The Sheepdog Question
There is an interesting question floating around Facebook today. I won’t quote it word for word because that really isn’t important. The point is more at the heart of the question itself.
Here’s the basics of it. Your start up PMC company was just awarded a contract in some third world crap hole. Support weapons like belt feds will be provided but you need to issue hour men sidearms and long guns. A Pelican case big enough for two long guns and two pistols will be provided for each man. You will also be provided with all the 5.56, 7.62×39, .308, and 12ga ammo you need. You have to bring your own pistol ammo so the caliber is your choice. Now what sidearms and long guns do you bring and why?
That’s an incredible question. Although it’s targeted toward a government contractor it has a lot of room for the every day Sheepdog. After all doesn’t a more simple version of this go through our heads every time we step in a gun shop?
lets narrow this down for those of us not going to a third world country to protect strangers. To do so it really has to be broken down into situational questions. How about something like these?
• The family is headed out to (insert location) how should I prepare for the worst?
• I live where (insert natural disaster) can hit without much notice. If another “Caterina” happens here how do I arm myself to protect my family and neighborhood?
• Do I have enough ammo if “this” happens?
Just because we choose the title of “Sheepdog” doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. Let’s face it, there is no aspect of this that isn’t fun but it’s easy to get lost in that aspect. What we need to be careful of is not taking ourselves seriously at all.
We take upon ourselves an immense responsibly when we get that carry permit or that training class of join the rest of those willing to label themselves as Sheepdogs. Don’t do so lightly. Put in the time to consider the questions that could save the life of your family, yourself, or even a perfect stranger. Discuss it with other Sheepdogs. Make your SHTF plans that include the Sheepdogs you’ve befriended. And never forget to wear the title of Sheepdog like a badge of honor and distinction.
Amazing that there are no comments here. For hypotheticals like this there are usually all kinds of ideas. For the sake of this argument I will assume that engagement ranges are under 500m, and most likely under 200m.
Long Guns: 5.56 something along the lines of a Templar. AR-15 platform with a moderate length barrel.
12 Gauge. Mossberg 930 would be my preferred choice. Although the new MKA 1919 is an intriguing platform.
Handguns: I have a soft spot for the XD platform. I think standardizing on two XD9 weapons with a premium defense ammunition would be my choice here. However, if I was restricted to just using ball ammo, I would change this up to XD45.
January 26, 2012 at 9:19 am
Great comment Thor. When this was going around Facebook I responded to it. Funny how our answers were almost exactly alike.
The Templar is our most potent 5.56 rifle. It’s a jack of all trades. Short enough to still to close work but with the Polygonal 18″ barrel it’s accurate (almost) to a fault. Combine that with a ballistically compensated ACOG or the Elcan and you have a rifle capable of doing what little can.
Mossberg 930, does it get much better at a price you can lay down in this crappy economy? By the time I get done with it…I’d put it against any tactical shotgun made.
We did part ways on the XD. Don’t get me wrong it’s a great pistol. I actually shot the sub compact better than my G23. We just haven’t started our XD program and until then I trust my work over a factory environment where you have 50 different guys adding a single part to the gun and handing it off to the next guy.
Since we’re bringing our own ammo and can make that in any caliber I went with 10mm and naturally a wicked hollowpoint. As back up I went with my G23 with the same hollowpoint brand.
Now the big question is, have you done the same thought process for home/family defense. It’s amazingly the same thought process as being a contractor picking his own gear.
January 26, 2012 at 11:11 am
I would probably choose the same tools that I own for home/family defense. I love my Bushmaster AR15 with the 16″ barrel. It’s easy to manuver clearing a building and I can still keep the rounds in center mass out to 100 yards with the open sites I got used to in Vietnam. I have a Mossberg 500 Persuader 8-round to keep the kids out of the yard, a Glock19, a Glock26, and I keep a Ruger LCP in my pocket in case I’m out of everything else and the Zombies want to slow dance. I chose the AR15 platform because if I’m around US military, magazines and rounds should be available. the Glocks in 9mm because I can carry the 15 round mags and they are interchangeable. Again, if I’m around US military, the rounds should be available. On my vest I carry 6 30-round AR15 mags, 10 15-round Glock mags, 50 rounds of 00 Buckshot for the scattergun, and 2 spare 6-round mags for the .380 LCP. I would feel secure with my whole team outfitted the same. I’m 65 and overweight, but even with this load, I can carry a few grenades and a couple of M60 belts for the squad weapon. Ok, maybe no one carries an M60 anymore, but I loved them!
January 30, 2012 at 10:16 pm