your choice for battle

[CzCasull]

Let's say you were going to war, you can choose any handgun you want in any chambering.

What would it be and why? :D

[BigJimP]

A Wilson Combat 1911 5" barrel, Close Quarters Battle model, chambered in .45acp / its my primary carry weapon today / a proven caliber - and a proven solid performer.

No reason to change now ...

[csmsss]

I don't think I want to take a handgun to battle.

[SIGSHR]

An M1911/M1911A1-I KNOW what it can do.

[jman841]

Glock 18c w/ 33 round mag, or beretta M93r w/ extended mag, or Steyr TMP with plenty of ammo.

If no full auto's, Glock 20 with some hot loaded 10mm's

[Tucker 1371]

Springer M1911A1 MC Operator or a larger set of hands and a HK Mark 23.

[kay_gee]

walther ppk

[flight954]

My side arm choice would be my HK45

[predecessor]

FN Five-seveN right alongside my PS-90

[varoadking]

walther ppk

He said you were going to war...not to the mall... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/varoadking/anim_rofl2.gif

[BigJimP]

Now that is funny .........

[markj]

A handgun to battle? Go down to the local recruiter and join up, get thru boot then come back and let us know how you then think. A full auto with select fire rifle is in order for battle.

[BigJimP]

Come on guys - he didn't ask what the best firearm is for a battle - he asked what sidearm you would prefer to take ......... not that you can't have a rifle and a shotgun too for that matter ......

[jman841]

oh, i figured that it was a scenerio where for some reason all rifles and shotguns and every other weapon ever invented was gone, leaving only handguns for a primary weapon. Plus i have seen James Bond go into many battles with nothing more than a Walther PPK or P99, he does pretty well :p

[Composer_1777]

i would still use a 9mm just would make sure i am accurate with it and have a trusty combat knife ready to go.

[cohoskip]

I carried a GI issued .45 - in addition to my Thompson... :D

[kay_gee]

sidearm springfield mc operator in .45 acp

primary styre aug


i was kidding with the walther

[CzCasull]

bahaha, some of these posts are priceless.

Lots of 1911s out there! I expected more glocks.

and yes, you have your rifle and all, but I'm talking about the handgun you want with it all.

I salute the guys here who were in the service. Thanks for commenting :)

[ghalleen]

Hasn't this been asked about a hundred times already???

[fourrobert13]

I would take any Glock.

[BigJimP]

Yes, but varoadking's post was still funny ...... with the little guy rolling around ...... ( james bond aside, the 1911's are the guns from my generation / and many of us in the service were exposed to them early ..). But the newer customized versions - are sure an upgrade .....

[kristop64089]

My Sig P220, or any of my glocks.

[MLeake]

But in addition to a rifle, if given a choice I'd take a CZ75. Reliable, good shooter, and easy to find ammo for it (9mm being NATO standard).

[predecessor]

Hasn't this been asked about a hundred times already???

What question hasn't been asked a hundred times already??? That's how forums work :p

[00max00]

Beretta 92

[PhoenixConflagration]

Glock 19 w/33 round back-up mag.

[amprecon]

Well if ammo were as available for it as it is for .45acp I'd take my G23, otherwise I'd have to probably take my G21. The compactness of the G23 is just.........perfect.

[hkkilla]

HK USP 45... although the FN 45 that I just put on layaway COULD be used as a hammer or bludgeoning device when the 15 round mags run dry :rolleyes:... really, any double stck polymer .45 will fit the bill for me... XD and SIG p250 get a nod... 1911 is an amazing platform but at war I want more than 8 rounds.

[Brian Williams]

US GI Singer.
Sell that and buy a few good US GI Colts and RemRands.
If not the Singer either a Colt or RemRand US GI 1911A1

[LanceOregon]

For close quarters fighting in a war? I would choose my FN SLP shotgun as my sidearm.

A handgun just would not cut it.

-

[Old Grump]

Love my 1911A1 45 and I did carry it on duty and competed with it but if I had to get back into uniform and I had my choice it would be a Wilson Combat Elite 10MM Pistol.

