If you can only have one handgun and nothing else what gun would that be? I am interested in buying my first.?

Answer 1

Smith and Wesson M&P (Military and Police)! What more can I say! Smith and Wesson outdid themselves with handgun by designing it to replace the Baretta M9 that is currently carried by service members. I have one in .40 cal but they come in any caliber you can imagine. They are shot at the factory and must shoot 2" groups at 25 yards (which is pretty impressive for a handgun) before they are sent out for distribution. They come with interchangeable grips so no matter how big your hand is, you can find a grip that fits you. The grips are incredibly easy to change! It also has a built in tool which is used for field stripping. In addition, they have a compact for concealed carry. I could go on for hours about this gun but the best review I got was from my buddies who own Glocks. They all said my gun was more comfortable to shoot with less bite and better shot groups. At only about $500 you will not be disappointed!

My second choice would be anything that H&K makes!

Answer 2

Here is how I would break it down. Do I want an auto loader or a wheelgun? An auto has more moving parts to wear out or breakdown. It is a two-part gun, should I lose the magazine I'm reduced to a single shot (provided it doesn't have a magazine safety that does not allow it to be fired without the magazine in place!). By and large, auto loaders don't come in large enough calibers to hunt with. Those that do are not practical for other applications such as home defense since they'll tend to over-penetrate.

So if I can only have one handgun it is beginning to look like a revolver. Two calibers are pretty well Universal in centerfire handgun chamberings: The 9mm (proprietary, an automatic pistol caliber); and the .38 Special. These two can be found world-wide as can the standard .22, however, you can reload centerfire ammo. The same is not true for the .22 rimfires. So it must be a centerfire. And the winner is...

A .357 Magnum revolver which also uses the .38 family of bullets. My personal choice (if money is not being a problem): A Colt Python .357 Magnum in matte stainless steel with a 6" barrel. Cost: Around $1,500 to $2,000 depending on condition. Fortunately I already own one but with the 4" barrel.

Best.

H

Answer 3

First handgun?

Well, you don't say what your needs and wants are, so it's hard to say. Also, you don't say how much shooting experience you have.

From a strictly practical point of view, the first handgun, like the first rifle, should be a .22.

A .22 is the perfect gun for learning shooting safety and handling. You can shoot for hours for $20, and someone that's new to guns needs to shoot a lot for practice. Good shooting skills are developed through a lot of practice at aiming and hitting the target.

I would recommend a Ruger Mark or a Browning Buckmark if you want an automatic, and a Ruger Bearcat for a revolver.

For a more powerful pistol, find a good .357 Magnum revolver. S&W, Ruger or if you can afford it, Colt.

If you are intent on getting a full powered centerfire pistol, you should get a 9mm, for many reasons. Ammo is still common and affordable. It's not so powerful that you need to really deal with recoil as well as your other training. And there are plenty of good used 9mm pistols on the market like Berretta 92s, etc.

Answer 4

If you can only have one handgun and nothing else what gun would that be?

In my opinion, an only handgun should be a revolver. Only revolvers offer the versatility to handle any situation from plinking to target shooting, to big game hunting and defense in one handgun.

Were I forced to settle for only one handgun for all uses, I'd opt for a 4 3/4" barreled Ruger Super Blackhawk, with a second .44 S&W SPL cylinder fitted. With this combination, I can handle defensive ammo, target ammo, or elephant killer ammo.

For your first handgun, my choice would be totally unsuitable. You need to get a good .22 LR revolver to learn the basics of sight picture and trigger control. After you've mastered the basics, you can decide on a good centerfire revolver. The best choice for a first centerfire revolver would probably be an S&W M-686 or M-66, and loaded with .38 S&W SPL's in the beginning.

FWIW, I've never known a good shot who started with anything other than a .22 LR rifle and revolver.

Doc

Answer 5

Only one handgun... ever? If that's the case, I'd pick a Colt Single Action Army Revolver in .45 long Colt cal. It's the most reliable handgun ever produced and will last a lifetime. I know, I bought one of the first off the assembly line when Colt reintroduced them after WWII in 1956. It is 51 years old and still in excellent shape. I have carried it into every conceivable environment on five continents. It has yet to fail me when I needed it. In all that time the only part I've replaced is the firing pin and that only once.

Answer 6

Thankfully I have never had to make that decision and own more then I can us in a month of Sundays but to answer you question... My S&W 686 6".357 mag. A bit big for conceled carry but o.k. in a shoulder holster, great for home issues, accurate and powerfull enough for duty carry and hunting {it has collected several deer & antelope}. For light loads shoot .38's in it and for personal protection use 125 HP's, Use 158's or 180's for hunting. It's not my favorite but it is the most versitile I can think of. My .44 is much better for hunting and my .40 is my daily carry piece, my .45 for a change of pace and you can't beat a good accurate .22 for all around use especially for a beginer. So go forth and aquire a new firearm and learn how to use it but remember that what is best for me or anyone else has precious little to do with you. My recomendation for your first would be a .22.

Answer 7

Smith & Wesson Model 66 Stainless 4" barrel in 357 Magnum.* You can also shoot 38 caliber ammo in it .* It is a proven man stopper & is used for hunting & target shooting.* You get two (2)* handguns for the price of one.* Buy new or used and save $$$$$$$.* If its for self defense do not buy anything less than a 357 Magnum.*

Answer 8

A 3 inch barreled .357 Magnum. A Ruger SP 101 or the S&W model 60-15. You can not do better with the power, versatility, reliablity, ease of operation and choices of ammunition with these two weapons.

Answer 9

I agree with the guy with the SW 686...I have the blue version (%*^) with the 4" barrel...you know when its loaded without question....I have .22, 380s, 9s, 40s, 44 mags, 45 autos and 45 Long Colts...the S&W would be the last hand gun I would ever let go...period! I suggest you find one...its well worth the $$$.

Answer 10

As much as I love Glocks if I could only have one hand gun it would be a Smith and Wesson 686 revolver in .357 magnum with a 4 inch barrel.