[Stainz]

Yeah, it's been done to death, I guess. Here goes again... calamity strikes - disorder rules. You have one handgun stashed away that isn't lost/confiscated... which one handgun of your current collection would you keep?

I'll start off with my 625JM in .45 ACP. Sure, it's big... but ammo may be more readily available than some of my more favored calibers. It has a 'big bore', reliability, and accuracy on it's side; size being it's only real negative. Sure, moonclips and a de-mooner would be nice, but it will function without them.


Stainz

[Rinspeed]

Easy answer for me, 686 4". I don't think they are the best all around revolver I think they are the best all around handgun.

[BigO01]

If I could only own one it would be a .357 .

[Ala Dan]

6" Smith & Wesson 686-5~!:uhoh: Very versatile:D

[DMK]

Although I'd like to say my 6" barreled Model 28 (good for HD and great for target shooting), the more realistic side of me says I'd have to go with my 642 only because I could take it anywhere I need to, tucked in my pocket.

[Border]

I'd have to go with the 686+ in 4". Concealable, hunting rounds possible, total reliability, more than one ammo choice for purpose and availibilty considerations. Does anybody besides me like to just keep working that action for the sheer feel and sound of it? Great gun!

[10-Ring]

Only one for SHTF???
Well, I normally answer a similar question w/ my P7M8 but his one has the SHTF aspect. Although I love my P7M8, it's not the one I'd reach for first in this scenario. In this case, I'd go w/ my USP 45

[Brian Williams]

My 3" S&W mod 13. A simple point and shoot interface, It will shoot full tilt-n'boogie 180gr whooooompers to round balls and is handgun accurate with the loads I have

[bpisler]

I would keep my 3" 65-3,easy to hide and
there's plenty of ammo choices.Of course
i really hate to lose my 3" 625-7 that's
chambered in 45 colt.

[chaim]

Well, in a SHTF/disaster situation like you seem to be painting my one gun answer would probably usually be an auto (despite being a huge revolver fan). It is possible that I'd be on foot, or at least traveling and not camped out at home, so the ability to carry ammo in a more convenient and compact form than loose or speed loaders (the mag is much more carriable) would mean a lot. Also, auto ammo is much lighter and compact than comparable revolver ammo (compare a box of .45ACP and .45LC, or 9mm and .38spl or .357mag sometime). I'd probably pick my Taurus PT140 M. Pro or my Ruger KP345 depending upon which I had the most ammo stockpiled for.

Now, if I had to pick a revolver I'd likely go .357mag too. Very versatile (.38spl wadcutters through 180gr .357mag barnburners) and I reload for it. In a SHTF/disaster type scenario where I had to move for now my only option is a tent (if long term) and I'd likely go out to the mountains (MD/VA/WV/PA "mountains" anyway) so the ability to deal with any wildlife I had to deal with would be nice (a .357 is the minimum for black bear, and with shot loads will work well for dangerous snakes), plus .38+P and 158gr and 125gr .357mag loadings are good for self-defense.

I'm not 100% sure if I'd go with my 3" S&W 65LS or my 4" S&W 19. The 3" would be a little more concealable, but the 4" wouldn't be bad and it would be a little better (due to the longer barrel) against a bear (as unlikely as that would be). I'd love to add a Taurus 66 or Tracker to have a K-frame sized revolver with an extra shot (the Taurus 7 shot revolvers are approx K-frame sized while the S&Ws are the larger and less concealable L-frames).

[Pappy John]

.44 mag Mountain Gun.

[PlayTheAces]

I'll give this one a bump.

One handgun - I'd go with a .357. Probably a model 28 - mine's tough, accurate, eats anything I feed her.

But, if I got down the road and discovered I'd accidently grabbed the 625, I'd cope. :D

[MCgunner]

I'd defend 'em all and get on the six o'clock news just like David Karesh.:banghead:

[Matt King]

pistol:.357 smith and wesson
Rifle: Remington 700 in 30-06
Shotgun: Remington 870 12 gauge marine magnum

[Black_Talon]

1911 Colt.

Sorry revo guys! :)

[Ohen Cepel]

686, 4in. Great all around revolver, plus I can feed it .38s or .357's as the needed.

