Just ONE handgun?

If you could have "just one" handgun?

  • Glock

    Votes: 169 24.0%
  • Colt

    Votes: 40 5.7%
  • CZ

    Votes: 30 4.3%
  • Korth

    Votes: 2 0.3%
  • Ruger

    Votes: 87 12.4%
  • FN Browning

    Votes: 15 2.1%
  • Khar

    Votes: 6 0.9%
  • Walther

    Votes: 3 0.4%
  • Sig Sauer

    Votes: 65 9.2%
  • Smith & Wesson

    Votes: 132 18.8%
  • Taurus

    Votes: 5 0.7%
  • Makarov (Stichken included)

    Votes: 1 0.1%
  • Beretta

    Votes: 11 1.6%
  • H&K

    Votes: 25 3.6%
  • IMI

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Wlison Combat

    Votes: 15 2.1%
  • Para Ord.

    Votes: 2 0.3%
  • Styer

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Mauser (Luger included)

    Votes: 2 0.3%
  • Ed Brown

    Votes: 7 1.0%
  • Springfield

    Votes: 39 5.5%
  • Freedom Arms

    Votes: 5 0.7%
  • Dan Wesson

    Votes: 17 2.4%
  • Skorpion or Zastava (semi auto)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Manurhin

    Votes: 1 0.1%
  • Kel-tec

    Votes: 2 0.3%
  • Daewoo

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Turkish (Kanuni, Zigana, Stoeger, Akdal Ghost)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Les Bear

    Votes: 7 1.0%
  • Norinco

    Votes: 2 0.3%
  • AMT

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Night Hawk

    Votes: 11 1.6%
  • Spanish Import (Star, Llama and Astra)

    Votes: 2 0.3%

  • Total voters
    703
What I want to know

Is who are the two people who voted for Spanish Import... and why? Instead of voting for my favorite of guns that I own (a Taurus) I voted Springfield because they make the gun I want the most (at the moment). What is the rationale for choosing a Star over the many great options on this list?
 
My standard response is to recommend a .357 revolver with a 4" barrel and adjustable rear sight. In deciding which manufacturer to vote for, it was a choice between Ruger and Smith & Wesson. I have several of each, and the vote went to Ruger only because the Rugers currently owned appear to be more sturdily built than the S&W's. Having said that, I'm thinking it's time to buy a new S&W (686+?).
 
I would probably choose my Glock G22.
It has good magazine capacity, a common enough round that is plenty adequate for self-defense, it's not too hard to conceal, just about any gunsmith can work on them, and parts are very plentiful.


...and when all the options available, why would some one choose Taurus to their ONLY handgun.
Actaully, it was hard deciding between my G22 or my Taurus 905.
My 905 has never experienced any problems whatsoever, and the 9mm is a great round for a snubbie.
It's easy to shoot and easy to conceal, and I can still shoot it without the moonclips if need be.
 
Hard to say as different brands are "better" than others when it comes to making particular caliber weapons.

So, I wont start off with brand...I will go with caliber. For this, it would be .45 ACP (ok,ok...it would be a Sig Sauer or the Springfield Armory XD).

Now, if low maintenance is the thing, then the .357 Magnum would be my choice (used = Pre-Clinton 686 stainless w/4" barrel, new = Ruger GP100 stainless w/4" barrel).

If I could only have one weapon.....probably a 12 ga. pump shotgun or an AR-15..but, I guess this is "cheating." ;)

Tough to decide here..hmm, one handgun....(assuming no mag restrictions) Id go for the XD-45 ACP, given its reliability and generous mag capacity.
 
I own H&K, Beretta, S&W, Glock, Colt, Ruger, Walther, and Sig Sauer; I really like my Sig Sauer P220 Elite and P226 Elite. The P226 carries 20 rounds of 9mm and it will be the gun I am holding if it comes to needing to pealing it away from my cold dead hands, it was a very easy pick for me.
 
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Give me a Smith 686 or a Springer MC Operator. HK Mk23 is a close third (mostly because of its size for an auto). My criteria is a gun that has high knockdown power, has flexibility of ammo, and will not quit shooting.
 
In light of my earlier post, I think I would have to go with a Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum, 4" barrel, SS finish (or a pre-Clinton style S&W 686). I dont own one; but then again, Im not forced to own "just one" handgun.

I honestly believe my XD-45 ACP is particularly well suited for many occasions given its effective caliber, reliablity, durability, mag capacity, its effectiveness during rapid fire vs. a revolver and therefore, it is my main "go to" weapon. Plus, the XD is simply one of the most cost-effective weapons out there. But, the revolver does offer less need for "trickery," so to speak.

Regardless, this is a tough call. I cant necessarily say the revolver is the most "ideal" handgun to own, but it may just be the simplest and most practical (if it is indeed the only handgun you can own.) Now, if you were to say "only one weapon," I would bypass all handguns for either the 12 ga. shotgun or the AR-15 rifle.
 
Not necessarily brand or model specific...

... but if I were limited to only one, I'd go with a 4", medium frame .357, most likely a Ruger GP100 or a S&W 586/686, although I wouldn't rule out a 19/66.

I generally prefer shooting my Sigs, but I don't think there is any single pistol more versatile than a .357.

Now, if I were regularly in large bear country, I might look at a .44mag, .45colt, or .454, but I'm not, so I don't need the added recoil, mass, or ammo cost.
 
It depends

For combat agaist thin skinned people the .45 1911 is hard to beat. If it was for general purpose agaist anything including bears I would say a S&W 29 with a 5" barrel. I bought the redhawk due to pure strenth, but the 29 feels better balanced in the hand and I've been impressed with the versatility of 44 caliber magnum handguns. I think more than any other caliber. 44 specials to full house buffalo bore and everything in between!!!! If I was a city dweller with but one gun for all occasions, a high cap 9 would be fine, but so would a 40! A .357 would also be a good choice for people who can't handle the .44mag! I used to be scared to shoot a dirty harry gun but they grow on you!
 
What disappoints me in this poll is the low numbers for Colt, Cz and HK. Speically, Cz andHk. Thier is so much fuss about them yet when it comes to chosing just one handgun they are not even remotely near the top contenders like Glock, SW and Ruger
 
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