most versatile handgun

griffin12aaa · May 2, 2014, 05:10 AM

Which do you guys think is the most versatile handgun and why? From open carry to concealed to the nightstand ,recreational , competition and even out in the woods and what ever I left out. I know there's different guns for different tasks but which do u guys think can do most of this the best?

IMO it would have to be a 3-4 inch 357 magnum. You can shoot weaker loads than 9mm to some hot stuff like BB.

What handgun do you guys think can "almost" do it all?

AAA

JimmyR · May 2, 2014, 05:27 AM

Sig P250

Buy one handgun and an almost limitless number of configurations. Different calibers and sizes. You can keep a full size 45 for the nightstand, a subcompact 9mm for CC, and any size in between.

Now, I don't know that it does any of them exceedingly well, but perhaps the P320 in striker fire would make it a better carry option.

AK103K · May 2, 2014, 06:37 AM

Id say a 4" 357 K or L frame Smith would fit the bill nicely.

Guv · May 2, 2014, 07:37 AM

You nailed it 3-4 inch 357 DA.

aarondhgraham · May 2, 2014, 08:42 AM

I agree with AK103K and Guv,,,

Quote:

Id say a 4" 357 K or L frame Smith would fit the bill nicely.

Quote:

You nailed it 3-4 inch 357 DA.

Light .38's to Fire breathing .357's,,,
That will take anything from Bunnies to Bears.

Aarond

.

dayman · May 2, 2014, 09:33 AM

I'd also say 4" .357, though I personally prefer the GP100 to S&W.

Dirty_Harry · May 2, 2014, 09:38 AM

4" 357 magnum.

Or

Glock 29. Easily concealable and 10mm is powerful. Pretty accurate too. 10+1 capacity vs 6 from the revolver.

mavracer · May 2, 2014, 10:49 AM

If Smith would put a 3" barrel on the model 69 or maybe a commander length (and I want a true 4 1/4" commander) 10mm built on a STI VIP sized frame

WESHOOT2 · May 2, 2014, 05:15 PM

My 5.5" 44 Redhawk.

I own numerous other choices

BigJimP · May 2, 2014, 05:33 PM

Well, a 4" N frame, S&W, model 27 .....(.357 Mag ) is a good pick....a little big to carry concealed, but ok in a good holster....accurate, good trigger, good all around cartridge...

but so is a good 5" 1911, especially from a company like Wilson Combat, in either 9mm or .45 acp...wide variety of bullets for defense, etc..., easy to conceal, good all around weapon....

I'd grab one of each ...if I were leaving the house in a hurry...

SIGSHR · May 2, 2014, 06:33 PM

Dan Wesson Pistol Pac.

Creek Henry · May 2, 2014, 06:39 PM

Medusa :)

Wyosmith · May 2, 2014, 07:08 PM

If you hand load I'd say a 4", 5",or 6" 44 mag in either a S&W or a Ruger Redhawk. The 44 mag can be loaded from 600 FPS with light bullets up to about 1300 FPS with very heavy bullets and shoot them all with good accuracy.

If you do not load your own I would have to echo the posts above and say a 357 mag with barrels in the same lengths.

The 357 will not do "all the same things the 44 will do" (as well at least) but it will do about 95% of everything you'd need it to do.

The 44 exceeds it in hunting large game, especially when the animals weight over 400 pounds. Most shooters will never use their handgun to kill many 400-1000 pound animals, but because the point was asked about a handgun that was the most versatile, I have to say the 44 Magnum is probably the best all around.

KyJim · May 2, 2014, 07:52 PM

Hard to carry a six inch .44 magnum concealed, though. Yeah, Dirty Harry may have done it but he didn't have to worry about printing.

I'll go with the three to four inch K-frame .357 magnum.

And for those of you who are suggesting guns with interchangeable barrels, etc., well that's cheating.

WC145 · May 2, 2014, 08:05 PM

A .38 Super Colt 1991A1 I had built specifically for versatility is almost ready, just needs to go to Ion Bond to be finished. It has three barrel assemblies fitted to it - 9mm, .38 Super, and 9x23 Winchester - good for plinking, competition, self defense, hunting, whatever.

Auto5 · May 2, 2014, 09:00 PM

Mine is a 3" Ruger SP101, which is compact enough to carry easily, but I'd be just as happy with a Smith 66 or 19.

lamarw · May 2, 2014, 09:03 PM

I would of agreed with the S&W L sz. .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel until last year when I scored my S&W N sz. .45 Colt Mountain Gun also with a 4" barrel.

They are almost the identical weight (my S&W 686 and my S&W Model 25 Mountain Gun). The Mountain Gun is slightly lighter unloaded and then slightly heavier when loaded. There is no argument about which round is more versatile. It is the .45 Colt. Particularly if you reload.

I do not live in "Big Bear" country, but if I did I would prefer the .45 Colt over the .357 Magnum.

