If you were to have only one gun?

[CQC-7]

I was thinking about this topic the other day.  If a person were to only have one firearm what would it be? 

Personally, I have many firearms, all of which have their certain "appeal."  I mostly shoot .22 target guns since I dont have the time to shoot trap or sporting clays anymore.  However, if I were to have only one firearm that would serve the purpose of handling everything from recreational shooting to hunting to home defense I'd have to go with the Remington 870 shotgun with a 22" barrel.  It is versitile enough to handle everything from targets to large game. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

.12 Guage. 

I don't hunt so it would be home defense and the occasional target practice only.  Plus, you can fire a variety of things form a .12 and ammunition is available almost everywhere.  Plus there is zilch for penetration so you don't have to worry about accidentally killing your neighbors next door or your wife in the next room.



I like the nickel plated Remington 870 because I know it'll fire, won't corrode (much) and if that don't make a bad guy poo himself when he's looking down the barrel, nothing will.

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

.12 Guage. 

I don't hunt so it would be home defense and the occasional target practice only.  Plus, you can fire a variety of things form a .12 and ammunition is available almost everywhere.  Plus there is zilch for penetration so you don't have to worry about accidentally killing your neighbors next door or your wife in the next room.



I like the nickel plated Remington 870 because I know it'll fire, won't corrode (much) and if that don't make a bad guy poo himself when he's looking down the barrel, nothing will.

Def

I've always been partial to the ole M6, and one day i might even get one

http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/v-shrake/m6.html

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Actually while were on the subject does anyone from the UK know what the requirement for gun ownership are now?

I know what were not aloud , but i don't now the procedure for getting a firearm's cirtificate these day's (havent had one since I was 17)

[CQC-7]

The 870 Marine Magnum is an excellent weapon.  Unfortunately I do not own one yet.  I like that .22/.410 O/U as well.  My friend has one of them, only his has the nicely finished stock and is a .223/20 gauge.  I just like my own 870, I guess that it will rust if given the chance but I usually take good care of my stuff. 

The 12 Gauge is probaly the most versitile cartridge available today.  Not a sniper weapon in anyones eyes but with slugs would get the job done inside 150yds in the right hands.     

[Mike Micklea]

I always hate these topics because I always think of a bunch of questions instead of an answer!

Why do I only get 1 gun?  Is it a survival thing?  Did I only grab one before I ran into the woods?  Or is it that I can only own one due to Gun Control Laws?

If I could only take 1 gun and had to choose from what I have on hand, I think I would take my Colt King Cobra .357



It may seem like an odd choice, but it's actually a pretty versatile gun.  I'm pretty accurate up to around 50 yards (over that I'm not consistent).  It can be used to take small or large game, and I wouldn't have to worry about digging shot pellets out of anything I killed for food.  Plus, the 38/357 is small enough to where I wouldn't completely mangle any small animals I was hunting for food.  It can be used for self defense, and if I used .38 special rounds I wouldn't have to worry too much about the round going thru several walls   It's small enough and light enough to where it wouldn't be a pain to carry, and I could tuck it into a pack or something if I was in the woods for any extended amount of time...

[CQC-7]

I like the .357, it is a good cartridge.  I had one and I traded it off for a S&W 10mm auto only because I became borred with it.  My friends and I are handgun hunters and we used to shoot clay pigeons out to about 75 yds with them.  Accuracy is not a problem.  If I were to take one handgun with me I guess that I would take my .44mag.  I have a Super Blackhawk that I hunt with and I can hit just about anything out to 100yds with it and it is very tough and reliable.  However, my skills are probally lower than they once were because I havent practiced for a few months.

[Mike Micklea]

I like the .357, it is a good cartridge.  I had one and I traded it off for a S&W 10mm auto only because I became borred with it.  My friends and I are handgun hunters and we used to shoot clay pigeons out to about 75 yds with them.  Accuracy is not a problem.  If I were to take one handgun with me I guess that I would take my .44mag.  I have a Super Blackhawk that I hunt with and I can hit just about anything out to 100yds with it and it is very tough and reliable.  However, my skills are probally lower than they once were because I havent practiced for a few months.

