Survival Gun of last resort.

Aint no way anyone is hitting ANYTHING 30 yards away with that peashooter, much less something the size of a small animal.

I don't think some people here realize just how far away 30 yards is. Hitting a standard target with every round in your magazine at 30 yards with a regular sized handgun is something that many shooters cant do.
 
Again,

I don't think the OP is planning on hitting something at 30 yards every time. Of course it is not a good choice for that shot, but if I had one, I bet I COULD hit a few times at 30.

Re-read the original post and you will see his intent. For what he wants to do (last ditch), the gun will work fine.

Would the "itty bitty" barrel kill a deer like my uncles rifle? Probably not at 40 or 50 yards, but I have gotten WAY closer to deer than that. Anybody bow hunt? 10 yard shots are common. Besides, deer probably are not going to be a priority for survival.

If using for defense, would you rather have an attacker with a belly poked full of .22 rounds, or an attacker without the full stomach?

Basically, if your choice was a small .22 or nothing, would you be stupid enough to go with nothing?
 
I have that pistol and would have to say for self def. it is close range only. For survival I would much prefer a larger 22 cal. pistol. Ruger would be good or SW kit gun, Browning, there are many out there that are very good guns that would suffice. For self Def I would prefer 38 cal. or more. However 22's do very nasty stuff to the human body. I sure don't want to get shot by one.
 
While no handgun should be used as a threat...the little mini-revolvers...just look like a joke...so, if your plan is to intimidate...plan on shooting.
 
Steel-Junky said:
30 yards isn't that far... I've seen 1911's that can shot 2" groups at 50 yards from a rest... I'll take it out this sunday and see what I can get done with it.
Click to expand...

Now that would be an impressive display of marksmanship that I'd like to witness.
 
As a note he did say of last resort. That's not to say that he couldn't also have a larger gun but with the pistol as backup in case of some kind of failure, damage, or loss of your primary gun. Thoughts on this?
 
I would simply like to say,that a .22 handgun is usable for subsistence hunting. I think however a mini-revolver has limited ability in this area. Better options are available.

22hndgns.jpg
 
Steel-Junky,
I think this a great post, and I happen to agree with your general ideas. I dont know if I would choose that particular pistol, but anything is better than making a slingshot outta my underoos waistband! The last rabbit I shot was 12 ft away..they really arent that smart an animal, or cunning like a deer..and I have stumbled right into 3 deer, they walked to within 6-7 ft from me, before taking flight. I believe that I could have shot one in that moment, with that gun...would that have been incredably lucky, yup..
Guys, this is WSS (JMHO) not PracTac..the original post was about a last ditch gun, this gun is small and light, ammo is easy to carry. I would even say that you could double up. Carry a Ruger 10/22 and this little guy, that would make sense to me, what if your rifle broke??
As far as Accuracy is concerned..everyones mileage will vary! 30 YRDS is 90 ft..we all know this. I can hit a trash can lid with a 2 in rock, 1 in 5 times..I practiced alot, but I can (I havnt tried in years..my elbow might fall off now that I am old) do it. I have even hit the lid, 5 times in a row..If Steel-Junky has practiced with this little gun, than how do we know that he isnt correct.
I have shot MANY pistols..and some pistols of the same make and model can vary greatly in accuracy. Sometimes you get a good one!
Just so you can all really pick on me..I started throwing rocks to hunt after I watched "Crocidile Dundee" as a teen. In case PETA is watching, I have never killed anything with a rock either;);)....
I also agree with some others ideas on AIR GUNS, you can take down most game with one chambered in .22 . By the by..I like the old Ruger 22 revolvers..bearcat IIRC, just hard find at a good price.
 
Steel-Junky said:
So what do you consider a survival gun?


For me..a Glock 26, (or substitute 17/19/21/30/etc.)... But I myself would not figure on shooting critters for food in a survival event. Small mammals are pretty good survivors...a few shots from your short barrel .22, and your not going to see much to shoot at for awhile.

Grasshoppers/crickets/worms/frogs/fish are much easier to catch in an emergency if your starving...and personally a lot more appetizing than your average lice infested bird...just my opinion.

Wilderness survival gun means two things to me...protection against bears and hostile humans...and I don't worry much about bears. :)



edit to add...With a bright flashlight you can walk right up on a rabbit at night.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I wonder if location has something to do with our choices..hiking n the NorthEast, I wouldnt worry so much..but I I was hiking in west TX, I might want a 45:D The odds are, trouble would come on 2 legs out there.
 
For a LAST DITCH, ONLY ONE HANDGUN, HAS TO BE SMALL "survival gun, I'll take my:
49T.jpg

Ruger SP-101 3".

Enough power to kill CLEANLY large game (including DANGEROUS large game like wild boar), bullets are accurate enough for rabbit sized game. For smaller game, use CCI shotshells. They actually work better from short barrels because they don't spin up the shot cup like a longer barrel does.

