Which is an ultimate multi-purpose handgun caliber?

Which is your ultimate multi-purpose handgun caliber?

  • 404Crb.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 50AE

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 44 Rem. Mag

    Votes: 46 16.0%

  • 357 Rem. Mag

    Votes: 144 50.0%

  • 10mm

    Votes: 17 5.9%

  • 45ACP

    Votes: 22 7.6%

  • 40SW

    Votes: 12 4.2%

  • 9mm

    Votes: 40 13.9%

  • 41 Mag

    Votes: 1 0.3%

  • 480 Ruger

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 460 Mag

    Votes: 1 0.3%

  • 500 Mag

    Votes: 1 0.3%

  • 9x18

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • .380

    Votes: 2 0.7%

  • 30 Mauser

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • .32/.25/.22/.17

    Votes: 2 0.7%
  • Total voters
    288
  • Poll closed .
F

Firepower!

New member
Folks
I know there has been many debates between 9mm and 45, and like. These debates are generally emphasized on SD. However, my question is somewhat broad. I want to know which caliber is your ultimate choice for SD, HD, hunting, targets and any other possible uses you can think of- hypothetically assuming you could own only one handgun.

Good shooting!
 
In my case, if I had only one gun, .44 mag for sure. I can reload from mild to wild and there is also a wide variety of factory ammo available.
 
If I could only have one...tough choice between .357 and .44 magnum, but I'd go with .44 magnum, revolver, and you can go from .44 special for SD to stout .44 magnum for hunting decent sized game, to even .44 shotshell for birds and snakes. Gun wise I suppose that I'd go with my 5 1/2 inch Redhawk (although a 4" might be more handy).
 
Another vote for .44 mag. When compared to full size .357's such as the GP-100 or 686 the Smith 629 is only marginally larger. In my opinion hot .44 specials of milder .44 mag loads are equal to the .357 as a self defense round and of course the hotter loads place the .44 into another league.

I shoot more rounds through my autos, but if limited to one handgun it would be my 4" 629. The 2nd choice would be my Smith 28 in .357.
 
Nothing says versatility like the 357mag/38 combo. Thats a mighty big range in power, and the revolver gives you bullet choices that just won't feed in a semi. Everything from highpower hunting and SD combos, to soft shooting, dirt cheap lead practice ammo.
 
I can't decide which one it would be! Can I pick 2? :o

It would be either the .357 Maggie or the .44 Maggie. Not sure which is preferable, other than the fact that I *might* be able to CCW a 4" K or L frame, whereas a 4" N-frame is definitely out for that role.

Actually, maybe it's not as hard as I thought. How about a .357 Magnum in one of those neat 7-shot Mountain Guns S&W made a while back (pre-lock, please). Option #2 would be a .44 Mountain Gun, also preferably pre-lock.

Either revolver combo would be world's more versatile than any bottom feeder. As much as I like my G-17 in 9mm, it can't hold a candle to a good revolver. Bottom-feeders don't like powder puff plinking ammo, full-wadcutters, big heavy hunting softpoints or rounds that go a little beyond max OAL. And most people will shoot a DA/SA revolver better than a semi.
 
I chose the .44 magnum even though I don't own one myself. One can use .44 special as an excellent round for defensive purposes (good enough for Dirty Harry). You can load it hot and heavy .44 magnum rounds for at least a credible defensive weapon for critters on four feet like bears. A .38/.357 magnum is also very versatile but falls short of the .44 mag when going against bears.
 
Had to go .357 Mag for real world flexibility. Carbines and revolvers, .38s and .357s.

If someone made a quality 10mm carbine the 10mil would've gotten my vote.
 
Firepower, in answer to your question, the hottest one I load is a 240 grain hardcast Keith type bullet over 23 grains of 2400. Runs about 1500 fps + out of a 7.5 inch Ruger.

This is the older 2400 powder which I still have a large supply of. The newer version of this powder would need to be backed off several grains.
 
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