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I have det cord listed. Not too worried about doors and locks.

I can, after all, make shaped charges using a wine bottle bottom. Not many doors are going to resist that.

Any door you break cannot be used to obstruct an assailant.

True. But I'm not staying for a siege. Mobility is a major asset against zombies.

EDIT: also, a simple wooden wedge will rejam a door temporarily. I'm not blowing the door to kindling with these, you know....

You still need to sleep, and subtlety is an art. Plus lock picks aren't expended every time you open a door.

Not in a house I don't. (and besides, that's what the petard is for)

Edit: also, most BTR and command vehicle toolkits contain an axe and sledge. Shaped charges are for reinforced doors.

I adore the fact that everyone seems to militarize as soon as the word apocalypse is mentioned. Its a good indication of just how deeply ingrained the American equation of military and safety is.

Actually, dogma: my parents set me up this way for when the Americans come to kill the rest of us. Which is why I have all these toys already. A zombie apocalypse would actually be less threatening.

In this case, to clarify: the petard I refer to above is also the type called a swivel gun, trap gun, or spring gun rather then a gate breaker.

dogma wrote:No one has listed a lock picking set, or OBD-II tool. Both of these are more important than any weapon I can think of.

Nah. You can shoot the locks out of a door.

BaronIveagh wrote:True. But I'm not staying for a siege. Mobility is a major asset against zombies.

This is fact.

dogma wrote:I adore the fact that everyone seems to militarize as soon as the word apocalypse is mentioned. Its a good indication of just how deeply ingrained the American equation of military and safety is.

How so? What's militarized about any of this?

I think he means that everyone grabs military grade weapons and get ready to fight.

Monster Rain wrote:
Nah. You can shoot the locks out of a door.

And never seal it again.

Monster Rain wrote:
How so? What's militarized about any of this?

Uh, the swivel gun, det cord, and general reliance on weaponry to accomplish mundane tasks.

I suppose we should talk things over with the Zombies? Form committees to discuss how eating our brains would hurt our feelings and would frankly be unnecessary due to the high protein content in Tofu and Lentils?

Hiding and moving away from them is all well and good, but you need to be prepared if there's a Zombie between you and what you need or where you need to go.

Better to have it and not need it and all that jazz.

Dogma, assume, for a moment, that I'm not entirely insane and use the detcord on every door I come across. I do believe in the right tool for the right job. However, I also believe in keeping weight for a minimum. Sledges and axes are multi purpose.

In addition: a trap gun is a good idea: it server two purposes. the first to alert you to the threat. the second to shoot that threat, and if not kill, at least weaken it.

Besides, I already have it, I might as well use it.

Monster Rain wrote:I suppose we should talk things over with the Zombies? Form committees to discuss how eating our brains would hurt our feelings and would frankly be unnecessary due to the high protein content in Tofu and Lentils?

Hiding and moving away from them is all well and good, but you need to be prepared if there's a Zombie between you and what you need or where you need to go.

Better to have it and not need it and all that jazz.

That's entirely the point of my critique. People are ignoring everyday solutions to problems in the apocalyptic world in favor of more weapons, or things that go boom.

dogma wrote:No one has listed a lock picking set, or OBD-II tool. Both of these are more important than any weapon I can think of.

I listed bolt cutters > lock picks becuase they dont require training/practice- and are alot quicker. And any security door that cant be taken down with a large hammer- likely has a multi-pin lock that cant be picked by someone thats not an actual locksmith with the proprietary tools. With alot of modern construction- its easier to go through a wall rather than try to defeat a security door Lock picks are quiet, but take time. So, its situational really.

The OBD reader is a good call, but i'd rather stick with something thats pre-electronic ignition since they can be jury-rig repaired easier(and some of us can still properly gap a set of points!). Although, the modern flex fuel types and diesels that can run on veggie fuel might work well too. And despite generally being small(hence not good for running over zombies)- the hybrids that can run on electric only might be useful since theyre so damn quiet- and they have AC outlets and could be handy for recharging batteries and powering other appliances. Sort of like a multipurpose mobile generator.

BaronIveagh wrote:Dogma, assume, for a moment, that I'm not entirely insane and use the detcord on every door I come across. I do believe in the right tool for the right job. However, I also believe in keeping weight for a minimum. Sledges and axes are multi purpose.

In addition: a trap gun is a good idea: it server two purposes. the first to alert you to the threat. the second to shoot that threat, and if not kill, at least weaken it.

Besides, I already have it, I might as well use it.

Still more weight to carry. You should be able to reduce your pack to no more than 20 pounds.

At 20 lbs- youre not carrying hardly any water or food. Or thats all you're carrying.

... that's why I'm moving around in a M-35 or BTR-40... and not, say, walking. I've done infantry. It sucks.

Mistress, that's why the M-35 deuce and a half is your friend. It's simple, straight forward, and can burn damn near anything.

dogma wrote:

Monster Rain wrote:I suppose we should talk things over with the Zombies? Form committees to discuss how eating our brains would hurt our feelings and would frankly be unnecessary due to the high protein content in Tofu and Lentils?

Hiding and moving away from them is all well and good, but you need to be prepared if there's a Zombie between you and what you need or where you need to go.

Better to have it and not need it and all that jazz.

That's entirely the point of my critique. People are ignoring everyday solutions to problems in the apocalyptic world in favor of more weapons, or things that go boom.

