If you had to pick ONE.......

[saz]

I was talking to a buddy of mine the other day and he asked, "Saz, if you had to pick just ONE of YOUR pistols to keep and do everything with which would it be?" I actually started to panic a bit at the thought of having to choose! Then the brain kicked in and I started thinking that each one of my handguns has a purpose. Concealed carry, general woods carry, hunting specific etc........ In the end I am pretty sure it would be my 4 5/8" .44 mag SBH. With the correct load it will do it all, it is one of the first handguns I have ever owned and has about the most sentimental value of ANY other gun in the safe.

Anyone else been presented with this question? Thoughts?

[Love Life]

Fixed sight revolver in 357 magnum. Will cover 99.99% of any of my actual and perceived needs.

[z1r]

Fixed sight revolver in 357 magnum. Will cover 99.99% of any of my actual and perceived needs.

Yup, probably does cover 99 % of my actual needs, but for my perceived needs, I'd have to also probably a pick a Ruger BH 44. I'd probably pick the 5 1/2" 44 mag, despite liking the 4 5/8's 44 spl flat top. I typically shoot what amounts to hot, not HOT, .44 spl loads in my mags. Though I don't need it that often, having the extra ability to unleash the extra horsepower is nice.

It easier to load a .44 down to .357 levels than to load a .357 up to .44 levels.

[dragonrider]

In reality I could not exist with only one, BUT for the sake of conversation it would have to be my GP-100. The versatility of the 357 or 38 special, and the variety of boolits available would put it above all others in my safe.

[TNFrank]

I only have ONE, a Glock G30, 45acp. Seems to work well enough for everything I want to do with a handgun at the moment. ;-)

[ebner glocken]

If you could only save one of your children....which one? This may be an eaiser question to answer.

Ebner

[bearcove]

44mag S&W Mountain Revolver. I usually carry it out in the woods. My 41 mag BH w/ 4 5/8" is the other. The big stuff is fun to play with but, not so fun to carry.

[dpaultx]

It would be almost impossible for me to leave my 1911's behind, but if forced to make the choice, it would probably be between my S&W 6" model 27, in .357 mag, or my 4" model 29, in .44 mag.

Seeing as how the only "dangerous game" (not counting the two legged variates) within 500 miles of me are coyotes and rattle snakes, I'd probably have to go with the .357 just for the longer barrel. The pistol has the finest trigger I've ever encountered and is, literally, "minute of beer can" at 100 yards, off a rest.

Hope I never have to choose . . . Doug

[JohnnyFlake]

As others have said, I hope I never have to choose only one. However, for this exercise, hands down, a GP100 .357 with 5" barrel.

[Matthew 25]

Of all the unique uses I have for my various pistols...hunting, shooting long, shooting fast, concealed carry...By far the most important is the CC role. I'd have to choose the SP101.

[x101airborne]

I also dont want to choose only one.... But for ALL needs, it would be a double action (686 comes to mind) 357 mag. Not real great for only one need, but will do them all out to 100 yards. Has to be adjustable sights.

But no one can make me give up my other children!!!!

[LatheRunner]

Guns are like Lays potato chips. A man can't have only one. But if I really had to choose only one it woud have to be my Ruger Speed Six in .357. Easy to find ammo. Easy to carry.


LatheRunner

[Murphy]

This has always been an interesting question, if you could only have ONE handgun. A lot of people refuse to play...typically I stay out of it as well.

But, what the heck...here goes.

I've always said I'd go with my 625 S&W in .45 ACP. I've owned the 5" version of 1989 and enjoyed it, but I currently own a 625 Mountain Gun in .45 ACP.

My reasons are simple enough. 1. I can always load down the .45 ACP with cast ball and hunt small game with little meat damage. 2. I can use .45 Auto Rim brass and load up to power levels that will handle anything I'm likely to run into in my neck of the woods. And lastly, a good hollow point round backed with several moon clips makes a formidable selfdefense revolver. On, and one other point I'd like to make in favor of the .45 ACP. In a worst case scenario, a hardcore scounger will be able to find .45 ACP ammunition.


On another note:

My only other consideration would be a high end 1911, pretty much for all the same reasons above. I know this is a ONE HAND GUN ONLY question poised here. If allowed, the 1911 would be another choice. 1 frame, three top ends. .22 LR conversion, the regular .45 ACP top end and a Rowland .460 . That'd cover all the same things listed above.