[Loyalist Dave]

I love my 1911's, and my Glock, but sorry, to answer from your criteria, the .357 model 13 or the stainless 65. (or even a single action .357 with fixed sights)

As others have written, the .357 revolver shoots it all from .38 wadcutters to 180 grain cannon crackers. Fixed sights, few moving parts to wear out, so little repair needed, and no adjustable sights to get messed up when the situation is FUBAR. Revolvers seldom jam, but semi-autos, even the venerable designs of John Browning, can and do.

Because of the higher complexity of the Semi Auto pistol, more beginning training and regular range use are needed (imho) to maintain a high standard of readiness.

Ammo for the .38/.357 family is plentiful, and cheap to stockpile if you see the impending disaster coming.

[pete f]

can make arguements all over,

a .22 for quiet small game hunting.

a 357 for versitility and less bulky ammo

a 9 for ammo availability

a 45 for man stopping

a 44 for power and versitility.

money is no object, the sig 229 with a can on it.

If i did not have access to a .22 rifle, then i would chose a .22 pistol. If i still had the safe of rifles, then a 44 or a 45 mountain gun. light wieght, i got my reloading stuff to make it last a long time. Man stopping and game dropping in the same package and with light bullets and popper loads, moderately quiet small game loads. shot shell for vermin and small game

[Richard.Howe]

Only one Revo? Blasphemy...but for the sake of argument, I'd keep my 686-3 6". :D

Rich

[454c]

357 for reasons stated allready

medium frame so anyone can handle it

there would be no option of a gunsmith or factory repair so the gun needs to be built like a tank and tough as nails

Sounds like a job for a Ruger GP100.

[Camp David]

Easy answer => SAA .45 Long Colt, 7.5 bbl.

[wheelgunslinger]

Dan Wesson .357 with a 4 and 6 inch barrel possible in a few seconds.
Of course, I'd also have my recurve bow and a dozen arrows...

[Sport45]

I'd keep my Dan Wesson 15-2. Of course I'd also keep all three barrels (2.5", 4", and 6") and all three grips (Target, Houge, and Undercover) that go with it. Okay, I might be talked into giving up the 4-inch barrel and large target grips, but I'm keeping the rest. I have a 1-gallon bucket full of .38 special and maybe 200 rounds of .357 ready to go too.

[Sport45]

Great minds think alike....

[Smith & Wesson Man]

I would take that one gun and shoot myself with it:cuss: I don't think I could just have ONE. If I had it would be a 357 magnum revolver, probably my 627.

[bowfin]

Ruger Stainless Blackhawk, .357 Magnum and a 4 5/8" barrel.

[CSA 357]

4 inch 629 no dash, and all the rest i have with smith&wesson on them!:D *csa*

[f4t9r]

1911

[Matt King]

Smith and wesson model K .357

Utterly reliable, and probably my favorite gun.

[one45auto]

My Ruger Police Service-Six .357 Magnum. No question about it.

[TOADMAN]

Revolver: S&W Model 10
Pistol: Glock 19

[Gewehr98]

I used to think my 4" Model 19 was the keeper. Now that I've been packing this 3" Model 696 around for a while, I'm not so sure the Model 19 would win in the decision-making process. :D

[_N4Z_]

SS .357mag Ruger GP100 6"

[schmeky]

1st choice - 7.5" barrel .45 Long Colt Ruger

2nd choice - S&W 586, Nickel, 6" barrel

[homefront]

I think we all buy at least one gun with that idea in mind.
However, a handgun is a close range (which I define as <30') weapon, and for SHTF circumstances is the last resort. Therefore, my 3" GP100 would be on my hip, and a long arm (.30-30 lever, SKS, 870, whatever) in my hands!

[kel]

In .357, capacity and power. Yeah, that's right... Capacity.

[Blacklabman]

The 4" 686P(7-shot)
For me, it is the perfect revolver.

[DWARREN123]

S&W J frame or Ruger SP-101, 3" barrel, stainless, 357mag. Big enough to get the job done, small enough to carry comfortably.