one handgun to do everything

[TAB]

I think what's throwing all of us here is hunting versus concealed carry versus range gun. These are very different applications. The only real winners are a 4" .357 or a 10mm, and the ten is expensive to feed and ammo can be hard to find. 40 yards at bambi and concealable and range accurate is a stretch (doable, but a stretch).  Combining the apps and looking at a general purpose gun, the .357 seems to be the leader, 10mm in second place. A Desert Eagle is its own category. Its a purpose built weapon and outside of the price range. Plus, how the heck do you conceal one?
FQ13

I tell you what, you buy me one, and I'll find away to conceal one, deal?

I actually know a guy that can conceal a 8" Xframe, and does a very good job of it.  Stu is one of those guys that always wears cammo cargo pants and a tactical vest all the time.  Let me put it this way, when he shows up to the range, I pack up and leave.  He is one of the few people that I know that can legally own guns, but shouldn't.   Infact I don't think he should be allowed to own power tools either. 

[GI Joe]

I would like to thank everyone for their replies and opinions. I think the discussion has been very good. I think you can do everything with one gun if the caliber is big enough. You can shoot small animals with a larger caliber(shot placement needed) but a small caliber is not effective on large animals. We all know larger calibers work well in SD applications and they will all work on putting holes in paper and banging gongs and silloettes.(sp)
It would seem to me that performance on target, shot placement, etc would be primary considerations as oppossed to concealment etc just for the fact that the weapon has to perform when pulling the trigger.

With all this said I do not practice this entirley! But it is good to think about. I currently use for CCW, HD and target practice a S&W 686, G17 and an 870. I give up some concealablity espesically with the 870 but they all hit hard and where I aim.

Thanks again.

At Ease!

[seeker_two]

My $0.02....take it for what it's worth....

First....let's take the hunting option off the table. You should keep a shotgun and/or rifle for that use. Not that you can't hunt with any pistol...but the long-gun is a better choice for that task.

Second....in any decision where CCW is an option, smaller is better. You can use a smaller gun to target shoot easier than you can conceal a larger gun. By smaller, I mean a compact or subcompact pistol or revolver in a service caliber....like a Springfield XDsc or a Ruger SP101.

Third....if financial problems are a concern, I'd lean toward the revolver. No magazines or recoil springs to regularly replace...and revolvers aren't as picky about the ammo they use. You can save a lot of money on these items.

Fourth....keep a .22lr pistol (and rifle) in your battery. A .22lr revolver or pistol (depending on the type of your service-power handgun) will enable you to practice important things like target acquisition and trigger control inexpensively and helps you save on ammo costs. Plus, a .22lr handgun can be pressed into service as a SD weapon....better than harsh language.

Hope this helps.....

[bafsu92]

The Glock 20 is my 1st choice, if I could have 2, it would not be in list. Hard hitting, accurate, capable of taking big game, wanted to be Texas Parks and Wildlife officer, the wait was 2 years, so I did not pursue that, but I decided the Glock 20 was the pistol, for this job.

That was my point exactly, if I could only have one it would have to be a 10mm and to me the Glock is the easiest to conceal. If I can only own two then the 10mm drops off my list for ammo issues and I probably go Glock 30 (maybe 19 or XDM) and a 3"-4" .44mag. I know the .44 would be in for sure I'd have to think long and hard on the 9 vs 45 for the other.

[ellis4538]

I'd probably go with the Glock .40 Compact with a slide and barrel conversion for the .357 Sig.  But please don't ask me to make the decision because I'd probably have to bury some in the back yard so no one knew.


Just me I guess,


Richard

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

Based on the criteria and the responses given it kinds of lends itself to nominate the Sig P250 (with a revolver backup in .357).

Four different calibers in two three different frame sizes, lightweight, Sig Sauer accuracy in a convertible handgun.

Just need to spend the money and carry the extra mags and barrels with you when the SHTF.  I think I just convinced myself to look a bit further into this little beauty!

[bafsu92]

Based on the criteria and the responses given it kinds of lends itself to nominate the Sig P250 (with a revolver backup in .357).

Four different calibers in two three different frame sizes, lightweight, Sig Sauer accuracy in a convertible handgun.

Just need to spend the money and carry the extra mags and barrels with you when the SHTF.  I think I just convinced myself to look a bit further into this little beauty!

I bought one a while back and couldn't get rid of it fast enough, thankfully I almost broke even on it. Hands down worst trigger pull of any auto pistol I've ever owned and just felt like a hunk of crap in my hand. In compact form it wasn't quite so bad but with the full sized frame and barrel assembly it was the most out of balanced gun I've ever picked up. The trigger felt like I was trying to pull 40 grit sandpaper through wet bondo with a 30# weight tied to the end. I'm not a huge fan of Sig's "good" double action triggers and this one is at the bottom of what I've seen them produce. It also wouldn't really work in the only one gun sceario since it's not available in 10mm and that is the only auto pistol caliber safe for large or dangerous animals. You could have the 10mm Glock and buy a .45 barrel and mags much cheaper. .45 is at least much more available and cheaper than 10mm for most of your needs. The EAA Witness series are just about as modular, you can't change the grip length but you can go longer barrels, with or without compensators and change more caliber choices than the Sig with barrels and magazines. On top of that you have an all metal pistol. If you look carefully you can just about buy a Witness full sized and compact for the price of a "2sum". If you like the 250 more power to you, to each his own. As far as I'm concerned I wouldn't own another if you gave it to me (but I would accept it then promptly sell it).

[Ping]

Absolutely agree with Tombogan and M25 operator on the .357 and G20. Problem with the G20 is ammo. Hard to find and expensive. I am a Glock fan and carry my G30SF .45 ACP daily. All that you want can be found in a .357 by Ruger or Smith and Wesson.

[Timothy]

As far as I'm concerned I wouldn't own another if you gave it to me (but I would accept it then promptly sell it).

I appreciate your review, I'll keep looking or stick with what I know works.  Now that I'm out of the Peoples Republic, I have a huge assortment to choose from.  I'm awful choosy and take my time anyway so I might have come to the same conclusion on my own but you've save me the hassle.

Thanks.

[fightingquaker13]

I appreciate your review, I'll keep looking or stick with what I know works.  Now that I'm out of the Peoples Republic, I have a huge assortment to choose from.  I'm awful choosy and take my time anyway so I might have come to the same conclusion on my own but you've save me the hassle.

Thanks.

Timothy, now that you're a free man, I'll repeat an earlier suggestion. Buy a Bond (see my post on the .410). Congratulations on your emancipation. Who knew you had to break South to get free.
FQ13