If You Could Only Have One Gun

Just little old LibKill | October 26, 2001 | LibKill

[LibKill]

Yes, this is another firearms vanity.

The fantasy condition is this:

For whatever reason, you have to choose one firearm to keep.

This assumes that you also have a decent supply of ammunition to go with it.

For purposes of this discussion we will assume that there is no change in current laws. You are limited to one gun by financial circumstances.

I have narrowed my choices down to a handgun, one small enough to conceal. That still leaves a lot of room for consideration.

[LibKill]

12ga, extra barrel, and a hacksaw.

12ga again!

OK, I am convinced. I will get one.

[Clean_Sweep]

These are way to heavy and clunky for only a 2 banger. "Weight: 21 oz." Each shell has 3 oo buck, ok big deal. I'd rather have a small 9 or 38 instead.

[TC Rider]

Will that work with a ParaOrdnance P14 in .45 caliber?

My understanding is that if its a 'standard' 1911 or Colt Commander style receiver it will work. I would advise checking with the manufacturer.

They had this note at the Mech Tech web site:
Certain 1911 style pistols such as the Paraordnance line have modified receivers which leave an opening in the magazine well in an area critical to proper feeding when these pistols are used with a CCU. Mech-Tech has designed a clever insert called a 'Para Block' which solves the problem.

While at the gun show, I heard people rattle the names of lots of 1911 clones and the guy said they would all work.

They had a cool video of a guy switching it around and laying tight groups into some paper targets at 50 to 100 yards.

[The KG9 Kid]

He said I could have a lifetime supply...

[arm958]

Lone Eagle single shot handgun in .243 Rem caliber (with high quality scope). Rifle accuracy in a backpack.

[Intimidator]

I have a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 topped off with a Leatherwood scope I use for hunting deer, bear, and wild boar. I'm sure it could be used on other 'game' species as well

[SirAllen]

Bulgarian Arsenal AK-47.

[LibKill]

I think we have a winner here. It does require two guns instead of the one I first thought of.

1. .45 in handgun configuration.

2. .45 with carbine conversion.

Not a long range weapon, but in close a good one-shot-stop combination.

[Copperhead61]

A bazooka. I always think big :).

[RightWhale]

You have to go with headshots

It's for survival hunting, not combat. If it comes down to combat, I would have to go with this here Bowie knife and various skulking and sneaking techniques. If successful following that I would have the usual assortment of GI tools and acessories available.

[WhiteyAppleseed]

Winchester Model 70 30.06 Springfield. Cause 'tis the season.

[backhoe]

Humm... offhand, in descending order:

1- M1911 Gov't .45
2- Wilson Arms Company "Witness Protection" 12 ga.
3- STEN gun....

Why #1 first? A sidearm is always with you... the others have a tendency to get left behind...

[PoorMuttly]

So this is just for "going armed," or that and against the day that current laws are no longer enforced...dire circumstances? Well, nowadays, providing there's ammo in the stores...a good little .38(suggest.357) square-butt snub w/158gr.Win.LHP+P is Ol'Reliable. Mine is spooky-accurate at 15 yards from the hip (!), but a good .40 S&W w/short barrel would be great. I've jammed-up a Mustang by using Cor-Bon .380's, so now rely on softer bullets in heavier weights and slightly stiff standard velocities...like JHP or Nyclad +P's in my 2 High Powers...another great, serious choice. Long, but very flat. I couldn't hit my foot with my now-sold Officer's ACP, so for me, short 1911's are out. The 1911 action, however, is my favorite. For long-term use, under extended pressure, autos are magazine-sensitive...also as in only having a single-shot without one! So, revolvers. You won't go wrong at all with a 3".357. Ever. It is accurate, easy to shoot, reload cases, even could use 9mm heads in a pinch, takes .38s, and is effective against humans all out of proportion to its size and recoil. I had a Lawman snub which shot almost as well as my Lawman 4" bull barrel. For REAL long-term survival, being THE Muttly...a 9mm revolver (military, police and street-types have lots of cookies for you to feed it for years, if the balloon ever goes up), double action, is smart. It can reliably fire +P+ and all kinds of bullet weights. They're being NO free lunch, moon clips are a major drawback. Doesn't leave messy cases around either. The dreaded single action can be had w/9mm and .357 cylinders...Lastly, if you're really concerned (not unreasonable, IMO), make sure you've got a good side-by-side shotgun handy. In evil times, a fella should be able to locate a hack-saw without too much effort. Good luck, have fun, and may God, who really IS in charge of these things, be with you.

Oh, by the way, I am no great fan of the flat shooting but wimpy 9mm, which is why I am careful about ammo selection(124gr. HP usually). Also, a .45, for all practical purposes, even shooting comfort in a reasonably-sized steel gun, is an absolute winner, and w/ lighter slugs, a flat-shooter. FYI, my Dad and his partner once tested the bullet-resistance of the then-new NYC subway token booths they were manufacturing. .45s dented it. 9mm Federal ball zipped right in...enter our High Powers from then on. It made sense in our line of work at the time. It's nice having the option of flat-shooting and extreme penetration...but 9mm Ball is a proven non-stopper, over penetrator for non-reinforced targets. However, the barrier-busting option is comforting, and useful. Make sure your gun is "reliable" with all the different rounds and combinations you may use. Police working in cold climates have found that 9mm HPs plug up w/clothing material, becoming Ball, and failing to stop...may you never experience this. .45s are much more effective, even my Dad's OSS-proven "Ball at all times." He had his reasons. Autos are ammo-sensitive, too. Revolvers. I carry autos a lot, but now, really favor "six(7,8...) for sure." I once read that in the entire history of the NYPD, a revolver has never completely failed to fire. One can generally squeeze again, and get to another round. IMPORTANT - after loading, always turn the cylinder to make sure it does. Too late is too late. Finally, S&W makes some pretty nice .44 and .45Colt revolvers, even seven-shots, which would certainly get almost any job done. Dan Wesson makes switch-barrel models, although they're heavy. Have a nice day.

[dredhawk]

44 MAGNUM REDHAWK

[ar10]

All this gun talk has got me excited, I mentioned my AR10, but have been thinking the AK47 is also a fine weapon, plenty of good cheap ammo. Very durable gun, and lots of fun to spray lead with.

[Come get it]

This one (#12) gets my vote...

Or a Springfield M1 in .308.

[RetiredArmy]

Abrams Tank sitting on my front lawn with full combat load. Otherwise, my trusty Glock 23 will do just fine.

[COB1]

THE most dependable shoulder weapon ever invented!

[wtc911]

Good choice except for one thing, In Korea in winter '50-'51 the Frozen Chosin came to distrust the stopping power. Too many Chicoms were not staying down. Seems like they were bundled up like the Michelin man and the deep layers cut the impact severely. But, if you live in sunny climes.....

[HELLRAISER II]

I live in Georgia so we don't get sub zero temps here. You know I've heard the same stories about the guy's with the bandages around them, so I asked a fellow who was a Colonel in Korea about the validity of these stories & he told me that they were just that, stories. He said that the M-1 & M-2 were fine weapons that killed the enemy as well as any gun they had. You know the M-1 first saw action in WW II & then Korea so it must have been a half way decent gun.