I have taken a new job in tha last six months that requires a lot of travel. I work in TN and MS anywhere from 50-300 miles from home. So my GHB has to change a bit obviously. I carry a Glock 34 everyday, everywhere I go with 2 spare mags. So my question is givent that it may be a 300 mile trek home were there some disater that required me to hoof it would you have a carbine in your GHB? Or would you stick with just a sidearm? If I go the carbine route I would get a kel tec SU16, it is a great combination of light wieght, compact and good fire power.

My biggest concern would be the ramifications of attempting to cross severl counties, a state line and many smaller jurisdictions while carrying a long gun. Obviously there are a lot of advantage to a long gun in this situation over a pistol.

First off, I have heard some not so good things about the SU16 including something about a plastic extractor...  You may want to do some more research about it.  Second of all, I would put a carbine 4th on my list of necessities just under water, food, and shelter.  A handgun is great for defense but a carbine can do a better job at longer ranges and double to hunt with along with numerous other things.  I would check into the Kel-tec sub2000 and some 33 round glock mags filled with fmj 9mm for a potential of hunting and some mags filled with jhp for defense.  Either that or any other stocked carbine/rifle that you are comfortable with.  Remember that if you are crossing over state lines, you very well may not be in a vehicle and if you aren't, you don't exactly need to stick to roads.  With a monstrous natural disaster or something else of the magnitude that would require you to ditch your car and walk upwards of 300+ miles, chances are LE and other such entities would be focused on a bigger picture than one law abiding citizen with a carry permit toting a rifle on the back for self defense just trying to get home...especially if they don't see you as you cut through some forest.

I would take the angle that a hidden pistol draws less attention to you than a rifle on your back.   I could see police officers trying to restore order and having issues if you have a rifle, whereas they wouldn't bother if you had a hidden handgun.  Also, a bad individual might see your rifle and all it takes is one shot from a bolt action junk gun to get your Keltec.

Lastly, a pistol weighs so much less than a rifle.   Just my thoughts.  Hopefully the world won't get that bad.

Can't hurt to have a long gun in the car.

Easy enough to dump if circumstances make it a problem.

Hard to find on short notice if circumstances require it.

Carrying a carbine during a SHTF trek changes things.  

You might cause some folks avoid contact with you because you are visibly armed.  

You might attract sheep looking for somebody to lead them.  

Some folks might be upset because you appear to have gear and they have none and I'm pretty sure you can't share your preps with everyone and still accomplish your own goal of reaching your BOL.  

You might be shot from ambush without warning because your rifle made you appear to be a threat.   Of course, you could be shot in similar circumstance even if you are not visibly armed.

If there are remnants of civil authority operating and they find you travelling armed with a black rifle you can expect to be disarmed and possibly detained.  It might not be legal, but that's the probable SOP.

All that said... Personally, I figure it will improve chances of reaching my destination by carrying a GHR.  Others will disagree.

One thing is for sure.  I wouldn't take a firearm that I don't have extensive range time and/or field experience with and absolute faith that it will properly operate every time I pull the trigger.   This includes the mags, sling, optics, ammo, and every other component of the firearm.

YMMV.

I tend to agree with TJ on this one.  I would stick to a Glock (22 for me) and keep it concealed, however, I am very seldom farther than 30 miles from home.  I don't think I would mind having a carbine if I were 300 miles from home.

Doc

+1 on pistol only


If you HAVE to have a long gun, I would go with a used 870 with a 18" barrel and a mix of a dozen or two of shells (6 buckshot, 6 slugs, 12 birdshot).  Easy to break down in a pack if needed, and legal pretty much everywhere.

How about a mechtech conversion?

SRM

I would rather have a supressed pistol than a carbine, if my objective was to strictly E&E homeward.  

IMHO

with those distnaces you'd be better suited with a full on BOB setup. Not a GHB. sorry guys, but IMHO a GHB is 40 miles and under. Why?  thats 2 days at 20 miles per day!YMMV on that one.....sorry wanted to split hairs

ANyway back to the question.

I would carry a long arm that you dont really worry about in your car/truck. If thats a M4orgy,or a M44  go for it.

