ONE good all around pistol

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The heart of the problem is that it can't be done with just one. I'll stick to my 4-inch .357 as the best compromise in a single handgun. Relax the "only one" parameter and things get easier very quickly.

The revolver would become a 5.5" .44 magnum to improve power. Supplement that with a Glock 23 with 9mm conversion barrel and you have defense covered. And there must be a .22 LR in the mix. Yes, three could do it. :)

While an interesting exercise, I am grateful that I am not limited to one.
 
David E said:
But an unlimited number of conversion kits, barrels, carbines and whatever else can be made to function with your chosen frame are allowed, so......
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I know I'm a minority in this regard, but that option really does absolutely nothing for me. The thread doesn't say I get a limited number of long guns, or guns chambered in pistol cartridges - it just says one pistol. So I can pick a 1911 in .45, or a Makarov or some obscure gun in an even more obscure caliber, and I can still own multiple pistol-caliber carbines as standalone systems; there's no reason to change my one pistol to work around a variety of add-on platforms.
 
Bobson said:
I know I'm a minority in this regard, but that option really does absolutely nothing for me. The thread doesn't say I get a limited number of long guns, or guns chambered in pistol cartridges - it just says one pistol. So I can pick a 1911 in .45, or a Makarov or some obscure gun in an even more obscure caliber, and I can still own multiple pistol-caliber carbines as standalone systems; there's no reason to change my one pistol to work around a variety of add-on platforms.
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This is true. But things like hunting were given as part of the selection criteria. The extra muzzle velocity from a longer barrel, the stability from a shoulder stock, and the longer sight radius (and/or aid of optics) from having somewhere to mount them can all greatly increase the effective/practical range of the pistol...which is an important consideration for hunting.
 
Hunting? Sounds like a job for the 1911 in .308! (Yes, it's possible)

:rolleyes:

Bobson, I'm with you, but the OP himself allowed add-ons.
 
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The heart of the problem is that it can't be done with just one.
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Sure it can, if there's a problem it's that gun guys don't want to admit that it can be done.

All his criteria could and have been met with a .22 pistol many times,(Except the Elephant, that was over the top IMHO) It may not be the "best" choice across the board but hey that's what life is.
 
huntsman said:
All his criteria could and have been met with a .22 pistol many times,(Except the Elephant, that was over the top IMHO) It may not be the "best" choice across the board but hey that's what life is.
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He ALSO changed the "hunting elephants" to "....the elephant part was in a wholly survival mode means. NOT hunting them on purpose, directly. Strictly as a "last chance" food source

So your .22 suggestion still holds up. Altho I think it falls short in the defense and competition categories as they would apply to ME.
 
I am thinking I would carry my Glock 30 sf in .45 acp . The larger model 21 would be better but more difficult to conceal ! I would not shoot an elephant with any handgun , nor most rifles either ! Kevin
 
Just not an everything pistol
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Not possible without being able to reconfigure the firearm, but a CZ-75 or a 1911 or a Glock with interchangeable uppers could be several different guns depending upon caliber and sight radius of the upper. Heck, the HK 4 was possibly the first to come out with a multi caliber handgun.
 
The thread doesn't say I get a limited number of long guns, or guns chambered in pistol cartridges - etc.
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That alone brings up a very valid point and or argument. I did state that this was a pistol only thread, and I did not state a specific caliber or that it was to take the place of a rifle, carbine, or shotgun. Just that it needs to be able to fill all the roles stated. But at the same time, as I think about it more and more, it can easily be interpreted that I want a semi auto pistol that can, in a sense, play the role of a one gun "three gun". That is not the case at all. And at the same time it is. I'm just looking for a semi auto pistol that can take care of me, and mine, in any scenario that may occur. Whether that be on a city street, in the plains of Africa, or in the cold wilderness of Alaska. Wherever, and whatever.
 
Whether that be on a city street, in the plains of Africa, or in the cold wilderness of Alaska. Wherever, and whatever.
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Um.........seriously?

Do you spend a lot of time on the plains of Africa or in the cold wilderness of Alaska?
If not, then it's silly to include those scenarios as guidelines for your gun selection.

If so, then you need a heavy caliber revolver.
 
So, you're saying No, you don't spend time on the African plains or in the cold Alaskan wilderness.

Then it's silly to consider those scenarios to arrive at the gun choice.

When considering a new gun, the prudent person asks the question; "what do I need this gun for, specifically?"

If their answer is "everything," then they haven't done enough realistic reflection on the matter.
 
David E said:
So, you're saying No, you don't spend time on the African plains or in the cold Alaskan wilderness.

Then it's silly to consider those scenarios to arrive at the gun choice.

When considering a new gun, the prudent person asks the question; "what do I need this gun for, specifically?"

If their answer is "everything," then they haven't done enough realistic reflection on the matter.
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This is true
 
So, you're saying No, you don't spend time on the African plains or in the cold Alaskan wilderness.

Then it's silly to consider those scenarios to arrive at the gun choice.

When considering a new gun, the prudent person asks the question; "what do I need this gun for, specifically?"

If their answer is "everything," then they haven't done enough realistic reflection on the matter.
Click to expand...

Then you obviously did not read the OP.

This question is as old as the semi auto itself. Will it do do what I want when I want it too? Will it do it as well as my revolver? And which semi auto is it? We now have a literal plethora of options to choose from. I'm not looking for the Holy Grail, I'm looking for a Genuine Unbiased opinion of which semi auto pistol will do just that.
 
I read the OP. A couple times. Have you?

But it's difficult to keep up with your constantly changing parameters and implausible scenarios.
 
Let's pretend I actually had to pick a pistol to survive with in both Alaska and Africa. A rifle is not an option; a revolver is not an option.

In that very mythical (and arguably ridiculous) scenario, the only option worth considering is a Desert Eagle in 50 AE. To my knowledge, that is the only pistol caliber that will somewhat-reliably handle big, dangerous game, down through 2-legged predators.

Now, if the scenario changed to include everything BUT Alaska and Africa, I would immediately feel equally comfortable accepting a Commander sized 1911 in .45 ACP.

Having shot and handled a Desert Eagle in .50 AE in the past, I can say I would do just about everything possible to avoid carrying one. In other words, if I can afford to buy and feed a DE in 50 AE, I can afford to either 1) move away from Alaska and/or Africa, or 2) buy a long gun suited to my needs.
 
Byrd666 said:
Then you obviously did not read the OP.

This question is as old as the semi auto itself. Will it do do what I want when I want it too? Will it do it as well as my revolver? And which semi auto is it? We now have a literal plethora of options to choose from. I'm not looking for the Holy Grail, I'm looking for a Genuine Unbiased opinion of which semi auto pistol will do just that.
Click to expand...

You really want one pistol to carry concealed, home defense, hunt, take to Alaska, and take to Africa? :confused:
 
You guys need to shift your paradigms. In the Alaskan and African portions of this scenario, the purpose of the handgun isn't to kill the dangerous wildlife. It is to give yourself a quicker, more painless death than being mauled, trampled, gored, or eaten alive. With that in mind, I think you will find a wider range of pistols are suitable than you previously believed. ;)
 
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