If You Could Have But ONE Handgun....

[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.

.

 

[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...




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

 

[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.

 

[amprecon]

My Glock 21

 

[waidmann]

S&W Model 65 with a 3 inch barrel.