[Mike Irwin]

S&W Mode 19, .357 Magnum.

Why?

Because I loves me my .357, and I shoot it well.

[BillCA]

A Remington Model 51 in .380 ACP.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff111/BillCA/Remingtonmodel51.jpg
(Hey, it worked for Patton! :D)

A lot of it would depend on your MOS.

Most likely: Colt Defender loaded with 200gr .45 ACP with a blackened finish.

The poor ground grunt has his pack, ammo, rifle, canteen and all that other gunk to haul around. Adding a heavy gun that you might use doesn't make sense.

[neon]

10 mm all the way :D

I want the knock down power.

Second choice would be .45

[riggins_83]

walther ppk
He said you were going to war...not to the mall...

ROFL

That pretty much sums up the PPK doesn't it?

I'd rather not take a handgun as a primary to battle. The handgun is there to get to your rifle!

[Fat Boy]

H&K mp7

http://www.famous-guns.com/wp-content/uploads/hk-mp7-03.jpg

[CzCasull]

I think those might be classified as a pistol in the military book. I'm not sure.

---------

That remington is nice, billCA :cool:

[rsxr22]

Glock 22 with some modifications done.

Extended slide and mag release
some 31 round mags
tungsten guide rod
skeletonized striker
and some skateboard tape for the grip

[CzCasull]

That would make the gun indesructable. Good setup :cool:

[J.Netto]

Glock 21sf

[dosjoel]

So, what are the considerations here? First to dispel the sillyness, while an infantry officer I carried a 1911 and an M-16. OK. Yes, the M-16 was the main weapon and the pistol only a backup to it. So, that being the case what are the considerations?

Here are a few;

Weight - You are probably carrying lots of gear
Compatability - What are others in your unit using (parts)
Caliber - Again, the availability of the ammo is important
Relaibility - Must be a given
Accuracy - Must also be a given

OK, so if I am with a Marine Recon unit that carries Kimber .45s than I am good with that
If I am with Seals who carry a Sig P226 I am good with that as long as I have a basic store of HST rounds
If I am with standard infantry with Berrettas - Well, I guess I might go go with a 1911 if I could find enough ammo!

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=49561&d=1247616953

[J.Netto]

DosJoel,

I really, really like that 1911. I have a Mil-Spec that I was thinking about putting Novaks on, but wasn't sure how it would look with the traditional hammer and grip safety. I don't want to change the "Old school" look of the gun, because that would defeat the purpose of having a Mil-Spec in the first place - As it's the only traditional looking 1911 I have. But, seeing your Colt, I can get a pretty good idea what it would look like now. Very nice. :)

[LanceOregon]

WOW BillCA, you sure don't know your Patton history at all, to so inaccurately infer that he preferred and/or carried a Remington 51.

Patton's two main handguns were a custom engraved Colt Peacemaker, and a Smith & Wesson Model 27 .357 Magnum. The extra little .380 pistol that he carried throughout WWII was a Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless, which was actually a US Army issued handgun. The Army had purchased these Model 1903 Colts for senior officers. Besides Patton, other leading generals like Eisenhower and Omar Bradly also carried them.

Patton's 1903 Colt was a totally regulation gun, except that his had customized grip panels on it with ivory stars added, noting his rank.

Anyway, that is the REAL gun that Patton carried into combat throughout the war. While it is true that Patton was given a custom Remington 51 as a gift by General Joyce ( a long time friend ) in early 1945 and was spotted by the press wearing it a few times, it was quite insignificant compared to Patton's other handguns.

The Remington 51 was such a commercial failure, that it had already been discontinued for many years, when Patton got his gift. It was only manufactured from 1918 to 1927, and is thus a rather rare gun.

Besides, everyone who has studied Patton knows that what he considered to be his "killing" gun was his S&W Model 27, which he custom ordered himself direct from the S&W factory.

These are the guns that Patton himself bought:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NIEITyEz_kE/Rl9tr-to1rI/AAAAAAAAACs/em17IU1BXlY/s1600/PattonPistol%2B01.jpg

.

