One and just one. Pick your choice.

[shafter]

I'd go with 357 magnum. Pretty much everything comes in that caliber. Everything from snubbies to the workhorse Ruger Six series, to classic Smith and Wessons. For that matter I could even throw a carbine into the mix.

Not to say I wouldn't miss other calibers, but life wouldn't be all that bad.

 

[David E]

Once again, we see confusion in the OP about "caliber" vs "cartridge."

.45 is a caliber. It encompasses .45 Auto Rim, .45 acp, .45 Schofield, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, .460 Rowland and .460 Magnum to name a few.

But then, the OP stipulates one gun to fire the chosen "caliber."

It should be: "One handgun chambered in one cartridge....what do you choose?" (Glock 35 in .40)

Or, "One handgun, one caliber, what do you choose?" (Colt 1911 in 9x23/.38 Super/9x19/9x21/.356 TSW)

The answer changes when the proper question is asked.

 

[rswartsell]

It was between .45 acp and .357 magnum. Since I am revolver inclined and considering the WAY better flexibility/versatility, it had to be .357 mag. The still reigning king of handgun cartridges. How much longer? anyone's guess.

 

[19-3Ben]

.357mag for its versatility, and the ability to easily pair it with the available lever and bolt guns similarly chambered. All in all, one could do a LOT worse than a .357 medium framed DA revolver paired with a .357mag carbine.

I also could have it in everything from tiny carry guns (J frames, Ruger LCR, and a few others) all the way up to big guys like S&W's N frame offerings, Ruger Blackhawk, and even a Redhawk if I can find one.

In terms of loading, they can be loaded to light .38spl velocities, all the way up to loads that operate at .30-30 levels in carbines.
It really is a cartridge that can do a whole heck of a lot.

 

[Panzerschwein]

.357 magnum.

Because things can only be so dead.

 

[Jaymo]

.45 ACP, .45 Colt, or .357 Mag.

 

[Morgo]

9mm, good all rounder.

 

[Glocktogo]

I picked 9mm, specifically a Glock 17. Can I at least have a .22 conversion unit for it?

 

[Valkman]

I pick .45acp. I have no 9mm and want none, but have lots of 45's in 1911 and XD's. It is my caliber of choice with .357 being next because I can reload for both.

 

[bannockburn]

1) 9mm.
2) .357
3) .45 ACP

 

[19-3Ben]

9mm, good all rounder.

I'm just wondering if you can possibly elaborate on why it's an "all rounder."
It may just be me, but I'm having a hard time wrapping myself around that one. I can see it being an excellent range caliber due to low recoil, and it's ballistics make it a very good HD/SD caliber, but that's about all I can think of. As opposed to the .357mag I mentioned above, which goes in everything from pocket revolvers to lever guns that could take down a deer, I just don't see that versatility in 9mm.

I don't mean this as a challenge. I'd just love to know if there's something I'm missing.

 

[Jitterbug]

10mm because it'll do anything a .357 Magnum will do but in an auto loader platform.

 

[rclark]

.45 Colt. Load up/down, big hole. Load heavy bullets when needed. Proven. Just the best there is IMO.

 

[buck460XVR]

Most of the handguns I own now have been used for hunting deer...thus from this point on, if I could only have one caliber it would have to be in .44 mag. Not only would it cover most all the bases I need for hunting, but with downloaded ammo could also work for SD/HD in a snub and would still be a fun plinker at the range. Folks with narrow parameters for handgun use will have a easy time making a choice and not feel shortchanged. Folks with a broader spectrum for handgun usage would have to make sacrifices.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

Has to be the .38 Special. It can be loaded to whatever power levels I need for my Model 37 Airweight Chiefs Special up through my .357 Magnum revolvers and my next purchase which I hope to be a 4 or 5 inch Smith & Wesson .38-.44 Heavy Duty.

ECS

 

[On An Island]

For me 10mm, beat out .45ACP by a hair. Just a bit more versatility in the 10mm on the top end, as it was designed as a high pressure load.

Having said that, I only own one 10mm (S&W 1006) vs two .45ACPs (Glock 30S and Sig Sauer 1911 Scorpion).

 

[LeontheProfessional]

It was a toss up between the 9mm and the 357. I chose 9mm because it didnt say 357/38

 

[jjones45]

A lot of these rounds hold a special place in my heart but if I could pick only one it would have to be 45 acp. Thus the name jjones45

 

[savanahsdad]

If I could only have 1 , it would only make since to go big , I'm a bit shocked on how many have pick a cal , that may be ok for plinking or a light HD/SD gun but that's it ,

44mag, light loads for plinking , a good 200grSWC for HD/SD , a max 240gr-300gr hunting load , plus you can load them up with bird shot for small game , , remember you only get one pick , no such thing as over gunned , and if your under gunned , well to bad, you made your pic ,

I'm assuming we get more than gun and we can handload , OP said 1 cal with no cost factor , and we can get all the ammo we need , right?

 

[2zulu1]

I picked the .357mag based upon its versatility because I live in a rural area next to wilderness. The calibers I shoot the most are .38Super, .45auto and .357mag.

The .357 can be carried in crowded areas (Winchester 110gr JHP @1280fps, Remington 125gr SJHP @1625fps) and more importantly for me, heavy four legged predators (black bears/feral hogs) using heavy (170gr-200gr) hardcast bullets; Keith design or WFNGC.

Another advantage is the capability of mounting a scope on the top strap for long distance targets. The M686P/6" that I carry this time of year has an above average, extremely smooth DA trigger pull and is very accurate well past 100 yards.

 

[forestdavegump]

Where is the 22lr?

Its about all I can afford to shoot that and 17 hmr.

 

[aHFo3]

I picked 44 magnum for the versatility of firearms available that are chambered in that cartridge. There are single shot, semi auto, lever and bolt action rifles and carbines, and there are single shot, semi auto, single and double action revolvers. The 44 can be loaded to meet any need or want.

The only option on your list that is more versatile than the 44 in my opinion is the .357, but I have waaaaayyyyy more handloading components for the 44!

 

[longknife12]

Tough, I chose the 44 Mag as it can be used on deer/elk.Could be a provider.
Dan

 

[miles1]

Tough choice between 9mm and 45 ACP.

 

[strambo]

Since my handguns are for protection, 9mm. Low recoil, fast follow up shots, good capacity, good terminal performance with premium HPs, and it works well in pocket guns to full size.

If I was into revolvers, .357 would make more sense.