Which Handgun For Any Circumstance?

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,
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Actually, I did use the island of Guam as an example in terms of size-it's over forty miles long. Plenty of room for T-Rex to stretch his legs and little arms. :)
 
Still think I'd opt for the 4-inch GP100, but the idea of a .22 mag Single Six is growing on me ... Five pounds of ammo would certainly go a lot farther in the latter cartridge.
 
Well, you might should've saved a little room in your survival pack for some dinosaur treats.
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The dino treat carries the survival pack.:D

I would like to have a C96 Mauser or a Borchardt in that situation, assuming that the size of the beasts aren't much bigger than a human. I think the stock/holster would make for a nifty hunting carbine (it's still a pistol!:).

Otherwise I'd drink the .357 Kool-aid and go for what popped in my head while reading the OP, the Model 27.

Also, a good knife and an axe/hatchet at least.
 
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Well If it were Guam then 22 magnum, but you said " Guam sized island " which could mean a place with members of the ape family and other animals of ill humor. I guess I would go for a Dan Wesson stainless 41 magnum, rugged, very accurate and powerful enough to get the job done. I would have a few more rounds than a 44 magnum do to the less weight of the 41 magnum and would anything less to go up against baboons or apes.
 
if I have to shoot animals to
kill them to keep them from eating you
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, then I would choose a .357 or possibly a .327. On a island the chances are greater (but not certain)that predators will be smaller, which makes the .327 more practical.

The best platform for this (imho) is the 6" Stainless Steel Ruger GP100. S&W makes great guns, but for durability and with no access to a gunsmith I would go with the Ruger, no question. The 6" would give better accuracy for medium/longer range hunting.

Fun Question.

H.
 
Weapons:
1 each .22 Magnum revolver
5 lbs 22 magnum cartridges

This was not forbidden in the OP
1 each double recurve bow
20 each arrows (complete)
5 lbs steel arrow heads
1 lb plastic feathers
2 each large knives (one a chef’s knife, see below)
whetrock

And the other typical survival stuff
Now it wasn’t stated that the island was going to be in an ocean.
It might be in a big fresh water lake, so 3 lbs salt
and pepper. gotta have pepper
and some Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning
oh yeah, a gallon of olive oil
garlic powder
skillet with lid
And—five packs of Mary B’s frozen biscuits

Now, are the baboons on this island the pretty kind? :D
 
Now, are the baboons on this island the pretty kind?
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What's with this "one each" stuff (see post # 70)? You're on the Island of Gloom alone. And I hear the loner you become, the prettier the baboons get. :cool:
 
Hope this is the type of "thought exercise answer" you were looking for.
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Yep, it was, bufordtjustice. And thanks to all who have contributed. My aim was to push the envelope in terms of coping with any and all unknown and unforeseeable dangers and hardships to see if a consensus for a type, brand and caliber of handgun could be arrived at. One that is sufficiently powerful, compact, reliable and, especially, durable. So far, I think the responses have been very interesting and, for sure, some viable "solutions" were submitted that I certainly never thought of.

And don't you just wish you were allowed to bring two handguns? Or maybe one long gun instead of one handgun? Or, better yet, one handgun and one long gun? Actually, as I think about it, each one of these options would make good grist for separate discussions; that is, for instance, which one long gun would you take and why to Gloom Island, with the same "rules"? Hmmm...;)

Hey, keep your ideas coming. Maybe we can all eventually agree on one pistol-LOL :)
 
Robinson Crusoe lives on a deserted island too.....until the cannibals showed up.


For that reason I would pick something with a little more punch. I prefer the 45 colt from a stainless steel ruger vaquero but do to the weight limitations of ammo I might go for the 357magnum in the same platform.
A 22 is an excellent choice but is very limited in its defensive capabilities. I don't think I would sleep well if that's all I had. I think I could make a bow and arrow that would keep me fairly well fed. Fishing would also add to the pantry.

Funny how when the chips are down people go for the Smith's and Ruger's. There may have been a few other selections but not many.
 
Funny how when the chips are down people go for the Smith's and Ruger's.
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That's exactly what I've been noticing. I haven't done a survey yet but it seems like revolvers are ruling the island. When I get some time, maybe I'll do a "head count".
 
Big Re-Edit

I went back and reread the OP. I didn’t completely follow the setup, as a lot of others also did not do. Rather than elongate the thread I will just edit to add to my post. Perhaps others will do the same.
So here’s a more complete description:

Gun: DA revolver, .357 Magnum, Ruger GP100, Stainless, 6 inch
Note: This is in general, failures can happen to anything (including Glocks).
A revolver is more reliable because there is no failure to feed, no failure to eject, no jam. A misfire requires merely another pull on the trigger.

Ammo: 150 rounds .357 Magnum, 180 gr., JHP (this is about 5 lb)
I would not take any .38 Special because I don’t want any limits of power on the limited amount of ammo I can take. A 357 will do what a 38 Spec will do, but not vice versa.
JHP will handle most needs and because the gun is for emergency only, in my scenario, there will probably not be an opportunity to reload for the situation.

Sights: plain with laser added. Laser batteries last a long time if used sparingly and don’t add much bulk or weight, so no biggie when the batteries die. No optics, these are for long distance and I’ll trap or snare for food.

Holster: Cross draw with flap because cross draw puts the gun into a more comfortable position for me and is a faster draw for me. The flap is for protection from trash.

A lanyard? No. A lanyard will only get into my way.

Additional:
Maintenance materials for the revolver
Zip-Lock bags with canvas cover bags for revolver when not carrying and for the spare ammunition

The remainder of what I could carry would be basic survival gear for fishing, trapping, cutting tools, fire starter, medical supplies, shelter, etc. Especially important is plenty of socks, a spare pair of shoes, and a big jug of Avon SSS for mosquito repellant.

And a very small can of deodorant and shaving gear in case the OP forgets he already put someone here and he puts a woman on the other side of the island. (And soap to get rid of the SSS smell in a hurry.)
 
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There were 24 people who mentioned Smith and Wesson and Ruger. There were quite a few that mentioned revolver calibers without specifying the brand. Few people opted for autoloaders. Interesting to think about.
 
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