Regarding firearms for urban prepping, proper safety and preparedness are essential. Under practical assumptions, ideal firearms are those that are used with widely available ammunition, and in a group setup, they should be easy to use for most people. The rules of engagement, in essence, remain the same as they exist at present times; thus, the focus is only on self-defense against a potential threat and not offensive operations.
For the vast majority of people living in urban and suburban settings, the following three firearms are recommended:
- .357 Revolver with a 4″ Barrel: This gun will take both .357 Magnum and .38 Special, so the shooter will have a large choice of ammunition. The.38 Special is relatively easily controlled by novices. The 357 Magnum is powerful enough to bring down substantial threats. A revolver is easy to operate, and everybody can use it. Its six-round capacity is considered adequate under normal rules of engagement. It is concealable, which further adds to its utility.
- 5.56 NATO-Chambered Semi-Auto Rifle: Examples: AR-15, Mini-14, SU-16. These rifles provide an outstanding balance among effectiveness, capacity, availability, and usability. This might not be an ideal rifle for hunting medium to large game, but these rifles are accurate and easy enough to use in an urban defense role. The rifle can’t easily be carried openly in public, so this type of firearm lends itself much more to home defense.
- Break Action 12-Gauge Shotgun: These come in either over/under or side-by-side configurations. The shotgun is perfect for short-ranged environments. The process of running this gun is straightforward and reliable, favored by many. It is not highly portable, but the stopping capability that it provides in close quarters is unbeatable.
These selections were a striker-fired 9mm handgun, a semi-auto .22 rifle, and a pump action 12-gauge shotgun. Each has its use, ease of use, price, and higher capacity.
In other related news, GunBroker has just released its sales data for 2022, identifying the top firearms sold in the year. These, according to GunGenius.com, are some of the most popular choices American gun buyers have made. The top 10 firearms across categories include:
- SIG Sauer P320
- Remington 700
- SIG Sauer P365
- Smith & Wesson M&P9
- Ruger 10/22
- Mossberg 590
- Remington 870
- Glock G19
- Ruger American Rifle
- Springfield Armory
These guns represent a combination of pistols, rifles, and shotguns, suitable for various purposes from self-defense to hunting.
In the other lineups, 36 of the new firearms were on show during the SHOT Show 2023 varying from tactical, hunting, to modern sporting rifles. The show comprises premieres by the Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical Rifle and the Bergara B-14 Squared Crest Rifle. The Mossberg Patriot LR with MDT Chassis and 20 MOA Rail is available at $1085 for precision shooting and hunting applications. One of which is the Bergara B-14 Squared Crest, with carbon-fiber monocoque stock, tailored for backcountry hunters who wish for a lightweight but solidly built rifle.
Understanding these trends and recommendations can enhance one’s prepping plan of action, making sure the choice of firearm is the urban defense and practical.