You can have one weapon.

[Jack19]

1. "How so ? A statement like that warrants some kind of explanation and validation I think.

Keep thinking. In the mean time answer the question.

2. The situation you describe is not a realistic one.

I'm sorry you think so; but, sadly it is.

3. Defending one's self, yes that's good. Putting food on the table.. well, if you want to hunt for your food that's fine, but if you can afford a gun and ammo then you can afford food from the store.

True. And putting food on the table from commercial sources is not the current problem. Re-read the question. I need a weapon that will do both irrespective of my ability to pay. That was not part of the question.

4. As as far as this "highly anti-gun government" goes, well that's just silly. If you were a country where you couldn't get or weren't allowed guns of any type, you'd take whatever you could get your hands on. How would you have a choice to make ?

"Silly?" Again, answer the question. I did not say guns were not allowed, I said they needed to be concealable in a HIGHLY anti gun environment.

5. In the US there may be some extra hoops to jump through in some areas, but you can still buy some type of gun anywhere in the country. So tell me, how can this possibly be anything but theoretical ?"

Because it isn't. So based on the premise, what is your answer?

 

[lesjones]

I'm surprised by the people who pick long guns in a one gun scenario. Sure, a long gun beats a handgun, but how are you going to carry a rifle on your person for defense?

My pick is a 3" .357 Magnum with adjustable sights. In S&W land, either a 3" 60 or a 2.5-3" 66. Small enough to put in a pants pocket in a pinch. Not the best for hunting, but I suppose you could put a scope on it with a sideplate mount.

 

[ProficientRifleman]

Springfield M1A, 18" barrel, and synthetic stock.

 

[Prince Yamato]

You know, an S&W model 10 wouldn't be bad either. I like how some people are talking about, "I'd use this gun for hunting too". Folks, I think in the scenario he's describing, you won't be able to hunt either. That's like me saying, "I'd carry a kel-tec 380, because they'd never detect in while I was playing Raquet Ball". Look hunting is great, but if you're in an SHTF scenario in a city, you ain't gonna be hunting. You're going to be raiding grocery stores like everyone else.

 

[lwrnc1963]

A 1911A1 with some good hollow points will kill deer at closer ranges for food and can be concealed for self defense. If I wanted to wear a baggy coat all the time I suppose I could hang my ak pistol with a 20rd mag under my arm but thats pushing it.

 

[RM]

Put me on the list for a Masada.

 

[.cheese.]

given those constraints, I'd go with a .45ACP semi-auto pistol in the largest concealable size I can find with a good fiber-optic night sight like Tru-Glo TFO.

Hunting would be rough, but possible.

 

[AStone]

Jack, may we ask questions of clarification? It might be useful for us making recommendations. For example:

1) Is the food (presumably game) that may be taken more likely to be smaller (e.g., squirrels, rabbits ... ) or large game (e.g., deer, hogs...), or both?

2) Does ammo availability (e.g., local, in your area, or where the gun will be used) play a role in your decision?

3) When you speak of "concealable on your person", are you limiting to holster carry, or would you consider concealing in, for example, a small to medium-sized backpack?

This is an interesting exercise. Thanks for the challenge. Hope it helps.

Nem

 

[Brian Williams]

I posted that my S&W 65 is the one I would choose, but depending on circumstances, I would pick my Colt Woodsman. It is small and lightweight, very accurate and it comes to hand very nice.

 

[Jack19]

Nem,

1) Is the food (presumably game) that may be taken more likely to be smaller (e.g., squirrels, rabbits ... ) or large game (e.g., deer, hogs...), or both?

I would say smaller game, up to and including deer.

2) Does ammo availability (e.g., local, in your area, or where the gun will be used) play a role in your decision?

No.

3) When you speak of "concealable on your person", are you limiting to holster carry, or would you consider concealing in, for example, a small to medium-sized backpack?

Limited to holster carry and., most likely IWB.

Jack

 

[akodo]

Gentlemen, trust me, this is not a theoretical question.

I need seriously considered and well thought out opinions.

you get what you pay for.

So what are you paying this group of experts? Oh yea, most are chiming in for fun or to be helpful, if you don't like their answers or attitudes, I guess you are stuck with doing the research yourself, or paying someone else.

Also,

smaller game, up to and including deer

I don't think most people think deer when you say small game, or even smaller game. Deer, hog, dog, cow, etc, are all going to have much different gun requirments than true small game, such as rabbit, squirrel, rat, cat, and pigeon (and small dogs I suppose)

to answer your question, I at least need a better idea of the theoretical game, or if it is 'anything that moves' at least give us which ones you think you are most likely to encounter

 

[AStone]

Jack,

Warning: revolver guy advice ahead. Others will make just as good an argument for a nice semi-auto and not be wrong about it. Revolver v semiauto is another whole discussion (but I'm sure you can get advice about it here, too ).

