It would be a hard choice between a Mark III bull barrel and a 43x. Probably have to go 43x in that scenario.
Not my favorite, but my 43x is definitely useful. Concealable and accurate. I've got it set up with a lighter trigger, 507K and cowitness. Could make it work for carry, plinking and hunting if I had to.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
First of all I'd be dead if we're down to them telling us we can have just one hand gun ; ] but, if somehow not and for the sake of fun, my DW 1911 10mm, it'll handle concealed carry just fine with a couple spare 10 rounders in a rear pocket, also handle any crazy critter woods task.
While Iâve owned, reloaded and cast for a 38/357 since I was 16, and have numerous handguns up through a 475 LinebaughâĶâĶ.it would probably be a Ruger Mark series in SS.
A quality, accurate 22 is quiet, can be used for defense, take game up to deer size with well placed shots, and hundreds of rounds can very easily be carried!
This decision was made under duressâĶâĶassuming the world has gone absolutely to ðĐ, and Iâm on foot. There would be no other reason to abandon any of the others! memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
âIâd like to be a good riflemanâĶ..but, I prefer to be a good hunterâ! memtb 2024
It would be a Glock of some sorts. I am leaning 45 but 19 conceals just a tad easier, then the 21 pops up, I shoot it better than any other handgun I have but the 44 hosts a suppressor and could be just the thing if we're talking end times and needing a million rounds stashed...
Probably my 4â S&W 620 (.357 7-shot L-frame), despite itâs size and weight being a bit much for defensive carry. Handloads can make it work for a bunch of chores. Very hard to do without a .22 though.
A 66 would also work well, though its durability is not up to a lot of heavy use, plus I donât have one!ð
DONâT BE TOO PROUD OF THIS TECHNOLOGICAL TERROR YOUâVE CONSTRUCTED. THE ABILITY TO DESTROY A PLANET IS INSIGNIFICANT NEXT TO THE POWER OF THE FORCE.
For a long time my answer to that question would have been a Glock 20 10mm. But since I have replaced said Glock with a FN 510 I guess that the FN510 will be my default answer. It is better stock in every way then my decked out G20 was. Truly a do-all pistol.
A ruger MK series .22 would be a close runner up.
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same... President Ronald Reagan
It would come down to a 4" S&W Model 66 (I only have a Model 67 so would have to find one), a 6" Ruger MK IV Standard with Volquartsen innards or a S&W M&P 2.0 9mm in standard 4.25" barrel configuration, both of which I do have.
Right now the Ruger would nose out the 66 since I do a lot more target shooting and plinking that anything else, but then I'd want a modern defensive pistol so the M&P would win, but then the Model 66 is so versatile that would win, but then, but then, but then...
Ask me again tomorrow and I'll likely give a different answer.
Gunnery, gunnery, gunnery. Hit the target, all else is twaddle!
Have a few I like but nothing as enjoyable to hold and shoot as my CZ75D compact 9mm.
Yep, mine is the PCR version, I would assume your is also. It will do all I most likely need to do with a handgun. I do not live in grizzly country and I am too old to make another elk hunt in grizzly country so a 9mm will do.
I was asked this question about 25 years ago while being interviewed by a guyu who wrote shooting/outdoor sports stuff for the local paper. My answer now is the same as it was then: my plain-vanilla 6" 657 Smith. With a home cast 220 grain SWC at about 1000 - 1100 fps it will nicely accomplish about 90% of anything I want/need to do with a handgun and last almost forever doing it.
Not my favorite, but a 4" .357 revolver is arguably the most versatile handgun in the world. For probably 30 years I've owned a 4" Ruger Security Six, so that'd be my choice.
"Only accurate rifles are interesting."- Col. Townsend Whelen "I always tell the truth....that way, I don't have to remember anything."- George Burns NRA Life Member Certified NRA Reloading Instructor Certified Texas Hunter Education Instructor
Ruger Bisely old Vaquero 45 Colt. 260 to 270 gr WFN @900 TO 950 FPS. RZ.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill.
4" Colt Anaconda or 4" (or 5)Ruger Stainless Redhawk (square butt), both in 45 Colt.
They can be loaded for rabbits, birds or snakes with shot, a case full of Lord Black and an antique bullet mold, submerged under water and cleaned with Bar Keepers or used motor oil.
They can tackle the largest bovine or pachyderm and kill deer or hogs with boring regularity. They are modular in function and not tied up with tiny or critical parts in blued chrome moly or vanadium in the seas of stainless metal they are made with. Yes,they both used poured parts but they are large and simple and could be re-worked with files and forgings if one had to.
They also safely eat smaller diameter cartridges with similar headspace on the rims without leaving a "footprint", either in shot or ball (even a round ball).
