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Best Versatile Overall Handgun For Home Defense,Hunting And Target Practice

5K views 54 replies 32 participants last post by  Alaska444 
#1 ·
I'Ve been doing some thinking what would be the best overall pistol to serve all these purposes if you had the money for just one handgun.I was thinking a 4 inch revolver in .357 or 44 magnum would serve all three.A 4 inch barrel wouldn't be to long and is simple to operate and would give the ammo higher speeds and easier aiming at a target with that barrel length.Just pull the trigger and no slide to operate making it easy for all family members.Two types of ammo for both choices and you could hunt with it if you ever needed to.Also a 4 inch barrel would absorb much of the recoil making follow-up shots more likely to hit your target.
 
#5 ·
While I love my 1911's I'm going to say a .357 Magnum. Revolvers are generally easier to shoot accurately, they function more reliably, and they aren't finicky about ammo from a function perspective.

A .357 allows you to shoot all the .38 Special, Plus P and .357 Magnum loads. It's easier to master the recoil of a .357 than a .44, and ammo is less expensive. Nothing wrong with the .44, it's also a great, versatile round, but I give the .357 the nod for the reasons listed.

Barrel length is a matter of taste and discussion. 6" is easier to shoot, but harder to carry. 3" is easier to carry and conceal, but is harder to shoot accurately and won't develop the higher velocities that longer barrels will.
 
#7 ·
One gun, that would work for all three?

Target alone, I'd go with a 6" 38 special. But it's really a little light for defense, and a lot light for hunting.

Hunting alone, I'd go with at least a 6" 44 magnum. But it's more than you need for defense (usually), and expensive for target/plinking.

Defense alone, I'd suggest a 4" in the "non-magnum" large calibers - 38/40 (.40 180 grain at ~1000), 44 /40 (.44 210 grain at ~900), 44 Special (.44 240 grain at ~850) 45 ACP (.45 230 grain at ~850) or 45 Colt (.45 255 grain at ~ 900). But those are actually a little too weak for hunting, and (as with the 44) kinda on the expensive side.

So if I was only going one, for all three, I'd go with this. Not the BEST for any, but will work pretty damn good for all. Stainless DA adjustable-sighted 4" 357 L-frame size. That covers the Smith Ls, the Ruger GP100 and the Colt Python/Trooper.

Big enough that the weight would hold down recoil, but not too heavy to carry. Long enough tube for accuracy without being too long to be handy. Powerful enough (with a heavy bullet) to take most big game in the lower 48. Can shoot 38 target loads, which work fine for small game. Has the capability of using everything from 38 wadcutters (nice for targets and plinking) up to engine-block-smashing-357s. Ammo costs, compared to stuff in calibers beginning with 4, are quite reasonable.
 
#9 ·
as much as I love the 45LC.. I have to go with the 357 mag. its really simple ..ounce for ounce (or grain for grain) the 357 delivers more ft-lb energy at both 25 and 50 ft than my beloved 45LC. more energy is more stopping power in any mans book (or shoot out) And while I use a judge(6 in) for my HD choice, using .410 defense ammo, my wifes HD is a 357 snub, because of the energy delivered. ( I do also keep a 9mm next to my HD pick for times when there are multiple intruders, it has 2 extra mags in reserve also.)
 
#10 ·
Mid size 357 with 6" barrel, 686, GP 100..........If cc was a possibility, change the barrel length to 4". For home defence, target work and hunting the 6" delivers more power with less blast and most people shoot them better. The 6" with mild target 38s is a great target pistol. Load it up with heavy magnum rounds it will take game at reasonable ranges. Put the 125 grain speed pills in it and its as formidable a two legged predator stopper as any handgun.
 
#14 ·
I can see that now, Steve:

Farmer: You shot my bull?
Steve: Why, yes, sir, he was attacking me.
Farmer: Why were you in my field?
Steve: Ummmm, taking a walk...
Farmer to Wife: Honey, call 911, as he draws his 1911...

(it's late, and I can't sleep, Steve... This is said in fun. Welcome aboard.)
 
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#15 ·
The best one shot stopper is still the 125 grain hollow point. There is always the option of the 38 special but unless your packing for bear my choice is the 357 magnum, many in my area take deer with this magnum round and a 4 inch Smith 686 or the Ruger Gp series would be my choice.
 
#16 ·
As a dedicated handloader MY choice would still be the 45 Colt. It can be loaded up or down in a strong revolver.

Of the two you mentioned it would be the 44 Mag. with a 4 inch barrel which, most of the time, would be loaded with handloaded 44 Spl. rounds at about 1000 fps. with a 240-250 gr. cast bullet. As good and as versatile as the 357 Mag. is the cartridge simply does not elicit excitement or pleasure from me. Over the decades I've probably had a dozen 357's and all suffered the same fate, down the road they went for something I like.
 
#19 ·
THIS is the tool equivalent of a 357.



It's not the best choice for a hammer. It's not the best choice for an axe. It's not the best choice for a crowbar.

But if you're just going to have one tool, it'll work.
 
