IF you could only own ONE handgun...

there can be only ONE

  • .357 mag medium frame Ruger or S&W

    Votes: 59 35.1%
  • 9mm CZ, HiPwr, Sig, Glock, HK, Walther, or Beretta

    Votes: 58 34.5%
  • .45 ACP 1911, HK USP

    Votes: 51 30.4%

  • Total voters
    168
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Rival

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My buddy is looking for one gun to buy. His wife will only allow for one handgun - he is still working on his degree and (in his wife's words) does not have the extra cash laying around for his toys.

After long negotiations with his wife he got OK on one handgun, but only one.

Keep in mind that this guy is not me. I do not have restrictions of this sort.

He asked me for an advice (I am his shooting buddy, he goes to the range with me from time to time).

I gave him three choices that I am going to put in a poll here and see your opinion folks.

Please vote and leave your responses. Keep in mind that one very good person and friend of mine will benefit from your input.

Oh - the gun is not for carry (Los Angeles here). Home protection/Range gun here.
 
Rival -- It's a nice thing that you are researching this important decision for your friend; it is also extremely difficult to pick one, as all are good-great handguns, IMHO! We've heard it before, but you get TWO calibers in a .357 Mag(.38 Special), they are usually 100% reliable, good natural pointers, and are simple to use. OTOH, the autoloaders would be fine choices, too! Hard to beat a 1911 in .45 ACP! :D
 
I would pick a 1911 for my first choice. Second pick would be a 357. Either one would be a good pick for a first pistol.
 
Current favorite, as mentioned on another thread, is my USP 9. Great gun for self defense & range or competition plus since money is a little tight, less expensive to shoot than the 45 acp (which he can get when budget allows).
 
Given the choices presented I would go with the .357 revolver. Why? .357 is a good stopping round. Generally fewer things go wrong with a revolver in my experience.

You can shoot .38, .38+p, +p+, as well as your good old .357.
That is why IMHO I would take the .357.
 
After long negotiations with his wife he got OK on one handgun, but only one.

Used S/W 357 4" barrel. + Tell friend he's not four anymore and his wife is not his mother. Use savings on not buying a 1911 for lawyer to get rid of wife.
 
A .357 Mag revolver since there is less chance of a malfuntion, and it would be easier for his wife to use if she ever needed to.
 
That's tough. I love my CZ75-design EAA Witness Silver Team in 40 S&W. My Taurus PT99AF has never let me down in thousands of rounds. Everyone needs a S&W 686-ish revolver. But if it came down to one to serve all purposes, I'd have to stick with a 1911A1.
 
Ruger Semi-Auto in flavor of choice, dependable...affordable...not the best looking handguns in the world but you can bet your life on them, at least that's my choice (Ruger P94 40 cal)
Tony G.
 
I didn't vote, because I currently only own one handgun. It's a Beretta 92FS. However, by the end of the month I plan to have a Springfield 1911.

Now, if I could only have ONE of those two, which would it be? I don't know. But right now, I only have ONE handgun, and it's a 9mm Beretta. In a month, after playing with my 1911, I might decide I would rather give up the 92 if I *had* to get rid of one of them.
 
1894C_Th.jpg


Marlin model 1894C

Chambered for 357 Mag./38 Spl., the 1894C is the natural sidekick to the 357 Magnum or 38 Special revolver. An 18.5" barrel with deep-cut Ballard-type rifling, and superb balance, together with six machined solid steel forgings and a checkered American black walnut straight-grip stock, make this an extremely quick-handling little carbine.
 
He should get the glock or 1911 and then get a .22 conversion and also a Carbine conversion Unit, instant 3 guns in 1, but as the law only views the frame (which he has only one) as a firearm, he still only has one gun!

That is what I would truly do if I was stuck in that position. Thankfully, I am not. My biggest worry is getting a USP before my wife gets hers!
 
.357 revolver.
All are good choices, I am a fan of 1911 style and like the 45ACP. I also use a 9mm .

The advice I give when asked or pressed is :

The shooter must choose a firearm that FITS the shooter, in a reliable platform, in the largest caliber that allows consistent hits.

That said, a wheel gun is a great learning platform in a MOA which teaches the 4 rules very well for new shooters. Also if wife is even remotely going to use--SHE has to pick for her. He can learn around her choice...but if picked for her, very likely she will be more prone to learn and be more apt to help save for additional purchases.
 
357 Mag. Revolver!

Can be used for about anything and is the most reliable. I had a hard time not picking a HP since I just got one. But, the Revolver is it for only one handgun out of those choices. I would say a 4-6 inch .44 Mag would be my choice over the .357 Mag though.


Marshall :)
 
Well, it sounds like the .357 magnum revolver is the winner..:)

If it were me, I'd buy something exotic, or a "dream" gun.. If it can only be one, then why not splurge a little,say..

A custom 1911... This is one handgun that fits the "splurge" category.:D
 
I'll go with the 9 as he would be more likely to get her to shoot it and like it and hence no more silly one gun restriction. :evil:
 
I voted for the .357, fewer parts to wear out so I think it would last longer than the semi autos.

Do like my Beretta though.:)
 
Given the conditions as stated............

we really don't know how the buddy intends to use the gun. Home protection? Concealed carry? Plinking? Or, perhaps. all of the above. Given the situation I would recommend a S&W 686+ in either the "snubby" barrel length or, more practicaly, the 4" bbl. length. As other posters here have pointed out the .357 gives the shooter the maximum in flexibility. From mild .38 spcl wadcutter ammo up to and including some hot .357 stuff the shooter has a lot of options. In addition, if concealed carry is at all an issue the 7 rounds offered by the 686+ also offer a decided advantage. Hope it works out. Good shooting:)
 
.357 Cheap to feed, easy to teach wife how to operate, and if you buy a used S&W or Ruger, it's easy on the pocket (a used security six can be had for +/-$250) - a decided advantage for a student.
 
357, simple and reliable. Easy to shoot too. For the one gun guy that is not going to fully commit to training and drilling himself and others who may need to use the gun I feel a revolver is the only choice.
 
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