If you could only have one handgun what would it be?

[Max]

If you could only own a single handgun and it had to suit all your needs what would it be? For me I love my N frame S&W's but because I also conceal if I had to settle on just one gun to do everything with it would be a Model 80 Colt 1911 in stainless. Great firepower, good dependability, still concealable and very durable finish.

[thumbsupracing]

I have it, inherited from my father a Colt 1911 .45 documented back from June, 1943. Same as him. He loved WWII-era weapons and specialized in them as a dealer. I also have a Garand with all matching #s an M1 carbine form June, '43 and a Springfield with a sporter stock that I just love.

[z16monte]

I think I'd get a Dan Wesson .357 switchbarrel. Small enough to carry concealed(barely) can be fitted with up to a 10" barrel and scoped for other duties.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/970942475/Guns-For-Sale/Gun-Auctions/Pistols/Dan-Wesson-Pistols-Revolvers/Revolvers/15_2_Pistol_Pac.htm
Ed

[Max]

I have it, inherited from my father a Colt 1911 .45 documented back from June, 1943. Same as him. He loved WWII-era weapons and specialized in them as a dealer. I also have a Garand with all matching #s an M1 carbine form June, '43 and a Springfield with a sporter stock that I just love.

I really do like the 1911's. I have four total 45's and one that I never carry but will never get rid of. My father purchased the gun from Kleins sporting goods in 1954 when you could still buy mail order. It has lend lease markings on it from WWII and was released from the british govt in 1952. It was carried by both of my grandfathers at one time or another and my father used it for another 20 years. I still shoot it from time to time but mostly just take it out and oil it. :)

[rjrivero]

If I could have only one, it would be a 5" .44 Magnum Revolver. The most versitile handgun round, imvho. No one tell Ruthann that there is one round that I believe can "do it all." Otherwise she won't let me buy any more handguns!!!

[Max]

If I could have only one, it would be a 5" .44 Magnum Revolver. The most versitile handgun round, imvho. No one tell Ruthann that there is one round that I believe can "do it all." Otherwise she won't let me buy any more handguns!!!

Now thats funny Doc, you are right though the .44 mag with a decent length barrel is a great all around gun. The longer barrel tames the recoil somewhat and still overs great accuracy. I have a Lew Horton 3" that is a handful but the same round out of a 6" isn't bad at all.

[rjrivero]

Now thats funny Doc, you are right though the .44 mag with a decent length barrel is a great all around gun. The longer barrel tames the recoil somewhat and still overs great accuracy. I have a Lew Horton 3" that is a handful but the same round out of a 6" isn't bad at all.

Not to mention, you can put 44 special through it all day and have a grand time.

[Max]

Not to mention, you can put 44 special through it all day and have a grand time.

I'm guilty when I fire the Lew Horton I often use .44 special in it. Shoots about like a 38 in terms of kick but still offers one hell of a punch.

[thumbsupracing]

I really do like the 1911's. I have four total 45's and one that I never carry but will never get rid of. My father purchased the gun from Kleins sporting goods in 1954 when you could still buy mail order. It has lend lease markings on it from WWII and was released from the british govt in 1952. It was carried by both of my grandfathers at one time or another and my father used it for another 20 years. I still shoot it from time to time but mostly just take it out and oil it. :)

Nice! I gotta put fresh batteries in the camera and will snap some of mine when I wake up later. It does have those little initials stamped in it that say "NM" what's that mean....:D

[snake charmer]

A Colt python in any barrell length. I changed my screen name for this forum, this is the name of my old gunsmithing services, guess wwhat I specialized in?

Martin(josephthreedogs)

[Max]

A Colt python in any barrell length. I changed my screen name for this forum, this is the name of my old gunsmithing services, guess wwhat I specialized in?

Martin(josephthreedogs)

Sweet, I gotta see some pictures of these Colts.

[snake charmer]

Sweet, I gotta see some pictures of these Colts.

Pictures will be up tomorrow.

[smoothrod]

If I could have one hand gun it would be my grandfather's nickle plaited colt 45. My grandfather carried that pistol for years while he was sheriff of Eastland County in west Texas. After his death my father got it put it in a shadow box, which got stolen out of a storage unit while we were moving about 20 years ago. Makes me sick to this day, so if I could have only one that would be it.

[rjrivero]

If I could have one hand gun it would be my grandfather's nickle plaited colt 45. My grandfather carried that pistol for years while he was sheriff of Eastland County in west Texas. After his death my father got it put it in a shadow box, which got stolen out of a storage unit while we were moving about 20 years ago. Makes me sick to this day, so if I could have only one that would be it.

I hate thieves.

[Mark]

I love all my children equally, I could never pick just one :cool:

[Oriondk]

This is a question that is tough to answer as my answer can change every few weeks. Right now, I'd take a Ruger Redhawk, 4" barrel, in .45 Colt. The nice thing about the Redhawk is you can load the .45 up to 44. magnum levels or shoot cowboy rounds for easy plinking. I consider it at least as versatile as the .44 mag., at least in Rugers.

[rjrivero]

This is a question that is tough to answer as my answer can change every few weeks. Right now, I'd take a Ruger Redhawk, 4" barrel, in .45 Colt. The nice thing about the Redhawk is you can load the .45 up to 44. magnum levels or shoot cowboy rounds for easy plinking. I consider it at least as versatile as the .44 mag., at least in Rugers.

I've one study on the 45 Long Colt that show similar performance to the .44mag without generating nearly the same pressures. That to me equals a larger safety margin. I wish I could find that study.

[Oriondk]

Well, I just checked in my Speer manual and their loads, though pretty potent, aren't up to .44 mag levels. The problem , according to the manual is that .45 Colt brass isn't as thick as .44 magnum brass so it won't take the pressures. They did have a load with a 250 grn. at over 1200 fps and a 300 grn load at 1193 fps, which should do the job on most anything when you consider the original 45-70 blackpowder loadings were around 1300 fps out of a rifle barrel.

[Gazoo]

Some version of a 1911 for me. Although I've lugged around a Python for about 30 years. It is a good, sturdy piece.

[Gazoo]

If I could have only one, it would be a 5" .44 Magnum Revolver. The most versitile handgun round, imvho. No one tell Ruthann that there is one round that I believe can "do it all." Otherwise she won't let me buy any more handguns!!!

I had a matched set S&W .41 and .44 mag. I never was able to shoot either of them with much accuracy.

[StrawHat]

I've one study on the 45 Long Colt that show similar performance to the .44mag without generating nearly the same pressures. That to me equals a larger safety margin. I wish I could find that study.

This is an article written by Linebaugh, might it be what you read?

http://handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=12

another one

http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm

Both articles deal with raising the power of the 45 in the S&W revolver.

Now, after all that, what is the one revolver I would keep? A S&W N frame, 45 ACP, with a 4" barrel.

I read these articles and ask, why? The 45 LC is fine just the way it is.

I was a magnum fan for years, until I shot a whitetail with a black powder load in the 45 LC. Complete penetration, naturally I thought it a fluke. Several deer later, all through and through. With a 255 grain SWC over all the black powder the case could hold. Now I have refined my load and use a compatible lube and a over powder wad but the results are the same. I also use a softer bullet. Heck, all that power with plenty of roar and smoke and only a little bucking in the hand.

I also load a smokeless version for use in my M25-5 for similar results.

[rjrivero]

It's the Linebaugh article that I read. Thank you StrawHat!!

[Oriondk]

That was a good article, Strawhat. Thanks. Some months back I read an article relating to SAA type guns in Handloader magazine. The author, I believe from Montana or Wyoming, usually carried SAA's in either .44Special or .45 Colt on his ranch and took everything up to black bear with them. It really made me re-think my position on magnums. I do like shooting my .44 Magnum, and would choose it for hunting simply because of it's greater range, but for a carry gun I'd be happy with a 4" barreled .45 Redhawk or Smith. There's nothing around here that it wouldn't take care of, handily. The 260 grn. load at around 1,000 fps would do just fine, it seems, for anything, except maybe the big bears.

[StrawHat]

That was a good article, Strawhat. Thanks. Some months back I read an article relating to SAA type guns in Handloader magazine. The author, I believe from Montana or Wyoming, usually carried SAA's in either .44Special or .45 Colt on his ranch and took everything up to black bear with them. It really made me re-think my position on magnums. I do like shooting my .44 Magnum, and would choose it for hunting simply because of it's greater range, but for a carry gun I'd be happy with a 4" barreled .45 Redhawk or Smith. There's nothing around here that it wouldn't take care of, handily. The 260 grn. load at around 1,000 fps would do just fine, it seems, for anything, except maybe the big bears.