[varoadking]

WOW BillCA, you sure don't know your Patton history at all, to so inaccurately infer that he preferred and/or carried a Remington 51.

I didn't read any such inferance in what BillCA posted...help me if I missed something...

[Steve1911]

I am going to have to vote... Minigun...

With all the ammo my tired old back can handle.

[neon]

I forgot about the .357 Sig ;)

[BADSBSNF81]

Mil Spec M1911A1

[Elvishead]

Something light as possible with ammo light as possible that can disable (Not always kill) the enemy.

Either a Glock 9mm or an FN 5.7. That way you can carry (Lug) a lot of extra ammo.

.45acp ammo is just to heavy! And to want a 1911? Well, those are pretty heavy to, along with the big bulky, and heavy ammo, you'd get bogged down.

You could lay down a lot of suppressive fire with a 5.7 and be able to carry a lot more (lot more) back up ammo.

In war, sometime it better to injure somebody than kill them, unless they get left behind, you just took out 2-3-4 soldiers by just injuring one.

[Elvishead]

Mike Irwin:

S&W Mode 19, .357 Magnum.

Why?

Because I loves me my .357, and I shoot it well.


As far as revolvers go?

I'd have to supersede you on that one, because the S&W 327 R8 "M&P" would be more fitting for a war scenario. Lighter (Scandium), better balanced, pictiny rails (Low and high), and two more (High cap revolver) shots.

This is the ultimate war revolver, because I love me my .357 (X8) and I (we would) shoot it well.:D

And if Elvis was alive, he would own one. Thanya, thankya vera much!

[Skan21]

If I had a choice, it would be the XD 45. Rockin gun. And when the XDm 45 comes out, I'll trade in the XD 45.

[LanceOregon]

I didn't read any such inferance in what BillCA posted...help me if I missed something...

The Remington 51 is NOT the handgun that is associated with the name of General George S Patton.

The other three handguns are.

-

[varoadking]

The Remington 51 is NOT the handgun that is associated with the name of General George S Patton.

While it is true that Patton was given a custom Remington 51 as a gift by General Joyce...

I didn't read that BillCA was trying to infer that it was THE handgun associated with GSP...simply that he had one...

[dosjoel]

I really, really like that 1911. I have a Mil-Spec that I was thinking about putting Novaks on, but wasn't sure how it would look with the traditional hammer and grip safety. I don't want to change the "Old school" look of the gun, because that would defeat the purpose of having a Mil-Spec in the first place - As it's the only traditional looking 1911 I have. But, seeing your Colt, I can get a pretty good idea what it would look like now. Very nice.
Thanks very much! Those are Novak plain black Novak Combat sights. I don't think they distract from the Mil Spec look at all. Here's another view. Not a great pic but shows the view I wanted.

Just to stay on the thread, this model was carried by US troops with little recorded complaint for over 50 years. Everyone knows the genisis. The Army wanted something not to wound, not to kill, but to STOP a determined attacker. In my time in the Army as an infantry officer I never heard anyone say the 1911 failed in that mission.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=50049&stc=1&d=1248634191

[l8apex]

Beretta 92FS if deployed in the Mid East theater. If I need parts mags etc, I'm sure I could find it. Second choices would be [Sig 226 9mm, G17 9mm, HK USPc 9mm.]

Take it from someone that has been deployed, you won't find much ammo other than 9mm for a pistol. Also, in combat your pistol is what you use to fight your way back to your rifle or clearing very small rooms.

[predator86]

para ordnance p14 limited, its stainless, carries 14 rounds of .45, a lot of people knock the para's, most of them just need a little polishing under the extracter to run tip top:p

[khegglie]

Like predator's chhoice but I think DosJoel makes a good point about gear weight........I sayGlock 26

[Kmar40]

If I were going into battle, I'd trade a handgun for three more M4 mags unless there were some specific mission requirement for the handgun.

[CzCasull]

yes, weight is very much an issue. I like heavy guns and all, but one must be willing to carry the burden.

