Weapons and Gear => Handguns => Topic started by: GaBoy45 on November 16, 2012, 10:08:38 pm
Title: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: GaBoy45 on November 16, 2012, 10:08:38 pm
So there have been some pretty good threads on SHTF rifles but I noticed a lack of s___F pistol threads. So here's one, what is your choice of sidearm for when the world goes to heck in a handbasket? Why did you choose that platform and why that caliber?
For myself, right now its a FN Hi-Power in 9mm. 9mm is probably the most plentiful type of ammo out there or as by boss stated, "Every gangbanger and good ole boy around most likely has a 9mm so ammo shouldn't be a problem." I have to say I agree. But as soon as I can find a used but not abused Beretta 92FS or Glock 19 then it will probably change. Simply logistics on that part. With all the Berettas in military and Guard hands and Glocks in LEO's hands plus popularity by civilians, parts can be scavenged. So what is yours and why?
Title: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: huey148 on November 16, 2012, 10:13:01 pm
G19....reliable....37 parts total....good mag capacity...
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: JesseL on November 16, 2012, 10:18:43 pm
For a short-term SHTF scenario I'd say any reliable 9mm would be fine. Adequate power and affordable ammo so it's easier to stock up. I'll stick with my SR9.
For a more TEOTWAWKI scenario, I might want a .38 or .357 revolver just because I won't lose any brass that way. My old M&P is the only gun I have in this category.
Either way, I wouldn't count on being able to scavenge what you don't already have.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: coelacanth on November 16, 2012, 10:28:49 pm
9mm or .45 ACP generally speaking. I prefer a 1911 style pistol simply because that is what I am most familiar with in terms of both shooting and maintenance. Jesse's point is well taken though. The .38/357 mag is an awfully versatile platform for 99% of what I would use a handgun for and if I had to have one for the ages it might well be a Ruger GP 100.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Joachim on November 16, 2012, 10:37:34 pm
Walther P99 in 9mm and/or Sig Sauer P229 in .357/.40
Only reasons being is that I already own both and I shoot pretty well with them.
Title: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: schapm on November 16, 2012, 10:40:18 pm
Just one? G19. If I can have two I would add my Taurus 605. Reasons stated above are pretty much what I'm thinking. I have the most mags and ammo for the Glock, and my second biggest supply of pistol ammo is .38/.357, so I wouldn't be counting on resupply in any but the longest of long term scenarios.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Penguin on November 16, 2012, 10:45:04 pm
1911, it is likely the gun I will be carrying if the crap hits the fan. As they say the gun at home when you need it does you no good, unless you happen to be at home.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: ZeroTA on November 16, 2012, 11:23:48 pm
One of my personal 1911's. For a generic answer ("good enough for everyone else") I'd say any major brand in a big 3 caliber. Your sidearm should be a backup weapon to your rifle if you're really expecting to fight roving hordes of mutant bandits.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Outbreak on November 16, 2012, 11:24:35 pm
Already chosen. Beretta 92FS. I've got it in my "go home bag.*" When I'm out (when I know I won't have to go on base) I have an LAPG Bailout Bag in my truck with the 92FS and a dozen or so loaded mags, flashlight with batteries, other sundries, etc. It's what I plan to use to get back to the house, where the rifles are.
*I don't actually call it the "go home bag" but the real name is extremely suggestive and the filters won't catch it.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Grant on November 17, 2012, 12:28:28 am
I view SHTF pistols the same as SHTF rifles; Don't expect to get ANYTHING.....
I think there's not as many pistol topics because pistols are a LOOOOOT more suited to each user than rifles, Rifles, (setting aside barrel lengths) there's half the number of selections as handguns.
However my main "SHTF handgun" is my 226 Sig .40 caliber. Mainly because it is "THE" handgun that just hits like it self-aims. Anything past 50 yards out to 150 yards is dead meat, whereas otehr handguns is about a 100 yard max limit. And honestly anyone under 300 would be jumping damn hard.
More punch than a 9mm if I have to use ball, but more capacity than a .45. Another reason: .40 isn't as popular around here, during the '08 scare, 9mm and .45 ammo was gone and the prices jacked up? .40 ammo was still around and only $2 more expensive than 9mm's......why not? I've got a huge supply of factory .40 ammo and tons of brass that dad's reloading.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Kaso on November 17, 2012, 12:45:53 am
For a short-term SHTF scenario I'd say any reliable 9mm would be fine. Adequate power and affordable ammo so it's easier to stock up. I'll stick with my SR9.
For a more TEOTWAWKI scenario, I might want a .38 or .357 revolver just because I won't lose any brass that way. My old M&P is the only gun I have in this category.
This is exactly what I intended to post, but Jesse beat me to it.
