As you know from reading my threads I like a do everything type of gun. I dont really have to many specific duty single purpose type firearms. For example I love shotguns because they can do everything! I love revolvers because of their simplicity reliability and firepower. I also love the Colt 1911 because it's a battle hardened and proven weapon system and the platform has a never ending supply of bullets and parts. But there is a reason that I dont have a Colt 1911 now. In my opinion its not the best do everything type of gun. It comes close but it falls short on some important things...

What would you consider as the best overall do everything type of firearm? If the Gestapo broke down your door slapped you around and took all your firearms but you outsmarted them and hid one pistol that they could not find.. What would that be?? Keep in mind some important things... Is it affordable? Not everyone is Donald Trump here in this forum so I think maybe that gold plated Dan Wesson or Ed Brown Signature Special is out of the picture here.. Is it practical? Is it simple enough that any fool off the street can use it with little training? Can you even find parts for the thing? Warranty? Is it safe and reliable to carry for self defense reasons? Is it lite and small enough to carry comfortably or does it weigh like a tons of bricks? Does it chamber a cartridge thats more than a mouse fart? Can you even get ammo EASILY for the thing? As in can you get the stuff at your nearest Walmart? Can you hunt with it? Is it durable? Does it hold a respectable amount of bullets? For example NOT a derringer.. lol All these things should be considered. I value and respect your opinion so what do you think some of the best pistols are? To help out here is a few examples of what I would consider an acceptable do everything type of pistol. Thanks!





Took way to long to get any other pictures of other guns so deal with it!

My model 66 snubnose is about as good as it gets for a "do almost everything" pistol.

It would be the CZ P-01 I get next month. But since I don't have it yet I would say my Glock 22.

Friends don't let friends buy a Taurus

There's a reason Fruit of the Loom makes so many sizes and styles of underdrawers . . . no single pair works for everyone. Same for handguns. No matter which model I suggest that works for me won't be adequate for 99% of the rest of the posters.

__________________
- Change it back -

4 in. .38 Special. Larry

I would have to go with an auto type pistol over a revolver and thats saying a lot considering I am a huge revolver fan. Mostly because of the 5 to 6 shot limitation on most of them. Furthermore even though revolvers are more reliable than auto pistols when one breaks good luck trying to fix it without lots of specialty tools and knowledge. A Lot of people dont realize how hard it is to fix a revolvers inner workings.

My .45 1911 is my favorite pistol, and the one I'm most comfortable with. I'm 6'4" and 230 lbs so I don't feel its too big for me if I were to carry one (which I don't). I'd have to go with that as my pick. Capacity as a handicap, maybe. But I'd rather have 7-8 in a pistol that works for me than 10+ in an unfamiliar platform.

Just my 2 cents.

Edited to add, my Super .38 would be just as good, with one or two more bangs available over the .45

I cant argue with that!

3" M65 or M66.

I would feel safe with a 45 auto. Plus it could take down a bear if need be... lol

I think the Smith & Wesson Model 19 or 66 with a 4 inch barrel is about as close you can get to a do everything handgun. It is small enough that the average person can conceal it. It is reasonably light on your belt. The .357 S&W Magnum caliber has taken about every animal you can hunt. Loaded with light .38 S&W Special loads it is pleasure to shoot and it is still very manageable with full house .357 magnum loads. With a 4 inch barrel you have enough barrel length to help shoot accurately and get lost everything out of the .357 load. A 4 inch barrel is still easy to carry.

You can make better use of the .357 Magnum caliber with larger N frame with a longer barrel but your looking for a gun with the maximum in compromises. Even in a 4 inch barrel and with its smaller frame the 19 will do most jobs. It is dead reliable, simple to use, loads can be tailored to your use. It might not be the best gun for most jobs but it will do many things well enough to not feel like you compromised to much. Darn few handguns can make that claim.

It seems I can remember reading some where some one said "the Smith & Wesson Model 19 has everything you need in a handgun and nothing you don't." I pretty much agree and I'm a guy that really prefers calibers that begin in point four.

__________________
Bill Bates

Two of the pistols you show are no longer made, the S&W 6904 and the Sig P232. Is that a Kahr "K" or "T" series in your picture? Is it still in production? When the factory no longer supports the firearm, parts get scarce, magazines are costly, and holsters are difficult to find it may be time to choose a different handgun.

I have owned several S&W 469, 669, 6906, 908, 3913, 3953 pistols and they are very good guns. I still own and carry the 3953. I recently gave my son a LNIB Sig P230 and four spare mags. I sort of regret that, as it shoots really well. I have limited experience with Kahr pistols but the few I have handled and fired worked fine, once I got used to the long trigger pull.


If I could only have ONE handgun to do everything with, I would choose a SS, 4" barrel, AS, medium frame .357 magnum revolver. I believe this is the most versatile handgun made.

