How about an "if you could only keep two" thread.

[Cal44]

I was thinking about which guns I would keep if I had to give up most of them.

So.

Suppose you hit hard times and had to sell all your handguns except two:

Which two of the ones you have now would you keep?

For me, it would be my 36-1 and my 28-2.

The 36-1 could be carried and is easy to shoot.

The 28-2 is a good target, hunting, and home defense gun.

Together they pretty much cover the bases.

Both run on cheap ammo.

[Redlegvzv]

It would have to be three:
Kimber Eclipse Target II .45 for SHTF

S&W 627 .357 for 'most everything else:


S&W 686+ because I am not doing without it.

[Comrad]

I began my handgun ownership with a "I'll own just two" and got a Model 65 and a 6906. A little old school reliability and a little more capacity semi.
Just in case.

[Ranger514]

Since all my handguns are intended for SD, I would choose my 2-1/2" 66-3 and my 642. Both are pretty easily concealed, and since both can fire .38 spcl. and +P, it would simplify my ammo requirements.

[bgrafsr]

I'll just keep all of mine thank you, and I'm really glad I don't have to choose "just two".

[wproct]

That would take a lot of thought. Have to get back to you on this one!
Well, after much thought, the two handguns I would keep would be my 617-1 with 4 in bbl, and my 686-4 with 2.5 in bbl. However, I hope to never make that choice, and hope that my son has to make the choice for me.

[Malpaso]

.44mag Mountain Gun and .44mag Vaquero. Versatile enough for hunting and personal protection against 2 and 4 legged predators. Double action for faster reloads, single action for simplicity and longevity of working parts. You can also use the Vaquero for hammering nails, tent stakes, etc. and still depend on it to function as a firearm ;-)

[Dstyles75]

First, My 686-4



Second, My Colt Government Series 70 in .45

[mg357]

Cal44: My family has fallen on hard times twice and i had to sell my Entire handgun collection the second time.

But if i was in the position that your suggesting and i had a handgun collection i would keep these two.

The S&W Model 617 with a 4 inch barrel and a 10 shot cylinder
The S&W model 686 with a 4 inch barrel and 6 shot cylinder

[Fishinfool]

Well, considering what I use my handguns for...

It would be a 6 inch S&W 617 22lr for plinking, range use, and most importantly - small game hunting. My old HS Victor would be another choice, except you can't use a semi-auto here in PA for hunting.

My S&W 4 inch 629 44 mag. Another excellent target and range gun, it is also a decent carry weapon, and will, and has taken deer. Again, if PA allowed semi's for hunting, my 1st generation Kimber Custom Target 1911 in 45 acp would be my real choice, as it will take deer at reasonable ranger loaded with hard cast 230 grain semi-waddcutters at about 950 fps.

Honestly, I would go without for a while (food, elec.) and insist on having a third dedicated carry gun - My Glock 26.

Larry

[Green Frog]

As I look around at the guns I have, I would go the other way... which one, then another, then another would I SELL, rather than which would I KEEP. In this way, I would try to control the decline. I would feel pretty much naked without access to my old K-22, my custom Gold Cup, my 686 and my custom Model 616. There are several others with great sentimental value that would be tough to lose, so I would really agonize over what to sell after the first half dozen or so.

Froggie

[Dave T]

Just a few years ago I would have had to list versions of the 1911 Colt in 45 ACP as my two choices. However, arthritis has raised its ugly head and I can no longer shoot 1911s. I've been reduced to only shooting revolvers (not completely bad - lol) which is fitting for the revolver section of the S&W Forum.

My choice of two revolvers to keep is simple. Both are customs by a close friend who's retiring from the gun smithing business but I manage to talk him into another one now and then.

First is my much beloved, blue steel Mountain Gun in 45 ACP.



It's a 25-2 that came to me with a Model of 1950 6.5" barrel installed. My friend cut the barrel to 4". Pinned the ramp to the barrel rib, then pinned the sight blade to the ramp just like Smith used to. He round butted the grip, beveled the leading edge of the cylinder then find bead blasted the whole thing before re-bluing. Naturally a trigger and action tuning went along with all this.

The second is this 681 that came with Magna Ports already installed…and allowed me to get it for a very good price.



My buddy cut the barrel back to 3" then installed a Novak Mega Dot front sight. He round butted the frame (it is a concealed carry gun), beveled the front edge of the cylinder and fine bead blasted the whole thing. He also did a trigger job, converting to DAO and bobbed the hammer accordingly.

I have three other revolvers he's done for me over the years and they are "keepers" in my mind but these two are hands down my favorites.

Dave

[Gunhacker]

Well that's an interesting question because I would have different choices depending whether or not it was only being able to keep 2 handguns for financial reasons versus only being able to keep 2 handguns due to legislated reasons.

