In 1942, the world was crazy.
Americans were struggling out of the great depression, Japan, Germany and Italy were on the move, Spain Manchuria, Poland, Singapore and the Soviet Union were a mess.
In the US, WW1 vets and sportsmen were armed, of course, for hunting but also for security.
Many surplus Springfield rifles were in civilian hands plus venerable 1894 Winchesters as well as a plethora of shotguns and handguns to not only keep hooligans at bay, but also boogeymen—saboteurs, invading armies, etc…
Making things more interesting was that ammunition wasn’t being manufactured for the civilian market.
What your Grandpa had on hand during the attack on Pearl Harbor likely was what he had for the next four years, no more no less.
There are stories of hunters who only had a partial box of rifle cartridges or shotgun shells for hunting throughout the war years.
Here’s an interesting thought: if you lived in 1942, what vintage firearms would you have on hand considering money would be tight, and you likely wouldn’t be expecting another World War (WW1 put an end to those, remember?)
Then, what firearms would you maintain today, considering that the world has become a crazy place again complete with Chinese Spy balloons, Al-Quaeda, Putin’s Wagner Group, and all the rest of the bad actors running amuck?,
Lets keep it real, this is to be your own stuff, not outfitting a SEAL team.
This. Practical choice with 1911 pistol.
In 2023, it would still be a 1911 but any plastic fantastic in 9mm, particularly a Glock or S&W Shield would work too.
And an evil black AR-15 in .223/5.56
Just perhaps, you’re going to see it all again very soon. While Trump is the big news right now look at all the things happening that are being ignored…
I have learned to lean my head out and look around the sensational 
From 1928 world war II. Thompson submachine gun. Will go real well with my 1911 s
A 13.9 inch ADM UIC (AR15 type “rifle” .223 Wylde chamber) with a Surefire SOCOM 556 Mini-2, Steiner DBAL D2, Modlit PLH-V2, and EOTech EXPS3 paired with a bump helmet mounted PVS-14 thin film white phosphor and a JPC 2.0 with RMA ceramic rifle rated (through M80 ball or 5.56 55gr/62gr green tip) plates
Have you seen The Man in the High Castle? Very educational as they show methods of successful invasion of the US in the 1940s. Some of the things are dubious, like the US surrendering after 1 nuclear strike, others, like mustard gas and food shortage make civilians compliant with the enemy.
Love it but a little disappointed with the ending.
It was based on a book so those who read it could say,
“I know how it ends. We won!” 
Merrick B. Garland called, and he wants to know if you belong to the PTA.
My wife probably does since she has been room mom for both kids at one time or another. Not really sure what our school’s PTA does these days that’s more her arena to keep up on
Yes. It was a really good show, but the ending left much to be desired.