[Confederate]

Okay, it's a dumb title for a post, but the reason I ask is because of an old magazine I was reading. It reminded me of a conversation I had with a shooting buddy I had back in the 80s and 90s.

We were talking guns one day and I just up and asked him the golden question. Which handgun would he choose if he could have but one? I had one in mind, but I wasn't too surprised when he picked the same gun I had picked. And it was likewise the handgun the magazine I was reading had chosen: "One working cop said that if his department allowed, he would rather carry this gun than his .357 revolver," the article touted.

"If I had to get rid of every handgun I own but one, the one I would keep is a stainless steel.... I feel that this gun is capable of doing everything you want a handgun to do in the 'lower 48'. It can be used for small game and even big game if your life depends on it. It is also an excellent gun for self defense."

"We often get asked what gun we would recommend for an all around gun...the Stainless...is as good a gun as you can buy!"

What is your choice and why? And what gun do you think the article is talking about?

After a few decades I still haven't changed my mind. :scrutiny:

.

[dubya450]

If I could have only one pistol it'd be a FN FNP-45. I know there are probably better choices in caliber and more expensive, pretty guns with more options but out of 15+ handguns I've owned, the FNP-45 is my very favorite.
I honestly don't know what gun the article is talking about. 1911?

[Serenity]

Smith & Wesson M67 38 Special

[TrailWolf]

My S&W Pre-Lock 686 Plus 4" can really do it all...

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/harry1922/c4e25327.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/harry1922/2f2f4f56.jpg

I am surprised the article wasn't about a .357, and I have no idea what it was.

[JohnBiltz]

My carry.

When you get down to it your carry is what you live and may die with. Its the fundamental reason to own a handgun, because you can carry a handgun but not a rifle or shotgun.

[SimplyChad]

Any large bore revolver. 44 454 45lc and hand loads.

[tightgroup tiger]

I only own 6 handguns, I haven't found the answer to that question yet.

[MAUSER88]

My HKP7

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd88/MAUSER888/IMG_0301.jpg

[jon86]

my carry.

When you get down to it your carry is what you live and may die with. Its the fundamental reason to own a handgun, because you can carry a handgun but not a rifle or shotgun.

THIS!

[youngda9]

I've gotta agree with Trail Wolf in post #4. My 4" 606-4+ is my favorite.

[303tom]

If I could only have one, I would love to have one of these...........

http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/sparrow-hawk.asp

[kurt1305]

My HK P30.

[Dr. Sandman]

Double barreled, flintlock, pirate pistol in .62 caliber.

Good reasons
1. One upmanship to the "Oh, of course I reload, don't you?" folks. You can say "Oh, of course I make my own black powder, pour my own shot/balls, weave my own wads from the wool of sheep that I grow on my coyote free (thanks to my extra stealthy abilities and my priate pistol) ranch, and find suitable flints on the ground which I then hand knap myself for greater accuracy, of course, don't you?"

2. You are never out of ammo, see #1.

3. Versatility of projectile (shot, ball, chain, glass, rocks, salt, chocolate chips, etc.)

4. +p+p+p+p+++++++++++ (depending on the barrels, of course)

5. Forget the looking good at the barbeque with your tricked out 1911, trying looking good at the fish fry with this!!!

6. Conversation starter (the ladies do love a connoisseur)

Drawbacks

1. Rain

[hmphargh]

It really depends what for. If I spent more time outdoors and thought I would need it for hunting/camping, I would agree with a .357 revolver, probably a Security Six or GP100. For my uses, I would probably go with a Beretta 92. I find that I'm quite accurate with one and it is extremely comfortable in my hand.

[Lawdawg45]

My choice, hands down!

LD

[Sheepdog1968]

It all depends if CCW is something you will do with it. If it is I'd choose a Glock 30 (45 ACP). If not, I'd likely choose a Sig 220 in 45 ACP.

[TimboKhan]

Drawbacks

1. Rain

This made me laugh!

[wow6599]

Not my favorite, but still my choice is an easy one - my 3 1/16" SP101 in .357 Mag.

[Kendahl]

As much as I like my Gold Cup .45, my recommendation for one, and only one, handgun would be any good .357 magnum revolver. Barrel length and number of rounds would depend on your particular needs.

[Rexster]

Well, I have no idea what the article touted, since it was apparently NOT a .357 revolver, if I understood the OP. I happen to think a stainless 4" .357 Mag GP100 to be my perfect one-and-only handgun in the Lower 48. I can dress around it, and while a bit heavy, it is OK for all-day carry. In actuality, I like my 4" S&W Model 19 for daily carry, but their are conditions in which I would rather have stainless, and the heavier Ruger can take more pounding from recoil over the long term, while better mitigating the effect of cumulative recoil on my ailing wrist.

