Rembrandt's tool analogy is a good one - - -
I particularly like it because I like LOTS of different firearms, especially handguns. I have my personal preferences for hunting, for general field and outdoors uses other than hunting, for on-duty use, for deep concealment, and so forth. Using the sspecific-tool analogy, the little K-T P3AT is NOT a target pistol, and a .44 Super Blackhawk isn't much of a choice for a police detective.
BUT - - if we extend
Rembrandt's tool idea just a little bit: Think of the Swiss Army Knife and the Leatherman-type combination tools. Some may recall the old fencing pliers tool - - A decent light hammer, staple puller, pliers, wire stretcher, wire cutter, and possibly a screwdriver blade. Fits in a saddlebag or truck glove box, and is overall a very useful item. Surely, a better tool for everyday use than, say, a digital micrometer that reads out to .0000005".
My
PERSONAL best handgun is the Colt Commander .45. Small and light enough for concealed carry (if not in a pocket
, ) accurate enough for close-up small game shooting, and certainly reliable and powerful enough for personal defense. It can't compete with a .454 Casul for hunting, nor an Olympic Free Pistol for accuracy, but it
COULD serve for my only handgun, at least for a while.
Of course, there are other multi-role handguns available. I was tempted to use the three- or four-inch .357 revolver as an illustration, and I surely wouldn't argue with anyone who chose one. I took the Commander as MY example. Your mileage, obviously, may vary.
Johnny