. I've reached my peak.

 

[0002S]

Need 1

Never enough

 

[Jack Swilling]

If you have the $$$
There is no upper limit
Great trade value
Probably no better item to stack deep

 

[roseman]

If you have the $$$
There is no upper limit
Great trade value
Probably no better item to stack deep

This,
Prices are reasonable too.

 

[Lost Woods Survival]

One of each caliber. With AR's get a few cheap ones and one that you will carrier of high quality.

 

[Chuckleberry]

`

I think from a prepper stand point 1 per trigger puller is the minimum. A few spares in case one goes down & lots of spare parts as well. As for me, I just have fun building them so to me it's all down to budget. If I had more disposable $$$ I'd have more AR's.

.

 

[Rural Buckeye Guy]

Ditto on Chuckleberry. My friends love to build so I don’t. I favor reloading because of the ritual and steps, so my porch often hosts anonymous large ziplocks full of spent brass. I have five months of winter to reload and be a gym rat! Two ARs per trigger puller, one pump 12, 2 pistols, one scopes rifle. Minimal calibers. Per trigger puller. That way you can force augment. I am more concerned with comms, binos, water purifiers and bikes though. Intel is often a much greater force multiplier than triggers. Same with water/sanitation and bulk grains w seasonings. Often more so.

 

[Herd Sniper]

I'm an American citizen. I can have as many as I want or need. There is no top end limit. So, technically, if a guy wants to collect 25 or more rifles it's okay because he may be collecting them as an investment with the idea of selling them off later as they become more valuable. I've heard of gun and rifle collections with over 250 pieces to them worth in the millions of dollars.

As a firearms instructor, I need more than want because I use different rifles for instruction purposes teaching different groups of people different shooting techniques. For police officers I use certain rifles set up in certain fashions. Same thing for teaching civilians about rifles that are legal for their shooting needs too. While circumstances might dictate that I would need only 2 or 3 rifles for basic survival needs, for teaching purposes I could use maybe 10 or more rifles set up for teaching. I tend to believe that our founding fathers actually saw a time when - in the future many years - when our nation would need every firearm it has to defend itself from foreign invaders and treasonous citizens. Because of their foresight they put in the phrase, "...shall not be infringed..." in anticipation of such danger and treachery.

So I tend to think that need is relative to the individual and what they do as far as firearms are concerned. Instructors need more firearms than the average person. Police need certain firearms/rifles that meet whatever their jobs demand that they do. Longer barrel rifles with match grade accuracy for snipers and shorter barrel rifles for tactical or SWAT officers. Even these officers should own and know how to use more than "just a couple of rifles" so they also need to have more than 1 or 2 rifles. Again, tasks determine need.

 

[MattB4]

How many AR-15s, AK47s, FALs... are enough?

...

I have never owned any of those and I am now 60 years old. So for me the answer would be zero. For someone else that enjoys them for sporting purposes, or simply ownership, the answer of what is enough is entirely according to personal desire and finances.

0-100

 

[kev]

I have never owned any of those and I am now 60 years old. So for me the answer would be zero. For someone else that enjoys them for sporting purposes, or simply ownership, the answer of what is enough is entirely according to personal desire and finances.

0-100

In all honesty, rarely have I needed to reach for an AR-15. The only real times were after hurricane and we were in a complete grid down situation.

As for hunting, it has been shotgun, 22 long rifle and bolt action deer rifle.

 

[Hick Industries]

I would urge others to buy at least three semi auto carbines, and at least one should be chambered for a full power cartridge.
Then after completing the rest of their preps, including food, tools, camping gear, and other firearms, buy all the semi carbines you desire.

 

[whirlibird]

Enough?
More than I have, less than I want.

Around here, the AR/.223 is legal for deer and antelope hunting so I found myself getting back into the AR15 platform.

One per person plus one seems a good number for us, and that's pretty much what I am building.

Having 35 in a safe is just an investment at that point, be it as insurance or financial it's beyond the majority of us.

I recently traded my son my .223 AR upper to finish his rifle, he was sitting on a spare hunting rifle he didn't use, so we came to an agreement. That completes his AR, getting another finished one ready for hunting season and I will just build another once the wife's is done.

I'd like another FAL or G3, but can I justify the expense when we have kids in school, other things that need attention?