What is the best all-around handgun

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The .357 is a great selection BUT in my mind, nothing beats the 4" .44 for all around use from target to SD to hunting, the .44 does it all.

Special loads for low impact accurate target use, SD, HD and hunting if you like. Reload and you can make the special into a real useful tool while still keeping it tame. Bump it up to magnum land and you have a serious round for whatever the heck you want, but it is a bit much for SD and follow-up shots will be difficult to say the least.

People compare the .357 to the .45acp all the time, the debate is endless. The .44spl and the .45acp are almost twins in the SD department.
 
4 inch .357 magnum. In my mind there is no more versatile handgun. Everything from mild to wild, reliability, accuracy, conceal ability etc. etc. etc.

A good Smith 686 or a Ruger GP100 is hard to beat as a utility firearm.
 
If you guys *really* want to get tricky, a Dan Wesson in 357 Max. Fit the short barrel for CCW, long barrel for hunting. Flatter shooting at 300m than a 44 mag at 200.

But I don't think that's what the OP asked. "One gun", to me at least, means no conversion kits or replacement barrels.

.357. Depending on how you want to CCW, 3" to 6" barrel. The 3" conceals well, might be a bit shakey on deer the other side of 50 yards or so.

But for the purposes mentioned, one gun? .357.
 
A revolver in .357 magnum. It has the ability to shoot .38 special and .357 magnum so you should be able to find ammo in all 50 states. It has a diverse selection of loads, including many specialized loads like snake shot. A lot of available platforms as well.

I'd probably want a Smith & Wesson M&P R8 with a custom holster to aid concealment. I think the ability to attach optics, lasers, and lights just adds to a naturally flexible platform.

CCW: With a custom holster and the loose-fitting clothing I wear year-round, I think I could put up with some slight discomfort and carry it daily.

Home protection: Throw a laser or a light or combo of both on it depending on your tastes and you're well prepared.

Hunting: Well, the .357 magnum is proven as far as deer. For something like squirrels use some snake shot. Heck, maybe a rubber or plastic bullet would nab one for you, or even some nice cheap wax, ha ha. You have a good selection of .357 magnum and .38 special loads for everything in between. Throw some optics on the R8 and you're good to go.

Any .357 magnum revolver also goes real well with a Marlin 1894.
 
The EAA Witness line owns multicaliber versatility and they make a .38 Super that can be converted to 9x23 Winchester. It's even available as a compact and there are .22lr conversions available. Maybe the best answer to this question is a Witness.
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Well guys, so far I have not seen a better answer than this. I also am a fan of the 9x23. I don't mind reloading and once you have the brass, the rest is cake since you can reload the brass an unbelievable # of times. The 9x23 winchester is the only round that meets the .357 mag, which I also believe is the most versatile round.

I posted this for a very good reason, and that is that I am actually going to do this. This maybe blasphemy, but I don't see the purpose of having a bunch of pistols laying around the house. I would much rather have one to do everything with. Right now, I only have two pistols (a centerfire and a rimfire).

Thanks for your input guys, feel free to continue to suggest your faves.
 
Reloading and revolvers go hand in hand. When you're done shooting, you dump the empties into your hand and put them in your pocket or whatever.

When a clip is empty, the search is on for the brass. They can be anywhere. I found that to be enough of an annoyance (I shoot about 99.9% outdoors in the grass, dirt, etc) to leave the autos behind most of the time.
 
When a clip is empty, the search is on for the brass.
Click to expand...
A big tarp on a frame will go a long way toward collaring your empties for you.

Set it up like a wall and floor to your right, in the path of ejection. If possible, have a fold or sag at the bottom of the wall to collect the empties that hit the wall.
 
I've tried that. With my series 80 .45, I'd need a tarp on three sides. It is the most unpredictable pistol I've ever seen as to where it will throw the empties.
 
there is not a gun good for all that.
You must buy 3 to 5 guns min.
22 rifle semi auto
38 snub or kel tec .38
9mm w/2 15 round mags
270 rifle w/a scope
12 gauge shootgun
Thats what I would buy for your above choices
I have everything above plus 4 other pistols and 2 muzaloaders and 2 other rifles in 7 mm
 
This maybe blasphemy, but I don't see the purpose of having a bunch of pistols laying around the house.
Click to expand...

Me either. That's why I've only got twelve.
 
Well, my 1911 .45 ACP / .22 LR Conv. Kit / .400 CorBon BBl.
Answer was close to the O.P.s' decision. However,
the .400 CorBon 155 gr. at 1400FPS and my
158 gr. .357 Mag.@ aprox. same velocity out of my
4" Bbl. 686P both with Hornady XTP kick the crap outta
9 x 23 Win. imho. But to each their own... the .400
bullets and .45 subsonic never get smaller in dia.

Hey, yah go with the EAA buy two frames so when one is
at the gunsmith's you'll have something for Defense
 
I guess its a toss up between a Kolibri 2.7mm...
Kolibri_AdamsGuns.jpg

Thats a .45 ACP in the background, this mean little pistol shoots a 3 grain FMJ at around 700 FPS for about 3.3 ft/lbs energy at the muzzle...


Now if I couldn't have that pistol as the all-around best, I would take this one...


zeliska600nitrorevolverace.jpg
Thats a .600 Nitro Express revolver, 5 shot, single action. Now the gun may weigh 13 pounds, but hey with a good belt holster, thats practically nothing. It will shoot a 900 grain slug about 1800 fps with a muzzle energy of around 7,500 ft/lbs. Now if you get tired of firing those big magnums from it, you can always downgrade to a little .458 Win Mag which will also chamber.
What more do you need?
 
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