The OEM case and ammunition has been in constant production since 1873.
Not my favorite, but a 4" .357 revolver is arguably the most versatile handgun in the world. For probably 30 years I've owned a 4" Ruger Security Six, so that'd be my choice.
Yep, gotta agree with this- damn hard to beat a 4â .357 for versatility and the ability to recover all spent brass to reload in a time when no brass is to be had.
What is your fave - do it all - if you could only have one?
What would you choose?
Depends on where I lived, what I was doing. Today .. with today's situation .. I would be torn between 2 .44 magnums: S&W 329PD or Ruger stainless 5.5" barreled Super Blackhawk. Smarter choice is the S&W. With .44 specials it is as good as any revolver for defensive use and with hunting loads .. mine shoots fairly well. The Ruger .. mine is still fairly new, only a couple hundred rounds through it, but it seems like it wants to stack the holes with the same ol' standard handload I've used in many others over the years. That puts it in the "I can hunt elk with this" realm.
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a Mïŋ―bius strip.
For all round use for my uses, probably my 4â M19. Shoots everything very well and would serve from mice to deer, and defense if it came to it. Kind of a jack of all trades, master of none for me. But I hate to think about it.
I was thinking the same thing. It's my daily carry, so I guess it's the gun I'd miss the most.
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
65BR: An "apocalypse" would have to occur for me to be restricted to/cut down to "only one handgun"! And in that case (of an apocalypse), I would prefer to have along one of my Glocks in 40 S&W caliber (Model 22) with high capacity magazines, top quality self defense rounds and night sights. Long live Glock Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
A Glock 21 Gen5 MOS. I have one and like it a whole bunch. So far it shoots well and functions well. Hard for me to say this due to my love for a 1911. Oh well.
...sold a second one to Idaho Shooter in .38 Super/9mm/10mm...
Bob
And then you pointed me to the 22 conversion slide on Gunbroker.
I am loading 140 gr cast in 38 super at an honest 1200 fps from a 4.25 inch barrel. They beat hell out of 38 specials for power, and compare favorably to lower end 357 mag loads. I need to clock that load from the 5 inch Kimber, but it is on loan right now to my son as backup for an aggressive bear as he hunts elk. It is wearing the 10 mm barrel and the mags are full of 200 gr Hunter's cast.
But back to the question in the OP.
A few years back, Bob sold me my "Holy Grail Gun", a Smith' 657 Mountain Gun. I shoot it with 165 gr cast at 700 fps, 210 XTP w/ 21 gr H110, 210 gr cast at 900 fps, Sierra 170 JHC w/ 23.4 gr H110, or on rare occasions a 250 gr cast over 20 gr H110.
This one is my "You can just bury it with me" gun. It is quite versatile with the various loads.
This new Dan Wesson Guardian in 38 Super is quickly sliding into second place. I just finished loading 1000 rounds of powder coated 140 gr cast Saeco 383 over 6.1 gr of Power Pistol into virgin starline +P brass. That should keep me busy for a while.
People who choose to brew up their own storms bitch loudest about the rain.
Some of you guys must not conceal carry. The amount of revolvers selected is not what I would have expected. My choice the G23 was a compromise. Small enough to conceal, decent magazine capacity, more powerful than 9, could be used in the woods - easily east of the Mississippi, can get a 357sig/9mm barrel for it, and fits all G19 (which is everywhere) holsters. Ammo varies from lighter target rounds to some intense HC lead - obviously not as much variation as a revolver can handle.
It's really not good at any of those jobs, but in the venn diagram, overlaps most of them.
Some of you guys must not conceal carry. The amount of revolvers selected is not what I would have expected. My choice the G23 was a compromise. Small enough to conceal, decent magazine capacity, more powerful than 9, could be used in the woods - easily east of the Mississippi, can get a 357sig/9mm barrel for it, and fits all G19 (which is everywhere) holsters. Ammo varies from lighter target rounds to some intense HC lead - obviously not as much variation as a revolver can handle.
It's really not good at any of those jobs, but in the venn diagram, overlaps most of them.
^^^This^^^
Makes a lot of good sense! Would be hard to beat in my opinion. Because you can also have a drop in 9mm and .357 Sig cal barrel conversions.
That frame size is just about perfect for carry and concealment too. Iâve carried my Glock 32, which is the same frame gun, in .357 Sig caliber for YEARS. Iâve already got a 9mm barrel for it. Just need to order a .40 cal conversion barrel, now.
With Mackayâs .40 cal hot Hard Cast 170 gr load at 1200 fps, I could easily see it replacing my Glock 20 in 10mm for carry in Bear Country, should I choose to bow hunt in the Rocky Mountains, ever again.
