A Brief History
On previous March 29ths we featured articles about the Colt 1911 pistol, the Pistol vs. Revolver debate, and the Top 10 Must Have Calibers for the “Apocalypse.” This time, we will discuss what gun we would like to have if we could only have 1 firearm, whether for general purpose use in peacetime or during a disaster or apocalyptic event. Price, utility, price and availability of ammo, and ease of use are all factors. The list reflects the order in which we think that gun is the most valuable general purpose firearm to have, with “1” being the absolute necessary gun. Where you live and what you do with your guns may well give you a different list of priorities.
Digging Deeper
5. Beretta 92, 9mm Luger.
A 5 inch barreled 16 shot “wonder nine” adapted for the US military as the M9, this is probably the most common of the high capacity 9mm guns you can find. It is immensely reliable and affordable, and easy to find spare magazines. The 9mm Luger caliber is not particularly good for hunting, except in an emergency, but is the most popular pistol caliber in the world today. Ammo is cheaper than most any other pistol caliber and readily available. For someone who needs a pistol and not a shotgun or rifle, this would be our suggestion as a good place to start. Easy to use, easy to care for and combat proven, even though we prefer larger (.45 ACP) calibers as personal favorites, the practicality of the 9mm round makes this the best choice. Threaded barrels for adding a sound suppressor are also readily available.
4. AR-15 Carbine (M-4 style), 5.56 mm NATO.
With dozens of quality manufacturers it is hard to recommend a particular one. Some of the big name companies (S&W, Colt, Ruger) offer models well under $1000. Although not ideal for deer hunting, and not necessarily legal in your state for that purpose, this caliber will kill deer, coyote, varmints, hogs, small game and Turkeys. These guns also make terrific home defense weapons and are just about the greatest thing in an all-out catastrophe such as a Zombie apocalypse! Proven reliable and with unlimited amounts of ammunition and magazines out and about, it should never be hard to find fodder for this gun. Magazines come in 5 shot to 40 round stick type, and drum type of up to 100 rounds. The handy size of the M-4 makes it easier to maneuver indoors or in a vehicle than a full size AR-15, though the full size version could be a good alternative. An M-4 in 5.56 mm is a rifle women and children can learn to shoot well, making it particularly useful in a crisis.
3. Smith &Wesson Model 686, .357 Magnum.
With a 4, 5 or 6 inch barrel, this stainless steel quality revolver is nearly impervious to the elements and packs enough punch for larger game hunting (with a 6 inch barrel) using full power .357 loads. It is also capable of shooting the incredibly ubiquitous .38 Special rounds for less threatening needs. You could hunt with this for wild boar (in our experience, the round can pass completely through the tough critter), or with shot shell rounds pick off rats at the dump. Obviously this revolver previously found in the holsters of hundreds of thousands of police officers is excellent for self-defense and can be concealed. Both .357 and .38 Special ammo is extremely available. As a pistol, effective accurate range is limited compared to a rifle. Appropriate alternates are those revolvers offered by Ruger and Taurus.
2. Mossberg 500 pump shotgun, 12 gauge.
Probably because more 12 gauge shotgun ammo is made than all other gauges combined, the big 12 gauge shells are actually cheaper than the smaller gauges. They are also most readily available, and lethal for anything from squirrels to Moose or Bear. The Mossberg 500 is a great combination of quality for the price, but there are also cheaper 12 gauge shotguns and fancier ones if you prefer. This is an utterly reliable gun that is suitable for home defense, and can be equipped with a removable stock replaced with a pistol grip and a shorter barrel for easier concealment and handiness in confined spaces. These guns are just as reliable with the lightest bird shot loads or the heaviest buckshot or slugs, unlike some semi-automatic guns that need adjustment for the power of the loads.
1. Ruger 10/22 carbine, .22 Long Rifle caliber.
This gun is accurate to 100 yards and handy enough for use in a home. It is quiet, and although not particularly lethal to larger animals and people, it will put a human or a deer down if needed for self-defense or survival. It is handy for hunting small game, including Turkey and waterfowl on the ground (emergency situations only). It is also the quietest of the standard calibers, making it pleasant to shoot and more discrete, too.Ammo is not as cheap as it used to be, but .22 LR ammo is still the cheapest there is, and it is easy to own, store, or carry large quantities of the ammo. Being a rifle and not a pistol, it is not appropriate for concealed carry, but this drawback is outweighed by its superior accuracy and range over a pistol. A pistol alternative would be a Ruger, Smith & Wesson, or Browning .22 automatic pistol with a 5 inch barrel, or a quality .22 revolver with a 4 or 6 inch barrel.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
DK. Firearms: An Illustrated History. DK, 2014.