Evaluate my BOB

[redbear]

OK guys, I'd like some opinions my my BOB. First, let me give you my "paremeters".

The littel lady would, of course, be coming with me. She has asthema, and has a very bad shoulder from a terrible car wreck we were both in. This afffects her in a couple of ways;

1- while she is an excellant shot, she cannot handle large amount of recoil, rifle or pistol, because of her shoulder

2- she cannot handle a lot of wieght to carry, again because of the shoulder. She owuld be further encumbere by by her asthema if she carried much wieght.

We live in a a suburban enviroment.

I would consider my BOB to be an all-purpose bag, wehter it be natural disaster, WWIII, the red invasion of america, or TEOTWAWKI.

I feel that carrying tons of super neo mall nija stuff, while lokoing cool, would get you killed because;

1- you stick out like a sore thumb
2- you'd be slow and cumbersome
3- all the 'uber' gear might not help you shoot quick, which could be the differance between living and dead.

For these reasons, plus the little lady to consider, I belive light and handy is the way to go.

I also feel that it would be pointless to pack for months, because
1- I could scavange/steal/hunt/trade/aquire what I would need later
2- too much packing means too much wieght
3- quite frankly, I'm located in such a way that I REALLY don't have lot of places to go , so going a long distance is probably right out. [FWIW, I'm in Cincinnati, Home of the 'flared out of nowhere race riot', a very real concern for me].
4- if TSHTF, I feel teh hiways and biways will be clogged in a matter of minutes, and since I'm in an urban evioroment, I would again, be stuck. Moving is not really an option for myy life as this juncture, unfortunately.

HOPEFULLY this explanis the majority of my situation. Currently, there are two BOB's, 'his' and 'hers'. I recently renovated the bags, eliminating a LOT of stuff many consider 'essential' primarily due to weight. please note some items are going to be won/carried, while others will be carried in the actual pack. please give me your thoughts;

'HIS'
FAL rifle [with stripper clip guide dust cover] [carried]
2x mags, in mag pouch, 1xmag in rifle [worn]
2 bandolers of 7.62 NATO, on strippers [worn]
Kimber Eclipse W/shoulder holster [worn]
100 rounds of .45 ACP [wincheser white box -pack]
complete portable rifle cleaning kit, with oil and solvent in a small container [4"X6"x2" VERY small- pack]
punch [for pushing outpins or whatever, pack]
First aid kit [pack]
Wool overcoat [worn if needed]
Cell phone [pack]
surefire G2 flashlight [pack]
swisscard [swiss army knife in a credit card-always inmy wallet]
gasmask [pack]
4 glo-sticks [pack]
KI tablets [pack]
Water Purification tablets [pack]
K-BAR [pack]
palm sized sewing kit [pack]
2 MRE's

'HER'
AKM-74 [carried]
4 magazines, in 4 cell carrier, one in gun [worn]
Makarov, with two mags [worn]
gasmask [pack]
wool coat [worn, if needed]
cellphone [pack]
1 glo-stick [pack]
KI tablets [pack]
Water Purification tablets [pack]
pocket knife [carried in pocket]
2MRE's
3 moths supply of Asthema medications

IF we have time, and space, we could also grab a tent suitable for the two of us. Teh wool coats we would grab if it was very cold. if not, we would leave them as they are heavy. May also grab sweaters for the spring/fall?

Let me know what you think guys, thanks!

[Temp]

Here's what I think.

Unload your BOB. If the shit hits the fan, sit in the living room comfortably drinking beer and watching TV with a loaded FAL in your lap. If somebody comes in uninvited, shoot 'em.

It's much simpler than loading up a buncha shit and goin' traipsin' off into the wild blue yonder.

[jrayborn]

Well for what its worth here are my thoughts, and remember you didn't pay much for them:biggrin:

I would dump both the rifles and go with (do I dare say it?) AR15 superlight style carbines for each of you. The main reason is weight, you will give up some (substantial) range and power, but you gain a lot of savings weight wise going to that platform, plus you also gain more rounds per the same amout of weight in ammo, and finally they would be the same and should allow you to keep one rifle always functioning if the other fails, by using parts off the other etc. I believe the trade off is worthwile if you could afford it because it is a more than adaquate rifle for self defence, and your MAIN objective should be to avoid a firefight at all costs unless you have no options. Unlike the movies, if you are fired apon first by someone who has planned to assult you, you will likely never get off a shot anyway. You do a good job of carrying only a reasonable amount of ammo, but I suggest keeping it in mags not in strippers. Doesn't really make much difference either way, but it is going to be put in mags sometime anyway. Again you have the same ammo if you both carry the same rifles.

Second, dump the extra 100 rounds of .45 acp. 3 Mags should be enough as a sidearm, use the weight saved for more valuable things, possibly more 5.56 ammo.

Dump the gasmask. Unless you are trained in how to Don and Clear (likely since you own one you have prior military service?) you won't be able to utilise it effectively, and more important is that until one of you shows symptoms, you won't know when to put it on until its too late.

Glosticks work really well just know they have a relatively short (I think 4-5 year) shelf life. They are also, like me, not very bright. I would add a decent low power LED flashlight with AA lithium batteries. They are not as bright as a normal flashlight, but you can easily use them on a trail or to read with and off a set of batteries they last many many hours, possibly weeks. The great thing about lithium batteries is cold does not affect them and they have a 10 year shelf life.