My CZ 75 PCR. Does everything I need, and I shoot that one best.

You've gotta be kiddin'! Right? That's like asking my wife what her favorite overall do-everything pair of shoes is? She's going to give you an answer, then three minutes later change her mind and give you a different answer...then three minutes later, ad infinitum.

You've gotta remember, you're addressing a handgun forum here. I could probably rattle off at least a half dozen favorite, "do-everything" handguns, then change my mind in the next thirty seconds without blinking an eye. That's just the nature of the beast. At least that's the way it is with me.

Hmmm...now that I think of it, maybe this thread is the perfect excuse for me to go out and buy another "do-everything" handgun.

__________________
Pack light and cinch tight.

Too bad the Makarov PM is chambered in a very Communist bullet... If it was chambered in 9mm luger it would probably be the world's best pistol ever!

Very true but its all for entertainment

The 6904 and 230 are not the best examples ever. The 230 chambers the weakest cartridge of the three and the 6904 magazines are rare as hens teeth for some reason. Plus getting parts may be an issue. The other is a KAHR K series and I think its still in production. Its probably a better pick of the three examples I gave.

Indeed!

__________________
America First

Moot question. Totally a matter of personal preference.

Its okay share your opinion dont be scared to do so its a free open forum as long as people dont get vulgar about things. So far a few members on here already mentioned some of the worlds best pistols ever! Read and learn!

There isn't much on the CONUS that can't be done with a S&W 10 or 64 variant.

Perfect! I would probably go with a stainless steel revolver though just because its a little more corrosion resistant but I wouldnt feel bad about having ANY one of those revolvers.

Glock 9mm in any size.

Definitely would be a .357 Magnum as its more versatile and deadly without having to step up to an N frame.

I would be hard pressed to choose between the 7 shot 686-5+ Mountain gun
(which btw weighs less than the 4" Model 66) and adds L frame strength with a 7 shot cylinder.


A close second would be a tie between the 3" PC Model 19-7 K-Comp (right)


And the 3" Model 65-5 Ladysmith


Honorable mention would be for the 9mm Model 547 with fitted .357 spare cylinder if one could find this unicorn.

Love the Lady Smith! That is one hot lady! Probably one of the best handheld cannons in the world!

1 REVOLVERS: Ruger speed six 2 3/4" barrel 357 (I like fixed sights)
2 S&W model 681 4" 357
SEMI AUTOS: 1 Sig P226 9mm, Sig P220 45 acp both in stainless of course. Sorry 1911 guys, if it weren't for hand issues I might choose 1 of them.

Many years ago, when I didn't have any handguns, Bill Jordan and Skeeter Skelton convinced me that a medium frame, 4" barrel, 357 was just about the perfect handgun for someone who was only going to have one gun.

A Model 19 fit that bill perfectly.





However, upon further review, I think a Ruger Blackhawk with a 4 3/4" barrel, in 38-357/9mm might be a better choice. I'm just not a big fan of S/A revolvers, so I've never gotten one. It just seemed to me that you could probably find ammo of one type or the other, most anywhere in the world.

__________________
John 3:16 .

Randy

My Brother and I have had this very same discussion over a camp fire a few times. Your criteria describes a 1911 perfectly.

Mine would be a Colt!

Dan (who's a die hard wheel gun man)

You can always count on the old Glockenspeel!

My M&P 40c qualifies:
Accurate.
Reliable as dirt.
Easy to use, especially with an Apex kit.
10+1 rounds of easy-to-find .40 cal. goodness.
Not picky. It has fired whatever I've fed it for 8300 rounds.
Easy to field strip and reassemble.
Can get with or without a thumb safety.
Parts and service readily available.
S&W Lifetime Service.
Excellent carry gun. Can be comfortably carried in a Nemesis pocket holster, a Galco KingTuk IWB holster or a 5.11 undershirt holster. I carry mine every day in one of these, usually the Nemesis.
I know it's a plastic gun.
I don't care.
So there!

__________________
What, me worry?

This is kind of a "what's your favorite ice cream" question but its still interesting, and to me it never really gets old. For most it probably boils down to what you're most familiar with combined with a bit of what you like most.

I said earlier that it would probably be a 1911 and I still think that for ME, that is the best choice. If we all liked the same thing it would be a pretty boring forum.

My hands-on pistol experience is pretty much limited to 1911s, Smith da and Ruger sa revolvers, a few Hi Powers, two Glocks and a smattering of misc. rimfires.

I'm a recreational shooter, I don't depend on a firearm for my job/life. So I like these topics, it gives me insight into other options.

1911/586 pretty much covers my bases. A 617 matching the 586 for small critters and a 29 for big ones really rounds it out. I could keep going on this drift for a pretty long stretch.

