I'm looking to assemble 4 dedicated bags with change of clothes , a little dry food, and the other odds and ends along with a pistol. I want all 4 to be close to the same if not exactly the same. Have to be 22lr , I'm stuck between either 4 Taurus tx 22s or 4 22lr lightweight revolvers , budget max of 300 per gun. 2 bags for adults, two bags for kids 11+. One kid is good to go with training/handling, the other is getting there.

What say the knowledge group?

Tx 22

22lr revolvers

Or something I didn't think of

Well, since it's for something where you feel your life might depend on it I wouldn't pick a Taurus anything. I know you said 22, but I would start looking at used Glock 19s, or maybe a Ruger security nines or something along those lines. Either one maybe a little over your budget, but that's what I would do.

If you're stuck on a 22, maybe those Ruger Wrangler revolvers

But I wouldn't Taurus, and I wouldn't charter arms

This is more of a supplemental role, all the cars have 9mm in them, if something happens at home there are many options. This is going to be the backup , or back up to the back up. not a front line role in anyway

Then I got to double down on my Glock 19 approach. You've already got 9 mm everywhere so you have commonality of ammunition. If you had all Glock 19s their mags could interchange, maybe even with the 9mm you have in the house. If you had to grab your bag and had nothing else, you would have 9 mm which is the most ubiquitous ammo there is, in a Glock which is a gun with the most ubiquitous magazines there are, and if you had the 19 you could use Glock 17 mags which are the same as what most law enforcement in the nation uses. So ammo and mag availability and interchangeability are at basically the highest possible. Good luck

I think I would go with the revolver option.

Aside from the firearm, I's highly suggest adding some items for a trauma (not just first aid) kit; tourniquet, non-sticking gauze, burn cream, blood clotting bleed kit.

Rjh1 , I gotcha. My Main system (cars/house/etc) is all g19 & 17. I'll consider it, but I really don't see myself doing that for the BOBs. Im thinking weight, handling for the kid that needs more training, etc when I put it together in my head. Lightweight revolver with 100rds of 22 is pretty low impact on overall weight of pack (in my head anyway, I need to build one and put it on the scale)


Korean redneck - wife is an ex nurse, got the med items covered

What do you anticipate the use will be of this bug out bag gun? Is it to shoot your way through a hostile crowd as you flee? Or is it to procure food once you get to your bug out location?

In either case, are you sure the 22 lr pistol is the right tool for the job?

I anticipate this to be more of a survival/food procurement tool, not a defensive tool. But that being said, if I was in the sh!t and only had a 22, it would be better than having nothing

Personally I think the idea of a bug out bag/“bugging out” is a waste. Time and money would be better spent fortifying a strong immediate surrounding community and securing a decent amount of resources for sustainability and trade. If you’re in a location that isn’t feasible, maybe change that.

I agree about the fortification and prepping at home and I've been working that angle too. But I like to cover lots of bases.

You live in Gordon. You are already pretty bugged out.

Gordon is too big, plan on going more remote after kids get out of school

Do you feel the same for the guy that has to live in the city for school/work reasons, but also has a place well outside of town with supplies, fortification, fish and game, and a well? All he has to do is get there.

I think by the time a person feels they’d need a “bug out bag”, they are too late. The likelihood of getting out of said city is highly unlikely. Did we all soon forget how easily transportation in said metro areas is stopped? All it takes is a few dozen people and a handful of drivers whom couldn’t live with themselves as they are drug out of said cars for stopping. You think you’re going to huck it by foot with wife and kids in tow? Further, what makes you think in a situation like this your unprotected resources in said “bug out location” won’t be pillaged by the time you may or may not get there?

Not saying I’m right, just my opinion.

I think "prepping" is like taking a lot of martial arts - there's research that shows people that just fight like hell, with zero training, actually do better against an attacker than folks that pause to think about their "moves". Situational awareness. Protect what's yours. Know when to gather stuff. "Adapt and overcome." Out.

But...I do so hope this grows legs.

I fail to see the connections between being prepared for a disaster or societal break down as the same to being in a street fight and thinking about karate.

I believe it's called "thinking about things too much."

I think before you can answer the "what" you need to answer the "where". If you have nowhere in particular to go you'd be better off at home fortifying, like has been said. But if I was going to build one of these, it'd have a water filtration device, a field book of native edible plants, some calorie dense food that doesnt take up much space (think peanut butter), fire starter, one change of clothes, compass, map, little bit of 550 cord, good knife, small med kit and a poncho liner. If you're set on a .22, I'd prefer a takedown rather than a pistol. All of this would easily fit in a 3 day pack with a couple hundred rounds of ammo.

Again, if you have nowhere to go but potentially wander around someone else's property that they are protecting, it'd probably do more harm than good. Guess you could head down to the local lake/creek/river, where I am sure everyone else will be.

Get bags long enough for Ruger 10/22 takedowns to fit in. A rifle in a survival situation is so much better than a handgun.

Cooper always said "A pistol is to fight your way to a rifle." Sound advice.

Was going to suggest the same. 10/22 take downs all around.

Keep it light ,keep it ready , rest easy

How reliable will a dirty, cheap, rimfire be vs a dirty cheap revolver? Say… two years into not being cleaned.


If you’re being honest about “bugging out”, get the revolver.

This was my thinking for toward revolver, reliability and no magazine to loose/break

A cheap 22 revolver vs a ruger takedown. Theres no question which one I'd trust more. Whatever your target is, also factor in how accurate said sub $300 22 revolver will be. Doesnt matter how reliable it may (or may not) be if you cant hit a rabbit or a squirrel at 20 yds. But now we're really getting into the weeds, assuming youve been on this excursion for 2 years.