How to protect yourself when SHTF in UK/country where guns are banned?

I do strongly believe that a situation will arise that will see society crumble and maybe an every man for himself situation come about. may be it will be caused by a virus leaking out of one of the many experimental laboratory's dotted around this country, or maybe it will be a revolt against the government, who knows. I have a 150lb crossbow complete with twenty five 17 inch bolts and a similar number of 14 inch bolts. The bolts travel at roughly 275ft a second and are pin point accurate up to 50 meters. Two spare strings, string wax, and three broadheads and a 24+4 telescopic site, means that hopefully I'll be able to defend myself.
I don't think many people realise just how hard a crossbow bolt hits its target...

reply to post by blaenau2000


there will be a lot of people in even remote areas. If you are confronted by someone who has a gun and you dont you're at their mercy. I like to think that my people are all loverly people, but there are a fare share of ruthless people who in this situation will be looking for people who have things, even if its just some water.

If you arn't prepared to protect what you have then dont be suprised if someone who comes accross you takes it. If you're on your own and have a gun and come accross another armed person you will be too useful to just kill. Whatever their intentions are they will seek strength in numbers, especially with armed people who can use their weapon. If you disagree with them then simply go along with them and leave one night.

Im by no means a gun nut, but If you are armed people who are not armed who have bad intentions for you will certainly think twice about attacking you. People who are armed wont want to kill someone who can be added to theirr group to strengthen it. Even very big posse's will seek more and more people.

an army of chavs used like pawns on a chess board

but seriously,
probably looking at a scenario without guns is not good for loners. one guy with a club vs a group with clubs.
networking in a sans gun environment is crucial.

reply to post by clintdelicious


that depends on the size of the pellet and velocity of the discharge.

theres no real difference between a pellet and a bullet except shape.

poeple hunt large game with air rifles too. many pcp air rifles will blow a hole right through you.

pre-charged pneumatic rifles are expensive though

they even come semi-automatic

reply to post by ANNED


As long as you are able to use it. I've dabbled in archery and believe me it takes a long time to be able to fire a full size longbow. Just getting the right muscles strong enough takes time. Longbow men from those times learnt from a very young age and it took years and years of practice to become proficient and to be able to use a full sized one. Hopefully tho anyone preparring for a SHTF situation will be fit and strong anyway so I'd expect this time to be reduced

Join a medieval reenactment group as a cover for getting and having a longbow.
www.themcs.org...
www.reenactor.net...

Then get your self a good longbow
www.apieceofhistory.co.uk...

Then if SHTF you have a weapon to get a gun with.
Nice thing is a long bow it silent and the guy with the gun will never hear it coming.

reply to post by clintdelicious


And if you have a gun they will come for you to get it, seems to defeat the object really. Still ill take my chances unarmed thank you.

reply to post by CholmondleyWarner


true but they take far too long to reload and retrieve:

gotta have distance between yourself and attacker(s)

reply to post by CholmondleyWarner


Crossbows are a very good idea im not doubting that, or their killing power. Just that against a gun its a different story. Even in the UK legal shotguns can only hold 3 shots but thats a big advantage over a one shot weapon. Also range will be a factor because there will be a lot more rifles about than people think. You would definately be more than prepared for the average person, just when someone with a firearm appears I wouldnt be comfortable with a crossbow, if they see you first it could be a nasty result

reply to post by blaenau2000


exactly what 'chances' do u think u have unarmed?

reply to post by RelentlessLurker


wont anything thats powerful enough to kill a person not be legal though?

reply to post by blaenau2000


In this situation these kinds of people will be out to get anything from you. they may even kill you before finding out if you even have anything that they could use. More people than you think out there are ruthless and its the same ill prepared people who will be looking to take whatever they can form you. If you look through history who holds power? Those who are armed the best and know how to use it. What happens to those they come accross with resources who arn't able to defend themselves? They take it and do whatever they please with the people

reply to post by subject x


But if you're in prison for 5 years and TSHTF what would your chances be?

reply to post by clintdelicious


depends where you are' some places limit the velocity to 700fps, but that wont prevent you from ordering and using one capable of exceeding that limit.

theres too many variables involved in what creates the overall velocity for them to be able to enforce. also some manufacturers have added a switch that brings the velocity down to 700. the switch is right next to the trigger so i guess if your worried about legalities you could just leave it on 700 untill you feel your life is in danger.

just to put it into perspective, certain alloy and plated pellets can add up to an additional 400 fps by themselves, not even counting other add-ons

Originally posted by clintdelicious
reply to post by RelentlessLurker

 

wont anything thats powerful enough to kill a person not be legal though?

When the SHTF i dont think weather or not its legal is really going to matter?. I have just recently aquired 3 air rifles all 2.2, one for me, the missis and kid. Even though my nipper is only 4 i intend on giving him some shooting lessons asap, maybe later this year when the weather picks up a bit and its nice to be outside for any length of time. Only one rifle has scopes and im unsure how good these are as ive not shot any of them yet. Can anyone reccomend some decent cheap sights for air rifles?

In SHTF scenario all bets are off. If you find yourself in a situation where you can get the weapon away from those who would harm you, then do it.

In the meantime start making homemade weapons for your self and learn to become accurate with them.

Blow darts, Ninja type Shirikens, kitchen knives if thats all you have. Just get accurate with them.

have you considered a high powered laser? for less than 200 bucks you can get a 1watt that can blind/disable from miles away. they cant shoot you if they cannot see, and whats more accurate than a laser?

better get it quickly though...i fear they will soon be outlawed

reply to post by clintdelicious


Get one illegally and hide it.

reply to post by RelentlessLurker


That reminded me of my old neighbour who made his own pellets (well sort of) he look the normal pellets from his air pistol and held it with pliers and then took a very sharp screw and literally screwed it through so that the point was sticking out, leaving the flat part of the screw flush with the pellets base. No idea how accurate this would be, but it looked like it would be awfully painfull to get shot by it