This way you have it, if you need it and if you dont you cache or dump it. Or if y our useng apack thats suited for the distance involved break it done and hump it back. At nights or your lay overs pull it out for instant use if the event warrants it! Keep the ammo load out basic, IMHO this would be a secondary line weapon to your CCW( barring ZOMBIE or REDDAWN event) and you wont need a full line support for it. simple mag bandolier with 3-5 mags if that!

Other wise i would stick with the  sidearm, some extra ammo mags, cleaning kit . As to the glock  id go fullsize like the 17, for the pack. Keep your CCW as a spare/back up  and normal day to day CCW.

as always IHMO,YMMV

I have a MP5 clone that is registered SBR and has a retractable stock.  Pretty small overall and it will fit into my pack.  I consider throwing it in but I usually just leave it in the safe.  

I carry a Glock 19 everyday and that would be my primary weapon for my GHB.  If I were going longer distances, the MP5 clone would be REAL nice to have.

YMMV

I keep an old 30-30 behind the seat.  I truly love that gun, but it wouldnt be too expensive to leave behind and it provides more options.  I wouldnt want an AR to be my truck gun.  THe 30-30 is also more sheep and LEO friendly.

My GH Bag has changed recently also...

Where I used to be 75 miles from home (meaning 3 days, at least...) I now work 12 miles from home and could be there in a day.

therefor, I did purchase a Sub2000 in 9mm to go with my Glock 17.  It provides me with a shoulder weapon, but one I can keep folded and out of sight until needed.

I am of the mindset that in my AO, any altercation is going to be close up, CQB type stuff, so the 9mm wouldn't suffer any performance woes (never mind the neverending 9mm vs .45 debate).  If someone is going to engage me from a distance, I'll be dead before I hear the sound of the shot (think scoped hunting rifle here).

I have owned and am a big fan of the Kel-Tec line of products.  I carry a P11 every day and have a back up and obviously I am trusting in the Sub2000.  

I have owned the SU16 in both the Alpha and Charlie Models.  While they were fun to shoot and a neat idea, after trial and error and the reoprts of kabooms and other problems, I decided to go another route.  REMEMBER, I AM A KEL-TC FAN!

If you must have a long arm for the trek, get a folding stock AK or a Mosin M44.  It wiol mean stocking another caliber, but since it is your Get Home Weapon, it's not like it will mean you have to stock 1000s of rounds...more like 100s or a thousand.

Pistol only.
I don't want attention.

pistol only here.  I keep a spare pistol in the car as a dedicated car gun in case I forgot my ccw that day or want a backup for the hike, but no rifle.  of course, I'm only going 30 miles and its mostly urban and sub-urban so I am not expecting to be engaged by rifle fire.  I'm mostly concerned with blending in and getting home.  

300 miles sounds a lot more like the 'long walk' from another recent thread.  how many days would that take?  thats a lot of supplies to haul.

on foot just the pistol,  but at those distance's a fold up bike
in the back would enable you to have your sbr/folder or what
ever you could concel in your pack.

even an m1 carbine with folder would do nicely and cheaply.

If only M1 Carbines were cheap (I love the little carbines).  

I keep an inexpensive pistol (PA63) and ammo locked in the truck (in a metal lockbox) along with extra ammo for my CCW.  I think concealability and lighter weight are more important.  Having two handguns can't hurt since I can hand one out, have a NY reload or just the element of surprise.  

I keep a Norinco SKS in the trunk of my car.  It's cheap enough I could leave it behind if necessary and never miss it.  My main reason for keeping a carbine in the trunk is that in a major SHTF, there is no guarantee my home will still be standing when I get there.  The house could be burned to the ground, along with every weapon in the gun safe.  This way I know that I will always have at least an SKS and 200 rounds on stripper clips available to me, in addition to my concealed handgun, no matter what happens to my home.

Pistol only for me,G19, and a few mags and a box of ammo, but I am only 15 miles from home, mostly suburbs.

