Most modern guns are more reliable and accurate than most people give them credit for.
Even the cheaper options are better than were available 50 years ago, with a few caveats.
Modern autos are capable of firing volumes of Ammo that were unheard of a hundred years ago.
This does include modern, properly built versions of older designs.
Bluntly, find a design that you like, that has a good reputation and will do what you need.
Me, I look at the situation in two ways. Short term and long term.
Short term is anything from an immediate life threatening situation out to @15 years.
Why that time frame? Because it covers everything from the immediate to the potential lifespan of certain firearms in my experience.
For this, almost any of the “service” size polymer frame guns qualify.
After the 15 year anniversary, I’ll be honest, I become more skeptical of the lifespan of the polymer.
I have personally seen frames with cracks around the 20 year mark, so being cautious I start paying attention around the 15 year mark.
My current Glock is 23 years old, and gets inspected every time it’s shot.
It’s a Bic lighter to me, disposable when used up.
Now long term, we change things up a bit. My preference runs to the 1911 pistol, properly built. Having built and rebuilt a good number of these, I have seen older guns shot to ruin fairly quickly, under 10,000 rounds. Unlike other designs one can rebuild and tighten the 1911 up but eventually the older guns are done.
Contrast that with changes made in the ’80’s in metallurgy and hardening, the guns will now keep going with only parts replacement normally.
I had a .38 Super race gun that I acquired used and put at least 125,000 rounds through before the barrel was completely destroyed. I rebarreled it and it’s still going strong today in the hands of its third owner.
With a handful of parts, a 1911 can serve for generations.
Another read I prefer the 1911, its versatility.
I can shoot powder puff loads through it, snake shot, heavy hunting loads and whiz bang defense loads, with mere recoil spring changes in some cases.
Part of the versatility comes from the ease of making accurate ammo, the 9 and .40 cartridges are more finicky with what they will shoot well (handloads).
Looking at what CA is doing regarding ammo, as well as other places, I want to be able to make my own ammo if needed, and have it be effective in its worst version.
9mm is good with modern powders and bullets, but step back 50 years in technology and it becomes a lesser choice.
The .45 in its worst form is still a proven option. No war stories here, just reality.
So enough bs, personally I like my SHTF choices to have a .400″ bullet or larger.
I will make an exception for the .357 Magnum but I don’t have one right now.
Put ammo back now if you can, it’s not going to get cheaper and post-SHTF you don’t want to be trying to find it.
It will likely be available for a large tariff, and more than a little risk. Better to just have enough put back to not worry about it.
I’ll post my scratchings about ammo in another thread.
Handguns, buy what you like and move on to something important .