Zombie Myth Busters & Weapons That Kill
This is the 2nd installment in my series of Zombie Survival tactics as learned in Max Brook's book "The Zombie Survival Guide."
This 2nd installment focuses on zombie myths and weapon selection. Much of what we see on TV and in movies is grossly (no pun intended) misrepresented. Part of our survival is dependent on having the facts, and not the fallacies. It is my intention to give you the facts on weapon selection.
Myth Busters
Often movies portray zombies as having superhuman strength; that is simply not the case. A zombie's only strength is that which they possessed in real life as a human, no more and no less. The difference is their tenacity as they do not feel pain or remorse, rather they feel intense desire to feed - yes, on YOU!
Another myth is that zombies cannot discern between a human and another zombie if the human is mimicking the zombie's same behaviors. Believe it if you want, but expect to be eaten alive as studies have shown that while zombies are dumber than a box of rocks, they CAN tell the difference between the dead and undead. The reasoning lends itself to their heightened sense of smell, which seems to be enhanced as their other senses diminish.
One thing to find comfort in is that a zombie will eventually "rot to death" in the event it is not killed by you or another competent human. Unfortunately the time span can take up to 5 years so stay well armed and alert.
Weapons That Kill Zombies
In order to be well armed, it's important to know your weapon options and the level of protection they can provide. Too many weapons are never enough in the war against zombies but not knowing how to use your selected weapons would be bad news indeed! Train regularly and maintain your weapons! Rust or nasty misfires caused by poor planning can ruin anyone's day - that is anyone's day except a zombie's!
While close combat with a zombie is not high on anyone's list of fun things to do, it must be understand that it cannot always be avoided. Yes as a human you can move much quicker than a zombie, but a multiple zombie attack might place you in closer proximity than you would like. For this reason it is important to know a form of karate that would help you to deflect your attacker, as well as have a blunt type weapon ideal for close range. While baseball bats, hammers, rolling pins, and batons, all come to mind as viable choices, their ability to kill the brain of a zombie is not likely and thereby not necessarily a well planned choice.
Your best bet is a crowbar. Both lightweight and durable under heavy and repeated contact, this choice can also be used to pry open doors, as well as provide various other survival needs. Such as piercing the skull of a zombie and impaling it's brain. Not so easy to do with a bat, don't you think? I would also not recommend swords or knives unless you have trained extensively in these types of combat, as the close proximity these weapons call for could result in your becoming infected and ultimately converted to zombie-ism.
Power Tools & Their Alternatives
While power tools initially offer an excellent defense, it should be noted that their dependability is limited to their fuel supply, be it either plug in or rechargeable. As well, their excess weight may cause you to tire quickly, which is not advisable due to zombies having no need for sleep or rest, and you as the human needing both.
Slingshots; bows and arrows; cross-bows; throwing knives - all have advantages when sound can bring on an unwanted onslaught of nearby zombies; but unless you are an excellent marksman do not take comfort in having these as your only protection. Aim is key and if your aim is just slightly off, it could be the defining factor in your life or "un"death. I myself would want a little more "life security."
Shotguns & Machine Guns
While semi automatic rifles and sub machine guns sound really tough, their range is not conducive to killing a zombie. They are mostly effective in delaying the inevitable attack. On humans these weapons are ideal, as precision is not necessitated for the kill. Since zombies do not give up as easily, however, precision in killing the brain is critical. "Scatter guns" and guns that utilize similar ammo (such as buck shot) will not guarantee the brain has been eliminated, and probably are not the best choice of protection either. As well, there are ongoing studies that support contact with infected body parts may result in your "turning." If this is indeed true, then getting bitten is not our only concern. Coming into contact with flying severed body parts caused from the blast of one of the above weapons, could pose a life ending situation. Definitely not an ending I would like.
Pistols
In today's society pistols are without doubt the flavor of choice for all advocates of weaponry. Any die hard Clint fan has a .44; most all cops have Glocks; most chicks have revolvers (not this one - I have a glock) as they seem less intimidating. But what it all boils down to is accuracy and precision in your shot. While pistols are easily carried in bulk along with their ammo, unless you are an excellent marksman I would not recommend using this as your primary source of protection. Hitting a zombie in the chest or shoulder will not stop it. You must hit it in the brain and that requires precision. Practice Practice Practice! Go to your local shooting range regularly. Make your gun an extension of yourself. This could be your only saving grace.
.22 Caliber Rimfire Weapons
Ahhh - the ever dependable rifle. What respectful, zombie hating home would be without one??? Not mine I can assure you! This weapon is light weight, making it easier to tote on long journeys. As well, ammo for this type of weapon is plentiful throughout the country so it is not likely you will run out. While this weapon may unfortunately make it so you have to be somewhat closer to "the enemy" in order to penetrate the skull (since it is a small caliber bullet) the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Stay strong and hold your ground!
