End of the world scenario, best caliber pistol to have

[themadscientist]

This isn't about rifles, if someone wants to start that thread go ahead, it's just as good a question.

Before you click on whatever caliber you love, I love .45 myself, think about it. Governments are failing, paper money is worthless, people are killing each other in the streets over a box of twinkies. You can't swing by the gun store and pick up more ammo, ever again. The s*** has hit the fan, it's road warrior time, only the alphas are going to survive. You have enough time to grab ONE pistol and the ammo to go with it, which caliber do you want?

Disregard the cliche big slow bullet -vs- fast small bullet dogma. Any of these calibers can get it done with a quality bullet and a capable marksman. Cost per round is not an issue, we are planning for armageddon here, price is no object.The scenario is specific and the crucial questions to ask yourself are:

What weight penalty does this ammo bring? Could I get by with something smaller to allow me to carry more in the pistol and on my person and still remain foot-mobile?

How likely is it that I might stumble across a box of this caliber in my foraging through the remnants of civilization? That .50 action express can take out zombies, sure, but when you run out, now what?

What caliber ammo will other people have they would trade to me for something or vice-versa. Do I want to rethink my first choice in favor of something more liquid?

What are the chances if my weapon takes a s***, I can find or trade for another weapon that eats the caliber I have chosen? Do I want to think about the replacements weapons I may be able to get when choosing the caliber?

If you would be willing to carry two, one to use, one for trade or in case you get your hands on a second gun, explain in you post what they would be and why.

[car nut]

.44 Magnum AND 9mm. the magnum would be better overall, but the I think the 9mm ammo would be a lot more common.

[Mr1der]

.44 Mag revolver is probably the best all purpose handgun you can own.

I've got 2...a 4" nickel Model 29 and a 10" blued Super Blackhawk.

that said, it, .357 Mag, .45 and 9mm will be the most common ammo you can find usually.

the best caliber will be whatever I can find though

[BusyBadger]

the best caliber will be whatever I can find though

For this singular reason I picked 9mm. I'd prefer .45, but 9mm is so plentiful it would be hard to pick any other calibre over it.

[hatchback240]

tough call between the .45 and the 9x19 para., but i chose .45, pistol of choice being a glock 21. reliability and a heavy hit, generally plentiful ammo from what i understand. that being said, 9mm wouldn't leave me disappointed, only marginally smaller it still packs a hell of a thump.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

.22

I can fit 500 rounds in my pocket, and they can be found in damn near every other house in the US.

So what if I can't kill a moose, small animals are way more common anyway.

[Mr1der]

upon further evaluation, I'm gonna opt for the sawed off O/U 12ga.

Mad Max style. Shut up, I know his was a side by side...they just don't look quite as neat and it's pretty damn wide to stick in a holster.



Chuck Norris Style.

[breadbox]

As end of the world senarios go, I would choose which ever shoots the easiest ammo to find.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

.357 mag / .38
One, because I already have a dan wesson with multiple barrels.
And two, probably as many rounds made as the 9mm.

Does .410 shot shells count?

Cuz I'd go with that...along with some way to quickly replace the barrel with a longer one when firing .45 acp.

[themadscientist]

I am going to stock up on .380 for my wife's next Walther and my eventual back up gun, either a Kahr p380 or micro desert eagle. 9mm for my desired Springfield Armory EMP and/or XD subcompact carry gun, and .45 for my dream Kimber CDP 1911.

[Mr1der]

eh...I still need to send my Kahr back in and then maybe trade it off for a XD9SC...13 round flushfit mag, yes please.

[Repo Man]

Any 9mm Glock. Mags and ammo are like the Chevy 350 of guns.

[GAU-8]

Any 9mm Glock. Mags and ammo are like the Chevy 350 of guns.

Then the .45 is the 454 of Chevy. Still just as common and more powerful to boot. I don't even carry a 9mm period. Sure it's plentiful, but these days so are many other types like .40 and .45 and .22. It's either one of the first 2 I listed.

[Mr1der]

Any 9mm Glock. Mags and ammo are like the Chevy 350 of guns.

nah. 9mm XD

it's not a Glock and can take Beretta 92 mags.

[themadscientist]

I still like the EMP for a 9mm 1911.
Just can't find one, they are all .40 smith.
I got a year and a half to line one up.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

I am going to stock up on .380 for my wife's next Walther and my eventual back up gun, either a Kahr p380 or micro desert eagle. 9mm for my desired Springfield Armory EMP and/or XD subcompact carry gun, and .45 for my dream Kimber CDP 1911.

Just got a P3AT. Little gun is a shooter! Some minor feed problems they apparently all have pre "fluff and buff" but I'm sold. A good overlap with my Taurus.

[Mr1der]

is that the 380 or the 32?

I can't remember...

[speedeast]

.50 Desert Eagle!

But I voted 9mm, ammo grows on trees.

[themadscientist]

I've hefted the DE, a gold-colored one with tiger stripes. I pulled open my waistband and did a check, was satisfied my natural-born hog leg was up to snuff, and put the pimp gun back. I find nothing about the DE useful other the bling factor.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

is that the 380 or the 32?

I can't remember...

Say the name out loud... "P3AT" and your question shall be answered!

[Mr1der]

lol...oh yeah....

I've thought about grabbing one of those or an LCP and putting a clipdraw on it.

maybe a P32. I want something really small for the pocket.

[themadscientist]

Unless you want one of those crackerjack box toy revolvers, this is about it.

[Mr1der]

eh...I haven't seen one to mess with yet.

I'd like an NAA Guardian, but I know it'll bite me.

I can slip the PM9 in most of my jean pockets though..I need to get a pocket holster and uh...a permit.

[PoorManQ45]

.22

I can fit 500 rounds in my pocket, and they can be found in damn near every other house in the US.

So what if I can't kill a moose, small animals are way more common anyway.

Agreed. And you can kill just about anything with a 22. Shot placement is just really important.

[Mr1der]

kill a man hiding behind a tree

[themadscientist]

Stand behind him and pop him in the back of the head. The tree will be fine.

[snwbrdr435]

Lol just don't bring this guy haha

[themadscientist]

The joke's on him. There's no barrel in his machine gun....

Must take styling cues from the empire.

[snwbrdr435]

^ precisely why you don't want him as a companion on your post apocalyptic journeys.

[4cefed]

No one picked .40 s&w yet? Federal just won a contract to supply like 20 million rounds to homeland defense or something. Those rounds must be out there somewhere.

I would say in order of availability for autos:

9mm
.45
.40

and revolvers:

.38/.357
.44spc/mag