Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.
I'm back from travelling, which always seems to spur me to make apost about how I need to have dedicated travelling guns. Why? Because it is not unrealistic to suppose that it is possible you could wind up getting caught in a Katrina-type situation and be on your own for a few days…and while its true you can live without water for three days there are some times where you wont live more than three hours without a gun.
The criteria? Pretty simple:
Common caliber, if possible, to streamline supply and resupply
Arms must be compact enough to fit in small case
Must be affordable to the point that their loss isnt a disaster
In a perfect world, it would be an AK and a Glock. But, cheap Glocks are still $400 and a decent AK is about $350~…more for a folder. Add the logistics headache of two different calibers, two types of magazines, and the possibility of getting caught in the wrong place with an 'assault rifle' and we move on to another choice…
Glock and KelTec carbine or Ruger pistol and Ruger carbine. Better choices. Requires only one type of ammo, one type of magazine. Drawbacks are the calibers….40 & 9mm. Plus the Ruger autos are cheap but the Ruger carbine isnt. And we still have the 'expensive' Glock. The KelTecs ability to fold in half has alot of appeal though.
So after much thought, I figured the way to go is a Marlin .357 and a Smith .357 (or Ruger…them Ruger guns are built like tanks). Cheap enough to assemble the package for less than $500. Caliber gives me two different chances at scrounging ammo (.357 & .38 spl.), the .357 has good stoping power, the removal of the stock makes transport of the Marlin easy. Add a ghost ring sight, sling, a pile of speedloaders for the Smith and youre good to go. The major drawback, obviously, is the limited speed of a lever action. Tradeoffs. Why not .44 carine and pistol? Certainly better terminal performance but ammo is harder to scrounge and weighs more. Yes, I could get an autoloader .44 in the Ruger but the magazines only hold 4 rounds and there are no 'hi-caps' for them.
If someone made 25-rd mags for the Ruger 10/22 Magnum (or .17 HMR) it might actually make decent choice.
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Lessons learned on this trip:
- Have some plastic zip ties/cable ties in your bag. They were very handy for an impromptu repair to my duffel bag in the airport.
- FRS radios are mighty handy – I waited at the luggage carousle while the brought the truck around. Coordination. It was like Princess Gate, it went so smooth.
- An Altoids tin, lined with bubble wrap will hold 6 AA-batts. good way to keep spares for the FRS and other items. Interstingly, TSA didnt have a cow about how it appeared on their x-ray machine. Oh, and line the tin with pbubble wrap because otherwise you'll discover that those tins will conduct electricity and short out your batts.
- Double- and then triple-check your carry on for 'things you shouldnt take through security'. Seriously.
- Always carry a bottle of water, some kleenex, and a book.
