Personally I agree with Clint Smith... Handguns are for getting to your rifle. I love my SIG220 in .45ACP, extremely reliable, accurate and fits my hand like a glove. I have never had a failure, even in a dirty, wet, or semi-frozen weapon. I carry it everywhere with me (I legally can). It has been there when I needed it and has saved my life. However, given a choice in a fight it will stay securely in my holster because I will be using a long gun. Either my AR-15 or my Remington 870 is in my vehicle just about 24/7 if I'm not home. Both are good weapons and both have their positive and negative attributes.

The AR-15 is light, deadly accurate, easy to carry and reasonably reliable. However, 5.56x45mm is a not my favorite round, however good ammunition goes a ways on improving this weapons reputation (personally Blackhills 68g Heavy Match is my favorite) and the AR requires more care and attention than any other weapon I’d choose to carry. A .22LR kit adds some flexibility to this weapon.

While the 870 is heavy and cumbersome to carry, it is extraordinarily reliable and flexible. Although it is typically loaded with 1oz slugs, 6 00 Buck shells are carried on the receiver and 6 4Buck shells are carried on the stock (along with 2 flares). When I have this in my vehicle I also carry my shotgun bag with has a 50 round pouch each of 00 Buck and 4 Buck, 20 rounds of 1oz Slug, 100 rounds of #7.5 Shot as well as cleaning kit, spare light bulb, batteries, etc. All in all, this would be my choice for most scenarios I can imagine that do not require me to stray too far from my home or vehicle and am not in an environment where the necessity to make a shot beyond 100yd is likely.

I do not like pistol caliber carbines; they seem like a half measure. You can only squeeze so much performance out of a pistol cartridge, and I’d rather carry my AR-15 than one of these. Even the M1 Carbine, although a very good weapon, lacks the performance I’d like out of a long gun. I am also not a fan of wheel guns either, they are reliable accurate… But so is my SIG, which is higher capacity and less bulky (than a comparable caliber revolver)

Either way, my SIG is always there. .45acp is a capable round (especially in 185gr +P+) that can get most close in jobs done efficiently. But, every time I put it on I hope and pray that it will not be needed…

handyman,

Hi!

I also like the .357 Mag. The caliber is sufficiently versatile to handle small and medium sized game, as well as defense. It is my choice in a revolver for a survival gun. Adding a carbine in the same caliber increases its capability and simplifies your logistics. I like the Marlin revolver caliber carbines. I would look for the standard model, the 1894C Carbine, rather than the cowboy model. I believe the latter may not be drilled and tapped for a side-mounted aperture sight like those made by Lyman. Also it is worthwhile to get a new or fairly new production gun. The crux is to make sure you are getting the newer Ballard rifling rather than Marlin's traditional Microgroove (R) rifling. The former has a few deep rifling grooves and the latter many shallow grooves. Ballard rifling is preferable for shooting unjacketed bullets. The Microgroove (R) rifling might require considerably more work to find accurate loads with cast or swaged bullets.

Tom is right on as to the issue of weight. If you are backpacking, the weight of the ammo becomes a significant factor in choosing your caliber. In preparing for a backpacking hunt a few years ago, I weighed my ammo. I primarily needed a flat shooting high powered rifle, but a revolver could add a lot to a trip. Choice of handgun caliber was not critical. I got the following weights for boxes of standard factory ammo:

Revolver (50 rds.): .22 LR--5 oz. (36 gr. bullet)
.32 H & R Mag.--18 oz. (95)
.357 Mag--30 oz. (158)
.44 Mag--59 oz. (240)

Rifle (20 rds.): .30-06--19 oz. (150)

Shotgun (25 rds.) 12 ga.--45 oz. (1.25 oz)
20 ga.--35 oz. (1.0 oz.)


I needed more oomph than a .22. The .32 would have been fine, but I failed to develop any shot loads, and no such factory ammo exists (or even .32 caliber plastic capsules for the shot loads). The .357 worked well.

Alternatives for long guns in survival situations can easily vary depending on circumstances (like whatever it is we are trying to survive) so as to include such divers choices as the following: .30-06 bolt action scoped rifle; semi-automatic defensive rifle; 12 ga. pump; Savage model 24 combination gun in .22LR over 20 ga. Mag. These choices are only as to different conditions I can readily envision applying to my family. YMMV.

Good luck,

John

Skater,

They are not banned. Returning them from the many foreign militaries to the USA was difficult until President Reagan's administration. The gun itself was not prohibited or required to be registered by either the 1994 Crime Bill or the PRK's (California's) recent laws. That assumes they are in their original condition. Changes or modifications of the gun from its original form could cause the California legal restrictions apply. Magazines holding over 10 rds were severely regulated by both groups of laws. The Federal law expired in 9/05. Sadly, the PRK's restrictions continue to trammel its residents. However, any such high capacity magazines you owned before the effective date of the applicable law are legal for you (but you alone) to use. I am not aware of any restrictions on your personal use of such magazines. You cannot in any way transfer (or lend) such magazines to others.

Enjoy,

Legal Disclaimer: Obviously this post is not meant to provide legal advice, legal representation or relationship, and none exists or is provided. I am not admitted to practice law in any state other than California and am neither doing nor intending to do so. I limit my practice to civil law, and do not practice criminal law. Anyone wanting legal advice or representation should seek his own lawyer admitted to practice law in the prospective client's jurisdiction.

John

Check your local laws on this one. M1 Carbines are illegal in Chicago but not in most of Illinois. No rhyme or reason.

Thank you all for the feedback. I never realized the complexity of the issue.
Time to renew my NRA membership.

Romania,

Greetings fellow Arizonian. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I was in the US Army for 7 years. I too am less than impressed with the 5.56. Have you looked into the Remington 6.8 SPC? If ammo ever becomes available I will get a semi-auto in this caliber. Are you buying your Blackhills 68g Heavy Match locally?

Never tell someone their gun sucks! It's like telling them their wife is ugly! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well, yes... but if I read the thread correctly, I think you see three of us telling you that your choice of a 357 carbine / pistol combo is very good and no one telling you it's a stupid idea (because it is not). It's an intrisically accurate pistol caliber with a good balance of recoil and ability, even if I choose to not use it myself. (I REALLY should have a couple in the safe... hmmm...)

The 357 carbines I have fired were Marlins and Winchesters. I liked the Marlins better, but either should be robust enough to count on. They are pleasant to shoot (heck, they're fun!). Many folks feel that the Win M92 is the best of breed, and Legacy imports the Rossi M92 Pumas in MANY variations. The Rossi M92 might want a little tweaking, depending on who you talk to, but it's DiY stuff, not gunsmithing.

Marlin has a short version and Winchester has a nice trapper version

Probably more 357 revolvers available than any other caliber, so pick what suits you. I like speed loaders for DA revolver, but they are bulky for packing - one or two is enough. Never used speed strips, so my only comments on them are that they are obviously more space-efficient but not as quick as a speed loader.

Nothing wrong with a nice SA, either.

Tom

I used to have a Trapper in 30/30. I loved that gun. Not sure why I sold it. I miss it. Great gun. Amazingly accurate for the cal and bbl length and a pleasure to carry around.

If I remember correctly, I have a PUMA .357 lever action tucked away. It is a short barrel version that I think they call a Trapper. Typical looking "saddle gun" that was decent on accuracy, easy to carry and clean.
Would not work well as a club.

Actually, I think it is safer to tell a guy his wife is ugly. :P