Really need a firearm for survival?

J

jackknife

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In the lower 48 of the United States, does one really need a firearm for survival?

Do not confuss the issue with self defence, totally different topic. The self defence issue is the only reason I carry a gun, even though the state of Maryland says no. With the question of two legged varmits, I keep a small J frame .38 concealed on me when we go woods walking. But in most of the U.S., is there many places you can't walk out of in three days, if you have a compass and have a rough idea where you are?

The couple years I lived in Colorado and went backpacking, it seemed like we'd run across a ranch road, park service trail, ATV tracks in the most odd places up in the mountains.

I think the formula is something like three days with no water, three weeks with no food.

So, if one is not injured, and has mobility, do you really need a gun or is it just the love of firearms that you want one along?
 
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jackknife said:
In the lower 48 of the United States, does one really need a firearm for survival?

Do not confuss the issue with self defence, totally different topic. The self defence issue is the only reason I carry a gun,

So, if one is not injured, and has mobility, do you really need a gun or is it just the love of firearms that you want one along?
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I think you are right, most people carry for self defense either from 2 legged or large 4 legged creatures.

If uninjured your probably ok w/out, but nobody plans on being injured so having a firearm of some sorts is a wise idea. Whether you use it for hunting or even signaling. My .02
 
I usually bring one but in 20 plus years never had even the occasion to draw it. Over the years the weight and caliber keeps shrinking because I can't justify a hand cannon based on experience but I've not got to the point of not bringing one.
 
So, if one is not injured, and has mobility, do you really need a gun or is it just the love of firearms that you want one along?
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I believe its more the latter. We love guns as much as we love knives We carry multiple knives because we want to, not because we need to. By and large, guns (for other than self defense against 2 or 4 legged animals) is the same- except when the plan is to go hunting. Of course, there's nothing wrong with packing a few extra pounds if it makes you that much happier, and the possibility of getting some fresh meat is always a morale booster.
 
JK, selfdefense issue aside, and barring some sort of apocolyptic event happening to he rest of the word while your in the woods..I really feel in the lower 48 with the exception of maybe of the most remote wilderness areas a survival fire arm is not nec. I've been out for days at at time w/out 1, and have lugged one along just as many times and not fired it...That being said..When all is said and done your nestled on in your sleeping bag by your self and that random branch cracks outside the shelter..a little reassurance is a great thing.
 
JACKKNIFE - "Do not confuss the issue with self defence, totally different topic."
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Jackknife, I do not believe you can separate the idea of "self defense" from the idea of "survival." It is not realistic, to me, anyway, to exclude the possibility of a "self defense" situation, just because one finds oneself in a "survival" situation. Does it happen often?? No. But then, realistically, how many people who go bustin' around out in the boonies, ever find themselves in a "survival" situation?? Yet, those in the know, still take certain items with them "just in case."

On the other hand, you are certainly correct that mainly in the United States, one is very rarely more than a couple days hiking from some type of road and ordinarily, help. As long as one isn't hurt or made immobile.

I imagine that in most cases of "survival" a person would not need a firearm. On the other hand, there is always a possibility one might need a firearm for self defense... or signaling, etc.

Ya pays ya nickel and ya takes your chances. ;)

L.W.
 
Your state of mind is the most important element for survival. My state of mind is better if I have something that not only protects me, but could also provide food.

Its something I may never use/ hope never to use. But if I need it ....nothing else will do.
 
My father taught me several useful things.

Don’t crap were you eat.

99% of the time your mouth is what gets you into trouble and if you use it right it will get you out of trouble 99% of the time.

Women are like monkeys they don’t let go of one branch until they have a firm grasp on the next one.

Most importantly It is better to Have and not need then Need and not have.

And my favorite “Son you can’t polish a Turd”

I miss you dad
 
hollowdweller said:
I usually bring one but in 20 plus years never had even the occasion to draw it. Over the years the weight and caliber keeps shrinking because I can't justify a hand cannon based on experience but I've not got to the point of not bringing one.
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:thumbup: That is why I went from a Gp100 .357 revolver to now carrying a .22LR 9 shot revolver.Plus I do not have any large 4 legged beast to contend with like Bears ETC....so FOR me:) a .22LR caliber revolver pistol works great...
 