Between the two, I'd more than likely go with my S&W 625.

Murphy

[btroj]

I would never accept having just one.

I will say it would be dang hard to pick against my GP100 in 357.

[rintinglen]

My answer today is the same as my answer was 30 years ago, (alright, more like 40), I'd pick a 4 inch .357 with adjustable sights. Of the ones I currentlt own, I'd choose my Colt Python, but the S&W M-66 might be a better choice for everything but the hottest loads. These are the guns I carried back in the day, and the .357 Magnum/38 SPL combo is a hard one to best.

That said, I'd be crying over the loss of my 32"s and 44's.

[Thumbcocker]

Probably my 5.5 Lispys .44 Bisley. It has done things for me that I never knew a pistol could do. Accurate at velocities from 800 to 1300 fps. Second choice 4 5/8" .44 SBH . Almost as good as the Bisley and a little easier packing.

[MtGun44]

Don't.

Won't.

;-)

[warf73]

I use the Walking Dead senerio and would go with the XD 40.

But if the zombie days don't come I'll just stick to all the handguns I have atm.

[TheDoctor]

3 would be easier, but if only one....... 4 inch model 29. Can make it hot, or not.

[mongo]

While not my favorite, It would be my Glock 23c , Put a Storm Lake barrel on it and it cant miss. Also with a pocket full of 13 round mags, Gives you good firepower if needed. Also have a lot of confidence with the Glock as it has never jammed/ftf

[waksupi]

A couple years ago at rendezvous this question came up. Board member "The Deacon" looked at the questioner with a dumbfounded look on his face, and said, "Oh, I COULDN"T do THAT!"

[Whiterabbit]

I did pick only one. 10" BFR in 460 S&W. one and only, and if I change my mind it'll be a sale or trade, cause in my house I really only want/care to have one.

[Tim357]

Hands down .357 Mag DA revolver. 4 or 6 bbl. Does purtnear everything a gun needs to do, and does it reasonably well.

[Oreo]

Y'all are thinking about this question the wrong way.

I'd grab the most sensible gun within reach and defend the rest of them to the death. The only questions that really matter are who's asking me to give up my guns and which gun is best suited to convincing that person(s) the juice ain't worth the squeeze.

[big dale]

Saz: I like the way you think. As a matter of fact about 20 years ago [I] had a pistolsmith take my old model Super Blackhawk and cut the barrel back to 4 5/8 inches and do an action and trigger job on it. I have six or seven other handguns, but that is the one that still puts this big ole silly grin on my face every time I even just think about that gun.

Have fun with this stuff.

Big Dale

[white eagle]

Man that is a tough on but wait I have two hands do you mean one for each hand by chance?
then the question is a touch more palatable but not much.......
I have a lovely Colt 4 '357 mag and a beautiful Ruger SBH 44 mag
so to pick one nah couldn't ...................ok compromise my Ruger Bisley flattop in 44 Special

[saz]

big dale,
I would LOVE to send mine to Bob Munden to get her worked over someday. That is one pistol that will NEVER leave my side.

It is nice to know that I am not the only one that elevated their heartrate a bit with this!

[Silver Jack Hammer]

Would have to pick then just one sizer-luber? One press? Or just one mould??????

My choice would center around the Colt Single Action Army. No other firearms delivers as much powder and penetration in as light a package as the SA. My favorite mould is my four cavity 454190. But then again when something or someone is aggressing you to cause you harm how much your gun weighs isn’t very important. When you really need to hit something hard, use a SA revolver. Although my favorite handgun is the Colt SAA I carry a Colt 1911 .45 95% of the time, mostly because I live in town. My first and favorite handgun is my 4 ¾” Colt blued .44 Special SAA. I can shoot it better than any of my other Colt SAA’s including my 7 ½” SAA’s when shooting up close and fast, it is my best shooter because it has the best trigger. The 1911 is much faster up close and fast doesn’t have near the penetration of a SAA revolver nor the accuracy once you start trying to hit out past 100 yards downrange.

So I guess I can’t decide yet.