I like bigger bores for some purposes, but can make do with the .357 Magnum, especially as the OP's scenario allows for long guns.

I have factored-out my employer's requirement for a .40 autopistol to use for "primary" police duty purposes, as this is a hypothetical exercise, anyway. (We buy our own duty weapons, within
guidelines.) I do not consider the .40 to be a good field cartridge, nor most autos to be good all-
'round field handguns, due to the need for different bullet weights for different tasks. Moreover, I
am close to retirement, so will not need .40 autos much longer, anyway.

To be clear, I have nothing against autos. I just wouldn't want my only handgun to be an auto.

[spazzymcgee]

I'd have to guess the original article speaks of a 1911. Everyone does. It's always the "Favorite Gun" of everyone. On another note, I would choose something like a Taurus Judge or S&W Governor. I hate the entire concept, the way they look, the way they shoot, and every bit of martketing strategy ever related to them, but.... For hunting, you could use .410 for small game, and .45LC for everything else.

[coalman]

If I could carry: Glock 30 or CCO 1911. If not, maybe a 92fs. If I could still (afford to) sling lots of lead a Glock 19 if I could carry or a Glock 17 if not. Really depends on the circumstances I imagine. And, no "one gun" life circumstance is a favorable one IMO.

[MCgunner]

My standard answer has always been a 4" medium frame .357 magnum revolver. Today, I think I might make that a 3" SP101, I mean, if I could only have one. Fortunately, I can have more'n one. :D

[amprecon]

My Glock 21

[waidmann]

S&W Model 65 with a 3 inch barrel.

[mdauben]

Like an overwhelming majority of posters, If I could only have *one* handgun I would go for a 4 inch, medium frame .357 revolver like the 686. While there are better guns for particular nitches, it can do just about everything I can think to do with a handgun pretty well.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[NMGonzo]

3 inch sp101

Most useful so far.

[tomrkba]

I'm nearly 20 years into handgunning and still cannot answer the question. I guess the comment regarding "your carry piece" is as good as any.

[C0untZer0]

I been shooting it since 1985, I've never had a single failure with it.

I also thought it was the best answer ever for the safety debate. I didn't worry about having to remember to take the manual safety off, on the other hand I didn't have to worry about it being cocked on a live round. The trigger is great - I never had to deal with DA/SA or DOA issues.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=164456&stc=1&d=1336959764
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=164457&stc=1&d=1336959770

[Averageman]

I've really become pretty proficent with a Glock 17 Lately.
I was a 1911 guy for years, but have come to appreciate the Glock and find it pretty easy to shoot. 50 yd torso shot are easy.
I would imagine if only one it would be my G17 with the RMR on it.

[justice06rr]

Tough decision, but one of my top choices would probably be a H&K USP45 Tactical.

[beatledog7]

If a semi-auto, my Gen4 Glock 22. Has never failed and carries more than enough firepower in 22-round mags.

If a revolver, Security Six "snubby."

If not specified, probably the Ruger for its flexibility and firepower.

[56hawk]

I have to agree with everyone on the HK P7 series pistols. I love my P7M13. The original author must have been confused though because I don't think HK made a stainless P7. I think they made some that were nickle or chrome plated though.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=164458&d=1336961614

[PabloJ]

I would keep 4" S&W Model 53 revolver.

[Confederate]

There is no right/wrong answer on this...just curious to find out what others think.

And not one of you picked the article's pick!

The answer is: The Ruger Mark II/III T512:

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh198/jriler/RugerMarkIII.jpg

I'm a little more inclined towards the newer 22/45s because of their weight and balance, but overall if I had but one handgun to own, it would be a Ruger .22LR. I like their rate of fire, the fact that they take .22LR, that they last indefinitely without parts replacements and they do a respectful job at self defense and hunting.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh198/jriler/RugerAutos.jpg

The Rugers can be easily carried with substantial amounts of ammo and are accurate to a fault. In fact, they're so accurate that I can see why a 1980s might prefer it over a .357 as a duty weapon. I'm not quite to that point yet, but running and shooting are definitely easier with a Ruger .22LR, and if I could only have one handgun the Ruger would be it!

That said, on its heels would be a Ruger Security-Six .357. And I might go with it if I could have an assortment of ammo and an unlimited supply of it. But if I could only have cases and cases of one type of ammo, stuff I could shove into my pockets and go with, the Ruger T-512 can't be beat! For the .357 to be worth it, I'd have to have .357 125gr JHPs, 158gr JHPs, 158gr JSPs, etc., etc., and I probably would need lower powered stuff as well. But a Ruger .22LR can pretty much eat anything and do anything.


http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh198/jriler/RUGERSecurity-Six4-inch_2.jpg

.