I don't think you can separate self defense from survival. After all, isn't "survival" by definition, self defense? Self defense from nature, from nbad guys, whatever.

True, in many survival situations you are in far more danger from the elements than you are starving to death, so hunting isn't really a reason in a survival situation (although that may be the reason you had a firearm when you got into the situation.

Other than that, defense against critters is the reason to be armed. I've been thrust into a survival situation when fishing. Ever deal with water moccasins? They are mean, they will come after you, they will even circle around behind you. I've had to literalyl shoot my way out of a fishing hole because of them. Yes, if I didn't have a pistol, I could have very well died that day, along with my fishing partner and his grandson. Something to think about (he also had a firearm, and we both expended most of our ammo).

Then there's the everpresent possibility of running across an ornery boar, alligator or crocodile. You do NOT want a .22 as your only firearm contending with those dritters, and you SURELY don't want your "bushcraft" knife to be the only means of turning them away. In fact, hunting hogs and the possibility of having to convince an angry carnosaur that he is, in fact, still below me on the food chain, is the reason I often carry a rifle. If not, I still like a major caliber handgun.

To each his own, and you have to evaluate your own environment, but self defense is THE reason to carry a firearm in the woods.
 
I agree with the foregoing posts that it's not really possible to totally separate the "defense" issue from the "survival" issue.

But, going with the intent of the OP, I'd say, no, you don't NEED a gun for survival, but it sure would make it easier.

For example, if I see a rabbit or squirrel 15-25 yds away, I'd know to set a snare and maybe they'll cooperate and ensnare themselves for me later the next day.....if I'm lucky.

OR, I can take out my .22 and pop 'em in the head and eat that night......and if I get both, have something for morning, as well.

.
 
The formula is three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food and three months without sex
 
I have held a gun on a Mt Lion once and a few times on hillbillies. Wasn't as scared dealing with the cat as I was the hillbillies. Apparantly they know that an hour drive into the woods is far enough from the police for them to try their crap :( In one of Ron Hood's videos they used handguns to scare off an agressive moose. Like mentioned before, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. For food procurement, I don't see a firearm being the most efficiant way to get food. Plants don't run and traps are far more efficiant plus they "hunt" while you do other stuff :) For big game you can still make traps/snares and use a field built spear if needed.
 
zman308 said:
The formula is three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food and three months without sex
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That is the Formula, but I'd rather not go that long with out any of those necessities! Specially the sex part, 3 months is crazy:eek::D
 
Self defense situations are survival situations.

In terms of food gathering you probably don't need a firearm because you probably won't need food in a 72 hour situation. Still you aren't having a proper adventure without a quailty blade and a sidearm so yeah, I'll carry. Mac
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Ever deal with water moccasins? They are mean, they will come after you, they will even circle around behind you. I've had to literalyl shoot my way out of a fishing hole because of them. Yes, if I didn't have a pistol, I could have very well died that day, along with my fishing partner and his grandson. Something to think about (he also had a firearm, and we both expended most of our ammo).
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Does anyone make a smooth-bore revolver or pistol for use with shotshell ammo?

I think that with a smooth bore, the 38/357 shotshell ammo would pattern much better for snakes than the rifled barrel.

But maybe that runs afoul of some legal restriction somewheres?
 
Self defense situations are survival situations. But not all survival situations are self defense situations.

Firearm necessary for survival? Probably not. But they might not hurt. I've occasionally carried one. Never actually needed one, though, because I've never really been in a survival or self defense situation. My guess is that most folks are probably in the same boat.
 
Strangely, Boy Scouts of America asks candidiates for the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge to list the "priorities" for wilderness survival. Most kids, faced with that requirement, know that how one orders "priorities" depends on the situation. It's experience, information from others, and imagination (I mean that in the positive sense.) that tells us what gear it's prudent to have along on a given trip.

Soooooooo, sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.
 
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