What would you buy if you are only allowed to own three pistols?

[liv4spd]

I know it is an old question, but I genuinely want to hear your thoughts. I'm a rookie in the gun world. Based on my months of research, I am leaning towards:
(a) A Walther PDP Pro for home defense
(b) A CZ 75 P-01 as a CCW
(c) A Smith and Wesson 686 SSR for range fun

I know there are better pistols out there, but I think these are the best value ones. What are your thoughts?

[Seven High]

I would buy two CZ75 PO1s. One to ccw and one spare in case you had to shoot someone. The police will take it as evidence. I would also buy a Ruger 22/45 for a fun gun.

[Aguila Blanca]

That's a VERY difficult question. I think if I absolutely could have only three, my choices would be
(a) Para-Ordnance P14.45
(b) Colt Combat Commander 9mm
(c) Third choice is a toss-up among Browning Hi-Power, CZ-75B, or Colt SAA clone (Uberti or Pietta)

[bamaranger]

Since we are in the semiauto forum, I will limit my choices to auto pistols, even though the OP did not:

-SMALL, a .22lr, likely a Ruger "Mark" series of some variety. Report and recoil (?) are mild, anybody can shoot it, and cheaply

-MEDIUM, 9mm, Glock 17 preferred, reliable as a brick, tough, affordable. Several million cops, military and gang bangers can't be wrong. If of the stature that a G19 would conceal easier, I'd go with that. Not a problem for me.

-LARGE,10MM Auto, 1911 . Enough power to address large furry threats and take medium game. If you are a 1911 hater, then a Glock 20/40 MOS. The G40 is a bit big, but a G20 with a 6" bbl as an accessory would cover all the bases too. I shoot the 1911's better at hunting distances due to their (usually) superior trigger

[jetinteriorguy]

Originally Posted by liv4spd

I know it is an old question, but I genuinely want to hear your thoughts. I'm a rookie in the gun world. Based on my months of research, I am leaning towards:
(a) A Walther PDP Pro for home defense
(b) A CZ P75 P-01 as a CCW
(c) A Smith and Wesson 686 SSR for range fun

I know there are better pistols out there, but I think these are the best value ones. What are your thoughts?

I think you’ve pretty much nailed it.

[Nathan]

S&W 629 5” with optic hunting/outdoors
1911 5” no optic home defense
S&W Shield Plus with optic CCW

[liv4spd]

Many thanks for all the replies. Glad to hear that people really love the CZ 75 series and Ruger Mark 22/45 series guns.

[rmh3481]

Here are my three;
Colt 1911 45acp
S&W 44 Special
Ingram Mac 10 9mm

[Mike38]

Ruger 22/45 for plinking
Kel Tec P32 for pocket carry
Colt M1911A1 for home defense

[44 AMP]

What would you buy if you are only allowed to own three pistols?

NOTHING.

The question neither interests us, nor has meaning,,,,

And, I really dislike the way it is phrased....

First, I don't live under any authority that only allows me 3 pistols, and if that were ever to change, for me, it wouldn't be a question of what to buy, but a (difficult) choice deciding which to keep.

Now, if you are choosing to only get three pistols, and you're a beginner, I would recommend getting a small bore (.22) a medium bore (.35-40) and a big bore (.41+).

I think at least one of them should be a revolver, and they all should have decent (or better) adjustable sights.

I'm not sure why you pick one for home defense, another for CCW and a third for range fun, there are many different guns that will easily do double duty and some that can fill all three roles adequately.

I am not personally familiar with the Walther you named, nor the specific CZ 75 model. The CZ 75 is a respected design, but all the ones I've been around have been duty class guns, not well suited to CCW. I am familiar with S&W L frame guns in general, and don't care for the way the full underlug models balance in my hands. Just a personal preference.

You asked for thoughts, so there you go, I'm an old grumpy guy still working on my first cup of coffee today sorry if I came off a bit rude, but its one of my personal quirks, people saying "allowed" when it comes to our natural rights.

I have over a half century of personal experience with a number of handguns, revolvers, semis, and single shots ranging from .22LR to .45-70, and I much prefer older guns to newer designs, generally speaking.

If at all possible, get some hands on time with the guns you are considering. Handling them in a gunshop at a minimum, and if possible shooting them or something essentially similar. Go with what feels right in your hands, not what various "experts" say you "need".

My opinions are just that, and worth what you paid for them, possibly less

Welcome to handgunning, there can be a lot more to it than just self defense, if you're open to it, and I think it is quite an enjoyable hobby as well as having very important practical aspects.

[JohnKSa]

Something in a full-sized double-stack 9mm.

A nice .22LR DA revolver.

I don't know with the third. I'm torn between something like a 10mm/.357Mag and a subcompact 9mm.

[Metric]

Subject to change at any moment, but current thoughts:

Beretta 71 (.22 LR) -- most important one that would get a huge amount of shooting and carrying.

