Yes, this topic again, it hasn't been done on this forum in a while though, so I thought it might be time to bring it up once more.
Simple enough question, you're on your own or in a small group to begin with, can go anywhere, and can acquire pretty much any real world item you can carry and/or fit into a road vehicle of your choice. What do you take, and what do you do?
For me:
Combat Gear (to keep on hand, not use all at once rambo style)
-Riot gear with full body knife resistant armor, tower shield included. Actually, a modernized version of metal plate might work better, but finding a set made from non traditional lightweight materials is incredibly tough, and the older style is far too cumbersome, even with training.
-AK-47 tactical AKM with grenade launcher attachment. Variable fire high powered assault weapon usable at ranges comparable to some dedicated sniper rifles. In some ways more importantly, it is incredibly easy to maintain and find replacement parts for, and uses a standard 7.62 round. I actually would prefer the M-16 or XM8, but they don't fare as well in a situation with poor levels of regular maintenance.
-USAS-12 combat shotgun with drum magazines. 12 gauge auto/semiauto short barreled shotgun with a 20 round capacity, simple magazine reload, and relatively low recoil.
-.44 magnum desert eagle. Few handguns have the same kind of stopping power as this thing. Kicks like a mule though.
Other weapons
-heavy hatchet or small woodcutter's axe. doubles as an incredibly functional survival tool. It isn't ideal for all cases, but a machete doesn't quite have the force necessary to sever limbs reliably, and I'm more likely to hurt myself than the zombies attempting to wield a sword.
-111 FCNS, .308 scoped rifle, mainly for hunting game, the AK would work fine, but is just a wee bit overpowered for a deer or elk
-Browning 22LR, low caliber rifle for when the .308 round is also overkill, I happen to like my rabbit non exploded thank you.
Survival
-cold weather camo gear
-MREs or similar nonperishables, whatever I can get my hands on really. I would hunt or otherwise acquire food as we go, touching the preserved stuff only when absolutely required.
-heavy duty low profile tent with thermal insulation and snowy terrain camoflage.
-Heavy coccoon type sleeping bag rated to at least -30 C
-SATphone
-CB radio
-survival GPS (these last three items may or may not be useful in the long run, but I'd rather have them than be blind if there is something still functional out there.)
-compact gas generator
-bike pedal generator (for when gas is more precious than my thighs not being sore as hell)
-rechargable power supply compatible with both of the above.
-waterproof matches
-flint striker
-electric space heater
-electric camp stove (for when a fire isn't an option)
-fishing net and tackle
-twine, string, and rope. Multiple types and thicknesses.
-rechargable light sources.
- compact foldable shovel/trench tool
-Becker Tactool, exceptionally functional straightedge utility knife that is more than usable in a fight.
-several years worth of multivitamin supplements, fighting off hordes of undead only to die of scurvy would really suck
-water purification tablets. similar reasons to the above. Boiling water is much easier on the taste buds, but isn't always possible.
Other
-FED Alpha with .50 cal machine gun. Brand new hybrid variant of the good old tough as nails HMMWV with both an equipped solar panel and the option to switch to gas only if need be. I get two bonuses with this thing. The original engine was tough enough to handle... alternative fuels, from kerosene to high proof alcohol. The one used in the FED supposedly has similar attributes, although in both cases deviation from the standard diesel is not recommended in the long term due to maintenance problems. Also, when not using the vehicle on a regular basis, I can exploit the solar cells to power other crap.
-multiple nooks loaded with as many books as I can cram in there. They have close to zero power usage and take up zilch in space, so they're not as much of a waste as some other luxury items.
I could probably double this list if I kept going, but let's cut it off there. its too long as it is. My actual plan is to go north with as many of my family as I can get my hands on. Scavenge as we go along, take the country highways, and avoid major populations where possible. Initial goal would be the region of northern Quebec, but we'd remain flexible as to the final location. There is lots of wild game in that area and enough of a population density that a decent quantity of supplies will remain available for scavenging for quite some time. Most importantly, the weather is favorable for long term survival. Not because freezing my arse off in a tent in the middle of the woods is particularly healthy, but because the winters there will destroy more walking corpses than I could in a dozen lifetimes.
