This is not about Glock handguns, per se. It is about what choices to make for a prepper or survival handgun(s) for your personal and property protection regardless of a Bug In or a Bug Out option. This includes any scenario involving a forced escape from your primary residence in the face of any type of SHTF, natural, unnatural, social or political.
The One Gun Approach
One of the approaches many preppers take is to settle on selecting one handgun, pistol or revolver system. For purposes here, it does not matter what brand you elect to buy. There are too many to evaluate here including Glock, Beretta, Springfield Armory, Ruger, Smith and Wesson, Kimber, Colt, HK, Browning, CZ, FNH, Remington, SIG-Sauer or whatever. That bottom line choice, though a difficult one, still resides with the individual prepper and their needs, desires, and interests.
The “one gun” approach permits the prepper and his support family and/or prepper team to consolidate on a single handgun in one caliber with magazines, support gear, ammo, carry pouches, cleaning supplies and all else for just the one gun system. Everybody has and uses the same gun, same everything. This approach goes a long way toward simplifying a lot of things.
It also permits the concentration of training and practice on the one gun. Regardless of who you are or where you are in the house, vehicle, or Bug Out hideaway, that person only has to concern themselves with deploying one gun they should know intimately well.
Supply for everything becomes simple. One stock of extra magazines loaded with the same caliber or type of ammunition, one holster, one magazine holder(s), carry gear, and all else. It is a strong and plausible approach. It also has economic benefits as well.
The Multiple Gun Approach
Other prepper contacts I know go this route. They have a full complement of handgun firearms in 3-4 different calibers including .357/.38 Special, .380 ACP, 9mm, and .45 ACP. They have one or more handgun models in each of these without regard to consolidating to one brand or gun type. They simply want and argue for the option of different power levels, and the flexibility to own and use multiple handguns.
Also Read: The Hurricane Katrina Pistol
Admittedly in their cases, most of them are highly organized so everyone knows what is what, where it all is, and have been fully oriented to each gun. Though they admit this took some time in training and range work, they are satisfied with their multiple gun choice. The extra expenditure of funds for ammo and support gear does not bother this group.
So, Here’s the Deal
Which do you think is the better approach? Preppers tend to love guns. Some are even collectors of modern and older firearms. Nothing wrong with that. But in practice, in a SHTF survival scenario, which is the better way to go?
I can understand the point in wanting at least one handgun of superior power, a .357 Magnum, 10mm, or .45 ACP. Those could be more difficult for women or youth to shoot well, but maybe not. Common sense might dictate to elect just one handgun model, one caliber, and one set of support gear and supplies. What is your approach?
7 comments
I like the same gun approach but with a little addition of two or three calibers of a set or two of different calibers so as to have diversity in ammo.
I’m an unabashed “fan” of same caliber, same firearms platforms, for nothing else than “logistical attractiveness”. Yes, I have several Glock 9mm pistols, and carry one as my EDC all the time, they are butt ugly and lack the finesse of a custom 1911, or even my favorite semi auto, the Browning Hi Power. I would much rather have a replaceable Glock be sitting in and evidence room than one of my more expensive custom handguns. That is the main reason I carry a logistically attractive Glock over anything else, they go bang, with stellar reliability, I’m decently enough accurate with them, and I’m familiar enough with the Glock 9mm, I have enough spare arts, and tools to repair if needed, without a hitch. I admit, I like keeping my attractive and superbly accurate hand guns in the safe rather than chance having to submit for evidentiary matters, that depending oon which jurisdiction/state I am in, if I have to deploy the handgun in self defense, I may or may not ever get it back.
Well I have my go-to’s, but having various caliber’s for ‘what if’ scenario’s is only prudent. If you can afford it, why not have a 40cal sitting in the vault. It may only have a couple hundred rounds to go with it, but it will work when all the 9mm is gone. That being said, I’m trying to stick with certain rounds for compatibility sake.
If you have the money, go for flexibility, if the budget is tighter, hard to beat NATO cal’s.
High dollar vault ‘queens’ are fun, if you have the means, give me 6 9’s vs. a custom 1911. I really love the handgun/rifle caliber set-up. 357 or 44 is just sexy and effective.
I definitely love having lots of guns in lots of calibers, but my family, bug-out buddies, and I have all decided to consolidate on calibers (.22, 9mm, .223/5.56, .308) for SHTF events, in firearms platforms that are common in our area. I like Sigs, my old man likes Glocks, my brother runs a Browning Hi-Power. They may not share magazine commonality, but at least we can go in on group ammo buys.
first,
get a handgun. almost any handgun is better than nothing at all.
(if it is concealable, so much the better)
learn how to shoot. if time permits, find a group of like minds and adopt a common handgun or rifle . (or not)
During the ammo shortages not so long ago I couldn’t find .223 but plenty of 3030. Couldn’t get 9mm period. .40 was around, plenty of .38 absolutely no .45 or .22
Having commonality makes sense. However after commonality is established I’d get a few outliers as well.
The Glock is good too b/c if you buy Glock 17 high capacity mags they will also go in the Glock 19 Compact and Glock 26 Sub Compact. Same goes for .40 Cal and .45 Cal Glocks.
I have Glock 19 and 26 but only keep Glock 19 mags so they work in either gun.