Which Handgun For Any Circumstance?

A G20 in a "Countryboy" holster by "RGrizzleLeather", loaded with a mix of "Double Tap" ammo (135gr@1600fps / 767 ft.lbs. & 200gr@1300fps/ 750 ft./lbs.)

That's 16 rounds of 41mag power in a reliable accurate platform!

If those "CREATURES" travel in packs I want to be able to rip off lots of rounds without having to reload.

This +1. No doubt about it. -Goodspeed
 
Alright, I missed the part where I was only allowed 5 lbs of ammo.

But I'd probably still take the .45 Colt.

I'd also bring some lightweight snare material, a dozen mouse traps, fishing line/hooks, a good knife and leatherman tool, and a magnesium fire starter.

In a true "survival" situation, I doubt I'm going to have a lot of spare time for hunting. If I can snare or trap small game, then that leaves me more time for doing other things that are essential for survival and comfort.

I'm well versed in catching small critters in various ways, and with fishing stuff, I'm not going to go hungry.

Since the OP said we wouldn't know what other critters we might need to defend ourselves against, I want a firearm for "emergencies", and that would be it's only use.

At base value, I don't want my life to depend on one piece of equipment that is subject to breakage no matter how well it may be made. Survival requires some mental preperation and know-how.

Given a few essentials, I'd get by pretty well. Used to do things like that when I was younger, and my buddy and I usually ate pretty well.

Daryl
 
Guam? Been there, done that.
The only things I'd be shooting are monkeys and snakes.
Neither should require anything more potent then a .22LR. That means five pounds of ammo will go along way.
 
I'm torn between a Ruger KMK-512 and a Colt Delta Elite. The Ruger for the ammo and the Delta for the punch. As was said, though, I'd want the Delta in stainless, so I'd have to buy another if I chose that.
 
I have a great idea!

I was thinking a Ruger Redhawk .44 mag at first. Then I thought that a .357 would probably be the more practical option. But now I'm thinking something completely different.

Kel Tech PLR-16!!!!

I think it would be hard to go wrong with a .223 handgun for all around survival. This gun is accurate enough to keep good groups at 100 yards. (much harder with a regular sized pistol/cartridge) It could also be used for bigger game if you have great shot placement. And wouldn't be a bad defense gun with a 30 round magazine. Granted it's no Ruger revolver, in that it's not stainless steel, and it does not carry the reputation of durability and reliability that a Ruger revolver does. But I've still never heard of anything going wrong with a PLR-16. I dont know why I dont have one. I guess it's because I dont have a use for one. But if you want one handgun that can do everything, I honestly think the Kel Tech PLR-16 is getting pretty close.

Another option would be an AK pistol. But I think the better accuracy and more ammo (if your talking only 5 pounds of ammo) would give the PLR-16 an advantage over an AK pistol... But I guess you'd never know until you were on that island, thinking "I'm so glad I brought this gun".... or "I really wish I brought something else!"

One more thing that would affect my decision... what kind of, and how much cleaning supplies do I get to have? If little or non. I'd chose a stainless .357 revolver.
 
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S&W 627PC 5" barrel; Buffalo Bore 180 grain Hard Cast.

8 shots of 180 grain Heavy .357 magnum in a very accurate revolver seems my best choice. I like the simplicity of the stainless steel revolver and the energy of the Heavy .357 magnum.

If the same number of rounds of ammunition were the order of the day, rather than 5 pounds, I would pick the Desert Eage in .44 magnum. About 60% Heavier and about 60% of the ammunition stock, The Desert Eagle has greater range with heavier bullet. Five pounds of 300 grain JSP cartridges does not go far. Still the Desert Eagle is a formidable pistol.
 
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Just for fun, say you were going to be exiled alone to a dark, uninhabited (by humans, at least) Guam-size island for an unknown period of time.

Lets see no women, no beer, no TV, no internet . I would take a 357 and 1 round I would last about a week and check out. Tom hanks survival type I ain't :D
 
Lets see no women, no beer, no TV, no internet . I would take a 357 and 1 round I would last about a week and check out. Tom hanks survival type I ain't

That's funny! On that subject though, I suppose I'd want some wood working tools.

