On Nov 26, 8:13*pm, Dana M. Hague wrote:
On Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:59:28 -0800 (PST), "

wrote:
The purpose of such a weapon was not defense but a means of feeding
yourself....last night I stumbled upon what
may be a suitable substitute: *A black-powder pistol. *(!??)

There are some pretty significant disadvantages as well. *Reloading
takes time, bad weather can be a problem (the old expression "keep
your powder dry" isn't just an expression), and the knockdown/stopping
power is considerably less than a modern weapon. *Then there's the
risk of chain fires if you don't slob grease over the loads.

If I'm in a survival situation, I want a gun that I can reload in a
driving rain, and KNOW that it will fire.

There are other handguns that can fire shot shells. *Shot shells are
available in various pistol caliber sizes, and there are revolvers and
derringers that chamber both .45 Colt and .410 shotgun shells.

I still hold to a .22 as probably the best survival rifle. *Not much
stopping power for large game (though the world record black bear was
taken with a .22!), but it's great for the small game that's more
likely to keep you fed, and _lots_ of ammo doesn't weigh much.

-Dana

--
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
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