Bug-out gun??

[WanderLust]

I have been carrying a basic bugout bag in the car for about 2 years, finally getting serious about really making it thorough. I have quite a long lists of "gotta-haves"
and "wanna-haves" on food, water, gear, etc. but I'm looking for a sigle gun I can load into the bag and have it be sufficient. We can ALL have our opinions and preferences, but I'm asking for some real-life experience if possible. I believe that military experience in other countries may be the best real world scenario, so I'm asking for anyone who has time to throw out their 2 cents worth on this. Here is my criteria, and the thoughts (pro and con) on each choice.
1. Revolver? Can stay loaded for years if needed yet still work as needed.
2. Stainless? Worry free, to a reasonable degree. Blued guns are a bit cheaper and more plentiful.
3. Semi-auto handgun? Higher capacity, mildly higher risk of failure.
4. Rifle or shotgun? I struggle with the size, as this will be a 70-liter (4 day) backpack sized carrier. Long barrels would advertise, short barrels lose some effectiveness.
5. .22 versus centerfires? I'd worry about noise and muzzle flash on bigger calibers, but not having enough power for man stopping with small bores.
6. Multiple guns? At some point I realize I can't carry everything, yet I'm trying for a small tent, a sleeping bag, and 8 place setting of china if I can. You know what I mean...
7. I want to carry 50-100 rounds of ammo, which means each extra gun adds more weight for that as well.
As you can guess, every item added has an effect on what might NOT get packed. I'm open to reading from some informed sources, instead of the generic trash I've read on several so-called "survival sites". If you have good advice, experience or can steer me towards some good reading, I am willing to listen. Many thanks!

 

[the_leper_colony]

FWIW, here's a thread from a few months back, that has a lot of info & opinions that might (or might not) be applicable:

https://www.rugerforum.com/threads/survival-guns.303048/

 

[Dave P.]

Ok I'll bite a little bit. handgun for me would be a Glock 19. I think it will work and survive stuff that a revolver can't hope to.
Get it dirty, wet, drop it, throw it, step on it and it'll likely still work. Can carry several loaded mags a whole bunch easier than
loose rounds or speed loaders.
As far as actually "bugging out", nope probably not happening for me, although I do have a Jeep and know how to steal
most small airplanes and right now at least can run for 30-40 miles. Wouldn't want to have to do it with a 60 pound pack on, but
there are a few mules just down the road a ways and I suppose you could eat one after you "bugged out".
Of course I couldn't leave my wife behind so I'd end up renting/stealing a U-Hall anyway.

 

[eveled]

KelTec sub 2000 is a neat folding carbine fits in a pack easily. Compatible with popular handgun magazines. Seem to be readily available now. In the past they were tough to get.

 

[Johnnu2]

Geeze.... I thought I was prepared with a set of jumper cables, my old Navy issue blanket and a box of band-aids....

J.

 

[the_leper_colony]

Geeze.... I thought I was prepared with a set of jumper cables, my old Navy issue blanket and a box of band-aids....

...and a tire iron!

 

[Watchman]

KelTec sub 2000 is a neat folding carbine fits in a pack easily. Compatible with popular handgun magazines. Seem to be readily available now. In the past they were tough to get.

Agreed! They are available for use with Glock or Beretta magazines, and are reasonably accurate to 150 yards.

 

[black1970]

I’m staying put.

 

[Foundation Horse]

I live in my bug out location. However, I must travel for work................. My recommendation(s) for arm(s) would be a good bowie type knife, a Ruger Mark Series Pistol w/ spare mag(s) and a Mossberg Shockwave Shotgun w/ shortie shot shells.

 

[vito]

I'm too old to even think about "bugging out". I'm about as safe in my home as anywhere. The closest thing I have to a "bug out bag" is a 2 gallon sized plastic storage bag I keep in the motorcycle with a clean t-shirt, underwear, socks, tooth brush and toothpaste, hairbrush, and one day of my regular meds. Its not really for "bugging out" but for the possibility that when out for a long ride someday the weather or mechanical issue forces me to spend a night in a motel rather than heading for home. That little bag would make a night's stay more comfortable than waking up in the morning and having to wear sweaty underwear, shirt and socks for the ride home. And I always have at least my 642 when out for a ride or anything else out of my home.

