Which Handgun For Any Circumstance?
- Thread starter dgludwig
- Start date
Stainless Ruger MK II .22LR. 5 1/2" bull please. Shot placement is what counts and .22LR is what I shoot best.
Point of Order:
"I'd take a Thompson Center Contender. Caliber? .30 carbine, .223 or .243, not sure which. Just one of them, though."
If you are taking a Contender, it won't be be in .243. You can't take what they don't make.
Point of Order:
"I'd take a Thompson Center Contender. Caliber? .30 carbine, .223 or .243, not sure which. Just one of them, though."
If you are taking a Contender, it won't be be in .243. You can't take what they don't make.
And the winning combination of ammo power-to-weight ratio IMO: .327 Fed Mag in either a 6 shot SP101, 7 shot GP100 or 8 shot Ruger Blackhawk--representing carry/SD, all-purpose and hunting focus respectively--looking better all the time. The GP100 would seem to come out on top in this compromise contest...though "absolute" assured durability/longevity/simplicity and reliability of function and mechanics over possibly years might favor the Blackhawk. Although I am enamored with the capacity of the Blackhawk in this sizzling new(ish) round, I will also allow that Freedom Arms also makes a .327 as a six shooter in its 97 model--speaking of reliability. All in all I keep coming back to the GP100 for all around utility, however, and just hope you're not on the island long enough to test the DA vs SA reliability issue.
Later Edit:
Until re-factoring in the 5# ammo criteria, I was all with the .357 crowd on this one--having several for the very reasons so eloquently stated in this thread. The very existence of the .327 changes the balance ever so slightly--enough for most any SD situations, and decent enough for hunting assuming for that role you're able to stalk quarry and take careful aim. You're not likely to stop a charging Kodiak dead in his tracks, but with a .357 you're not likely to either. So you've got to play the odds of likelihood here somewhere. Assuming no scope, so large (for these calibers) game will be pursued with "well placed shots" at similar close-in distances, the .327 is as likely to bring a critter down (or close enough for this exercise). If no ammo weight limitation, it'd be a .357 (or larger), and reverse this thread around and require it be a rifle, it'd be a 20" .357 carbine, hands down. But again, given the ammo weight criteria, that may just be 'cause no one's come out with a .327 yet!
Later Edit:
Until re-factoring in the 5# ammo criteria, I was all with the .357 crowd on this one--having several for the very reasons so eloquently stated in this thread. The very existence of the .327 changes the balance ever so slightly--enough for most any SD situations, and decent enough for hunting assuming for that role you're able to stalk quarry and take careful aim. You're not likely to stop a charging Kodiak dead in his tracks, but with a .357 you're not likely to either. So you've got to play the odds of likelihood here somewhere. Assuming no scope, so large (for these calibers) game will be pursued with "well placed shots" at similar close-in distances, the .327 is as likely to bring a critter down (or close enough for this exercise). If no ammo weight limitation, it'd be a .357 (or larger), and reverse this thread around and require it be a rifle, it'd be a 20" .357 carbine, hands down. But again, given the ammo weight criteria, that may just be 'cause no one's come out with a .327 yet!
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Under the circumstances, I'd be inclined to take a T/C Contender in .357 (surprise) and a ten inch barrel. The gun is easy to work on, easy to clean, super accurate. The ten inch barrel means more precise shooting at greater range which, hopefully, would translate into fewer misses and more food, as well as increased stand off distance in the event of a threat.
In addition, the construction of the Contender and its longer barrel yield 250-400 fps more velocity than the same loads fired from a revolver. More power is nice to have. I'd also be inclined to go with 135-140 grain bullets in order to maximize the 5lb. round count.
Holster - a Cordura holster with a cross chest mount. Sights - A Trijicon RX01 reflex sight on a Weaver base. SS barrel.
Note: another very interesting possibility - just occurred to me now - is the rig as described above but chambered in .22 Hornet. A 50 grain bullet at 2200 fps.
Increased 5lb round count.
