Disaster pack semi-auto handgun recommendations

[Skylerbone]

I wouldn't want to face down rioting mobs with 10 rounds of .22 lr. Consider the Glocks or Rugers and consider an Uncle Mikes reinforced instructor belt (stiffened nylon with Velcro closure) and a kydex holster and magazine holder for spares.

Getting home won't be a backpack hike with the pistol stored away, it will be on guard, avoid crowds and be ready to defend yourself if need be affair. When price and availability normalize the Glock option will be very attractive for the added expense of accessories unless you can find some model like the XD that comes with the starter pack which includes the holster/mag carrier.

 

[scaatylobo]

.22 RF conversions for Glocks

If you look at a Glock as if it was an erector set [ look it up if your under 50 y/o ].

Then you will see that there are a 'few' calibers that it can be adjusted to.

Glock 23 [ .40 S&W caliber ] can be fitted with a Sig .357 barrel.

.22 rimfire upper

9 MM barrel

so you have 4 possible calibers and VERY little to carry to attain the switchover.

 

[AABEN]

IF I had it in the trunk in a lock box it would be loaded and ready to go!!

 

[Skylerbone]

I don't believe that would comply with California law.

 

[EBK]

S&W used to package their Sigma and M&P pistols in "disaster" packs. They had a case for the pistol, and depending on the package had maybe a flashlight, or flare, knife, etc.

I checked their website, but couldn't find them currently offered.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...storeId=750001&catalogId=750051&content=11001

I may be wrong but I dont believe the sigmas were ever offerd in that kit.

The SD and M&P are the only ones I have seen offered in the "Home Defense kits"

 

[gazpacho]

If New York's mag limit somehow stands, expect the same for California. When I read the OP, my inclination was to recommend revolvers also. 357s with HKS speedloaders would be my choice.

Regardless of gun choice, I would include a cheap nylon belt and holster in the backpacks. If you need to carry a gun, then you will probably need to use it with little or no warning. For an expensive option, check out a Safepacker holster.

 

[Deer_Freak]

If you need 4 guns on a realistic budget I would look at a HiPoint. The magazine is usually the cause of failure or difficult operation. Vet each gun before storing it. If there is anything wrong with a Hi Point the magazine hits the bottom of the slide. Just file the top of the magazine down until the slide works freely.

I have picked up several Hi Points over the years for the price of chicken feed. Every one of them had magazine issues. I was able to fix every one of them.

 

[wild cat mccane]

Call me crazy...but I would be more concerned about helping people around me.

I guess I live in a different America where natural disasters doesn't make every other American a threat to my life.

 

[Fleetman]

One of our bob's is full of medical supplies and a Heritage .22LR revolver with two sealed "tuna" cans of ammo and a ziploc bag of .22 shotshells. The other bob has a Keltec P11 with two extra mags (total of 3) with 350 rounds...I've always thought if things really went downhill in the US that 9mm could be had from bodies laying around? Our plans also include a 12ga and AR but our plans are ambitious and would have to include the Jeep to carry everything.

Of course, we would need a generator for hair dryers and curling irons (I guess that stuff is in her bob) so that means extra gasoline, extension cords, etc, etc....ok, I'll just surrender now! Lol!

 

[B!ngo]

