Every piece of gear must earn its place when you’re preparing for survival, and your gun is no exception. It’s more than just a tool for hunting or self-defense, it’s a lifeline when the stakes are high. The best survival firearms are the ones that can reliably put food on the table and neutralize a threat when it matters most. But not all guns are created equal. Some are versatile and rugged enough to handle the unpredictable challenges of survival, while others might leave you stranded when you need them most.
Shotguns
If you could only choose one firearm for survival, a shotgun would be hard to beat. A versatile survival firearm, it’s capable of taking down everything from small birds to large games while also delivering devastating power in self-defense situations. Whether you’re out hunting for food or facing an immediate threat, a 12-gauge shotgun is one of the most adaptable weapons you can carry. Unlike rifles and handguns, which are limited by their specific calibers, shotguns can be loaded with different types of ammunition to suit the task at hand.
Two of the most reliable and battle-tested survival shotguns are the Mossberg 500 and Remington 870. Both are pump-action shotguns, meaning they are mechanically simple, easy to maintain, and incredibly durable. These models have been used by hunters, law enforcement, and the military for decades, proving their ability to function in harsh environments. The Mossberg 500 stands out with its ambidextrous safety, while the Remington 870 is known for its smooth action and rugged construction. Either one makes an excellent choice for a survivalist looking for a dependable, multi-use weapon.
What makes a shotgun truly invaluable in a survival scenario is its ammo versatility. Birdshot is perfect for hunting small game like rabbits, squirrels, and fowl, ensuring you don’t destroy your meal. Buckshot turns the shotgun into an effective self-defense weapon, capable of stopping an intruder or predator in their tracks. Slugs allow you to take down larger animals like deer, wild hogs, or even bears in an emergency. The ability to switch between these ammunition types makes the shotgun one of the best survival firearms for those who need one gun that can do it all.
Rifles
When it comes to hunting large game and defending yourself from a distance, a rifle is an essential survival tool. While shotguns dominate at close range, a rifle gives you accuracy, range, and stopping power, allowing you to take down deer, wild boar, or even larger threats before they get too close. In a survival scenario, a good rifle isn’t just a hunting weapon, it’s a lifeline that provides food and protection when you need it most.
For a balanced survival rifle, the AR-15 and AK-47 stand out as two of the best options. The AR-15, chambered in .223/5.56 NATO, is lightweight, accurate, and widely available, making it ideal for hunting medium game like deer or coyotes. The AK-47, on the other hand, fires the harder-hitting 7.62x39mm round, making it slightly better suited for taking down larger games and holding up under harsh survival conditions. Both rifles are battle-tested, easy to maintain, and highly effective for self-defense, giving preppers a dependable option for both protection and hunting needs.
For small game hunting and everyday survival needs, the Ruger 10/22 is a must-have. This .22 LR rifle is lightweight, accurate, and incredibly ammo-efficient, you can carry hundreds of rounds without adding much weight to your gear. It’s perfect for hunting rabbits, squirrels, and other small game, ensuring you always have a way to put food on the table. While .22 LR isn’t ideal for defense, a well-placed shot can still neutralize a threat in an emergency, making the Ruger 10/22 one of the best survival guns for hunting and self-defense.
Handguns
While handguns aren’t the first choice for hunting, they are essential for self-defense in a survival situation. Unlike rifles and shotguns, handguns are lightweight, easy to carry, and quick to draw, making them invaluable when you need to defend yourself at close range. Whether you’re protecting your family from looters, defending your bug-out location, or just need a reliable backup weapon, a good handgun can be a lifesaver. The Glock 19 (9mm) and Ruger GP100 (.357 Magnum) are two of the best options for survival, both are dependable, easy to use, and powerful enough to stop a threat. While they aren’t ideal for hunting, they can take down small game in an emergency, making them useful all-around survival weapons.
For those living in bear country or areas with larger predators, a .44 Magnum revolver is one of the few handguns that provides enough stopping power to handle big threats. A well-placed shot from a Ruger Super Redhawk or Smith & Wesson Model 29 can drop a charging bear, wild boar, or mountain lion, ensuring your safety in the wild. Beyond defense, a .44 Magnum can also be used for hunting medium game, making it one of the few handguns capable of serving a dual purpose in survival situations. If you’re venturing into rugged, remote areas, carrying a high-caliber revolver is a smart move for added protection.
Combination Guns
Combination guns offer a practical survival solution when space and weight are limited, but versatility is a priority. These firearms give you two calibers in one, allowing you to hunt both small and large games while still having a weapon for defense. The Chiappa M6 Survival Gun is one of the most well-known options, featuring a .22 rifle barrel stacked over a 12-gauge shotgun barrel. This setup lets you take down small games like squirrels and rabbits with the .22, while still having the stopping power of a shotgun for deer, wild boar, or even self-defense situations. Its folding design and lightweight frame make it especially appealing for preppers and bug-out bags, ensuring you have a multi-use survival weapon that doesn’t take up too much space.
Another strong contender is the Savage Model 24, which pairs a .22 LR rifle barrel with a .410 shotgun barrel. While not as powerful as a 12-gauge, the .410 is still effective for hunting small game and birds, making this a great option for those looking for a lightweight, all-in-one firearm. Both the Chiappa M6 and Savage Model 24 offer a level of adaptability that standard rifles and shotguns can’t match, making them some of the best survival guns for hunting and self-defense. In a survival scenario where every piece of gear must be chosen wisely, a combination gun provides flexibility that few other firearms can offer.
The Best Two-Gun Survival Kit
If you had to limit yourself to just two firearms in a survival situation, they would need to be lightweight, reliable, and effective for both hunting and defense. The smartest way to build a balanced survival kit is to choose one firearm for precision hunting and one for self-defense. By selecting a rifle for small game and a handgun for close-quarters protection, you get the best of both worlds, a steady food source and a dependable weapon for personal security. The right two-gun combo should be easy to carry, practical for various situations, and efficient with ammo use.
For hunting, the best choice is the Ruger 10/22. This lightweight, highly accurate .22 LR rifle is perfect for taking down small game like rabbits and squirrels, ensuring that you can maintain a steady food supply without wasting larger-caliber rounds. The ammo is cheap, abundant, and lightweight, meaning you can carry hundreds of rounds without adding much weight to your pack. The Ruger 10/22 is also incredibly reliable, requiring minimal maintenance, an essential feature in a long-term survival situation.
For defense, the Glock 19 (9mm) is an unbeatable option. This high-capacity, highly dependable handgun is compact, lightweight, and ideal for self-defense against human threats and predators. 9mm ammunition is widely available, making it one of the easiest calibers to stockpile in a survival scenario. While a handgun isn’t typically a hunting weapon, the Glock 19 can still be used for small game in an emergency. Together, the Ruger 10/22 and Glock 19 make up one of the most practical, well-rounded survival gun kits, giving you versatility, protection, and the ability to secure food without unnecessary weight.
Prepping for Gun Laws and Confiscation Risks
Owning the right survival firearm isn’t just about hunting and self-defense, it’s also about making sure you can legally keep and use it when you need it most. In a long-term crisis, history has shown that governments may restrict gun ownership, implement emergency confiscations, or make it harder to purchase firearms and ammunition. Smart preppers don’t just think about what guns work best, they also consider which ones are most likely to be available and legal in different situations.
For survival purposes, it’s smart to choose firearms that are widely available, legal in most states, and easy to obtain. Some states have strict laws on magazine capacity, rifle features, and even ammunition types, which can limit your choices. A Glock 19, for example, is a widely accepted handgun across the U.S., making it a safe bet for legal ownership in most areas. Similarly, pump-action shotguns like the Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 are rarely restricted and provide excellent survival value without raising red flags. On the other hand, semi-automatic rifles like AR-15s or AK-47s face heavy restrictions in some states, which means you should research your local laws before committing to one as your primary survival gun.
Beyond legal considerations, preppers should also think about off-grid storage and alternative access to firearms. In high-risk scenarios where confiscation becomes a possibility, some survivalists opt to store backup firearms in secure, undisclosed locations, ensuring they still have access to weapons if things escalate. Another smart move is to stock up on ammunition well in advance, as shortages can make finding the right caliber nearly impossible when a crisis hits. A true survivalist not only picks the best guns for hunting and self-defense but also plans to make sure they’ll have those guns when they need them most.
Selecting the right survival firearm comes down to understanding your environment and specific needs. A shotgun is the most versatile, giving you the ability to hunt a wide range of game while offering serious stopping power for defense. A rifle provides range, precision, and the ability to take down larger games, making it essential for long-term food security and defending open areas. Handguns serve as compact, quick-access defense tools, ideal for close-quarters protection. Meanwhile, combination guns bring multi-use functionality, offering a single platform for both hunting and personal defense. Each firearm has its place, and the best choice depends on what you’re preparing for.
There’s no single gun that does everything, but choosing one or two well-rounded survival firearms ensures you’re prepared for both hunting and self-defense when it matters most. Whether it’s a versatile survival firearm like a shotgun, a precision rifle for long-range needs, or a compact handgun for quick protection, the key is to select weapons that fit your survival strategy. When your life depends on it, having a reliable firearm that you can trust in any situation makes all the difference.
