SHTF Pistol for Noob

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armstrong101

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Hi folks

I've become a gun owner because I think there'll be a SHTF scenario in my lifetime, meaning a situation where there isn't food for a measurable duration, and lawlessness occurs. If it's a long SHTF, I know I'll be a goner no matter what, but I also don't want to be unarmed in such a scenario, so I figure a small financial investment into a few firearms is worth the peace of mind for me and my family.

I made sure to make a connection at my PAL class. So I have an acquaintance who is very experienced in shooting who says he will guide me into this.

I picked up a rifle last week (Ruger 10 22 scoped). My initial plan was to get two long rifles, the Ruger, and a shotgun. My wife has actually shot before, so one firearm for each of us would make sense. But I think a pistol is probably desirable in that scenario as well. Any recommendations on a pistol? In a previous thread, someone wrote:

VuDu666 said:
P.S for SHTF scenario I also suggest looking into getting a .22LR pistol. Most people I shoot with pretty much came to a consensus. Scoped .22LR bolt action rifle and a .22LR pistol with 4-5 10rd magazines. Out of all .22 pistols I've tried IMHO Ruger MkIV is the best option.
Click to expand...

There seems to be a lot of different models of the Ruger Mk4, and they run anywhere from 600 to 1200. Can I just get the basic one?

My family has me, my wife, a daughter, and a younger son. My kids are too young to handle firearms but they will eventually grow up. If you were me, and were thrifty but willing to get a basic "complement" of firearms for the purposes I describe above, how many and type would you get? I don't think I would go over 4 firearms as I had 2 in mind at the start, but I can be convinced of 3 and I guess even 4. I've got my rifle. What would the additional ones be?

I am going to be very careful with these and have them secured safely etc. I put a premium on "common" ammo as well.

Thanks in advance.
 
A 10/22 and a shotgun are all you need. But hey, be safe and have fun with as many as you like. It’s not like you’re married to them.
 
The fact that your wife also shoots is a big bonus.
The 10/22 Ruger is a great choice for SHTF....lightweight ammo when on the move, not as loud and still powerfull enough to disable most predators in the pinch.

12ga is a must...prefferably a pump action.

T97 would be excellent and handy all around rifle due to it's weight distribution, with consideration for the wife.

I think handguns are somewhat over-rated by many people in regards to SHTF...but if you are getting one, stick to a very common caliber that the wife would be comfortable with (as far as recoil is concerned).
Since handgun is mainly a defensive tool, a 9mm Glock or CZ would likely be the obvious choice as far as enough power and reliability is concerned.
 
The more calibres you have, the more you need to have. I mean if we want to do crazy talk, buy anything you see on sale and keep it as currency. Then hope someone doesn’t take it by force.
 
If I were to gear up for a SHTF scenario, I'd go with a Glock pistol, a 1-8X illuminated LPVO on a B&T GHM9 and a Mossberg 590A1 12GA threaded for chokes. You could add a Holosun Solar red dot & Co witness for the pistol and shotgun....dealer's choice when it comes to weighing batteries against the simplicity of "put dot on thing you want dead".

Then I'd get some training and range time in for both adults on all the firearms. You do not want your first experience with recoil, the loudness, reloading, clearing jams, etc, to be after SHTF. I believe that having those firearms around an untrained family is far more dangerous than not having any firearms at all.

My logic:

- Pistol and rifle take same ammo, same mags
- While .22 ammo is plentiful, lightweight and cheap, you can hunt a rabbit with the 9mm rifle I mention...but self defence with a .22 is sketchy
- 9mm is ultra common, and lethal as far out as you can hit anything
- 12 GA is also ultra common
- Chokes are important if you want to hit anything with a dense pattern more than 25 yards away with a shotgun
- B&T, Glock and the 590A1 are all proven durable, reliable firearms
- 1-8x scope works like a red dot at 1X, and 8X zoom is all you'll need for hunting
- Red dots are a good idea for casual/rookie shooters. The Holosun Solar backups will last a very long time into SHTF, but co witness iron sights as well.

You'll note I don't do "thrifty" well.
 
SHTF pistol? A couple come to mind, pretty much any model Glock, Beretta M92, Sig 220, HK USP or Mk23, CZ Shadow, Ruger SR1911. There’s tons of decently priced polymer 9mm or 45ACP pistols that are super reliable and Magazines are a plenty. As for a 22lr pistol, I would personally buy a Ruger revolver. The reason I would go with a revolver is because it will function with an 22Lr ammo. My wife’s 22 pistol will only reliably function with CCI Mini Mags. In a SHTF scenario You might not be able to get a certain type of ammo that functions well in Your 22Lr pistol. Just my thought.
 
armstrong101 said:
Would having a nitro piston rifle and having experience using that, be helpful at all in terms of experience with a real firearm?
Click to expand...

Not really. Getting used to the light weight, zero recoil and no noise won't help. Spend the extra cash on ammo or training. Don't underestimate the value of getting really, really proficient with a single firearm (versus dabbling with many).
 
I would suggest the ruger standard rather than any adjustable sight ones for your purpose. I have dropped my ruger in the floor falling about 2 feet and the sight blade breaks. It is delicate. The standard you might mar the finish on the sight but it still will be useable.
 
Another thing to consider is that a pistol is registered.
History has shown on multiple occasions that govt boots might be kicking in doors to collect all registered firearms before the shtf situation gets too bad.
Likely best to get away if you see shtf coming.
 
Glock 17 or 19 hands down. Parts are literally everywhere, some can even be made with zero skills from stuff lying around the house. Light and reliable. And you have a multitude of chassis options to increase their effectiveness (ie: shoot easier for novice shooters).

The old adage "1 is none and 2 is one" applies to SHTF weapons. A spare is easier to get into action if something breaks. Personally i prefer "1 is none, 2 is 1 and 3 is spare parts"
 
Training, baby.. Get trained.

Then get out and shoot. Shoot lots.

Ammo; Buy it cheap and stack it deep! Ha ha ha ha :evil:

Lots clients at my matches and clinics with very (emphasis on Very) high end guns that cannot shoot well (the owners, I mean) and then the high end guns (in that order). Put about 500 rounds through each platform in training and now you can move forward! :eek:

That’s my take as a Match DIrector and Training guy. When clients ask me:

Mercedes or Porsche or Audi? I always respond, “Manual transmission skills”

Then when they ask, “Glock or Sig or Beretta or FN or HK?”

The answer is 9mm and tonnes of it!!

You get the drift!! :evil:



Cheers,

Barney


Peace Be The Journey!

:wave:
 
there are lots PCC's that you can share mags and ammo between a pistol and rifle.
Also the take down model's are quite convenient
 
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