If for financial reasons, I'd hang onto the two that would take me the longest time to find and be the most difficult (even impossible) to replace after times got better... My 16-4 and a 1066 3rd gen 10mm Pistol.

If it was due to some draconian law being passed to limit me to 2 handguns, and assuming an equally draconian requirement of only have once chance at choosing and having to stick with them for the duration, then it would be my 16-4 that's been converted to .327 Federal, which gives me an option of firing a variety of .32 cal cartridges for light/medium uses (forget about .22LR with the way availability has been). And my 629-3 for the "hand cannon" aspect for hunting and seriously intimidating SD (aka the Dirty Harry factor).

As much as my 3rd Gen pistols mean to me, especially the 10mm ones and my 4566 Melonite, I would stick with revolvers. No long term issues to worry about such as a lost magazine, or a fatigued magazine, recoil or extractor spring that could render the gun inop or unreliable.

[18DAI]

Two Revolvers? 4 inch 66-2 and PC 4 inch full lug 14-6.

Two semi autos? 4506-1 (R4 dash 3) and 4513TSW V1

Regards 18DAI

[Bozz10mm]

My Blackhawk 45 convertible (cause that's really 2) and my 1006.

[Hapworth]

What I love most about these threads is how so many people can't stick to the rules...

[Lobster Picnic]

I guess I would choose a .38 Special and .22 long rifle combo in either K or J frame:

15 / 18
14 / 17
60-4 / 63-5

[steelslaver]

my 25 with 2 cylinders
my model 18
my 44 bulldog
my model 29
my model 10
thats 2 right

[waffles]

SSR, cause damn is it fun.



638 because it's just so damned practical.

[chud333]

I would have to cheat and make it these 3 sorry
just can't do without any of them.
1. One of these three Pre-17's for small game.

2. This model 66 with 3 inch tube for carry.

3. This 8" Dan Wesson 15-2 in .357 mag. for longer range
Deer size game for the table. Living in Indiana don't need
much bigger than this.


Chuck

[Rangerpat]

I would end up keeping my Colt Government Model Mk.IV .45 acp and my S&W model 63 in .22 LR.

[jtcarm]

Originally Posted by Comrad

I began my handgun ownership with a "I'll own just two" and got a Model 65 and a 6906. A little old school reliability and a little more capacity semi.
Just in case.

If you started more than a year ago and still have only those two, you have my undying respect:-)

I refuse to participate. If things get that hard financially, I won't be all that worried about which guns to keep.

[holo]

my S&W 681 .357

and my ruger super redhawk .44 for hunting

[BigCityChief]

S&W 586 L-Comp in .357 and my Dan Wesson Valor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[old&slow]

Only two ?

A 4" Kimber alloy frame Pro in 45 acp and a 4" S&W 586 .357.

[ladder13]

#1



Everything else is #2

[sac-gunslinger]

Originally Posted by Ranger514

Since all my handguns are intended for SD, I would choose my 2-1/2" 66-3 and my 642. Both are pretty easily concealed, and since both can fire .38 spcl. and +P, it would simplify my ammo requirements.

Sounds like my solution for #2 and #3.

But my #1 gun is the Marlin 1894C. Now there is performance from 357 Magnum.

[sac-gunslinger]

Originally Posted by Hapworth

What I love most about these threads is how so many people can't stick to the rules...

OK, I'm guilty. I listed three. So just take #3 off my list....

[Hapworth]

Originally Posted by sac-gunslinger

OK, I'm guilty. I listed three. So just take #3 off my list....

You'll note I opted not to play...I can never decide.

[Gunhacker]

Originally Posted by sac-gunslinger

Sounds like my solution for #2 and #3.

But my #1 gun is the Marlin 1894C. Now there is performance from 357 Magnum.

Aw heck... don't get me started on Marlins, the "JM" ones and not the "Remlins".

If the question was "if you were limited... what rifle/handgun combo would you pick", my Marlin 1894S .45 Colt would be the 1st part of that equation.

[G.T. Smith]

I really need to read the original post before replying. I done had the one picture pried out of photobucket so I'll have to post it. The other picture is the ones I carry a lot and wouldn't want to part with. A 65-4 4" and a 37 no dash. Love those Bianchi thumb break holsters.
Stay warm folks!
Gordon

[Cal44]

Originally Posted by Gunhacker

Aw heck... don't get me started on Marlins, the "JM" ones and not the "Remlins".

If the question was "if you were limited... what rifle/handgun combo would you pick", my Marlin 1894S .45 Colt would be the 1st part of that equation.

Well, I did say two handguns in the original question, but if I included long guns I'd pick one of my JM stamped Marlins too.

There is something really nice about a lever action rifle and a revolver in the same caliber.

