One handgun

[bearcatter]

What if, for whatever reason, you could only have one handgun? Would it be a mini, a Guardian, or something else?

There are four areas of shooting for most people's needs. Fun, target, home defense, and concealed carry. Self defense is the most serious need; my Guardian is good for carry and tolerable for home defense. Poor for targets or fun.

My Bearcats are fun; fair on targets. My .22 SP is my best target; second for fun. My .357 SP is good for home; barely tolerable for carry.

One gun might do it all, if you like carrying a large one and have a blank check for ammo.

[pennsy]

The LCP is the one I carry most. It is about the best in terms of size vs fire power for me.

[dsnitker]

Since you said 1 handgun, I'm going to assume I still get to have at least one long gun somewhere - so I'm going to go with my Ruger Security 9.

[bearcatter]

My only long gun is a 10/22 DSP; don't have a need for anything bigger.

[Bigbird48]

If I could only have 1 handgun it would be my Black Widow. Goes with me everywhere, light weight, easy to conceal , plenty of punch for its size, very accurate at short self defense distances. What more do you want

[pennsy]

Not the same question but if I could only have one gun overall it would be my Mossberg 500.

[Canoeal]

If only one my BW... It is my carry gun so in a HD use it would be OK. Rather have 1 BW for carry, 1 Home 4" Charter, and still looking for a 22 mag rife I can afford that doesn't look like it came from a toy store.

[billmeek]

Sig P365... since it's my daily carry.  Or in a rougher environment, my Glock 26 (sub compact 9mm) since I believe it's more durable.  Doesn't hurt that you can also use 33-round mags in the Glock 26.

[Biff]

Rock Island 1911 Officers Tactical 45 acp and Highpoint 45 acp carbine.  They can share the same ammo and this caliber is King.

[RICKS PLACE]

Very hard question.  To be realistic, I would un-retire my old  S&W Mod 66 2 1/2" round butt 6 shooter.   Carried one in my LEO days as an off duty weapon.  A pain to carry concealed, but I trust it more than any handgun I own to get the job done including my Smith 5906. (Department rules took my PPK/S off the approved off duty list and I have not had one for 30 years.)   But, as long as I live in a none commie run state, I will continue with my B/W and or Ranger 2.     

[Warthog]

One Handgun, a Ruger but one of my older ones, like a Speed Six or Security Six.

[smokeless joe]

I guess I'd go with my LCR 357

[kpla51]

If I could only have 1 handgun it would be a Glock 19, If I could only have 1 long gun it would be  a Mossberg 500 12GA.

[theysayimnotme]

My Thompson Contender.

[billmeek]

Which barrel on the Contender?

[glenn]

I could eat some form of potatoes at every meal.

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[grayelky]

With access to reloading equipment, a Ruger Blackhawk, 5 1/2" barrel in 357, 41, or 44. I'd have to decide, but it would be tough. No reloading equipment, factory ammo only, 357 mag.

[OV-1D]

I could eat some form of potatoes at every meal.

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  Take two aspirin and post again in the morning .

[Mr.Mini]

Mine would have to be a ruger sp101 in 9mm. The gun is built like a tank and uses the widely available 9mm round. Win win in my book.

[zburkett]

My constant carry is LR mini.  The exception is if there is a chance of wild hogs I add a Ruger .357.  If I had to go with just one I would probably go with a mini mag for the extra fire power.  Realistically, I would stick with my LR, hide the rest and lie.

[theysayimnotme]

Which barrel on the Contender?

Whatcha mean, what barrel? .22 LR, .357 Maximum, 30/30, .223, .45/70 Still just one pistol.

[OV-1D]

  You know Zburkett I've seen a 357 bounce (ricochet) off a big boars head , knocked him senseless but still standing and shaking it off . Damest animals and still very capable of gouging the heii out of someone close enough . Point is be very careful around those noble beasts . 44 mag or express or 45 Colt for head shots for revolver hunts . Down here anyways I've come across 300 pounders (crossbreeds) .

[Honky Tonk Man]

Even though I carry my Pug and BW far more, if I had to keep only one, I guess it would have to be this one.  S&W Model 340PD J-Frame .357 Mag.  It's a featherweight (11 oz), reliable, and easy to conceal. 