[helitack32f1]

I don't have a lot of handguns but I still cannot make up my mind. I would probably have to keep the Gen4 G17 just because it is reliable, ammo is plentiful and you can do just about anything with it from self defense to putting food on the table. Maybe I would just keep the Colt Woodsman. Dunno.

[Rail Driver]

A "Black Army" Colt M1911

[Jacob L Freeman]

If I could have only one hangun, or any one gun period, it would be a stainless Colt 1911, sans the huge "COLT" on the slide.

[mcdonl]

I chose .22, but given that I am a trapper if I could only own one gun it would be the one in my trapping bag, Heritage .22 revolver... Never fails me, cheap ammo and accurate 'nuff

That being said I would use my 1911 to fight to keep my .22 :)

[MCgunner]

There is no right/wrong answer on this...just curious to find out what others think.

And not one of you picked the article's pick!

The answer is: The Ruger Mark II/III T512:

I can understand picking an accurate, reliable, lasts forever .22 like the Mk 2/3. Despite the detractors, .22LR is a very versatile round if the round can be placed with precision and ammo is cheap, doesn't require handloading. I think I'd want a more concealable one, though, like my SR22. I'd sure hate to give up my Mk2, though. For anything that DOESN'T require concealment, it's a superior firearm.

[skoro]

Mine would be a S&W k-frame revolver in 357/38.

[easyg]

If I could have only one handgun it would be the Ruger SR9c.
It can do everything that I require of a handgun.


http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n165/allenXdog/photobucket-26197-1335218688299.jpg

[Telekinesis]

When you get down to it your carry is what you live and may die with. Its the fundamental reason to own a handgun, because you can carry a handgun but not a rifle or shotgun.

I agree with this completely. If I was limited to one handgun, it would be my primary carry gun, a Sig P228. It was my first gun, at several points it has been my only gun, and it will be the last gun I ever give up.

[raveneap]

My 686 +. Even tho it has the "dreaded lock."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/raveneap/DSC08890-1.jpg

[Furncliff]

If I just get one, it's got to be reliable and expensive, I'll be shooting it a lot because I only get one. A 1911 .45acp custom made.

[smkummer]

Python .357. 4 in. so I could carry it. I must have 40-50 handguns and they are almost all Colts. I hope I never have to make this choice in fact I don't want to play this silly game anymore.

[19-3Ben]

3 inch sp101

Most useful so far.

Sooper-dooper mega plus one for this.
CCW- done.
HD- done.
Plinking- done.
hiking/camping/woods- done.

Everything you could need of a handgun- done.

As both a former owner, and a future owner, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it is the most versatile handgun I've owned.

[Agsalaska]

A .357 revolver(take your pick)

[AABEN]

My 586 or my 41 mag S & W it is very hard to pick jest one!!!

[YankeeFlyr]

My bone-stock, 2006 production Beretta 92FS.

[Lonerider357]

I wouldn't settle for 1 !!
1911 and my Ruger Blackhawk 357

[el Godfather]

Glock 18C

[lanternlad1]

Glock 19.

Reliable under almost any condition.
Very easy to use.
Accuracy acceptable out of box but can be upgraded easily with drop in barrels and such.
Uses a round easily found almost anywhere.
Easily maintained.
Easily fixed. Parts are cheap and gunsmiths who can work on it are everywhere.
Easily concealed.
Easily "upgraded". Aftermarket parts are everywhere.
Can go from carry gun to home defense gun with a mag change (to 33 rounder) and an under rail light/laser combo.
Good manstopper with hotter rounds.
Good firepower with hi-cap mags.

[searcher451]

Easy: Walther PPK. There's still nothing like it, after all these years.

[Prince Yamato]

My G26 with threaded barrel.

165006

[Zone15]

I own a SIG P229 E2 9mm and I love it. If I could pick one though, I would want the all stainless version of the P229 in .40. Could then easily convert it to a 9mm or .357 Sig.

[Crashbox]

Difficult decision, as I own both a Ruger 3.06" SP101 and a 4" GP100 in .357 along with other handguns. I have a bias toward revolvers for versatility, so between the aforementioned two I would give an ever-ever-ever-so-slight nod to the SP101 because it's easier to CC.

This has to be one of the toughest questions around, but a very good one nonetheless.