[BillCA]

LanceOregon - chill out a little, bud. I said the Remington Model 51 "worked" for Patton and it did. While there's not too much documented about his carry/use of the "51", there's no doubt in my mind that a choice gift from a close friend would lead Patton to carry it from time to time, perhaps in lieu of his "social pistol" - a 1903 Colt .32 Auto.

There was no intent to claim it was "the" pistol associated the George Patton or that he even necessarily fired it in anger. But of someone like Patton would carry a .380 auto as a personal weapon, one has to take note of it. Of course, it's not the weapon, but the warrior and how he uses it that counts. And that onery S.O.B. would make good use of it, indeed!

Lastly, the point of the post was that a small, lightweight pistol could suffice, even on the battlefield. At close range, you're fighting to reach a larger gun. At longer ranges, you are probably better off not revealing your position by attempting a shot - since you're outgunned by men with rifles.

Afterword: The Remington 51 isn't mine. It is a photo I found of a nice one on the web. IIRC Browning sold a similar design .380 pistol in the 60's and 70's.

[otter7467]

xd 45 but just about any reliable 45 would be just fine

[ksu499]

I'm taking either my USP 9mm or my Sig228. Probably the Sig 228 as it packs a little easier, but both are accurate and dependable.

[tmd11111]

I can tell you, if its going to be here in Iraq you better make it a 9mm cause any other handgun ammo over here is about as available as chicken teeth.

Unless of course you bring you Lee Anniversary kit. Then you can crank out a fresh batch of your favorite flavor while holed up in a bunker waiting for the rockets to stop coming in.

:rolleyes:

[Mike Irwin]

"I'd have to supersede you on that one, because the S&W 327 R8 "M&P" would be more fitting for a war scenario. Lighter (Scandium), better balanced, pictiny rails (Low and high), and two more (High cap revolver) shots."

Great, you have an opinion.

Now go get a cookie and you'll have dessert, too. ;)

[hickok45]

Assuming from your question, I'm going to be using it a fair amount in battle. IF that's the case, I'll chose my Glock 20. Utterly reliable, powerful, and accurate.

[GetYerShells]

Sig P226 (proven platform) in .40S&W (proven caliber)

[Dobe]

1911 or an HK45. I have total confidence in either.

[howwie]

I have to say, I feel very confident with my glock 19 with a few extra mags. If not, it'd definatley be my RIA tactical I just got :)

[robphillips]

out of the ashes we will come. 1911 45 in hand.

[CzCasull]

1911 is getting a lot of ding dings! :cool:
Personally I'm stuck between a 1911 and an FN FiveseveN.

[CZ 85]

STI double stack 1911 in .45 acp

[biohazurd]

3 words: Colt Combat Commander

[BillCA]

1911 is getting a lot of ding dings!
Personally I'm stuck between a 1911 and an FN FiveseveN.
Do you really want to shoot at opponents with a sort of glorified .22 magnum?

[CZ 85]

Do you really want to shoot at opponents with a sort of glorified .22 magnum?
But its Armor Piercing...:rolleyes:

[Skan21]

Most of the insurgents don't use body armor, if we were talking about the current war. And if the .45 would be difficult to find ammo for, the 5.7 would be impossible!

[Hacker]

I'm With jman841 G18c.. If It Has To be Semi-Auto Then A 1911 of some sort.

Well now that i think of it if i was going to war i would think .45 ACP would be alot more difficult to get a hold of than 9mm. Make Mine A G17 For Semi-Auto.

[predecessor]

Do you really want to shoot at opponents with a sort of glorified .22 magnum?

Bill's just bitter because he can't have a proper Five-seveN :p

Fully loaded, the Five-seveN is lighter than any fully loaded Glock so those who wish to be more agile and mobile will appreciate this pistol in battle far more than a heavier Beretta or 1911. And considering that in war, your pistol pretty much stays holstered the entire time, weight is a pretty big priority.

Perhaps the current combatants don't have body armor, but I'd much rather have a pistol that was effective against it because you never know who you'll be facing on the battlefield in the future.

Also, if it was the only weapon available to me, I like the capacity and distance I get out of it, vs. the venerable .45 -- I could deftly defend myself long enough to find safety or a tactical advantage with three mags of 5.7x28mm (60 rounds) than any other pistol.

