Well, in terms of firearms, it depends on what your overall situation is. If you're on the move in an urban or suburban environment, you probably want to invest in some sort of combat shotgun. Most of the time it will just be hand-to-hand CQ combat, but for those moments when you get the drop on someone, the shotgun is handy.
However, if your position is already well-fortified and you have a decent enough vantage, then a scoped rifle (preferably high-powered) allows you to defend your refuge from a distance. Also could be used as an offensive weapon if you're the slow, steadily, and unbelievably cautious type.
For a good combination of the two, as well as for use in rural situations, would be the World War II-vintage M1 carbine. It's compact enough to not drag you down, accurate to a tee, and packs enough stopping power to allow you a speedy getaway. Due to the relatively rarity of it though (you can get good-quality replicas readily enough, but only via the internet), you'll want to stockpile a cache of these BEFORE the apocalypse arrives.
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The Road is an incredible piece of modern fiction. The lack of a plot is indicative of the utter destruction of society and all of the conventions that is included therein. Even the prose refuses to follow pre-determined rules, making the inherent qualities and morals of the unnamed father all the more impressive.
But, that aside I would be very tempted to go for a samurai sword - particularly if the apocalyptic waste that I am crossing is in the UK - ammo and firearms are so much rarer here that you probably wouldn't be challenged by too many people armed with weapons. Sure, some form of bow or crossbow would probably also be useful for hunting and protecting yourself but to be honest in the UK you would struggle to bag that much in the way of game either way!
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In my view the best option would be a pump action shotgun 12 gauge. Probably with the best allaround performance. it is a useful self defence gun, very threatening, and also useful for hunting purpose. Also the slide action allows to shoot any ammo you can fill in. finally, ammo, in many western countries, is readily available in many different lead weight and performance.
I think that long range capability it is not a "must have" quality in such a condition. Just have a gun that is reliable and easy to mantain.
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For "ready" availability I'd probably go with an M-4. Small enough to pack, 5.56 is easy to carry in large quantities and several options for optics that allow for ranges between 0-400 yards.
For exotic appeal, a Drilling in 12 guage/308 with a quick detach scope. Gives both the mix of slose in shotgun and long reach rifle.
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Don't count me in the competition, but I'll gladly throw in my two cents. Given the distance, I suspect a modern crossbow would be the best thing to take as a ranged weapon. Otherwise you'd run out of ammunition well before you run out of mutants. With a crossbow you could retrieve quarrels or make new ones.
And eventually you will be using shank's mare. You are in a post-nuclear winter wasteland. Fuel and vehicles will be hard to find. Even with skis or snowshoes to help there is a limit to what one person can carry.
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I would definitely avoid any kind of shotgun, as the ammunition is both bulky and relatively uncommon (compared, say, to hunting rifle ammunition). Anything for which a shotgun is worthwhile in a post-apocalyptic world would be at least moderately served by a bolt-action hunting rifle.
I will just discount any large weapons, as they are not easy to transport, and eventually one would need support for them - support which is not available.
However, a hunting rifle is both bulky and requires ammunition. Each cartridge used is both irreplaceable and requires specific characteristics to be used in any particular rifle. A common caliber, such as .30-30 or .30-06, may be worthwhile, but still requires acquiring along the way - probably from people who are jealously guarding their supplies of the precious, impossible to replace objects. The same arguments apply against a pistol. Automatic weapons are right out, obviously, as it is essential to avoid wasting ammunition.
A sword might be a worthwhile choice (though I would prefer a basket-hilted broadsword or backsword to an Asian sword), but has the distinct disadvantage of only being useful within a certain range, and also requiring a very high level of skill to use effectively. This is a difficult one for me to leave behind, though, as I am very much a proponent of learning swordplay (with a personal fondness for Scottish, Irish, and English styles). Still, the difficulty of use and general lack of ranged ability forces me to set this one aside (it would absolutely be my choice for a second weapon if such an option became available).
A bow would be a good choice, with relatively easily replaceable ammunition (either by recovery or a relatively easy construction), but like a sword requires a great deal of skill to use. Similarly, a sling has many advantages (not least of which is the ready availability of ammunition), but is difficult to use. This leaves the crossbow as the best possible choice, as its ammunition is as easily replaceable as the bow, but its learning curve is much better (and it also requires less energy to use - a particularly valuable characteristic where food is already scarce).
Plus, a sling is easy to manufacture on the go with found materials, so there is no need to start with one.
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Its all very well going for practicality, but its not got as much style!
How about a flamethrower! If you want an argument for how practical it would be you could always cook your dinner with it.
The other option would be a Gatling Minigun, with a rate of fire of 6000+ rounds per minute you could have some real fun cutting down trees with it!!!!
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what about a good old baseball bat? I think, as a civilian with no CQ combat training whatsoever, it would be easier to hit somebody with that than slash him with a sword.
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CAR 15 Commando - light only - 2and a half kilograms, so easy to carry retractable butt stock (so good for intermediate ranges but easy to use in confined spaces (as you fight for the last tin of beans in the shopping mall), tried and tested - so you know what u are getting. Assume you are trekking across post apocalyptic US of A then ammunition available from a variety of sources (OK I am being optimistic but then I am assuming I have survived the apocalypse so why not be up beat).
However I like the idea of the single shot, hand held combat club aka the baseball bat. Here in the UK we would substitute a cricket bat with a cricket ball add on for those long range engagements.
Now more seriosuly how do I carry all my Ospreys ...............................
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I would probably choose a De Lisle carbine, it's silent and .45 ammunition is pretty common. However the bolt action mechanism could be a problem against a mass of mutants and it's quite a rare weapon too. A CornerShot system would be handy in urban environments but if I had the access to one I would probably use a trebuchet - might not throw me 3,000 miles, but it's a start. And easier than walking!
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i agree with the style comment! id take a swordstick umberella like john steed from the avengers. i must say that road film (havnt read the book) presents a very glum view of a post apocalyptic world, wereas we all know it would really be every school boys fantasy come true! Im sticking with 'the bedsitting room', or 'Suvivors' , mondays 9pm bbc1 .
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My choice, a LeMat revolver, would be a bit retro, partly inspired by another fairly post-apocalyptic fictional journey, Cold Mountain, but also because the six-shooter/buckshot handgun combination has an appealing practicality. Obviously I'd have to roll my own ammo, but it would be good to be carrying something that would probably only need a hammer, a file and a few bits of metal to maintain.
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My choice would have to be the Ruger Mini 14. Cheap, easily obtainable, highly regarded and easy access to spare parts and ammo (7.62 or .223).
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Mike:
Well it would be an AK. Very plentiful, ammo would be simple to find, spare parts are easy to come by and is quite reliable in the most adverse conditions.
xavier
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Substitute a tomahawk for the knife. And an AK -- the older 30 caliber one rather than the new one with the itty bitty rounds.
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Given that you'd be facing a wide range of threat scenarios, engagement ranges and uncertain access to ammunition; I'd have to vote for a MagPul / Bushmaster / Remington ACR (Adaptive Combat Rifle). http://www.bushmaster.com/acr/#/intro
A complete set-up gives you a choice of 3 types of buttstock, 3 barrel lengths, 3 quick-change calibre options (5.56mm NATO, 6.8 Rem. SPC, 7.62x39mm), integrated RIS rails for optics and accessories, and 2 front hand-guard options.
That should do the job nicely...
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I've changed my mind - can I have a fully trained Ninja instead?
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