[David LaPell]

Probably my Smith 27-2, its shoots that good.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/Smith29-2/Smith27stump.jpg

Unfortunately it would be very hard to give my grandfather's Colt Woodsman

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/Smith29-2/Picture1815.jpg

[429421Cowboy]

A real thinker could make a good case for a .22 pistol in the one gun senario, especially depending on how long and if food procurement would be the biggest duty. If i know i'm gonna be in a gunfight (Which really who does??) I want to have my rifle anyways, and if it were that i had to pick one pistol it may be bad enough that i would just rely on my rifle for primary defense.
Also a DA makes more sense as a self defence role, something in the works of a a .357, uses less powder and lead and ammo is common. But up here in the mountains you may rether have something a bit more powerful (Not the the .357 is by ANY means weak)

My personal choice is made easy, I am with saz, as i only own ONE handgun at the moment anyways, my 4 5/8" SBH, which goes everywhere with me. I have concealed it many times, under a shirt or jacket my 5' 6"X 145 frame hides it totally, and i have never wondered if a SWC .44 Special load would go through a winter jacket. I have hunted with it and taken deer, varmints, and had to put down stock with it. Each time it has the exact power level i need depending on my load selection, which is almost always a 240 boolit over 9.5 of Unique. I also have carry it working and playing in the mountains with 340 gr LBT WFN boolits for grizzlys with no worries. I am still young enough to think carrying it every day is a good idea and i don't mind the weight with a stiff belt and suspenders. The only area it is less than ideal is in town carry for SD, which i usually carry my mother's S&W mod 60 snub, but have carried it as well, and was carrying it the one of the two times in my life i ever thought i'd need to draw in town.
A DA Smith might make a bit better all around gun but the top end loads aren't there. The only guns i'd even think about swapping for would be my first handgun, a Ruger Vaquero .45, which would be a toss up on power until the very top end, but i don't feel underguned with the .44 as it is, i just like the fixed sights for a mountain gun, or a 5.5" Redhawk in either .44 or .45.

[paul h]

A couple years ago at rendezvous this question came up. Board member "The Deacon" looked at the questioner with a dumbfounded look on his face, and said, "Oh, I COULDN"T do THAT!"

Well said!

The problem I have is I don't have a jack of all trades handgun. I can just see it now, dear, I need another handgun to fit the niche of, if I just had one handgun what would it be. The problem is she'd probably agree to the purchase, contingent on it being my only handgun :violin:

I would probably lean towards a DA 357 mag, not sure if a 6", or get a 6" and have it cut to 5".

[Kragshooter]

My 4" Speed Six out of all the guns I have would be the one. It is in like new condition, ammo easy to find, I know how to strip it down and fix or replace parts if I have to. Next would be my M &P .40.

[ScottJ]

Since I don't hunt with a handgun I'd have to say my 2.5" model 66-3. It could even be pressed to hunting duty in a pinch.

I used to always answer this question with my 6.5" 629 Classic but spending time shooting the 66 in IDPA has caused it to claim the number 1 slot by a hair.

Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express

[garym1a2]

Glock 22, I have a storm lake 40 and a 9mm conversion barrel so ammo is easy to find and make for it.

[Piedmont]

My choice is always a 2" .38 because I think defense is the most important purpose for a handgun. Obviously there are better fighting guns, but the always gun will be there. For everything else there are shotguns and rifles.

[Marvin S]

Probalby something in a 4" adj sight 357. S&W of course.

[bowfin]

Ruger Stainless Blackhawk .357 with a 4 5/8" barrel.

[375RUGER]

For the sake of conversation only, I can hunt anything I need to hunt with it and conceal it, .44 mag SBH 4 5/8"

[sd95B]

A four inch S&W Model 624 .44 Special. A natural with cast bullets and a handy packing size as well.

[Catshooter]

I really want a Smith, two and a half inch L frame in 44 Special. Adjustable sights. Something like what they did some years back, but with the strength of a Charter Bulldog.

My Smith Shorty 45 isn't a bad choise either.


Cat

[Combat Diver]

Depends on where I'm at the moment. In the lower 48 of the US then my 1911 in .45 ACP and Colt .22LR conversion. If I'm stuck across the oceans on other continents then a double stacked M9 or SIG 226 in 9x19mm. Ammo can be found any where.

I had to make and live with this question for 3 years when I was reassigned to Germany in 2000-2003. Could only take one handgun, took the 1911 with conversion. Got lucky and had a 1911 (along with a M9/SIG 226) for all but one deployment to the sand boxes. Lucky never had to use a 9x19 in East Africa against the big 5 but hunting wasn't on the approved list of things to do (carried a M14 instead of the M4 also).



CD