Simple enough question, you're on your own or in a small group to begin with, can go anywhere, and can acquire pretty much any real world item you can carry and/or fit into a road vehicle of your choice. What do you take, and what do you do?
For me:
Combat Gear (to keep on hand, not use all at once rambo style)
-Riot gear with full body knife resistant armor, tower shield included. Actually, a modernized version of metal plate might work better, but finding a set made from non traditional lightweight materials is incredibly tough, and the older style is far too cumbersome, even with training.
-AK-47 tactical AKM with grenade launcher attachment. Variable fire high powered assault weapon usable at ranges comparable to some dedicated sniper rifles. In some ways more importantly, it is incredibly easy to maintain and find replacement parts for, and uses a standard 7.62 round. I actually would prefer the M-16 or XM8, but they don't fare as well in a situation with poor levels of regular maintenance.
-USAS-12 combat shotgun with drum magazines. 12 gauge auto/semiauto short barreled shotgun with a 20 round capacity, simple magazine reload, and relatively low recoil.
-.44 magnum desert eagle. Few handguns have the same kind of stopping power as this thing. Kicks like a mule though.
Other weapons
-heavy hatchet or small woodcutter's axe. doubles as an incredibly functional survival tool. It isn't ideal for all cases, but a machete doesn't quite have the force necessary to sever limbs reliably, and I'm more likely to hurt myself than the zombies attempting to wield a sword.
-111 FCNS, .308 scoped rifle, mainly for hunting game, the AK would work fine, but is just a wee bit overpowered for a deer or elk
-Browning 22LR, low caliber rifle for when the .308 round is also overkill, I happen to like my rabbit non exploded thank you.
Survival
-cold weather camo gear
-MREs or similar nonperishables, whatever I can get my hands on really. I would hunt or otherwise acquire food as we go, touching the preserved stuff only when absolutely required.
-heavy duty low profile tent with thermal insulation and snowy terrain camoflage.
-Heavy coccoon type sleeping bag rated to at least -30 C
-SATphone
-CB radio
-survival GPS (these last three items may or may not be useful in the long run, but I'd rather have them than be blind if there is something still functional out there.)
-compact gas generator
-bike pedal generator (for when gas is more precious than my thighs not being sore as hell)
-rechargable power supply compatible with both of the above.
-waterproof matches
-flint striker
-electric space heater
-electric camp stove (for when a fire isn't an option)
-fishing net and tackle
-twine, string, and rope. Multiple types and thicknesses.
-rechargable light sources.
- compact foldable shovel/trench tool
-Becker Tactool, exceptionally functional straightedge utility knife that is more than usable in a fight.
-several years worth of multivitamin supplements, fighting off hordes of undead only to die of scurvy would really suck
-water purification tablets. similar reasons to the above. Boiling water is much easier on the taste buds, but isn't always possible.
Other
-FED Alpha with .50 cal machine gun. Brand new hybrid variant of the good old tough as nails HMMWV with both an equipped solar panel and the option to switch to gas only if need be. I get two bonuses with this thing. The original engine was tough enough to handle... alternative fuels, from kerosene to high proof alcohol. The one used in the FED supposedly has similar attributes, although in both cases deviation from the standard diesel is not recommended in the long term due to maintenance problems. Also, when not using the vehicle on a regular basis, I can exploit the solar cells to power other crap.
-multiple nooks loaded with as many books as I can cram in there. They have close to zero power usage and take up zilch in space, so they're not as much of a waste as some other luxury items.
I could probably double this list if I kept going, but let's cut it off there. its too long as it is. My actual plan is to go north with as many of my family as I can get my hands on. Scavenge as we go along, take the country highways, and avoid major populations where possible. Initial goal would be the region of northern Quebec, but we'd remain flexible as to the final location. There is lots of wild game in that area and enough of a population density that a decent quantity of supplies will remain available for scavenging for quite some time. Most importantly, the weather is favorable for long term survival. Not because freezing my arse off in a tent in the middle of the woods is particularly healthy, but because the winters there will destroy more walking corpses than I could in a dozen lifetimes.