You are correct, the 45 LC is a thumper. And I do not see it giving much if any range to the magnums. I did some 300 yard and longer practice with it and found it did not take long before it was shooting right along side a buddies 44 and another guys 357. Neither was pleased. Did I have to hold over a bit more? Sure but once used to it, it was no problem.

I am currently down to two 45 LCs, a S&W 6" and a Model P clone 7 1/2". I am looking for a clone 5 1/2 and a 4" M25-5. Someday one or both will find me.

[Oriondk]

I shot some Buffalo Bore out of my Super Blackhawk Hunter that were pretty potent. I'd like to give them a try at some longer ranges, but I think I need a scope first.

[Oriondk]

Speaking of the SBH, I'm surprised that Ruger doesn't offer it in .45 Colt. I'd snap one of those up quickly.

[mycar47562]

sti spartan id guess because of the extreme accuracy but if its a doomsday secenerio i think it would either be my taurus pt145 or probally a glock of similar size(only reason i say glock is because replacement parts would be easier to find

[jim fox]

If I were to do a "one-and-only" I think I'd opt for a 1911 in .45 ACP with a nice accurate .22 conversion kit.

[capngeo]

To balance firepower, durability, ease of use, and carry-ability I'd have to go with the Glock 26

9mm is easy to find and cheap, yet there are a lot of ammo choices, with good stopping power.

With an extension, you get 12+1 in an easily concealed package, that needs ZERO maintenance.

[06_vrscr]

My colt delta elite 10mm would suit me for just one gun

( as long as ammo wasnt a problem to get or supplies to reload )

[streetrodder06]

Call me crazy, but I have always wanted a Desert Eagle .50 cal!!!

[Oriondk]

My colt delta elite 10mm would suit me for just one gun

( as long as ammo wasnt a problem to get or supplies to reload )

I used to have a Delta Elite and if you asked me the same question a month ago, I would have said a Kimber or Dan Wesson in 10mm. It would be my other choice beside the .45 Redhawk.

[Popeye]

Colt Python Hunter

[budroe]

I'd go with my 4" S&W 629.

There was a discussion on FFF a few months back on strength of .45 Colt and .44 mag casess. I contacted Cor-bon and Starline brass to get their input on the difference in stength of their cases. They both came back and said their .45 Colt brass is every bit as strong as their .44 magnum brass, and both would take equally high pressures.

[06_vrscr]

I used to have a Delta Elite and if you asked me the same question a month ago, I would have said a Kimber or Dan Wesson in 10mm. It would be my other choice beside the .45 Redhawk.


Kimber or Dan Wesson would be nice in 10mm :thumb:

[Tusker]

I always thought it would be my 5" S&W MDL 610 -- However, the longer I sit and think on this the more I lean toward a K22- I could kill anything around here with it, given the right shot. Easy to carry, and easy to hid. In addition, if required I could carry a hell of a lot of ammo. No recoil,or muzzle flash to speak of. Would be nice to think about something bigger, and there are a LOT of choices, but in the end if it came to that, A K22 would get the nod. Of course, I won't be here when the US goes that way of Ireland and starts with a ban on handguns, then branches out to ALL guns as they are now wanting to do. Just wait until BO reads this, not that he doesn't already have the same idea.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/1119/breaking56.htm

Even at that, this will take me a long way. :)
From 1947:
http://www.fototime.com/625ACB074F7238F/standard.jpg

[StrawHat]

Nice revolver Tusker, the grips do look nice.

My M17 is not as pretty but you are causing me to rethink my choice. I will have to ponder this now.

[budroe]

A K-22 is never a bad choice!!! I know I don't plan on parting with mine!!!!

[Fuelburns1]

Probably my S&W 13-2 or a 4" Colt Python. .357 magnum is easily in my top three calibers to shoot. Second is .38 Super followed by .32 magnum.

[OFallon]

S&W 1917 or Ruger Mark I

[snake charmer]

I haven't seen a bad choice yet.

[Hammerdown]

Hi
here it is, my model 27-2 in .357 Caliber wearing her set of New Rosewood Factory smooth target grips.




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/hammerdown-7/27-2RosewoodTargetgrips.jpg