What is the best SHTF handgun caliber?

[Deer Hunter]

If the world was perfect, and an army supply helicopter crashes outside my house,filled with 10mm double tap ammo, when trying to reach the zombie pirates who attacked the whitehouse and the playboy mansion, then I'd use that with many 15 round clips from a Witness or a G20.

In a more realistic world, I'd use a shotgun with pistol grips and a sawed off barrel.

In a more realistic LEGAL world, I'd use a .357 magnum.

 

[el44vaquero]

.45 acp would be first choice, but after thinking about it I'd have to grab for the .357 revolver.

 

[McCall911]

Imagine you're a working cowboy or a guide in Alaska, and you're actually out in the wilderness, responsible for your own survival for weeks on end. You look down at your belt. There's a handgun there.

What is it?

It's probably not a semiauto.

I bit!

I see a large-frame S&W revolver, probably a Model 29 with a 6 or 6 1/2" barrel.

Interestingly enough, I don't even own one of these. Not yet, anyway.

 

[Ala Dan]

Considering the fact that I have more guns (and ammo) chambered for the
.45 ACP, that would be my choice of caliber in a SHTF scenario~!

 

[Sport45]

I voted for other, because in my case I wouldn't choose just one. My 18 year-old son would take the 9mm Sig and the 2500+ FMJ rounds I have in the closet. My 16 year old can have a .357 (his choice, the Dan or the Smith) and the 1000+ rounds of 158gr LSWCHP reloads I have in buckets. I'll take one of my 1911 pattern guns with the 1400 or so FMJ and SWC rounds laying around. All will be welcome to the ample stock of reloading supplies and my press. (Of course my wife will still outgun us all with the 870 Express.....)

What do I do with the Garand and the 1000+ rounds of M2 ball? Should I destroy it to keep it from falling into the wrong hands?

 

[cookekdjr]

Imagine you're a working cowboy or a guide in Alaska, and you're actually out in the wilderness, responsible for your own survival for weeks on end. You look down at your belt. There's a handgun there.

What is it?

It's probably not a semiauto.

Whoa now, fella. You're coming dangerously close to combining a "SHTF" thread with a "bear defense" thread. Mixing these two could cause an explosion.
Actually, I would seriously consider a Glock for that purpose. Lots of folks like the 10mm versions (g20?). I would also consider the G23 because it can be lightly loaded with .40 re-loads, or more heavily loaded to 10mm levels, but its a lighter and more compact weapon.

 

[farscott]

I guess I would pick two because I have lots of ammo and guns for them: .22 LR and .45 ACP. We have five Ruger Mark II's and too many 1911's chambered in .45 ACP. I can carry a lot of .22 LR and use my suppressed Ruger Mark II, and I can use two 1911's. My wife and daughter would each have a Ruger Mark II's, and my wife can also tote her Commander.

The other 1911's and Mark II's would come along as spare parts.