Skip to content

Top Guns for the
Zombie Apocalypse:
Killing the Undead

By Randy Tucker |
Man with a rifle shooting zombies

The cause can vary, a medical experiment gone bad, a military application that escaped the lab, maybe a rogue virus that mutated into an apocalyptic nightmare, or even alien gas dropped into the atmosphere by a passing comet. No matter the cause, there are some constants when it comes to combating a zombie apocalypse. The best defense is always firepower, but not quite the same you’d use against a living opponent.

Zombies are the undead. What are the undead? They’re dead humans, and sometimes other animals that are not brought back to life but are animated instead. That means they can move, attack, kill and devour their victims. Taking a zombie out requires one of two methods, either the destruction of the brain or completely destroying their body. Even the separate hands, torsos, and legs can remain animated and attack you. To kill the undead, you can use a variety of firearms, but the best three types are shotguns for close and intimate range, pistols, and revolvers at intimate distances, with a nod to the power and range of the .50 BMG and the venerable AR-15 for everything else.

Finding the right weapon is important, but equally as crucial is finding one that has a good supply of ammunition. When the zombies start staggering toward your home, you don’t want to run low on rounds. Calibers such as 5.56mm, 9mm, .357 magnum, and the venerable 12-gauge shotgun shell are readily available but will dry up once the apocalypse hits. Stock up now, buy cartridges and shells while they’re still on the shelves, or better yet, order a few cases that match your preferred zombie-killing platform, and be prepared. They’re out there.

Recommended Guns for the Zombie Apocalypse

Gun Caliber Gauge Capacity Max Range (Yards) Type of Combat Stopping Power (1-10) Ammo Availability / Price $
Colt Python .357 Mag 6 50 Close / Intimate 8 High / $$
Barrett M107A1 .50 BMG 10 3200 Long Range 10+ Low / $$$$
Daniel Defense M4A1 5.56 mm 30 500 Moderate 7 High / $$
HK SP5K 9mm Luger 30 40 Intimate 6 High / $$
HK MP5 .22 Long Rifle 25 75 Close / Intimate 5 High / $
SIG SAUER MPX 9mm 30 40 Intimate 6 High / $$
LWRC DI 5.56 NATO 30 500 Moderate 7 High / $$
Benelli M4 12 Gauge 5 50 Close / Intimate 9 High / $$
Beretta 1301 12 Gauge 5 50 Close / Intimate 9 High / $$
Remington 870 12 Gauge 4 50 Close / Intimate 9 High / $$
Henry Lever X .45-70, 45 Long Colt, .357 Mag,.44 Mag, .30-30, .410/20 gauge 4-7 depending on caliber / gauge 40-300 depending on caliber Intimate / Moderate 8-9 High $$ / .45-70 Moderate $$$

Colt Python 357 Magnum 4.25in Stainless Revolver

Colt Python 357 Magnum 4.25in Stainless Revolver - 6 Rounds
Colt Python 357 Magnum 4.25in Stainless Revolver - 6 Rounds
CHECK PRICE

It’s going to be messy, there is no other way to combat a horde of zombies that doesn’t make a mess. Old-school zombie hunters love revolvers. The Python is a heavy, well-balanced revolver that double-duty as a club if you run out of ammo with its 42-ounce weight. Detractors say revolvers don’t have the capacity of a pistol, but with a six-round cylinder, this one contends with a lot of pistols. The .357 magnum is considered one of the premier cartridges for one-shot disposal of even the toughest zombies.

The energy of a .357 Magnum at 50 yards is around 500 foot-pounds, more than enough to blow out the brain stem of the zombie leader. With a six-inch barrel, the Python is an accurate handgun with a substantial recoil, but in the hands of a seasoned shooter, it is one of the best choices for close to intimate range zombie combat. Best of all, .357 Magnum ammunition is widely available, so you can stock up now and be ready when the time comes.

The stainless steel design and the reliability of a revolver eliminates the chance of jamming at a crucial point. Even close-range zombie splatter from the goo you just make of their head won’t lower the performance.

Barrett M107A1 50 BMG 29in Tungsten Gray Cerakote Semi-Automatic

Barrett M107A1 50 BMG 29in Tungsten Gray Cerakote Semi-Automatic
Barrett M107A1 50 BMG 29in Tungsten Gray Cerakote Semi Automatic Modern Sporting Rifle - 10+1 Rounds
CHECK PRICE

If you prefer your zombie elimination at a comfortable distance, the M107A1 might be worth a look. In .50 BMG you’ll not only destroy the brain but take the head right off the biggest, nastiest zombie at ranges up to a mile. If one of these foul-smelling undead somehow hijacks a Greyhound bus and is headed your way with 50 of his closest zombie friends, you can take out the engine block with a single shot from this powerful platform.

