I was debating this with a friend recently and thought it would be interesting to pose to the larger community. Since this is the PSA forum, stick to PSA/AAC products for fun.
Scenario : The Red Coats / Russians / Canadians are at the front of your suburban neighborhood. You need to cover 1/2 mile on foot to fight right now. You’re wearing non-tactical gear, so Nike/Adidas/etc. running shoes, plain jeans, a simple leather belt, t-shirt, maybe a basic fleece if it’s chilly, and a hat from your local sports team. Your one piece of extra gear is your kid’s school backpack, so you’re running into the fire with Sponge Bob Square Pants on your back.
What gear would you stuff into your Minuteman Kit if you have a budget of $1000? Every item has to be accounted for, though you can skip variables like shipping, tax, FFL fees, etc.
Rifle only? Handgun? Holsters, slings, extra mags (only free ones are the ones in the box when you bought the gun), how much ammo? Water? Snacks? Things like cool-guy war belts, NOD’s, PC+BA are all too expensive.
What I landed on is a handful of water bottle and candy bars in the backpack, ~$500 AR rifle, no handgun because if I’m overrun I’m toast anyway, $100 red dot because I have bad eyes, sling, ear plugs, 5 mags, and ammo to the price limit. But I’m curious of any other ideas. (cross-posted on AR15.com and it went downhill quickly…)
Tough choices for a battle and no telling how long it will last. I’d hate to carry 1000 rnds, so 500 is a good compromise. Wool blanket can be used for a lot besides warmth. Water filters aren’t cheap, but you can help a lot of your team with water.
Too bad you can’t set up a “battle bag” to get little things like replacement parts, binoculars, camo net, socks, undergarments, etc.
Since I am heading to fight (and possibly die), and it’s just 1/2mi from home, I would actually leave the following from the list above:
Wool blanket
Water filter
Cooker
Lighter
Pot/pan/cup
250 rounds
I’d leave them because if I don’t survive, I won’t need them, and if I do survive, I’ll ruck 1/2 mile home for those needs and return refueled.
In lieu, I’d pack other necessities like a tourniquet, booboo kit, flashlight/ headlamp, and a ham or simplex walkie. At 1/2mi from home, I could still communicate with home, and also engage with other friendlies on the line. Add some distraction items like chem lights (crack a few and hang on bushes, wound the first enemy that comes to investigate, then kill who comes to rescue them). Maybe keep a hundred bucks cash for the local coke dealer; cause if there’s a better time to try doing a line, I can’t think of one. And a couple mini bottles of crown, cause if I’m dying, I aint leaving here sober. But also a Bible cause I aint leaving here without one close to me.
I’d be sure to either wear some realtree, or a hoodie in local college team colors to identify myself as a friendly to other locals cause we’d all be targeting whoever is in military uniform.
Sobering thoughts, but you’re right. Really like the thoughts on a radio and chem-lights, depending on what you’re up against. I’d probably still grab the water filter here in the high desert.
Another thought is to cache bottles of Crown Royal and cigarettes around the area
$40ish for a surplus TAP or FLC that can hold at least six PMAGs
$80 for ten gen 2 PMAGs (you got them on black friday)
$500 estimate for a PSA carbine kit and a stripped lower
$200 for a Vortex Crossfire II 1-4 and a Primary Arms 30mm mount
$20 for a Baofeng UV5R
That leaves $160 for ammo
That’s $1000
If you had just a little more I would add an IFAK which you can build on a budget if you can find CATs or SOFTTWs at a good price. I would suggest checking out surplus dealers. I met a dealer at a show selling issued unused CATs and SOFTTWs for $10 open and $15 unopened.
I don’t know why I think of Mel Gibson in The Patriot when he goes to rescue his son. Tomahawks are definitely quiet and something to think about putting on your belt.
Going into a battle really needs thought or planning. You’re doomed without a strategy. Talking with your neighbors needs to be done well ahead of time (securely). Your fighting pack needs to be assembled well ahead of time. All of this needs to be done well ahead of time - especially if you have no training (like me).
That old >>> Army Ranger Handbook <<< is a good thing to download now, rather than later. I haven’t read the whole thing, but there is some good stuff in it.
