Let's talk weapons

I completed a Google search today on doomsday preppers and found 637,000 web sites.  WOW!!

I remember several years ago, people were talking about getting prepared for a breakdown in society.  Most of these people were labeled as weird, reactionary, or radical. Now there are hundreds of books dedicated to prepping.  Survival reality shows are some of the most popular on television. The Discovery Channel is running specials on families that are self-proclaimed preppers.  I've even written a blog on the subject, titled the what ifs in life.  One thing that I stressed in that posting is weapons. I didn't go into detail about the best weapons to own in case something does happens.

Handgun:
Let's start with handguns. First of all, every adult member of each family will need at least one and should be familiar with the handgun.  I recommend having two different calibers of handgun(s) as a minimum.  Personally, I like .22 caliber, .357 magnum, and 9mm. Here are some of my favorite brands.....

Brand of Handgun
Browning Buck mark .22 caliber auto loader:  In my opinion this is the best .22 caliber pistol on the market today. It's a rugged pistol with excellent balance and adjustable sights. I would also recommend purchasing several additional magazines for the weapon since the magazine only holds 10 rounds.

Ruger single six .22/.22mag revolver: In my opinion, this is a fantastic revolver and a wonderful training weapon for new shooters.  The Ruger also comes with an additional cylinder chambered in .22 magnum which bumps the weapon's distance up and knock down power.

        I recommend owning a .22 caliber because it is multi-functional. It can be used for hunting, defense, and training. The ammunition is cheap and large quantities can be stored for long periods. Firing a .22 caliber in training is a great way to stay proficient in the use of handguns without spending a lot of money.  A .22 caliber handgun has little to no recoil and is the perfect caliber for new shooters. There are a wide variety of .22 calibers on the market and the same ammunition will fire in both handgun and long rifle (which we will discuss later). Many people think of the .22 caliber handgun as a "toy round."  They feel the handgun cannot be used in self defence.  They would be wrong. In truth, there have been many people injured and/or killed with a .22 caliber weapons.  Although it doesn't have the best knockdown power, the fact that it is a very accurate, more than makes up for this shortfall.

Glock model 17, 9mm auto loader: This is probably the most versatile and toughest weapon I have ever owned.  The Glock is the perfect survivalist weapon.  It sports a high capacity magazine (17 rounds). You can buy the weapon with adjustable night sights. It breaks down easily for cleaning.  You can break the entire weapon down using a small punch or nail. The handgun will fire consistently even when it has been submerged in mud.  Basically, the ammunition will fail before the gun does. 9mm is a NATO caliber.  This means that they are available anywhere for a reasonable price.  It also means that every military post in the world stocks them.  They will be easier to find as opposed to other rounds if something happens.

Ruger Security Six .357 magnum revolver: This is one of the most popular and durable six shot revolvers ever built.  The security six has good balance and a beefy frame that makes it hard to beat.  You can fire .38 special rounds through the weapon as well.  The weapon can be fired single or double action.  For stopping power combined with long range accuracy, you can't go wrong.  The weapon was discontinued several years ago.  They were used as a police service weapon for many years and therefore are still in circulation and widely available.

You may be asking yourself why you need a handgun. I am sure the first thing that comes to mind is home defense.  Let's go through the high points of home defense.

The best weapon for home defense has always been and always will be a shotgun.  A handgun is a good tool for all around carry.  This is true whether you are outside working, or on the road.  It's small and easy at hand without being cumbersome. It can be put into action quickly and can be transversed in tight spaces.

Handguns can be outfitted with lights and lasers to assist the shooter in low light scenarios.  This can mean the difference between staying in the fight and going down... if your primary weapon fails.  Additionally, I recommend purchasing a full size or large frame handgun, even in small calibers. 

Snub nosed weapons are for most often "point and shoot" at point blank range and not good for much else.  Remember, when purchasing a weapon...Quality Counts!,   Do not gamble with a second rate firearm.  Your life may depend on it someday.

Please stay tuned everyone for my next posting....  The shotgun discussion is coming soon!