Only One Handgun.

[RonDeer10mm]

If you could only own one handgun, mainly for defensive use what would it be?

 

[el Godfather]

GLOCK 18C

I am not a Glock fan, but when limit to one I am covering various angles/aspects of my need.

 

[Bubba613]

I'm glad someone asked this as it's never been discussed here.

 

[fxstchewy]

Glock 17

 

[plateshooter]

K/L frame S&W revolver in 357 mag.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

It would be a Glock 27, 40 s&w. Easy to hide, also can get factory barrels to shoot,9mm and 357 sig, same mags. One gun three rounds,can't beat that. For $500 or so. Add night sites or lasers, ect ect ect.

 

[Gunnerboy]

1911 in 45acp

 

[jj1962hemi]

Glock 22

 

[elrowe]

Springfield Armory EMP in 9mm - for males.
Kahr PM/CM9 (here comes the horde of Kahr haters...) for females or males with small hands.

 

[hso]

This has been asked so many times before that it took no time at all for it to be pointed out.

I think the question is too vague. Sure the gun is for defense, but is it supposed to be an heirloom to be handed down, economical to shoot, economical to own, a "BBQ gun" that you can brag about?

At the most basic level a defensive handgun has to work every time and has to fit you. Since we're not all cookie cutter clones of the archetypal shooter what fits a Glock guy doesn't fit a 1911 fan doesn't fit a CZ shooter. No one handgun fits everyone so no one handgun is the "best" defensive handgun.

 

[smalls]

Hi Point

 

[beatledog7]

What am I defending? From whom or what? For how long? Under what conditions? And so on...

All those unanswered questions explain why most of us have more than one gun we consider "for defensive use."

 

[Auf Grosser Fahrt]

If you could only own one handgun, mainly for defensive use what would it be?

Has to be something the whole family can use, I mean, just one for defense, so I'm going with a low maintenance stainless steel revolver, but full-size is too big for my girls' hands, therefore...

Ruger SP101 .357. Loaded with standard .38 Special.

 

[Old judge creek]

Well, I'll pretend its never been asked before and give you MY thoughts, which are probably very far from the replies you'll get in this thread.

Bear in mind that I'm "old" - Allie Earp and Libby Custer were still alive when I was a born...

To me a handgun is one of the most important outdoors tools there is. I can use it to feed myself, signal, ward off (or dispatch) critters bent on putting claw and/or teeth marks in my hide, and protect myself or my goods from two legged varmints on some very few and far between occasions.

I grew up with a single action revolver in my hand and the manual of arms with one is imprinted on my psyche with some 65 years of actually shooting one. And I'll be the first to tell you that my preferred defensive handgun is a semi-auto and up until about 6 years ago that meant my Kimber 1911. Since then, following a scrape in the high desert wilderness that could well have been a bloodbath (but not a shot was fired) I've adopted my Glock 30 sf as my packing' pistol in them there parts.

Having said that, if I had to choose one and only one handgun for all purposes, I do believe it''d be the Ruger Single Action revolver in 44 magnum, although I wouldn't feel a bit less well heeled if it were a 45 Colt. And I'd prefer it with the shortest barrel possible ~ 3.5" (3.25" would be better IMO).

In my mind those are the most indestructible, more reliable handguns ever manufactured.

 

[Stealth01]

Take your pick... Wilson Combats... 45 and 9mm!

 

[Woodsman!]

357

 

[kcshooter]

I'm glad someone asked this as it's never been discussed here.

I love it. Don't care if this thread goes on for years, that will still be the best response in the entire thread.

However, in an attempt for second place, my answer is:

Glock 1911.

 

[Old krow]

It would be a Glock 27, 40 s&w. Easy to hide, also can get factory barrels to shoot,9mm and 357 sig, same mags.

Same here except that it would be a 23.

 

[easyg]

Ruger SR9c....

 

[jimbo555]

Colt 1851 navy.

 

[cfullgraf]

Colt 1851 navy.

Yes, six quick shots and escape in the smoke screen.

 

[coolluke01]

Glock 26.

I think it's the greatest gun I own.

Besides I'll still have rifles and shotguns for more specialized needs.

 

[giggitygiggity]

Glock 30SF.

 

[Pukindog12]

S&W 686 with a 6" bbl.

 

[Jaymo]

Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special, 3" barrel, or Ruger Blackhawk .44 special, or Ruger New Vaquero .45 Colt, or Ruger Old Army .44 cap & Ball 5.5" barrel, or Pietta/Uberti Remington New Army .44 cap & ball with 5.5" barrel.

Maybe a 1911 Commander .45, Star Firestar .45, EAA Witness .45 ACP, Taurus PT99 9mm, CZ82 9x19, Ruger Single Six .32 H&R Mag.

OR, Pedersoli 20 gauge Howdah pistol. SxS 20 gauge, double triggers, shot, slug, or buck and ball, plus a smoke screen.