If you could only have one gun for everything. . .

[McNutt]

I started to wonder what gun I would choose if I were strapped or for some reason could only own one handgun. This one gun would be used for home, concealed carry, and general range fun (since that's the main reason I have a gun).

For me it would be a very tough choice. My gut would tell me to go with a full-sized 1911. It can do it all. But if that's the only gun I have then I won't be able to afford to shoot it as much as I would like since .45 ACP isn't cheap. Sure, I could get a 9mm 1911, but there's something about a 9mm 1911 that doesn't sound right to me.

I think I would end up selecting the CZ P-01. It is light and compact enough to be a great concealed weapon. It has the rail in case I ever need that (which I don't, but it doesn't hurt). If it's anything like the CZ-75B it is a blast to shoot. But the deciding factor in choosing the CZ over the 1911 is the ammo cost. I would be able to shoot it much more than I could shoot the 1911, and that's a big consideration for me.

So what would you choose? IDPA shooters?

 

[38snapcaps]

I don't shoot IDPA, so can I answer?

The everything gun, autoloader speaking, has to be stone reliable, exceptionally accurate, high quality for durability, not too big and not too heavy, affordable initial purchase and ammo affordable to practice with. Clean shooting and ease of maintenance. And, of course, neat looks for pride of ownership.

As I open the envelope........and the winner is.........

Walther P-99!

 

[McNutt]

I just wanted to hear IDPA opinions too, since that's not a consideration for me.

The P99 is a good choice. A friend of mine owns one and I was pretty impressed.

 

[mercedesrules]

Maybe a Glock 26 (or 19) 9mm. Easy to conceal, decent stopping power, inexpensive ammo, and will take G-17 mags for more capacity.

MR

 

[strambo]

1911, with a marvel .22 upper to go with it 'cause that's not a 2nd gun. Got CCW, home defense, plinking and small game hunting all covered.

 

[George Hill]

The P-01 is a good choice. I like it... It's one of the most advanced fighting guns today. For a 9MM, that would be a good choice.
For .40 or .357 give consideration to the Springfield XD series. Even the Minis have light rails and can take the bigger gun's mags... so they can tackle most anything short of Bullseye competition.
SIG P229 could be in here... Beretta Cougar could be in here...

But of course this one gun for everything might include survival in the wilderness... a little meat harvesting?

Well then my first choice wouldn't be for an automatic. I'd go with a 4 inch revolver in .357 Magnum, .44 Special or Magnum, or .44 LC. A good example would be mabe a S&W Mountain Gun. THAT is a do everything kinda gun.

 

[Pheonix]

I would also say G-26, small enough to CC and big enough to shoot comfortably all day. Practice and defensive ammo is relativly cheap and recoil is a non issue.

 

[paladyn]

Glock 19

 

[rbernie]

Since you didn't restrict this to an autoloader - a S&W Model 19 with a 4" pipe. Will take small game with light 38sp loads to larger game with stout 357Mag loads, will be inexpensive enough to shoot at the range to keep me rolling, and will be readily packable under most circumstances.

Bearing in mind that this *is* an autoloader forum - my pistol of choice would be a Combat Commander in 9mm (or in 45ACP if a ready supply of cheap hardball ammo became available).

 

[Soap]

Full size 1911.

 

[kidcoltoutlaw]

thats easy

the SIG p229 in 357 SIG with a 40 S&W barrel also.thats why i have 3 p229's,love them,thanks,keith

 

[middy]

I would have to go for the 5.5" Ruger Redhawk .44 magnum.

 

[yodaddy]

You guys crack me up...

Hands down, HK Mark 23.... Well since I can only have one gun I dont think affording ammo will be a problem.

 

[HARLEYCOLT]

My first thoughts when I read the topic was DE 10mm, but if I can only have one it has to handle all animals LAR GRIZZLY 50 A.E.

All critters in Texas either bite or cut so you need to take them out.

 

[jercamp45]

I'm with Strambo.....

Many times in the last three decades, the 1911 has been my only handgun......though I have a bunch now, I'd still pick one of the 1911's for my ONE handgun(the only problem, which one....I am very fond of the CCO, but the joy of the Government model!!). I'd definately add a Marvel conversion unit for plinking duties.
Jercamp45

 

[Black Majik]

Same as strambo, but to be more specific...

it be a Colt Special Combat Government w/ the Marvel Unit 1 conversion.

 

[Marshall]

I think a P-01 would be good too. However, I think I would pick a BHP in .40 S&W, possibly an XD in the same? Might even go with a 4" Model 686+ in .357 mag?

Too many good choices.

 

[McNutt]

"I'd definately add a Marvel conversion unit for plinking duties."

That's cheating. One gun. One barrel. No conversions. Now if you say .357 magnum but will shoot .38 at the range that would be acceptable.

 

[Berg01]

If You Can Only Have One You Might As Well Have the Very Best;

Ed Brown Classic Custom in Stainless & Blue

 

[Berg01]

Ed Brown Classic Custom

 

[RWK]

One firearm, well, for me the answer is easy: a top-quality, four or five inch barrel, .357 magnum revolver, such as a GP-100, a Smith 686/586/681/581, or a S&W 27/28/627. Now I recognize this thread is in the Autoloader Forum, but consider what this alternative offers:
a) Small enough for easy concealment
b) Great accuracy
c) Superb durability and reliability
d) Easy maintenance and repair
e) Unmatched ammunition alternatives, ranging from inexpensive .38 Special target loads, to unequalled defensive .357 magnum JHPs, to excellent .357 magnum cast-lead hunting rounds

I love my GP-100s, my N Frames, and my .45 ACP semiautomatics (1911A1s, Sig P-220, H&K USP, Glock 36) – but if I were compelled to keep only one, it would be my 30+ year old, P&R’ed, Smith 27-2. It is the "do everything well" weapon.

 

[Heraclitus]

If I had to get rid of all but three of my guns, I'd keep my Kimber Gold Match (.45), Walther P-99 (9mm) and Sig P-229 (.40/.357). These are the three that I shoot best. The three that I mentally, physically, and spiritually bond with. The three that I carry more often than any other. Asking me to further narrow my choice would be like asking me which organ I can live without: brain, heart, or lungs.

 

[CZ52GUY]

Home Defense - tough to argue with a 1911
Carry - might be big on some folks...me, I'd probably go with my G22 (I like the lighter weight).
Range Fun - CZ52 (bang and flash )
IDPA - you can shoot a 1911 in all 3 autoloader divisions, I wonder why .

Overall, 1911 is tough to argue with for versatility.

But to have to choose only one, perish the thought!!

Safe shooting,

CZ52'

 

[telewinz]

BHP in 40 S&W.

 

[Smaug]

It'd have to be my Smith

Thank GOODNESS you didn't limit it to auto-pistols, as they tend not to do it all as easily as a wheelgun.

With light handloads, it is a delight on the range, punching large and clean holes in my targets with unrivaled accuracy.

With heavy handloads, it would be perfect for hunting.

With medium handloads (about the level of factory 44 Specials) it would be perfect for home defense.

It is big & heavy for a carry gun, but it does everything else so well, I would cope.

If it had to be an auto pistol, or I had to carry it concealed, it would be my Glock 34 and I would have to write off hunting.