My survival plan doesn't really involve needing to open locks. I live in the sticks, man. If I need to break into a house or business there's plenty of windows and stuff to go through. My main concern is self defense, since I'm confident in my ability to live off the land. That's why I'm more interested in implements of Zombie Killing.

I've thought this through, long before this thread ever existed. Have you?

Mistress of minis wrote:
The OBD reader is a good call, but i'd rather stick with something thats pre-electronic ignition since they can be jury-rig repaired easier(and some of us can still properly gap a set of points!).

I would too, but I consider functionality to be more important than preference. I know that in any place that I've lived in the past 10 years it would be very difficult to track down a pre-OBD vehicle. Additionally, those vehicles which utilize conventional ignition tend to be very poor when it comes to fuel economy. I'd take a '10 Toyota over an '80 Bronco any day.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Mistress of minis wrote:At 20 lbs- youre not carrying hardly any water or food. Or thats all you're carrying.

Yep.

Doesn't the M-35 have about 10 wheels though? Get a few flats and you're in serious trouble.

Monster Rain wrote:
I've thought this through, long before this thread ever existed. Have you?

This thread is perpetual. As a result, anyone that frequents the tubes has thought on the topic.

BaronIveagh wrote:... that's why I'm moving around in a M-35 or BTR-40... and not, say, walking. I've done infantry. It sucks.

Mistress, that's why the M-35 deuce and a half is your friend. It's simple, straight forward, and can burn damn near anything.

Good luck acquiring the BTR 40, there arent too many stateside, and finding even basic parts would cripple it at the first breakdown. I reaize its russian and durable, but theyre still a 50 or 60 year old vehicle.

The deuce isn't a bad choice- can always up-armor it to make it zombie resistant. Its just a bit of a hog on the fuel side.

M-35



Those tires are damn hard to get to go flat. I'd make a point to pull a trailer with some spare parts.

BRDM2 (sometimes designated BTR-40P-2)



The statement about spare parts goes double, since the gaz engine will be hard to get parts for after everything goes to gak. (PLAN AHEAD) However, for those of you OUTSIDE the us, 45 countries use them in military and police roles, and the gaz engine used in them is more common in eastern europe. However, she's roomy enough inside to carry quite a bit, has full NBC sealing and is fully amphib.

She also requires gasoline.

Mind you, most people I know that have them keep parts on hand. Avoid the BTR-40a. Go for the later models.

Is that M-35 hauling an M-198? That brings me back...

Since this is all wish lists, put me down for one of those. I want 200 HE rounds, and 50 Illumination.

I guess I'd need 20 White Phosphorus too.

I like this.



Though, in reality I would prefer whatever ran, and had fuel in it when found.

@monster rain: HE won't do much to Z. Willy pete will work though. And what wishlist? I can make one phone call and have T-72s and all sorts of other armored delivered to my door. I already own most other items in my list.

@Dogma, she's too tall. Z will tip that baby over.

They shouldn't be getting that close.

Agreed, but it's best to be prepared for the possibility.

That depends. No system is perfect, and sacrifices must be made. The MaxiMog fulfills every requirement I have except lateral stability. I accept the ability to be flipped given that I would expect to be able to counter it through intelligent positioning and forethought.

BaronIveagh wrote:Why on earth would I want to leave a trail for anyone to follow? I'd be up to my ass in useless deadweights in no time.

*sigh* I completely dissagree, I feel the only thing that would really keep me sane was that if I was with someone I could protect and vice versa. I'd more or less pretty much be walking with an very small army cause if you walk with me, unless your like 5 years old or 100 years old, you will carry a gun and follow orders.


My kit would be :

Name(yea I'd drop my name and change it to my created personality)
Nikev Sism
(cause who the hell is going to be intimidated by "My name is Kevin Sims." over *as I point my weapon* "Nikev Sism, state your business or move along"....Yea...Exactly.)

Clothing

one of the two military canvas jackets I have
possibly blue jeans but I'd likely pack shorts for those extra hot days.
a hat that i painted black and resembles a commissar hat(yea this would work well as an intimidation aside from looking bad-ass)
some new-balance sneakers
and I'd pack a pair of wolverine work gloves and my leather work gloves(Incase I have some wire or something I need to move)

Tools

pick axe its in the not the greatest condition but I've patched it and it works pretty good, its lightweight and has a good swing.
some little thing that my dad has that is used to start sparks for fires
.......yea I suck in this area...I'd probably be better off if it happend, then I'd probably know what to bring.

Weapons(YEA!)

If my family survives I'd probably be down to me and my pops to keep the fam safe =/ considering my brother is actually a little afraid of firearms....and he's in his 20's *facepalm* damn him, least he'd be the pack-mule

12-gauge shotgun with as far as I know very little shells
410 with very few shells
a machete
a few axes
pick axe(doubles as a tool and weapon XD)
BB Gun (Yea I know...almost useless but hey, its lighter than a lot of crap, and distractions XD)
Sword like weapon

Supplies

We'll definitely have to find a water filter.
We have big pots that we'll probably use as filters =/
whatever is deemed needed I guess


AHA! First to add this one!

Skills to add to the group

Stealth (I'm not the greatest but I'm better than some people)
Decent Leadership (To a Degree I can be very Charismatic)


Wow I'd only probably be good at the combating stuff.....Well I guess that makes me good for raids. XD



HOLY CRAP YOU GUYS CAN FILL A PAGE!!!!!!!!! Jeez I wasn't really typing that long =/