But 300 miles changes some things. I for one, would like to have a rifle if the distance I was traveling was that great. I would try and find a cheap SKS paratrooper. Its a little lighter than the standard models, but not expensive in case you have to dump it. Also, several stripper clips with ammo don't take up too much room in a pack. I also like the idea of a AK folder of some kind, it can be stored pretty easily if your GHB is big enough or under a poncho/rain jacket (think hurricane disaster).

at 300 miles +1 on a long arm of somekind, keep it cheap incase you have to dump/cache it. and keeping it sheep looking isn't a bad idea either, m44, 12ga, a short lever action or camp carbine in the same caliber as your ccw(espicially if they used the same mags{why dosen't glock come out with an actual carbine, not a carbine kit for a pistol, but a real deal 9 mil based on a carbon15 type AR or a ruger type camp carbine design or someting?}). all are good choices. a single point sling wouldn't be a bad idae either, i like the under a poncho idea, all the above choices are short enough to conceal under a rain poncho, and subtle enough(as opposed to an ar srb) to not draw too much attention if carried in the open.

I'll say go with the Kel-Tec Sub 2000.

I've carried both the Glock 17 and 26 and having a carbine that uses the same magazine as my carry guns is a big plus in my opinion.

Plus the Kel-Tec can be folded and concealed in you GHB. It only takes a second to unfold it and put it into use. I shot mine at a recent WAHTF get together and we were all suprised at the accuracy of the Kel-Tec.

get something that can fit inside your GHB and not be seen. I was thinking  of a 16" AR  broken into two halves....if need be you can use your handgun to get to cover to assemble rifle---and if stuff is already bad enough around you--it doesn't take long to get it out and have it at the ready.  although a Ruger 10/22 with folding stock would be a good ticket too---if armed confrontations were very low on your list. I have had people walk a couple feet away while I have been hunting and never see me....you are not looking to engage the enemy.

I also say carry two pistols myself.

If you do want a long gun but packable, then a SXS short barrel Stoeger Coachgun.  You can take it down and pack in a large backpack which you need anyway.  Get some 10 #8, 5 buck and 5 slugs and your good to go.

Get an AR-7 to put in your bag.



Not the most tacticool rifle, but broken down and stored in the buttstock in your GHB it beats the rifle setting home in the safe.

When I first made my GHB it was for a 60 mile trip home, which I figured would take me at least 3 days walking hard. Between the water and food and extra sleeping bag in my trunk, the GHB had all the basics and a Sub2000 with two 33 rounders and a 17 rounder. It all fit snug in a little day pack and never saw the light of day except on the range.

Now work is a mere 5 miles away and I don't pack it.

To be honest I think so much is personal it's impossible to say anything specific about the GHB...for some people who drive far from home, their GHB is the size of what the rest of us would consider a BOB.

So while the FUNCTION is personal the designation remains the same. Unless we define our terms by size, weight and endurance rather than what it'll be used for.

If we suscribe to the idea that the GHB = something under 30lbs, that will sustain you for about 2.5 days, and provide only enough firepower to successfully E&E from trouble to our home, then I have one GHB.

If we call a BOB any portable container or system that weighs over 30 lbs, will sustain a man for 3+ days (but less than 2 weeks) and has enough firepower for the bearer to engage tangos at point blank out to 400 meters, then we're definately beyond what I or most would carry in their trucks or cars.

A Bug Out BIN, is any movable but not readily portable container that weighs over 60lbs and can sustain a man for over 2 weeks or a family for 1 week, etc.

Buy a bike.  It is my personal belief that the general public won't be scared or hungry enough to turn predatory for several days after an event.  Leave them alone and they will leave you alone...that said, give yourself the best option to get home as quickly as possible and a bike in your trunk could save weeks of slowly walking at night if the disaster lasts that long...BTW after they do become scared and hungry you will be an easy target on the bike so keep that in mind; and never take a pistol to a gunfight if you can avoid it...Ruger 10-22SS with a folding stock would be my choice for this scenerio.

my vote:  SBR a PS90:  small enough for a day pack.  powerful enough and high enough capacity for zombies/hunting

Living in the desert; I started with a M1 Carbine. Then went to a FAL for the greater distances, then to an underfolder AK, and that's what I going with for now in state.
On my out of state trips It's just me and my 1911
M

Kel-Tec sub2000 is a good choice for reasons others have already stated. I owned a Sub-9 (pre-Sub 2000) that I found to be more accurate and reliable than my HK94.

The front sight would shoot loose on occasion.

Fired a SU-16A with no problems.  