IMO .22s are for pairing. Either a .22 rifle and substantial handgun, or .22 handgun with substantial rifle.

BTW, the whole "no one wants to stand in front of one and get shot in the head" argument is a BS strawman argument. Few, if any, will volunteer to be shot in the head with a BB gun, that doesn't make it a good stopper or a good choice.
 
Yeah, That Ruger SP with a 3" is nice.

When they offer it in a model that packs down with 50 rounds into a 4" x 4" package, the OP and I will both be very interested.


I don't think a .22 is a good stopper, but it IS a good last ditsch choice.
 
i always take my ruger mk3 for meat... my new woods rifle is a hartford (emf) 20" lever in .45colt... w 250grain golddots and snakeshot it can handle 2 and 4 legged critters.... if i leave the carbine behind i take my glock 30 with snakeshot goldots and ball....
 
Cpl Punishment said:
You wouldn't want to pull the trigger on a .357 that fits in a 4" x 4" package.
Click to expand...

That is a Very good point, and a very good argument against the .357 :)

I'm not comfortable with the idea of shooting rabbit, or squirrel at any distance with a 3 inch barrel .357 with pocket sights. I figure if you are going to go that route, just take the 6 inch barrel with good sights.

No one would volunteer to get shot with a .22, and it's not a good combat round. But if you are regularly carrying an EDC pistol specifically for killing people, then the whole original post takes on a new meaning. The 1 inch .22 becomes your backup "ankle gun", and I'm sorry, but I'm not going to pack a .357 wheel as a backup to an EDC pistol. Just me.

Now, the original post talks about fitting a last ditch gun into a small fanny pack, or say a vest. Lightweight. With any of the better grips, the OP gun is a good choice, IMO, in the 4 inch barrel version. probably a similar sight radius to the ruger revolver, but real sites made to be used, and enough barrel to get a .22 going straight and fast.

I'd love to see more ultralight backpacking .32 S&W long revolvers, but the reality is that everyone has gotten so polarized on needing antitank guns to kill the badguys next door that you can't find much in good intermediate calibers.
 
I'll start his by saying I don't own a handgun....although I do a fair amount of shooting with them... for an over all survival combo...I favor a .22 rifle... and a 4 inch barrel .357 wheelgun....the .22 is for filling the pot..the .357 is for safety....If I could only pick one fire arm however I'd have to go with a mossberg 500 in 12 gauge....easy to get ammo..and super versatile...for everything.
 
My edc is a Ruger Sp101 2 1/4" dao. Once you get them slicked up it's a great carry piece. With the right loads you can defend yourself ,with .38 spl light loads it could be used for short-range (10-15 yds) small game.



Cpl Punishment said:
For a LAST DITCH, ONLY ONE HANDGUN, HAS TO BE SMALL "survival gun, I'll take my:
49T.jpg

Ruger SP-101 3".

Enough power to kill CLEANLY large game (including DANGEROUS large game like wild boar), bullets are accurate enough for rabbit sized game. For smaller game, use CCI shotshells. They actually work better from short barrels because they don't spin up the shot cup like a longer barrel does.

IMO .22s are for pairing. Either a .22 rifle and substantial handgun, or .22 handgun with substantial rifle.

BTW, the whole "no one wants to stand in front of one and get shot in the head" argument is a BS strawman argument. Few, if any, will volunteer to be shot in the head with a BB gun, that doesn't make it a good stopper or a good choice.
Click to expand...
 
koyote said:
I'd love to see more ultralight backpacking .32 S&W long revolvers, but the reality is that everyone has gotten so polarized on needing antitank guns to kill the badguys next door that you can't find much in good intermediate calibers.
Click to expand...

The .355 dia. 9mm is pretty close...

A compact 9mm offers slightly better ballistics, higher capacity and a flatter form for easier carrying. Kahr makes some mighty fine small ones that would be similar in weight to a lightweight .32 S&W. The 9mm is also known to perform very well in short barrels. It would be suitable for medium game at close ranges and not ridiculous overkill on small game. Ammo is relatively small and lightweight.

My CZ-75 is not a compact or lightweight model, but it easily fits in the gun compartment of my Jumbo Versipack. For a penalty of another half-pound or so of weight, I can take along the .22LR conversion kit to end up with a pretty versatile package.


In reality, ANY handgun is a "last ditch" survival weapon.

You've probably heard this old story of a conversation overheard at a govt. function in TX:

Woman politician to Texas Ranger:
"I see you're carrying your pistol... expecting trouble?"

Ranger:
"No ma'am. If I was expecting trouble, I'd be carrying my rifle."

I figure if you're going to pack a handgun, you should pick one that can do any job you might need it to perform, not one that is a compromise on all levels.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
koyote said:
I'd love to see more ultralight backpacking .32 S&W long revolvers, but the reality is that everyone has gotten so polarized on needing antitank guns to kill the badguys next door that you can't find much in good intermediate calibers.
Click to expand...

That's the truest statement in this entire thread!:thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top