Another question for gun owners: One handgun to rule them all

[wakeride74]

This may just end up with everyone picking their favorites but if you were only going to own one handgun for home protection, shooting at the range, camping, etc. which would it be?

After hearing such praise for the 1911's I started getting interested in them but have never even fired one so I have no idea how they compare when it comes to reliability, performance, durability, etc.

 

[GAD]

Not enough info. Is this the only gun you'll ever own? Do you have rifles? Do you need to hunt with it? Prepare for TEOTWAWKI? Can you carry it? Open or concealed?

I'd say either H&K USP .45, or S&W 686+, or Ruger .22 or...

I made a point of learning about guns so that I can use any gun. Give me one that works.

GAD

 

[wakeride74]

I have an HK .40 USP and a Mossberg 500. I've sold my Desert Eagle and my AR but plan on replacing the rifle and maybe adding another handgun to my collection. I know tastes vary so it's a pretty broad question. No concealed carry, I live in crazy Cali

 

[marvin]

The ideal for me would be a custom Caspian CCO style 1911 in 10mm Auto with a pinned grip safety worked over by Novak or Yost-Bonitz.

But since I don't have that kind of money, HK's P7 PSP fulfills all-rounder duty for me.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakeride74 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have no idea how they compare when it comes to reliability, performance, durability, etc.

They're still in use 100 years later. I'd say the design is pretty darned good.

 

[mrarroyo]

Ok, if I could only own one gun and it had to be good for protection, range practice, camping, etc it would be either an S&W 357 magnum with a 4" barrel or a 5 round 38 special capable of handling +P+ loads and with a 3" barrel. A third possibility would be a 5 round 44 special.

As you can see I chose revolvers, this because you can leave them in a nightstand drawer for ages w/o worring that they will jam a year or two later. Autos are much more finicky and I do not want to worry about a gun malfunctioning.

Now about he 45ACP in a 1911, you will love it. Many say it kicks a lot, and I disagree. However there are some things you should know:

1. Backstrap comes flat or round. Depending on your hand one will work great the other not. I shoot better with the flat.
2. Ramp should be polished, otherwise certain hollow points will not feed right.
3. Ejection port should be made larger to allow for better ejection.
4. An action job to improve smoothness is needed.
5. Sights, adjustable for target or luminous for defense.
6. If you still have money left then a match grade barrel would be nice if you plan to use it mostly for target. When you start tightening the groups the gun may get finicky about the type of rounds you use and if needed for defense it might jam. So a match grade barrel or a rail system could undermine its usefulness as a defense weapon.

Hope this helps.

PD: Having a weapon for defense use is one heck of a responsability. Not only to prevent accidents with loved ones but also should you ever need to use it. Anyone contemplating getting one should not only take a weapon handling class but must be able to answer: Am I willing to fire at an attacker if I believe my life/wellbeing is threatened? If you can not say yes then do not get one. Just my $0.02

 

[mrarroyo]

In the post above I stated tha to me the S&W revolver would be my first choice for an all around weapon. I forgot to point out a major advantage - The Magna Trigger Conversion.

This device modifies the revolver so that even if it is loaded it can not be shot regardless of what you try. The only one that can shoot it is the person wearing an special magnetic ring. As you can see if a child/friend/crook takes your gun away he/she can not shoot you with your own gun. This mod has been available for 30 years or so, it is not cheap but it can and will prevent a tragedy.

You can read more about it at: http://www.tarnhelm.com/magna-trigge...ty/magna1.html

 

[wakeride74]

I've owned guns for over 10yrs so this is nothing new for me and if someone breaks into my home while I'm there you can better believe I'm aiming for two to the chest one to the head. I pray I never have to use it for that.

I've never been a big fan of revolvers, I know they are pretty hassel free but I've never cared for how they feel in my hand.

 

[ozz]

i like my 92fs beretta .