 

[WanderLust]

Vito,
That's exactly what I had in mind. I just missed the blizzard in DC by two days, where the cars were stranded on I-95 for a day+ in blowing snow and ice. One guy died when he tried to walk home in dress clothes. I would have pulled the car away from the road and waited it out, since I had blankets, food, etc. In a more common scenario, the wife and I travel a good bit, and I will arrive at a motel and realize that I forgot something that doesn't really change my trip, but having a spare in my bag made the trip more comfortable. I just want the option to grab my backpack and leave the vehicle only if I had to, hence the need to have a self-contained and compact bag. That makes the issues of multiple guns a little more involved.

 

[kmoore]

When I think of a bug out kit. My priority with firearms is they must be readily available not packed away. Packed away, you likely will never get to it when needed if defense is against either a 2- or 4-legged attacker. Then the question is, would you be more likely to be attacked if carrying a long gun in your arms or slung vs looking like an unarmed person. I guess a lot of that would be your location.
As far as weight, I carry about 30 lbs when elk hunting and thats enough for me. Rifle, ammo, a knife or 2. Food/water, medical aid, extra clothes, radio and phone. I can't run fast or very long with the pack on. But hunting is about slow walking and stopping. When younger I backpacked for up to a week. Thats not possible anymore. Walking, I can do that with good shoes or boots on my feet. I did about a 15-mile hike elk hunting in 1 day just several years ago. It was fairly flat ground; not sure I could do that day after day.

 

[krw]

As far as I got in mine was a CZ Scorpion, G19, SOG Bowie, xtra mags, baby wipes, bx Nutty Bars and fresh pack ML’s!!

 

[Klondike Mike]

I'm bugging in. But if I were bugging out I'd be worried about ammo replenishment so only common calibers would go along. A reliable 9mm handgun, a reliable rimfire rifle, a reliable semi auto centerfire rifle in 5.56 or 7.62X39 and a 12 gauge pump shotgun. Actually you could probably get by with just the shotgun if it was always within reach. Here's my rifle choices for today anyway.

 

[blume357]

"couple of years ago", 2008 I think, it looked like we were going to have to run for it due to a serious ice storm and a massive tree was going to fall and come though our house... was not sure how far we were going to make it in the car but we got ready... packed the critters and some essentials.. which at that time included a Ruger P95 as well as one of my Police Carbines in 9mm (the original one).

As for now... well my infantry vest that sits by the door with all the survival gear now has a Sig MK25 (P226) chambered in 357 sig... but if I had the time for actual bugging out I would probably throw a 9mm upper in with two magazines....

 

[Feel the 'Pane]

When I filled the position in my toolbox labeled 'bug out' - I picked a stainless Taurus Judge in 45 Colt/410 shotgun.

I only picked it because I had a couple hundred rds of 410 on hand, and I found it had a superb sa/da trigger and didn't break the bank @ $500.

Another bonus (imo) is: it will shoot 45 auto-rim and .445 Webely (which I load).

 

[LuckenbachTexas]

A Glock Long-slide in 9mm per your limited specs if you are doing one gun. My opinion ain’t worth any more than anyone else's, and I’m sure my over 20 years Military experience around the world isn’t unique.

If I had two firearms, I’d find a used 12 gauge single shot that can take down with the barrel cut to legal length. This can pot any game and create havoc as a defensive weapon. I have one patterned after the M-79 I toted.

If you are toting MRE’s chunk them ! Small cans of beenie-weenie, Peanut M&M’s, and caffeine pills is where its at when you are on the run.

Also, I‘ve had more failure for various reasons with revolvers than semi-autos in my lifetime.