Last edited by chlinstructor; 10/10/24.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
Some of you guys must not conceal carry. The amount of revolvers selected is not what I would have expected. My choice the G23 was a compromise. Small enough to conceal, decent magazine capacity, more powerful than 9, could be used in the woods - easily east of the Mississippi, can get a 357sig/9mm barrel for it, and fits all G19 (which is everywhere) holsters. Ammo varies from lighter target rounds to some intense HC lead - obviously not as much variation as a revolver can handle.
It's really not good at any of those jobs, but in the venn diagram, overlaps most of them.
Yep. Mine's a Gen 5, and it's my daily carry. Also my choice for "If I could only have one handgun."
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
Some of you guys must not conceal carry. The amount of revolvers selected is not what I would have expected. My choice the G23 was a compromise. Small enough to conceal, decent magazine capacity, more powerful than 9, could be used in the woods - easily east of the Mississippi, can get a 357sig/9mm barrel for it, and fits all G19 (which is everywhere) holsters. Ammo varies from lighter target rounds to some intense HC lead - obviously not as much variation as a revolver can handle.
It's really not good at any of those jobs, but in the venn diagram, overlaps most of them.
My thoughts too.
We are comprising like a Gold Digger in a dive bar.
Yeah, favorite and what if you could only have one are two very different questions.
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
Sig Sauer P226 in .357 Sig. The ergonomics feel perfect to me and mine shoots lights out. I bought a spare barrel in .40 S&W so I can practice with cheaper ammo.
Some of you guys must not conceal carry. The amount of revolvers selected is not what I would have expected. My choice the G23 was a compromise. Small enough to conceal, decent magazine capacity, more powerful than 9, could be used in the woods - easily east of the Mississippi, can get a 357sig/9mm barrel for it, and fits all G19 (which is everywhere) holsters. Ammo varies from lighter target rounds to some intense HC lead - obviously not as much variation as a revolver can handle.
It's really not good at any of those jobs, but in the venn diagram, overlaps most of them.
Yep. Mine's a Gen 5, and it's my daily carry. Also my choice for "If I could only have one handgun."
Is the slide on your Gen 5 Model 23 any wider than the old ones??? Someone here stated they were âbeefed upâ. Wonder if it would fit my old holsters or not.
Havenât been able to lay my hands on one of the Gen 5 versions yet, except for a Model 19 9mm.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
Yep. Mine's a Gen 5, and it's my daily carry. Also my choice for "If I could only have one handgun."
Is the slide on your Gen 5 Model 23 any wider than the old ones??? Someone here stated they were âbeefed upâ. Wonder if it would fit my old holsters or not.
Havenât been able to lay my hands on one of the Gen 5 versions yet, except for a Model 19 9mm.
Yeah, they slightly beefed up the slide, i.e., it's a hair wider. I carry mine in the same holster I carried my Gen 5 19 in, no problem, however it's a leather holster. A Kydex holster might be a different matter.
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
Yep. Mine's a Gen 5, and it's my daily carry. Also my choice for "If I could only have one handgun."
Is the slide on your Gen 5 Model 23 any wider than the old ones??? Someone here stated they were âbeefed upâ. Wonder if it would fit my old holsters or not.
Havenât been able to lay my hands on one of the Gen 5 versions yet, except for a Model 19 9mm.
Yeah, they slightly beefed up the slide, i.e., it's a hair wider. I carry mine in the same holster I carried my Gen 5 19 in, no problem, however it's a leather holster. A Kydex holster might be a different matter.
Thanks.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
R Boyes from Wisconsin. It is a stout knife, blade is .200 thick, Olivewood handle, ATS 34 SS blade
OAL is 8 '' Blade length is 4''
ððŧððŧððŧððŧððŧ
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
Have both a G23 and G35 with extra .357 SIG and 9mm barrels...what is most amazing is that all the barrels in both guns shoot to very close to the same POA at 25 yards...all rounds will stay on a paperplate... Add a .22 conversion unit and most bases are covered.
As to revolvers, a 3-4" .357 would work just fine... Have got a 4" GP100 that has a GREAT DA trigger and a good SA letoff...will run everything from target wadcutters to 180 bear loads...
Also have a 3" 66-2 with an extra cylinder done by TK Custom that runs 9mm and .38 Super...
....any of the above would work fine but still prefer a 1911...
Bob
Last edited by RJM; 10/11/24.
If you can not deal with reality, reality will deal with you....
In a revolver, I'd take my old Ruger Security -Six SS 4-inch, dead nuts reliable and versatile.
In a pistol, it would be a SIG P226 in 9mm, after carrying one for many years all over the world it's a no brainer for me.
My non practical choice would be my S&W Model 57 "Mountain Gun".
StarchedCover
You have to narrow it to just one.
