let’s say, hypothetically, I found myself in a position to begin to actually implement the mass line, perhaps through connections with orgs that have pre-existing relationships with a deeply oppressed community that’s interested in implementing community defense. I’m aware I can read Mao and get an outline of the strategy, feel out the circumstance, and implement whatever is possible, but relationships are fragile and it’s deeply important that any plan I proposed be rock solid. moreover, I need to teach a bunch of people the nitty-gritty of what we need to do - so a feel for the theory isn’t quite sufficient.
so let’s crowdsource an archive. let’s pull together the resources that are out there from MLs, Maoists, leftcoms, anarchists, whoever has tried to implement these tactics. I’m not worried at this moment whether the goal of the works is to build a demcent party or not - I’m interested in the practical details of planning and implementing a program based on these tactics.
what do you got, hexbears? are y’all here to LARP or to create the conditions necessary for the revolution?
Good post. Thankfully I'm at the point where I'd probably only ever need a gun in that scenario. Unfortunately, I live in an area that a natural disaster breaking down society is a very real possibility. I've shot around with some rifles and carbines before and I do enjoy 9mm carbines, but I do worry that the effective range is too low on them. For reasons I can't get into, I'm not going to be able to own a variety of guns for different purposes, maybe one or two, so I want something that is a little versatile. Would a .45 carbine be worth it, or should I accept that I need something bigger than pistol munition?
Obviously you won't have all the answers I'm looking for but I appreciate responding to me so far.
I don't have a ton of experience with carbines, but here's a guy shooting a 9mm carbine at 400 yards with enough accuracy and effectiveness to (for instance) disrupt chuds threatening people at a checkpoint (skip to about 11 minutes). If you're really trying to keep it to one gun, a carbine's not a bad bet, although I'd search around for more stuff like this before committing to a purchase. The ammo will almost certainly be cheaper than rifle ammo, and I'd prioritize a gun you can afford to practice with over one you can't. A rifle is definitely going to be more accurate and give you longer-range options, of course.
I don't have a good feel for carbine prices, either. If you can get two guns, and you can get a handgun and a bolt-action rifle for the price of a carbine, that might give you better options overall (also look for what type of scope comes with whatever you're buying, or if you'd have to add that to the total cost; it's going to be harder to get close to someone at a few hundred yards with only fixed sights). A lot of it comes down to balancing your budget, your other constraints (e.g., how many guns you want to bother with, whether getting any particular gun is legally difficult), and what you might be conceivably doing with them.
This was my thought as well, the video is comforting too. Best weapon is one you know how use.
Thank you, I have friends I can discuss this further with but I wanted your input since it seems like you've though through this a bit. Bolt-action and pistol might end up being the ticket down the road, something I will think about when I get living situation worked out.