posted on Apr, 29 2009 @ 09:11 AM
If I could only have one, I would keep my trusty old Glock 19 (9mm). It's not the prettiest gun out there, it's not the most accurate, and it's not
the most powerful. But it is the most reliable. I have 10,000+ rounds through mine and I have literally never had so much as a hiccup. I don't even
bother with cleaning it all that much, it's not necessary. You pull the trigger, the gun goes "bang". Every time.
I like the 19 because it's a good size compromise. It's big enough to get a good grip on, but small enough to conceal. It holds 17+1 rounds with
extended magazines, and has a rail for mounting a light/ laser. With the laser, I can chew out an X ring from 25 yards easily. With the stock sights
not so much, but I can make center of mass hits quickly and reliably, which is all you really need from a combat handgun. I prefer 9mm over .45
because it's smaller and lighter. You can carry a heck of a lot more of it both in your gun and out of it. 9mm will kill bad guys just as dead as the
.45 will, you just have to hit what you're aiming at.
In a SHTF scenario, you want a gun that's easy to carry. A big, heavy cannon like a 1911 or a S&W 29 is likely to be back in camp or in your pack
when you really need it. Those who advocate the Desert Eagle have obviously never held or fired one. The Desert Eagle is a Hollywood movie prop,
nothing more. It's a humongous, gonzo contraption that looks good on film, but is completely useless as a practical weapon. There is a reason that
not one military unit in the world issues the Desert Eagle. And it's not because of the pricetag. Similarly, it is worth noting that revolvers have
all but disappeared from police and military use. If revolvers were really more reliable than auto pistols, this would not be the case. Look at what
the professionals rely on. The #1 police issue sidearm in the world is the Glock 17 in 9mm. The 17 is a full-sized weapon for uniformed duty. The
compact version, the 19, is the perfect weapon for personal defense.