[Walt Sherrill]

The three guys I've known who went to war, saw the bear, and came back to talk about it [Vietnam]-- two Ranger-trained and Special Forces, and one who had been a SEAL ) -- didn't care much for handguns. The SEAL said he'd rather have an extra canteen of water than a handgun.

The question may be one only those of us who haven't been there would ask -- or try to answer.

[di$TOrTed]

USP Tactical .45

[CzCasull]

In a realistic situation 5.7 wouldn't be IMPOSSIBLE to find being that it is used by some sections of the branches. . . as is the .45 ACP

The FiveseveN is light as stated before, it would be better for many reasons. Plus, I can trust the 5.7 to do the job in situations with more modern opponents.

This isn't to say there isn't good armor piercing .45 ACP out there. :cool: It's just not all over the place is all.

I also said I'd perhaps use a 1911, why? well ..for all the reasons a 1911 is good.

[BlackFeather]

5.7 is good but if it takes two rounds per person to ensure death... its not the old days when they used a sword and one hit ensured no more attacks... but its still good... I like speed, accuracy, and penetration more than large slow brick... dont get me wrong I love the .45, .40, and 10mm... but the 5.7 is just awesome...

[CzCasull]

5.7 also maintains pretty good trajectory. :eek:

[LanceOregon]

I didn't read that BillCA was trying to infer that it was THE handgun associated with GSP...simply that he had one...


When one makes such a vague statement as saying that it "worked" for Patton, it can be interpreted different ways by different people. The guns that "work" for me are my guns that I value the most. I think that is a most reasonable interpretation that one can make of that statement. You obviously, did not take it that way.

I wanted to set the record straight by providing more complete information, so that such an incorrect or inappropriate impression was not made.

-

[IdahoG36]

A GLOCK 18 for me.:D

If semi auto only, then the GLOCK 21SF.

[BillCA]

Of course, I'd also be happy with a Hush-Puppy.

Works as a combat pistol or for quietly taking out sentry dogs. :cool:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff111/BillCA/Hobby/other/SW_Hushpuppy.jpg

[JMBstudent]

I'm with Walt Sherrill, post #77, an extra canteen and maybe a couple extra mags of rifle ammo. Those rear echelon types can have those shiny unfired pistols.

[CzCasull]

In tight situations a pistol does the trick better than a rifle. I'm sure thee are guys out there with much to tell of that fact.

___

Nice hush puppy!!!

[Skan21]

I think most people are overlooking the point of this thread. It's simple. If you needed a backup pistol, what would it be? While I was deployed to Iraq, about 4 months in, our dismounted medium machine gunner got sick. As we were doing a night overwatch of a suspected weapons cache, we absolutely had to have it. That meant someone had to carry it. I volunteered ( Stupid, stupid, stupid! Never volunteer...) and about three hours later I was humping a 27 lb piece of metal with 800 rounds of ammo, 7 klicks. It was an overnight, so I had to bring at least 3 1.5 litre waterbottles. not to mention 2 MRE's, and all the other assorted junk that was included. I don't know the exact weight, but it was probably hovering around 140lbs or so, with body armor :barf:. I also had to bring along a weapon for CQB, just in case. 'Cause there ain't no shoulder firing an M240B. Now, I could either have brought along my platoon leaders M-9 with ammo ( maybe 3 lbs) or sling on my M-4 with 7 mags (10lbs? 12 maybe?). No contest. I brought the Beretta. Would I trust it as a primary only? No, but I also had my buddies to back me up.

[Walt Sherrill]

I think most people are overlooking the point of this thread. It's simple. If you needed a backup pistol, what would it be?

Good point, Skan21, but the initial question wasn't "what backup weapon would you want."

I was surprised to hear a one-time SEAL say he'd rather not be bothered with a handgun, but it made me rethink some handguns prejudices.

(I've also seen a lot of commentary about the ineffectiveness of the M9 in combat in Iraq. Could, but the M9 is probably still better than a pointed stick.)

[CzCasull]

Since I started the thread let's just make it basic right here.