[pineappleshooter]

Two handguns - my model 10 4 incher with custom sights and my Glock 17 cause that thing shoots anything I feed it.

Handgun and rifle - The Glock 17 and my SKS paratrooper.

[jjbrewst1]

Im thinking these 2

Pre 27 3.5



29....4 Inch

[YeshuaIsa53]

Leave me out...rather have a rifle and a shotgun.

[OIF2]

Jim Hoag-accurized .45, set up for Service Pistol matches. Great shooter without one malfunction (shooting ball) in over 5000 rds.



S&W Heritage K22. Haven't fired this one yet, but I guess I'd have to, if I only had ONE K22...

[BigBill]

My k22 would put up to deer sized game on the table. The m57 6" barrel will take care of the rest.

[arjay]

I'd keep a government model and a good 22,but I really want to keep a 44 mag too :-D

[jd70]

Did actually go down to one. A model 67-1. The only handgun we owned for a year. The 2nd was a 4506. It finally went with great regret. The 1st handgun I acquired after things got better? A model 15-4. Both my wife and I shoot K frames very well. But she didn't like 357's as much. It has lead to the accusation of 6 more k frame revolvers with the nicest being an almost pristine 65-5.

[ShelbyV8]

3913 NL and 4516 that also has 4566 and 4506 slides fitted to it.

[HorizontalMike]

I bought this back in mid-1986 just prior to attending the LEA for the National Park Service. This has proven to be the best choice of handguns of many, many S&W Forum users as well as mine. I have other rifles, but this has been my ONLY handgun for the past 28yr, a 686 No-Dash.

YOU MEAN I CAN HAVE TWO?

Just for that, I'm going to have to go shopping! Been thinking about a "J" frame lately, but really want to stay with .357 as I have just started reloading and all. Hmm...

[df06]

I'd keep

617
627 PC
both 4"

[gm272gs]

I have sold two guns in the past that I wish I had back.
Never again.
I can't play this hypothetical game.

[greasepiggy]

I'd have to say my model 64 2" and my 1967 T series Browning Hi Power would be the ones I'd keep.

[Chukar60]

If it were down to hard times and all around practicality?
Thompson Contender with 10" 45 /410 barrel & 14" 7-30 Waters barrel and a Smith 66-1, 4".
Was that cheating having two barrels for the Thompson?
If it is down to two favorites?
Smith 17-3 and 629 4"

[K1500]

This is so hard. I'll cheat and start with three:

617 4"
629 Mountain Gun (I don't own one of these but I do own a 329pd)
Glock 20 SF

Two...

617 4"
Glock SF

And I would be really pissed I had to leave the .44 Magnum off the list.

[guskody]

If I had to be super practical...

1. 642 no lock
2. M&P40c, with additional 9mm barrel so I could shoot both
.40 S&W and 9mm; with compact mags and full size mags for both calibers
you covered a lot of ground with conceal carry and higher capacity home defense

If I could keep any two, just for kicks...

1. 24-3 3" barrel
2. 13-4 3" barrel Performance Center .357

Of course, in two hours my answers could be different

[TucsonMTB]

S&W revolvers and various 1911's are loved for their elegance and performance at the range.



These Kahr PM40's are not as satisfying, but will probably be the last to go at some point in the future.

[Poohgyrr]

Revolvers? Because of money? Maybe some disaster that flattened my home? Good news is that from what I already own, I could pick any two, and neither would be a bad choice. Bad news is not keeping the others...

One would be a 640-1 because the Centennial J frame is an always gun. This barely edges out the snub M66.

Then it becomes interesting. There is a lot to be said for that 357Lever.

Right now, and keeping it S&W revolvers, #2 would be a 3 1/2" PC M27-8 because I am a revolver guy at heart and this excellent handling and shooting wheelgun would work for the rest of my life.






If some medical issue caused me to go to only two (lighter weight) pistols, then:

[model70hunter]

Since this is theoretical and has no bearing on my life today and if I was hit by hard times I would have to keep my Dad's Ruger Single Six, 3 screw in 4 5/8's bbl and the High Standard Sport King I inherited from my uncle and my 27-2 in 3.5".

My wife would choose her Ruger LCP, Ruger Bearcat and my 19-3 Nickle in 4".

Hard times would dictate that all the good stuff be sold first to raise funds.

Yep I know it's 6 handguns. I have lived the sell guns due to hard times, divorce child custody battle, in hind sight there were some I should have kept period and should not have gone to quick easy money at reduced prices. So since the kids got to stay with me, their choice, and I don't have legal fees and I have experience with this question. I will do as I need to or want to do.

Rifles or shotguns would be the harder question to answer.

Rifles, yes for me and my wife.

Shotguns, if you get close enough to count my shotguns I have run out of rifle and pistol ammo......