The Everything Gun

[Old Griz]

OK, I know this sounds like the old "If you only had one gun" question, and it almost is, but not quite.

I was talking to several folks at the range, some shooters and some employees, and we got into a discussion about a "do everything" gun. Basically, it was about a gun that would work for concealed carry, home defense, hunting small and medium (deer) sized game, and even plinking on occasion.

I was surprised by the different responses and rational for the different guns we came up with. Most chose revolvers, for several reasons, but one die hard 1911 fan would not shoot anything else. The .38/.357s were a popular choice, as well as the .44Sp/Mag. A couple narrowed that down to just 44Sp, and there was one .41 fan in the group, and a .22LR came up as well.

I would like you to be specific and tell me what would be YOUR all purpose do everything gun.

Make
Model
Caliber
Barrel length
AND WHY. I loved the reasons different guys gave for their choices. One, of course, was availability of ammo, another the tanks made by Ruger, etc., etc., etc.

This does NOT have to be a gun you own, or even your favorite gun, but a gun that you think would be an "all purpose" gun even if it doesn't do one thing as well as another.

Thanks for playing!

 

[jdsumner6262]

Make: S&W
Model: 28 (Hwy Patrolman)
Caliber: .38spl/.357mag
Barrel length: 4"
Why?: ammo is rather plenitful, from match wadcutters to full house hunting loads. Heavy enough to take most all commercially made magnum loads. With the right gear, can be concealed. THis is probably not its high point, but this is a "do everything" thread. The bluing may be a little harder to maintain that a stainless gun, but I like blued personally and will take a little more time and effort to mantain. Can be used for target practice and training new shooters with light .38's, all the way up to harvesting game, from rabbits to deer (yes, again, not it's ideal role, but can do a little of "everything") if used w the correct ammo and distances. Chambers a more than proven capable self defense round, from good .38+p's to the .357's from any major manufacturer. Chambers a round that is easily reloadable for those w the equipment and components, and can be really customized to the gun and purpose.

I know, a rather disjointed essay, but it was fun to think thru.
Looking foreward to other's responses.

dan

 

[wewaslim]

My choice would be a 4", round-butt, K or L frame, stainless .357. The ability to use .38 wadcutters for small game and plinking, 125 grain .357 for self-defense, and anything up to 180 grain, heavy loaded .357 for hunting, pretty much makes it an all-around pick. The round butt would make it easier to carry, and stainless less maintainance.
Bill

 

[scooter123]

IMO, the ultimate "everything" gun would be the S&W model 19 or 66 with a 4 inch barrel. It's small enough to be concealable and I don't think you'll ever find anything else that offers as much variety in ammunition types as a 38/357 Magnum revolver. You can shoot it with any thing ranging from shotshells to heavy magnums, so it's an excellent platfrom for hunting uses. As for Defense, if a 357 Magnum won't do the job you should have called in for an Air Strike. I don't have one yet but someday I will, preferably a model 66 because I like stainless.

However, I do have a 620, now equipped with a J Point reflex sight. While it's a bit larger than a model 66, it's still concealable and after doing some shooting with it from a sandbag rest I can tell you it's a rifle disguised as a handgun. Shot a 1.75 inch 5 shot group at 35 yards and the only reason it was so large was because I need to work on my release skills, the group was a nearly perfect horizontal string.

 

[Stainz]

I am a realist, so ammo availability beyond my basement 'factory' is important. I defer to the choice of my predecessors re caliber - .38/.357M. Also, I would go with something available new today - a 4" 627 Pro.

Why? The shorter barrel 627/327's arent 'that' much smaller, so there really isn't much improvement there for concealment purposes. A belt holster is a requirement here for carry. The 4" barrel gives enough sight radius to allow iron sighted hunting of small game at up to moderate distances for the steady hand. The eight shot capacity is a big plus, as is the .357 Magnum capability, which allows mild plinker .38s to 180gr .357M's to be carried and shot. The ammo availability and price are also a consideration. Moonclipped ammo loads fastest, but is not a requirement. The ability to change front sights without tools is a big plus, as is the basic 'improved trigger' the model comes equipped with standard. IMHO, Ahrends retro-target grips in cocobolo are more than sufficient, while offering a fast fidget-less grab & grip. Yes, I am describing my 4" 627 Pro!

My second place choice would be a .45 ACP 625, like my 625JM shown above with my 627 Pro. It shares many of the same traits with the 627 Pro.

Stainz

 

[Smith357]

When you try to figure out the one gun for every use you generally get a gun that does not excel at anything. I'm going to go with a slightly differnet take on it and go according to my personal needs.

