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of parts. The best choices are the Remington 870 or the Mossberg 500. Each can be equipped with Ghost-Ring sights (extremely easy to use) flashlight, extended magazine (some Mossbergs) and other gizmos. 12 gauge is more common and easier to find ammo for than the slightly less powerful 20 gauge.

Carbines. The AR-15, or the AK-47 are the two obvious choices. AR's are more accurate, but somewhat less dependable and durable. AK's have less range, but pack a bigger bullet and are reliable as all get-out. Your choice. Each member should have a standardized carbine that goes with them anytime they venture beyond Zone 2.

A good idea is to get AR's chambered in something other than .223 (the standard round). A relatively new innovation is the .450 Bushmaster. is launches a .45 caliber, 250 grain bullet at over 2,200 feet per second. This is guaranteed to turn any Zombie's head inside out. If you miss the head, but hit the spine or pelvis, you may not kill them, but you'll probably take away their ability to do much more than crawl after you.

Long-range rifles. Your group probably ought to have several long-range, precision rifles. Optics are about 1/2 the equation... don't skimp! Trijicon makes a high-quality scope that has both fiber optic and tritium lit reticles. It's as close to a true "night vision" scope as you can get for under $1,000.

Heavy-barreled AR's with the "flat-top" configuration can be amazingly accurate. Chambered in a round like the new 6.5 Grendel, basically if you can see it - you can hit it... out to beyond 1,200 yards!

A note about "full-auto" rifles. Forget them. They look good on the movies, but they have about no use at all in situations like this. Due to the fact that you MUST shut down the central nervous system in order to kill a Zombie, spraying bullets all over the place just means you'll run out of ammo faster. Consistent, accurate rifle fire is what is needed.

Ammunition. Lots of it. When you think you've got enough; buy more. If nothing else, it makes great trade wampum. Don't forget to get a good reloading press, dies, primers, powder and accessories. You'll want to take full advantage of spent brass.

Hand-to-hand. Not something to look forward to, but your best choice is either a war-hammer, heavy short sword, or war-Axe. You've got to either destroy the brain (best) or take away the Zombie's mobility. One thing to remember, they may be dumb, but they're ravenous and don't feel pain. And they're infectious. Motorcycle shops offer heavy-duty, Kevlar reinforced jackets, gloves and pants. This will give you a little bit of protection from being chewed to death. Complete your Post-Apocalypse ensemble with a decent quality riot helmet and you're good to go.

Finally, don't forget that the longer you can lie doggo, the better chances you have of staying alive. Winter can be your friend, and a frozen Zombie is a safe Zombie (for the moment).

Don't forget about booby-traps. Pits, moats, fire-bombs, and other nasty surprises. Remember the Boy Scout motto, "Be Prepared". Have fun, and stay safe!

Learn more about this author, Erik Olson.
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