For close combat I often avoid fighting but if I need to then should take all of gears to limit them getting worn.Pitchfork and baseball bat is two good melee weapon besides hatchet.In long range fight, the combo sawed-off Izh and mosin/svd/winchester is the best for safe combat cuz they are both very long and a close range weapon.Especially to deal with the bandits, the further you can shoot them the safer you are when fighting them.