This question has been asked before, but I’d like to do a slight variant of this.

So, I have to choose between handgun hunting, concealed carry, or plinkability.

Damn.

It's HOT out here, so a long barreled magnum is out. Even though the other week I had cash in hand ready to buy a 6" Security Six until the seller flaked. I need something concealable and light for shorts and sandals weather.

A good solid .22 revolver is out due to low horsepower (and because the .22 ammo situation is too stupid). Even though I was immediately about to buy one before the panic struck.

It pretty much comes down to a snubnose, which is not a gun I would normally be interested in.

I think I would go with a Ruger LCR in 9mm, which is not a gun I would otherwise purchase. It's lightweight, readily concealable, offers enough horsepower for defense, and the ammo is cheap enough to plink with.

Even though it's a fine pistol, I would probably still be unhappy with it, and grieve the loss of my semiautomatics.
 
no one has mentioned my favorite - Colt Comando Special. You don't hear a lot about this little.38 but it is small enough for cc and is a tank
 
If I could only pick one...it would be a model 27 in a 4" barrel...nickel finish.

So it would fit the bill -- for a woods gun, a range gun and a carry gun...and since carry is not my #1 or primary purpose, I'd go with that N frame over a K frame like the model 19.

If Carry was my #1 purpose...I'd go with a model 19 or 66 in a 4".
 
38 / 357 not big enough for a do all situation gun, for me...

of the guns I currently own, I'd say my S&W 396 ( a 3" barrel air lite 44 Special )... If I were buying one... I'd go with the air lite 44 Magnum & stoke it with 44 Special most of the time, but hav e the availab ility to use 44 Magnum if needed...

I'd also have a hard time giving up a single action... so I'd likely also be thinking about my new Ruger Lipsy Flat top Bisley Blackhawk in 44 Special...

but most likely it would be the 396...

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Ruger Security-six .38spl. 4"

Great all purpose gun. being built on a .357 frame it will handle any .38spl load and the 4" barrel is accurate and still easily concealable.

FWIW I don't live in big bear country.
 
8 shot S&W 627PC, 5" barrel simply because .357 magnum is very versatile and 8 shots of it is my idea of a full house load.
 
six inch barreled .357 magnum, DA, smith or colt.

Alternatives would be a four inch barrel in .327, or six inch in .41 magnum, .45 colt, .45 acp, all DA.

It's too bad that I'm limited to one. I'd like to also have my glock, a .45 colt SA in 6 inch, and obviously a ruger .22 mark in HB and 4 inch barrel. These four are quite sufficient if that is all I can have.
 
I'll post up another vote for the Ruger SP101 in .327 Federal Magnum.

Mine is the 3 inch version and is probably the most versatile revolver I've owned.

That versatility helped it edge out the two close runners-up, S&W 617 and Redhawk .44mag.
 
I'd still go with my 4.2" SP101 in .357 Mag. I bought it do be a do it all revolver, and it still is. It's not super concealable for me, but I could do it if it was all I had (at least in the winter).
 
Difficult one for me, 3 inch S&W Lew Horton in 624 or a S&W 69.
I have a 629 but it’s so heavy it’s hard to carry. 69 since it can shoot magnums and specials. The 624 because I just love the gun.
I think the 69 would be my choice.
Then again the 21 is a really nice gun.
 
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Tough question or rather, easy question, tough answer.

A dream gun would be an S&W Model 27 with either a five or six (or 6 1/2) inch barrel. I've owned both but I don't remember the last time I saw one, although I don't do a lot of looking. I'd really rather have an S&W Heavy Duty but that's a rare one. More practical would be a Model 13 with either a three or four inch barrel.

It's not hard to imagine the question because you don't leave the house with a bunch of guns except to go to the range, do you? The problem is there are so many good choices.

Nobody wants a Single Action Army anymore?
 
Saa isn't really my idea of a top level combat firearm. Six slower rounds fired, with a very slow reload. A person would have to be an absolute master of the saa to present a winning defense against a couple armed thugs.

Every handgun, if it is the only weapon available, should be a good choice for personal defense. I'd die, it's that simple, if three hoodlums came at me. Any other gun, I'd say that my chances would be nine in ten of winning, given even a hint of advantages.
 
I love my single actions & even made a nice carry gun out of one... 45 Colt Gold dots should do a nice job... Ruger transfer bar is safe with 6, & polished stainless is durable

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I would go with a S&W 69. SP101s in 327 and 357 are tempting, as is the S&W 60 Pro (357 with adjustable sights and 3' barrel) but the versatility of the 44 loaded high and low wins out. I don't have any trouble appendix carrying my Taurus Tracker in 44 mag and think the 69 would be fine in a good holster.
 
I'd go with a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum Model 686 Plus with a 4" barrel-but I'd sure miss not having a revolver chambered in .22 Rimfire...:(
 
4" barrel is about the most you can go to be practical for concealed carry and the least you can go to be practical for hunting.
.357 magnum is a pretty adaptable round. I've heard .327 magnums are pretty good too.
 
OK, I'll be the oddball and break from the mainstream a little bit...


Ruling out any favoritism due to collectability and just going on utility, I would go for my 5" barreled S&W 460v. Firepower capabilities from mild (45 Colt) to wild with the full house 460 rounds. And using my Diamond D Guides Choice chest rig, it actually carries pretty comfortably and can be concealed under a coat. (not a wind breaker though)

 
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