Most effective HD, Carry Piece Handgun

[applekev]

What would you choose? A Government Colt 1911 45 ACP or a S&W 4" 686 357 Magnum?

[cookekdjr]

between the two, the 1911. The 686 will be so loud indoors that you'll be deaf (not that the 1911 will be quiet).

[HMMurdock]

If you practice a lot, the 1911.

But I voted 686 because you can start with .38 specials and work your way up to .38+Ps or .357 Magnums as you prefer. You cannot (relative term) jam the revolver, as opposed to 1911s which require much maintenance and are a pain in the @$$ to clean when you aren't used to it. Get a 686+ and you've got about the same amount of rounds, and although the .357 Magnum rounds are inordinatley louder they will both split your ears and in a life or death situation I'll deal with the "EEEEEEEEEE" in my ears for a few hours. If I just used my firearm then I've taken a life and therefore I have bigger things on my plate. When it comes to "Tacti-cool" the 1911 is tops, but for basic defense? My money is on the magnum, especially if you aren't accustomed to proper cleaning and maintenence. Not to mention how finnicky most 1911s are with finding the right magazine/JHP ammo combination that won't cause some wicked jams.

Before I get too many nasty responses, I like the 1911 "better" myself but for these purposes, if you're going to own one... welll, I already said it.

[slow944]

I keep a 357 in the night satnd just for HD/SD

[glockman19]

I have both so I can't voter for one without the other. Both will do the job.

[19-3Ben]

I would rather have the 686 for HD. But the 1911 will be easier to carry. I picked the 1911 because eventhough the 686 will do HD better, the 1911 is better at doing BOTH.

[Wayne G.]

1911


period.

[Black Majik]

This usually depends on what the person shoots better with. Are they more of a 1911 shooter or a revolver shooter? What're they more comfortable with.

As for myself. You could give me Joker's S&W revolver and I'd probably miss the ground. I'm horrible with the wheel guns.

We're all different, but please give me a 1911. :D

[Boats]

I have a 4" Ruger GP-100 in .357 Mag and several 1911s. For home defense, I like the revolver.

But you added carry and 1911s are some of the best carry pistols on the market. I'd use one of my 1911s in both roles before I'd use my revolver.

[Soybomb]

Whichever you shoot best.

[CountGlockula]

Personally, I'd split them both:
Home Defense-S&W revolver
Carry-Colt 1911

[AK103K]

I voted 1911, but....

I took it even farther, ditched both, and went with a SIG P229/P226 in 357SIG. 13 rounds of 125 grain 357MAG power in a more or less compact auto.

I still have both 1911's and a couple of 357Mag revolvers, but they dont get out of the safe much these days. :)

[High Planes Drifter]

To me, there's no contest. The blast of the .357 is so blinding in low light conditions, and LOUD, I wouldnt use it. Next, IMO, the 1911 easily takes the cake in the ease of carry dept.

[Tomcat47]

I chose 1911 I just like an autoloader for either defense situation. But I would keep my .357 if I could for the survival side. One of my favorite hunting handguns is Taurus 8" .357 magnum.


12 GA. Mossberg 500 - $249.00
.357 Magnum - $500.00
Intruder hearing slide close on 1911......PRICELESS!:evil:

[Eightball]

If I'm carrying something, I'd probably be open carrying (got a decent area in which to do so), so I picked the revo. For concealed, the 1911 wins.

[jeepmor]

umm, where is my 10mm option.

[mavracer]

having both I give the slight nod to the 45 ,low pressure less flash + a couple more rounds.but to be honest I'm grabbing wichever is closest to me when I need it.this includes 9mm,10mm or 38 spcl.

[longeyes]

1911 + electronic muffs.

[minutemen1776]

Neither. I'll take a long gun for home defense, and a smaller handgun for carrying concealed.

[Rexster]

Currently-produced duty-type .357 ammo will not produce nearly as much muzzle flash as stuff produced in the past. As for the poll question, it's not easy to answer, as to me, the 1911 and a good medium/large-frame .357 sixgun are both such remarkably good weapons. I do have several years of experience carrying each type.

[Ala Dan]

Government Colt 1911 .45 ACP~! ;):D

[Lonestar49]

...

IMHO, for HD-CCW in yards, front and rear, along with house gun IS:

~ Colt Defender 45 ~

Locked and cocked, with 230gr FMJ or JHP or mixed loads/ 1 chambered, 7 in the magazine, with a, "a personal choice", back-up magazine on hand or close by.


LS

[AK103K]

I'll take a long gun for home defense, and a smaller handgun for carrying concealed.
My wife bitche$ about my slung AK tearing up the furniture and walls. Oh, wait, she bitche$ about my holstered SIG doing the same thing. :D

I tend to agree on the long gun, but I always have my SIG along, regardless where I am, so a handgun on the person beats a rifle nearby, at least until I get there.

[jad0110]

I have a 686+ as my HD gun, loaded with the FBI Load (158 grain LSWCHP +P).

I will be carrying a 1911 starting this fall, and who knows, maybe I'll carry the 686 too from time-to-time.

[full metal]

I voted 1911 only becouse you said one gun and I love to carry my 1911.
but I keep my 4inch 357 mag for hd loaded with 38+p hollow point's.