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
Some of you guys must not conceal carry. The amount of revolvers selected is not what I would have expected. My choice the G23 was a compromise. Small enough to conceal, decent magazine capacity, more powerful than 9, could be used in the woods - easily east of the Mississippi, can get a 357sig/9mm barrel for it, and fits all G19 (which is everywhere) holsters. Ammo varies from lighter target rounds to some intense HC lead - obviously not as much variation as a revolver can handle.
It's really not good at any of those jobs, but in the venn diagram, overlaps most of them.
I do conceal carry. My choice of my FA model 97 with 5.5" barrel is always in my Jeep hidden near the front seat. Not carried on my person, of course. I have other guns for that. The object here is to select only ONE that I would keep. That's not necessarily CCW.
If I was 21 years old and only allowed to buy one handgun, I'd probably pick up one of the 4.2" barreled Redhawks in 44 Mag. My 2nd choice would be a 4" 629. I wouldn't feel bad about getting something similar in 41 Mag or 45 Colt either. Any one of those calibers would be okay with me.
Some of you guys must not conceal carry. The amount of revolvers selected is not what I would have expected. My choice the G23 was a compromise. Small enough to conceal, decent magazine capacity, more powerful than 9, could be used in the woods - easily east of the Mississippi, can get a 357sig/9mm barrel for it, and fits all G19 (which is everywhere) holsters. Ammo varies from lighter target rounds to some intense HC lead - obviously not as much variation as a revolver can handle.
It's really not good at any of those jobs, but in the venn diagram, overlaps most of them.
If I am only picking one, it has to hunt elk. End of story for me.
Concealment is only an issue if you are limited to one gun. Today I'm not.
If I were, I'm not sure I'd concern myself with concealment at least with conventional means / carries.
Thinking a bit here .. "The Colonel" said something to the effect of the purpose of a handgun being to fight your way to a rifle. With the right alternate concealment, the purpose for a smaller concealment handgun may be to buy time to extract a more substantial handgun .. or an AR possibly .. from a day pack that conceals it but only by rendering access a bit slow.
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a Mïŋ―bius strip.
If I am only picking one, it has to hunt elk. End of story for me.
Buffalo Bore has a .40 S&W load that could do that at reasonable handgun ranges.
"40 S&W OUTDOORSMAN Standard Pressure, Low Flash Ammo, 200 gr. Hard Cast Flat Nose @ (1,000 fps), 20 Round Box $38.32."
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
If I am only picking one, it has to hunt elk. End of story for me.
Buffalo Bore has a .40 S&W load that could do that at reasonable handgun ranges.
"40 S&W OUTDOORSMAN Standard Pressure, Low Flash Ammo, 200 gr. Hard Cast Flat Nose @ (1,000 fps), 20 Round Box $38.32."
Mackay Sagebrushâs Lost River .40 cal 170 gr hard cast load is going 1200 fps out of his Glock 22. Heck of a load!
And he sells a 100 round box for $110 shipped. Thatâs twice as cheap as Buffalo Boreâs load!
Iâm going to try it out on some big feral hogs at the Ranch with the new FNP-40 Iâve got on the way, soon.
Last edited by chlinstructor; 10/11/24.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
Gen 5 Glock 23 with a Holosun that mounts direct and co witnesses with the iron sights. I've just finished using a razor blade to make the Sparks holster "optics ready".
Longshot is getting me to 1065 fps with 180 grain Hornady bullets. I have a KKM barrel "somewhere" in the NC postal system. The tracking said it was delivered a few days ago to the Lansing PO. Lansing made national news due to the epic flooding. I've heard the that PO is not going to reopen. I hope my KKM barrel has not washed down stream...
I have a 9 MM KKM Gen 5 conversion barrel and replaced the factory trigger with a Timney. I have 2 different types of cast bullets on hand. Sometimes a cast bullet will load up just a tad faster than a jacketed bullet will go. I am looking forward to testing that theory out if I can track the new barrel down.
I'm pretty sure KKM will replace it if the PO can't help me locate the barrel Monday.
Though I'm pretty hardcore 1911, & the one above is by far my favorite, if I could have a couple of more, one would be my High Standard Trophy bull barrel target 22.
The other would be my L-frame Smith & Wesson 4" 696 in 357 Mag.
I really like the 40, but it doesnât meet the required length in ND for a hunting cartridge.ðĪ·ðžââïļ The 10 mm does.
Iâm always amazed at some of the dumb cartridge ârequirementsâ some states have. ðĪŠ
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
10mm LS & I have a pretty soft shooting target load that is very accurate so it could serve multiple purposes.