With the above behind me, I am not sure either of these two revolvers are the most versatile of all handguns, but either will do me.

Ruger45LC · May 2, 2014, 11:55 PM

To me, it's the .40 S&W. I prefer the size of the Glock 23 as it carries very well, has the accessory rail for attaching a light for good solid nightstand use. It's easy to shoot competition with as you can handload it down to recoil less than a 9mm (180-200gr @ 800-850 fps for instance) yet can be loaded warm enough to work in the woods as a close range deer, hog and black bear rig by shooting a 180gr to 1,200 fps or a 200gr WFN hardcast to 1,150 fps all while nearly vanishing as it's so small to carry, yet so capable.

Then you can go back to factory ammo for self defense use. The .45 is close, but its larger size is why I prefer the smaller framed .40's.

bamaranger · May 3, 2014, 12:02 AM

Yeah, likely an "L" frame, maybe an N, stainless, with 4" tube and round butt. I'd get the stainless coated to some dark shade, Black T or something.

Something like the N-frame Mountain Guns would be another configuration , but I'd stay with .357

Nick_C_S · May 3, 2014, 12:06 AM

I own it. . .

griffin12aaa · May 3, 2014, 12:09 AM

I think I need to start reloading..

**44 AMP** · May 3, 2014, 04:44 AM

Quote:

From open carry to concealed to the nightstand ,recreational , competition and even out in the woods and what ever I left out.

That does cover quite a bit. Lets break it down a little bit.

Everything (or anything) can be open carried. (of course, where legal)
Anything (or everything) can be a nightstand gun.

And virtually anything can be recreational, depending on the owner's opinion, and nothing else.

So that essentially leaves us to determine what would cover CCW, competition, and "out in the woods" (by which I assume you mean either hunting or defense from animals). Both personal defense and out in the wild woods means deciding on a minimum power level. And both hunting and competition are better served by a gun with good adjustable sights. Doesn't hurt on a defensive gun, either, but I wouldn't consider them a necessity for that use.

The case seems to be pretty strong for a mid size, medium barrel length .357 caliber or larger.

darkgael · May 3, 2014, 05:06 AM

Hard to argue against a four inch .357.
That said:

Quote:

If you hand load I'd say a 4", 5",or 6" 44 mag in either a S&W or a Ruger Redhawk. The 44 mag can be loaded from 600 FPS with light bullets up to about 1300 FPS with very heavy bullets and shoot them all with good accuracy.

I was thinking this idea also. A four/five inch .44 would offer even more choices than the .357, especially to the handloader.
Pete

Waspinator · May 3, 2014, 07:13 AM

yet another vote for a .357 revolver. Take your pick for size and brand, but I think the 586/686/GP100 in 4" is a good size for all purpose and the M60/SP101 is great for carry work.

All spurred of couse... if you're looking for all purpose, you want that single action ability.

Guv · May 3, 2014, 08:00 AM

lamarw,
An "N" frame 45 Colt won't handle the real high power (Ruger/T/C) 45 Colt loads, giving the advantage to the 357 magnum.

May 2, 2014, 05:10 AM	#1
griffin12aaa Member Join Date: December 18, 2013 Posts: 60	most versatile handgun Which do you guys think is the most versatile handgun and why? From open carry to concealed to the nightstand ,recreational , competition and even out in the woods and what ever I left out. I know there's different guns for different tasks but which do u guys think can do most of this the best? IMO it would have to be a 3-4 inch 357 magnum. You can shoot weaker loads than 9mm to some hot stuff like BB. What handgun do you guys think can "almost" do it all? AAA

May 2, 2014, 09:33 AM	#6
dayman Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: The Woods Posts: 1,197	I'd also say 4" .357, though I personally prefer the GP100 to S&W. __________________ si vis pacem para bellum

May 2, 2014, 09:38 AM	#7
Dirty_Harry Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,484	4" 357 magnum. Or Glock 29. Easily concealable and 10mm is powerful. Pretty accurate too. 10+1 capacity vs 6 from the revolver. __________________ "The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you never should have laid down." "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." -John Wayne

May 2, 2014, 05:15 PM	#9
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	since we have blackies here My 5.5" 44 Redhawk. I own numerous other choices __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

May 2, 2014, 08:05 PM	#15
WC145 Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Downeast Maine Posts: 1,836	A .38 Super Colt 1991A1 I had built specifically for versatility is almost ready, just needs to go to Ion Bond to be finished. It has three barrel assemblies fitted to it - 9mm, .38 Super, and 9x23 Winchester - good for plinking, competition, self defense, hunting, whatever. __________________ "If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge or jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - LtCol Jeff Cooper

May 2, 2014, 05:27 AM	#2
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 1,273	Sig P250 Buy one handgun and an almost limitless number of configurations. Different calibers and sizes. You can keep a full size 45 for the nightstand, a subcompact 9mm for CC, and any size in between. Now, I don't know that it does any of them exceedingly well, but perhaps the P320 in striker fire would make it a better carry option.

