Ragnar Benson - Ragnar's Urban Survival

Nothing significant—except possibly the advent of supercompact carbines firing rifle rounds—has occurred that changes my mind regarding use of pistols in city survival situations. Truth is, most people do not use conventional pistols with sufficient skill to make them practical. Accuracy with a pistol at any range is really tough. True proficiency only comes by constant practice over a period of 6 to 8 years and, in my opinion, from being around someone who is a really good pistol shot. Apparently this association with an outstanding pistolero leads to personal confidence that one can really hit targets at extended ranges (more than 5 to 7 yards).

The display of a pistol on the belt leads to less crime and more civilized behavior; there’s no question about that. But to say this is also true in a tough city survival situation is difficult.

But, assuming that getting hits on target with a sufficiently powerful single hand weapon to make a lasting impression is important, I would choose an AR-15 pistol with a 40-round magazine. Currently these either must be built from parts or from a kit offered by AR-15 component manufacturers. With a shorty stock they are marvelously effective weapons out to about 100 yards. Why they are not much more popular is a mystery. Probably because it is not easy to assemble one of these pistols and have it function reliably.

Yet, most city survivors will feel they must have some sort of handgun. This is understandable even if the idea is less than practically defensible. When funds are limited for both guns and ammo, it would seem wise to first lay in something common, reliable, and simple, such as a .22 LR. A rugged, reliable Ruger standard auto comes immediately to mind. Three important goals are accomplished. Owners of .22 handguns can learn to shoot at minimum cost and with minimum disruption. Also, they have a gun for which they should already have a ton of ammo.

Next, when it seems terribly important, I would purchase a high-quality, military-grade 9mm pistol. This will give you more options, because 9mm universal ammo is more likely purchased as surplus, scrounged, or captured. Military pistol designs are important because these guns have the ruggedness and reparability vital for city survivors.

My choice is still a high-capacity Browning Hi-Power or a Beretta Model 92. Certainly there are others just as good, but—like women—it’s all in the eye of the beholder.

No city survivor I talked with used shotguns of any type, in spite of the fact that shotguns are almost always the last guns to be demonized by governments. Perhaps this is because shotguns are so far removed from being military weapons. The fellow from Beirut simply said he wouldn’t be able to get one because the military didn’t use them.

Perhaps the military use of shotguns isn’t widespread because they have limited range, make a great deal of noise, ammo is tough to resupply and cumbersome to carry in any quantity, and very few shotguns are of sufficient strength to stand up to military/survival duty. Under some specific circumstances, some shotguns may be acceptable military weapons in built-up areas, but keep in mind that we are going to keep our heads down and survive, not engage in military actions unless absolutely forced into it.

Word is that Mossberg 500 pumps are the most rugged, reliable shotguns ever built. These may be good weapons for those in cities. Mossberg 500s are also some of the least expensive weapons—but before embarking on this path, be sure sufficient funds are available for both a gun and a pile of ammo. Also understand that this weapon may never be put to good use by the survivor. Five hundred dollars will purchase the gun and 1,000 rounds of 12-gauge ammunition; but in this day and age, $500 may not be much of a problem, even if it is money spent with some inefficiency.

Other strictly military-type shotguns such as a SPAS 12, a Beretta 1201 FP, and the Benelli Black Eagle, have mostly disappeared from U.S. markets. Some of these shotguns were quite good, but some, like the SPAS 12, were far too complicated to be of great value. Military shotguns available today are prohibitively expensive, probably precluding purchase of more important sniper rifles, .22 rifles, assault rifles, and ammunition, except in the case of very well-heeled folks.

What do our been there, done that folks pick for guns? A longer range, optically sighted rifle, a simple .22 rifle with silencer or other quiet capability, an assault rifle, and an absolute trailerload of ammunition and magazines are all equally important, they claim.

But keep in mind that no foreigners, even those who have served in the military, know guns and ammo like Americans.

We can say absolutely that possession of personal firearms will be vital for survival. Few, if any, city survivors will make it without guns and lots of ammunition. No one can provide any evidence to the contrary. Does this also mean that antigun Easterners inhabiting one-third of the United States and most of the big built-up areas in our country are in for tough times in the future?

Better in this case to worry about ourselves, allowing whatever foolishness is being sown to establish itself at harvest.

Nursing in a survival context seldom receives much interest and attention. Pity, since this single activity can save or—as more frequently occurs—lose significant numbers of lives. Especially when undertaken by uninformed, unprepared survivors.

Nursing in any form is defined as the act of providing skilled, appropriate, long-term sheltering care leading to successful convalescence and recovery from accidents, sickness, or wounds. Nursing for city survivors is especially critical because initial care provided by some persons who are less than skilled and trained may be borderline at best. In an emergency, we may be sewed up by nurses, dentists, pharmacists, farmers, veterinarians, dental assistants, chiropractors, and even at times common private citizens.

That all of these people are extremely well-intentioned and correspondingly anxious to do the right thing is little consolation. In a survival situation, even medical doctors will be constrained by a lack of proper drugs, instruments, and facilities. Placing an untrained or borderline amateur in these circumstances is definitely not ideal, but will be necessary if any lives are to be saved.