One gun

[Denny]

I was reading Skeeter's book again last night and he had written if you could have only one gun what would it be. I looked in the safe and its not as easy as I thought.

What one gun would serve as CCW, hunting and all ? One gun !!!!

I deceided it would be a revolver of course. Double action or single ? 44 magnum, 357 45 Colt ?

I chose my 44 magnum Redhawk. Its a 71/2" barrel and I would prefer a 5" I have a 629 4" but the S&W is not as tough as the Redhawk

Whats your take

 

[WyoGunner]

most definitely my Gp100 .357, 6".

 

[ian03]

I would do just about anything to have my 44 Mag 4" Redhawk back, it's one of the only firearms I regret selling.

The other was my Dan Wesson CBOB 4" 1911, which coincidentally would be my 2nd answer to your question.

 

[EarlFH]

I suppose it would depend on where you live. Some states require a 6" barrel for hunting. That's pretty long for concealed carry. The closest I can come up with that would be anywhere near all purpose, is my 6 1/2", S&W 24-3, 44 Special.(at least as far as my safe goes). I would need suspenders made of motorcycle chains, to carry my 45/454, 7 1/2" SRH, concealed!!! :shock:

EarlFH

 

[AzRebel]

Back in the days when I could really only afford one handgun, I carried a 4" .357 mag. I had a cpuple of different ones over the years, but they served me pretty well for my needs back then.

Since then I've been able to buy, trade, and sell guns enough that I don't really own anything that would do a "one-size-fits-all" situation. Perhaps the closest I could come would be a 4 5/8th barreled SA Ruger in .45 Colt. With that, I could cover about anything I need to do with a handgun, but I'd have to open carry it (not a problem, when it comes right down to it).

For "doing-it-all", from what I have, I suppose that would be my choice.

But, before I made a decision, I'd have to know WHY I'm making a choice of "one" handgun? Government regulation? Bug-out situation with limited room for carry? Do I need to "blend into society", and therefore would want to conceal? Or do I need something that's easier to carry ammo for?

A lot of things could certainly change my choice, so who knows?

Daryl

 

[Yosemite Sam]

I've pretty much spent my shooting career trying to answer that question, and still can't.

I currently like .44 Special revolvers, but like .45 Colt, too. .357 ain't bad. .45 ACP is nothing to sneeze at.

If I'm living in a more rural area I'm going to want a .22 or .410 shotgun for small game, which is probably more important than self defense.

I can do a lot with a shotgun...

-- Sam

 

[Greg F.]

I think my 4 5/8" 45 convertible BH would be an ideal "one" gun. In fact it is my "one" gun, being the only centerfire handgun I now own. It could be concealed with the right holster or open carried. With either cylinder it would be a great choice for a woods, hiking or camping gun. I use it for PD/HD and have no worries about my ability to use it effectively for any situation. With 45 colts it's an excellent hunting back-up or primary hunting gun. It can be loaded with everything from mouse fart loads to loads capable of bringing down any game in N. America.

 

[45flattop]

In one of Skeeter's Shooting Times articles, he did a sort of what if
on his idea of the perfect combination of design factors in a revolver
and had a composite drawing of which ideas he liked best combined
in one gun and darn if it didn't end up looking a LOT like a GP100 4"
full lug in stainless, I often wondered if Bill Ruger had read that
article and been influenced by Skeeter's ideas, I know that Skeeter
incorporated some Colt Python concepts.

 

[Quattroclick]

Fortunately for me, the gun I would keep for sentimental reasons matches what I would keep if just surviving was the priority. My Mossberg 44US .22 rifle would be my choice if I ran out of money to live as well as if the SHTF. I can carry 2000 rounds of ammo without being overburdened, small game is a one shot gonner out to 100 yards without ruining much meat, and many a larger animal has fallen to the lowly .22 with a well placed shot. It is as reliable as an anvil. As a bonus, it's large size makes it look like a much larger caliber gun to the untrained eye.

