If you could only own one handgun . . . .

Picking one handgun to address every contingency the present and future might pose (including but not limited to parts availability, ammunition availability and cost, reliability/durability, self-defense-either in the context of ccw and/or home defense duties, wilderness survival, hunting-both big game and varmints and target/plinking chores) will necessitate a choice that will be severely compromised in one or more of the envisioned tasks it would be expected to perform but will still suffice in every one of them.

With those considerations in mind, my choice would be my Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus revolver with the 4" barrel. Small enough to carry concealed; big enough to hunt deer-sized game; chambered in a caliber that ranges from target wadcutters to full-house Magnums; a seven-shot capacity; easily reloadable; reliable as the sun rising in the east; a stainless steel finish to combat the elements; adjustable and easily seen sights for target shooting or to accomodate different loads to correspond with changing points of impact/point of aim and a handgun most would agree would serve you well in a gunfight.

Though I opted for a revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, it was a hard choice between it and a handgun chambered in .22rf. But although the .22 rimfire offers advantages no other round approaches (economical shooting, ammunition availability, high magazine/cylinder capacity; minimal noise and recoil and compactness-fifty rounds can easiy be held in one hand), I could not ignore its ever present and undeniable Achilles' heel: limited power/range.
 
Always a fun question but a pretty easy choice for me. I'd hate top drop to just one because then I have to choose between the .22's, which are so great for target practice and leagues, and the 9mm which is my favorite round. But if I can only have one then hands down, it's my Beretta 92FS all the way. Easily the favorite gun in my cabinet.

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"Ooops" ~ Martin Riggs
 
S&W 627

I would have to go with the S&W 627. It's already cut for moon clips, 8 rounds and 357/38 is one of the easier ammo's to reload. The versatility of the 357mag or 38sp is just too hard for me to pass up. Ammo availability is high and the stopping power of the 357mag is proven.

If I leaned toward a semi auto I'd probably pick one of the 3 major (XD, S&W, Glock) polymer 9mm's. I don't have a huge preference between the three. I'd probably pick the XDM 9mm since 19rds factory magazine is appealing. The Glock 31rd mags seem a bit ungainly for a semi auto pistol. Now if I could get a Glock 19...

Happy Shooting
LuckyGunner
 
The practical side says G19; the aesthetic side says SW1911Sc, Commander.
Today, practical wins: G19. ;)
 
It would be hard to give up my Kimber Eclipes Pro 1911, but I would go with my FNP-40 with it's 357 Sig barrel. Yes ONE gun two calibers, could get the 9mm conversion barrel as well.


Jim
 
There is ONLY 1 CALIBER that is close to being the best all around caliber. Depending on the ammo you buy or load, it can be as weak as a 380, or as powerful as a 41 magnum. Yes, you guessed it; the 357 magnum. And there is absolutely no questioning, that for logistical purposes, if I was only allowed 1 gun, it would be my S&W Model 13-1 357 magnum 4" revolver. There is absolutely NOTHING that this caliber and gun can't do. It can be concealed, or carried open. It's good for self defense, home defense, and hunting. It was made back when reliability and accuracy were the norm, before cost cutting compromised many companies. It's a revolver, which means less chance of human and mechanical errors. There may be more integral parts, compared to a semi-auto, but because humans can't really touch them unless it's intentional, the chances of a malfunction are much less.

I know there's a lot of people who will choose their favorite gun. Possibly a glock 19-21 or a 1911A1. The only rational is that these people have no experience with the most versatile caliber on the planet. The 357 magnum. Or, they don't have as much confidence in their own abilities, and put too much faith in the gun; thus wanting something with 15-18 rounds. My S&W Model 13-1 definitely isn't my FAVORITE gun in my collection. But I know damn well that it is the most functional gun in my collection. It can do anything. Maybe not the best in all categories, but definitely the best all around. My favorite is my 1989 West German SigSauer P220. But if there was some law, or I was only physically able to take one handgun with me for however long a period, the S&W Model 13-1 is the one.
 
I'd have agreed with the 4" .357....*if* I knew that there was to be ammo available.

Without know for sure which caliber will be supported, I'm sticking with my .40S&W/9mm/.357 Sig/.22lr solution.

One handgun supporting 4 calibers of ammunition.
 
looking at most of the posts,it seems most people listed a revolver!
im suprised,but than i thought about it and i guess my choice would be
my ruger super redhawk 44mag. its strong,reliable,simple(even a cave man could use it!)could use for hunting,protection(over protection),reloads are easy........
my semi auto choice would be one of my sig's
 
The Springfield Armory XD-45, the Glock 21SF and the Glock 23 are my 3 favorite handguns of the ones I own. Asking to pick just one of them is going to be hard....

I'll pick this way....I'm going to put each of those guns on 3 seperate pieces of paper, crumble them into a ball and then just pick one. Hold on a minute......

OK! This time it was the Glock 21SF!! (But if I run this same "test" tommorrow, it may well end up one of the other two! :D
 
if it was only one gun period it would be a rifle. but only one handgun i would have to say Ruger Security Six 357.why rugged dependable.
 
This is so funny because I have more semiautos but I would pick a revolver. Probably go with a ruger gp100 stainless 4". The blackhawk convertibles would also be tempting. How can I not pick a 629 or anaconda. D**n maybe I better contemplate this longer.
 
Times have changed.

Some years back this questions was put to a large panel of gun writers. I think it was broader based. What single firearm would you pick if you had to travel very fast and very light. The most votes went to a 4 inch 357 wheel gun.

But times have changed. I think the best choice now is a light high capacity 9mm like the Glock 17 or 19 or any of their many clones. with +P+ ammo it is almost a 357 but lighter and thinner.
 
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