SHTF: Sig P229. TEOTWAWKI: S&W 627 eight-shot
Kaso
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: ArfinGreebly on November 17, 2012, 01:45:25 am
For close encounters, I'm in favor of whatever shoots well and has adequate capacity for speed dating. In my case that's a full-sized 9mm of some flavor. I have an XD in .40, but I don't shoot it well. Too snappy. I have a PT911 (9mm), but I'd prefer a CZ-75B.
However, that's more one-dimensionally focused on SD.
For more versatility, I would probably reach for the S&W 586-7, seven rounds of .38/.357 goodness from a four-inch barrel, broader range of applications, braod spectrum of loadings, and the brass doesn't wander off.
For longer term fan crapage, I'd be inclined to seriously consider something in a .22 pistol. No, you're not going to reload the brass, but an epic stockpile of ammo can be had for a fraction of anything else. Not advised for bear and elk, but it has consistent utility for tree rats, ground rats, fat rats, river rats,the occasional very-close-up deer, and so on. If you're trekking, a couple hundred rounds carries better than half as much of anything else.
My immediate candidates are a Ruger MkII or something in a similar flavor (Colt Woodsman, etc.). Good accuracy at reasonable ranges.
Thus, depending on the scenario, a 9mm service pistol for SD, a S&W 586-7 for SD + hunting, or a .22 autopistol for long-duration stayin' alive.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: seanp on November 17, 2012, 05:05:11 am
I'd go with my S&W MP40.
Just about all of the armed agencies in the city use .40's of some kind, and in terms of ammo in stores, .40 is the new 9 up here.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Feud on November 17, 2012, 07:35:08 am
Already made: Sig 226.
When I bought it I didn't have any handguns, and so the choice was made for what I'd want to have around in case of intruder/fun/ohcrapohcrapohcrap. Next handgun purchase (for me) will likely be an alternate that would serve the same purposes, likely either a Beretta 92f or a .40 or .45 of some kind. I haven't decided yet if I'd like to stick with all 9s or diversify a bit.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: coyotesfan97 on November 17, 2012, 07:51:08 am
Glock 17. It's the pistol I carry every day. I have 10 magazines loaded for it. 9mm would be all over as are parts.
Title: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: booksmart on November 17, 2012, 08:08:42 am
Beretta 92A1, for all the reasons stated above, with the K9 as a backup, if I can/need to.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: downshift on November 17, 2012, 08:31:30 am
./agree Sig P226 TacOps, 3 spare mags. After all it is TEOTWAWKI, so nobody cares your carrying a monster of a handgun right? No trying to conceal it, just 80 rounds of accurate and fast 9mm. If its good enough for competition, its good enough for zombie head shots, and repeated followup head shots =)
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Musashi on November 17, 2012, 08:51:44 am
The thing about SHTF hand guns, is that most of us carry hand guns in the normal range of calibers and our guns are usually very reliable, or we wouldn'g be carrying them. So most of the hand guns we carry and own would fit the bill.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Kaso on November 17, 2012, 09:21:14 am
Unless, of course, someone likes to carry a mouse gun...
Kaso
"Most" being the operative word... Maybe that's a good litmus test for your carry piece. If the SHTF, would you be comfortable using it to get home, bug out, whatever you envision yourself doing? I read on another forum that the handgun you carry is a statement about you. The point being, do you care enough to carry a fighting handgun with at least one reload, or do you carry just enough to be able to say you're carrying? Food for thought. Obviously fighting spirit and luck could be just as important as whether you are rocking a SIG 229 or a Kel Tec P3AT.
Title: Re: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: luke213(adamsholsters) on November 17, 2012, 10:01:26 am
Unless, of course, someone likes to carry a mouse gun...
Kaso
Or at least a mousegun plus something else;) Personally I'd probably go to my 1911 and my pf9 or p3at bug but maybe some other combination but that's pretty close to what I carry now.
Note on concealment might not be as important as now for some things but I can think of some scenarios when you might not want to give up whether you're carrying or not.
Take care!
Luke
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Mac on November 17, 2012, 11:04:17 am
I don't dwell on this subject much, but my CZ P01 is the pistol I shoot the best with and I have the Kadet .22 kit for it. I figure I could take care of most issues with that set up. Man, that Kadet kit is so cool. It always ends up getting shot the most when I'm at the range. It's pretty neato.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Coronach on November 17, 2012, 11:17:47 am
I am making sure that I have a quality handgun and adequate mags available in all major calibers. This is less of a desire to be prepared for TEOTWAWKI and more a desire to collect the whole set ... but it works for TWOTWAWKI, too.
Huh ... we found a box of .38 Super? Great, I got a gun for that ...