 

[GunnyGene]

Vito,
That's exactly what I had in mind. I just missed the blizzard in DC by two days, where the cars were stranded on I-95 for a day+ in blowing snow and ice. One guy died when he tried to walk home in dress clothes. I would have pulled the car away from the road and waited it out, since I had blankets, food, etc. In a more common scenario, the wife and I travel a good bit, and I will arrive at a motel and realize that I forgot something that doesn't really change my trip, but having a spare in my bag made the trip more comfortable. I just want the option to grab my backpack and leave the vehicle only if I had to, hence the need to have a self-contained and compact bag. That makes the issues of multiple guns a little more involved.

Be careful where you bug to. See my post about Arkabutla, MS today. Approx. 2% of the population was killed by one guy. It ain't just heavily populated areas you need to watch out for.

 

[BareBear42]

The choice of firearm may depend on the reason for bugging out. I'd probably choose differently if I was leaving because of a natural disaster as opposed to escaping a riot.

I've always kept in mind a lesson a survival instructor told me years and years ago, "A survival knife is the knife you have when you need it." I've always felt the same about a firearm, therefore, I don't leave home with an inadequate weapon. My bugout firearm is what I have with me when I need to bugout.

 

[turd]

When I clicked on this thread I thought it was going to be about those salt guns you shoot flies with.......

 

[Rumrunner]

I have 2 Ruger 9mm PC9s and a Security 9, all using the same magazines. Being a NATO round ammo should be easier to find.

But for me, in my Bug-Out bag is my 10/22 take-down, over 500 rounds of 22LR ammo, my LCR in 22, two flashlights, two knives, and 8 magazines. The TD bag has shoulder straps for back packing.

In my truck I carry a bag of cold weather clothes, lights, candles, knives and hatchets.

If I ever actually have to get out, I'd put my Tracker 500 on the trailer with spare gas cans and hit it.

 

[bigbillyboy]

My choice for a bug out gun would be a ruger 10/22.

 

[bowzette]

I’m staying put.

Yep. I'm 77 and have had my share of health issues. Over the years I've got bit by the survival bug a few times but not seriously. Each time I think through all the items needed- way beyond just guns and ammo. I always reached the same conclusion-"screw it I'm far too lazy". And at 77 dealing with what body parts will fall off today my enthusiasm has diminished even more. Think I will stick with the Alamo Defense-AR 556, 9mm Glocks, Sub 2000 MSeries, lots of .22s, and plenty of ammo for all. Take out as many as I can and hopefully found under a pile of brass. I am missing a shotgun and have been thinking about one, but my back is fused from T4-S1 and I've had major rotator cuff surgery with pins hold the tendon in my right shoulder-a bit leery of shotguns.

 

[ole442]

I don't know how far you're going to bug out to but every town (small or large) and every bridge over another road or river will be a possible choke point/check point by other armed individuals. I have friends and relatives in country areas between 45 minutes and two hours away that would be ideal over my home in the suburb BUT, I'd have to get to them. Every mile farther from home is one more chance closer to getting stopped, robbed and killed so I'll be staying right where I am. I'll take my chances with known terrain and possible types of people encounters. I had a guy I worked with who said he'd head to his relatives in Tennessee (from Ohio). I brought up the problem with possible choke point/check points and said unless you were ready to go in an instant, the odds of getting there would be astronomical.
I had concerns years ago about what to do. Plus, I have a lot of storage "things" for the long haul that I'd need a good sized trailer to carry. Some folks will move in motorhome and truck with trailers and that will just advertise that you have stuff and supplies you have.....and you'll get stopped or run out of gas in inevitable traffic jams. I know the concept of bug out is just one or a few people making their way on foot with minimal gear. Most folks of families will not do that. Kids and the elderly won't last long! I'll stay right here and take my chances of being able to outlast the "scumbags" with the help of a few relatives and trusted neighbors. Only have to wait until the masses die of starvation or kill each other.
I read the whole series of 11 "Going Home" books by Angery American and it reenforced the things that can happen in a SHTF scenario.
As far as a shotgun question in the original post, a KSG full of mini slugs or shotshells gives you a fairly accurate compact self-protection shotgun. My carry gun on my hip and maybe a hand cannon in a rig to get attention and the rest close at hand in my home! I have a bad back that would slow my movement down.
Let's hope it doesn't come to that, but it doesn't look good to me! Not what I hoped for in retirement!