[robinkevin]

I think I also have to go with .22 LR as well... Only in a reliable and last almost forever revolver over semi auto which even as good as they are this day will never be a revolver. Think the Ruger SP101 would fill all my needs. Not only are Rugers made like tanks allowing them to hold up well, the 8 shot SP101 in .22 I feel gives me enough shots to take care of most anything I encounter. This is of course assuming I still have a rifle or shotgun that I can retreat to in need of bigger and better firepower.

http://ruger.com/products/sp101/images/5765.jpg

[Nauga]

If it was a bugout situation? I'd take my Ruger 22/45. You can carry lots of ammo, there's plenty of rabbits and prairie dogs around here to eat (Mmmm, prairie dog chili!), and seriously, is anybody who's attacking you going to laugh because you "only" have a .22?
But then, I'm the kind of guy who thinks my Bic lighter has a better chance to save my life than my old Model 1927.

[Certaindeaf]

I know one can get gold and fine/rare handguns but back when I was 16, I did some soul searching and chose a target Hi-Power for serious and fun work. I figured it'd work and were I to become familiar with it, odds were, on a global scale/sense this would serve me well in the long run.
I'd choose a Browning Hi-Power because they are very common, I'm used to them and they shoot very well.

[Striker]

4" .357.....either a Ruger GP100 or a S&W L frame.

[Mr. D]

Ruger New Vaquero in .357 Mag. I can shoot it well, I REALLY enjoy shooting it, I can plink on the cheap, but I could also hunt with it.

[CountryUgly]

If I could only have one, I would love to have one of these...........

http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/sparrow-hawk.asp
Interesting choice but I like it and thanks for showing me something I didn't know existed and making me want to spend money now.... My choice would be well what else but the ever evolving 1911A1. I know it's unoriginal but I couldn't live without one but the Model 66 is a close second.

[holdencm9]

S&W M&P 9mm Compact

I don't have one, but if I could only have one, that would be it.

I was tempted to say my 92FS, but it is a bit hard to conceal.

[Swing]

M1911A1, pretty much. Failing that, a decent .38 Special snub.

[Mac Attack]

I've thought about this many times over the past several years when I thought about liquidating my collection. The I've handgun I could not beware to part with its my stainless Colt pre series 70 1911 customized but Bob Coogan. Its just a great shooter and was my carry piece for several years and I have full faith in it.

[BoneDigger]

6 inch DA .357, either a 686 or a GP100 would be fine.

Todd


Sent via Todd's IPhone using Tapatalk.

[huntsman]

there's a big difference in owning just one handgun and trying to do everything with one handgun.

for me owning one handgun is just a CCW and target fun gun

I like carrying my LCP but it's not a fun gun I like shooting my 4566 but it's not an EDC
to meet both I'd take my BDA

[wrangler708]

[QUOTE=easyg;8163020]If I could have only one handgun it would be the Ruger SR9c.
It can do everything that I require of a handgun.

+1

Nice pic. :)

[BSA1]

I would own the gun that the Government says I can legally have.

[Old judge creek]

BSA1, I agree with you.

However, my response to this is:


f I could have one and only one from now on, it’d be this one in either 45 Colt or 44 Magnum.


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c327/OldJudgeCreek/gubs/BisVaq45.jpg


But, thank God, the reality is that its highly improbable that will come to pass. As such, these would be my second and third choices. They are the S&W 642 which offers 5 rounds of 38 Special and the Glock 30sf, which carries 10 round of 45 ACP…

Well, duuuuuh:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c327/OldJudgeCreek/gubs/SW642vGlock30sf32.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c327/OldJudgeCreek/gubs/SW642vGlock30sf41.jpg


YMMV

[Brian Williams]

For me, a S&W 13 with a Model 10 3" mid-weight barrel.

[spotch]

Ton of great ideas in this thread. My first thought is my m&p 9mm. And that's probably what I would stick with. The guy who mentioned the Ruger mkiii / 22/45 is certainly onto something IMHO, and in some circumstances I would absolutely agree with that.

Honorable mention goes to the 686/gp100.

[amprecon]

I would own the gun that the Government says I can legally have.

That was in jest right...?

[ChCx2744]

I'm gonna agree with a previous poster and go with the one I carry. I actually have several different ones I carry for different reasons, but whichever one I would be carrying at any given time would be fine with me. I put my faith in my guns, especially my handguns. I've done the research before purchasing, I shoot well with them, they eat almost anything and I take good care of them. I'm confident that they would all serve me well if I ever had to use them.

[sixgunner455]

I would own the gun that the Government says I can legally have.
That was in jest right...?

I don't think it was. If the reason you have only one gun is legal, and not financial, then I would also *only own* the one that I could *legally* own.

If the reason is financial, then you can pick for yourself.