__________________
Hue 68 noli me tangere

I believe I would pick this Ruger .357 Security Six. It would give me the option of using .38s, it is reliable, and can be taken apart if necessary without tools.

Attached Images

IMG_1005.JPG (31.2 KB, 78 views)

__________________
Rule of law, not a man.

Nothing wrong with plastic guns. It is easier to super glue a broken plastic gun in a pinch than to weld a broken metal gun in a pinch.

Im surprised no one has mentioned the Ruger SP101 yet.

Besides the archaic Colt 1911 and Makarov PM automatic pistol downfalls the one revolver that I wish made it big or bigger than it has would have to be the 327 magnum. Thats a damn shame that it never made it big in the shooting world!

Great choice. Easy to conceal, plenty of power. I like the 3" version best.

A 1911, a BHP or a 3" Model 65.

I think the answer for specific gun is a personal preference, but for me there are some specific characteristics:
- concealable size - this varies by person, but for me it is compact or smaller
- reliable and accurate
- capacity of 10+ rounds, with the more the better. If it holds more than 10rds, 10rd magazines must be available in case travel to a state with mag limits
- rail, just in case want to mount light or laser
- not requirement but ability to convert calibers by changing changing barrel and mags, is a benefit

For me a P229r in .40 would be the best with 9mm and .22 conversion barrel and magazines fits all my requirements.

Skeeter Skelton wrote an article on this very subject many years ago in which he concluded that a 5" Model 27 was his "one gun." The 3 1/2" gun was a close second. I won't go into all his reasons here as it was a long article, but it was enjough to convince me. I reckon my second choice would be a Glock 17. Easy to find ammo, enough power with good bullets, simple to repair, lots of spare parts and magazines, light weight and they're dishwasher safe.

I would have to agree on the Sig Sauer. I like the autos with conversion barrels. I do like the .40 to .357 barrel swap. Only thing is I dont see to many 9mm conversions.

The 9mm Luger is the greatest cartridge in the known world at this time. So consider that in your thoughts.

Just my choice, I would go with a CZ 75 in 9mm. I have a late pre B, about the only issue I face is that the magwell isn't quite as open as the later ones, so it doesn't take new 16 rd mags (it does take the 18 rd SP 01 mags).

All steel construction, including the frame. Parkerized, with a polycoat finish. If the paint gets scuffed, the park under it still protects the gun. Get through the park, you can still throw oil on it and it stays blue. I feel steel is more resilient than plastic or aluminum. In a scuffle, I want steel to smack someone, and a great grip to maintain control of the weapon.

"Heavy", but that weight is deceptive. It is a sleek gun, a lot easier to hide inside the waistband than you'd suspect, less bulky than a Sig or Beretta. A lot of "melted" curves, not much in sharp edges to snag. Points like a dream, soaks up recoil nicely. Feels fantastic in the grip. Very balanced. Longer sight radius seems to give me better accuracy at range.

Carry cocked and locked, or easily lower the hammer on your thumb, your call.

these threads are always interesting to read, but i believe all replies are incorrect.
the very best gun is the one you shoot all the time til it feels like part of your arm.

__________________
susie

Then my answer is correct

I think we can all agree that there is no one answer to this question, but it is a fun thought exercise, so kudos to dandyrandy for posing it. I think EVERYBODY loves the Smith and Wesson Model 19 (wish I still had one!), and nobody would feel under-armed with one. If it was a TEOTWAWKI situation, I'd be happy with my Glock 17L. Six-inch barrel, eight-inch sight radius, 24 ounces, 9 1/2 inch overall length, 17-shot and a nice boost in 9mm Parabellum velocity while decreasing noise and recoil. All this in a package about the size of a four-inch barreled Police Positive, without the cylinder bulge. Points like a revolver, too. But, boy, those Combat Magnums.....

When I was in my 20's, I took a 1911 45 everywhere I could. Camp, Back packing and canoeing! I also carried a 60 pound backpack (and liked it). Now I'm 61, If I go anywhere that requires a backpack, I think 35 pounds is too much. On those few overnight treks, I carry an old Colt Cobra or Agent and 6 spare shots. But for an afternoon in the woods, I still love a 1911 or a 1917.

Ivan

Now that I have partially stopped drooling over these pics I will try to post. I was sitting here thinking about my answer but couldn't choose just one. I tend to carry a SP101 most of the time, .357 mag, you can load it hot for protection or light for range. Then the 1911s came to mind, if someone said you can no longer have one of them I would offer my arm instead! Oh yeah, the 3rd gen Smiths...never had one fail me yet. Now I have to go check my limited stash money..

But what would it do to a squirrel?

Attached Images

SquirrelGun-1.jpg (168.1 KB, 50 views)

__________________
Mike, AmVets Member, Navy Vet

Ever since 1899 S&W's M&P/Model 10 has met all of your criteria.
It can still "get er done".

__________________
In Omnia Paratus