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

[HorizontalMike]

My 686 No-Dash

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 could only keep 2

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......

 

[guskody]

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......

Model70hunter...

I think you strayed away from answering the OP's question more than most.

BUT, based on all what you've said, it sounds like you have earned that right

Glad things have worked out for you.

Best to you and yours!

gus

 

[ISCS Yoda]

What a hard question!!!!

One would have to be a J-frame and I guess I'd keep my 649 and sell the 642 and Model 32.

But, here's the tough part - and I'll play along and deal with two HANDGUNS - if it's two revolvers that's different.

I need to decide which is the better choice, a high capacity 9mm pistol or one of my .357 Magnum revolvers.....or maybe even a .22 - this is HARD!!!!

I'll think about it tomorrow, Scarlett.....

***GRJ***

 

[inspcalahan]

This will take a bit more thought.....but all of a sudden a Governor is looking pretty good for one of them, with so many possible ammunition choices out there.

 

[Nemo288]

With an eye on a crappy future if the gummint mandated just 2, I would pick:

#1 12 ga. Beretta O/U ultralight
this gun has killed countless birds and a few deer.
it is a happy accident it will put 2 slugs in the same hole at 75 yards.

#2 A S&W 44. Either the 629 MR or the 696.
a few years ago I would have said the Redhawk but I am
getting too old to lug that cannon around all the time.

===
Nemo

 

[h2so4]

glock 19
4in Python and 6in Anaconda.

in a SHTF scenario- glock 19 and s&w 329pd

 

[AndrewX]

Since this is a S&W forum, I'll limit my answers to the appropriate handguns.

First, I'd keep my 6" 617-1. It is a six shot (I'm a traditionalist) that is tremendous fun at the range and lethal for small game and pests at close range. Everyone needs a .22!

Second, I'd keep my 4" 624 (no dash). With the right loads, the .44 S&W is a great cartridge for both self defense and hunting medium sized game. If I owned one, I might see the wisdom of substituting a 629 Mountain gun for my 624.