The Barret M107A1 is a semi-automatic with an ample 10-round external magazine. You can fire and slap in a new magazine quickly from a set, fortified position and take out zombies all day, or as long as your ammunition lasts. The supply of .50 BMG is already limited in many areas. If you’re willing to pay the price for an M107A1, load up on .50 BMG cartridges at the same time.

The M107A1 is a dual-technique zombie-killing weapon. It will vaporize the brain, but a well-placed shot will blow the body apart as well, rendering it useless, even though you don’t want to walk up on what’s left and have it grab your leg. This rifle will deliver a 750-grain bullet at 500 yards with almost 10,000 foot-pounds of energy, and it only drops 35 inches at that range so sight adjustment is easy with just a few clicks.

Daniel Defense M4A1 5.56mm NATO 14.5in Brown Cerakote Semi-Automatic Rifle

Daniel Defense M4A1 5.56mm NATO 14.5in Brown Cerakote Semi Automatic Rifle - 30+1 Rounds
Daniel Defense M4A1 5.56mm NATO 14.5in Brown Cerakote Semi Automatic Rifle - 30+1 Rounds
CHECK PRICE

If you’re looking for a versatile weapon to face all the challenges the undead can offer in nearly any situation, you’re going to need an AR-15 and not just any AR, but one with a large magazine, a suppressor, and a light for those especially treacherous nighttime encounters.

The Daniel DefenseM4A1 in 5.56 NATO offers all those options in a high-performance, lightweight semi-automatic rifle, complete with an ample 30-round magazine and an adjustable stock. Add a Dead Air Sandman-K suppressor, and a Surfire X-300 gun light and you’re ready to limit your sonic presence, reduce recoil for more accuracy in rapid-fire situations, and light up those dark alleys, basements, and garages that the undead love to spring ambushes from.

The 5.56mm NATO cartridge is one of the most widely spread calibers on the market, so obtaining a few thousand rounds for the impending apocalypse is a great idea. This rifle will work at long distances with precision head shots on the undead, in moderate range conditions against entire armies of stumbling, advancing zombies, or in close quarters where the energy of the 5.56mm cartridge will create some impressive zombie stopping power.

HK SP5K 9mm Luger 5.83in Matte Black Modern Sporting Pistol

HK SP5K 9mm Luger 5.83in Matte Black Modern Sporting Pistol - 30+1 Rounds
HK SP5K 9mm Luger 5.83in Matte Black Modern Sporting Pistol - 30+1 Rounds
CHECK PRICE

When the need to go “Full Schwarzenegger” don’t look any further than the HK SP5K. Light enough to hold one in each hand, and with its ambidextrous design you don’t have to waste any time slapping in a fresh 30-round magazine and grabbing the nearest one. The fast rate of fire and the ease of handling this machine pistol makes it a perfect choice for close quarter zombie fighting.

The undead won’t know what hit them, (honestly, do they ever?) as the spent 9mm cases rain out of the pistol. Effective with a pistol in each hand, it works just as well with a machete in your off hand and this reliable 9mm raining destruction in the other.

With an overall length of under 14 inches and a barrel length of 5.83, this 4.2-pound pistol is easy to handle, accurate, and fast. Add an Aim Tech or Echodot and you’ve got laser sighting capabilities that allow you to easily paint a bright red target for accurate shots on the braincase of the advancing undead

HK MP5 22 Long Rifle 8.5in Black Modern Sporting Pistol

HK MP5 22 Long Rifle 8.5in Black Modern Sporting Pistol - 25+1 Rounds
HK MP5 22 Long Rifle 8.5in Black Modern Sporting Pistol - 25+1 Rounds
CHECK PRICE

The .22 Long Rifle is an underrated cartridge when it comes to defending against a massed advance of the undead, but the round does have its advantages. The first is cost, you won’t find another zombie killing round that costs less. The second is stopping power at close range. The knock on the Long Rifle is that the small 30 to 40-grain bullet just doesn’t have the energy to drop a zombie in its tracks, but well-placed .22 rounds will get the job done.

The HK MP5 with its 8.5-inch barrel and overall 18.5-inch length is a good choice for a low-cost option in moderate to intimate range. The 25-round magazine offers ample capacity, and the quick trigger allows pumping a couple of rimfire rounds into the head of the advancing undead for quick dispatch.