 

[gak]

I'd have to check Az's laws WRT handgun hunting (I don't)--my bet would be 4" if anything,...but otherwise I'd say currently my Smith 65LS (Lady Smith) .357--3", full lug, satin stainless--as good as "it" (or at least a K) gets IMO. My .3.75" Ruger Montado .357 would be a close second, not as carryable or otherwise ideal for SD, but ultimately more rugged if we're talking "one gun" for an indeterminate period of time. When I get my .44 Special New Vaquero in the same length, it might just have to replace the .357 in this scenario!

 

[BlackEagle]

In one of Skeeter's Shooting Times articles, he did a sort of what if
on his idea of the perfect combination of design factors in a revolver
and had a composite drawing of which ideas he liked best combined
in one gun and darn if it didn't end up looking a LOT like a GP100 4"
full lug in stainless, I often wondered if Bill Ruger had read that
article and been influenced by Skeeter's ideas, I know that Skeeter
incorporated some Colt Python concepts.

Didn't Skeeter also write in an article that the best all around gun, if he had to choose one would be a 5 inch 44 magnum? (EDIT: actually he wrote that the best all around barrel length was 5 incheshttp://www.darkcanyon.net/The Long & Short Of Sixgun Barrels.htm, and of course he liked the 44 special))... I won't mention the brand, but I think he should have said a 5 inch SuperBlackhawk. I realize these modifications may be distasteful to some, but I love this gun. The barrel is exactly 5 inches because Skeeter said so, and it looks and handles just right to me. I got it from the good friend that really got me into single actions and Rugers. He had the modifications done a long time ago after reading what Skeeter had to say.

 

[Snake45]

I dislike "one gun" discussions. We live in America and should be able to own all the guns we want and can afford! :twisted:

That said, if I had to get by with just one handgun, it would have to be some sort of 5" all-steel Colt Government Model 1911 in .45ACP--with a Ciener .22 conversion kit for it. :wink:

If I could add just one rifle, it would be an AR-15 in 5.56, again, with an extra .22LR setup--preferably a dedicated .22LR upper, such as my DPMS, but I'd get by with a Ciener or M261 if need be--and then I'd add as many uppers in other calibers as I could afford or get away with. (Come to think of it, I'd try to add 1911 "top halves" in 9mm, .40, 10mm, etc., too.)

 

[REP1954]

I'm going to sound like a broken record here. My choice is a 357 Anniversary tightened, tuned, and refinished with CCH by Turnbull. The guns action is next to a Colt Python and the cartridge will handle anything in my geograhpic area with two or four legs. I shot it for five years as a all steel gun and then about 3 months ago I replaced the ejector housing and grip frame with early NMB aluminum ones and changed over to a non locking hammer strut. The gun is better than ever now.

 

[Anonymous]

I think the Red Hawk 44 mag 4.20" in Stainless would do me just fine. My GP-100 357mag stainless really isn;t bad.

Rich

 

[Scott]

In MY safe, the .45Colt Blackhawk in 4 5/8" would be my choice - I COULD ccw if I had to, and I can load it for "bear", or smaller game (might ruin some meat). That said, If I could buy this said gun, I think I'd have to go DA in a similar size - probably better for SD, but still accomplish all that the SA could. If I lost all my reloading equipment, my answer might be different.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The first gun I ever bought was a Sturm-Ruger 96/44 Lever-action .44 Magnum Carbine. I dare anyone to say they could live with only one gun. They are like cars, you can't own just one in a lifetime. I refuse to even think about it. :shock:

...Jimbo

 

[AzRebel]

I dare anyone to say they could live with only one gun.

I'd have to wonder at the sanity of anyone who would WANT to.



Daryl

 

[PeterCartwright]

I remember Skeeter's article. (At least I remember one article in which this was discussed). IIRC, he chose a S&W 5" 27. He also put together a neat reloading kit which included alloy ingots, bullet mould, "dipper" measures, powder, primers and a Lyman 310 tong tool. The whole thing fit in a small Army surplus bag he carried like a Haver Sack. Seems like Skeeter thought his rig would enable him to put game from small critters up to elk on the table in a genuine end of the world scenario.