I'm just catching up on these great responses. Extremely helpful. Just some quick comments:
Here in CA we can, and many of us do (at least for now) purchase internet/mail-order ammo. No problem.
Re Kel-Tec, there is something called a CA Roster of Legal handguns - which lists every make/model of guns allowed to be sold here. Although there are some techniques that enable access to other make/models, this is pretty often 'THE LIST'. And that list doesn't contain even one Kel-Tec handgun on it. Not a one.
The idea of the police/used G19 is a great one. To me, the leading contender (I'm still working through the feedback). I've never shot a Glock nor has my wife (she is right-handed) so it would take some training but that's usually fun. I also like the idea of a G26 but they are unlikely to be found in police returns at lowered prices. Either way, despite the fact that I'm an H&K fanboy, I have huge respect for the simplicity, quality and reliability of all Glocks.
The FiveSeven is interesting but a non-starter. It both violates my 9x19 preference, but it also makes a lot less sense when, here in CA, it is limited to 10 rounds. A gun that is designed and optimized around shooting from a large magazine is not as clever when it is strangled.
I'm not sure that the .22LR, even with a brick of ammo, is a great idea. My hope (presuming that the car does not become an 'INCH' (clever acronym there) vehicle) is that I'd take 1-3 days to head home. I don't need the gun for food but only for SD. Seems like a .22LR is not the best choice there.
The instructors belt is a good idea as well. I already have one (or equivalent) in each pack. I must have been thinking that I'd be heading toward this phase of the GEBP (get home back pack?) project. I also did it because there is one K-Bar-class non-folding knife in each pack with the option of a belt mount.
The comment about keeping a fully loaded gun 'ready to go' in the trunk lockbox is a likely non-starter. Although the laws can be interpreted differently, in general the read on the law is that the gun has to be locked in its case, out of direct reach from the drivers seat, and the ammo stored separately. It may be that they can be stored together if out of reach, but I am not sure, and have no interest in testing the ire of a LEO when things are likely to be tense anyway.
I just can't get behind the HiPoint recommendation. From everything I read, and just understanding their design, the handgun is not a very dependable or accurate design and it's quite heavy. It is inexpensive though...
Regarding the impact of an earthquake on people's behavior, most of CA is no different than other community's around the U.S. That is, people come out of the woodwork to help one another. I've been through a good sized quake here in 1989 (though the next big one is likely to be much stronger) and nearly everyone was looking to help everyone else. Myself included. Please don't think that CA is any different or lesser, or that I have a rare and evil view of civilization. But every community has it's odd citizen, looting can become a problem if the situation becomes dire, and I don't want to depend only on good will to aid my way home.
Thanks again everyone, and please keep the suggestion coming.
B

 

[wlewisiii]

For what you're proposing, I'd suggest a S&W Model 10 instead of any semi-automatic.

Several boxes of 158 gr. LRN, a box or two of something like BB +P 158 gr LSWCHP & a bunch of shotshells for it. Put it all in a zip lock at the bottom of your bag. If you really need it, it's available & simple enough for anyone in your group to use with minimal training (point this end at bad guy. Pull trigger.).

 

[BSA1]

So over the past year or two, we've equipped our cars with 'get home kits'. These are not 'bug-out-bags' as I've heard, but backpacks that are stocked with food, water, first-aid, and other odds and ends that can be used to hike it back home from 10, 20, or 30 miles away if the roads are deadlocked, damaged or shut down. We're fortunate enough that we have four cars between the two of us, which means four separate kits.
One of the items that I'm considering adding is a locked box hidden in the trunk with a firearm, and a separate locked box for magazines/ammo. All configured that way to comply with CA law.

While I understand having a bug to or bug out bag (depends on which way you are going)
in each of your vehicles I do not understand having a gun, magazines and ammo in each of them all the time.

First you must be flush with money to afford equipping four vehicles with lock boxes, guns, etc.

Second do you have a family member to drive each vehicle?

If you can't get home to your other vehicles you are losing the contents, including the gun, in them.

Fourth you will need to set up so kind of maintenance program and ammo exchange schedule.

Fifth how are you and whoever happens to be driving that vehicle going to pack your roscoes?

Sixth unattended vehicles are a target for theft...those lock boxes will not be much of a deterent to a determined thief with a little time on his hands.

 

[Bobson]

I guess I live in a different America where natural disasters doesn't make every other American a threat to my life.

Sounds like you live in an America where there are no natural disasters at all, or that you've never been involved in one. Crime is most rampant during natural disasters.

To the OP, I'd stick with the G19 you originally had in mind. If you want a cheaper alternative, the Ruger SR9c would be a great choice. There wouldn't be much else that I would consider.

 

[GLOOB]

What about legality? If you need it locked in two separate boxes just to transport it in a car boot, should you worry that you might find trouble on the way home while carrying it on your person? I would be considering Hi Points. I might end up leaving it with the abandoned car.

Funny thing is under California law, a handgun outside of your own home would only be good for real, true-to-movie zombies. The slow, shuffling kind that will give you time to unlock those boxes and load your gun.

 

[Pilot]

Call me crazy...but I would be more concerned about helping people around me.

I guess I live in a different America where natural disasters doesn't make every other American a threat to my life.

Nothing wrong with helping your neighbors or anyone else, and working together to make the situation better. However, have you seen events like Katrina, where people loot, rape, murder, or riot situations like after Rodney King where store owners had to defend themselves, from harm and death? There are no police to be found in these situations, 911 is inoperative, and the police can't be there anyway.

How well can you help people if you are maimed or dead? How will you help save your family, friends, neighbors etc from harm? If you want to help them be prepared for ANYTHING.

 

[kBob]

Back during Andrew thugs around Homestead/Miami were pretty bold. One group noting Nation Guardsmen without magazines in rifles accosted a group of four guardsmen and went away with four M-16A2 rifles. Others learning most Guardsmen were not given ammo bullied their way int food and water dispensing areas and made off with more than the perperson/ family limits.

