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

[griz1]

3 inch SP-101 and a close second would be my 3 inch S&W Model 65 both in 357 mag.

 

[wnycollector]

S&W 620 here. A seven shot L frame with adjustable sight's works as a CCW loaded with 125gr JHP's, a range gun with .38 DEWC's and SWC's and a hunting handgun with 158gr SP's or 180gr hard casts.

 

[christcorp]

Waterhouse; the question is if you could only own 1 handgun. Yes, you could but personal limitations on it such as: "I don't need this, or I'll never use it for that". But the implication of the question is that just in case, you're looking for the most versatile gun/caliber available. Under your limitations, it would be logical for someone to say that their 380 would be the one and only because they only use it for self defense; and your logic says they have a shotgun at home.

Unless the OP qualifies the original question to mean something different, I'll maintain that they are referring to a centerfire pistol that is the most versatile. And that would be the 357 magnum revolver. And if you want to get into modifications to justify the 10mm, then that still doesn't cover it, because the same could be said for the revolver. You can buy a dan wesson 357 magnum revolver with interchangeable 2,4,6, and 8" barrels. Plus, the 10mm cartridge is too obscure and expensive to make it practical if it's the only pistol I had. The 357 magnum revolver has plenty of 357 mag ammo as well as 38 special.

But you put limits on the gun so that the 10mm is better. That's definitely your choice. But if I chose the Dan Wesson with the 2,4,6, and 8" barrels; I doubt there is another gun/caliber as versatile.

 

[Al LaVodka]

It's generally too bulky and heavy for concealed carry (except light-weight non-steel snubbies which are painful to shoot in .357 magnum).
It doesn't tolerate dirt and grime as well as an auto.
And the heavy double-action trigger and limited capacity make it a poor self-defense handgun (which is why cops and soldiers carry autos instead of revolvers).

Lemme get this straight, revolvers are less reliable than semi-autos, and, have worse double action trigger pull and THAT's why you think cops carry semi's?

You are not allowed to post on a pistol page until you fire some. Poof!

Al

 

[Sheepdog1968]

If I can only have one, I want it to be a 45 ACP. I just like the cartridge and the feel of the recoil.

As for the pistol, I'd have to go w a Sig P220. I've got 9,000+ rounds through mine. I had three failure to fires in the first 5,000 rounds for reasons I can't remember. Tap n rack fixed those three problems. I sent it back to Sig for examination and they just polished some areas and I haven't had a problem in the last 4,000 rounds. I know it is reliable and I've tried all kinds of things such as limp wristing, letting it go 1,000 rounds between cleanings, trying all kinds of various ammo, etc and it just works. The only downside is the weight and the capacity (10+1).

If I could carry (hard to do where in live in CA) and could get a 45 high capacity, then I would likely change my answer to a Springfield XD in 45 ACP. It's lighter and has 13+1 capacity.

 

[Geno]

I'd toss a coin for either a:

Colt 1911A1 Commander

or

Glock 19C

 

[oneounceload]

Korth 357 revolver

 

[FirearmsEnthusiast]

Some stainless SVI govt length single stack .38 Super with target sights.

 

[amprecon]

I would have to say my Glock 23. I have a Glock 21 which is also a great handgun, but the G23 just seems to be the perfect size for concealment, yet large enough to feel comfortable and shoot quite accurately. I might also add that they are just tough as nails and just plain reliable.

 

[Izvitz]

CZ P0-1

Why? I shoot well with it, 9mm is common, and IMO perfectly good for SD when properly loaded. The gun itself is lightweight with good capacity and in an 'inbetween' size, small enought for CC, yet large enough for a good HD gun.

And of course, it contains Czechnology!

 

[Oyeboten]

A plain, original, unmessed with, Colt Model 1911 ( not an A1)...ideally, a Commercial Model.

That would be my first choice, if I could only have one ( "1" ) Handgun.

 

[easyg]

Originally Posted by easyg

It's generally too bulky and heavy for concealed carry (except light-weight non-steel snubbies which are painful to shoot in .357 magnum).
It doesn't tolerate dirt and grime as well as an auto.
And the heavy double-action trigger and limited capacity make it a poor self-defense handgun (which is why cops and soldiers carry autos instead of revolvers).

Lemme get this straight, revolvers are less reliable than semi-autos, and, have worse double action trigger pull and THAT's why you think cops carry semi's?

You are not allowed to post on a pistol page until you fire some. Poof!

Al

Al, read what I posted once again....

I did not say that "revolvers are less reliable than semi-autos".....I said that revolvers don't tolerate dirt and grime as well as an auto.
It doesn't take much dirt and muck to foul a revolver and bind the cylinder.
But autos are not nearly so easy to foul with dirt and muck.
Do you disagree?