Given that you want to take small AND medium-sized (deer) game, and want to holster carry, especially IWB, I guess I'll stay with my original suggestion: some medium-sized ("K- or L-frame") revolver in a .357 Mag. with either 3" or 4" barrel.

That can, of course, be revolvers from Smith Wesson, Ruger, Taurus and other makers, so you've got choices. (I'm a SW guy, and would point you towards either a 65, 66, 619, 620, or 686 {which is available in both 3" and 4" barrels}. Others would add other models.) A SW model 60 is a J-frame, but could work, too. They come in both 3" and 5" barrels.

For SD from humans, the .357 Mag is tried I true. Except if I was up against a bunch of gangbangers with Keltecs (in which case I'm probably dead anyway), I'd never feel outgunned with my 65.

From a hunting standpoint, especially for deer, a 4" barrel would be better (that extra sight radius and a little more velocity). But for IWB, I'd say a 4" would be prohibitive, both in terms of comfort and concealability. ("Hey, Jack, what's that protruding bulge in your pants?") For IWB, I'd not recommend more than 3" barrel. Again, not ideal for game, especially medium sized, but much better than a snubbie (which is the ultimate in concealability; it's going to be a trade off).

Another advantage to the .357 Mag: it shoots .38 spl. (Same caliber, different loadings, with the .357M in a longer case that prevents using it in a .38 spl revolver.) So, you've got more ammo options, and can practice with lighter .38 rnds.

AND you can use light .38 spl rounds for smaller game. Both Jeff Quinn and Chuck Hawks claim that a properly placed light-weight, wadcutter .38 rnd will not damage much more meat than a .22 LR on small game. (Of course, they're talking about rifle use, but that's not an option for you; the same argument should apply for handguns, though.)

Finally, although the Hammond Game Getter isn't available in .357 Mag, I think the folks that produce it may be able to create a special one if you provide them with a brass case and resizing die. (Take that with a big grain of salt; others here will know more about that than me...I'm not sure the HGG will even work with handgun calibers...)

In fact, take everything I say with a grain of salt. There are people here with far more gun knowledge than me. I'm still just a novice relatively speaking.

But with free advice, you get what you paid for it.

Hope this helps.

I look forward to reading your conclusion.

Nem

 

[MrPeter]

A medium framed .357 revolver. I think taurus had one i liked in their tracker series.

 

[Vanzpp]

My Glock 29.

If I want power, it's a 10MM. If I want cheaper practice, I can use my .40 barrel or an Advantage Arms .22LR conversion kit.

 

[leadcounsel]

Bottomline is that I'd move to where guns are friendly or work to make them friendly in

Some sort of folding stock short barreled battle rifle in .30 caliber or a folding stock 12 ga pump with short barrel. You'd have to get a rifle/shotgun in pretty short to make it concealable. And it would have to be a common caliber.

 

[Hardware]

I'd go with a 1911. As others have mentioned you can get barrel, slide and mag combinations to change the calibers. 38 super, 9mm, 22 lr. Plus, I don't believe anyone mentioned the carbine kits.

 

[crebralfix]

AK-47 with side folding stock. I'd carry it in a tennis or baseball bat bag.

 

[RancidSumo]

Smith & Wesson Model 500ES - Emergency Survival Kit. Hunting and self defense all in a 2" barrel revolver.

 

[Mikeo]

Smith Model 19, 4". Had one. Loved it. Kick myself for ever having sold it.
.357 and .38 spec. Well placed, small game bigger game two legged game all go down.

 

[20nickels]

Smith & Wesson 686 w/ a 4 inch barrel.

Big surprise.

 

[The Grand Pooh-Bah]

This is all I need!

 

[jefnvk]

Ignoring the highly concealable, Remington 870. 12ga is powerful, common and versatile. 870 is common for parts and a reliable gun.

Heck, for concealability, I'd just get a duster coat.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Twenty Questions

Jack19, I'm sure you're not surprised that some of us have more questions than answers.

I'm wondering, is there anything you can add to the parameters that will clarify?

I mean, there are some truly off-the-wall scenarios open to us, and we may have -- how you say -- specialists who can help in a specific environment.

Just thinkin' out loud, mind you.

 

[RubenZ]

I agree. A Wheel gun is the way to go. Maintenance is very low, no extra parts needed. You could walk around the bush, drop it in mud and just rinse it out easily or wipe it down.

No questions asked this would be by my side (.357 mag):

I have a Colt 1911 but I'd go for a wheel gun.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Wow

Wow, Ruben, how would you conceal that thing??