Nice! Always wanted a long slide 10mm. ððŧ
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
The summer I graduated from high school I bought a Glock 20 10mm. It is still my daily carry and eats mostly .40s&w these days thanks to a conversion barrel. I also have a .22lr conversion slide for it as well. I'd make the same choice again today.
The summer I graduated from high school I bought a Glock 20 10mm. It is still my daily carry and eats mostly .40s&w these days thanks to a conversion barrel. I also have a .22lr conversion slide for it as well. I'd make the same choice again today.
Interesting. Must be really mild recoiling with the .40 S&W barrel installed.
PS I have a .40 S&W barrel for my Glock 20 (Gen 4) also. Shoots just fine with it. Super light recoiling, due to the much more massive slide on the 20 than on the 22.
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
What is your fave - do it all - if you could only have one?
What would you choose?
This one:
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad." ---------------------------------------------- "Jimmy, some of it's magic, Some of it's tragic, But I had a good life all the way." (Jimmy Buffett)
I guess it would be this one. S&W M66 that I have owned since the early 70s
Gorgeous revolver. As good as it gets, imo.
Nice. Must be a pretty early one, since even the front sight is stainless. They got lots of complaints about that, and quickly switched to a black front sight.
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
I've been a Glock and M&P guy for years. Once S&W came out with the 2.0 version, the M&P 2.0 compact was it for me. Then, Walther and Springfield stepped up their game. The Walther PDP and the Springfield Echelon moved to the front, for me. Both are outstanding sidearms. THEN I shot a friend's Langdon Tactical PX4 Storm Compact Carry. I ended up buying a PX4 Storm Compact Carry and am going to send it to Langdon for their "once over". That is a long and convoluted way of saying, at this time, my choice would be the LTT Beretta PX4 Storm and I expect it to replace my P365XL as my daily carry.
_________________________________________________________________________ âMontana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.â John Steinbeck
There is nothing hunting wise that I can do with a handgun that I canât do better with a rifle. I can get by without a range toy and a just walking around in the woods .22 . That leaves a defensive have along whenever wherever maybe in a pocket or ankle holster handgun where lightness counts with enough chambering. That is a .38 Special +P and a S&W J-frame imo. The winner is my pre-lock M337 PD Airweight. 12 ounces loaded and not fun to shoot, but way lighter than anything Iâve got in the safe. Snake loads are an option that I like down south.
My other auto is a .45
The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory
My favorite handgun and the one I would keep is a S&W 629 Classic 6Â―". From target loads to home defense loads to all out big game hunting loads this one does it with superb accuracy and versatility.
to me it would depend on the situation, and that is a hard decision to make unless you are just asking people "what is your favorite pistol" or "what do you think is your most reliable pistol" etc.
the glock is not what I think of as a nice pistol, OTOH a G34 is interesting.
I guess it would be this one. S&W M66 that I have owned since the early 70s
Gorgeous revolver. As good as it gets, imo.
Nice. Must be a pretty early one, since even the front sight is stainless. They got lots of complaints about that, and quickly switched to a black front sight.
You right about that, the sights were hard to use, but after I replaced the rear sight blade with a white outline blued one and painted the front sight red I havenât had a problem. It has been this way for almost 50 years. Still works well for me.
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
I've got a SS Single Six 6.5", which I shoot well, and, believe it or not, a SA Ronin Commander .45 that I shoot really well. Both are great at what they do, so it's a hard, hard choice. Different ends of the spectrum.
Likely as not, with today's political climate, the .45 would get the choice.
You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.
As much as I like the Glocks for their practicality, durability and all the other attributes, if I was going to only own one, it would likely be my Baer 1911.
With the right loads I can shoot competition, hunt pretty much anything up to and including moose and elk. It makes a good HD gun and has worked well for a CCW piece. Any "one gun/all around gun" is going to be a compromise, but this one is a pretty decent compromise.
THE CHAIR IS AGAINST THE WALL.
The Tikka T3 in .308 Winchester is the Glock 19 of the rifle world.
As much as I like the Glocks for their practicality, durability and all the other attributes, if I was going to only own one, it would likely be my Baer 1911.
With the right loads I can shoot competition, hunt pretty much anything up to and including moose and elk. It makes a good HD gun and has worked well for a CCW piece. Any "one gun/all around gun" is going to be a compromise, but this one is a pretty decent compromise.
And most are surprised at how easy it is to conceal carry an all steel 1911. The flatness of the gun just makes them want to sit comfortably IWB at 4:00.
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
Just one - ouch. Well probably my 317. This one ends up going with me more than all my others combined. Size, weight, accuracy, cheap to shoot - what's not to like?
A true sportsman counts his achievements in proportion to the effort involved and fairness of the sport. - S. Pope
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
As much as I like the Glocks for their practicality, durability and all the other attributes, if I was going to only own one, it would likely be my Baer 1911.