Mike
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: sarge712 on November 17, 2012, 11:22:44 am
The thing about SHTF hand guns, is that most of us carry hand guns in the normal range of calibers and our guns are usually very reliable, or we wouldn'g be carrying them. So most of the hand guns we carry and own would fit the bill.
+1
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: GaBoy45 on November 17, 2012, 06:01:35 pm
The replies are interesting when read. You can kinda see the priorities of each individual. So far I see the top three are: 1)Effectiveness with the weapon, 2)caliber, and 3)type of pistol. I guess the whole "what you carry tells something about you" is probably true to a certain extent.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: downshift on November 21, 2012, 11:58:15 am
The replies are interesting when read. You can kinda see the priorities of each individual. So far I see the top three are: 1)Effectiveness with the weapon, 2)caliber, and 3)type of pistol. I guess the whole "what you carry tells something about you" is probably true to a certain extent.
To a certain extent... My problem is I work in a "weapon-free environment", a place that frowns on concealed carry. If I am away from my commuter bag/backpack, I have a Ruger LCP (6+1 rounds of .380) on me at all times. With that Ruger I can conceal in a speedo, not a problem. If I am near my commuter bag that sits under my desk, (or commuting back and forth) I have 2 spare mags for the ruger, and a Sig P226 TacOps with 1 spare.
If TEOTWAWKI happens while im at lunch at work, I have 7 rounds of .380. If it happens during the workday, I have 19 rounds of .380 and 40 rounds of 9mm. If it happens weekend/Nighttime, Im set =)
But, OP was optimal choices not OHCRAP =)
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: hi-power on November 21, 2012, 01:48:38 pm
if i was to grab something for myself at the moment it would be my Glock 20. powerful, accurate, reliable, and plenty of ammo on hand. could use a few more magazines and a better concealment holster, and while we're at is a pistol case with magazine pouches that will fit it's giant magazines.
i don't put too much stock into the notion of finding or scavenging ammo, odds are you'll have to get by with whatever you've got on you; and if you do happen to find lootable shells they will probably be a package deal with a gun and a corpse. but i could certainly see adding a 9mm or .357 to hedge that bet, or dropping the 10mm entirely if i was coordinating with a group. a few of my friends have glock 19's, a few have beretta 92's.
when it comes to generic emergency supplies for the family, or anyone getting equipped from my stash i suppose, i put some thought into that over the summer when it occurred to me that i should have an ammo box packed up and ready to go rather than scrabbling through my shelves trying to figure out what to take if it ever came down to it. my choices were surprisingly old school: .357/.38 and 12ga.. not just because i have several of each and plenty of ammo, i actually have more 9mm's, but because there are no magazines to deal with. don't get me wrong, magazines are generally a good thing, if your ammo happens to be loaded in them and everyone is using the same kind of gun, but personally i don't own more than 2 that use the same kind of mag, and they do take up a bit of space. with .357 (and 12ga) i can side step all of that and use speed strips as universal speedloaders to boot. i could even throw in my lyman 310 tool and some components if i wanted to get really crazy.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Coronach on November 21, 2012, 04:26:55 pm
The thing about these SHTF choices is the dirty little secret that the gun rags won't tell you ... almost any gun, from any major maker, in any of the major calibers will be perfectly adequate and will function the vaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast majority of the time. We're all gear heads so we obsess about such things, but really, if I was handed a newer-production S&W Sigma (a more maligned gun I cannot imagine), I'd feel perfectly fine.
S&W, Ruger, Springfield, Beretta, HK, Colt, Walther, Glock, Kahr, Steyr, Sig, 9mm, .40, .45, .38, .357 mag, 10mm, .357 sig, .41mag, .44 mag, you name it, they all work pretty well and will solve any problem that can be solved with a handgun, provided you know how to use it.
Boring answer, but the truth.
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Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: sarge712 on November 21, 2012, 05:02:08 pm
The thing about these SHTF choices is the dirty little secret that the gun rags won't tell you ... almost any gun, from any major maker, in any of the major calibers will be perfectly adequate and will function the vaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast majority of the time. We're all gear heads so we obsess about such things, but really, if I was handed a newer-production S&W Sigma (a more maligned gun I cannot imagine), I'd feel perfectly fine.
S&W, Ruger, Springfield, Beretta, HK, Colt, Walther, Glock, Kahr, Steyr, Sig, 9mm, .40, .45, .38, .357 mag, 10mm, .357 sig, .41mag, .44 mag, you name it, they all work pretty well and will solve any problem that can be solved with a handgun, provided you know how to use it.
Boring answer, but the truth.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
Absolutely. I have my preferences but I also lean toward "Its a tool, not a religion" philosophy. In troubled times I will be grateful for any weapon in hand.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: hi-power on November 21, 2012, 08:42:01 pm
i might need an afternoon to get used to the trigger pull on a Sigma...
