One pistol? Yes, only one.

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Beretta 92 FS.

Time proven design of 30 years on the battlefields ranging from Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East and the mean streets of the U.S.A.

Standard magazine capacity of 15 rounds with 17,18 and 20 rounds flush fitting magazines common.

Long sight radius is perfect for range use and size is of no importance as a nightstand gun.

Conceal carry is possible with a bit more work in clothing although that doesn't seem to be much of a consideration for you. It is a excellent open carry choice and with three magazines you can fight off bad guys until tomorrow.
 
Does anyone here use only one sidearm, for concealed carry, home defense and at the range?
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The reason that people have several handguns is that none of them are exceptional in all these circumstances. It's like going to the toolbox only to find a crescent wrench and a vice grip. Sure, it will work, but a set of wrenches is better.

The biggest disparity is between CCW and range toy, as either could go in a nightstand. Unless the poncho comes back into style or it is always cold where you live, **most** people cannot easily conceal a full-size handgun. It is easier to conceal a compact or subcompact (and single stacks are slimmer), but these handguns are usually not something you would want to fire a lot unless you grew up milking cows. Small, short-barreled, lightweight, hard-recoiling CCW guns are not something you would want to have a child shoot at the "family day at the range" either.

So the choices that fit the criteria are kind of in the middle - not all out CCW, not a 5" steel 1911. That is why others have suggested G19 and other compact pistols. If it has to be a SA/DA 9mm, I would suggest looking at a Sig 239 - it's a single stack. Others that come to mind are Beretta's 92/Px4 compact and CZ's 75 compact. If SA/DA isn't a necessity,just about every manufacturer of striker fired handguns has a compact model.
 
I prefer to have one manual of arms, one feel, etc. for a pistol in particular as it may at some point be called on for SD.
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I can respect wanting to eliminate variables but even then why limit yourself to one gun.
I could go Smith 442 for the pocket, 4" 34 for plinkin, 3" 60 for the hip a 4" 610 for the house.
I'd be good with a XDs 9mm for the pocket XDm 3.8 compact 40 for the hip XDm 45 for the house and a 22 conversion also.
 
Heck, I only own 2 defensive type handguns and a .22 pistol so I'm almost there already. For just one, a mid-size 9mm that would be equally at home at the range, for HD, and CCW. So a G19, P228 etc.

I have a P226 and a Kahr K9, I'm seriously thinking about "simplifying" my manual of arms and swapping the K9 for a P239 in the smaller CCW role. The K9 trigger is good, but way different than my DA/SA Sig...and I have waaaaayyyy more trigger and training time on the Sig.
 
Beretta 92 or CZ75 with their respective .22 factory conversion kits.

If you want to have the option to hunt Glock 20 with conversion barrel or 2 for when you don't want to shoot 10mm.
 
I don't have one but if I had to pick only one it would be either a
Model 19 Smith & Wesson .357 magnum or a 4 inch L frame S&W
.357 magnum. I wouldn't mind a Colt Python .357 with a 4 inch
barrel either.

Zeke
 
Just to clarify ...

As I understand it, the word "pistol" refers to semi-automatic handguns.

Calibers: .380 ACP, 9mm, 40mm, .45 ACP, etc.

Revolvers include .38 spl, .357 Mag, .44, .44 Mag, etc.

I think the OP is seeking a pistol = semi-auto.
 
Common sense would tell me a G 19 or a G 23, but I seldom listen to reason :banghead:
 
If I could only have one gun it would be my Glock 26.

For a time it was my only gun, actually.

It has to be something I can and will actually carry on my person as much as possible. Even during the summer or in work clothes or business attire or you name it. But it also has to be big enough to shoot reasonably well, be in a "service cartidge" (.38spl+P or 9x19 minimum), acceptable capacity...Glock 26
 
AStone said:
Just to clarify ...

As I understand it, the word "pistol" refers to semi-automatic handguns.

Calibers: .380 ACP, 9mm, 40mm, .45 ACP, etc.

Revolvers include .38 spl, .357 Mag, .44, .44 Mag, etc.

I think the OP is seeking a pistol = semi-auto.
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40mm pistol [emoji33] ;) ouch.

Re: OP

I have four 9mm pistols, ranging from single stack subcompact to full size.

If for some reason, I was forced to be reduced to just one, it'd be my first, S&W 469. 12 rounds, DA/SA, not the lightest or slimmest, but to me it's an all around good gun. The only drawback is that they are long out of production, so parts and service may be hard to come by.

If starting with nothing, I'd probably go with a CZ75 of some flavor. Maybe a Beretta M9.
 
The only time I had one pistol, shotgun, and rifle was when I was just starting my collection. I chose to get close to what the Military issued. I ended up with a Colt 6601, Mossberg 590, and Taurus PT-99. I carried it concealed over many years until I could afford something better for that role.

I would probably choose some more mid-sized and striker fired if I had to do it again. G19 or Ruger SR9, maybe a Kahr CT9 if you prefer single stack.
 
To me this is like saying I'm going to simplify my life by just owning a crescent wrench. Having to shoehorn a tool into a role it's not great for isn't simplifying.

That said there may be people whose needs could be filled adequately with such a shallow assortment of tools. For the handgun I'd rank out the roles I wanted it to fill in order of importance.

That said I can do most of what I like to do with handgun, most of the time,with a Glock 19. This is about the most efficient sized gun there is. I have and really like a G26 but honestly don't find the G19 to be a significan difference when it comes to concealing it. The 19 allows for a light which with offerings like the new XC1 which adds almost no bulk is nice. For a HD role I also prefer a weapon mounted light. The G19 is a great choice because pretty much every good holster, light, prefered sights, etc works with it.

If you really want a DA/SA there are similarly sized guns from sig, cz and Hk that are all viable options. The reality is there is no one true sword. There are lots of guns that are viable and capable and lots of people have lots of different preferences and/or priorities in choosing a gun.

My recommendations are based on a preference 9x19 for everything but woods carry, hunting, and .22 target shooting/training/plinking. They also presuppose that you'll carry that size of gun. Which with the right holster and carry mode is easy enough. I can carry a g17 is shorts and a t shirt with the right combo. I also can carry it in a way that it prints so bad it's not even funny.
 
I have 4 pistols. A Glock 17 I have not had out the safe in awhile and 3 Glock 26s. One is my EDC, one is my range gun and one is set up with a laser bullet for my dry firing. A Glock 26 is pretty much my only pistol.
 
What MaterDei said at Post #25. A 1911 with a .22LR conversion top. Save the HD firearm for a long gun (shotgun).
 
ACP said:
What MaterDei said at Post #25. A 1911 with a .22LR conversion top. Save the HD firearm for a long gun (shotgun).
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No thanks. Literally the last choice I'd make out of handgun, rifle, shotgun
 
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