With the right loads I can shoot competition, hunt pretty much anything up to and including moose and elk. It makes a good HD gun and has worked well for a CCW piece. Any "one gun/all around gun" is going to be a compromise, but this one is a pretty decent compromise.
I know where you can get a matching kydex holster...
As much as I like the Glocks for their practicality, durability and all the other attributes, if I was going to only own one, it would likely be my Baer 1911.
With the right loads I can shoot competition, hunt pretty much anything up to and including moose and elk. It makes a good HD gun and has worked well for a CCW piece. Any "one gun/all around gun" is going to be a compromise, but this one is a pretty decent compromise.
I know where you can get a matching kydex holster...
That reminded me of this...
And for the record, I do own a couple of 6.5 Manbuns (Creedmoors), as well as a .260. Great little cartridge, but I thought the meme was too funny not to save it!
I appreciate you showing me the matching kydex, but it really is not for me, thank you though.
THE CHAIR IS AGAINST THE WALL.
The Tikka T3 in .308 Winchester is the Glock 19 of the rifle world.
I guess, just for once, that I'd like someone to actually propose a scenario in which we can own only one handgun.
There are a lot of handguns in America that aren't anywhere near where manufacturer records indicate they landed. And this largely happened lawfully through several different means of ownership transfer.
And it still occurs frequently throughout the freer parts of America. There are parties who would like for this to cease. I'd be OK if they ceased.
Once again, please explain how this scenario occurs?
I only own a few pistols but I like them all for various reasons:
My Walther PPQ has a great trigger and is a good all-around pistol. My H&K VP9SK is a really nice size & fits my hand perfectly like it was custom made for me. My SA-35 Hi-Power clone gets carried around in a chest holster when I'm at the hunting camp and shows the most wear from usage.
But if I had to pick one, I think I would keep my 1985 Ruger Mark II pictured below. I really enjoy plinking with this one:
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
as much as I love my Glock 19 and browning Buckmark, I'd chose my Glock 43x with it's night sights and a handful of the PSA 15 rd mags. It hides well and I shoot it as good as the 19 or any other full size Glock.
I think it would be a Delta Elite, or even something more special from Wilson Combat or Les Baer...but I like 10mm Auto and feel like it's the perfect do-all cartridge (as "do-all" as a handgun cartridge can be). If it had to be a revolver, probably a 4-inch 686 or something along those lines---maybe even a Python.
Don't be the darkness.
America will perish while those who should be standing guard are satisfying their lusts.
Hard call but the Smith P329 would get strong consideration. In Specialâs from the Blaser 200-gr HP at about 900 fps, to a 255-gr hard cast at 1000 fps for which I obtained it to the magnum loads it covers a lot of ground.
Itâs a fun time running Specials through it. The magnums which has been noted many, many times, not so much.
Hard call but the Smith P329 would get strong consideration. In Specialâs from the Blaser 200-gr HP at about 900 fps, to a 255-gr hard cast at 1000 fps for which I obtained it to the magnum loads it covers a lot of ground.
Itâs a fun time running Specials through it. The magnums which has been noted many, many times, not so much.
I used to have one of those. I took it with me elk hunting in northern Idaho. Perfect for bear defense in that situation. My mistake was to actually fire a few rounds (at the prodding of my friend/hunting partner) of the hard cast bear loads just before we left his house (You can shoot on his property), thus fracturing my wrist.
Like you said, it makes for a great, lightweight, .44 Special, but not such a great Magnum.
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
C'mon Gibby. There's been a lot of respect shown for other's personal choices in this thread. But a Lorcin L380? You need to reconsider in my opinion.
_________________________________________________________________________ âMontana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.â John Steinbeck
Hard call but the Smith P329 would get strong consideration. In Specialâs from the Blaser 200-gr HP at about 900 fps, to a 255-gr hard cast at 1000 fps for which I obtained it to the magnum loads it covers a lot of ground.
Itâs a fun time running Specials through it. The magnums which has been noted many, many times, not so much.
' With full house loads, that is the most recoil-brutal handgun that I ever shot. And I'm not recoil-sensitive. S&W 500 is a pussy cat compared to that evil bich.
A good friend who bow hunts in western Mt bought this P329 for bear deterrence. He touched off just one of these Cor Bonâs and now has a Kimber 10 mm. I can appreciate your wrist injury.
I bought it from him to use Specials exclusively for which it works well within my deer-hunting range of about 75 yds. He threw in the Cor Bons which shall remain safely ensconced in their battered box.
Below may be the factory extremes that you can fire up in a 44 magnum. Quite a wide range of power..and recoil.
