Actually a .22 pistol (ruger, browning, etc.) is easier to carry, and with practice, would probably do just as well as the scout for acquiring small game. All huntable game in North America have been taken with a .22.

As for 9mm/.40/.45 CCW, not all survival is protection from the elements, some is protection from other (two legged) predators. Community spirit seems to generally flourish in the aftermath of a disaster (natural or otherwise), but not always. If you have what other people want or need, they will do whatever depending on their level of need. Case in point, many generators were stolen in the wake of Hurricane Isabelle. More than one death (fire or CO2) was attributed to running generators in enclosed places to counter theft.