[smokeless joe]

Mine would have to be a ruger sp101 in 9mm. The gun is built like a tank and uses the widely available 9mm round. Win win in my book.

I have one of those

[Warthog]

Something like this one would be fine for me.

[RangerJim]

That is a great question, bearcatter!  Mine would probably be one of these ...  A 9MM SP101, 9MM LCR, or possibly a 327 Federal SP101 or LCR.

[Mr.Mini]

Mine would have to be a ruger sp101 in 9mm. The gun is built like a tank and uses the widely available 9mm round. Win win in my book.

I have one of those

What are you thoughts on it?

[Warthog]

I have an SP101 in 9mm as well as one in 357 Magnum, I like the 9mm, but the LCR 9mm is the one I would cary because it is lighter.  Mind you, I still carry heavier guns, but in this case I have a similar gun that is easier and lighter to carry.  The Sp101 9mm is nice and shot great too plus because it is heavier, I am able to put a heavier bullet and a stouter load through it without it breaking me up with the recoil.

No, I am not all that old but the years have not been kind to me.

Ranger Jim, I love all of the 327FM's I have and there are more than most have, I think the round never really got a fair shake.  The people who get paid to review these things, weren't given money for this because IDK why really.  So the guns and the round was never taken seriously.  I have brass, bullets and powder to last me a long time plus thousands of factory loaded rounds, which will of course give me more once fired brass. I have S&W's, Charter Arms and Rugers in the handgun caliber plus a lever action from Henry, along with several single action revolvers.  IDK, but for me it was a great SD caliber that wasn't so hard on me, like my once favored 44 mags or 357 Mags were.  I hope it will make some sort of come back but I am not that hopeful as I fear the round will eventually completely disappear from the Common Man's/Woman's mind.  People just aren't ll that long term anymore.....

[smokeless joe]

Mine would have to be a ruger sp101 in 9mm. The gun is built like a tank and uses the widely available 9mm round. Win win in my book.

I have one of those

What are you thoughts on it?

I love the SP101 in 9mm. It is a bit heavy for edc tho. The LCR in 9 is much lighter as warty stated and at one time I owned one. I found that it had issues when firing. You can google LCR 9mm issues and see what I am talking about. The 357 LCR does not kick nearly as much as I would have thought. I really enjoy shooting it.

[bearcatter]

The "only one gun" question is  useful in defining our choices. Many shooters will think, "I only need 'X' types of gun, so why do I own 50 (or 100, or 1000..LOL...)?"; or "Why do I have 'X' number of guns of the same style and caliber?"

Because we think they make us happy! If I had a fat bank account, I'd probably own a lot more and belong to a local expensive range. I don't, so I had to really think to finalize the small list I do have. I bought and sold more than a few in the process.

[pietro]

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.44 Special Charter Bull Dog





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[pennsy]

Even though I carry my Pug and BW far more, if I had to keep only one, I guess it would have to be this one.  S&W Model 340PD J-Frame .357 Mag.  It's a featherweight (11 oz), reliable, and easy to conceal.

Holy S@#$,a 11oz .357 mag. Must be fun to hold on to.

[Canoeal]

Even though I carry my Pug and BW far more, if I had to keep only one, I guess it would have to be this one.  S&W Model 340PD J-Frame .357 Mag.  It's a featherweight (11 oz), reliable, and easy to conceal.

Holy S@#$,a 11oz .357 mag. Must be fun to hold on to.

That one is definitely NOT for me... Ouch!

[Honky Tonk Man]

Yeah Al and Pensy, it's a handful alright!  I use .38 spl. for practice.  One cylinder full of .357s is about all I can take at the range, but I carry it with the magnums.  If I ever need it, I'll bet I won't even feel the recoil.  My Brother says it feels like you're beating your palm with a ball peen hammer.  It carries like a dream.  The cylinder is titanium, and the frame is an aluminum / scandium alloy. 

[Doc Holliday]

I don't know about one handgun only..I've got in the vicinity of 30+ handguns, so I've got choices. But one of my favorites for ease of carry, is my Beretta Tomcat 3032. Easy to carry, minimum recoil, and with the Tip Up barrel..easy on my arthritic hands!
Doc Holliday