Glock 40, 6.5" KKM barrel with brake TLR-2 HL 1000 lumen light Carried in a "tanker" style holster, custom made by a local fella, sits on my left side butt forward for quick & easy cross draw access while allowing me to carry my range finder binos on my chest
also have the +2 mag extensions for a total of 17 rounds + 1 in the pipe at all times along with an extra mag bucket next to the holster
Almost no recoil for quick, repeat accurate point blank perforation of brown 4 legged varmints or da brown two legged bike thieving kind
Mr. Brown come snoopin at my tent (or my house) at night is gonna get lit up by 1000 brights and 18 150 gr Xtreme penetrators
"The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants".
What is your fave - do it all - if you could only have one?
What would you choose?
I am torn: Either a Stainless 22 revolver or my S&W 627 (8 shot) 4". I do not own a stainless .22. So, right now the 627. 170 Grain Keith loads and all the way down to Wadcutter "baby" loads.
BMT
Last edited by BMT; 10/27/24.
"The Church can and should help modern society by tirelessly insisting that the work of women in the home be recognized and respected by all in its irreplaceable value." Apostolic Exhortation On The Family, Pope John Paul II
I have a hard time playing this game. If .gov said you could only have one pistol it would be a Gen5 G19 and some G17 magazines, the XS DXT2 night sights, and TLR7 light, no MOS because I have never used a pistol optic, if the EOTWAWKI a Ruger 22/45 lite 5 magazines and 500 rounds of CCI hollow point ammo, if playing a game of "favorite CCW gun then a Sig P365.
I suspect it would be nuanced by the particular situation and location. Will it be your only firearm? Will you rely upon it to obtain food? If so, will that mainly be big or small game? Do you have to worry about large predators like bears? Will you have to carry all your ammo supply with you?
In my situation, we have no large predators around besides people. Probably lot more small game than large. The main large game are deer which can be killed with a head shot with .22. A good .22 will be able to harvest small game more easily / efficiently. A .22 isn't the greatest defensive weapon; but it isn't incapable. I'd still go with a high quality .22 semi.
It would be a sad day when you have to choose only one handgun. I shoot matches with a handgun most weekends, mostly with a Sig P320 X5 Legion in 9mm, but it's a little big for concealed carry. And in the mountains I prefer a larger caliber. Hopefully we'll never have to choose only one handgun.
I have only owned one revolver and that was a .357 Blackhawk 82 83 ish.
Bought a 17 gen1 in 87. Ever since then it has been buy some other brand and model of pistol grow bored with it and go back to a Glock of some sort. Only thing that has done for me is give me a good working knowledge of other brands and models which ain't a bad thing.
I was pissed off when the Army dropped the 1911 and went to the POS Berreta. Good ole boy .gov schit is all that pistol was.
I was pretty good with a 1911 as a young soldier.
I have probably had 4 or 5 Gen 5 17,s since they came out playing the I'm bored let's see what XYZ brand and model is like and sell or trade in the 17 Gen 5 game.
Always knowing I'm gonna 86 XYZ pistol and buy and set up another 17 Gen 5.
Loaded up with 124 gr HST mutha fugga,s. A Gen 5 17 works for me.
I have only owned one revolver and that was a .357 Blackhawk 82 83 ish.
Loaded up with 124 gr HST mutha fugga,s. A Gen 5 17 works for me.
Good sights on that 17. I have the same ones on all my glocks except the 43x which is too narrow.
Had a set of Dawson adjustable tritiums on a prior 17g5 about 3 or 4 yrs ago.
Meopro,s have their advantages Dawson have theirs.
I honestly like the Meopro,s better.
Built like a tank. Adjustment clicks hard and firm 0 slop in rear sight. One mongo strength elevation spring instead of 2 in rear sight. Better profile per front sight. ( Dawson is a sharp rectangle) Lower rear sight profile.
What is your fave - do it all - if you could only have one?
What would you choose?
You talking in the City or the country? On the plains or in the mountains?
I carry a Model 19 most of the time. Depending where in the mountains the 629 gets the nod. I rarely go to a city, but if I did and I needed to carry, maybe a Bond 45 derringer.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
There are so many answers with 357 on this thread, makes me feel like I need to use mine more. I've got a few of them in different models, but don't load for them too much. My favorite is probably the security six that has the name " L.E. Trump, Roosevelt, Utah" written inside the handgrips. The most often carried one is the SP 101, most comfortable to shoot is the GP100, prettiest one is the blued M19. The 686 is the redheaded step child.
I'd probably opt for one of the 9mm's if I could only have one. With today's variety of decent ammo you can do about anything, to include killing Kodiaks according to Phil.
While I answered this thread many pages agoâĶ..Iâm gonna chime in again.