This is a great option for the lighter weight shooter who can’t take the recoil that comes with many of the preferred zombie killing rounds. With almost no recoil and an overall weight of less than six pounds, almost anyone can fire this machine pistol with one hand. When you’re options are limited by expense, or you can’t handle the shock of a larger caliber weapon, this one still delivers enough stopping power to do the job.

SIG SAUER MPX K 9mm Luger 4.5in Black Anodized Modern Sporting Pistol

Sig Sauer MPX K 9mm Luger 4.5in Black Anodized Modern Sporting Pistol - 30+1 Rounds
Sig Sauer MPX K 9mm Luger 4.5in Black Anodized Modern Sporting Pistol - 30+1 Rounds
CHECK PRICE

If zombie killing has a name, it’s Sig Sauer, OK, maybe there are a lot of names for killing the undead, we just don’t know them. What we do know is that the MPX K in 9mm Luger is a thoroughbred when it comes to popping the advancing undead.

Sig Sauer is one of the world’s premier handgun manufacturers, and the MPX K is one of their best designs. In 9mm Luger, this sporting pistol features a 30-round magazine in a curved style that allows greater balance when opening up fully loaded.

A short 4.5-inch barrel, paired with a 22.5-inch overall length allows using this light, 4.5 pound (empty weight) in either single or dual hand mode. The rapid-fire capabilities of emptying the ample 30-round magazine into a mass of the stumbling undead lends itself to the additional control you get when using both hands. There is no arguing the stopping power of the 9mm Luger round and its propensity to send copious amounts of grey matter flying on impact

LWRC DI 5.56mm NATO 16in Midnight Bronze Semi-Automatic Rifle

LWRC DI 5.56mm NATO 16in Midnight Bronze Semi Automatic Rifle - 30+1 Rounds
LWRC DI 5.56mm NATO 16in Midnight Bronze Semi Automatic Rifle - 30+1 Rounds
CHECK PRICE

You might think it’s overkill that we’re listing a third AR-15 style rifle in our selection for offerings in battling the zombie apocalypse, but the reason is the AR platform. It is perfect for eliminating the undead with extreme prejudice.

The AR-15 evolved into America’s main battle rifle in a fully automatic style for a reason. It’s effective, the 5.56mm NATO round has ample stopping power and when it comes to zombies a few hundred yards away with a clear line of sight, there aren’t many rifles as solid as the LWRC DI.

This is a serious distance option with a 1:7 twist on a 16-inch barrel. A ventilated design dissipates heat, so this is a great option for heavy-volume fire. Keep a few extra magazines loaded and click and play all afternoon or night. Tipping the scale at 6.6 pounds, it’s light enough to carry all day, and the overall 22-inch length allows quick target acquisition, even in the confines of a zombie-infested basement or abandoned shopping mall. Perhaps best of all, it's chambered in 5.56mm NATO, a universal cartridge. But don’t wait until the apocalypse begins, but a case of thousand rounds before the price jumps and the supply drops.

Benelli M4 Tactical Semi-Automatic Shotgun

Benelli M4 Tactical Semi Automatic Shotgun
Benelli M4 Tactical Semi Automatic Shotgun
CHECK PRICE

No self-respecting zombie hunter is without one of these 12-gauge powerhouses. The 14.4-inch barrel is perfect for delivering maximum power at close range, and the stylish design makes it a perfect choice for urban zombie hunting. Easy to swing, easy to aim, and with a five-round capacity, this is the gun for someone kicking down doors to expose the undead.

A pistol grip added to the fast-firing action of a Benelli semi-automatic allows the shooter excellent control while rapidly firing buckshot or bb rounds into advancing zombies. This is a close-quarter weapon. Yes, it is effective to 40 yards and delivers the ability to literally blow the head off a zombie, but the M4 is a close combat weapon.

The 7.8-pound heft makes it a handy club if you’ve emptied the magazine, and need to create a little space to slide more shells back in. As with any shotgun, it’s not for the squeamish. The 12-gauge shells won’t create a clean entry or exit wound but rather explodes the skull, often with masses of zombie splatter covering everything in range, including you. The M4 is reliable, powerful, and a preferred platform for professional zombie hunters.

Beretta 1301 Comp Semi-Auto Shotgun

Beretta 1301 Comp Semi-Auto Shotgun
Beretta 1301 Comp Semi-Auto Shotgun
CHECK PRICE

You’ve got a couple of choices in zombie stomping power with the Beretta 1301. The difference is barrel length and in overall length. For close-quarter work against the stumbling advance of the undead, the 21-inch barrel available in the over 40.5-inch length of the Beretta 1301 is a great choice. This is the preferred style for urban zombie warfare.

If you’re in a rural setting, the 24-inch barrel might be a better choice since you’ll get a few more yards of accurate patterns with the longer barrel. The 43.5-inch length isn’t encumbered by walls, doorways, or in firing between vehicles as is the case in an urban environment.

Whichever you choose, this is a fast-action semi-automatic shotgun in powerful 12-gauge that has a five-round internal magazine and an overall weight of just 7.1 pounds. When getting the most lead on a zombie, in the quickest amount of time, it’s hard to beat the Beretta 1301.

Remington 870 12 Gauge 3in Pump Shotgun

Remington 870 Fieldmaster 12 Gauge 3in Pump Shotgun - 28in
Remington 870 Fieldmaster 12 Gauge 3in Pump Shotgun - 28in
CHECK PRICE

Arguably the greatest design ever in an upland game bird or waterfowl hunting shotgun, the venerable pump-action Remington 870 is adaptable to the zombie hunter as well. The failproof design won’t have you reaching for a K-bar or Kitano sword because your gun jammed in close-quarter combat. This is reliable, proven, and effective firepower at close range.

The four-round magazine, 28-inch barrel, and 7.5-pound weight are perfectly balanced for quick action. It is more suited to an outdoor or rural zombie infestation, but in a residential or urban setting, it will rip right through a door as zombies pound on it, destroying them in a single shot.

Versatile and nearly impossible to jam, when fitted with a poly choke that can change the bore from improved cylinder to full choke with just a twist of the wrist, this is a potent zombie stomper. Those that worry it’s not as fast as a semi-auto should rest assured that the reliability more than outweighs the few tenths of a second difference in firing rapidly.

Henry X Model Lever Action

Henry X Model Lever Action
Henry X Model Lever Action
CHECK PRICE

This is the style Wyatt Earp and Matt Dillon would have used if zombies began stumbling down from Boot Hill into Tombstone, or Dodge City. If you choose the .357 or .44 Magnum variety, you might find Dirty Harry style undead action on the streets of San Francisco.

There is a venerable feel to a classic, well-engineered lever action rifle, and Henry delivered with this very versatile platform. This lever action beauty is available in three powerful pistol calibers, a pair of rifle cartridges, and in two gauges of shotgun shells. What more could you ask for?

Starting with the pistol rounds you have a choice of classic .45 Long Colt, .357 Magnum, or .44 Rem Magnum cartridges. Without delving too deep into the relative ballistics of each one, suffice it to say that all three will provide the explosive head-stomping power at close range and up to 50 yards away.

Why shoot pistol cartridges in a lever action rifle you might ask? The answer is in the lower recoil, extreme power, and ease of movement when you ratchet a round into the chamber for quick action against advancing zombies.

Who can argue with the sentimental favorite from the late 19th century in the .45-70? If the undead were to appear in 1880s Australia, we can be sure that quickly would have been able to take them out at up to a half-mile with the cousin of this Henry rifle. The power of the .45-70 remains a great big game cartridge, and possibly an even better zombie round with its massive bullet. Add everybody’s favorite brush caliber in the .30-30 and you have a cartridge that is deadly accurate (deadly might not be the correct term for stopping the undead) up to 200 yards and that will deliver high energy into the chest, or preferably the brain stem of unruly zombies.

The final configuration is in a .410 or 20 gauge shotgun. Not every zombie killer is a former NFL linebacker or professional wrestler, many slightly built women find themselves in battle with the undead and this is a great platform for those who don’t enjoy, or can’t withstand the substantial recoil of a 12-gauge, but still prefer the wider pattern of a shotgun. The stopping power is the same for the 20 gauge and the .410 as it is for the 12 gauge, there just aren’t as many pellets in the pattern. If you’re at close or intimate range, it won’t matter, you’ll still generate that satisfying brain splatter when you drill a zombie.

Conclusion

They’re out there. You might not be able to see them yet, but they’re coming. When the right sequence of events unfolds, and masses of zombies take to the streets, highways, and countryside you’d best be ready. To be prepared requires a caliber to choose, and a platform to fire that cartridge from. The choices depend on the environment you’re trying to defend, how close the undead may come to you, or how far away you can get a clean head shot on a zombie as it approaches. Don’t wait until it’s too late, or you won’t be battling the hordes of the undead, you’ll be joining them.
Man with a rifle in a standoff with zombies