The Everything Gun

[roaddog28]

Make: S&W
Model: 66
Caliber: 357
Barrel length 4 inch
I feel the K frame magnum is the best all around revolver ever made. It can be carried or concealed without much problem. The balance and weight are perfect for most shooters. It will shoot a variety of ammo and is fine with 357s as long as you watch the kind. One of the most accurate revolvers I have ever used. Stainless Steel is easier to take care of than a blued revolver. The 4 inch barrel is to me the best all around length. Whether a person uses the 66 for home defense, self defense, range or outdoor/hunting use it will perform well and does not have any weaknesses.
Howard

 

[M29]

1911.
Marsh

 

[Snapping Twig]

This very issue presented itself to me in the late 80's, so I had this custom made.

Took an 8 3/8" 629-2, got an original LH 3" barrel for it and this is the result.

I cast and reload, so my two loads, depending on need, are a useful special @ 900fps. I use a magnum case and 7g W231 under a 250g cast SWC.

For a true do-anything load when I may hunt or take a long range shot or want something that penetrates deep, I load a 265g GCSWC over 22g W296. I've shot straight through the heart of a honey pine I couldn't wrap my arms around 'cause it was so big and collected bullets from the off side.

 

[NE450No2]

If I could have only one handgun it would be an accurized 1911 with Bomar Adjustable sights....

However for a "Do Everything Utility" handgun I pick a 4" S&W 44 Mag.
While I have carried a 1911 on hunting trips I prefer a revolver for field use.

You can have loads from plinking and small game up to 300+grainers for bear protection.

Plus there are factory loads for Urban defense from 44 Specials to full power 44 Mags.

Also I use a lot of shotshells in the field, and actually the 45 ACP and the 44 Mags work equally as well.

Actually I could get by with two loads for field use, a 240gr cast bullet with @8gr of Unique, and a 250gr Cast bullet with @21 gr of 2400.

 

[one eye joe]

I'd have to go with my 686+ Mountain Gun. Round butt, 4'' tapered barrel. Holds 7 rounds of .357 mag. or .38 spl. Very accurate, easy to carry concealed, good for self or home defense, hunting, target shooting or any other purpose. Ammo is affordable and plentiful, with a wide variety of loads for specific usage. It's a beautiful weapon in polished stainless, with Ahrends grips and it's easy to maintain. If I were forced to sell all of my many firearms and just keep one, this would be it........

 

[bwickens]

Ruger
GP100
4"
.357
Stainless
Much as I love my S&Ws, the GP gets the nod as my "doomsday gun", since if circumstances are such that I can have only one gun, something has gone seriously bad somewhere.
Rugers in general and GPs in particular have a reputation for being able to handle about any load you put in them. GPs have enough cylinder length to handle 173 grain Keith bullets crimped in their crimp groove in .357 brass, for example.
Accuracy-wise, even though my GP is rougher, rattles when I shake it and has a heavier trigger pull than my 686, it also shoots better.
Biggest drawback to revolver concealability is cylinder diameter and grip shape. No advantage here as the GP and 686 have the same cylinder dia. and both come with rather thin Monogrips but do hold an advantage over the N-frames (my 2nd choice, 4" 629).
There was a youtube vid of a GP being stripped in 90 seconds. I can't strip one that fast, but try that with a Smith and the screwdriver in your Leatherman tool.
Sorry to be the heretic here.

 

[pangris]

S&W
681PC Birdsong
3"
38/357
Stainless

7 shots, versatile, and I carry it concealed often enough to say you can do it without any great drama, although...

I could also make a STRONG case for the HK45c or HK USPc 40 or 100 other guns.

 

[Shooting4life]

I would get a Dan wesson in 357 maximum with interchangeable barrels. Can hunt with the 8 inch and go shorter or longer if needed. The caliber would be great for hunting and you can still shoot mag and special ammo in it

 

[duckloads]

Given the guns I own? My 625-9 MG in 45 Colt. I can't believe I'm the only "the 45 Colt can do anything" one.

