Practical weapons

Shoots at twice the speed of a slingshot but fits into your pocket and looks like a toy. Costs $ 25
I (unfortunately still) live in an apartment and cannot keep rabbits. At least not humanely. I certainly have neither time nor funds to feed them properly. But there are dunes nearby where one finds hundreds hopping around in the early hours. Now if i walked around with anything larger than the Pocket Shot Slingshot i'd probably get arrested. Yeah, i'd get arrested if someone caught me shooting a rabbit, too, but avoiding that is about being careful.
This device could also be used as a humane way of dispatching a rabbit you wish to slaughter.
Sustainable: check
Healthy: check
Humane: check

I like crossbows but i'm not sure how legal they will be in many situations. I also learned that the small ones are considered especially evil by 'law enforcement' agencies; apparently having to do with that they are readily concealable, which is ironic when one considers how much less powerful they are.
I love this one

since it looks like something i could build myself. But the vertical crossbow really has me excited.

I've this book written by a Dutchman [so, sorry, i can't link to an English source] that explains in detail how to make a bow with just about any wood. So this idea was new to me: it does not take any special kind of wood! If you know what you're doing, you just adjust the size and shape of the bow to suit the wood and it practically does not make all that big a difference in how the bow will function or how heavy it will be. Good to know.

When it comes to 'guns', my research suggests the 12 gauge shotgun may be a superior choice, especially due to it's versatility.

Other than this i consider a tomahawk [especially one with detachable handle], machete, and of course a good knife essential. I'm talking affordability, practicality, usefulness, versatility, legalities, self-defense, as well as for survival situations.
There's hunting, but when you're out somewhere and it's just you and the dark outside, what will make you feel safe, especially at night? My hand-held crossbow won't kill a moose but it'll make a thief think twice, even if it's just known that i have it with me, right?

Hey, thanks for the info about the pocket slingshot. I've been trying to find something for my brother-in-laws birthday present, and I think this will be perfect. We might just get one for ourselves, too!

Thanks again!

Don't forget the atlatl. Simple to make & quiet, yet powerful enough to kill larger game.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spear-thrower

Also, you could use a rabbit box trap. (also known as a rabbit gum, from using a hollow gum tree to make it from)

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#safe=off&q=rabbit+box+trap

Hey dude,

The legality of hunting with a crossbow varies wildly according to jurisdiction. Most states have their game laws on line.

I'm in complete agreement with your research on the 12 Gauge shotgun. Between birdshot, buckshot and slugs I can hunt anything from mourning doves to Elk, especially since I have a pump shotgun and can buy different barrels for it quite cheaply. A good used Remington or Mossberg pump can be had for less than $300 if you are a careful shopper.

If I could only own one firearm, it would be a 12 gauge shotgun. If I could only have 2, it would be a 12 gauge shotgun and a .22 rifle.

Regards,

David

Cops do not like crossbows because they can punch a vest like butter.

As for a .12 gauge, they are quite versatile. You can get a .22 cal insert that allows you to shoot .22 in one as well as inserts in other common calibers like .357 which will also allow you to shot .38 which can be found cheaper.

Don't dismiss the humble single shot topbreak shotgun. Makes using inserts easy, can be found used and ugly for under $100 if you are lucky, and quite often you can find spare barrels in other calibers cheap as well. Most times they will interchange as long as you are talking about savage, stevens, or H&R guns, more off brands you are lot likely to find spare barrels.

A much harder to find item but if you are in the $300 range, for a bit more, try and find a stevens 22/410 which is a very versatile gun.

The topbreak shotguns are great choices too. They are cheap, don't break, and have a really simple manual of arms. Good call.

I've not had much luck, accuracy wise, with subcaliber inserts that allow you to shoot rifle or handgun cartridges out of shotguns. The sub-caliber inserts that let you shoot smaller shotguns shells are pretty nice though.