And cops and military carry autos because they have a greater magazine capacity AND they are easier to teach newbies to shoot well.

The heavy double action trigger on most revolvers does NOT make it an easier platform to learn to shoot well within a short amount of time.
Most military personnel will never even shoot a handgun.
And those who do shoot them will seldom put more than a couple hundred rounds down range per year (excluding special ops units like SEALS and Special Forces, which make up a very small percentage of the military).
With such limited trigger time, it's more difficult for a novice to master a revolver (double-action) than an auto.

I don't have anything against revolvers....some of my favorite handguns are revolvers.
But I grew up shooting revolvers, and I have spent many many hours (and lots of money in ammo) getting good at shooting a revolver double-action.
But for a newbie, with limited time available for the range, and limited $$$ for ammo, I recommend an autoloader.

 

[GRIZ22]

A 4" 357 for all the reasons already given.

 

[shockwave]

I said that revolvers don't tolerate dirt and grime as well as an auto.

This point seems quite arguable. Reliability and revolvers go hand in hand. The only report here I've seen of this happening (there may be more, I've only seen one) was a case of an owner firing a Taurus around 1000 rounds without any cleaning, and carbon build-up finally impeded the cylinder. As long as the gun is cleaned regularly, it shouldn't suddenly bind-up without warning. On the other hand, automatics often require a preferred brand of ammo to function well.

If I had to pick an auto, a Glock in 9mm or a revolver in .357 would be my choice because ammo is plentiful for the first and even more available for the second.

 

[MCgunner]

And besides, I don't go rolling in the dirt all that often.... Why the hell should I worry about dirt? I clean my guns continuously. I ain't in Iraq. And, if I can't hit the BG with five shots at it, I deserve to die. I'll take 1 140 grain JHP to a magazine full of .380s, personally.

 

[CSG]

Toss-up between a 1911 or Glock 17. Why? Proven design and caliber in the 1911 and the same with the Glock with the addition of high capacity. The G17 is my RV gun. I shoot both well.

I should add that I'd rather the G17 was a G21 but I bought it long ago and I presume we're talking about guns we own. If not, a .45 Glock would be a hard choice to beat for a one and only IMO. But I do have a G36.

 

[easyg]

And, if I can't hit the BG with five shots at it, I deserve to die.

You do know that bad guys often bring their friends with them, right?

 

[jkulysses]

Glock with multiple barrels for me!!!

 

[Teapot]

The Tokarev in 7.62x25mm:

It is quite small with the grips removed, fires a powerful flat-shooting cartridge, the pistols are priced low as is the military surplus ammunition, barrel changes (and reeming out the 9mm barrel for it) can allow one to shoot 7.62x25mm,9mm,9x21mm,9x23mm, the steel-jacketed rounds (Czech bxn53) will shoot flat at great ranges and punch through hide, muscle and bone as well as mild steel and winter clothing, they are made from steel, the pistol itself is stronger than it needs to be, because I shoot them better than any other pistol I own and of course because they are beautiful.

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[gordy]

Any k or l frame S&W in 357 mag. and a 3 or 4 inch barrel

 

[Onward Allusion]

Er, no sir - If I don't hit the BG even after 16 rounds, I would still rather reload!


MCgunner
<SNIP>And, if I can't hit the BG with five shots at it, I deserve to die.<SNIP>

 

[Al LaVodka]

I said that revolvers don't tolerate dirt and grime as well as an auto.

And cops and military carry autos because they have a greater magazine capacity AND they are easier to teach newbies to shoot well.

The heavy double action trigger on most revolvers does NOT make it an easier platform to learn to shoot...

It's more difficult for a novice to master a revolver (double-action) than an auto.

But for a newbie, with limited time available for the range, and limited $$$ for ammo, I recommend an autoloader.

And the hits keep coming...

And on top of "dirty" autos being more reliable than revolvers (yes, I disagree) and having better double-action trigger pull (in principle I disagree with that too), now you say they are easier to teach people how to use!?

I told you, you are FORBIDDEN from reading here until you get some some more time with the knowledgeable shooters at the range...

...with your earplugs OUT!



Al

 

[oneounceload]

And cops and military carry autos because they have a greater magazine capacity AND they are easier to teach newbies to shoot well.

No, it is all about the cost -you DO know that NYPD pays about $75 for each Glock? Not even Taurus could put out a revolver that cheaply

 

[Slamfire]

Probably this 44 Spl, M624.

 

[John H.]

Glock G23 or the Ruger SP101... If just one, go with the .40 compact G23..