Firearms after the apocalypse

[Dr. Whom]

Perhaps this has been discussed before, but I always wondered how long after the apocalypse firearms would still be useful? Presumably there wouldn't be much by way of new production of ammunition and spare parts. So, if your gun shot a fairly common round, you might get by for a time, but eventually ammo would run out.

Then what? Back to black powder and flintlocks?

[javakoala]

Perhaps this has been discussed before, but I always wondered how long after the apocalypse firearms would still be useful? Presumably there wouldn't be much by way of new production of ammunition and spare parts. So, if your gun shot a fairly common round, you might get by for a time, but eventually ammo would run out.

Then what? Back to black powder and flintlocks?

Probably rocks, clubs, and knives. You know, for that "up-close-and-personal" touch.

[LilCerberus]

I tend to see a lot of crossbows in these movies...
In The Road Warrior, they tried to recycle shotgun shells...
They tried to cover that in the NBC series Revolution, but they abandoned it pretty quickly...

[BoyScoutKevin]

Certainly, bow and arrows and crossbows would seem to be simpler to make than any form of firearms, as people were making them before they had knowledge of firearms. Thus, they would seem to be able to play a larger part in the use of weapons post-Apocalypse. Though, and while I am not a gunsmith, it would seem if you have everything available that is needed to make firearms, they'd continue to be used and made after the Apocalypse. Though, whether that would be something as simple as a flintlock with gunpowder, as mentioned by Dr. Whom, or something more complicated. That would take someone with more know how about making guns than myself.

[Ted C]

Many shells can be reloaded, and reloading gear is fairly common among US gun enthusiasts. Collecting spent brass for reloaders might well become a career in the post-apocalypse.

Likewise, many gun enthusiasts have gun-smithing equipment. Their services would be in demand in a post-apocalypse environment.

Basically, doomsday preppers already have this stuff figured out. They have weapons that they can service, using ammunition that they can replace, and they have the tools to repair the weapons and replace the ammunition.

[Newt]

Many shells can be reloaded, and reloading gear is fairly common among US gun enthusiasts. Collecting spent brass for reloaders might well become a career in the post-apocalypse.

Likewise, many gun enthusiasts have gun-smithing equipment. Their services would be in demand in a post-apocalypse environment.

Basically, doomsday preppers already have this stuff figured out. They have weapons that they can service, using ammunition that they can replace, and they have the tools to repair the weapons and replace the ammunition.

Thanks for that: I was thinking re-loading was a thing.  And survivalists/doomsday preppers - yup.

[Dr. Whom]

Many shells can be reloaded, and reloading gear is fairly common among US gun enthusiasts. Collecting spent brass for reloaders might well become a career in the post-apocalypse.

Likewise, many gun enthusiasts have gun-smithing equipment. Their services would be in demand in a post-apocalypse environment.

Basically, doomsday preppers already have this stuff figured out. They have weapons that they can service, using ammunition that they can replace, and they have the tools to repair the weapons and replace the ammunition.

Perhaps, but at a certain point, they'd need to make their own bullets and propellant, not to mention providing power to run the gunsmithing equipment. You may have to make a decision between making a part for a gun and keeping the lights running.

[Flangepart]

My guess is the quality of firearms will degrade over time, unless a setup is pre-planned. Primers, for example, are what sets off a modern cartridge. They made percussion caps during the Civil war era. It's a matter of preserving the knowledge of the tech, how to build it, use it and defend the source.
Hummm...if the zombie apoc happens, the Federal and Winchester ammo plants will be really valuable property.