 

[braillediver]

H+K P7 M8

For me in the last 6 months I’ve sold my Sig P229 (.40 S+W) and P239 (.40 S+W) for the H+K P7 M8 in 9mm. I wanted a safe, accurate and reliable handgun for CCW, home use and range use. To me the H+K P7 M8 is small, thin, accurate and as safe as a handgun can be. The squeeze cocker is inherently safe and the P7 M8 has the ability to remove the firing pin in a second with my thumb rendering it useless. By having only 1 handgun all my holsters are usable on all guns, the ammo is universally available. I liked the idea of 1 consistent type of trigger pull.

I wanted a gun small enough to be able to carry it all the time. With the fixed barrel it’s as accurate as any production handgun and the first shot is what counts.

So for me the P7 M8 was the answer to all my needs and it’s an incredibly well engineered and manufactured firearm. I tip my hat to German Engineering.

I’ll probably be getting my 3rd P7 M8 next week. I’ve just gotten some Mat Del Fatti holsters and would recommend them to anyone looking for top of the line leather- the craftsmanship is amazing to behold.


Mitch

 

[warubozu]

Another vote for the HK P7M8. When I had the opportunity to check one out at a gun show recently, it felt just right I my hands. I don't have very big hands so the compact size of the P7M8 fitted better than a 1911. Also the unique safety cocking lever makes it a snap to put on or off safety.

 

[Hermitt]

I would love to get a Para Ordanance SSP-SE1
http://www.paraord.com/product/product.html?id=89

 

[vpivinylspinner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by braillediver /img/forum/go_quote.gif H+K P7 M8 For me in the last 6 months I’ve sold my Sig P229 (.40 S+W) and P239 (.40 S+W) for the H+K P7 M8 in 9mm. I wanted a safe, accurate and reliable handgun for CCW, home use and range use. To me the H+K P7 M8 is small, thin, accurate and as safe as a handgun can be. The squeeze cocker is inherently safe and the P7 M8 has the ability to remove the firing pin in a second with my thumb rendering it useless. By having only 1 handgun all my holsters are usable on all guns, the ammo is universally available. I liked the idea of 1 consistent type of trigger pull. I wanted a gun small enough to be able to carry it all the time. With the fixed barrel it’s as accurate as any production handgun and the first shot is what counts. So for me the P7 M8 was the answer to all my needs and it’s an incredibly well engineered and manufactured firearm. I tip my hat to German Engineering. I’ll probably be getting my 3rd P7 M8 next week. I’ve just gotten some Mat Del Fatti holsters and would recommend them to anyone looking for top of the line leather- the craftsmanship is amazing to behold. Mitch

If I could only have one for carry, self defense and range I guess it would be my Ed Brown Executive Carry 1911.

I would however have a hard time giving up all the others. I have two P7s and I agree they are fantastic guns. The reason I would keep the 1911 instead is cost of replacement parts, ease of maintenance, costs of extra mags, selection of quality leather and the 1911 does not need to take regular breaks at the range. I think it would drive me crazy to have a P7 as my only gun as I could not put nearly enough rounds through it as the P7 gets so hot so fast that I always let mine cool off a bit after a few mags for fear of damaging the fixed barrel and ending up with a brick.

I find the 1911 to be a fantastic, thin gun that is much more accurate than either of my P7s in my hands and carries the same amount of rounds in what I consider to be a far superior caliber. It is also dramatically easier to work on than the P7. Haven taken the grips off my P7 and seeing the intricacies involved in the squeeze cocker I know I would be completely lost if I had to replace all those springs.

I would also have trouble giving up one of the best triggers ever in the 1911.

 

[mrarroyo]

^ That is one beautiful 1911. Makes me drool.

 

[ronin74]

Sig Sauer P226, been very good to me.
Revolvers, reliable as a hammer, but dirty beasts, need six inches plus to be worth anything past 5 meters, not for me.
Neither are any variation of 1911, relics that jam, stovepipe when you least expect it.
Berreta 92F, a Brazilian Taurus is more reliable, but no.
Glock? NO.
H&K, nice but too trick for me.

A place up in Vacaville, the Shooting Gallery, you can try them all.
www.shootinggalleryinc.com