What's the most versatile gun?

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thegoodfight

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In my opinion, the 12 gauge shotgun is the most versatile. You've got loads for almost everything, birds, squirrels, deer, bears?, rabbits, humans...they can act as a short range rifle as well with slugs and a scope. Great for HD, Hunting, Sport such as clays etc.

What do you guys think? Basically, if you could only own one gun, what would it be?
 
12 gauge is most versatile. However, if it doesn't meet my immediate needs in context, that doesn't mean much. For example, what's the most versatile gun for walking around Dallas downtown in the summer? It ain't a 12 gauge.
 
If I could only own 1, it would have to be a handgun. If I have to hole up in my house indefinitely, then it I'll pick a rifle or shotgun. But living normal life with one gun? Handgun. Like jakemccoy said, you can't go out and about with a 12ga. I can defend my home with a handgun though.

But in real life, where I can own multiple guns, the 12ga is indeed the most versatile.
 
That's an easy one. I'll throw my lot in with ol' Skeeter Skelton when he said,"If I had to choose just one gun to side me for the rest of my life, be it handgun, rifle or shotgun, I would select a .357 Magnum revolver. "

Make mine a 4" stainless model. Preferably a Ruger Security Six just like the one sitting next to me as I type this. :)

I'd also be happy with a 3" Ruger SP101 or a S&W Mountain-lite.
 
If I could only own 1, it would have to be a handgun. If I have to hole up in my house indefinitely, then it I'll pick a rifle or shotgun. But living normal life with one gun? Handgun.
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Exactly. I'm a Glock guy, but to be honest, if I were starting over and knew what I know now, and could only have 1 gun, it would be a 1911 in .45ACP, and lots of mags. Although, the hi-capacity of a Glock in .40 along with the reliability makes it a close second - maybe even a tie. There is a reason I have 6 of them.
 
That's an easy one. I'll throw my lot in with ol' Skeeter Skelton when he said,"If I had to choose just one gun to side me for the rest of my life, be it handgun, rifle or shotgun, I would select a .357 Magnum revolver.
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I completely agree with you and the very much missed Skeeter.
Mine would the S&W Model 19 or Model 66 stainless with a 2.5" barrel.
But for overall versatility the 12 gauge shotgun is the winner.
 
"If I had to choose just one gun to side me for the rest of my life, be it handgun, rifle or shotgun, I would select a .357 Magnum revolver. "- S Skelton

I am in complete agreement with this philosophy and for a number of years it was my reality in the form of a 6" S&W Model 19.
 
U.S. Rifle, Cal. 30 M1!!!

There's really nothing it won't do. Birds on the wing are tricky but birds on the ground...not so much. Ok, so it doesn't meet the concealed carry requirement but a .357 wheel gun doesn't exactly meet my criteria for a good long range coyote gun either.
 
Because Obama got the democratic bid, thats why
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Just reading that gets my stomach feelings queasy! :barf:

I love the 12 gauge shotgun, but I'm not sure it would be my "one gun". I'm quite fond of the S&W Model 629 (8 3/8" barrel) .44 Mag. as a "one gun" option. Although it would be hard to hit bird in flight.

It probably depends on what my daily routine would be......
 
Where do you live, what do you do? If you own a business, you may be allowed to have a 12-gauge under the counter. If you're just an employee, you're lucky if they let you CC a handgun.
If you're out in the wilds of Alaska, you may be more likely to run into dangerous critters than people.
I think a .357 Magnum revolver is pretty versatile. Lightweight loads with .38s, hard-kickers with hot .357s. Shotshells are available, probably work at close range.
I do think that a pump shotgun is pretty high on the versatility list for long guns. Wide variety of loads available - from door breachers to flares to birdshot... if I'm allowed two guns, a shotgun and the .357 revolver. If one, the revolver only.
 
omg! how can anyone pick anything but a 12 ga.?!?! :)

i think the "hit a bird" thing says it all!
 
Okay, what do we mean by "one gun?" Many guns can be rearranged around one particular piece so as to do a variety of things (different length barrels, different chamberings, etc). A 1911 that came with a .22 conversion, a threaded barrel with suppressor, and a detachable shoulder stock would be pretty versatile.
 
IMO, a .357 rifle or handgun is probably a better choice for the "one gun" philosophy than a 12 gauge. It would work as well or better for every application except for hunting birds.
Even then, in a crisis I'd happily feed myself by shooting them while they sit on the ground or in a tree.

There is a lot to be said for a shotgun but in my opinion, a lot of their "versatility" is really just a compromise for not having a better tool for the job.

I like to keep it simple too, but one gun isn't enough.
I'd want a concealable handgun, a good centerfire rifle, and a .22 rifle at a minimum.
 
What's the most versatile gun?
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I agree that a shotgun is certainly versatile, and would be near the top of any list of versatility.

But it's hard to carry concealed! And not really suitable for elk or antelope.

And not good for plinking and general woods bumming.

I'd say to get full versatility, you need a couple of .22s (rifle and pistol), a concealed carry piece (I like the M1911), a shotgun, and a .30-06 or similar rifle caliber.
 
The single most versatile firearm would have to be a shotgun. Not even arguable. Handguns are more concealable, rifles are more powerful for long range shooting, but the most useful and versatile gun to have WHEN YOU CAN ONLY HAVE ONE is a shotgun. With birdshot, buckshot and slugs you are prepared to shoot anything that needs shooting.

There is no one gun that does everything, but the shotgun does more than any other type of firearm.
 
There is no one firearm, no one caliber, no one action. Yes some will swing both ways a little more than the other but will lack in some way. The only solution is to buy more than one firearm. Go out and buy a firearm today. Stop believing you have enough. You don't. You will never ever be satisfied with one weapon.
 
Rifle. If I could have only one gun, it would probably be an AR15 or something similar. Home defense, hunting, long range, etc. A lot more valuable in SHTF scenarios than a handgun.
 
The most versatile?

Thompson Center Encore!:D

Over 17 different centerfire calibers to choose from, along with 3 shotgun calibers, with even a rifled slug option.
 
I agree with Taurusowner. If I could only have one I would want it to be one that could go with me everywhere so the list is immediately cut down to handguns. If I had a choice of only one long gun then it would be a 12 gauge.
 
Ruger SP101 .357mag 3"bbl.
It's already the most versatile for me. It CCW's, HD's, hikes with me in the woods, etc...
 
A shotgun is not the most versatile if you take birds out of the equation. And seeing how in many areas of the country game birds are rather scarce, You'd have to go for small and large game. With a shotgun, you're really limited on range-to the point where you'd have a very difficult time getting anything out here on the plains where I live. Maybe different back east or down south, but here in the rocky mountain states, you're better suited with a mid-bore rifle.

One gun? My AR-10
 
id say, an ar... and about 3 different caliber uppers... .22lr, .45acp, and 5.56... that should take care of anything i need
 
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