Purchased a new SU-16C. Fired 20rnds. Norinco .223 and 26rnds. M193ball.  Had 31 failures to extract and 8 failures to eject. Just sent it back to Kel-Tec; when it's fixed/exhcanged it's going to be sold.

For me, I'll choose the AK every time. Short,light,simple, all-reliable and affordable for most.

Well, I havent read all the thread but it sounds like your "GHB" is more of a "BOB". So if its a BOB I would say yes on a carbine. Kel-Tec Sub2k with the same mag config and your good to go. Keep it stowed in the bag or tucked under a coat for quick access.

My understanding is a GHB is generally a 30mile or less bag to get you home in a day or two. A BOB is more for 30+ miles and should sustain you for min of 3-7days. IMO

Quoted: Get an AR-7 to put in your bag. www.henryrepeating.com/images/rifles/h002_survival_lg.jpg Not the most tacticool rifle, but broken down and stored in the buttstock in your GHB it beats the rifle setting home in the safe.

I always wanted one of those when I was younger.

My understanding is a GHB is generally a 30mile or less bag to get you home in a day or two. A BOB is more for 30+ miles and should sustain you for min of 3-7days. IMO

No a BOB is a bug out bag a GHB is a get home bag. I am not looking for any imput on wether or not to have a bug out rifle. I live in the country and will be staying put come SHTF. If I had to bug out it would be via truck wich is my BOV and everything is in portable containers for that and I would be toting my AR. I am looking for input on having a carbine in my GHB. The question is a lot different then should I have a rifle if I have to bug out. For one thing the carbine would be left in the vehichle most of the time so theft is a lot more of a problem.

Distance has nothing to do with the name of the bag only the size. A GHB serves one purpose to get home where my preps already are. A bug out bag serves an entirely different purpose.  According to your line of thought anyone who lives more than 30 miles from thier place of work would be bugging out in order to get home. If my bug out location was only 5 miles from my home would I then need a GHB instead of a BOB? According to your line of thought I would.

Quoted: Until we get reports of a Zombie invasion, I for one am sticking with my CCWs for GHB. Ultimately the goal of a GHB is to get home and avoidance of hassle by having a carbine has to be weighed against the tactical advantage of if something happened.  Ultimately my goal will be to get home as fast as I can and as unnoticed as I can. BTW, Ever try to hitch a ride with a gun over your shoulder? I have surprisingly it wasn't as hard as you think, but then Shit wasn't hitting the fan either. Tj

+1

If your on a 300mile trek, you are going to want to shed off the ounces where ever you possibly can.

Quoted: My understanding is a GHB is generally a 30mile or less bag to get you home in a day or two. A BOB is more for 30+ miles and should sustain you for min of 3-7days. IMO No a BOB is a bug out bag a GHB is a get home bag. I am not looking for any imput on wether or not to have a bug out rifle. I live in the country and will be staying put come SHTF. If I had to bug out it would be via truck wich is my BOV and everything is in portable containers for that and I would be toting my AR. I am looking for input on having a carbine in my GHB. The question is a lot different then should I have a rifle if I have to bug out. For one thing the carbine would be left in the vehichle most of the time so theft is a lot more of a problem.

You did ask about having a GHB carbine and I answered that, I just explained my idea of BOB/GHB since from your estimated miles it sounds like you need more of a BOB then a GHB.

Quoted:Distance has nothing to do with the name of the bag only the size. A GHB serves one purpose to get home where my preps already are. A bug out bag serves an entirely different purpose.  According to your line of thought anyone who lives more than 30 miles from thier place of work would be bugging out in order to get home. If my bug out location was only 5 miles from my home would I then need a GHB instead of a BOB? According to your line of thought I would.

From my example I myself would consider a trip of 30 miles or more of a BOB then just a small GHB.

You said yourself that you may be 50-100miles from home. That to me sounds more like a BOB type bag then just a GHB. From what Ive seen most everywhere, a GHB is generally a small backpack or hip pack. Bug out bag does not just mean from your place of preps, just means your bugging out from where you are. The definition may vary from forum to forum.

If you have either a Glock or 1911 the Mechtech carbine upper receiver is very accuate and fairly reasonably priced as well.  Get yourself a got red dot scope and a bunch of mags and you're in business!

