corrsk wrote:I've been thinking for a while as I slowly build up my ammo stock pile. What I am thinking is that a pistol would be far superior to a rifle in a big out where you had to travel on foot for a long distance.
Forgetting the pros to having a rifle I want to point out my thought process as far as going pistol only.
1 more compact
2 easy to conceal
I wouldn't think so much along the lines of "more" and "easy," but rather as a binary: is a rifle even an option? I don't carry often (I'm a college professor and when I'm not working, I'm probably planning on having a beer, so a firearm isn't usually part of my day), but when I do, it's a pistol, because I don't want to do my grocery shopping or whatever with a slung rifle. So I carry a pistol. Because a rifle isn't an option. For a bugout on foot when things weren't looking especially violent, I'd probably do the same.
3 generally cheaper for a quality handgun
4 ammo is cheaper depending on caliber
Basically true. You can get a used Glock 19 for $400. 9mm ammo is as cheap as anything else viable. A holster, a few mags, and a mag pouch are about all you need...well, okay. Night sights and a light are good to have. But yes, a pistol setup is way cheaper than a rifle setup.
5 if you choose a large caliber for example a 10mm it can also serve as a decent hunting round as long as you are proficient with it.
6 on the other end of the spectrum a .22 can also be a decent hunting round for small game.
I don't have any real experience hunting, but it seems like a pistol that can be used to defend yourself against humans could be used to take something like a stupid deer that lets you get really close to it. I'd feel pretty good taking a shot at a deer with a pistol at 35 yards; much longer and I'd really be wishing for a rifle.
A .22 rifle or pistol, or an airgun, would be great for squirrels, birds, etc. A shotgun with the right loads would be, too, but then you've got to carry a shotgun.
7 significantly lighter than a rifle. For example my Glock 34 with 5 loaded mags is lighter than my AR empty
Yup.
If you on the move on foot I truly think a pistol is the way to go. Even 2 pistols. A 22 for hunting small game and a larger caliber for self defense would still be lighter and more compact than one rifle.
I can see it. A defensive pistol (I'd go Glock 19 but there are of course lots of other options) in your usual, quick-access position, which could also be used to take medium-sized animals if you get close enough, and a .22 in some other pretty accessible position (cross draw holster, maybe?) for opportunistically taking small game. Again, get pretty close.
This is just my train of thought you can agree or disagree.
There are many merits to a rifle the primary benefit being long range accuracy.
Most who plan on bugging out intend to drive as far as they can. If that's the case we all know we will be fully loaded. However should the worst happen it is wise to have a plan based on the situation. How far you still have to go. The event that caused you to bug out. Potential dangers.
Everything is situational.
It's good to have options. If you're expecting a gunfight, bring...well, artillery and air support, if you've got it. Failing that, a rifle and a lot of friends with rifles. But yeah, if you've got a lot of ground to cover on foot, and nobody's shooting yet, I can see the merits of the pistol setup you suggest.
I will say that the "long bugout on foot" situation is pretty unlikely. But then, so is getting into a big ol gunfight.