PC

 

[no5shooter]

Just for grins, I'll toss out my "last one I'll ever part with" choice: Texas Longhorn Arms Improved No. 5, 5-1/2" .44 mag. Kinda weird mirror-image SA revolver, but extremely well made on a frame supplied by Ruger's Pine Tree division. Second choice would be any other Ruger .44, preferably SA with around a 5" barrel. By the way, jfm, that 5" SBH is a dandy. Easy to see why you like it.

 

[steveinaz]

If I could have only 1 gun:

Double-action, stainless 4" .357 magnum with adjustable sights.

 

[Rclark]

Be a sad place if you could 'only' have one revolver. Drives me crazy just thinking about it, because one really needs a .22 revolver and a larger bore revolver. You also need a .22 rifle and a larger game rifle. I mean it's impossible to own just 'one' revolver/gun that does everything. So for me it would be a .22 Single Six adjustable sight and a Ruger .45 Colt BH (or .44Mag SBH if I was not allowed to reload) both in 5 1/2" barrel length. A M77/22 rifle and a 30-06. That is 'minimum' requirements.... Sorry guys one gun just doesn't hack it!

 

[Old Judge Creek]

I dislike "one gun" discussions. We live in America and should be able to own all the guns we want and can afford! :twisted: ...

Well, heck-a-doodle...... We orta ban them thangs frum the Rooger Four'em then... :roll:


:lol: :lol: :lol:

(jis yankin' yer chain, ther' Snake :wink: )

As for me, I suppose it'd be a toss-up between three depending on the availability of future repairs. If repairs were readily avaiable, I would be quite happy with either my 44 mag S&W 629 Trail Boss or (IIRC Skeeter's choice) a 357" S&W M27.

If professional repairs were not readily available, my choice would be my 44 mag Ruger Bisley Vaquero and I'd kill that shiny finish by bead blasting (or sandpaper if necessary).

And I have to agree with Rclark: a centerfire handgun and a rimfire handgun are both Must-Haves in even the most basic battery.

 

[mindustrial]

Dan Wesson 357 pistol pac.

Not my favorite caliber, but I could dress it up any occasion: scope the 8"bbl for hunting, 6" for target shooting, 4" for home protection, & 2" for carry... what more do you need if l avoid bears & charging rhino's.

 

[jimbo1096]

One gun isn't enough to keep me comfortable or satisfied. I refuse to accept that scenerio.

 

[Snake45]

And I have to agree with Rclark: a centerfire handgun and a rimfire handgun are both Must-Haves in even the most basic battery.

Me too--and I managed to sneak both by the rules of the "One-Gun" game. :wink:

 

[cas6969]

Hunting AND CCW? My S&W .44 Mountain Gun.

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,

This would be it. My Police Service Six 4 inch barrel.

roaddog28

 

[Snake45]

In one of Skeeter's Shooting Times articles, he did a sort of what if
on his idea of the perfect combination of design factors in a revolver
and had a composite drawing of which ideas he liked best combined
in one gun and darn if it didn't end up looking a LOT like a GP100 4"
full lug in stainless, I often wondered if Bill Ruger had read that
article and been influenced by Skeeter's ideas, I know that Skeeter
incorporated some Colt Python concepts.

By coincidence, I just reread that piece in his Good Friends book. It's from the April 1969 issue of Shooting Times.

Skeeter was ahead of his time and I agree that a half-lug GP100 would seem to come close to the gun he was dreaming of.

 

[newrugersafan]

It would have to be a 44 but it would be hard to choose between my Harton 44 special or my 44 mag flat top with 71/2" barrel. I know Skeeter liked them both.

 

[Rumrunner]

If I could only have one gun ( wow I just got a chill thinking that ), it would be a pump 12 ga or a 10/22. Granted this is the revolver section, but that wasn't specified. I figure if I am in a 1-gun only situation, that the SHTF already and either of these would work for food and safety.