I always have an "assualt rifle" in my trunk.  I have walked around with it slung and people dont seem to really care too much.  But I live in Texas.

We have had dicussions about this sort of thing and here is my boiled down thinking.

Any longarm you have in your get home bag should be hidden.  From a big bag for holding 4 tennis rackets to a bag for those folding camping chairs to the backpack made with a compartment for your rifle, it should be something you can hide.

Mech tech uppers and anything in pistol caliber that you generally use for ccw seems to be a waste of weight to me.  Now a leveraction in 44 mag does give me pause, but not very many folks ccw a 44 mag handgun all the time so that is just a nice general statement you can decide on for yourself.

I personally like staying with mag fed military stuff.  Underfolding ak or a folding fal are my current choices.  These wind up short enough to fit into some bags that don't look like rifle cases and while it might take a minute to access them I prefer that minute to the idea that I will wish I had brought it.

If the trip home was 50 miles I doubt I would worry about needing a long arm.  But a 300 mile walk means an awful lot can get in your way and you also don't know what you are coming home to since it will take a while to walk that far.

I do agree on the bicycle concept but that can take up a lot of space.

In today's world you might find your vehicle lost in a riot or who knows what.  Being able to grab your bag and go from there is what I keep highest in my thinking.  This does depend on where you travel to a large extent.

Overall I boil my thinking down to the fact that my handgun is for getting me to my rfle and if I am walking around with a bag hiding the fact I have a long gun then I am not pushing things too hard in my opinion.  I won't have the longarm in the open and it won't be noticable until things start getting unzipped and a full on search of my stuff is involved.

For the fal or ak I just go with 5 20 rd mags and generally in the truck there is some extra ammo as well.

Quoted: My biggest concern would be the ramifications of attempting to cross severl counties, a state line and many smaller jurisdictions while carrying a long gun. Obviously there are a lot of advantage to a long gun in this situation over a pistol.

Federal law protects you from running afoul of the various state gun laws when travelling interstate. Obviously this pertains to the transportation of said firearms rather than the carrying of them, but a quick few minutes on Packing.org will tell you which states will honor your permit.

As far as carbine or no carbine, a member here posted what it was like when SHTF after the economic collapse in Argentina. IIRC, he said: "the gun you want is a large capacity semi auto handgun. A lot of water has to pass under the bridge before you will be allowed to walk around with a rifle slung on your shoulder." He made references to having to go about your daily business with a handgun vs. a rifle, you don't go to the vegetable market with an FAL on your back etc. even in the worst of times.

So, my vote is a hicap handgun-i'll take his word for it.

Since you could be traveling up to 300 miles I would definitely have a rifle.  If things have gotten so bad that you are traveling that far on foot then you will definitely want one.  You can get an AR or underfolder AK & carry it in a tennis raquet bag or some other sheepleflage.  I'm not a big fan of pistol caliber rifles.  They don't have the power or distance you get from a regular rifle.  You could also get something like the Eagle Patrol bandoleer to throw over your shoulder.  It hold 2 pistol mags & 4 AR mags.

I am in a similar situation as the OP.  I travel as far as 200 miles from my rural home at least twice a week.

I agree that visibly toting a rifle is asking for trouble...if its not bad enough, the COPS will hassle you, if it is SHTF all-the-way, you will become a target for those wanting the rifle and the pack on your back.

I'm suprised no one else has suggested my solution...I never had a use for an AR pistol till I started working this problem...  I carry a 10.5 inch A3 pistol with an Aimpoint and supressor. I keep a 20 round mag in it and one 30 in the bag, with another 100 rounds on strippers.

Its lightweight, fits in the bag during the day and comes out to play at night, or when the situation warrants.

I also keep a  box of .45 and a box of 9mm in my bag so I'll have extra for whichever carry gun I have on me when the ballon goes up.  The other box of ammo can be trade goods.

A Ciener kit would be a good addition, but I also have an AR-7 in both my trucks with extra ammo.

B  

If you do decide a Carbine is the way to go.  I would NOT use a single point sling for it.  

Yes, I like them a lot, but if we are talking about having to carry it in some type of ready position, I would use a Viking or a Vickers sling first.