Preparing for the zombie apocalypse

[[ES] Rooster]

The Ruger would also be an outstanding choice. I considered a piston AR from the get-go, but decided to stay with direct gas impingement due to the abundency of spare parts available.

[[ES] Mindflayer]

Same internal debate I had, Rooster. Piston for cleaner fire, cooler receiver, etc; standard gas DI for ubiquity.

Finally fired it this weekend. The regulator gets blazingly hot, especially in a 100ÂşF range. I did not sighting - just took the target to 100' and 150' and started shooting with the iron sights. Was a blast.

[[ES] Rooster]

Get it sighted in! I want a range report!!

[[ES] Mindflayer]

I've got 600 cartridges coming my way for next weekend's shooting fun with Rod and Todd.

[[ES] RandomHero]

Since I'll be in Pittsburg, i'll have to see how far you guys are going to be. lol

[[ES] Rooster]

I've got 600 cartridges coming my way for next weekend's shooting fun with Rod and Todd.

Proof! Proof! I want to see some actual targets... if you post yours, I will post some of mine.  Get a little ES competition going! heheheheh

[[ES] Mindflayer]

There's no way I am going to compare to you or Rod or Todd. I just started shooting!

Debating on next thing to buy:

1) The XD 9mm subcompact for CCW.  I own the Springfield XDM 9mm with the 3.8" barrel, and some folks say they carry concealed with zero problems, even at my size (5'8", 155#). Other people recommend a slimmer gun, or a more compact gun, or - well, it seems if you ask 20 people, you get 40 different answers. I ordered a Crossbreed SuperTuck based on a LOT of feedback, so we'll see how that goes.
2) The XDM .45 ACP. Feels real good in the hands, seems to point itself at the target.

[[ES] Rooster]

lmao! Competition forces you to train harder!!

Just kidding, but I would like to see what kind of groups that Ruger is capable of.

I must admit that I am severely biased when it comes to caliber. I, personally, will not carry anything less than .45. That's not to say that 9mm isn't a perfectly capable round, it is.

Having said that, if I were buying a more compact handgun for the express purpose of concealment, I would consider a couple of things first...

1. Commonality of ammunition. You already have a 9mm.

2. Commonality of magazines. I believe, if I am not mistaken, that the full-sized XD mags will fit the compact/subcompact XD's with a grip extension.

3. Continuity - Aside from a shorter sight radius (which will affect your accuracy, believe me) the smaller handgun can significantly change perceived recoil. The felt recoil will seem different (snappy in my experience) in a smaller gun of the same caliber. However, the learning curve will be considerably less steep if you're using something you're already used to. The grip-angle, thickness, draw (the distance from the back strap to the face of the trigger), the trigger itself, trigger pull.... The more things stay the same, the more things, well, stay the same. In shooting, especially under stressful situations, that's a GOOD thing.

You should have no trouble concealing your current gun with the Crossbreed. Honestly, it is more about your choice of clothing than what gun you carry. There is a reason detectives and off duty cops wear a cover garment... even in summer in GA.

I have actually successfully concealed my Colt Gold Cup... In winter. With a sweater and heavy coat on... but I DID conceal it!!

[[ES] Mindflayer]

I picked up the 9mm subcompact. Commonality of ammo and feel of the weapon. The trigger on the subcompact is not as crisp as on the XDM, but close enough. The gun is heavy for a sub - should help with the recoil snap.

Todd is also a .45 fan. I'll probably get one someday, but I am trying to run with some sense of budget here. I'll probably pick up a 12 gauge shotgun for more HD first - but I can get a cheap NEF Pardner Pump for less than $200.

[[ES] RandomHero]

I noticed that all 3 of your excellent points should also be considered when choosing a weapon for a zombie apocalypse. 

[[ES] Rooster]

I noticed that all 3 of your excellent points should also be considered when choosing a weapon for a zombie apocalypse. 

Zombies, alien space bats, soccer mom ninjas... I gots it covered.

[[ES] Mindflayer]

I think it's time for a WWZRT.COM update about which ammo to choose and why.

[[ES] Rooster]

Oh my... choices, choices.