 

[ole442]

Yep. I'm 77 and have had my share of health issues. Over the years I've got bit by the survival bug a few times but not seriously. Each time I think through all the items needed- way beyond just guns and ammo. I always reached the same conclusion-"screw it I'm far too lazy". And at 77 dealing with what body parts will fall off today my enthusiasm has diminished even more. Think I will stick with the Alamo Defense-AR 556, 9mm Glocks, Sub 2000 MSeries, lots of .22s, and plenty of ammo for all. Take out as many as I can and hopefully found under a pile of brass. I am missing a shotgun and have been thinking about one, but my back is fused from T4-S1 and I've had major rotator cuff surgery with pins hold the tendon in my right shoulder-a bit leery of shotguns.

bowzette:
Look into the Kel Tec KSG with a full load of mini shells. Effective and the recoil isn't bad. Very compact shotgun. They also make low recoil 2 3/4 shells in 12 gauge that are good. Once you get the hang of the racking of the KSG it's a sweet little thumper with a high capacity!

I like your term "Alamo Defense"!

 

[Jimbo357mag]

In the last 10 years how many people on the forum have had to 'Bug-Out' with their families to escape something. My biggest real fear would be a tornado or hurricane but not some political upheaval. I would rather die defending my home than to jump in a car or truck to escape a doomsday extinction. Otherwise I could just load up a cooler along with some blankets and pillows and put it in the car and maybe go to a motel with some cash and credit cards in my wallet. My gun would be an SP-101 for concealed carry and a box of ammo.

...So why did any of you bug-out????

 

[Jack Ryan]

All I buy are bug out, bug in, edc, hiking, bear, mountain lion, bedroom guns. If I wouldn't carry it for any one of those I wouldn't want it period.

 

[KIR]

When I clicked on this thread I thought it was going to be about those salt guns you shoot flies with.......

Like this one?

 

[harley08]

Depending on the situation
My
Mean Pit Bull - Brutis
Mean GSD - Rocko
12ga semi auto "Nomix' shotgun
12ga short barrel shotgun - Ithaca stake out
.357 S&W revolver
Ruger 38 Spc. revolver
Sig 226 9mm - .15rd + 1 - 20rd mag
Sig 365 9mm
Taurus .410 / .45 LC
Suppressed Ruger pistol
Suppressed Ruger 10/22
Ruger 5.56 / 300k rifle with .556 Suppressor
Ruger 308 scoped with suppressor
Colt M16a1
My .308 Sniper Rifle w/ double set trigger
Plenty of ammo

 

[rwp315]

Ok I'll bite a little bit. handgun for me would be a Glock 19. I think it will work and survive stuff that a revolver can't hope to.
Get it dirty, wet, drop it, throw it, step on it and it'll likely still work. Can carry several loaded mags a whole bunch easier than
loose rounds or speed loaders.
As far as actually "bugging out", nope probably not happening for me, although I do have a Jeep and know how to steal
most small airplanes and right now at least can run for 30-40 miles. Wouldn't want to have to do it with a 60 pound pack on, but
there are a few mules just down the road a ways and I suppose you could eat one after you "bugged out".
Of course I couldn't leave my wife behind so I'd end up renting/stealing a U-Hall anyway.

I agree on the Glock19, even being a 1911 shooter for 50 years. Maybe a 26 as additional, as it uses the same mags as a 17.

Second, you can maintain or repair yourself for the most part. Parts availability is great and some parts are interchangeable with similar sized Glocks. Over 60% of US law enforcement and military world wide use Glocks.

Third, you could get a .22 conversion for the 19 ( not another 4473) and keep the 26 in 9mm.