Just pick a gun you would most rather use in battle/war. If you don't like that they are semi-auto just pick a glock 18 and be happy.

It is a way to see people's personalities & opinions about pistols being put to use is constant use to keep yourself and possibly others alive. Some pick the 1911, others pick a glock. . . Some put armor-piercing over stopping power. If you are best at shooting a .22LR pistol and you feel confident fighting with one GO FOR IT.

I understand there's a lot of hand-guns out there with different points of use.. fine, go ahead and use that system. :)

This is a Learning thread really.

[madscotsman]

I'm with the 1911 crowd. Perfect caliber, perfect handgun.

[LanceOregon]

Predecessor:

Perhaps the current combatants don't have body armor, but I'd much rather have a pistol that was effective against it because you never know who you'll be facing on the battlefield in the future.


The fact is that no one here, unless they are in the military, have to really be concerned about that.

The only way that the rest of us could ever face such a scenario would be if another Civil War broke out in our country. And the United States Federal government is now much stronger than it was back in 1860. A Civil War could never happen again in our country.

So these are really rather pointless scenarios to discuss.

-

[predecessor]

Quote:
Predecessor:

Perhaps the current combatants don't have body armor, but I'd much rather have a pistol that was effective against it because you never know who you'll be facing on the battlefield in the future.

The fact is that no one here, unless they are in the military, have to really be concerned about that.

Originally posted by the OP: Let's say you were going to war...

I know this sounds silly, but when I think of going to war, I generally think of it being a military operation vs. the far less plausible scenario of local guerrilla warfare. And excuse me Lance, but I'm not sure I understand why you even participate in the TFL because if we are measuring the merit of our posts based on probable scenarios, there would be very few posts indeed. For very few civilians who carry a firearm on a daily basis will ever use them in self defense.

We post to learn and to enjoy the sport a little more -- sometimes that involves talking about a great many pointless scenarios. :p

[Elvishead]

madscotsman:

I'm with the 1911 crowd. Perfect caliber, perfect handgun.

Why say that?

Heavy gun, heavy ammo, heavy to lug around?

I say Light gun, light ammo, less to lug around.

You could lay down a lot of suppressive fire with a 5.7 and be able to carry a lot more (lot more) back up ammo.

In war, sometimes it better to injure somebody than kill them, unless they get left behind, you just took out 2-3-4 soldiers by just injuring one.

[Old Grump]

You could lay down a lot of suppressive fire with a 5.7 and be able to carry a lot more (lot more) back up ammo.

After you have fired your 300 rounds of suppressive fire your opponent can stand up and shoot you. I would rather shoot him once and consider him suppressed, I'll take the big fat heavy bullet and the big fat heavy gun because I can shoot it and yes it was my duty gun in Lyndon Johnson's party years in the South Pacific. That being said if I was 40 years younger and had to go back in uniform I would switch in a heartbeat to the 10MM.

[ROCK6]

I'm in Afghanistan right now and the sidearm is really a FOB defensive arm...even the door-kickers stage and sleep on the FOBs. The pistol is a good back up; really only needed to cover your ass as you make your way to your rifle or the heavy stuff.

Back home, I mostly CCW my .45 (CBOB), but in a "combat zone" I like the increased capacity...to me a hi-cap 9mm is used for suppressive fire so I can make it back to my rifle. The M9 is a little big for my desire...my preferences would be split between my Sig P228 or Glock 19 (although that Glock 18 would be quite effective at suppressive fire:D).

If I was kicking down doors and forced to use ball, the .45 still has merit for CQB if the M4 or shotty weren't feasible...

ROCK6

[old_ironsights]

"going to war" and "handgun" are mutually exclusive terms.

Taking a handgun to 'war' is akin to taking a knife to a gunfight.

[Old Grump]

"going to war" and "handgun" are mutually exclusive terms.

Taking a handgun to 'war' is akin to taking a knife to a gunfight.
Lets throw an 'if' in there. If the knife is in hand and your pistol isn't and you are within spitting distance of each other knife man wins.

