During the L.A. riots, the local American-Korean businessmen invited the local looters to take their attentions elsewhere. They were all using chinese made SKS rifles. In a TEOTWAWKI / Riot / Civil Disorder / Breakdown of Civil Authority due to natural disaster situation a pistol is a last ditch weapon. It does not have anything like the stopping (or intimidation value) power of a rifle.
Against a mob, and I assume that you are on your own here, aimed rifle fire is your only chance of preserving life and limb.
Speaking as someone who was trained by the British Army, a mob is simply a bloody big target.