A laser-grip S&W Airweight with the Roy Rodgers/Hollywood enhancement that means you only have to tote five rounds of light ammunition BUT it NEVER RUNS OUT OF AMMO . . . and with bullets that automatically expand to 230gn .45 hollowpoints @ 950fps as they exit the barrel! LOL
Seriously though, for a moment, I don't think there's a single handgun in the world that will satisfy every shooter and every carry situation.
So . . . my favorites:
1. "ALWAYS" in the pocket carry handgun: S&W Airweight in .38 Spl. No matter what ELSE that I MIGHT be carrying, this little flyweight is something that one can always have on them. A gun that's too big or too heavy to have on you will NOT help you if trouble comes and you aren't ready! Also, TWO guns = one gun if something happens to the first one. So, that all being said, and with that being in the pocket . . .
2. Step up carry handguns:
Revolver - S&W Model 65 3" barrel in .357 Magnum
Automatic - Kimber Ultra CDP (original series) aluminum-framed "officer's size" in .45ACP, w/Nightsights. The lightweight Kimber usually gets the honors . . . simply because it is lighter.
3. Preferred carry when possible:
Revolver - custom S&W Model 25-2, 3 1/4" barrel. Moon-clipped .45ACP
Automatic - 5" 1911 Colt Combat Elite (1st generation) in .45ACP w/Nightsights. Both are heavier of course, but both are serious weapons too.
4. Holstered Hunting Revolver: S&W Model 29, 6" in .44 Magnum, topped with a Holosight and stoked with Keith-style hard-cast flatnose lead bullets (300 gn.) that are both superbly accurate AND that put virtually all big game animals down fast!
5. Holstered Hunting handgun, small game: Ruger Mk II Target Model, topped with a Holosight in .22
Alas, we are all different, and the safe has many more options in it, but these are the ones I've come to prefer over the past few decades. I love every single one of the ones mentioned, and all are superbly accurate and well made.
QUESTION: What would I prefer in my hand when things go bump in the night? The S&W 25-2 mentioned above, backed with my holder containing eight loaded moon clips. It makes a GREAT travel gun too on road trips!
It is like an extension of my body, and the special metal front sight is filed SHARP to prevent an attacker from grabbing, and gaining control, of the firearm in close quarters. It is also heavy enough to use as a club if one had to . . . the perfect fighting handgun!