The removal of the gas masks leave enough room for a change of clothes, this is MANDATORY. Also rain and moderate temperatures kill (hypothermia). You must have a poncho minimum each, or rain gear. The poncho is handy for more than just wet weather. And if you can do it a change of shoes is good too, even just comfortable running shoes. Of course location and climate will address specific requirements. I'm in Maine so I have a bit of everything to consider:D

You must at the least have a way to collect water. A canteen each, a plastic bottle, something. I suggest a 2 quart GI for you and a one quart for her.


Finally, I see you packed her 3 months of medication but only 2 MRE's each. I understand this is a minimal bag, but if space permits I suggest some Mountain House freese dried packs. 5 year shelf life, and very light weight, though slightly bulky. Also VERY GOOD. Could be a great morale boost if you need it.

Hey thats it for now, just some thoughts from a novice. Pretty good start you have there I'd say though.

[RT]

I am with TEMP just stay home. ~R

[spartacus2002]

Although bugging in is preferable, not all situations allow one to bug in. Thus, having a BOB is a good idea.

[762 shooter]

While I think a .308 cartridge is preferable I agree with the redundancy you and your wife should have with the 2 AR-15s. .223 ammo will more than likely be more readily available than the .308 or the 7.62 by 39. I also agree that the gas masks should be removed from the bags. They can stay in the house and be used when the time arrives. A comfortable change of clothing should also be carried. Socks and underwear at a minimum.
If you do find it necesary to bug out, have at least 4 or more seperate places to go. Or a plan a, b, c, d, e, whatever it takes. Oh and a geed road map or atlas of the area is invaluable.

[gunsmoke]

Temp is right, since 99%+ of the emergency situations can best be addressed cacooned secure in your home.

But for that 1% when bug out is the only real option, I think that you have way too much variety in your longuns and not enough in your choice of handguns. The makarov isn't wise because of ammo supply, you should go with a nine, using non +p loads for the disability sufferd by your wife the .45 being an excellent choice for you if you are proficient with it.

A medium frame .357 revolver in the glove box will give you versitility if you have to scrounge for ammo.

The rifles carried should use the same mags accessories and ammo, I second the reccommendation to go to a carbine sized AR system for both of you.

[wandering_ronin]

A couple of things I might add (not in any particular order):

1)a can opener-if you do any trading, scavenging, etc... it has a very good chance of being in a can. One or two P38's may come in handy. They take up next to 0 space
2)some sort of cup or canteen(s) (you may have forgotten to list it)- some sort of vessel to purify water in, or just to carry it between sources.
3)maybe a compass and map of some sort-in case of natural disaster landmarks in an urban area can get wiped out, or if you have to avoid the main thoroughfares it might help out in areas you are not as familiar with. (streets, etc...)
4)Rain gear of some sort- You can survive being wet, but why be totally miserable?
5)fire starting materials
6)forget the light sticks-if you have to explore something, use the flashlight. If you need a light source in "camp", think about maybe using candles or a small fire.
7)definitely a change of clothes-see above about being wet and miserable. Socks are a must at the very least. (make sure you have some sort of powder in the first aid kit for chafing, etc...)
8)stick to "common" weapon calibers-the Makarov and AK74 ammo may not be readily found in your trading/scavenging/stealing/etc...
9)for the missus, think about feminine hygiene products
10)forget the gas masks-you don't have the necessary protective/de-con gear if you do wander into an area that is "slimed". In case of nuclear, the radiation will get you. Filters are degradable.
11)some sort of multi-tool-Leatherman, Gerber, etc...

Just my .02

[AzDak]

I'm a big fan of simpler is better...

You've picked out four weapons, two of which have ammo that isn't always that easy to get. I'd rather sacrifice the 'punch' of a .308 and have a common ammo supply between you. Cartrige arguments usually just make my head hurt... But in this case, why not 'settle' for .223/5.56 and 9mm between you. She should be handle the recoil of either and you get something more readily available.

I think a few common spare parts should be a part of any BoB. If you have 4 weapons, you need 4 different sets of tools/spares. I'd rather just carry one set of parts that would work on either rifle. Or, in a real pinch, be able to canabalize one to keep the other running.

Just my two cents... and probably over valued at that.

[Friend]

I would get some good night vision because if you decide to move it should be at night. Heck you go out looking like you are ready for a fight and one of these guys will see you as a cash cow and kill the two of you for your stuff. Two people are an opertunity, ten are a problem

If you look unarmed then you will have the same problem. If possible wait for dark and follow a chosen route out of your area.

friend

[redbear]

Thanks for the consideration adn all the great thoughts guuys! I'm going to strongly consider everything and I'll post another thread when I think I'm "close" again. thanks!

[gunsmoke]

Originally posted by redbear
Thanks for the consideration adn all the great thoughts guuys! I'm going to strongly consider everything and I'll post another thread when I think I'm "close" again. thanks!

One more suggestion:

The number 1 fire-starting tool
http://store.everestgear.com/eqdia101.html

[brownknees]

Not bad, as is, concidering the location & physical limitations.
I'd add one thing I didn't see anywhere, WATER, You can go without food for several days, if you have to, but water is essential, not only for drinking, but to clean minor wounds, Etc.
A couple of 2 Qt. Canteens will be a real good adition.

[azdave12]

A shoulder holster, bandoleers carried in conventional manner and a pack would be very uncomfortable, in my opinion.
I would deffinately try it all out on a "forced march" before planning that.
my 2 cents