This is my take on the topic: âIFâ Iâm every forced to choose âONEâ handgunâĶâĶthis means that things are âREALLYâ bad, Iâm forced from my home, and am on foot with my survival gear on my back!
With these conditions, I contend that a quality, very accurate 22 handgun is the answer. They are capable of relatively quietly killing most any game that you will encounter to feed yourself with while on the move. It can offer decent defense easily beyond 50 yards. Two bricks (1000 rounds) of 22 LRâs are of reasonable weight within to be carried, and if judiciously used âĶ.. can last a very long time!
In the above mentioned scenarioâĶâĶyou will be severely limited with the amount of ammunition you can practically carry/use with most centerfire handguns! Most centerfire semi-auto handguns are somewhat range limited due to their inherent accuracy as compared to a quality 22 RF. Unless suppressed, centerfire handguns are generally quite loud, drawing unwanted attention.
There are a multitude of reasons to justify a quality, accurate 22 RF! JMO memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
âIâd like to be a good riflemanâĶ..but, I prefer to be a good hunterâ! memtb 2024
S&W K22 Masterpiece 6". I don't have one but if I had to sell all my handguns to buy just one that would be it
Wounded non-vitally he will go just as far and be just as savage with 500 grains of lead as with 200. And 100 grains in the right place are as good as ten million- WDM Bell
âIt is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.â
Hard call but the Smith P329 would get strong consideration. In Specialâs from the Blaser 200-gr HP at about 900 fps, to a 255-gr hard cast at 1000 fps for which I obtained it to the magnum loads it covers a lot of ground.
Itâs a fun time running Specials through it. The magnums which has been noted many, many times, not so much.
' With full house loads, that is the most recoil-brutal handgun that I ever shot. And I'm not recoil-sensitive. S&W 500 is a pussy cat compared to that evil bich.
Try the 329 with the Factory wooden Combats.. Like elective root canal..
Try the 329 with the Factory wooden Combats.. Like elective root canal..
That's how I shot mine 'til I found a set of round butt N frame boot grips. They're a little wider across the back strap. It's still effing brutal but for me, there is a tangible .. hate to say "improvement", that's too complimentary, so lets call it a still high but lesser degree of "God awful". However, whatever truth may be spoken about the recoil, it sure puts that first shot where I aim it. Not missing can do a lot to reduce the need to fire a second shot.
I understand others' rationale for the .22 but for me, it also leaves me functionally unarmed in places that I go where that seems a very bad idea Will it kill? Yes. Will it STOP things fast enough to save my ass from whatever gets shot while it is dying? No. End of story for me. If I could have two, then a .22 is a real, real solid second, but it doesn't cut it as one and only.
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a Mïŋ―bius strip.
I think a lot of this comes down to country mouse verse city mouse. I shoot a handgun several times a week. Not just carry it. I'm also at the age I just don't go to places I think I'll need a gun, and the places I do go I don't care if you see I'm carrying or not. I want a gun I use several times a week, not just a gun to carry.
As I said before, it would be really hard to choose between the FA97 and a good Ruger 22. Just this last week I shot 7 armadillos with the 22. It's always around and gets used a lot. I'd also not worry about my chances with carrying the FA97 either.
As much as I like revolvers, I would lean towards a semi-auto for me. More firepower and faster reloads. I initially thought 1911, but thinking more it would probably be my Ruger Mk III 22/45 lite. A pretty useful sidearm. 2nd choice would be a 1911. Distant 3rd choice would be my Dan Wesson 741. It has rifle-like accuracy and can be loaded up or down. A small double-stack 9mm would be pretty useful, too, but i don't own one (yet). YMMV
Presidents come and go, but entitlements are forever - Michael Medved
I dunno, Hemingway himself said ââĶ standing in one corner of a boxing ring with a .22 caliber Colt automatic pistol, shooting a bullet weighing only 40 grains and with a striking energy of 51 foot pounds at 25 feet from the muzzle, I will guarantee to kill either Gene Tunney or Joe Louis before they get to me from the opposite corner.â
Presidents come and go, but entitlements are forever - Michael Medved
My grandfather had a 3rd generation (I think) Woodsman that my dad got when his father died in '84. It has adjustable sights that are very clear and precise. I've shot it a few times and it's an awesome gun. Very easy to hit with. It's in my dad's will for me to inherit it, but I'm in no hurry. Hopefully Father Time agrees
Last edited by 444afic; 11/01/24.
Presidents come and go, but entitlements are forever - Michael Medved
If ever truly limited to one only, of my current crop it would be my GP100 Match Champion. 357. Can fill a lot of roles. Pennsylvania doesn't allow semis for hunting.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, used up, worn out, bottle of Jim Beam in one hand and a .45 in the other, loudly proclaiming WOW-- What a Ride!"