 

[feralmerril]

Duckloads, I can agree with your choice. I just dont have one. I do have a 25-5 4" but with that heavy barrel its a tad much for cc. Thats why I like my 24-3, almost the same as your mg and close in caliber. Come to think of it, I never carry it cc anyway. Usualy I just carry a model 40 in my pocket. Glad I aint faced with a one gun decision!
I have quite a few handguns, but the truth is when I do pack one, like I did yesterday on a quad ride, I usualy take one of my most beat up guns.
Yesterday it was a converted HD to .44 special that shoots fine but aint much to look at.

 

[RPD20]

629 Mountain Gun for me. Concealable, versital, lightweight, powerful if need be. The 686 Plus Mountain Gun would be a close runner up for the same reasons.

 

[BUFF]

That is indeed a toughie. I can't decide between these two:

Model 686+ Mountain Gun, the 1998 version. Weighs 35.5 ounces, about the same, or a bit less, as a 4 inch Model 19/66, with an extra shot. Stronger and longer lived. Not much larger than the Combat Magnums, so still concealable with some effort.

Model 629 Mountain Gun. Chambers and shoots what realistically is the most versatile handgun cartridge in the world. The tapered barrel makes it a bit easier to carry than the standard barrel at the price of increased recoil. Big, full-charge ammo would likely be needed only for big game hunting where it would be shot slowly, deliberately, single action, so recoil is tolerable.

i would probably base my choice on whether or not I could still handload or had to depend on store-bought ammunition. I would go with the 686 if I had to shoot only factory stuff.

Maybe.

If big game hunting wasn't considered, hands down a stainless Colt Government Model 1911 in .45 ACP.

 

[carbofan21]

this is an easy one for me. the s&w 686+ .357 mag with 3 inch barrel. i already own one, and it is the last gun i would ever sell for exactly the reasons asked in this thread.

it is small enough (barely) to conceal with the right belt and holster combo. it is accurate enough out to 50 yards, and with the right loads, powerful enough for close range hunting and can punch deep holes in dangerous critters. it is also very handy and well balanced, perfect for home defense. a great shooter all-around.

 

[KEN L]

Make: AC Sparkplug

Model: M2HB

Caliber: .50 BMG

Barrel length: 45 inches

AND WHY? SILLY QUESTION!

Except for the concealed carry part, Its got all bases covered, and then some!!

 

[stantheman86]

S&W answer- a 6" 686+ with the multi-caliber moonclip conversion, so you can shoot 9mm Para, .38 Super, .380 and still use .357 and .38. A revolver that can use any ammo in the 9mm/.38 family has huge advantages. These kind of clips always turn into a "SHTF gun" debate, so the ability to use the most common handgun ammo on Earth is an advantage. Plus 9mm is much cheaper in bulk.

Other answer- A Ruger .454 Super Redhawk with moonclip conversion, to give the option of .45 ACP for "general use", also .45 Long Colt and then .454 Casull for big stuff that needs to be really dead

 

[tlr16]

1911 Colt Commander two tone with Ed Brown Bobtail, Ghost Commander Trijicon Night sights and CT grips other wise prolly one of my 66s but they still make Colts so its now the gun to use

 

[GyMac]

I would prefer a Model 19 with a 4 inch barrel, but I think a M1911 in .45 ACP would be the better choice. Just my opinion.
Chris

 

[pistola]

A model 13 with a four inch tube.

 

[RABULL]

If I was down to one handgun, it would be S & W Model 29-2 or 629 4" .44 Magnum Revolver. It is an all round revolver with a variety of .44 Special and .44 magnum loads. You can carry it concealed and could hunt with it. Of course, a longer barrel would be better for hunting and a shorter barrel would be better for CCW. I guess that is why I have Mode 29's or 629's in 2 1/2", 3", 4", 6" 6 1/2" and 8 3/8" but if I could have only only one I guess it would be a 4" model.

 

[617fan]

I love all my Smiths', but my "only one gun" answer would be a Winchester Model 12 pump in 12 gauge. For a handgun; I'd opt for something readily concealable like a 3" Model 60 in .357.