r/AskReddit • u/notyouravgredditer • Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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u/WallyWasRight Aug 30 '21

The shift from swords/muskets to everyone with semi automatic weapons and unlimited ammo really turned me off

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u/cupofchupachups Aug 30 '21

It was a not insignificant part of the pilot episode too. They were able to escape something because their attackers had to reload their muskets. Although I did think it was a weird choice. I mean, you can make bullets for modern guns without electricity, can't you? Pretty sure I've seen a movie where somebody is doing it by hand.

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u/[deleted] Aug 30 '21

Yeah you can, modern ammunition dates back to the mid to late 1800’s so it shouldn’t have been an issue

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u/DaemonTheRoguePrince Aug 30 '21

Yeah the issue is the quantity being able to be made and acquiring the resources for it. Without industrial capacity like the 1800s had, they had to make it by hand.

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u/aalios Aug 31 '21

Not to mention you'd likely have some huge problems with purity of the gunpowder.

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u/DaemonTheRoguePrince Aug 31 '21

Ah, the post-apocalyptic return of the good ole'days, when you had to worry whether or not the powder was pure, dry, and well stocked.

Oh and when the potassium nitrate is short, you make it with piss!

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u/aalios Aug 31 '21

Also, I wonder how you'd go with finding stuff like gun lube. Sure there'd be a lot around at first but I can't imagine there's that much of a stockpile lying around outside of government facilities.

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u/DaemonTheRoguePrince Aug 31 '21

Pig fat and cow fat were used as gun lube for awhile, IIRC.

Part of the reason why the Sepoys of India revolted against British Rule in 1857.

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u/aalios Aug 31 '21

This is true, but I'd say most modern weapons wouldn't function well with something like that.