Favorite small caliber handgun?

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I reckon my favorite small-bore handgun has to be my S&W Model 17-4 .22 LR revolver. Nothing else comes close.

If “carry” become a criteria, well, the tiny .32 ACP Seecamp LWS-32 is certainly a favorite. I love the back-story, its design, its craftsmanship, and its one-time status as the smallest production .32 auto-loading pistol in the world. (Whether it remains the smallest, I cannot say.)

The Glock G42 may well become a favorite, in the future, so I will have to give it an honorable mention. It seems to be a very good lefty one-hand gun, which is important, as my right thumb, hand, and wrist are not aging well.
 
While I do not shoot it much, this Rossi given to me (in almost new condition) turned out to be a very accurate, easy shooter. This one in SW 32long. Actually a nice size.

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My favorite small caliber which has a lot of range time for years now and the most reliable 22.cal I have ever shot is the LCR22. Not to mention one of the most "Fun" guns to shoot that I own.
It has come in real handy during the ammo shortage to keep my DAO and small barrel skills honed.

22.cal is the name of the game now since the shortage. Provided you did you due diligence and stocked up years ago.

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Yet another 32 fan. Reminds me of my Unix™ days; YACC.

It seems I own more 32acp pistols than 9mm Parabellum, .380 and 9mm Makarov combined.

But picking a favorite is nie impossible without qualifications.

My Colt 1903s are the most enjoyable to shoot and the most aesthetic ...

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... but most often carried would be one of my JP Sauer 38hs or a Mauser HSc:

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And among my Beretta 32acps the Beretta 70 New Puma and 1935 seem to get to go WalkAbout more often than their brothers.
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More of my favorite small bore pistols. Two Ruger Standard model 22s. The older 9 shot guns. The 6" barreled gun was bought off GB a couple of years ago for $225 and no one else even bid on it. It was NIB and came with the box and docs. And I still haven't fired it. The J-Frame is an old flat latch is one of the most accurate 22s I have ever shot. Gunwriter Jan Libourel always stated they were his favorite 22 plinkers. And then the little Beretta 950 25acp.

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Had a lorcin .25 many moons ago that I loved. Ran good with fmj. Broke the firing pin. Couldn't find a new one local. So gave it away. This was late 90s.
 
Rimfire: a stainless Ruger Single-Ten. It's been at least as accurate as my Mk IIs and more so than the Single-Six.

Centerfire: Ruger Single-Six in 32 H&R, especially with 32 Long wadcutters. Cheap to reload, VERY accurate, and no recoil to speak of.

Jeff
 
Initially I was thinking LCP II .380... then with all the cool camp/plinking guns I went that route:

Auto: Ruger Mk II 6.5” Govt. Target.

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DA revolver: S&W Model 17-3.

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SA revolver: I went away from the Wrangler/Single Six rimfires and went with the .32 H&R Bisley.

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Stay safe.
 
There are three sub-.380s in my collection.
First is a Colt 1903 but its barrel is worn out so it isn't accurate enough beyond 15-20 feet.

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Then there is a Colt Jr. in .25 ACP. It was NiB until I inherited it. Having never been shot, it is more accurate than the .32 above.
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Last is my Ruger Single Six in .22/.22 Magnum.
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There is a .32-20 revolver but it is a stepped cartridge and not a straight wall pistol cartridge.
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A Ruger LCR 327 Federal Magnum, and a S&W 431, which I load with .32 H&R magnum or .32 S&W long, are two of my favorite revolvers - 6 rounds, compact, and easy shooting.
 
I don't carry a mouse gun for defense; smallest is my LCP. My favorite "kit" gun, though, is a pre-lock S&W 317. And I like the Browning Buckmark.

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