If you could only own ONE, MODERN, CENTERFIRE HANDGUN, which one, and why?

[Defense Minister]

For me, it would have to be the Glock 29. I'm not a devout Glock fan, but the versatility of the 10mm cartridge, and the incredible amount of accessories available for Glock pistols, are my reasons for picking the G29.

This firearm is small and light enough for concealed carry, and, using 15-round Glock 20 magazines and a grip sleeve, can function equally as well as a duty/combat weapon worn in a hip holster. The 10mm also packs enough wallop to be suitable as protection from all but the largest of wild beasts (for which I would want bear spray, or a long gun).

As well as the aforementioned versatility of the 10mm cartridge, readily available .40 S&W aftermarket conversion barrels can further increase the overall usefullness of the weapon, and help manage the cost of training with the firearm.

I believe the Glock 29 to be the best all-around handgun available if I could choose only one for woods protection, concealed carry, law enforcement duty, and combat, and I'd like to know what other members feel is the most versatile MODERN, CENTERFIRE handgun, and why. If you could own just ONE, which one would it be?

 

[md7]

I would choose either a Glock 19/23 respectively or a 4" Stainless GP100 in .357 mag. Common firearms, parts or replacements should be readily available, ammo is not hard to locate, nor too expensive to obtain, and these firearms have a track record for reliablity and durability.

 

[bdb benzino]

S&w 686+

 

[396chevy]

For me it would be my MK23, No I wouldn't carry it but its extremely accurate extremely durable and reliable not to mention it can handle 45acp+P+ or 45 super.

 

[christcorp]

A quality 4" 357 magnum such as S&W or Ruger is the only real answer. When you limit the parameters to only allowed to own one gun, the choice is simple. There is no other caliber of handguns more versatile than that of the 357 magnum. With it capable of also shooting 38 specials and 38 spl +P, there isn't anything from a 380 to a 45acp/lc or 41 mag that can beat it. Including everything in between.

Plus, the 4" barrel revolver is easy enough to conceal; easy for home defense; and good for hunting. No other caliber; not even the 10mm can equal the versatility of the 357 magnum when it comes to only allowed one pistol. Because of the potential power of a 357 magnum in the upper size bullets, a revolver is pretty much a given. With the exception of the desert eagle and similar. And because it's a revolver, and there's a new mindset/generation of individuals who think that they are equal to the police force and must have 10-17 rounds in a pistol or it's no good; the revolver, and thus the 357 magnum has lost much of it's support in the gun advertising community. But if you minus the magazine capacity issue; which is not a major issue for most people, there isn't another caliber pistol that can even come close to the 357 magnum.

 

[Clifford]

+1 on any 4" .357 revolver. The Auto's just don't compete with revo's versatillity. Yes your Glock / Colt / insert you brand here auto may be able to switch barrel's, mag's and recoil springs to swap cartrige or power level. But a .357 can do .38/.357, shotshells, full wadcutters or hollow points without any changes. You can mix and match your ammo to your taste in the same cylinder and know it's gonna function.

 

[wvshootist]

I would go with my 5 1/2 inch Ruger Redhawk 44 mag. I know that it would be difficult to conceal but it would best fit my do everything gun.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Depends what you consider modern, I guess. Of all of my handguns, the one I would keep for all around usage would be my 4" Python. But it was made in the late 60's. If I had to choose a new one, I would find a .357 that suits me. Probably a Korth. Might as well do it right

So why my Python (or a Korth) - versatility of caliber, of course. But there is something else, less practical, in my choice. I like the style. I like the craftsmanship. I like the magnificent royal blue. I like the smoothness of the action and the crisp trigger. I like having something that is hand-tuned, not that it is necessarily better, but just for the sake of it. Yeah, I know it'll eventually go out of time. I know that it is not as rugged as others. However, it represents something from a bygone era that we'll never see again. For me, it is as much as a symbol of what I appreciate in firearms as it is a practical tool.

 

[evan price]

Desert Eagle in .50 AE caliber, the long slide version with the 24-karat gold plated zebra stripes. Every gun should have those stripes, especially Pythons and Smith & Wesson Registered Magnums.
If I can't have that, a US Revolver Co. top break in .32 Short. Preferably with duct-taped grip panels.

 

[barneyrw]

Stainless (Inox) Beretta 92FS, made in USA. Pretty much does everything well, except maybe pocket carry. Glock model 19 probably 2nd choice.

 

[Oro]

The choice comes down to only two in my mind - a 1911 style Colt or a S&W .357 - either a 4" 686 or 27 (3.5").

After thinking about it, I know I'd give up the versatility of the .357 and go with the sheer functional and visual elegance of the .45acp in the 1911 platform. Either an original Series '70, a 1st generation Combat Elite from the 1980s, or one of the modern WWI reproductions. I have a few of these and I can never decided which is my absolute favorite.

 

[Rexster]

Ruger GP100, 4" barrel, adjustable sights.

I can dress around one if I have to, and have done so. The 4" is eminently concealable, while offering enough sight radius for long-range shooting. More sight radius is better for longer range, but having only one gun means compromise. Revolvers work better for me, regarding comfort, IWB, than most autos. I shoot S&W and Ruger DA sixguns of this frame size more consistently better than any other handguns. The Ruger GP100 factory grip is a superb fit in my hands. The .357 Magnum is indeed a versatile cartridge, though I don't go so far as to say it is THE most versatile.

I have read reliable accounts of GP100s still going strong after shooting ridiculously high round counts of magnum ammo. IIRC, one belongs to the Cor-bon factory, and another to another ammo company.

I like S&W L-frames about as much, but I have experienced a catastrophic failure of an S&W mainspring, and while it is unlikely to happen to me again in a lifetime, the coil mainspring of the GP100 is a comfort. An S&W may tend to have a better DA trigger pull, but this does not necessarily translate, at least for me, into better accuracy with the S&W.

I have nothing against autoloaders, but I just like revolvers better. Subjective feelings can certainly count for something; not everything has to be quantified objectively.

Moreover, I have one particular GP100 in this configuration that I used in a small adventure one night in 1993; I will NOT part with it.

 

[Radagast]

Glock 17. I shoot it well and it is reliable and accurate enough for my needs.

 

[TexMexSu]

+ another one for the S&W .357 Magnum.

I have a 686+ and love it.

If I ever needed it for protection I can count on it going bang 7 times without fail.

No FTF, no FTE, nothing but a big bang.

Even my wife can shoot it with .38 Specials.

 

[wanderinwalker]

It's a tough call. 4" DA .357 or my Glock 17.

On one hand, the .357 has enough muscle for anything I care to do with a handgun. And a tuned S&W K-frame is a joy to shoot and handle, not to mention it can be dressed around and carried.

But, the Glock has been totally reliable and is durable as a brick.

I suppose in the end, it would be the S&W. It fits more hands, can handle a wider power range of ammo and is more accurate in my hands past 20 yards or so.

 

[Old Shooter]

It would be a tough toss-up between the Colt 1911 in 45 cal or a S&W 686.

I'll pick the 4" 686 for versatility, durability and you said I couldn't have both.

 

[Arthur2001]

No doubt Glock 19

 

[Bentonville]

HK P30: utter reliability, common caliber, adequate round for many tasks, 15 round magazines, accurate, amazingly tough ( http://hkpro.com/forum/showthread.p...Six-Months-The-HK-P30&highlight=50,000+rounds ), easy maintenance.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

short of being in big bear areas a 4" .357 or a 4-5" .45acp revolver (625 will easily handle .45 super loads) either will do well with loads from target level up to big boomer loads. and heavy bullet loads in either would keep any but the larger grizz or browns off you.

 

[FoMoGo]

4" .44 magnum.
Good for home defense, self defense, hunting...
I can conceal a S&W N frame up to 4" fairly easily.
I hand load for it, so I have power from a cowboy special load to palm stinging barn burners.
If you choose a Ruger, you have the option of nuclear loads.


Jim

 

[dovedescending]

+1 .357 with a 4" barrel.

 

[huntsman]

and I'd like to know what other members feel is the most versatile MODERN, CENTERFIRE handgun, and why. If you could own just ONE, which one would it be?

All you say about your Glock maybe true(I don't know, I don't DO plastic) but the 10mm wouldn't be my choice as a caliber because I would want something that is universally available no matter what.

My choice in an auto would be S&W 4566 in a revolver it would be a S&W 686 either caliber should be more easy to locate in troubled times.

 

[SOUTHPAW]

Hmmm... It's a tough toss-up between these two:



My Glades 1911: it's gorgeous, the 1911 platform is extremely customizable, the .45acp is a sweet round, it groups 1" and is also good for HD, and again it's gorgeous.

My Ruger SP101: as mentioned above; the versatility of .38/.357, it's a wheelgun so reliability is there in spades, it's sexy, it's a hoot to shoot, things explode when hit with .357 magnums, I can easily carry it IWB, it makes me feel like a cowboy.

I honestly can't decide, as these are already my two favorite guns that I own. I'll probably never get rid of either of them...

 

[Just One Shot]

One of the ones I already own. The Springfield XD or the S&W M&P, both in 40 cal. Bigger than the 9mm (which I also own) with higher capacity and slighty lighter than the .45 ACP (I have a bad back).

 

[Nautilus]

Glock 19