Small-frame carry 9mm that retains good shootability. Probably a Sig P365 XL.

Commander-size 1911 of some kind in 10mm. A somewhat rare bird in the current market -- may have to go semi-custom.

Interesting that I don't own most of these. The constraint of "only 3" changes the calculation of "what I currently want" quite a lot.

[sigarms228]

Glock 19, HK P30L or SIG P226, and Browning Buckmark.

[44caliberkid]

I’m in the camp that says a good .22 LR first. Ruger Mk, Browning Buckmark, or S&W Victory, even a Taurus TX22.
The Walther and CZ 9mm I am sure are fine guns but you can spend 1/3 the money and probably not be able to tell the difference, especially as a new shooter.
A 357 Magnum revolver, 4 to 6 inch barrel, is a versatile, multipurpose firearm.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by 44AMP

NOTHING.

The question neither interests us, nor has meaning,,,,

And, I really dislike the way it is phrased....

First, I don't live under any authority that only allows me 3 pistols, and if that were ever to change, for me, it wouldn't be a question of what to buy, but a (difficult) choice deciding which to keep.

Now, if you are choosing to only get three pistols,

You make a great point. I assumed he meant by choice, but nowadays, who knows…

[TunnelRat]

You have a polymer framed, striker fired pistol with a “safe action” style trigger listed for home defense and an alloy framed, hammer fired pistol with a DA/SA trigger listed for CCW. It’s not impossible to mix manuals or arms or to get used to multiple trigger weights, but for a beginning it’s not what I would personally recommend. Additionally, I think the P-01 could fairly easily do the home defense role.

To the general question:
A 9mm pistol
A 357 magnum revolver
A 22 LR pistol

[liv4spd]

Hi Nathan,

Many thanks for pointing it out. I did not mean to say "under the authority" at all. People could make that choice based on other factors, such as their budget, space limitations, advice from their wives, etc.

[liv4spd]

Originally Posted by TunnelRat

You have a polymer framed, striker fired pistol with a “safe action” style trigger listed for home defense and an alloy framed, hammer fired pistol with a DA/SA trigger listed for CCW. It’s not impossible to mix manuals or arms or to get used to multiple trigger weights, but for a beginning it’s not what I would personally recommend. Additionally, I think the P-01 could fairly easily do the home defense role.

To the general question:
A 9mm pistol
A 357 magnum revolver
A 22 LR pistol

Very good points, in particular the one on polymer vs metal frame.

[jar]

A classic P-Series hammer fired pistol from the p220 through P229 excluding the P225.

One of my 1911s, most likely a Commander size.

A light rack easy loading magazine pistol in 9mm or 380 for days when my body says it ain't racking the above. Most likely a Walther PK380 or CCP M2 series.

[HighValleyRanch]

Many thanks for pointing it out. I did not mean to say "under the authority" at all. People could make that choice based on other factors, such as their budget, space limitations, advice from their wives, etc.

"Advice from the wife"!

Some "authorities" only allow 3 guns on a CCW permit, so one does have to make this limited choice, at least for carrying.

[The Happy kaboomer]

Same answer as i gave you on the other forum..........AIN"T GONNA HAPPEN........Again. What's your next only number? 4-9-6-16??????

[Shadow9mm]

Originally Posted by liv4spd

I know it is an old question, but I genuinely want to hear your thoughts. I'm a rookie in the gun world. Based on my months of research, I am leaning towards:
(a) A Walther PDP Pro for home defense
(b) A CZ 75 P-01 as a CCW
(c) A Smith and Wesson 686 SSR for range fun

I know there are better pistols out there, but I think these are the best value ones. What are your thoughts?

My choices
(a) Sig P365, EDC
(b) G19, Home Defense, Heavy EDC
(c) 1911, Just love them, something about an all steel 45

In relation to your choices, mainly the CZ, Having carried a P226, and 1911 as EDC guns over the years, I would not want to be stuck with an all metal gun as an EDC for the rest of my life. for an EDC gun those OZ really make a significant difference. YMMV.

[1972RedNeck]

I love my CZ75B. Tied with my Beretta PX4 for my favorite semi auto pistol. PX4 is ugly as all get out, but it is just a pleasure to shoot.

If I could only have one handgun though, it would be my 5" Smith 627 N frame...

[rc]

CZ 75 P01 9mm compact with decocker for CCW
Colt 1911 45 ACP 5 inch because everybody should have a classic 1911!
4 or 6 inch Smith and Wesson 686 because the 357 is the most versatile pistol round made.

If I could sneak in a 4th, it would be a 5 inch Smith and Wesson 629 if I lived in bear country.

[SIGSHR]

Drawing from what i currently own:
1. Dan Wesson .357 Pistol Pac
2. Browning HP with Ciener Conversion unit
3. Ruger Super Blackhaw 44 Old Model.