CW5 Jack Cardwell 3314433 <div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-209272"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image"> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fif-you-could-have-only-one-handgun-what-caliber-would-you-pick%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook' target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=If+you+could+have+only+one+handgun%2C+what+caliber+would+you+pick%3F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fif-you-could-have-only-one-handgun-what-caliber-would-you-pick&amp;via=RallyPoint" target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AIf you could have only one handgun, what caliber would you pick?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-could-have-only-one-handgun-what-caliber-would-you-pick" target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a> </div> <a class="fancybox" rel="49916a318f9e8a2c27dd5fa2636b0f91" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/209/272/for_gallery_v2/f10a308c.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/209/272/large_v3/f10a308c.jpg" alt="F10a308c" /></a></div></div> If you could have only one handgun, what caliber would you pick? 2018-02-01T18:04:04-05:00 CW5 Jack Cardwell 3314433 <div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-209272"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image"> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fif-you-could-have-only-one-handgun-what-caliber-would-you-pick%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook' target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=If+you+could+have+only+one+handgun%2C+what+caliber+would+you+pick%3F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fif-you-could-have-only-one-handgun-what-caliber-would-you-pick&amp;via=RallyPoint" target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AIf you could have only one handgun, what caliber would you pick?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-could-have-only-one-handgun-what-caliber-would-you-pick" target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a> </div> <a class="fancybox" rel="286f6f7b4c606117cb43af260a9df219" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/209/272/for_gallery_v2/f10a308c.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/209/272/large_v3/f10a308c.jpg" alt="F10a308c" /></a></div></div> If you could have only one handgun, what caliber would you pick? 2018-02-01T18:04:04-05:00 2018-02-01T18:04:04-05:00 Cpl Ivan Dominguez 3314447 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I thought for sure that there would be some die-hard .45 caliber guys on here! 9mm is just so universal (and common), it&#39;s hard to beat. Response by Cpl Ivan Dominguez made Feb 1 at 2018 6:08 PM 2018-02-01T18:08:15-05:00 2018-02-01T18:08:15-05:00 CW3 Harvey K. 3314471 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>.45 ACP, because it is easier reloading the .45 case than the 9mm. Response by CW3 Harvey K. made Feb 1 at 2018 6:21 PM 2018-02-01T18:21:08-05:00 2018-02-01T18:21:08-05:00 SGT Jim Arnold 3314480 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I chose a cheap but effective 9mm that I can use in both my rifle and pistol with 1 type of round. much easier to carry 1k rounds and shoot 2 different weapons. I would of chosen the .357M but weapons are too expensive Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Feb 1 at 2018 6:29 PM 2018-02-01T18:29:33-05:00 2018-02-01T18:29:33-05:00 CPT Lawrence Cable 3314518 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If I had to chose one for everything, I think a double action .357 Magmun with at least a 4&quot; barrel, preferably a bit longer as a personal preference. Big enough to hunt medium size game, more than adequate for self defense, plus you can shoot .38 Special if you need something a bit lighter. Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 1 at 2018 6:54 PM 2018-02-01T18:54:03-05:00 2018-02-01T18:54:03-05:00 Alan K. 3314520 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Only one?.....My FN 5.7 A round for every purpose, even hunting if you had to. Dead flat to 100+ yards. I call it the &quot;Gamechanger&quot; Response by Alan K. made Feb 1 at 2018 6:55 PM 2018-02-01T18:55:07-05:00 2018-02-01T18:55:07-05:00 CWO3 Dennis M. 3314563 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>.40 S&amp;W all day long! Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Feb 1 at 2018 7:12 PM 2018-02-01T19:12:20-05:00 2018-02-01T19:12:20-05:00 SMSgt Thor Merich 3314678 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Trick question. Some handguns shoot multiple calibers. For instance my S&amp;W model 586 revolver will shoot both .38 Special and .357 Magnum. I own a S&amp;W .460 that shoots 3 calibers without changing anything. It shoots the .45 Long Colt., .454 Casull, and the .460 S&amp;W magnum.<br /><br />If I had to choose only one, it would be my S&amp;W 460V revolver. It has a 5&quot; barrel so its easy to carry but can shoot any of the above calibers. If I am plinking, I shoot the .45LC cowboy. It&#39;s low velocity round, almost no recoil. For killing things, even really big things (think Kodiak bears), I will load the .460 Magnum round with a Hornady Custom FTX bullet. Its a 200 grain bullet with 2200 fps muzzle velocity. At 100 yards its still screaming at 1715 fps. Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Feb 1 at 2018 7:56 PM 2018-02-01T19:56:52-05:00 2018-02-01T19:56:52-05:00 TSgt George Rodriguez 3314778 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have a 44 magnum revolver and if that&#39;s the only gun that would be my choice. I do carry a 9mm as my every day carry. Response by TSgt George Rodriguez made Feb 1 at 2018 8:23 PM 2018-02-01T20:23:12-05:00 2018-02-01T20:23:12-05:00 Cpl Mark McMiller 3314796 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>.45 ACP. The bigger the hole, the faster the bad guy bleeds out. I&#39;m not buying the modern ammo makes 9mm as good as .45 bullshit. Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Feb 1 at 2018 8:27 PM 2018-02-01T20:27:11-05:00 2018-02-01T20:27:11-05:00 MSG Walter Rogers 3314885 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>7.62 x39 Response by MSG Walter Rogers made Feb 1 at 2018 9:00 PM 2018-02-01T21:00:21-05:00 2018-02-01T21:00:21-05:00 CPT Jack Durish 3314918 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>.22 mag... Not the man I used to be. Won&#39;t be out stalking terrorists, that&#39;s for sure. But, if ever I happen upon a bad guy, the .22 mag should be enough to enter a brain bucket and ricochet around until I get their attention. Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 1 at 2018 9:11 PM 2018-02-01T21:11:16-05:00 2018-02-01T21:11:16-05:00 TSgt David L. 3315048 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It&#39;s like a Unicorn! No such thing! Or Lays potato chips! Can&#39;t have just one! <br />Just to play along, 1911, .45ACP! LOL Response by TSgt David L. made Feb 1 at 2018 9:51 PM 2018-02-01T21:51:13-05:00 2018-02-01T21:51:13-05:00 SSG(P) Dan Keene 3315211 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Only 1 pistol, I&#39;d choose a 7 inch 10mm. It works for game and opposition. Response by SSG(P) Dan Keene made Feb 1 at 2018 11:11 PM 2018-02-01T23:11:39-05:00 2018-02-01T23:11:39-05:00 CSM Randall Wayt 3315212 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>.45 acp. Because short, fat and slow will still do the job. Response by CSM Randall Wayt made Feb 1 at 2018 11:12 PM 2018-02-01T23:12:34-05:00 2018-02-01T23:12:34-05:00 GySgt John O'Donnell 3315283 <div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-209333"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image"> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fif-you-could-have-only-one-handgun-what-caliber-would-you-pick%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook' target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=If+you+could+have+only+one+handgun%2C+what+caliber+would+you+pick%3F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fif-you-could-have-only-one-handgun-what-caliber-would-you-pick&amp;via=RallyPoint" target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AIf you could have only one handgun, what caliber would you pick?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-could-have-only-one-handgun-what-caliber-would-you-pick" target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a> </div> <a class="fancybox" rel="fe4f782b65a74988eb2636a6f9ee3cb4" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/209/333/for_gallery_v2/9c11550.jpeg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/209/333/large_v3/9c11550.jpeg" alt="9c11550" /></a></div></div>9mm parabellum, because it is one of the most widely used cartridges in the World, can be used in a pistol or rifle, can take down small to medium, and is excellent in self defense role. Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Feb 2 at 2018 12:00 AM 2018-02-02T00:00:14-05:00 2018-02-02T00:00:14-05:00 SSgt Christopher Brose 3315390 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I&#39;d have to narrow the question down a little. Revolver or semi-auto? If it&#39;s a revolver, I&#39;d probably go with a .357 -- between .357 ammo and .38 Special ammo, I&#39;d be able to get ammo for it anywhere, and I know that a .357 will have all the knock-down power I&#39;d need in most situations, including disabling an automobile engine if I decided that&#39;s what needed to happen. <br /><br />For a semi-auto, I&#39;d go with a 10mm. The ammo isn&#39;t nearly as universally available as 9mm or .45 or .40, but in this case, the benefits of the cartridge outweigh that consideration and make it the optimum choice for me. It&#39;s more powerful than any of those other cartridges, and more will fit in an equivalent .45 magazine. Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Feb 2 at 2018 2:18 AM 2018-02-02T02:18:35-05:00 2018-02-02T02:18:35-05:00 MSgt Private RallyPoint Member 3315425 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Probably must would say 9 mil because of availability. Others .45 acp bigger hole. Personally I like the .40 cal. I believe it does get overlooked quite often. Buffalo Bore also makes a nice 200 grain hard cast lead flat nose outdoorsman round for the .40. <br /><br />But this is all subjective to personal experience or opinion. Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2018 3:13 AM 2018-02-02T03:13:30-05:00 2018-02-02T03:13:30-05:00 CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member 3315453 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>.357 is versatile and fairly effective, you can fire .38 for target to save money and get a rifle in same caliber and be set, there are more extreme calibers in handgun and long guns but this is a decent midpoint for most applications, I shoot a Dan Wesson model 14 and it&#39;s pretty accurate, if you factor in spouse she can fire .38 rounds or maybe consider 9 mm for both Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2018 4:08 AM 2018-02-02T04:08:23-05:00 2018-02-02T04:08:23-05:00 SPC Brett Curry 3315576 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You can&#39;t beat the knock down power of a 45. The only caliber weapon made specifically for war, trench warfare at that. Response by SPC Brett Curry made Feb 2 at 2018 5:57 AM 2018-02-02T05:57:34-05:00 2018-02-02T05:57:34-05:00 SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth 3315592 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I&#39;d go with a good .44 Colt. Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 2 at 2018 6:10 AM 2018-02-02T06:10:14-05:00 2018-02-02T06:10:14-05:00 PO1 Private RallyPoint Member 3316577 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>9mm is what I am most trained on (Beretta). I would rather be effective with a 9mm with 17 rounds then a 1911 with 7 or 8, though I do like .45 ACP. Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2018 11:50 AM 2018-02-02T11:50:41-05:00 2018-02-02T11:50:41-05:00 CMSgt David Allen 3320514 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The .45 ACP has been my go to caliber the past 32-years. My favorite is the Sig Sauer P220. I like the 230 grain bullets. I use FMJ for range work, and JHP (Gold Dot) for EDC. The 9mm comes in 2nd with me, especially with the evolution of the ammo. I also occasionally carry either a Sig Sauer P225, or recently a Sig Sauer P320 Carry, both nice weapons. Response by CMSgt David Allen made Feb 3 at 2018 5:08 PM 2018-02-03T17:08:32-05:00 2018-02-03T17:08:32-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 3321019 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have carried .38 cal revolver (S&amp;W 66), .357 mag (S&amp;W 686), 9mm (H&amp;K P7M8, Sig P226, P228) and now .45 (Glock 21SF) with different agencies over the past 32 years. I have also carried .380 to .45 as an off duty or backup. The best revolver was a Colt Python, .357 mag. The most punishing on ears and accuracy was a S&amp;W Mod 29 .44 mag. <br />In the end, I prefer a compact slim 9mm with a good hollow point +p ammo. My preference is the Springfield XDS. It is very reliable and highly concealable. Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2018 9:07 PM 2018-02-03T21:07:14-05:00 2018-02-03T21:07:14-05:00 Sgt Bobby Armentrout 3326666 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Hands down the 9mm. The argument about which pistol round is best has been going on since before my grandfather was born. The FBI beat this horse to death about 20 or 25 years ago and came up with the following conclusions:<br /><br />1) All pistol rounds basically suck.<br />2) Shot placement matters more than caliber<br /><br />So when you consider the widespread availability of ammunition, the advances in terminal ballistics of the last 20-30 years (especially in this caliber), the fact that you can get more ammunition in the mag, and better accuracy with smaller shooters... I&#39;ll take my 9mm and 10 million rounds and practice, which is the really deciding factor most of the time anyway. Response by Sgt Bobby Armentrout made Feb 5 at 2018 6:24 PM 2018-02-05T18:24:13-05:00 2018-02-05T18:24:13-05:00 LTJG Richard Bruce 3409703 <div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-217854"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image"> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fif-you-could-have-only-one-handgun-what-caliber-would-you-pick%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook' target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=If+you+could+have+only+one+handgun%2C+what+caliber+would+you+pick%3F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fif-you-could-have-only-one-handgun-what-caliber-would-you-pick&amp;via=RallyPoint" target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AIf you could have only one handgun, what caliber would you pick?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-could-have-only-one-handgun-what-caliber-would-you-pick" target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a> </div> <a class="fancybox" rel="02d5e1b81f600b4e4836209fdffa88fa" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/217/854/for_gallery_v2/05c51484.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/217/854/large_v3/05c51484.jpg" alt="05c51484" /></a></div></div>Carried the standard mod1911 45cal during USCG service. Great sidearm, but I bought a Beretta M84 (Cheetah) for personal use. I liked the open slide design to prevent jams. I wanted a larger magazine (13 rounds). Liked the compact size. Quick field stripping make cleaning easier. Rounds (380) have less power, so I load hollow points. Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Mar 2 at 2018 10:26 PM 2018-03-02T22:26:58-05:00 2018-03-02T22:26:58-05:00 2018-02-01T18:04:04-05:00