One and just one. Pick your choice.

[Nordeste]

First off, let's pray that this ever happens , but just figure out that you have to choose one, and just one caliber of your choice, and that you won't be able to own handguns of any other caliber for the rest of your life. Ammo costs or availability are not a factor. Supposedly, all handgun ammo would be equally available and at the same cost. It's just about choosing what caliber draws the bigger smile on your face when you shoot it. It's about passion and sensations, not rationality.

In my case, I shoot mostly 9 mm. Reasons are several. Availability, price, and that it's the caliber I carry at work. But if I have to choose one, the one that I love more and that I get to shoot sometimes, that's the .45 ACP on a 1911 platform. I just love how it feels in my hand, that "booom" instead of the snappier, less pleasant 9 mm.

Your inputs and choices, appreciated .

 

[Luger_carbine]

9mm is a very versatile round from 105gr loads that act much like a 380 ACP to 147gr +P+ that approach 357 mag performance.

95gr +P+ rounds going 1500 fps have some characterists approaching rifle-rounds.

Very versatile.


.

 

[Fiv3r]

I'm going to have to go with the .45acp. Nice thump to it, doesn't make my ears bleed, and my favorite gun is chambered in it. If my wallet could support it, I could shoot a full size 1911 all day long. Just a very comfortable and pleasant gun to fire.

Like others, I keep a couple of 9mms around because it is so common and less expensive to feed. I also have grown to love the .40 in times where more common calibers are hard to find.

However, in a "there can be only one" situation, the .45apc is probably always going to win out for me.

 

[C0untZer0]

9mm

Fits in a pocket-pistol sized gun like a Rohrbaugh R9 - the 40 and up can't be made that small - close but the 40 S&W hasn't been made yet in a 5.2" x 3.9" footprint...

Fits in full-sized duty guns

works well in carbines and smg...

I don't see too many other calibers with that kind of versatility so I would chose 9mm too

 

[el Godfather]

First off, let's pray that this ever happens , but just figure out that you have to choose one, and just one caliber of your choice, and that you won't be able to own handguns of any other caliber for the rest of your life. Ammo costs or availability are not a factor. Supposedly, all handgun ammo would be equally available and at the same cost. It's just about choosing what caliber draws the bigger smile on your face when you shoot it. It's about passion and sensations, not rationality.

In my case, I shoot mostly 9 mm. Reasons are several. Availability, price, and that it's the caliber I carry at work. But if I have to choose one, the one that I love more and that I get to shoot sometimes, that's the .45 ACP on a 1911 platform. I just love how it feels in my hand, that "booom" instead of the snappier, less pleasant 9 mm.

Your inputs and choices, appreciated .

You mean never happens...right?

 

[wow6599]

I had to go with 9x19 because of all the great pistol choices out there.

Hi Power, CZs , Sigs, Beretta 92, Walthers, 1911 variants, etc.

Easy choice.

 

[torqem]

regardless of their making a pocket .45, or .40

nobody will be able to get the sort of repeat hit speed that I demand (.20 second or less) So I pick 9mm. There's .22 conversion units for the Keltec and Ruger 9mm pocket autos (Twisted Industries makes them). I'd try, tho, buying a .40 pocket Kahr, getting 9mm and 357 sig barrels. the .40 would be for factory ammo availability, the 357 sig for ccw, and the 9mm for cheap ammo/brass, reloading. I wouldn't care if the poor fit of extractor and ejector caused the ocassional malfunction, in practice sessions. I want all the velocity that I can get with the carry load, tho, so I'd go with the Sig rd for actual carry.

 

[Teachu2]

In the past, .45acp was pretty much all I shot. With the advent of quality 9mm defensive loads, and my desire to go with a lighter carry gun, 9mm has become my favorite.

 

[JRH6856]

.357 Mag

 

[PJSprog]

I'd have to go with .357 magnum.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Only one and just for fun?

.32 acp

VooDoo

 

[peacemaker45]

.44 Mag. If there can be only one, it had better be versatile. With the .44, I can load light 180s for target shooting, heavy specials for defense, and full power mags for hunting.

 

[horsemen61]

I'd have to say 9mm I use it the most

 

[Hometeached1]

If only one handgun I'd go with a 3" .357 mag k-frame, since I could also shoot .38. Since it's only one caliber I went with .45ACP.

 

[P5 Guy]

Can I still hand load?

 

[plmitch]

.45lc

 

[ATLDave]

10mm. I can load it super-light, like a .40 minor. I can hot-rod it to be good medicine for any creature in the eastern U.S. I can put it in the middle of the road for SD work. The platforms for it are limited, but there are enough good ones to serve virtually every need. I'd miss 9mm, .38 special, and .45ACP, but if it's just one...

 

[torqem]

The main need for a pistol

is that it fit in your pocket handily, ride there without your noticing it, and be very swiftly and postitively drawn therefrom.. No 10mm can do that, or ever will. Such a gun would be a long ways from being adequately controllable in rapidfire. Matches, plinking and hunting are not "needs', they are just "wants". Not the same thing at all. You are many times more likely to not have your belt gun at hand, than the pocket 9mm is to not suffice.

 

[lpsharp88]

I went with 9mm. I shoot it most, and like the added capacity that firearms chambered in it offer

 

[orionengnr]

.45 acp.

 

[jimbo555]

45acp. My glock 36/30 hybrid is the best ccw compromise I have found. And I have been searching for a long time(1977).

 

[BYJO4]

This was a tough choice as I shoot a number of the calibers listed and really enjoy them all. However, every year I shoot more 357 than I do the others so it must be my favorite. It's a great caliber to reload for in terms of cost and accuracy

 

[Black Knight]

I choose the 357 Magnum. It is capable of firing not only magnum ammo but also 38 Special. It is also easy to handload. It is good for small to medium sized game as well as personal defense. In my opinion a great all around choice.

 

[Ash]

I picked .357 mag.

 

[lechiffre]

9mm.

Not because of the caliber per se, but because there are more guns in that caliber.