Devil's advocate here......The need for centerfire arms in a BOB or PSK is driven by fear and one's need to feel prepared. There's a pretty strong statement.... I know, I hear ya, "I'd rather have a gun and not need it, than need a gun a not have it".........

I'll have to agree with that, BUT, when it comes to preparing a BOB/PSK for survival situations, do you really want to lug around 20 pounds of shotgun, .45 pistol, and ammo on your back, along with real necessities, gallons of water and maybe 20 pounds of other survival stuff? And just how proficient are you with that pistol? Do you shoot once a week? Once a month? Can you hit a 3" circle at 50 feet?

Here's some simple weight comparisons of just ammo.
Five hundred rounds of:
.38 = 16+ pounds,
.45 = 24 +pounds.
.22 = 5 pounds

Think about it, small game, rabbits, fowl, squirrels, are not going to be very appetizing after being vaporized with a centerfire. And even if you cut these weights by 75% there's still a lot to carry.

IMHO, for long term survival it is worth while to become very proficient with a .22 rimfire pistol (or rifle). There's high velocity and hollow point ammo that will take larger game and work for self defense if need be. So, if you have to ditch your vehicle and make good on foot to a 72 hour or longer safe-place, leave the heavies back at home or in the car.

Discussion?

Given the weight cost of a firearm, I choose not to carry.
The money ( often $200-$500) is better spent on equipment/ training and I 'd carry extra water/ clothing in its place.

My 2 cents,

Teacher

An endless debate. Each person makes their own choices. Competance, experience, confidence, and what is at hand are all important. No one tool does everything well - and pistol is just a tool. Just as your weight example has merit if that is the sole measure of effectiveness, there are other arguements that use other measures.

As an aside, I have legally taken much small game with +P+ 45 Colt handloads that edge out 44 mag energies and find it significantly easier than with a 22rf pistol - without "damage" to the meat. There's not a significant amount of velocity difference between a 22lr and common centerfire pistol calibers (in fact, the 22 lr family has some offerings that are zippier than most). Neither has "explosive" effects on small game - that's mostly a function of velocity, and pistols are way under that threshold, even at the muzzle. The other main variables are resistance (small animals offer nil), proportion (sparrow vs rabbit vs caliber), and to a tiny extent in small game, bullet construction. A hard cast bullet or anthing jacketed is not even aware of passing thru small game.

But I don't see anything wrong with a 22 pistol and if that's where your thinking carries you, have at it - it's not a bad choice, just a choice. "If only one..." inherently carries compromise. You make a point - and there are other points - weight them (no pun intended) as you see fit for yourself.

Regards,

Tom

I prefer a .22 AND the .45. You're right... a .22 will keep your belly full, but if I've got to take a shot at a man, I care enough to send the very best... .45 via 1911... I've seen one too many guys walk right into a Ruger .22, take it away from the guy pulling the trigger, and beat him to death with it before he went down from loss of blood... think about it.

Troy

PS No I haven't seen several... one was all it took!!!

I think, again, that it all depends on the survival scenario.

IF youre leaving a city, is it because of a hurricane or is it because of civil disorder? Are you leaving in a car, or on foot? 500 rounds seems excesive except if it is a civil war, doesnt it?

There is no way I am leaving on foot. If I can't leave by automobile then I will be riding an ATV. Either way I will be able to pack way more than what I could if I were hoofing it. I am currently teetering back and forth between a scoped 30.06 and an SKS for my bugout rifle. This week I'm leaning toward the SKS... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

In the Netherlands, carring a loaded gun, thats on your person (holster) is against the law. Doesn't matter if you got a license.
And although I think that the dutch laws are much to strict (even Airsoft weapons are prohibited only in the Netherlands), I think it does make some sence.
You just can't go out into a city were everybody is carrying guns like some hillbilly's.
And were do you plann to carry it for? Shooting people? I bet that if you stood in front of a person, you can't pull the trigger.
At least, I hope so....

This isn't for the people that just use it for survival situations, it's just for those, that think they are' the man' when they have a gun.

Yup Norad. SKS seems to be rugged, accurate enough, easy to load and shoot - and did I mention rugged? This is my personal, all-around favorite.

OMG.... Half of the Texas population is Hillbillies? I coulda swore dem der hillbilleeze was in Aleebama!

I put a synthetic stock on mine that saved about a pound of weight. It's black though, so I hope it doesn't look too "tactical". <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />