The only use I can imagine for a handgun is to rob everyone else's survival gear. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

(No knife on your list?)

Then you need to imagine someone else robbing you of yours.

In a backpack..
1. A gallon of water
2.. A reflective emergency blanket bag thing
3. A Leatherman Wave
4. Glock 9mm pistol with loaded 15 round clip
5. LED Retro-fitted maglight (AA)
6. Small AM/FM/TV Radio (AA)
7. Roll of Flat Duct Tape
8. Lighter
9. Big Wad of Cash (Like $1,000 in 20's)
10. A national map

Here's my ten
1) 100oz camelbak(full)
2) glock(model 22)
3)multi tool
4) a good folding/lockout pocket knife
5) a blastmatch or other metal match
6) whistle
7)signal mirror
8)first aid kit
9) 550 cord
10) small first aid kit

Not knowing what the cause of the bugout is, here's my most general list:

1. My Glock 21, proven capable of harvesting game, as well as effective self-defense and assault weapon.

2, 3. Two extra 13 round magazines, since they are always kept loaded, I will count each of the mags as one item.

4. My River's West Ranger suit.

5. My Leatherman Wave, even though it is already with me daily, I will go ahead and count it.

6. My firemaking kit. More than a few parts, but all contained in one metal box.

7. My Swamp Rat Desert Battle Rat.

8. My gyro-powered LED flashlight, needs no batteries.

9. A big (2 quart) ball of Pemmican. (20,000 Kcal equivalent).

10. An expedition grade two man pack tent.

Since the Camelback Motherlode pack I use has a 3 liter bladder, I won't count the container or the water inside it.

Anything else I need along the way, I will use what I already have to acquire it if practical.

Allowing for the exceptions sure makes it a lot easier.

In reply to:
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The only use I can imagine for a handgun is to rob everyone else's survival gear.


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Then you need to imagine someone else robbing you of yours.

[color:"red"] Truer words were never spoken! [/color]

2 words, New Orleans.

Dave

How about keeping somebody else from robbing your survival gear?

Troy

True.

As one who still sojourns down there every couple of days, I still carry a weapon when I go, as does everyone else in my family. A State police officer, when he heard we were armed while cleaning out, thought it prudent and had no problem with it. (we have our carry permits....)

BUT.... carrying afirearm is NOT always prudent, and GUN=SURVIVAL SKILLS is a fool's formulia.

.....CLIFF

I'll play <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Angelina Jolie
Milla Jovovich
Michelle Rodriguez
Lexa Doig
Natalie Imbruglia
Jessica Alba
Natalie Portman
Halle Berry
Denise Richards
Eliza Dushku

Rowr...

Ok, for real though... it really depends on my environment. If I had a choice, I'd center the items around the environment; a hammock for the jungle for instance, because sleeping on the ground is a bad thing (tm). Also, duration is important too... I'd pack differently for a week than I'd pack for a year! For long term survival, things like vitamins and items that won't run out of juice become really important. Magnesium firestarters look more and more attractive, as do those shake up flashlights and/or solar powered rechargers.

If I don't have a choice... well, as long as the 10 items cover the basics (which I suppose is the point of this whole thing) then they're fine. Which 10 items will vary depending on who you ask obviously... I'd give my input, but then there's the issue of what's "cheating" and what's not, and frankly I doubt anyone particularly cares what I perfer <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />