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

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If there could be just one huh? That's tough...and what's weird is lots of guns come to mind as possibles and most of them I don't own right now (but have owned or carried) I guess it would really have to be in 9mm or .45 and if the wife gets her "just one" it's going to be her XD9...so that would probably make me say my XD9 for ammo logistics...but me personally...all by myself free and clear of all other logistics? It'd have to be in .45acp...have to have at least a 4"bbl and have to be light enough to carry happily every day....big enough to be fun on the range...accurate enough to keep me happy punching paper...I'd hate to say my XD45 because I have fewer than 200 rounds on it and that's just too new to say "that one" but it looks promising...the XD9's we have a LOT of time with...and I do trust them. Probably something along the lines or a 1911 maybe a lightweight commander with a bull bbl....like an original Kimber procarry (no FP safety thanks) Or possibly even a 5"...I'd be able to fit parts and keep it running forever.

In the running also where the GLOCK 17, 22, 30 models I do love a good "GLOCKEN" 22 as we call it here. My buds 19 was FAR from new when he bought it...still putting out a decade after he bought it a decade old. GLOCKs are very modular and easy to keep running short of a frame problem...which is quite rare....9mm's sidestep most of the other issues people associate with them...I've never had a problem with ANY of the ones I've owned. I really like the XD's...I just have no idea how the heck I'd swap an extractor if one failed or where I'd even buy one to put back...the rest of the gun looks pretty simple (even though I know it's nowhere near as simple to work on as a GLOCK) I think the GLOCK is a better machine....the XD is a better performer (for me) and the 1911 bests them both other than reliabillity...which as much as I LOVE the 1911 they are a finnicky beast at heart...and I've owned and carried one I'd deffinately bet my life on...but it was after 49 hours of labor (of love) and well over a thousand rounds through it that it proved itself to me...and even then....in the muck and mud I'd trust a GLOCK better.

The revolver crowd has a voice of reason to...if only one gun how about brass that lasts a LONG time for it? And round that can be soft or as hard as needed? I dunno...thank GOD we don't have to make this decission...one thing I AM COMPLETELY sure of...life would be a lot less fun with just one HG to play with!

JonBoy....gun whore...and certified victim of gun-o-holia-extremesis
 
SOUTHPAW,

What grips do you have on your SP101? Do you have a side profile pic? They look really nice from what i can see.

Sorry for the thread hi jack! please continue.
 
+1 on DA revolver...

I'd go with a stainless GP100 with a 4.2".

Very strong, ultra reliable, easy to shoot, safe design, limited maintance required, and very versatile (muzzle energy can range between around 150 ft/lbs of energy with .38 special and as much as about 800 ft/lbs of energy with Buffalo Bore heavy .357 magnums).


Very versatile grip design, easy to change front sites, very easy to detail strip and resassemble. Pretty good one and only centerfire handgun.
 
6" .357 DA revolver.

Jack-of-all trades, pretty much covers anything from small to bigger stuff with the right loads.
 
md7 said:
SOUTHPAW,

What grips do you have on your SP101? Do you have a side profile pic? They look really nice from what i can see.

Sorry for the thread hi jack! please continue.
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They are Badgers. I'll send you a PM in a minute. ;)
 
I've sold off all my 9mm handguns with the exception of a Star 30M. Guess that pretty much answers the question for me.
 
Hello all, RON L here - SERE SURPLUS

Well, If I could only have 1, it would be 1 of the 3 I own now:

1911a1 45 AUTO PISTOL Clone
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M-95 CLASSIC BHP CLONE
1688s4n.jpg

S & W Model 36 Snub Nose Revolver
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I'd have a very hard time giving up my other 11 handguns, but if forced to choose 1 to have for all my handgun needs for the rest of my life:

Ruger GP100 4" stainless .357 Magnum

But you can bet that I'd keep a garage full of .38/.357 reloading components, from 110 grain to 200 grain bullets of every variety imaginable. There isn't a whole lot within the continental United States that you couldn't do with this setup.
 
christcorp said:
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.
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Agree 100% with the above post. The handgun that I purchased for home defense is a Ruger .357 security six with a 4" barrel. I also own two 9MM semi auto's but if an intruder enters my home I want the Security Six in my hand loaded with .38's. It's also my carry gun & if I'm in the middle of nowhere with my son on our dirt bikes it's with me loaded with .357 mags.
 
If you could only own ONE, MODERN, CENTERFIRE HANDGUN, which one, and why?
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Glock 27....

HPIM6365.gif

Why?

1) It's small enough and light-weight enough to carry everyday, everywhere, regardless of the season or the type of clothing worn.
A larger and heavier handgun will soon become a PITA to carry and will eventually be left in the truck or at home.

2) It's powerful enough for my shooting purposes....self-defense.
I don't use a handgun to hunt.
And 9+1 rounds of .40S&W is plenty of firepower for a small handgun.

3) Glock parts are very easy to obtain and Glocks themselves are very easy to work on and maintain without the need for a gunsmith.

4) For such a small gun it is very easy to shoot accurately.
 
HK P7

While I enjoy shooting all of the ones I own, my main purpose for a center fire handgun is concealed carry. Since that is what I carry, that's what I picked.
 
I appreciate your responses, and I also appreciate many of your choices. As I anticipated, there are many who would choose a .357 wheelgun, and there are many good arguments for that choice.

If I had to choose a wheelgun, it would be the S&W 686 Plus with 3" barrel, and bantam grips. The reason I chose an auto is that law enforcement duty and combat were part of my criteria, and I don't shoot revolvers well (I sold my S&W 386sc to finance the purchase of the G29).

What I appreciate the most, as some have pointed out, is that we don't have to choose just one.:)
 
I just can't see ANY semi-auto being the choice if you were only ALLOWED 1 handgun no matter what. There isn't anything a semi can do that a revolver can't. But there's things a 357mag or even a 44mag can do that no other semi caliber can do. The ONLY advantage a semi has is magazine capacity. And for most people, that's a non-issue. I.e. 1911A1 only carry 7+. This is like rationalizing only being allow to own 1 vehicle. The ONLY obvious choice is something along the line of an extended cab pickup truck. Carries the same amount of passengers, but allows for hauling. ANY car is limited compared to an extended cab pickup. Same with a semi auto. No semi is as versatile as a 357 magnum revolver.
 
Walther P99 with the AS trigger configuration, which for me has the best trigger on the planet. Nothing else comes close, IMO.
 
...things explode when hit with .357 magnums...
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Yup, that is fun!

The last 4 times that I have been to the range I took my 686 along.
I'll plink a few hundred rounds through our .22's and then bang off a few .357.
Each time the people next to us have jumped, the last 2 asked what I was shooting.

Someday I will probably get another 9MM just because it's not too pricey to shoot and you certainly can crank off a bunch of rounds in a fire fight, I just love the look and reliability of a revolver.

Granted the .357 Magnum is not "the most powerful handgun on the world", it sure is fun to light up the end of the barrel with flame once in a while!
 
TexMexSu said:
Yup, that is fun!

The last 4 times that I have been to the range I took my 686 along.
I'll plink a few hundred rounds through our .22's and then bang off a few .357.
Each time the people next to us have jumped, the last 2 asked what I was shooting.

Someday I will probably get another 9MM just because it's not too pricey to shoot and you certainly can crank off a bunch of rounds in a fire fight, I just love the look and reliability of a revolver.

Granted the .357 Magnum is not "the most powerful handgun on the world", it sure is fun to light up the end of the barrel with flame once in a while!
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Yes, the flames are awesome. I also get the same reaction from people who hear it go off. Especially indoors. ;)

I love to shoot grapefruit and cantalope. Last weekend the grapefruit were exploding 50 feet high raining chunks down for several seconds after impact. The whole range smelt niceee. :)
 
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