Just remember the most important rule in weapon selection as I cannot stress it enough = Practice Practice Practice!!!
What would suck even more than getting undead by a zombie is getting undead by a zombie that uses YOUR weapon on YOU!
hi i like this post but it seems that you think that the sniper rifle is the best wepon i disagree although its a great long range wepon it has a slow fireing rate. i herd that the katana was the best wepon
A high capacity, high velocity moderate size caliber is ideal. Nine Millimeter UZIs (not set to full auto) are probably the ideal choice of weaponry. The handgun forces you to be too close as does the .22 ’sniper rifle’. If you can smell them, you are too close. The UZI is lightweight, has a 32rd. magazine of 9mm and is amazingly accurate.
a rifle is best. Any small sub machine gun is not good for anything but close combat. You need a light rifle that has the ability to be cleaned very easy cuz you will be on the move. You need a glock 23 40 cal, a ak-47 because it can shoot in any conditions. And a pistol grip sawed off shotgun for if they get too close but if z-day ever does, happen just use what you know how to use.
Semi-automatic rifles are you’re best bet for the inevitable zombie outbreak, I like the AR-15 series of weapons as they are extraordinarily accurate, reliable, powerful enough for zombies, and are made in a variety of calibers, especially the widely available 5.56 mm NATO. .22 LRs might not offer the penetration necessary for zombies, as there have been cases where a .22 struck a man in the head, did not penetrate, and merely stunned you. Most can also mount a scope or electronic sight which aids in head shots. They are also effective against soft targets out to and beyond 500 yards for a good marksman. AKs on the other hand are widely known as inaccurate weapons, though are fine for closer range work, however if you’re looking at a longer range shot, the AK will not do the job. If you are convinced a katana is best then you’re an entree.
Sorry, but the Uzi is a piece of garbage prone to jams. You’ll be lucky to get off a few rounds before you’re overcome by the horde. The AR is nice for distance but an M4 carbine would be better for close quarters, and still good to at least 300yd. To stay alive, you’ll need an M4, one or two good quality 9mm with at least 4 mags each, and a snub .357 or .38 revolver as a last ditch weapon if you can’t clear jams in your M4 or 9mm. Keep the katana well.
Hmmmm. 12 ga might be a nice choice too.
I would have to agree with the AR 15 style rifles. An M4 in my mind would be worse due to the smaller barrel significantly reducing accuracy and distance. Something to keep in mind is that a .556 round is only common to the military; not so much with civilians. The .223 round wich can also be fired out of a .556 chambered can be done but with a slight accuracy penalty which can be critical when dealing with panic and shaky hands and when relying on a headshot.
As for secondary weapons, i would disagree with a .40 S&W caliber pistol. A 9mm would make much more sense with a higher magazine capacity with very similar ballistic testing not to mention less kick and smaller rounds for when on the move.
I accually think a H&K MP5 would be ideal. It is highly accuarte under full auto fire, almost never jams, is durable, has larg clips and fires a fairly large round,
I agree, I think the m4 would be best for traveling alone.
but when traveling in groups you will want a wide amount of weapons that have advantages in different situations.
like mp5, for close quarter battle, or m4/m16 to shoot before they get close to your pack where they could be a threat. but if it does get close enough the shotgunner or sub-machingunner would handle that mother fuckin’ Zombie.
if the Days of the Undead ever come, I’m gonna invite my gun club to my car repair garage.
it’s already reinforced with steel covers on windows and doors.
the windows and doors and bomb proof, so I’m guessing it’s zombie proof.
I live in the upstairs of the garage and keep a very high amount of guns there.
I was raised to be paranoid about a ww3 or some other war like that, I have a huge garden on the roof and can have enough food to survive 3 years.
I’d be a survivor…
(P.S. When I mean a garage, I mean like the building of that show called The Colony. it is HUGE!)
I find your conclusions totally off base. Rifles would be totally inadequate in a zombie attack. Handguns, not so much either. First, hitting a slow moving target in the head with a rifle at any sort of a distance is extremely difficult. Almost impossible if you are dealing with nighttime zombies. You would probably have to put in 10 rounds per undead. You will quickly run out of ammo. And remember, you must be mobile during a zombie invasion. That means you need to lug your ammo with you.
Most handguns just don’t pack enough power. No way a 9 mm round, even to the brain is going to stop a zombie.
The best choice is the classic. 12G shortbarrel shotgun with buck shot. Yes, you have to be close, but is it the only way for a sure kill. Recommend pump over semi-auto due to its reliability.