Rasp, chisels, hammer, a saw, and then hope I don't find an old piece of wood that says, "SS Minnow".

Although Ginger's and Mary Ann's daughters might make good company.

Naw, I'd miss my wife too much.

It wouldn't take long for me to start building a way to get off the island. Never was one to wait around for someone to come save me.
 
Might want to pack a little salt in your survival gear!
Why? The island is surrounded by all the salt you could ever want.;) Given the restriction on ammo alone, I am in the .22 lr crowd.

No humans, and most islands have animals not much bigger than monkeys and such. A good stainless .22 revolver is likely to need no repair for years...hopefully I will have a raft or boat built before then.:eek:

Although Ginger's and Mary Ann's daughters might make good company.
In which case, I would be the slowest boat builder on the planet.:D
 
Easy: 44 Magnum DA/SA revolver. Either Ruger or S&W.

If I could garuntee not a massively dangerous animal (Which of course there isn't in the Pacific, I'm assuming you mean a "Lost" style island). The choice is again easy.

Sig 226 .40.
 
As with so many others, I'd take a .357, in my case my beloved S&W 686+, 4-inch barrel and Trausch grips. Since I don't know what I'd be facing, it seems to be the best all-around choice, with ease of maintenance, accuracy and power in one package.
 
With no concern about dangerous game: Ruger Single Six in .22 magnum.

With concern about dangerous game:

Either Smith & Wesson 386XL (.357 magnum) or 329XL (.44 Magnum). These are Scandium alloy 6-inch models. I would probably go with the .357 in order to have more ammunition.

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From an auto standpoint I would go with a Glock 20 (10mm).
 
Guam? Been there, done that.
The only things I'd be shooting are monkeys and snakes.
Neither should require anything more potent then a .22LR. That means five pounds of ammo will go along way.

I was in Guam too, in the early sixties, but I only referenced Guam in terms of its size-the situation I arbitrarily posed offers nothing in the way of predictability. Though it goes without saying that no one firearm is best for every situation, because in the scenario at hand you have no idea what dangers and survival circumstances you might face, the handgun you take should be the one you think is best for whatever comes your way. Monkeys and snakes might be the least of your worries. :rolleyes:

(I threw in the five pound ammunition weight limitation just to make the .22 rimfire a viable option-but if you had to fend off a pack of hungry wolves...:eek:).
 
I think a Glock 17 with a couple of the 30-round mags should do the trick. 9mm is a good balance between killing power and portability (five pounds of ammo, remember!) and those big 'ol mags would help you out in a multiple-animal (or cannibal :eek:) attack.

EDIT: Actually, make mine a Glock 34--just a tad more accurate, and it's not like I have to conceal it or anything.
 
I can't believe more people haven't said a .22mag yet.

Enough power for people sized predators (being pretty darn close to a .38spl in ballistics), and small enough for even squirrel or rabbit sized dinner.

5lbs of .22wmr would go a long way.
 
I don't recall the OP specifying the (mostly) peaceful "Pacific." Although I admit "Guam-sized" probably limits the liklihood of really nasty larger critters, move things a bit south and west and I'd think the possibility might go up of Komodo/monitor types--some of which are more than capable of ruining your day--as well as "Ananconda types." Make mine a 686 4". Would also be good medicine for sharks coming in close to shore--both as food for me as well as clearing some otherwise nice swimming spots!
 
well, what if we come across a T-Rex?!?!?! HUH? HUH?

Okay,,, so I hafta empty an entire cylinder of .22 in his eye,,,
Godzilla would still go down under the murderous fire,,,
And since I'm shooting Roy Rogers style,,,
Reloads are unnecessary!

Wait a minute!

I never thought of that before,,,
The five pound ammo limit is a moot point,,,
Matinee Idols guns never ran out of ammunition anyways.

To heck with that wimpy .22,,,
I want Roys Engraved Colt Peacemaker.

Bring down a herd of Komodo Dragons with that puppy!

I sense a new pair of lizard skin boots in the making.
 
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