Hands down, it would be my full size M&P 9. Seventeen rounds per clip, cheap and available ammo (usually), shoots anything. Decently c.c. and freak'n tough. Ambidextrous, did I mention huge mags? Right behind it would be the little brother, the Shield, either caliber.
If you could only have one pistol??
- Thread starter Walkbyfaith
- Start date
Rastoff
US Veteran
No, actually you said "clip", but who's counting?
The term pistol goes all the way back to the 16th Century. The origins of the word are uncertain...but the term pistol was in use before revolvers were invented, and certainly before semi-automatic pistols.
Most people today do split the handgun category into two subsets: revolvers and pistols. Actually that isn't exact, since there are single shot handguns (example: Thompson Center Contender) or double barrel, single shot handguns (example: derringer) which are neither revolvers or pistols (if you accept that designation.)
As for my choice of only one handgun...it would have to depend on the reason WHY. If it was the end of the world, then I'd opt for a 4" .357 Mag...either a S&W Model 27, 28, or pre-lock 686, or a Ruger GP100. Ammo is common, a number of configurations are available (.38 and .357, in various weights and bullet shapes.) These guns are unlikely to need springs or other parts, and don't need magazines.
If it was just personal preference, that I only wanted to have one handgun, and only one, then it'd be a 5" 1911 in .45 ACP. It would be one with no FPS, and one that has a lifetime warranty from a company that has excellent customer service: Ruger SR1911, Springfield Loaded, or S&W "E" series.
If I could only keep one....
...my 686 wins hands down. Sweet shooter, does anything I need/use it for, handles nice, looks nice, feels good, great trigger, easy to take care of. S&W makes a lot of very fine older guns I'd be content with, but if I had to pick just one....
...my 686 wins hands down. Sweet shooter, does anything I need/use it for, handles nice, looks nice, feels good, great trigger, easy to take care of. S&W makes a lot of very fine older guns I'd be content with, but if I had to pick just one....
In my ups and downs of owning many handguns and having to sell quite a few to pay rent, (I was self employed at the time) the only handgun to acompany me through all these times now resides next to my bed. It is a Speed Six 2 3/4" .357.
Richard
Richard
Tom_R
Member
I have the following hand guns, so I assume I would be picking from them:
Sig Sauer P226 9mm
Sig Sauer P229 .40 cal
Kimber 5" Stainless II 1911 .45 cal
Smith and Wesson 28-2 4" .357 Magnum
Smith and Wesson 39-2 9mm
Smith and Wesson 439 9mm
If I had to bug out and only take one in my emergency kit, I would take the 28-2 .357 Magnum. Sure it is a boat Anchor, but the versatility is great. I could load it with .38 Spcl and let my wife use it, or use a variety of .357 loads to be used for a multitude of purposes, and that gun will handle all of them.
Number 2 would be my 226, because I can carry 20 rounds of 9mm in a manageable package if necessary.
Sig Sauer P226 9mm
Sig Sauer P229 .40 cal
Kimber 5" Stainless II 1911 .45 cal
Smith and Wesson 28-2 4" .357 Magnum
Smith and Wesson 39-2 9mm
Smith and Wesson 439 9mm
If I had to bug out and only take one in my emergency kit, I would take the 28-2 .357 Magnum. Sure it is a boat Anchor, but the versatility is great. I could load it with .38 Spcl and let my wife use it, or use a variety of .357 loads to be used for a multitude of purposes, and that gun will handle all of them.
Number 2 would be my 226, because I can carry 20 rounds of 9mm in a manageable package if necessary.
jeffhughes
Member
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Love my M&Ps(4), and currently own no Glocks.
But, if the day came that I could have only one handgun, It would be a Glock Gen4 G19 with a Cold Bore or Bowie grip job...
But, if the day came that I could have only one handgun, It would be a Glock Gen4 G19 with a Cold Bore or Bowie grip job...
OIF2
Member
This. Colt Gold Cup National Match. It's accurate, fun to shoot, has adjustable sights for different loads and can be pressed into service as a defensive weapon. I'd also get a Marvel .22 conversion unit for it.
Bob
If I could only have one pistol as a defensive carry weapon (instead of an all-around shooter), then it would be this Browning T-series Hi Power, which I had parkerized and the mag safety removed.
Bob
If I could only have one pistol as a defensive carry weapon (instead of an all-around shooter), then it would be this Browning T-series Hi Power, which I had parkerized and the mag safety removed.
J-FRAME
Member
2nd gen Glock 17 and a AA .22 conversion
argpi
Member
HK Mark 23 with the Can
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gkitch
Member
Skeeter Skelton once addressed this very suject in the pages of Shooting Times.
He said that he would go for a 357 magnum as both 38 Special and magnum cartriges are readily available and offers the versatility to go from dispatching small game to deer. He also noted that the 125 gr 357 is a proven defense round, among many other advantages.
Skeeter decided that a S&W M-27 with a 5" bbl and blue finish would be his final choice.
Today, some 35 years since he wrote the article, it still makes good sense. Perhaps a stainless L-frame or a 627 would be one's ultimate choice but I believe the 5" blue M27 is hard to beat even now.
He said that he would go for a 357 magnum as both 38 Special and magnum cartriges are readily available and offers the versatility to go from dispatching small game to deer. He also noted that the 125 gr 357 is a proven defense round, among many other advantages.
Skeeter decided that a S&W M-27 with a 5" bbl and blue finish would be his final choice.
Today, some 35 years since he wrote the article, it still makes good sense. Perhaps a stainless L-frame or a 627 would be one's ultimate choice but I believe the 5" blue M27 is hard to beat even now.
OIF2
Member
A 5" 27 would work. This one has Ropers by Herrett's, slightly tweaked by Skelton. It's been in here before, but it IS a nice 27.
Bob
lhump1961
US Veteran
What a sad day it would be to have only one...
Good reasons to have any of the above mentioned pistols but I guess I would have to settle on my 6904. I would take it over my 3913 based only on capacity but for me the 9 makes sense as the caliber easiest to find most of the time. My 3913 and 6904 have never, EVER, failed to feed, fire and eject for any reason.
I have a little of everything between .380 and .45 and would sure miss them but I would feel good with my 6904.
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BearBio
Member
Fully realizing where I am at, I have to say my OM Blackhawk convertible in 45 Colt and 45 acp.
If limited to a bottom feeder, it would be a Stainless Commander in 45 aco.
If limited to a bottom feeder, it would be a Stainless Commander in 45 aco.
I know what you mean. Before my Shield 40 I would have said my Kimber 1911 TLE RL II.
smithman 10
US Veteran
Lou_NC
Member
This is too easy! If I could own only one pistol, it would be the same decision I made when I turned 21 back in 1978, and could only afford one pistol.
It would still be a Dan Wesson model 15 in 357 magnum. I bought it with a 6" barrel and added a 4" barrel for $75. Since I could only afford one pistol back then, the interchangeable barrels were a big plus for me.
A revolver can shoot anything from mouse fart reloads to full-house 357 magnums, giving far more versatility than a semi-auto.
It would still be a Dan Wesson model 15 in 357 magnum. I bought it with a 6" barrel and added a 4" barrel for $75. Since I could only afford one pistol back then, the interchangeable barrels were a big plus for me.
A revolver can shoot anything from mouse fart reloads to full-house 357 magnums, giving far more versatility than a semi-auto.
bp231986
Member
Glock 19 Just because i have 14 extra mags and two 33 rounders. Still need to get the 50 round drum for it though 
3rdRRU_PhuBai
Member
S&W 640-1 because it comforts me while riding in my pocket.
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