I think everyone in some since is right. To me caliber is not so important as the kind of round you have.( Metal jackets,hallow point, hydra shocks) but these may be hard to find on the run. But still any caliber would due. But only if you are experienced. If you can’t aim I would say shotgun due to the its easier to hit your target. And make sure it takes the 3inch round. Such as the 870 rem magnum. But over all 1 shotgun, 1 rifle (any kind), a melee, and 1 pistol. Know when the time to use each and youshould fair well.
a 9mm will do just fine for a pistol, load it with hallowpoint and your in business, and an AR15 would be a fantastic choice, for the poor you may want to consider any millitary surplus rifles and carbines that can range from 75 to 1500 dollars, a semi automatic sks would be a fine choice for someone who wants a rifle that can shoot long range, short range and is easy to keep in good condition with millions and millions of overstocked rounds. Use what you know how to use. And DC, a 9mm has the capability to shred a brain if you know what your doing, and a headshot on a slow moving target is not too hard anywhere from 10-300 yards, even with a heavy milsurp rifle such as a mosin nagant m91/30 or mauser 98k, if you take some time and learn to shoot. its more about the marksman then the rifle. Never leave home without your combat knife/machete or even a baseball bat would do. If your in shape and have the know-how to operate your weapons then you’ll do fine. Use common sense, by the time the zombies are at shotgun range you should be getting out.
Also ideally, you should have about 4 people in your team. And everyone shold know their part. There should be to people who care all the stuff, such as ammo, while they are equiped with lite arms while the other two care your firepower, and they handle MOST not all though of the killing.
how can you tell that an apocalypse of zombies is even possible i mean if some hobo gets their hands on scientific technology but i doubt it. (If it happened) i would use MP5 and sword for long and short range with a chalkfull of explosives carried around by me and move somewhere cold or alone.
.22 caliber is the best weapon to kill zombies!
No, most of you guys are way off.
An M4 would be ideal. The ammunition is common, it has a wide variety of parts available, as well as mission-specific and personal preference attachments. It’s accurate, has great range, and can easily drop a zombie. The M4 Carbine fires in single and burst modes, and the M4A1 can fire in single or automatic. It’s light enough to be carried for quite a while, as our soldiers in Iraq know, and with common sense maintenance, it is the most reliable gun on Earth, more so than the AK-47.
A sidearm such as a USP chambered in either 9mm or .45 would be superb. It’s reliable, accurate, easy to use. 9mm would be preferred for weight and usability. .45 might be better for up close and personal encounters. If a zombie is within pistol range, it’s too close. A .45 slug has the stopping power to knock back long enough for either a follow-up shot or for you to run.
Any weapon chambered in a pistol round is near useless for taking out a zombie. A semiautomatic rifle is your best choice. They are designed to be accurate and powerful, and modern ones are lighter than belief.
I would personally not carry any melee weapon other than a general purpose combat knife such as an M9 Bayonet for the M4, or something along the lines of a SCUBA knife. If you’re trained with a Katana or similar, then have it. But don’t count on it. Indoors a Katana is too large to be reasonably relied upon, and it takes significant training to be able to injure the zombie in anyway that counts. Ideally, you never want to be that close. A zombie is only lethal when it’s close. At all times you want to kill it before it can anywhere near close enough to kill you.
For that, a shotgun would not be the best choice, especially for someone who is new to firearms. A .12 gauge kicks like a mule. However, if you are capable of carrying a full-sized (read, “not sawed off”) shotgun, in addition to your primary rifle, then by all means do. It can be your best friend when up close or defending a fixed position.
30-200 yds: AR-15 .223 round is highly available, cheap to practice with, light to carry
10-30 yds: .380 semi auto (smallest caliber that can penetrate human skull)
Never let them get closer than 10 yds.
I gotta agree on the shear versatility of the crowbar. It makes a hell of a mace with a bonus of prying open escape routes.
i would prolly use a crowbar for cq combat….blunt end,pointed end, flathead end…..three ways to kill a zombie.
a gau-19 perhaps… with someone to reload it.
what about the trench knife it has brass knuckles and a knife that could easily penatrate a zombies skull tht would be my meele
personally i would like something like a crow bar if you were to use a trench knife you would get tired quick and wouldnt have leverage on your side. That would be a really bad pick REASLLY
I think it would all depend on how fast or slow or strong the zombies are.
This is a very thorough and awesome Zombie myth busting article. You nailed it!
I like how you set aside a lot of the B.S. that so many seem to think is realistic. I think the main problem stems from the movies in which people are on “Infected” and not actually Undead. The infected may actually have what we would consider super strength, like that of someone on a heavy narcotic like PCP or other drugs that make pain levels dull and adrenaline skyrocket.
But as gar as the actual undead go, I would tend to think that the power they have would diminish as they slowly rotted.
great article man!