When I was taking Community Emergency Response Team training (CERT) everyone there was interested in helping their neighbors. When the topic of self defense while doing so came up the instructors from Emergency management made it clear that no weapons were allowed while performing CERT duties. Of the class of 31 at least seven folks were CWL holders and carrying at that moment. These were folks willing to forgo an evening a month for eight weeks and to attend weekend classes on special skills and drills and be expected to respond to local emergencies.

Wanting to help others does not preclude wanting to be able to defend one's self or other innocents.

-kBob

 

[CPshooter]

Walther P99? It's closer in size to a Glock 19, but it's DA/SA w/ a decocker like your USP. However, no safety to worry about and they go for $600 or so if you can find them. I bought two that were lightly used in the last month and they both cost me $580 OTD. Sold one of them for $735 + shipping on Gunbroker, so the price can vary depending on where you look.

A Glock wouldn't be my first choice for many scenarios, but I have to admit that the 19 fits this role rather well. LEO trade-ins go for $350 in my area (and they are still available), magazines are cheap and abundant (maybe not right now though), and replacement parts are easy to find. That and the firepower it packs in such a small package would make it a great gun for this job. You don't want a gun that's too big and bulky if you need to conceal it in a jacket pocket temporarily while you're trying to make your way home. Then again, if the gun is going to be chambered when you pull it out and you don't have a nice holster already strapped on and ready to go, it might not be a good idea to have a loaded Glock bouncing around in a pocket or duffle bag. It wouldn't take much for the gun to discharge if something got caught in the trigger guard.

If you can afford it, going with a USP compact 9mm makes sense as well considering you are already familiar with the MOA. It is DA/SA with a safety, so it can be safely transported/carried in any situation. It's also an H&K, so reliability and durability is there.

 

[Bovice]

Get Glock 17s or 19s. It's not an off-the-wall suggestion and parts are more readily available for them than just about any other make. 9mm is a good choice. It beats the hell out of 9x18, which I have never seen anywhere but in a gun shop behind a counter. For what you want, you're looking for something easily maintained and lots of parts support and commonality from model to model.

Once the dust settles with all this AWB stuff, they'll be easy to get.

 

[WYO]

I’ve been around some mobs when the gunfire started, and people took off in all compass directions as fast as they could. Nobody stood around to analyze whether the shooter was firing a Glock 9mm or a Lorcin .380 or a .22. People form mobs to do things they are not brave enough to do alone, and they quickly dissolve the bonds when they decide it has become dangerous to participate.

 

[Plan2Live]

but I am not sure, and have no interest in testing the ire of a LEO when things are likely to be tense anyway.

So how will the LEOs feel about you being armed and most likely concealed and armed if and when you find yourself walking home in a disater scenario? I'm not picking on you, just suggesting that there may be a bigger picture to focus on than your choice of firearms. PM if you are curious since your topic is brushing up against the forbiden topics.

 

[jon86]

I like the suggestions of the G19, G17, or ruger sr9c. There are many other good suggestions.

But may I suggest a cheaper alternative?

Whatever gun you carry every day, keep some mags (or speedloaders) with good carry ammo stashed in each vehicle.

That way, you only have to invest in one gun for you, and one for the wifey.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Given those criteria, I'd go with the Ruger P95. If I was willing to spend more, FNX or FNS-9. For cheaper guns too, the Stoegar cougar, or that Steyer 9mm are good choices too. Glocks...... I guess. I just don't like them much. Oh yeah, Sig Sauer SP2022 are good guns too I hear.

 

[Skylerbone]

If the user is permitted in CA there should be no problem with concealed carry.

 

[Fryerpower]

Not a CCW Holder

From the comments in his OP he is not a CCW holder.

 

[RBid]

What we really need to look at are concealable, CA legal handguns, which are actually available to be purchased. Matching handguns make sense, of course.

There are multiple right answers. Rather than focusing on the handgun, I'll suggest planning a means of concealing and carrying it on your body once you get into the kit. Concealing it effectively, and in a way that allows quick deployment, are important-- as with any CCW. The wrinkle here is that you have to store the set-up in your bag until needed. Maybe something as simple as Blackhawk! or Uncle Mike's nylon IWB holsters, and a belt in the bag.

This post assumes that you are CA concealed carry legal, which I recognize is a big assumption.

Edited to add:

Well... Finally submitted my reply, and saw that the OP is not a CHL holder. I guess... Big folding knife, mace, and a rape whistle.

Good luck.