#17 ·
I think the perfect fix for this problem is the Dan Wesson S2 with barrels ranging from snub to 6-8 inch and you can have it in .38/.357 or .44 spl/.44 mag. A bit heavy, damn good.

Good Luck

Larry
 
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#39 ·
Dan Wesson, IMHO, has not been given the credit due. The S2 was a system. The system was based upon a very strong three lock design. The system had the advantage, in my mind, of supplying a pistol that could be carried concealed as a snub nose pistol. With a special wrench the pistol could be changed to a 4 inch or to an 8 inch pistol. With the .357 or .44 the pistol covered huge market segment. When Dan Wesson fell on bad times the S2 was dropped, very expensive.
Now that CZ owns Dan Wesson and it is considered a top of the line brand the S2 will again be offered,albeit, at a much higher price.
I will own another S2.
Google Dan Wesson firearms, quite an interesting read
Good luck
Larry
 
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#29 ·
For me, if you are ruling out a person's proficiency or experience then I would go with a .40 cal anything...everyone has their own favorite brand and I happen to own a 40 cal. S&W M&P so I'll go with it. These days it's easy enough to train up on a double action semi-auto and it allows you the luxury of more than 5-6 shots as compared to a revolver. Good knock-down power, recoil is manageable for the majority of people, it's concealable and not too expensive to practice with as reloaded ammo is plentiful at reasonable prices. It would be a little light in the hunting category unless you restrict your distances to less than 50-60 yds and load up to match your ammo to the game size then it should be fine. Just my 2 cents worth. If you want to go multiple guns then a .38 semi for target (S&W mod. 52 or Colt Gold Cup NM) Hunting a S&W 41. mag revolver in 6" and for HD a .40 cal. Actually the BEST gun for HD is a pump action shotgun in 20 or 28 gauge with an extended tube magazine and a 20" bbl. A Remington Mod. 870 floats my boat quite nicely!
 
#31 ·
Country Cruiser while your choice fills the home defense slot just fine it falls a bit short in target and hunting IMHO. While a gun that is capable of 3" 4" 25 yard groups is more than adequate for self defense it's is not exactly what I'd call a target pistol. And hunting with a 40 s@w.... no thanks.
Addressing the original question with the additional factor of automatics only the ten mm would be my choice. Either Rugers SR1911 or the Colt upgraded delta Elite IMO. 180 grain hydro shock for self defence yielding about 500 fpe out of the five inch barrel. Buffalo Bore makes a 180 grain load that delivers 1400 fps just shy of 800 fpe out of that same barrel length. The forty can deliver a bit over 1400 fps ...but with 135 grain slug. Both of those pistols are capable of sub 2" groups right out of the box. If more accuracy is needed, pretty good as is, the 1911 platform is about as easy as it gets to cheaply modify to wring out those last fraction of accuracy.
Ten Looks good but given the original question the 357 mag revolver still fills the bill better IMO.
 
#33 ·
I totally agree with the stats on the 10mm however I was going more along the lines of versatility for the average shooter. The 10mm is a beast and only those with advanced skills are actually the only ones who can master it's heavy recoil for follow-up or multiple shots. The FBI switched over to it some time ago when it was first introduced but after only a few years then converted the agency to the 40 cal because 80% of the agents were having trouble qualifying with the 10mm due to it's monster recoil. Their special ops teams stayed with it for awhile longer but by now they have probably gotten away from it as well. (personal knowledge) As far as a target gun goes I think it would depend on what sort of shooting discipline we're talking about. Bulleyes?? forget the 10mm. too much recoil IPSC...no way...same reason. The 40 cal is manageable for both of those but you do give up accuracy. IPSC wouldn't matter as much as bullseye because the distances are closer but in the final analysis there is NO pistol that can meet all these demands as put forth in the subject heading. The only other one in my mind that comes close is the .45 cal 1911 (yah!!) with the 40 cal just behind. IMHO of course.I chose the 40 cal because the felt recoil is less than that of the 45 cal. and therefore more suited to the average shooter IMHO ...
 
#32 · (Edited)
The .357 is a good choice for all three categories. The new Ruger LCRx weights in at only 15.7 oz. for the 3" barrel. I don't think that they offer it in a 4" barrel. But I'm not sure I want to shoot full magnum rounds in such a lite hand gun.
 
#34 ·
Most run of the mill factory 10mm ammo is loaded much closer to 40 s@w ballistics than the original fire breathing rounds. You want power you reload or go to Buffalo Bore or Cor Bon. The 10mm like the 357 can be used with ammo that is fairly mild to dragon loads. As to target and self defence in an auto the 45acp is really a better choice than the 10 no doubt..... but when you throw hunting into the equation the 10 pulls ahead.
 
#35 ·
I think we have reached the point where we must agree to disagree! I'm going convenience over power. There is no denying the power of the 10 mil. and as with ALL calibers it can be fine tuned to suit the situation. However I think the true answer to this topic is there is NO cal that surpasses all others. Several rise to the top but in the final analysis the answer must be "Whatever one you're most confident in" For me it's the 40 ca. or the 45. If properly loaded with the appropriate load (to suit the situation) those two would fit the criteria for a novice to expert shooter. IMHO
 
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