Stuff Hit the Fan Handgun: Which one?

[digsigs226]

When the SHTF, my Sig 226 will definitely be on my hip. Deadly accurate, has never failed me, and can hold 18+1 9mm +P...

Plus you got to know 9mm will likely be the last handgun caliber to run out... take that zombies!

 

[Kendal Black]

As the OP, I gotta admit I never thought 3-pages. But it has some really good points made and wise advise.

You specified pistols or revolvers, so I pitched in my .02 on that basis; I said .357's, loaded with .38 Spl. But, as some have already, I'd like to suggest another option. For getting noobs up to speed on safe and correct operation, and able actually to hit something, nothing has a shorter learning curve than a break action shotgun.

If you want opinions on those, I'm sure starting another thread in the shotgun department will gain you all you want, at the very least.

 

[Mr.357Sig]

.357 Mag
A K-frame, pre-lock S&W revolver (or 5)
A Henry Big Boy .357 rifle (or 5)
You are now officially ready for when the SHTF.

 

[Gun Geezer]

You specified pistols or revolvers, so I pitched in my .02 on that basis; I said .357's, loaded with .38 Spl. But, as some have already, I'd like to suggest another option. For getting noobs up to speed on safe and correct operation, and able actually to hit something, nothing has a shorter learning curve than a break action shotgun.

If you want opinions on those, I'm sure starting another thread in the shotgun department will gain you all you want, at the very least.

Good thoughts. My noobs can shoot a pump 20 gauge safely and hit stationary clay birds pretty well. Your average thug will be detered, I think, by a nice shotgun blast even if he is out of range.

 

[David E]

I hope you and your neophyte friends and family take a good gun class before your speculation of what "should" happen gets out of hand.

This entire situation has not been carefully considered at all.

 

[razorback2003]

38/357 DA revolvers are really reliable and don't need a lot of attention and are easy to clean. Novice shooters don't have to mess with magazines or pulling a slide back. They are easy to load and unload. Autoloaders are harder for beginning shooters to make safe. There are a lot of police trade in revolvers out there. Look for stainless steel if you can. A 4 inch revolver would be nice with some good grips. Reloading cast lead 38 special ammo would cut down on practice costs and get your whole family into shooting.

 

[Sig88]

I say Glock and buy hundreds of the cheap Korean Mags ($8-9). I have about 25 of them. I use 10 for the range and set aside the other 15 aside for future Glocks and in case any break. The finish is a little rough but they work, they don't always open open last shot especially when new but they have gotten better. So you're looking at under a grand for a 100 mags, compared to over $2k for factory.

 

[JTH]

That' one good thing about Glocks, there are lots of magazines, at a reasonable prices available. Hope you reload or have a lot of ammo for all those mags.

For folks into proper terminology that must correct a poster, when they call a magazine a clip, this huge vendor's sign at the gun show called them Ammo Clips. I've heard it both ways. Many of the WW II rifles would use stripper clips.
JT