I'll take a shot gun or a M1 Garand before anything shooting the 5.56 but that is personal prejudice from being at the beginning of the toy from Mattel era. If I had none of the 3 an old dinosaur grade 45 ACP beats the dickens out of a sharp stick or a rock. Nobody is suggesting it be a primary gun but it beats carrying two rifles.

[Huntergirl]

My Springer Loaded model every time. CZ75compact for backup...:D

[microtech]

If i had to go to battle, i would choose the most reliable gun i could afford or find with a calibre with an abundance or most readily available ammo for the time. Probably a 9mm USP or USP compact

[armsmaster270]

My issued Load was an M-16 with M-203 attached, 7-30 round magazines, Grenade Vest and 1911A1 with 3 magazines. Then we went to the 9mm M9 and I wished my 45 was back.
And BTW in Vietnam there were a lot soldiers carrying S&W model 19's that they purchased on their own.

[Kmar40]

I would rather shoot him once and consider him suppressedSorry but no pistol can do that.

[hulley]

I love my Taurus 1911 SS, but I'll take my military use FNP-40.

[BillCA]

Sorry but no pistol can do that.
Depends on your proficiency with that pistol.

[45Gunner]

Your question is a loaded one. When I go out into the streets, I pack a H & K .40 LEM or a H & K .45 Compact. Sure, I would take either one of these into battle when I have my M-16 carbine as a primary weapon. I carried a Colt .45 1911 in Vietnam. It saw lots of action and never jammed, misfired, or otherwise malfunctioned. I wish I could have said that about the M-16. In Vietnam, I had no choice of weapon and I made sure my weapons were cleaned often. Today, I would take the H & K as I know it will fire even if it is not squeaky clean.

[Boats]

Were I back in the current armed forces, I'd be fine with an M9A1, preferably fresh out of the box with anti friction coated mags. Ball ammo sucks anyways, so I might as well use an issue weapon.

The only way that the rest of us could ever face such a scenario would be if another Civil War broke out in our country. And the United States Federal government is now much stronger than it was back in 1860. A Civil War could never happen again in our country.

I think it could very well happen, but the next time it would be an irregular war. In that case, a suppressed 1911A1 would be the most useful to me.

[shamus005]

88 magnum.

http://www.imfdb.org/images/thumb/3/3d/88mag.jpg/400px-88mag.jpg

[epic4444]

my glock 17....for a few reasons...one im fairly accurate with it and i can get shots of quickly and accurately...two it holds a high amount of rounds...so my 3 mags with 17 rounds each equals 51 quick to get to rounds....plus i have a light for it so if i had to use it at nite or clear rooms it would be good for that too....not to mention its never had any malfunctions at all

but honestly i would pick a 9mm over a 45 in a shtf case...i know 45 a man stopper of a round and the 9mm mite take two or three but i feel that in a everyone for them selves situation 9mm ammo would be easier to come by than 45 or 40 since its the most common caliber out there so when your own supply ran out you could probably easily find more...just saying thats how i feel about it

[cracked91]

Glock 20

[gak]

IMO, these threads should always be prefaced "assuming logistical support" - however fantasy-ful the scenario...so we can rid ourselves of the multiple, obvious posts of "whatever's the weapon/caliber issued." Assuming what I think the OP was (or should have been) meaning, for me a hi-cap .40 "of aome sort" for the very reason it's a popular civilian and LE round; ultimate compromise. Very decent knock-down, in-between capacity .45 to 9mm. Didn't pick 10mm 'cause of the slightly greater ammo weight (vs 40), and the greater recoil in most mutual formats--but I could have. When the adrenalineKs flowing, not sure the recoil would matter, but follow-up shots maybe quicker on-target with the .40?

Ditto, I have an inherent problem with the "no pistols" posts. You can go into the F0B without one, not I...if only for the "transition" situations mentioned (to get to my M4, etc), but there are any number of other scenarios including main battle weapon jammed/out of commission, ammo, especially in CQ situations, other survival tool, etc. Many of these situations may be ones where a pistol would not save you, but I bet there are many stories from all wars where it did. Yes, that good thought is worth the extra weight to me..