what to carry

[Tartar Horde]

One primary weapon seems an easy decision at first doesn't it, but imagine the stress having to decide in a crisis which to take!!
If I had firearms I would choose a 12g for all of the above sound reasons, I don't so it's fantasy to even try.
My primary weapons would be Bows, Crossbows and a choice of various historic swords for close encounters. I would leave the swords etc behind or cache them. I would not take the crossbow even though it has the edge on a bow for accuracy, it does not have speed of use AT ALL. I would take my Avar (mongol style) bow and twelve arrows made up, and a further twelve shafts with fletchings and nocks to make when I need them. There is nothing I can't kill with this bow from Rat to Beef cattle, small pointable fast and very quiet shooting heavy bodkin points and shafts. But the limitations of carrying a bow are very real and dangerous in a world gone tits up. I would stay well clear of anyone even looking like they had a firearm because you would lose.
Now here's a hypothetical scenario to consider.
You are out after TSHTF looking for a bunny or pigeon to bag using your 12g and the appropriate ammo and you encounter an Archer at 60yds who fears who?