It all depends on the type of zombie, see?

The mind controlled (al la Invasion of the Body Snatchers), while technically zombies, are still human and subject to normal human frailties. Shoot 'em with a shotgun and they're pretty much toast. Cut off a limb, and they'll bleed to death.

Same thing with NEO (Near Earth Object) zombies (see The Comet).

Now, mutation zombies (you know, government experiment gone awry types) and demonic zombies are a tad different. The mutations might make the zombie stronger, faster, able to heal wounds that would stop a normal human. Demonic zombies? Well, pretty much the same thing, only the demonic tend to be even tougher to kill. Even the pieces of a demonic zombie tend to creep around and try to get ya!
Small-scale explosions, are usually the best way to defeat these types. Small-arms are only good for delaying tactics... or heroic last stands.

Fire? Never, ever, under any circumstances (are you listening to me, boy?), use fire on a zombie! Ever own a great big friendly dog? Ever wash that dog? Ever had that great big friendly wet soapy dog jump on ya? Yeah. Same difference, only with fire... and... zombies... Got that?

Your virus zombie? Ohhhhhh! Well, that's a whole 'nother issue!

'Member what I said about blowin' up certain zombies? Um, don't do that if you're facing virus zombies. Do you know what happens to the human body, particularly a decomposing human body, when it’s blown up? Leeeeeeetle tiny pieces of it get thrown all over the place. Chuck a stick of dynamite into a group of zombies that were already pretty soupy anyways and you got yourself a nice cloud of red mist… Add in a coolin’ breeze, and before long, you’re gonna be eyeing your buddy’s wife’s poop deck for more than the way it fills a pair of pedal pushers if ya get my meaning.

Nope! This is where the marksman with a rifle or pistol comes into his own!

Now, don’t be stupid. That .50 Barrett or Desert Eagle hand cannon may look cool, but portable firepower is the ticket!

Not that big is a bad thing. Overly heavy is a bad thing. Get yourself a good .45 caliber pistol and a metric shit ton of mags and ammo for it. You limp-wristed panty waists with your “nines”… well, yeah, actually that’ll work too. It’s just undignified is all. Never mind that…

Rifle – Look, get yourself a good quality AR type rifle in 5.56… Note to numbskulls: 5.56 NATO and .223 are NOT the same round! If you get one marked .223, make sure it’s also marked .223 Wylde OK? It’s not a perfect match, but it’ll allow you to use most military ball ammo you happen to come across.

Now, having said the above, understand this: Know the rifling twist of your barrel! The US military issues M855 ball ammo. This is a 62 grain projectile. Typical .223 Winchester (the kind you find at Wal-Mart or Bass Pro), is 55 grain. The typical rifling twist on civilian AR clones is 1:9 (that’s one full twist every 9 inches for those of you with your brain-pan group in vapor lock). A Ruger Mini 14 is 1:11. Military M4 carbines have a 1:7 twist. Why is this important? The tighter the twist rate, the heavier a bullet your weapon will stabilize. A rifle with a 1:9 twist will reliably stabilize projectiles up to 67, maybe 70 grain. A 1:11 twist… well, you’re pretty much locked into that 55 grain bullet.

What it all means: If you’re rocking along, popping zombies in the head with your trusty ARClonage, and you’re running low on ammo and just happen to get lucky enough to find a nice, abandoned SWAT van with a whole case of TAP (Criminy... don't you have Google on your computer... Tactical Application Police. OK? )ammo in it… be aware that police typically use a 77 grain projectile (goes through drywall and car doors and such dontchaknow) If your AR clone is equipped with a 1:9 barrel, it won’t shoot that TAP for beans. You might as well club them zombies over the head with that rifle.

END Part 1 – Rooster’s “Odd shit that YOU need to know!”

[[ES] Mindflayer]

Well, I was going to do a post on "Picking a caliber for the zombie apocalypse" but Rooster's post wins.

Rooster, you ought to post it up on the http://wwzrt.com site!

[[ES] Mindflayer]

I'll be in Morgantown this weekend. I'll make sure to get some photos and video, Rooster!