What UNFIRED handgun would you trust your life with?

[Alan Fud]

Let's assume that you are in the mall without your firearm (you forgot it, it's at the gunsmith being worked on; whatever the reason, you are not armed) and you suddenly hear shots being fired and people screaming and running past you in all different directions. Crazed gunman? Terrorist attack? Who knows but the shots are getting louder which means that what ever is going on, it's heading in your direction.

It just so happens that two stores over is a gunshop. You run in and the place appears to be empty and the gunshots now appear to be right outside. The gunstore has a wide selection of handguns (both new & used) and ammo of every type but no rifles or shotguns.

What gun would you grab (and why) to defend yourself with in case the shooters came inside for you? What gun, that you haven't had a chance to fire to verify that it is accurate & reliable, would you pick to defend your life with?

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[HSMITH]

870, and a 357 revolver in my waistband. 870 will go bang everytime, and so will any decent 357 that has not had a kitchen table trigger job. Grab 3 boxes of #4 buckshot, and a box of 38 special HP's, load up both guns, dump 15-20 38's in right rear pocket and put as many of the buck as I can in left back pocket. Then go out and hope to hell it is over and I don't have to shoot someone that is trying to hurt innocents.

 

[Will Fennell]

BERETTA 92 series

BERETTA 92 series pistol.

Same question was posed to several "experts" in a handgun article a few years ago. Bill Wilson, obiviously a 1911 fan, said that he would chose a BERETTA 92....as they were the most reliable out of the box handgun he had ever seen, including revolvers. He noted that most revolvers worked fine out of the box, but when something was wrong, it was usually VERY WRONG. That BERETTA 92's were the gun he would chose if he had to take a handgun, NIB, that he didn't even get a chance to fieldstrip and exaimine, make it hot, and go into a gunfight.

That got me looking @ 92's! I am VERY pleased with my 92G VERTEC.

 

[yzguy]

first answer, If I had that much time, run....

if I for some reason could not run, first look to see what ammo is around (it would suck to pick a gun and have no ammo for it), then find 2 (in case one jammed) that I was most familiar with preferably the same gun. My personal first choice would be a couple of 1911's. (common, easy to recognize mags, and I am familiar with them)

might also lead towards revolver, but being partial to semis I never owned one, and have only rarely fired them...

 

[10-Ring]

USP 45 (and make sure the internal lock has been disengaged!)

 

[DMK]

I'd also pick an S&W or Ruger revolver and/or a Remmy pump shotgun if I had the choice.

Most new guns I've bought or handled are pretty cruddy with dried grease, oil and dust. I wouldn't want to bet my life on a semi-auto anything in that condition.

 

[stevelyn]

The closest full-sized Glock within reach and if time allows a short barreled scattergun w/00Buck.

 

[ChristopherG]

C'mon, guys, read the post. Obviously you'd get an 870 first, which is why he specified there are no rifles or shotguns.

That being the case, I'd grab a new Glock 17. I know that gun pretty well, and every Glock I've handled has felt almost exactly the same, in stock configuration at least. Get some Speer Gold Dots or some Federal EFMJs and a handful of mags.

Alan: do you actually live somewhere where there are gunshops in malls? I've never seen one--unless you mean a strip mall.

CG

 

[riverdog]

Handguns only ...

I've had issues with revolvers and I've had issues with 1911's. I've never had a problem with a Glock, so I'd probably go for a G-21 and load up some .45.

 

[foghornl]

A 4" or 6" Ruger GP-100 and as much "personal defense" ammo as I could grab.

Next choice would be the 1911-A1 category, but with ball ammo. Reason I pick ball ammo for the 45ACP...SOME 1911's will not function properly with SOME of the "personal defense" ammo.

Case in point...My Springfield Champion model 1911-A1 and my KP-90 Ruger eat anything you feed them, but a shooting buddy had a new "Mil-Spec" Springfield, and in ONLY functioned with the real USGI ball ammo..would FTE with Rem/UMC ball, Winchester White Box (USA) ball, Federal/American Eagle ball, and didn't even like the Sellier & Bellot ball. Two trips to Genesco, Il finally resolved it; however, the scenario you described is NOT the time to find out what ammo your 1911-A1 likes.

 

[Smoke]

I would be the first gun/ammo combo I could find!

 

[BerettaNut92]

I'd grab a Beretta 92 AND a little bottle of breakfree.

The first few rounds I put thru my Beretta didn't make her happy, she was completely dry

Eager Skunky.

 

[HSMITH]

C'mon, guys, read the post. Obviously you'd get an 870 first, which is why he specified there are no rifles or shotguns.

Ooops. Sorry.

 

[Handy]

Any 9mm HK, Sig or Beretta (except the 9000). The USP lock thing would give me pause, though.

 

[gryphon]

I'd grab a revo in .38 or .357 if available. It would probably be quicker to get into action the first time because you wouldn't have to load the magazine, then insert it and cock the pistol. You would just load the cylinder, move the cylinder into position and pull trigger.

If I had the time and only if I had the time in the situation described ould I even think of grabbing an auto pistol. Once the magazines were full, and the auto in cond 1 would I then go with an auto.

Any other situation, if I could carry(Ohio still behind the times don't you know) I'd have my 1911 with me cond 1, IWB.

 

[Desert Dog]

I would pick something I am intimately familiar with, or if those are unavailable, some sort of SAA revolver...

 

[larryw]

Any USP, but preferably 45. Dirty or clean, wet or dry, lubed or not, guns run like a fine watch.

Locked as shipped from factory? Quarter turn using the key in the box or, lacking that, an unwound paperclip and its off.

 

[hansolo]

SHTF handgun/new

Due to my own POSITIVE experiences, S&W semiauto: new 910s: ZERO hiccups from first magazine to present.

 

[longeyes]

In that scenario I'd grab a four-inch-barreled S&W or Ruger revolver and a box of .357mag. Come to think of it I'd grab a Smith AND a Ruger.

 

[556A2]

With time permitting a Beretta 92 or a CZ-75/85. If no time permitting, a S&W or Ruger .357.

 

[Boats]

Though I am a pistol guy and attracted the notion of grabbing the best 1911 in the case or any service Beretta I spot, I have to think of the scenario. I'd grab a revolver because it is going to be easier to load up and carry ammo for it than for an auto under the constraints of the scenario. Six or seven in the cylinder and the rest of the ammo box loose in a pocket for reloads under cover if necessary. Make mine a .357 mag, .44 Special or .44 mag.

 

[WESHOOT2]

ROUND WE GO

Mr. Wilson is not the only 'expert' to suggest the Beretta.

Me? A Ruger DA wheel.

 

[sm]

The 1911 style hidden under the counter C&L (hopefully)...gonna grab a wheelgun and ammo also.

Hoping first gun is ready to go, save time in loading up. I shoot 1911 style and more comfortable with them. Regardless want a wheelgun, if need can use for NY reload, give to someone to assist me,...

 

[makdaddy03]

Makarov.

 

[firestar]

Beretta 92 for me also! I have one that I love and shoot well so it would be natural. Also my Beretta 92FS has been the most reliable semi-auto I have ever shot or owned. My Ruger P95 never jammed either but I haven't put as many rounds through it, so I guess in that sense, the Beretta is more reliable even though niether have jammed.

I assume I have time to load the mag. If someone was right behind me, I guess I would take a Contender and slam a round in the chamber and then whip the bbl up and fire. Even faster than a revolver.