If you could only buy one Handgun?

a year ago i think the answer might have been "sig p226" or "cz75b," but given the current ammo situation, i'd say a 1911 becomes more appealing, or something that shoots a less in-demand round, like a makarov.

my answer is biased toward autoloaders, though.
 
I have been leaning towards a Glock.

For Range
Home defense
and Carry
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Here you go; G26. It'll take care of all the above with aplomb. If you want a little bigger, go G19.

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I like the Glock 19 second generation guns. The third gen finger grooves crowd my fingers. Not a problem on the larger 17/22 size third gens.
 
I'd go with a medium-barreled .357 magnum. Good for home defense, concealable if need be, fun at the range, and can be used for hunting too. It has a very wide range of power.

Specific handguns I'd be happy with are a 4" GP100, a model 620, or a 5" model 60. I'd add a model 386 to the list if it came with a longer barrel.
 
I would go with a Glock 19 as it is good for all of those uses. I have one and it is my everything gun. I actually like the fingergrooves too as I have a more firm grip on the gun, but try it first to see if you like it.
 
I'd have a hard time choosing between an auto and a revolver.

Revolver:
Ruger SP101 3" .357
Pros: Rugged, powerful, can shoot a variety of loads w/ not fear of malfunction, easy to conceal
Cons: Only 5-shot capacity, Trigger needs some break-in

Auto:
GLock 36 .45acp
Pros: powerful, reliable, easy to conceal, easily reloaded, shoots well & accurate
Cons: Only 6-round mags

OR

1911
Pros: powerful, easy to find parts, dependable, good sight radius & accuracy
Cons: Large to conceal


Luckily, I already have 2 of these, and plan to add the Sp101 soon! :cool:
 
Hm, this is tough. Of the handguns I have it boils down to my Springfield Loaded 1911 or my Ruger P-89.

A couple of months ago it would have been the 1911 hands down, and it still is my favorite pistol, but the facts are the 9mm is a heck of a lot cheaper to shoot. I don't feel inadequately protected with the P-89 with either a 15 or 20 shot mag on board. So for practicality, and economics, I would pick the P-89.
 
My immediate thought is: a 3" barrel S&W K frame in .357 Magnum. That is, if by "carry" you are talking about concealed carry. If open carry, then I'd go with an easier to find 4" S&W 686.

The (no longer in production) K frame is a smaller, easier to conceal package. The heavier, longer barrel L frame will make for a better range piece.

Note that a 4" Ruger GP-100 is a lower cost, acceptable substitute for the 686.
 
My choice would be a Springfield XD sub compact in 9MM or .40 cal. I carry one 99.9% of the time and I carry a S&W M&P compact 9MM the other 1% of the time.
 
The 1911 is a great gun, but it may not be ideal in this case. It's kind of a complicated gun to get used to, external safties, decocking levers
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-jgcoastie (Emphasis by AZAK)

When thinking de-cocking levers Sig feature, sometimes Ruger, comes to mind. None of my 1911s over the years have had a de-cocking lever. Although Colt did make one: Double Eagle (but it could be debated whether or not this was a 1911 pistol).

And I agree with your 10mm enthusiasm. My favorite CCW has been a G29 for about the last eight years.

A number of manufacturers make a 1911 in 10mm: Colt, SA, Kimber, Fusion, Dan Wesson...

I personally can not think of a better combo than 10mm in 1911 for great shooting.

With that said, I still carry my G29 far more often than a 1911 in 10mm or .45ACP, so that would be my choice.
 
Posted By: MrBorland
if limited to one, I'd want a versatile and reliable gun, and IMO, there's nothing more versatile than a service-sized .357 magnum revolver. A 4" S&W L-frame would be a terrific HD, range and even competition (e.g. IDPA) gun, but harder to carry. A 3" k-frame could do everything the 4" L-frame can do (though 3" k-frames with adjustable sights are very rare), but would be easier to carry.
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I agree.

Biker
 
If I could only have one it'd be a 9mm. If $ isn't an issue then I'd go with a Glock 19. Otherwise it'd be hard to beat a Ruger P95.
 
I'd buy a Browning Hi-Power in .40 S&W -- and a conversion barrel to 9mm.

I have a BHP I really like, but the Hi-Power, alas, isn't really cut out for the hot personal defense loads, being built around 9mm Para instead of 9mm NATO. I'm told that the .40 cal HP's have a heavier slide and recoil spring, which make it suitable for +P 9mm, given the right barrel.

The stock fixed sights don't seem great (mine are adjustable, which I don't actually like on a handgun, esp. if you're not a competition shooter, and I'm not), there are some concerns with regards to hammer bite, it's got a mag disconnect I dislike and mags don't drop free ... but it's also the only pistol I've got I'd buy two of, and some or all of those problems can be fixed at home or with a trip to a decent gunsmith.
 
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