Depends on the nature of the "bug out" situation-

an absolute breakdown of rule of law?

Either the 12 gauge or the 7.62x39.

 

If it's a "get out of the neighborhood til crap settles back down"?

I'd grab the 9mm stashed discreetly, with spare mags and ammo

 

How would you know the difference?

 

How would you know the difference?

A situation where I'd need to get out of town temporarily, but anticipate returning home (natural or man made disaster)

I'd probably bring a discreet firearm just to be cautious during a possibly hectic evacuation..

 

Now, a super volcano, or zombie apocalypse scenario would certainly call for something less subdued.

I would know the difference because there'd be zombies eating people on my front lawn

I'm 41, btw, if you were curious

.22 LR. And, if I could find one, I'd bring a Medusa revolver so I could chamber every 9mm round under the sun.

 

A situation where I'd need to get out of town temporarily, but anticipate returning home (natural or man made disaster)

I'd probably bring a discreet firearm just to be cautious during a possibly hectic evacuation..

 

Now, a super volcano, or zombie apocalypse scenario would certainly call for something less subdued.

I would know the difference because there'd be zombies eating people on my front lawn

 

I just don't think things will be that clear cut. Where things have gone to hell, they never have been that clear cut and they happened as a process with no initial warning of what the end-state might be.

 

I'm 41, btw, if you were curious

 

I am flattered by the offer, but I am not curious in that way.

357 or 38 special.

 

Which either or both should have been on the pole.

357 or 38 special.

 

Which either or both should have been on the pole.

 

Strippers are on the pole...357 should have been on the poll.

Strippers are on the pole...357 should have been on the poll.

 

Now I know where you've been!

Not a fan of strip clubs. The only woman i hand over money to now is my wife

9mm is a girl's caliber for handgun.

 

Yep... Just stand in front of one and call me Shirley...

 

Power to weight ratio. It's a keeper.

 

 

Yep... Just stand in front of one and call me Shirley...

 

Power to weight ratio. It's a keeper.

 

You carry a 9mm? Really?

 

So do I. See Post 9 in this thread where I said so. My primary sidearm is a Glock 19.

You carry a 9mm? Really?

 

So do I. See Post 9 in this thread where I said so. My primary sidearm is a Glock 19.

 

G19 - You must have a PHD in survival and smart to boot. Yes I carry a G19 or a G26 depending. Oh and I don't carry ball ammo...LOL

It's a girl caliber, but I have a sensitive side.

There are many SHTF scenarios, but to answer the original question where I am limited to only one handgun in a bugout bag I would choose the .40S&W. As cited by others it is a good self defense round and it shouldn't be too hard to find. (I assume it is a SHTF scenario and it generally implies the use of a bugout bag.)

 

As I see it... (if I have to bug out) the most important concern is personal safety. You need to stay alive in order to hunt for food. I would bring my .40S&W and a couple #110 conibear traps, and/or some fishing line and hooks and perhaps a couple feet of wire. Trapping small game is a lot quieter than using a firearm of any caliber. You also can make deadfall traps and snares.

 

If the questioned was reworded and I was asked what firearms would I bring if I wasn't limited to just one or what items would I bring in a SHTF scenario... my answer would probably include a .22 rifle with scope and a shotgun. The long guns could be used for hunting or self defense... ie. keeping attackers at bay that are out of accurate handgun range.

I'm set up for

Multiple 9mm pistols and carbines.

.22lr pistol and scoped bolt action rifle.

12ga shotguns.

Various 5.56, 7.62x39 and 7.62x51 tactical and long range scoped rifles.

 

I have many other guns of various calibers but given the situation any combination of those guns would be no more than 5 minutes away from being ready to move out. I do not believe any one or two guns can fill all roles, at a minimum I would be packing up a 9mm pistol, a 12ga pump, a .22lr bolt gun and a 5.56 carbine. I see the carbine and pistol as the primary and back-up on the move guns filling a mobile defense role. The 12ga would serve a dual role for hunting larger game, deer etc. and serve as a defensive close quarter weapon while temporarily encamped and resting. The .22lr would serve as a general purpose small game hunting weapon and a potentially quiet option in a preemptive defense situation.

 

I generally keep a supply of the following

1000-1500 9mm

500-750 12ga

2000-4000 5.56 and/or 7.62x39

500-1000 7.62x51

5000-6000 36gr general purpose .22lr

500-1000 60gr Aquila SSS

500-1000 20gr Aquila Colibri

 

I haven't been resupplying as much as I have been shooting lately so I'm currently lighter than normal but this is my comfort zone in case shit goes sideways.

 

I generally keep a supply of the following

1000-1500 9mm

500-750 12ga

2000-4000 5.56 and/or 7.62x39

500-1000 7.62x51

5000-6000 36gr general purpose .22lr

500-1000 60gr Aquila SSS

500-1000 20gr Aquila Colibri

 

 

I would say in a "Bug In" situation, you are very well stocked.. On a "Bug Out" situation, i guess you would have to pack what you think you could carry without leaving behind other critical supplies...

Congrats! You are now on the FBI watch list lol.

 

I'm set up for

Multiple 9mm pistols and carbines.

.22lr pistol and scoped bolt action rifle.

12ga shotguns.

Various 5.56, 7.62x39 and 7.62x51 tactical and long range scoped rifles.

 

I have many other guns of various calibers but given the situation any combination of those guns would be no more than 5 minutes away from being ready to move out. I do not believe any one or two guns can fill all roles, at a minimum I would be packing up a 9mm pistol, a 12ga pump, a .22lr bolt gun and a 5.56 carbine. I see the carbine and pistol as the primary and back-up on the move guns filling a mobile defense role. The 12ga would serve a dual role for hunting larger game, deer etc. and serve as a defensive close quarter weapon while temporarily encamped and resting. The .22lr would serve as a general purpose small game hunting weapon and a potentially quiet option in a preemptive defense situation.

 

I generally keep a supply of the following

1000-1500 9mm

500-750 12ga

2000-4000 5.56 and/or 7.62x39

500-1000 7.62x51

5000-6000 36gr general purpose .22lr

500-1000 60gr Aquila SSS

500-1000 20gr Aquila Colibri

 

I haven't been resupplying as much as I have been shooting lately so I'm currently lighter than normal but this is my comfort zone in case shit goes sideways.

Congrats! You are now on the FBI watch list lol.

 

Maybe you missed the memo, but there are 300 million people on the FBI watch list now

They must be busy

They must be busy

 

It aint easy burning hundreds of billions of dollars a year.

 

 

I would say in a "Bug In" situation, you are very well stocked.. On a "Bug Out" situation, i guess you would have to pack what you think you could carry without leaving behind other critical supplies...

 

That is what I would normally have on hand but since my first kid was born in 2005 I stopped shooting regularly and don't buy in bulk any more like I used to. I have depleted my supply of 9mm, 5.56 and 7.62x39 substantially. I would love to stock back up but would need to mortgage my house at current prices. Everything I have is broken up in ammo cans and labeled by type so I could grab what I need and run fairly quickly if need be.

 

Congrats! You are now on the FBI watch list lol.

 

I was on that list since my ammo order summer of '97, the two 1440 round crates of 7.62x39 alone did that! LOL