Toss-ups: .357 is substantially more powerful (800+ft.lbs vs. 500+ft.lbs). Hornet allows substantially more ammo (230+ vs.170). Decisions Decisions.
For now it'd be the .357.
Pete
In addition, the construction of the Contender and its longer barrel yield 250-400 fps more velocity than the same loads fired from a revolver. More power is nice to have. I'd also be inclined to go with 135-140 grain bullets in order to maximize the 5lb. round count.
Holster - a Cordura holster with a cross chest mount. Sights - A Trijicon RX01 reflex sight on a Weaver base. SS barrel.
Note: another very interesting possibility - just occurred to me now - is the rig as described above but chambered in .22 Hornet. A 50 grain bullet at 2200 fps.
Increased 5lb round count.
Toss-ups: .357 is substantially more powerful (800+ft.lbs vs. 500+ft.lbs). Hornet allows substantially more ammo (230+ vs.170). Decisions Decisions.
For now it'd be the .357.
Pete
FISHNFRANK
New member
easy choice
S&W 4" Model 686 .357Mag/.38 Special
S&W 4" Model 686 .357Mag/.38 Special
I'll say it again. The gun should only be used for defensive survival. .357 minimum. My choice would be either my FA 44 or 454. If I couldn't stop a threat with one of those I'd better learn to evade better. You can bring your favorite casting rod, or make spears, traps and tools to live off the land. You can build shelter. What you can't do is save your life against a large animal that wants to eat you ( or a human(s) that want's to eat you ) with a 22. I couldn't and wouldn't try.
Plus, if someone ever builds a McDondald's on the island and you need some extra cash you can whip out your laptop and get more for a big bore on Gunbrokers than a 22
Plus, if someone ever builds a McDondald's on the island and you need some extra cash you can whip out your laptop and get more for a big bore on Gunbrokers than a 22
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SuperRuger
New member
towelie dont do it
Hey towelie whatever you do don't put a 454 Casull in the taurus judge. It is not made for that and will probably blow the gun up. I don't know who told you that or where you read it but DONT DO IT. Seriously man that gun is not made for that round and you will get seriously hurt. A 454 Casull delivers about 55,000 pounds of cylinder pressure. Your Taurus Judge will blow apart.
Hey towelie whatever you do don't put a 454 Casull in the taurus judge. It is not made for that and will probably blow the gun up. I don't know who told you that or where you read it but DONT DO IT. Seriously man that gun is not made for that round and you will get seriously hurt. A 454 Casull delivers about 55,000 pounds of cylinder pressure. Your Taurus Judge will blow apart.
Ruger Vaquero 7.5" in .45 colt. This round can be handloaded to do about anything and the recoil/muzzle blast is much nicer than the .357 magnum. Good knock down and penetration. You can use solids or hollow points and even rat shot. 185 grain to 300 is a pretty good range.
The cases are also big enough so that you can drink from them like a cup in extreme circumstances.
The cases are also big enough so that you can drink from them like a cup in extreme circumstances.
I'm with the .22 crowd. I'd go with a 22lr or maybe a 22mag stainless revolver, with a long barrel for the sight radius and velocity.
It's not going to stop a large predator, but neither is a 357 or 44. I'm sure after spending a few weeks on the island, I'll be skinny enough to climb a tree.
It's not going to stop a large predator, but neither is a 357 or 44. I'm sure after spending a few weeks on the island, I'll be skinny enough to climb a tree.
OK I just can't resist !
It won't happen, TSA won't let you take your guns or ammo with you ! lol
Just kidding, got a lot of laughs and some good insite of how some of you (some) think !
I happened to spend allot of my Navy carreer on a bunch of different little islands out there in the water. And just bust up laughing at the Tom Hanks scene where the coconut falls behind him and he yells who's there, it would scare the stuffola out of you your first time, especially a close call with a real coconut crashing down in the boonies. Makes allot of noise.
Yep, everyone in the Navy Don't get to ride around on Ships. Just like everyone in the Airfarce don't fly aeroplanes lol !... Yes I did say that, some of my best freinds were Zoomies, and they know ALL of the Navy jokes.
