If you had to use 1 handgun for the rest of your life what would it be?

The only semi auto I would consider would be one of my ruger 22 autos. Most likely the standard model made in 1976 with the 4.5" barrel. I don't have to try and find the brass for that one like a center fire auto. No center fire auto would ever be my one gun choice.

I guess I am not allowed to post what my real one and only gun would be if limited to just one.
 
If it's only one, I'm going polymer 'cause I sure don't want to ALWAYS lug a heavy metal carry gun around so that's an important point.

And .40 is a strong enough load so I'm going with my Ruger SR40c... The 2 grip/capacity choices make that gun so versatile. With the short grip, it's a true compact but it can easily transform into combat capability with the long grip. It's rounded edges make for a comfortable carry with easy in-and-out. Enough gun but not TOO big or TOO heavy and it's fun enough at the range too... Versatility wins, plus I like it's looks and ergonomics and accurate shootability.
 
A 4" medium frame 357 would be my choice if I could only have one handgun.

If it had to be a semi-automatic I would be happy with a CZ75 or 1911 or Beretta 92. All three are excellent.
 
So... why are we limited to only one handgun?

That would affect my answer.


1) Just as a fun thought experiment, or whats your favorite gun kind of thing? Do I stick to picking from what I currently own, or is fantasy ok?
2) Would we be under a ownership limit, but otherwise parts and support are available?
3) Has new sales been suspended and we have to make do with the one we have, parts may or may not be available? Maybe its a SHTF scenario, but basically there is no after sale support.

Those seem to be some of the questions one would ask themselves to help answer this hypothetical.


If I pick between pistols I own, currently, I love my P266 Scorpion, and M&P9 with apex kit, I also love my CZ 75... very hard to choose for scenario 1... I would want a 22lr conversion available for versatility... So the Sig and CZ are the only choices there.

For 2... I would most likely pick the Sig, as there is manufacturing in the US, and parts support would be better overall. Lifetime warranty and all that. The CZ just doesn't have that, love it or not, if I'm limited to one, I need to be practical.

For 3... Sig again, as its more available, so spare parts would be around longer, and it is a gun that will last. (not saying the CZ isn't tough)


If I can pick any pistol, not just ones in the safe... A 22 conversion is still a must.

For 1... A higher end 1911... I don't need a pure custom job, but a nice semi custom like a Dan Wesson, or a Colt Special Combat would be very nice.

I would pick a nice 1911 for 2 as well, for the same reasons I picked the Sig before.

For 3... I would probably go with a Glock 17 or 19... the 19 having more magazine compatibility would probably make it the choice though... The reason is due to the practicality of a Glock, as well as its prevalence. If I was forced to have one pistol with unreliable support or access to replacement parts... A Glock would be hard to beat. Spare parts are more common, so the supply will last longer, and fixing problems is easier on a Glock. If I could find another busted Glock, I may be able to salvage parts. Pure practicality... Not saying a Glock will last longer or be more reliable, just easier to keep up in such a scenario...



Do I over thing these things?
 
Beretta 92 would be my choice. It is big for what it is, but it's so smooth. I'm not sure I've ever had a gun I could shoot better. 92s are dead on accurate and feed anything you stuff them with.
 
Well....caliber plays a BIG part here, considering that you may need it to hunt or at least as backup. It would be either a full size, all steel 1911 or XD45 tactical, setup for 45 super.
 
The one semi I enjoy shooting most is my 1911a1. Even on a bad day when I can barely see the front sight it's just fun.

However, I already have the start of arthritis in my wrist, so if I plan on living much longer a .22 is going to be a better choice.

I like the heck out of my Ruger MK. II, but I'd like to try out the S&W M 41 and a few others before I settle into a life time choice.
 
If I were to limited to only ONE handgun, it actually wouldn't be an auto. This SW M60 has served faithfully for over two decades and has gone almost everywhere with me on the road. Unless I'm in swimming trunks, it's the only gun that guaranteed to be concealable no matter what my attire is.

m60.jpg


If it had to be an auto though, it would be this one. Another gun that's been with me for over twenty years.

new_goldcup.jpg
 
It really depends on the circumstances of the "only one" automatic.

If I can still use other guns for woods, hunting, etc. I'd take one of my concealable 9mms, probably the Glock 19, BHP or CZ P-07 (probably decided by coin flip).

If the world has fallen apart and I only get ONE gun for everything, and it has to be an autoloader then...

- if a variety of ammo/reloading supplies are readily available, I'd take a Glock 20.

- if ammo/reloading is more scarce I'd probably take a Glock 21.

Both are easy enough for me to conceal, shoot well, and can work with a variety of loads for a variety of purposes.

If its just a "you only get one so keep your favorite" type of question, it'll be my Browning Hi Power, without question.
 
My CZ75.

Proven to eat more ammo than just about any pistol made. Designed for longevity, for hard use. It's a killing tool, not a delicate, prissy little fuss bucket like some of the guns listed. Glocks? Heh, that's cute.

9mm will likely be easiest to procure down the road.
 
If I was limited to one handgun, it would be my four inch S&W Model 19. It's probably the most versatile handgun I have.

However, when limited to semi-autos, it's my Ed Brown SF Carry 1911 (bobtail commander). I would go with it over a 1911 with a five inch barrel only because it is more concealable.
 
My goodness, I hope it never comes to that. Right now, I would keep my CZ P-01 above all else, with a supply of my full-size CZ 75 magazines to go with it.
 
The short answer...... MY 1911 in .45 acp. Why? Because, in the last 45 years I have had to bet my life on my handgun and when I did it was a 1911 and I am here to type out this answer.

I have bigger, badder and certainly since my favorite handgun is my old Mdl 19 4" Nickel S&W ones I think are GREAT pieces of engineering. But, a handgun is in the final analysis, a self defense implement, so I have to pick the best one I can find. And, the one that I have the most confidence in, an easy choice, the one that has been with me when I saw the elephant.

As Bill Jordan said, " No second place winner". So far I have no losses, so that's my story and I am stickin to it...
 
If it's going to have to be a semi-auto, then I think my first choice would be a 1911, probably my Wilson 5 inch, but I would be probably about as happy with my old custom series 70 Colt.

I would choose the 1911 because I have shot them extensively and also worked on them extensively. I can keep one running, with just a few extra parts. I want a BoMar adj. rear sight so I could dial it in, dead on with any load, easily.

And that is of course assuming I had a bunch of good quality magazines, and I would also add a .22 conversion.

I would want the steel frame for longevity, but the down side is not concealing it, but the weight, so I would almost and might still yet choose a lightweight Commander instead, or my Springfield 5 inch Lightweight with top quality parts in it where needed.

However, the circumstances that would force me to choose only one gun, would matter, and the very fact that any auto throws spent casings all over the place, makes me think that I might opt for a good revolver instead, so I could keep my casings for reloading, easier, and the reliability of a good revolver is a comforting thing, not that a semi can't be reliable.
 
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