Ranking Handgun Value in a Zombie Apocalypse

While I appreciate the help, and don't mean to discourage or put you down in anyway, the "commonly accepted" standard for Zombies is based on a book - Max Brooks' Zombie Survival Guide - (and also World War Z, which is being made into a film next year - so you guys will cover it then ). Those sorts of Zombies are infected/saturated by what is basically a super-alpha sort of virus. It is somehow so toxic, no other life can withstand any contact with it - even the microscopic stuff that decomposes organic tissue. In this way, and in keeping the zombie more solid altogether (for example, their wounds barely splatter, everything just clumps together like old jam), an undead, infected Zombie can survive for 5-10 years before it breaks down enough to be immobilized.

Besides, I'm no forensics expert, but I think before a skull naturally decomposes to the point of brittleness, it has to be dead for many months. That's not a safe assumption for all zombies one might come into contact with.

So yeah, I'm the authority on the fictional, useless half of this debate. I really rock. . Also, I have a father was was a cop, and actually saw a man get shot in the head with a .22 (probably normal or short) from about a car length away, and it just lodged in the man's skull, doing no physical brain damage. So that would be bad against a zombie.

[Spartan198]

Gimme a Beretta 92 or Springfield XD-9 instead of that .22 LR crap. Both have penetration (stopping power would be kind of irrelevant) and high mag capacity.

[Yournamehere]

I've been trying to put my own Zombie Weapons Tier onto paper for a long time, sheerly because Max Brooks missed a LOT in his book as far as firearms go......edited.....but I will have you know that you are using images from imfdb that MPM2008 made, and unless you have his permission, he's gonna be pissed when he finds out.

Wow. Great stuff. Totally using this info. Thanks guys. Anyone else? No votes of confidence for 9mm glocks or Sig Sauers?

Totally agree with handguns being a poor primary weapon. We make note of that in other places, but some of the editors really seem to want to get to the bottom of the "best zombie killing handgun" discussion. ::shrugs::.

[Yournamehere]

In the end, a 9mm is a 9mm is a 9mm. What makes the gun better or best is what is available for it that isn't for others. If you do plan on using my information, I'd appreciate it if you cited me as well as show me where you post it.

Originally Posted by Yournamehere

I've been trying to put my own Zombie Weapons Tier onto paper for a long time, sheerly because Max Brooks missed a LOT in his book as far as firearms go.

Hey, if you ever do get around to it, we'd love to have it on zombie.wikia.com. We get decent traffic, especially on all searches for anything Max Brooks related. I'm known as Philodox on that wiki, so hit me up if you need anything there. Cheers.

[Yournamehere]

My only problem with finishing it is that I need decent pictures and none of my friends are willing to draw for me a uniform set of images. I've scoured the internet for good ones but the only set I can find that I like are MPMs, which are off limits. Again, please cite me and show me where it ends up too, I can't strees that enough. My AIM address is ynh1911a1 too if you have any other questions.

[Excalibur]

I've gotta say, I don't really like the gun suggestions from Brook's Zombie survival guide. I read that guide and he really doesn't like the M16 and saids it jams a lot. Obviously the writer knows nothing about firearms in general. I'd take these recommendations with a grain of sand.

[Yournamehere]

My thoughts exactly. I can't argue much with tactics as I am not a master tactical planner, but I know a thing or two about firearms, which is a thing or two more than his book illustrates.

[Spartan198]

Originally Posted by Excalibur

I've gotta say, I don't really like the gun suggestions from Brook's Zombie survival guide. I read that guide and he really doesn't like the M16 and saids it jams a lot. Obviously the writer knows nothing about firearms in general.

No, he did absolutely zero research, such as shown by him ranking the M1 carbine (which you'd be hard-pressed to find ammo for) so high.

An AR-15 rifle or carbine would be an ideal weapon due to it being accurate with light recoil, lots of readily-available aftermarket parts to enhance performance and accuracy, and readily-available ammunition. Jamming likely wouldn't be much of a problem unless you're laying out full suppression fire, which anyone hoping to survive Z-Day wouldn't do if he/she had any common sense.

This would be my ideal configuration.


Long range and CQB in one handy machine.