Regards
Duane USN/ret
It won't happen, TSA won't let you take your guns or ammo with you ! lol
Just kidding, got a lot of laughs and some good insite of how some of you (some) think !
I happened to spend allot of my Navy carreer on a bunch of different little islands out there in the water. And just bust up laughing at the Tom Hanks scene where the coconut falls behind him and he yells who's there, it would scare the stuffola out of you your first time, especially a close call with a real coconut crashing down in the boonies. Makes allot of noise.
Yep, everyone in the Navy Don't get to ride around on Ships. Just like everyone in the Airfarce don't fly aeroplanes lol !... Yes I did say that, some of my best freinds were Zoomies, and they know ALL of the Navy jokes.
Regards
Duane USN/ret
SuperRuger
New member
Miss Quote
towelie sorry about the above warning about firing the 454 Casull in the Judge. I didn't see where you said "Raging Judge" and you can fire them in that model. Just tryin to keep you safe.
towelie sorry about the above warning about firing the 454 Casull in the Judge. I didn't see where you said "Raging Judge" and you can fire them in that model. Just tryin to keep you safe.
OK, before this thread spins off into oblivion, I thought I'd do a rough count as to which handgun/caliber combination(s) were recommended most/least. The "official" tabulation was somewhat complicated because some folks could not resist the temptation to include "alternative" guns/calibers or just couldn't "pull the trigger" on a single choice. Given the ammunition weight limitation vs the unknown nature of the prey/antagonists and the requirement that no spare parts or gunsmithing services would be available, most posters seemed to realize that a compromise on caliber/cartridge would be in order and a non-compromising choice of a handgun in terms of durability and reliability would be imperative.
Caliber/cartridge:
.22rf: 12
.22 Magnum rf: 6
.223: 1
.25-20: 1
.327 Magnum: 2
.357 SIG: 1
.357 Magnum: 26
10 mm Magnum: 2
7.62X25: 1
.44 Magnum: 5
.45 ACP: 2
.45 Colt: 3
.454 Casull: 3
.460 Magnum: 2
Given the nature of the need for compromise, I guess it's no surprise that the .357 Magnum is the hands-down "winner". It was my choice too, until I considered poster azredhawk44's rationale for considering the .30 Carbine...
Handgun:
SA revolver: 9 (ten Rugers; one Colt)
DA revolver: 35 (twenty Smith & Wessons; twelve Rugers; three Tauri and one Dan Wesson)
Semi-auto: 10 (five Glocks; one Ruger .22; one 1911; one SIG; one Kel-Tec and one CZ-52)
Singleshot: 5 (all Thompson Center Contenders)
In one form or another, it's obvious that the revolver reigns supreme for the participants in this thread when the chips are down and your life and well-being might depend on the kind of handgun you have with you while trying to survive on The Island of Gloom. Thanks all; it's been fun!
Caliber/cartridge:
.22rf: 12
.22 Magnum rf: 6
.223: 1
.25-20: 1
.327 Magnum: 2
.357 SIG: 1
.357 Magnum: 26
10 mm Magnum: 2
7.62X25: 1
.44 Magnum: 5
.45 ACP: 2
.45 Colt: 3
.454 Casull: 3
.460 Magnum: 2
Given the nature of the need for compromise, I guess it's no surprise that the .357 Magnum is the hands-down "winner". It was my choice too, until I considered poster azredhawk44's rationale for considering the .30 Carbine...
Handgun:
SA revolver: 9 (ten Rugers; one Colt)
DA revolver: 35 (twenty Smith & Wessons; twelve Rugers; three Tauri and one Dan Wesson)
Semi-auto: 10 (five Glocks; one Ruger .22; one 1911; one SIG; one Kel-Tec and one CZ-52)
Singleshot: 5 (all Thompson Center Contenders)
In one form or another, it's obvious that the revolver reigns supreme for the participants in this thread when the chips are down and your life and well-being might depend on the kind of handgun you have with you while trying to survive on The Island of Gloom. Thanks all; it's been fun!