May 2, 2014, 06:37 AM	#3
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	Id say a 4" 357 K or L frame Smith would fit the bill nicely.

May 2, 2014, 07:37 AM	#4
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	You nailed it 3-4 inch 357 DA.

May 2, 2014, 05:33 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Well, a 4" N frame, S&W, model 27 .....(.357 Mag ) is a good pick....a little big to carry concealed, but ok in a good holster....accurate, good trigger, good all around cartridge... but so is a good 5" 1911, especially from a company like Wilson Combat, in either 9mm or .45 acp...wide variety of bullets for defense, etc..., easy to conceal, good all around weapon.... I'd grab one of each ...if I were leaving the house in a hurry...

May 2, 2014, 06:33 PM	#11
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	Dan Wesson Pistol Pac.

May 2, 2014, 06:39 PM	#12
Creek Henry Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 514	Medusa :)

May 2, 2014, 07:08 PM	#13
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	If you hand load I'd say a 4", 5",or 6" 44 mag in either a S&W or a Ruger Redhawk. The 44 mag can be loaded from 600 FPS with light bullets up to about 1300 FPS with very heavy bullets and shoot them all with good accuracy. If you do not load your own I would have to echo the posts above and say a 357 mag with barrels in the same lengths. The 357 will not do "all the same things the 44 will do" (as well at least) but it will do about 95% of everything you'd need it to do. The 44 exceeds it in hunting large game, especially when the animals weight over 400 pounds. Most shooters will never use their handgun to kill many 400-1000 pound animals, but because the point was asked about a handgun that was the most versatile, I have to say the 44 Magnum is probably the best all around.

May 2, 2014, 07:52 PM	#14
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	Hard to carry a six inch .44 magnum concealed, though. Yeah, Dirty Harry may have done it but he didn't have to worry about printing. I'll go with the three to four inch K-frame .357 magnum. And for those of you who are suggesting guns with interchangeable barrels, etc., well that's cheating.

May 2, 2014, 09:00 PM	#16
Auto5 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 662	Mine is a 3" Ruger SP101, which is compact enough to carry easily, but I'd be just as happy with a Smith 66 or 19. __________________ At the young age of five, a bear told me that I was the only person who could prevent forest fires. Why I was chosen, I'll never know.

May 2, 2014, 09:03 PM	#17
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I would of agreed with the S&W L sz. .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel until last year when I scored my S&W N sz. .45 Colt Mountain Gun also with a 4" barrel. They are almost the identical weight (my S&W 686 and my S&W Model 25 Mountain Gun). The Mountain Gun is slightly lighter unloaded and then slightly heavier when loaded. There is no argument about which round is more versatile. It is the .45 Colt. Particularly if you reload. I do not live in "Big Bear" country, but if I did I would prefer the .45 Colt over the .357 Magnum. With the above behind me, I am not sure either of these two revolvers are the most versatile of all handguns, but either will do me.

May 2, 2014, 11:55 PM	#18
Ruger45LC Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 768	To me, it's the .40 S&W. I prefer the size of the Glock 23 as it carries very well, has the accessory rail for attaching a light for good solid nightstand use. It's easy to shoot competition with as you can handload it down to recoil less than a 9mm (180-200gr @ 800-850 fps for instance) yet can be loaded warm enough to work in the woods as a close range deer, hog and black bear rig by shooting a 180gr to 1,200 fps or a 200gr WFN hardcast to 1,150 fps all while nearly vanishing as it's so small to carry, yet so capable. Then you can go back to factory ammo for self defense use. The .45 is close, but its larger size is why I prefer the smaller framed .40's.

May 3, 2014, 12:02 AM	#19
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,300	another vote for a .357 Yeah, likely an "L" frame, maybe an N, stainless, with 4" tube and round butt. I'd get the stainless coated to some dark shade, Black T or something. Something like the N-frame Mountain Guns would be another configuration , but I'd stay with .357

May 3, 2014, 12:06 AM	#20
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,522	I own it. . . __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

May 3, 2014, 12:09 AM	#21
griffin12aaa Member Join Date: December 18, 2013 Posts: 60	I think I need to start reloading..

May 3, 2014, 07:13 AM	#24
Waspinator Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2013 Location: Connecticut Posts: 517	yet another vote for a .357 revolver. Take your pick for size and brand, but I think the 586/686/GP100 in 4" is a good size for all purpose and the M60/SP101 is great for carry work. All spurred of couse... if you're looking for all purpose, you want that single action ability.

May 3, 2014, 08:00 AM	#25
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	lamarw, An "N" frame 45 Colt won't handle the real high power (Ruger/T/C) 45 Colt loads, giving the advantage to the 357 magnum.

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