Survival Combo

[Buzzcut]

In the early to mid-80s Solider of Fortune or another mag of that type ran an article about what the staff thought was the best survival combo. Their choice at the time was purely defensive they choose an Uzi carbine and 9mm pistol. The only criteria the used was the long gun pistol combo had to be the same caliber and they did take into account weight that is why they didn’t choose a Thompson and a 45 due to the weight of the Thompson. I have always felt they didn’t take into consideration the ability to get game with their choice large than small game. Having thought about this for a while I think a 44 mag rifle and pistol would be the best balance between defense and game. I know that the 357 would be better hand gun for defense than the 44 due to recoil but not as good as the 44 for game. What combo given the about criteria would you guys choose.



P.S. This possible could make an interesting segment for a future episode of Best Defense Survival.

[tombogan03884]

Back in the 30's when the .357 magnum was being introduced it was used  to take at least one of every game animal in North America.
While it and the .44 mag can both use lower powered cartridges, ( .44 spl and .38spl ) the .38 seems somewhat more useful for taking the more abundant game animals such as rabbit and squirrel, where the .44spl would destroy more meat.
Other considerations are size and weight of ammo, (if you are living out of a pack you can carry more .357/38 for the same weight) and the sheer weight and size of the pistol that you will be carrying at all times. Open carry or CCW the .44 comes in a distant second in this regard.
.357 gets my vote, however another combo to consider is the .45 Colt. While the double action versions may be, like the .44 magnum, more fitted to people with larger hands, the single action models a quite handy,the round can be loaded to pressures ranging from Black powder "Cowboy action" loads up to "oh my god " Ruger only levels, and there are several makers of Winchester clones who produce rifles in the caliber. Something that made me suggest this is the fact that the Puma model for one, comes chambered in .454 Casull .
This would give you a rifle that can shoot any thing from mild black powder loads up to loads suitable for moose, Grizzly and Bison.

[Dakotaranger]

I think you're on the right track, but personally I'd want to go .45 Colt with modern loads.  It should be sufficient for both aspects.

[Dakotaranger]

Back in the 30's when the .357 magnum was being introduced it was used  to take at least one of every game animal in North America.
While it and the .44 mag can both use lower powered cartridges, ( .44 spl and .38spl ) the .38 seems somewhat more useful for taking the more abundant game animals such as rabbit and squirrel, where the .44spl would destroy more meat.
Other considerations are size and weight of ammo, (if you are living out of a pack you can carry more .357/38 for the same weight) and the sheer weight and size of the pistol that you will be carrying at all times. Open carry or CCW the .44 comes in a distant second in this regard.
.357 gets my vote, however another combo to consider is the .45 Colt. While the double action versions may be, like the .44 magnum, more fitted to people with larger hands, the single action models a quite handy,the round can be loaded to pressures ranging from Black powder "Cowboy action" loads up to "oh my god " Ruger only levels, and there are several makers of Winchester clones who produce rifles in the caliber. Something that made me suggest this is the fact that the Puma model for one, comes chambered in .454 Casull .
This would give you a rifle that can shoot any thing from mild black powder loads up to loads suitable for moose, Grizzly and Bison.

+!10000000

[TAB]

I'd say 357 lever gun and 357 wheel gun.

A 22 comes in a very close second.( plus I don't have a 357 lever gun... been on the list for years, just never found the one I want at the price I want to pay)


While yes it lacks the power of other rounds, it still is very deadly and you can carry a bunch of ammo.


If the SHTF, chances are it will be short term( weeks to months, not forever)  So only having a couple of hundred rounds should be more then enough.

[Sponsor]

[twyacht]

As a .45 Colt fan, a lever action carbine, with 255gr. Hornady Levevolution rds.... and a good ol fashioned .45 Colt revolver. (like my Uberti) would be a valid consideration.

However, as posted, the .357 is a proven rd. and ballistics only improve in a carbine length barrel. I certainly would not feel vulnerable if all I had was my Ruger Blackhawk and a Rossi and/or Puma .357 carbine.

[44s rock]

My choice is a Marlin 1894 45 Colt and a Ruger Vaquero and Buffalo Bore ammo.

[mkm]

I'd also vote for a .357 combo.  Power of the .357 and the ability to shoot .38 too.

Although underpowered for big game and self defense, a still affective survival combo would be .22.  You can carry a lot more ammo and it's probably the best for small game hunting. I've also heard of more than one deer being killed by them.  It's not best, but, in true survival, any kill is better than a quick kill.

[tombogan03884]

I'd also vote for a .357 combo.  Power of the .357 and the ability to shoot .38 too.

Although underpowered for big game and self defense, a still affective survival combo would be .22.  You can carry a lot more ammo and it's probably the best for small game hunting. I've also heard of more than one deer being killed by them.  It's not best, but, in true survival, any kill is better than a quick kill.

Something I glossed over in my first post, in a true survival situation everyone with a gun or bow will be out hunting . The larger game, being reasonably intelligent, will head for the hills and swamps, what you are most likely going to be shooting are Squirrels, Rabbits, Cats,and dogs. The stuff you normally see. All of which is well with in the capabilities of the .22LR.
The one place it falls short is for fighting.

[twyacht]

The one place it falls short is for fighting.

Some older Latino "former rebel" transplants, here in the S. Florida area, would disagree...One can carry mucho ammo, with the good 30rd. mags, and a quick trigger, I guarantee it makes an effective suppressive fire weapon.

Targeting tires, radios, even coffee mugs, headlights, equip. whatever, in rapid succession, peppering those "leetle" rds, can keep many a foes head down.  Without expending

There methodology was if your shot with a .22, it will take another guy to tend to you, or drag you out of the area, maybe two.

That's one or two less fighting folk to engage you. While saving the bigger ammo.

If your shot in the torso with one or two .22's albeit your survival chances are fair to midland, but your not shooting at me anymore, and need med care pretty quick.