If you could have only one handgun, what would you choose?

I have a g19 with me almost everywhere I go. If I could only have 1 it would be my DW bobtail 1911 .45

They are equally reliable so far, I have no problem losing the g19 to a police locker for indeterminate amount of time should God forbid I ever have to use it. The DW? Yeah, think I will keep that

VP9.

I’m having a real problem picking between a 4” S&W 66 and a Glock 19. Since I’m married and the wife can’t go empty handed she’ll get the 66 and I’ll go g19. There.....I fixed it!

Michael A Ferber said:

If you could have only one handgun, what would you choose?

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Very late to the thread ... and I haven't read any of the responses, but ...

Since I would still be responsible for protecting me&mine, I would have to choose my .45acp Glock 30S (current 2nd choice my SA .45acp XDs Mod2) since it is concealable, reliable, comfortable and effortlessly accurate in my hand.

If my choice could be driven purely by my appreciation of its ... elegance (not that it isn't quite accurate, comfortable, reliable, etc), I would choose my ~100yo nickel'd 6" .38spl S&W Model 1905 Hand Ejector.

I like my DW 44 with 2.5 and 8" barrels. Can shoot 44 spl. and mag...

My Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 magnum. Between CCI Snake shot, the new 4 shot varmint load and my reloads it pretty much covers any uncertainty I may run into.

Hmmmmm..... that is honestly a hard choice.

Ruger GP100 4”

Thompson Contender G2 with 10" 45/410 barrel with choke. Fits my needs exactly.

Walther P99 Gen 1. I’ve got 7 high caps for it, 2 barrels and a few holsters. Can bridge the gap between home defense, range and CCW better than anything else I have. However, it’s not necessarily my favorite, it just checks the most boxes.

I own no handgun at all (yet), but if I had to choose ? It'd be some variation of a 4" barreled service sized .357 Magnum. Think S&W Mdl 19, 686; Ruger GP100, Service Six, etc. Failing *that* broad specification... a Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt/Auto.

A 1911 in .45 ACP.

Sarge7402 said:

Actually, I wrote and article for the Backwoodsman Magazine about a year ago outlining my speific reasons. Drop me a pm and I'll e-mail it to you

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Hey Sarge what was the name of your article? I have it. I save all my BWM magazines and have been a reader since 2008. Its the only magazine I subscribe to.

I stated early on in this thread that my first gun was a 6" model 19 and that gun did all I needed for a handgun. I sold that gun long ago and replaced it with a 6" GP-100 and a few years ago picked up a 4" GP-100. I could get by just fine with that one 4" GP-100 as long as I have my reloading set up to go with it. With light reloads it could do the same duty as a 22 pistol all the way up to one of the best manstopper rounds you can get. And mid range loads for fun and sport shooting. Ammo is of a reasonable weight for having a hundred rounds on you. And those 38 Special loads work just fine with cheap lead bullets cast from scrap lead. No expensive jacketed bullets needed.

And reading over this whole thread I noticed how many wanted a 9mm because of all the cheap, easy to get ammo. Now 9mm is not so cheap and its sure not so easy to get. I also like 9mm and reload for it so ammo is not an issue for me. And I have shot many 9mm loads with lead bullets. Those work well enough. I don't get quite as good of accuracy but more than good enough to make them worth reloading and using. Everyone really should have at least a basic reloading kit and the skill to use it. Even if its just one of the Lee whack-A-Mole kits.

ThomasT said:

Hey Sarge what was the name of your article? I have it. I save all my BWM magazines and have been a reader since 2008. Its the only magazine I subscribe to.

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Sep/Oct 2017

OK thanks. Next time I am in the attic where I store my magazines I will see what the name of the article is.

For me it would be my Springfield Armory XD-45 Tactical with a 5 inch barrel and 13 round magazine. With the modern ammunition available today, I consider a .45 ACP to be a true "man-stopper." My opinion of course.

I agree; and if someone wants a 1911 platform, a 9mm is typically 9+1 while the 45 is 8+1; I'd opt for the 45 as well.

Glock 19

If we are talking just about one handgun in the same life we have now I would go with my Sig p365 as long as i still had my shotgun and rifle for hunting.

Springfield Armory Range Officer Target 1911 in 9mm.

Mr. Mosin said:

I own no handgun at all (yet), but if I had to choose ? It'd be some variation of a 4" barreled service sized .357 Magnum. Think S&W Mdl 19, 686; Ruger GP100, Service Six, etc. Failing *that* broad specification... a Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt/Auto.

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Really? How did you pass the entrance exam for THR??

My Glock 17/4..reliable, high cap, VERY shootable and easy to carry(OWB)...

Glock 19 for an only. But a case could be made for the Glock 26 with assorted 10, 12, 15, and 17 round mags

Michael A Ferber said:

I have to really think about my own question! How about the rest of you!?!

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I've thought about this several times since having to face the issue short-term several decades back.

I always return to the same answer. Dan Wesson .357. Stainless if possible.

.38 wadcutter to full-house .357.

Dress it long or short, hunt or conceal.

I've taken sizable white tail and later concealed them in waist and shoulder rigs with a shorter barrel and smaller grip.

Too, they are simply my favorite looking and handling .357s.

Todd.

any reputable model 357 revolver , second choice, any 22LR auto.