First 'Op' I went on included a Jungle Survival course. The staff were PEdO and PJIs. Apart from getting us to use the rudimentary treescape (watching the nylon cord melt before your eyes and 50 feet up), they had a recommended selection of 'must have' items such as a flint and steel, needle nose pincers, condoms, etc all, oddly enough available in the little shop in the coffee bar, they also recommended a .38 revolver, only £20.
I guess it was what is known as the Saturday Night Special in the States. I don't think any of us bought one but there it was - official recommendation and easy to acquire. How would that have stood up in UK later?