SMPARKINSON
Member
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2011
- Messages
- 19
My above attempt at humor not withstanding......
Obviously my posting regarding the Clerke revolver was meant to be slightly funny, but I understand this was a serious question and I would like to take the opportunity to answer it with the respect it is due.
First let me state what has been stated by so many other's before me, which is that whatever gun is available to one in a crises situation is the gun one has available to them. Having any gun which functions, including the Clerke referenced above, is certainly a substantial advantage over having no firearm at all. Even the Clerke would give me a great measure of confidence compared to having an empty hand.
But more directly in answer of the original inquiry, my first choice would certainly be a revolver chambered in .22 Magnum or preferably a .22 Magnum/.22 LR revolver with duel cylinders. To further narrow the specifications, it would be a stainless Ruger Single Six with adjustable sights and the longest barrel length available.
Between standard and magnum .22 rimfire chamberings, there are probably a greater variety of loadings available than any other single caliber I can think of. All bullet types as well as shot cartridges, tracers, and although I haven't seen them in a while, I remember there were even signal flares available (and you could always use tracers for signaling if you couldn't find flares.)
With the long barrel you could wring out all the power available from the .22 magnum for defensive purposes and with carefully placed shots (courtesy of the adjustable sights and long sight radius) you could humanely take fairly large game at least out to 50 yards or so. And the amount and variety of ammunition you could easily carry would also be greater than any centerfire caliber you might choose
I chose a handgun over a long gun because you could do just about anything you might need to do with both hands free while never being unarmed. A sporting type shoulder rig would keep the weapon close and secure with a minimum of interference of body movement. You could actually obtain a holster rig that would provide the versitility of either a shoulder holster or a belt holster depending on how it was configured before you left camp for the day.
Like any choice in life this one certainly entails some tradeoffs. You are not going to win a long range encounter with someone armed with a centerfire rifle, so in those circumstances you would need to see them before they saw you. And then you would have the choice of retreating undetected or using stealth to even the odds by getting close and both starting and finishing the encounter before your adversary knew you were there.
But other than combat with a better armed opponent, I think the tradeoffs are pretty well outweighed by the advantages of my choice. Now if your scenerio was choosing the best handgun/rifle combonation, well, that's another discussion all together.
Obviously my posting regarding the Clerke revolver was meant to be slightly funny, but I understand this was a serious question and I would like to take the opportunity to answer it with the respect it is due.
First let me state what has been stated by so many other's before me, which is that whatever gun is available to one in a crises situation is the gun one has available to them. Having any gun which functions, including the Clerke referenced above, is certainly a substantial advantage over having no firearm at all. Even the Clerke would give me a great measure of confidence compared to having an empty hand.
But more directly in answer of the original inquiry, my first choice would certainly be a revolver chambered in .22 Magnum or preferably a .22 Magnum/.22 LR revolver with duel cylinders. To further narrow the specifications, it would be a stainless Ruger Single Six with adjustable sights and the longest barrel length available.
Between standard and magnum .22 rimfire chamberings, there are probably a greater variety of loadings available than any other single caliber I can think of. All bullet types as well as shot cartridges, tracers, and although I haven't seen them in a while, I remember there were even signal flares available (and you could always use tracers for signaling if you couldn't find flares.)
With the long barrel you could wring out all the power available from the .22 magnum for defensive purposes and with carefully placed shots (courtesy of the adjustable sights and long sight radius) you could humanely take fairly large game at least out to 50 yards or so. And the amount and variety of ammunition you could easily carry would also be greater than any centerfire caliber you might choose
I chose a handgun over a long gun because you could do just about anything you might need to do with both hands free while never being unarmed. A sporting type shoulder rig would keep the weapon close and secure with a minimum of interference of body movement. You could actually obtain a holster rig that would provide the versitility of either a shoulder holster or a belt holster depending on how it was configured before you left camp for the day.
Like any choice in life this one certainly entails some tradeoffs. You are not going to win a long range encounter with someone armed with a centerfire rifle, so in those circumstances you would need to see them before they saw you. And then you would have the choice of retreating undetected or using stealth to even the odds by getting close and both starting and finishing the encounter before your adversary knew you were there.
But other than combat with a better armed opponent, I think the tradeoffs are pretty well outweighed by the advantages of my choice. Now if your scenerio was choosing the best handgun/rifle combonation, well, that's another discussion all together.
