A design towards a pistol for scarcity apocalypses.
Imagine a Mad Max-style apocalypse. One where you will have to carry everything you own. Where you will not have much ammo of your own, but will be scavenging rounds from fallen opponents and ruins. It is important that your gun be robust and not have parts that can get lost. Speed of fire is less important at this point, your opponents will be similarly limited on ammunition. Muzzleloaders, crossbows and the occasional revolver will be your most likely opposition.
While I still believe the single action revolver (specifically Ruger's Blackhawk Convertible) has much merit in cases like this, there is a choice that would be lighter and more adaptable. Imagine a single shot pistol with interchangeable barrels. Much like the Heizer derringer, but with a barrel lengths standard at 8" and optional at 4", 6" and 12". The barrels would be all of the same outside diameter, all threaded alike (with an optional muzzle-brake that can host a suppressor). The barrels would have a dovetailed barrel band for the front sight and a dovetailed rear sight so that end users could install their favorite style of sights if they don't care for the sights provided. Rather then the double action trigger of the Heizer, a single action rebounding hammer firing mechanism would be used for better control. Rather then the integrated flat grip, there would be a mounting post for a variety of grips or even a buttstock.
The barrels would be available in the common calibers, 22LR, 32 ACP, 9mm (380 compatibility a bonus if the ejector can manage it) 45 ACP, 357 magnum with 38 special, 45 colt/410 shotgun, and even the Heizer crazy calibers of 223 and 7.62x39mm. The muzzlebrake and suppressor would both be bored for 45 caliber bullets so that they can be used for all available calibers.
This would provide a light, small (in terms of belt space, no more burdensome then a big knife) accurate pistol you could fight with. It'd be strong enough for close combat blows, powerful enough for self-defense and accurate enough for hunting. Based on current prices you could sell it for around $300 a copy with barrels being something like $150 each.
Ideally you could have an extractor/ejector that accepts both rimmed and rimless cartridges, giving you 1 barrel for all 357 caliber rounds (380, 38 Special, 9mm, 357 Magnum) and one barrel for 45 caliber rounds (45 ACP, 40 Colt, 410 shotgun).
Single action revolvers are simple repeating firearms that are easy to maintain and tolerant of black powder or smokeless loads. A set of 3 single action revolvers with pairs of cylinders in .22LR/.22magnum rimfire, .357Magnum/9mm and .45Colt/45ACP would provide the ability to fire the most common calibers to be found. Small enought to carried all on the same gunbelt with the .22 being a game-getting tool and the other 2 serving as combat or big game uses.
As a simple emergency backup firearm, the tiny revolver serves as a 5 shot small game hunting gun also the size and weight of a large knife. Beyond the factory configuration, this gun needs a larger, custom grip. Any of the versions with large and clear sights and a longer barrel serve to provide veloicty and legible sight picture to make reliable hits.
Muzzleloading revolvers or single shot pistols can also be hunting or self-defense. The advantage here is that bullets and powder can be carried loose and take up less space. However, Any muzzleloader will need customized sights and a lot of practice as loading and shooting to get acceptable accuracy. It also doesn't allow the use of scavanged smokeless ammunition.
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