99% of my shooting is at paper targets at the range, the other 1% is hunting. Since I don't conceled carry very often I'll go with a longer barrel for better accuracy and hunting performance. If it prints when I do carry then so be it. I would stick with a .38/.357 as it can do just about anything with the proper hand loads.

So my personal "do it all" gun would be a:

S&W pre-Model 27 6" 3Ts

 

[6pack]

I like to deer hunt on occasion. I carry a handgun in the woods along with a rifle. Handgun is for snakes, hogs, coyotes and a close range deer.

That being said my handgun would have meet my needs on game. Among the guns I own currently, my 4" M57 fits the bill as a "do everything gun. Ammo is restictive, though.

I carried a G20 for this purpose a couple of years ago but grew frustrated with ammo availability. A guy in my hunt club made me a strong offer. I gladly sold it. It would be a good candidate as a "do everything" gun. The light rail on it would seriously enhance home defense capabilities. I'm a firm advocate in the higher quality rail lights. Your target is illuminated and your sights are highly visable.

It would be between these two.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Thompson sub machine gun with a big bandolier of 20 rd. stick mags..

Just kidding.........

 

[pilpens]

Make: S&W
Model: 686+
Caliber: 38/357
Barrel length: 3-4.
WHY: Variety of ammo loading - plinking to hunting. L-Frame has enough mass to hold down hot loads but not too big for CC.

I do not know of a semi-auto that will function reliably with a range of ammo such as a revolver without spring tuning.

 

[fyimo]

I'm not sure that this tread makes any sense to me because I can't figure out what senario would put me in that situation. That said, I would keep my 27-2 with 4 inch barrel as my do everything gun.

Now if the senario was you couldn't buy any more ammo and they took all my revolvers but one I would keep my model 18-3 with 4 inch barrel because I always keep 6 bricks of 22LR ammo on hand.

 

[okie john]

I'd take a 1911 in 10mm or 45 ACP because it's easier to conceal.


Okie John

 

[BubbaBlades]

A 686 4" is a great choice for an everything gun, however, when it is equipped with a Phillips and Rogers Medusa cylinder it becomes an everything plus gun. This setup can chamber and shoot over 25 different calibers. In addition to the various 38/357 loads that all 686s handle, it can shoot rimless 38 auto, 38 super and 9mms (from .380 thru 9x23). Accuracy is very good except for the .380s. In a non-S&W, I have found that the actual P&R Medusa is slightly more accurate than the modified S&W 686 configuration.
Mark

 

[ErnieDeBord]

Without a Doubt............629 4''

 

[Beemer-mark]

How about a shotgun? Doc Holliday carried concealed. Can't beat a shotgun for close quarters home defense. Shot for rabbits, squirrels, quail, etc. Perfect do everything gun.

OK, self concealment might be a stretch.

 

[ACP230]

I always figured that if things really went to blazes I'd strap on my custom 1911, a Para/Caspian in .45 ACP. Fourteen shots of .45 and six or seven mags oughta handle a lot of "everything."
I have a fair amount of .45 ball and some HP ammo on hand and know at least one guy who has killed a deer with a .45. (Doe at 11 yards). Also have a selection of holsters that fit the Para.

On the other hand a four-inch M57 would also be a good choice. I have a lot of .41 Magnum reloads on hand plus some Silvertips, Federal Cast Core, and Cor-Bon defemse and hunting loads.
Holsters are in stock too.

 

[long colt frazier]

12 gauge pump.

 

[EarlFH]

I think a S&W model 24-3, or 624, 44 Special, w/4" bbl. would cover about everything.

EarlFH

 

[ENGINE18]

With everything you have listed, including a CCW, I gotta go with my M65-5, 3-inch. (but my second choice would be a 686 in 3-inch!)

 

[snowman.45]

All-In One Gun

With everything you have listed, including a CCW, I gotta go with my M65-5, 3-inch. (but my second choice would be a 686 in 3-inch!)

I agree with ENGINE18. I have a PC681 and a couple of 3" 65's. The 681 is a 7-shot and is very accurate. in an "oh sh*t", it would be my handgun of choice for a long-term situation. I have 1911's, S&W 3rd generation autos in .45 and 10mm, and Glocks. All are great until you're no longer able to find or maintain magazines. Revolvers have no such issues.

 

[feralmerril]

It would be either my 24-3 4" or my lew horton 66-3 3". A lot of guys mention model 28s or 27s. While they are nice and I have one, if I am going to pack a N frame it makes more sense to me to pack at least a .44 special. If I want to pack a .357 I will carry a K frame or 66.
Really, I have a pencil barrel 3" model 36 I have recently started to carry that is a joy to pack compared to the 66. I have always been into light! My other 300 lbs is enough.