Number one.....Thompson/Center Encore/G2/Contender....Best hunting handgun system extant. Any number of chamberings from .22LR to 600 Nitro Express.
Number 2.....Freedom Arms single actions, line bored, supreme quality, supreme accuracy in good hunting calibers
Number 3....Ruger Mk series/Browning buckmark...tie...Super accurate squirrel guns
Okay, you didn't specify USE and I'm a handgun hunter. You didn't specify pistol or auto pistol, said "handgun". There are other handguns than auto pistols, ya know.
Yup. But I was curious to what other's like. My old man is definitely a revolver guy. He likes the reliability and power of the magnums. The first handgun I ever shot was his .44 magnum when I was 12 years old. Damn near knocked me down, but I hit the center of the knot in the pine wood I was aiming at.
But I don't hunt with handguns. My top three choices reflect my top 3 reasons for owning a gun, just like yours do. I just asked the question, and used "handgun" for a reason. Never said anything about not including revolver's, if that's your preference.
I loved the S&W .44 I grew up shooting, but value higher capacity now days. I also loved the GP100 a buddy of mine let me shoot. Felt great in the hand, highly accurate, and almost zero recoil with the 38 specials I ran through it.
I think if I picked up a revolver today, it would be a cowboy action .357, just because they look pretty damn cool.
In the even of a zombie apocalypse, I'd change the 1911 choice to a Glock 17/19 with a 30 round mag, suppressor and laser guide rod. But I'm not one of the believers in a SHTF zombie apocalypse.
If anything, it will be an infracture failure with no water/electricity available to the masses and a 12 guage will still reign supreme. But dang it, I like pistols!!