Emergency gun

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penates

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Following recent events in the gulf coast I was given an interesting theoretical question. I need to find an autoloader with the following characteristics: Under $350, high level of reliability, high corrosion resistence, ease of maintainence, ease of cache environment, common USA caliber. Any suggestions? BTW the same question for rifles resulted in SKS, and shotguns basically any high quality 12 ga pump.
 
I would say a used Glock would be a good choice, its reliable, rust resistant and can be had for under $400.

BUT I would rather save an extra hundred and buy one new at around $500.00. Its a steal in the pistol world, since sigs are well over $700 these days.
 
Ruger perhaps.

Given your criteria I'd say a Ruger auto would do for you. Very rugged, durable, corosion resistant, several models you could get for under 350 (band new!). And I'd go with 9mm or .45 for wide availability.
 
I recently bought a Taurus PT-145, which seems to meet all your criteria. Cast about $300. Polymer and stainless. .45acp.

Reliability? The early models had some problems, which seem to be fixed. Mine has not jammed in about 600 rounds. 3 kinds of commercial ammo, and 2 different handloads.
 
I'd recommend my baby: Ruger KP89T stainless, aluminum frame, manual safety/decocker, 4.5in barrel, 9mm. Got mine new for $ 349 at Turner's Outdoorsman. Built like a tank, with the menacing grace of a grizzly bear.

I put over 1,000 rounds through an identical rental without a single problem. I also already put in 250 rounds through mine right out of the box, with no failures due to the gun and 2 due to me (limp wristing and incomplete mag insertion).
 
Here's another vote for a used Glock - Probably a highly reliable Model G-17 in the easy-to-obtain 9mm caliber. Note the serial number BEFORE you buy. Call the factory to see if it's subject to either recall or upgrade. After that you're home free! :cool:
 
Given your criteria, why do you need an autoloader? A .38 or .357 sounds more like what you need. Revolvers are the perfect to stick in a drawer (or a cache) and have it work ten years later.

If auto, then I would've said a Mak, except for the "common ammo" part.

Maybe one of the Argentine (FM) Hi-Powers?
 
CZ 75. 9mm or 40, used running $300 or so, polycoat corrosion resistant. Good pistols, 15 round mags available for $19 or so, too. :D
 
I'd say a Taurus Mil Pro or a Ruger. I have a Taurus and a Mac that I use for my truck pieces.
 
Glock 17. VERY rust resistant, VERY reliable, VERY durable (check out the # of rounds fired by a number of indiduals/groups), Hi-Cap magazines, fairly cheap. It is the SKS/AK of the handgun world.
 
You can get a new S&W Sigma with two 16 round magazines for around $300.00. Durable polymer and stainless steel. Lifetime waranty.
 
Common USA Caliber. #1: .22LR #2: 9MM

Brand New:
Beretta 21 Bobcat
Ruger P89



Lots of more options with used guns.
 
Used, all stainless steel S&W 3rd Generation auto in 9mm, preferably 5900 series. A nice example should run you $250. Sigmas good candidates too. Taurus PT92 series and Millenium series both in 9mm. I prefer 9mm in end of the world scenarios b/c you might be able to liberate ammo from military supply/NG if things get really bad. Rugers are good choices. Good solid guns. Their polymer 9mm should be somewhere around $300. Used Glocks would be ideal, but I rarely see any used, other than factory refurbs and anything below $425 moves real quick (never seen one under $400 - it would have been mine!).
 
Ruger P90.

Absolutely 100% reliable, more accurate than most shooters. Put another 50+ rounds through mine on thursday, about 21 by a brand new shooter, no hic coughs at all. But then I didn't expect any, it has several thousand rounds through it with never a failure to go bang.

I have tried to make it fail. I have limp wristed it, fired it gansta style, on both sides, upside down with my little finger on the trigger, and every angle in between, both strong hand and weak hand. Just keeps plugging away, round after round after round, it's almost boring.

That's why it is my CCW.

DM

oh yeah, and you can find .45acp everywhere.
 
Used, all stainless steel S&W 3rd Generation auto in 9mm, preferably 5900 series
Click to expand...

+1

Also any other 3rd gen all stainless S&W. I have 4 and all are boringly reliable and, since they are made almost entirely of SS, no worries about corrosion. The 1006 and 4506 will compete with many 1911's, accuracy-wise. I find it no real task to cut ragged holes at 50 ft with either one.
 
Unless I'm reading this thead incorrectly, the subject isn't about "my favorite pistol is..." It's about a specific use for a pistol. It's hard to argue with a G17 with several mags, perhaps a couple of 33rd. mags, given the parameters of the subject matter. Considering the possiblilty of attacks from multiple uncivilized savages, I'd have to say that reliability AND mag capacity trump.
 
Ruger P95 with MecGar 20 rd mags

You can find a used P95 for $225-250 the Mac Gar 20 rd mags are $20 from CDNN. Add in 250rds or quality JHP's and your at the $400 mark!
 
astra a100-used, of course as they're no longer made. accurate, reliable, & 17 rd mags. functions the same as a sig, including takedown lever. it is steel, however, requiring keeping it from rusting. very compact for hi-cap & once decocked, is as ready as a revolver.
 
long term storage and fast retrieval?

I know this is an auto thread...but I also have to throw in the idea of a revolver for this. I live in the deep south...not quite on the coast...but to me the gun I would choose would be a stainless 8 shot revolver with a number of speed loaders.

There is no need to worry about magazine springs going weak from long periods of time being loaded. And an 8 shot .357 revolver is not much less if at all than a standard .45 magazine.
 
Any used Glock in the caliber of your choice. Like the Ever-ready bunny....
Biker
 
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