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: coelacanth on November 21, 2012, 09:30:50 pm
I still think that who ever said ". . .your handgun is what you use to fight your way back to your long gun." was 100% correct. To that end, whatever comes to hand will have to work - its just up to me to have the general knowledge and skill to make it so. Even a Taurus "Judge" or a Beretta "Tomcat" beats harsh language.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: ArmedNerd on November 21, 2012, 09:35:22 pm
The sig would probably stay my primary even in SHTF. I don't think there is any problem with using an auto as a SHTF gun. Just keep it lubed, how hard is that? Maintain your freaking gun, don't treat it like crap just cause you can. That's what really bugs me about glock fanboys.
I also see the advantages of a wheel gun in certain scenarios, so I'm glad I have both.
I don't have a long gun though, so my two pistols will just have to do.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: jermzzzzzzz on November 21, 2012, 10:53:20 pm
P228, my best shooting pistol in a common caliber.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: ArfinGreebly on November 21, 2012, 11:45:11 pm
Quote
I don't have a long gun though, so my two pistols will just have to do.
I keep a Marlin Papoose (plus extra mags) in the truck. Whatever pistol I might have along will always have that for augmentation. It may not have the hitting power of something in the .223 or .30 cal range, but I have a short ton of ammo in the truck, and even the puny .22 LR will keep someone honest out to a hundred yards. Besides, I have more confidence in my ability to score rabbit stew or BBQ'd squirrel with a cheap rifle than I do with my SD pistol.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Lokidude on November 23, 2012, 06:51:25 pm
I love my 1911s, they're my preference for carry pretty much every time I'm going somewhere unpleasant. And the fact that I have 9 or 10 loaded mags for them makes them awfully attractive, too.
However, my "go to war" gun, if you will, is my Glock 20. It hits like a truck, has excellent capacity, and just flat works. However, if it's truly an extended SHTF/TEOTWAKI situation, I'll be looking to pick up something in a 9mm, preferably a G17 or G19 before the mighty 10mm runs dry and I'm stuck looking for more ammo.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Wolf-Dragon on November 29, 2012, 09:05:53 pm
For me probably a 1911 in .45 ACP or any reliable revolver because you can use lead bullets in both and it will be eassier to get lead to reload cartridges or making cartridges because if the SHTF situation lasts long enough we'll run out of ways to get copper coated ammo.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: cluznar on December 04, 2012, 09:19:57 am
My Ruger SR9c it has a ten and 17 round mag and has been flawless with 500 rounds.
:coffee
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: huey148 on December 04, 2012, 12:50:09 pm
Just got a chance to try out my Gen 4 G21 this weekend... :)
Between it and the G19...screw the rules, I'm bringing both...
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: ronlarimer on December 05, 2012, 12:02:00 am
It sort of depends on how long the feces is going to be flying... If I expected it to be a long term thing I would want my current carry gun, a Glock 19. If it is a more acute situation, a Glock 17.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Kaso on December 05, 2012, 12:05:46 am
It sort of depends on how long the feces is going to be flying... If I expected it to be a long term thing I would want my current carry gun, a Glock 19. If it is a more acute situation, a Glock 17.
Could you please explain your reasoning? Why would a compact be better in a long-term situation? I would think it would be the other way around...
Kaso
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: GaBoy45 on December 05, 2012, 08:05:36 pm
Could you please explain your reasoning? Why would a compact be better in a long-term situation? I would think it would be the other way around...
Kaso
My guess is that the compact can use two different types of Glock mags i.e. Glock 17 and 19 mags as opposed to just full size mags. At least thats why my boss's SHTF pistol is a Glock 26.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: Coronach on December 05, 2012, 08:51:24 pm
My thought would be this: long term use would favor the flexibility of the 19, with its ability to be concealed slightly better than a 17, and also its ability to use the 17's mags as well as its own. The short term, acute crisis would favor the 17's greater capacity and small increase in velocity and accuracy due to barrel length.
Either way, we're talking small differences. I would not feel poorly armed with either.
Mike
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: THE NORSEMAN on December 05, 2012, 09:41:48 pm
It's be one of the 357 mags for me. I'm intimately familiar with them. It's a caliber I understand almost completely. If I need more than a cylinderful in a firefight, I already screwed up badly. I intend to hunt and eat, not fight. As for which one exactly? Dunno. Let's just say I have options.
Title: Re: SHTF...Pistol choices
Post by: ronlarimer on December 05, 2012, 09:52:12 pm
My thought would be this: long term use would favor the flexibility of the 19, with its ability to be concealed slightly better than a 17, and also its ability to use the 17's mags as well as its own. The short term, acute crisis would favor the 17's greater capacity and small increase in velocity and accuracy due to barrel length.
Either way, we're talking small differences. I would not feel poorly armed with either.