I seriously considered "taking" my Super Redhawk .44 mag.  The only downside is it's a bit bigger and heavier, and I don't think you get much more with the .44 than you would with the .357

I can hit a 9" paper plate at 100 yards with my .44 some of the time.  I don't know that being able to shoot an extra 25+ yards would justify the extra weight and size.  Hell, if I had to "bail out" and spend a few days/weeks in the woods, I probably wouldn't take a chance at a 75+ yard shot.  I would want to conserve ammunition and focus on the distance shots I'm reasonable confident I can hit   (sometimes I miss those too!)

I also agree with everyone about the .12 gauge... It's hard to argue with taking a shotgun

[Grant Lamontagne]

Yeah, I admit the .12 was a no brainer!

With handguns I am kind of at a loss.  My preferred duty weapon is a 10mm Glock, equipped with an in barrel laser system and a low riding (mid to upper thigh) kydex retention holster, like the rig I used to have.  However, if I had only one gun to face any/all situations with for the rest of my life, I'd probably grab a Smitty wheelgun, and probably a .357- if I'm not gonna hit what I'm shooting at, I might as well not hit it BIG!   :grin:

Def

[CQC-7]

Sad to say but I have never owned a S&W revolver.  I have owned several of their automatics over the years.  I want the .500 S&W but my reloading equipment is on temporary standby making it a very expensive venture to buy the big 500 because the ammo is like $50 for a box of 20.  I will say that my first S&W wheelgun will be the 500 as soon as my wife and I buy a house and get moved in and I get my reloading equipment set up again.

[Mike Micklea]

I've had a couple of S&W revolvers.  I had a Model 29 .44mag for a while and absolutely loved it.  I've also owned a couple of .22 revolvers, all of which were really nice.  I'm still a Ruger man at heart though

I seriously want to get one of S&W's new .460 wheelguns.   They look like they would be seriously fun to shoot...

[ringzero]

I was thinking about this topic the other day.  If a person were to only have one firearm what would it be?....  However, if I were to have only one firearm that would serve the purpose of handling everything from recreational shooting to hunting to home defense I'd have to go with the Remington 870 shotgun with a 22" barrel.  It is versitile enough to handle everything from targets to large game. 

Ever seen a Savage 24C?

-20G Shotgun + .22 Rifle.
-Breaks down to fit in included compact carry case.
-Nice stock with cutouts for extra rounds.
-Decent iron sights.
-Very accurate .22 due to stiffly supported rifle barrel.
-Very accurate with 20G slugs.

The 24C is a great little game getter - everything from squirrels on up to deer.  If necessary, the 20G would be pretty decisive for defense - with slugs it's accurate enough out to 100 yards.

For a long term wilderness-survival scenario the 24C would be hard to beat because you can carry a LOT of useful .22 ammo for small game, while saving your 20G rounds for big game and defense.

.
   

[CQC-7]

Do you have pictures?  My friend has the same gun I believe.  His has a wood stock on his.  I am not being a snob or anything but I prefer wood stocks.  However, in a survival situation synthetic is not only better because it is more durable but it is definately lighter.  I love those guns but I have yet to buy one.  As soon as one comes my way I'll have it.  I actually want the 30/30 over 12 gauge.  However, the .22 is definately more versitle where I live. 

[ringzero]

Do you have pictures?

  My friend has the same gun I believe.  His has a wood stock on his.  I am not being a snob or anything but I prefer wood stocks.  However, in a survival situation synthetic is not only better because it is more durable but it is definately lighter.  I love those guns but I have yet to buy one.  As soon as one comes my way I'll have it.  I actually want the 30/30 over 12 gauge.  However, the .22 is definately more versitle where I live. 

I've never seen one with a plastic stock, although I believe some were made.  Mine is wood, but I'd prefer a plastic stock over a wood stock.

Savage made lots of models with various combinations of the following:
-.410
- 20 Gauge (takes 3" shells)
- 12 Gauge
combined with:
-.22 LR
-.22 WMR
-.223
-.357
and other calibers I can't remember right now.

.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

You people in the ''free'' world have no idea how lucky you are

I was doing a bit of research into getting a rifle of my own, only a 22lr nothing high powered or fancy

I won't bore you with the detail's but suficed to say not only would it be stupidly expensive but absolutley unworkable for me

Oh how I ''love'' this country