If you could only buy one Handgun?

For Range
Home defense
and Carry
Click to expand...

The answer to this one depends A LOT on what you want to do at the range and how well you can conceal a handgun. Often those three purposes are mutually exclusive.

What do you intend to do at the range? If you are just blasting at 7-10 yards a carry gun might do. I don't like doing that with my Mod 36, but then I don't try to carry my full-size handguns either. Sounds to me like you need more than one. I'll suggest a .22lr pistol for the range. Get a lot of ammo to put through it honing your skills and then get a centerfire pistol in .38, .357, 9mm or .45acp for ammo availability and then start practicing again. I'm in the camp that believes handguns are marginal for home defense and suggest a 20" shotgun in 12 or 20 gauge for that.

So my short answer for the "only one pistol" question is a quality .22lr pistol. Ruger, Browning, and S&W all make good examples.
 
"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"

Ditto.

In a single handgun choice, the cartridge would be the determining factor. If I had to do it all with one cartridge it would be the old master, the still powerful .357. I have several handguns, from .22 to .45ACP to .44RM and love them all. But IF I was limited to just ONE, it would be a good S&W 357 4" and adjustable sights, with Pachmyer grips. Certainly not any auto loader.
 
a perfect carry piece

well guys love or hate the glock 23 is the standard from which tactial weapons are judged. I have 23 and 27 are completey happy with them.
i like taurus too. They get a bad rap but people are comeing around.
 
Wow, amny more questions. How many people using it for defense in the home, range of shooter experience etc. I have numerous guns, first of all it needs to fit ones hand and point naturally. Secondly, you need a caliber that you or others using it can handle the recoil of. Third, you need to be able to afford to practice with it and different calibers cost more to shoot.

I keep a 357 combat masterpiece for my wife, and I carry mostly either a 9mm Kel-tec for summer t-shirt carry and a Walther/S&W P99AS in 40 cal for hiking and winter carry. The Springfield XD series are one of the better for the money, but a wheelgun is easier for beginners to understand and use, but harder to conceal with the bigger calibers. A snubby is VERY hard to shoot for most at any distance, and I for one like distance if possible.

I have seen too many people rack a slide to empty a semi with the magazine still in and then dump the mag thinking then the gun is empty NOT! Wheelgun is pretty hard to mess up when emptying.Also recoil characteristics are different from a semi and a wheelgun. I suggest go to a rental range if possible and try various guns, before even shooting one try them for fit and pointability first.
 
6 shot 4in bbl .357 S&W (or a 4in Ruger SP101). IMO, Revolver are probably the "ultimate" one handgun solution.

After that.. I would say a durable metal semi automatic (1911, CZ, Beretta).
 
I have a full-size 1911 for home/range and a compact LW 1911 for carry (Officer grip/4" barrel).

If I was going to have just one, I'd split the difference and go with a steel-frame Commander-sized 1911.
 
a 10mm

Personally, If I had to choose just one probably a Glock 20C. Powerful enough for any task, hunting, home defense, or whatever you would want a handgun to do and you can carry 15 rounds in the magazine. This is assuming you have decent sized hands of course....
 
HK USP Comapct DA/SA, safety,decocker - Compact enough to conceal. Big enough for informal target shooting in SA mode. Reliable, Durable.
 
Last edited:
I may go with the G21. I have a .22 conversion which is nice to save money with, too.
I'm really liking the 1911 lately, though. They make .22 conversions for that, too. :)
 
I think this poll speaks for what TFL members think
Click to expand...

Pretty evenly split between Glocks, 1911 of all types, and Smiths (some of which could also be votes for their 1911 pattern pistols) as the top three choices.

Still doesn't answer the question of which Glock, 1911, or Smith if only one for home, range, and carry.
 
Just one gun? Either a Glock 17 with night sights or a Ruger .357 magnum revolver. Both guns are dependable to a fault and will probably last through the Second Coming. Rugers are the revolver/pistol made like little tanks as tough as they are. Glocks with their tennifer finish are just too good to pass up too.
 
Glock 23
They are the perfect sized handgun with plenty of power in the .40S&W. The 9mm suffers with inadequate ammunition, but the .40S&W still performs well even with less than stellar ammo.
 
I have a 3-inch 66. Awesome gun.
I have had a Glock. Awesome gun.
I a BHP. Awesome gun.
I have full size 1911s. Awesome guns.
I have a Commander 1911. Awesome gun.
I have an Officer's ACP. Awesome gun.
I have 3-inch 1911s. Awesome guns.
I have a Makarov. Awesome gun.
I have a whole lot of other awesome handguns.

If I had to choose only one handgun to own, it would be either a Colt Defender with a few modifications (I actually own that gun), or a custom built 4-inch 1911 in 10mm on a stainless frame.
Which one I would choose would depend on my mood at the time. Both will do what I need a handgun to do -- 1) be my daily companion; 2) shoot IDPA competition and regular training and informal shooting; 3) teach others how to shoot; 4) Accept a Marvel 22lr conversion unit.
 
Depends what it's for. If I was going to live out in the woods and hunt, a Ruger Super Redhawk 454

Self Defense, probably a Springfield XD 45ACP service model.

If I could only choose one for both.. Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag
 
Glock 19 fan

My recommendation for women and shooters with smaller grips is a Glock 19. Still powerful, but easier to hold with one hand when reloading and the weight of the firearm is distributed well. Some larger guns (like the Sig Sauer, or even the Glock 17) can be unruly in smaller hands.

One more note: I have heard you never have to strip and clean a Glock. Is that true? I have a few thousand rounds through mine and have never cleaned it....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top