You...can...only...have...one!

[Wildalaska]

OK now hear me out....avoiding all the usual welliftheycometogetemillblowemawayitwillneverhappenanywayiwouldhideeminthebushes canned responses...lets just say...for whatever reason....

YOU...CAN...ONLY...HAVE...ONE...GUN!!! JUST ONE...FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS......

So which one...and why...rifle pistol or shotgun?
WildletseethisoneAlaska

 

[Gillster]

I'll play. I'd take a Smith and Wesson 627 8 shot .357 magnum. I can and do hunt whitetail here with that caliber, it's a little big for carry but would suffice and is more then adequate for personal protection and I can still use it for steel challenge, bowling pins, falling plates and in a pinch, even IPSC shooting, easy on and off for optics. Plus, I just prefer revolvers. My $.02

 

[goon]

I would have to go with my M39.
There are more logical choices but I just love that gun. My "plan" is to put away enough reloading components that I can shoot it for the rest of my life and not have to worry about ammo considerations.
If I could only keep one, the Finn would be it.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

My Tupperware Special

M700 ADL Synthetic. 270 Winchester. Hits the target the first time everytime. For five years it was the only rifle I had.

ZM

 

[BigBlueEyedDevil]

M1 Carbine.

Self Defense, hunting, whatever.

 

[olyAR73]

AR-15. I have plenty of ammo, mags, and spare parts. It will handle engagements from point-blank out to 500m. Easy to clean and maintain. Ammo and parts are abundant.

Am I allowed a scope and halo sight in your restrictive fairytale world?

 

[wasrjoe]

870. Hunting: Buckshot, birdshot & rifled slug. Home defense: buckshot & slug. CCW: Pistol grip and a really short barrel combined with a big jacket.

 

[4570Rick]

M-1A

 

[Preacherman]

Saiga in 7.62x51 NATO (.308 Winchester). Plenty of power to handle any game animal in the Lower 48 States; excellent anti-personnel performance if need be; reliable as all heck, being based on the legendary AK-47 action; hi-cap magazines hold 20 rounds, standard hold 8; built-in rail for scope, red-dot sight, or night vision; etc.

 

[Black Majik]

A Colt Government 1911.

First its handy. Not as much to carry around. Easy to find ammo for. And I'd rather have a sidearm than a rifle/shotgun.

I know im in the minority here, but my concentration is mainly pistols instead of rifle and shotgunning.

 

[one45auto]

If I had to trim down to only one firearm, period, I would have to go with my Winchester Model 94 Trapper chambered for the .357 Magnum. With its 16" barrel it would be handy enough for home defense at close quarters, yet powerful enough to reach out and touch someone at distances of 100 yards and over - which, in a SHTF scenario, would be the limit of my field of fire from the house. (Besides, target identification beyond that range is somewhat unreliable, as I wouldn't want to drop just anyone with a gun since it might be a fellow THR member or other friendly.)

 

[71Commander]

My 1971 Combat Commander. Out ot 100 yds, it would get the job done easily without any head breaking calculations. POA=POI (for the most part). It would still allow me to have something to get up close and personal if needed.

 

[Tamara]

A 4" round-butt Model 19. If it can't be done with that gun, it probably doesn't really need doing.

 

[El Tejon]

Rifle, something lightweight, short-action, .308 would be good. Thompson Center or something with multiple calibers might work as well.

Rifle is the queen, fills the most needs.

 

[BigG]

You really know how to hurt a guy, Wild! OK, I would keep my Beretta 1201 autoloading riot gun. Sort of a modern day version of the minuteman musket and suitable for taking tasty fowl and stags, too.

 

[Red Label]

Do it all with a 12ga Remington 870 Not the gun I always grab because I have selection, but if there was no selection that would be the only one I would need.

 

[psyopspec]

I vote pistol, 1911 type. Something like a Kimber Custom Eclipse because if I can have only one gun, damnit, it's gonna look good.
Also happens to be the most reliable firearm I've ever owned. I live in a city, so hunting really isn't a consideration, and I don't have any distances for home defense that a 1911 couldn't handle. Therefore, defense of home and self would be my main priorities, and a pistol would allow me to keep the option of CCW.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

I'd try to finesse with 2 sets of barrels on an O/U

I'd try to finesse with 2 sets of barrels on an O/U - 12 gauge and .30-'06 - otherwise a drilling or even a vierling. Maybe some subtubes for the shotgun barrels?

For one handgun, it would be a 1911 in 10mm with an Ace conversion or a Service Ace or a Marvel.

Let me stretch it a little and I'd add an N-frame, and a Steyr Scout and a .22 (or maybe a .17) rifle.

 

[joeoim]

Mak-90

I have a Norinco MAK-90 with a thumbhole stock.

It's surprisingly accurate, simple, easy to clean, reliable, I have a boatload of ammo for it (7.62X39), there ia a lot more out there.

I hate that it's chinese, but it's a good shooter.

Easy choice.

Joe

 

[sm]

Gov't Model of 1911.

I like Tamara's pick as well.

There is that new Ultitactimate that recently came out. You folks haven't seen this? Oh this bottom feeder converts to wheel gun/pump/auto and comes with a stock that expands/ collaspes and will fire any rd from .22lr to .88 magnum.

sifyoubuildittheywillbuyitm

 

[Smoke]

A guage...always a gauge.

Mine would be my 870. Only one and it's not a shotgun?

This I do not understand.

Smoke

 

[Wild Bill]

Tough call!

First thought’s a para FAL. Does it all from game to defense. It’s portable (if a bit heavy), and easy user care and cleaning. Nice all-around choice.

Second thought is Marlin 30-30. It’s hard to leave an old favorite behind.

Final call (yes Regis, this is my final answer) … Tamara and I will be a nearly matched pair. Model 19 - the real go anywhere do anything popgun for just about all situations. I'll take mine in the 2 inch version please.

WA – why you wanna make us think so hard on a Saturday morning? Working up the next group buy?

 

[Tamara]

El Tejon,

Rifle is the queen, fills the most needs.

Too hard to find an IWB for.

If I can only have one gun, it's gonna be one gun I can tote all the time. You can sorta hunt with a magnum wheelie, but you can't sorta CCW a carbine.

 

[Pappy John]

S&W .44 mag. Mountain Gun.
Accurate enough to hunt with, light enough to wear all day, and very flexible in its diet. From gallery loads to 300 gr stompers. I've never tried to conceal it, but I imagine it could be done with the right leather.

 

[BeLikeTrey]

an old flintlock

I can make my own black powder, don't have to worry about brass availability, can use as a makeshift shotgun if needed, and am not beholden to any technology related issues. (brass, reloading dies, commercial powder availability, primers, etc). Can I have a bow too? (for those times that repacking that beast will take too long or I need a no-noise solution)

-Call me old fashioned