What is your favorite sidearm and why?

The one in the picture is fine. I carried one as a police officer for years, 2" or 4". I don't care for automatics

I own and carry a Springfield XD40. However, while working as a Corrections Officer (prior to the Army) we all had to qualify with the S&W M&P .40. Even though it was the first pistol I had ever fired, I qualified first time, and actually shot more accurately at night, wearing Nomex flyer's gloves, with it.

I like my XD40 but the iron sights on it are not accurate; I can aim at the right side of the silhouette target, and it will put the rounds in the left side of the silhouette. Obviously I have to get the rear sight adjusted. But at least I can still put all the rounds into the torso of the target at 7 yards with it.

Your favorite the S&W, Model 19, 357 Magnum is a fine weapon and Your right about the stopping power. They are easy to use and maintain, pretty simple but very effective. In a S&W Model 15, Combat Masterpiece, a .38 caliber revolver very much like the Model 15 except it will on chamber a .38 round and not have the choice of a 38 or 357 round. The 357 round is a little longer and won't fit in thee cylinders of the Model 15. As to capacity In My earlier day on hte police Department We carried speed loaders that You could load 6 rounds all at once. Our normal was 6 rounds in the weapon and 12 rounds in two speed loaders. Both were very accurate and had adjustable sights.

I have a couple. I bought an old beater Springfield (made by Walther) P99 9mm I carry. Not too big, accurate and fits nice and natural in my hand. I think I paid $150 for it. The guy that had it never shot it and stored it in a sock. Was pretty ugly but I never won a beauty pageant so it works out. My second is a Bul M5 .45. Polymer frame, double stack, made in Israel. Bought it in Germany back in 98 and brought her her back. Kind of neat because she has no import marks on it.

Maybe I'm just a boring guy, but I'm going to go with Glock 17 or 19. Boringly reliable, no frills, ridiculously easy user maintenance, tons of aftermarket accessories...how could you go wrong?

There's "good" points to be made, and "bad" about any firearm...sidearms come down to three aspects in my opinion (provided you have the choice):

1. Price-If you can't afford a customized Kimber (I can't), then the fact that it combines the .45 ACP with light weight and compact carry doesn't mean much to you. A $150 pimp pistol will put ordnance in the direction of the threat too.

2. Accuracy-Really, this is about what you've trained with, or what you shoot best with. I (incorrectly) used to think I shot "better" with my Dan Wesson .357, until I realized (many, many shots later) that it was because I was resetting the hammer each time, reducing the trigger resistance. Firing two rounds in succession, I was pulling the shot too much. With a semi-auto, like the Glock, I was getting better pattern at the same range.

3. Carry-The M9, the "big" Glock and almost any "wheel gun" are large and "print" easy-My current platform is the Smith & Wesson M&P sub-compact 9mm...It will hide well in just about any clothing and is easy to draw. I also like the frame safety-I "get it" with the Glock, but I'm no an "Operator", so avoiding NDs is pretty important to me.

All told, the M&P fits the bill; it's comparable in price to cheaper "Glock Clones", but is reliable, stable, and at less than 25 yards, almost feels like pointing. Only seven rounds, but a good "carry" weapons isn't always a good "field" platform, and vice versa.

Oooohhhh, favorite. It should really be what's your favorite at the moment for what use. So for just plain everyday carry, the Springfield xDS in 45 because I grew up on 45s. If I want a bit smaller and lighter, the Sig P938 Equinox. For being out there with the big critters, my Smith 5" 460 is a real comfort.

Sig P226/8 with S&W "M" Frame .357 for back-up

My very favorite is the US Pistol, Caliber .45, Model of 1911 but due to an injured shoulder I sometimes have trouble racking the slide these days. My EDC is a Charter Arms .44 Special. I am looking for an old S&W Triple Lock .44 Special. I am quite taken with the .44 Special cartridge.

Leather by 'Simply Rugged', ammo by Hornaday, grips by Altamont, blade by Gerber.

I would have to say my Sig P320, for those of you who don't know it is a relatively new model Sig 9mm. Mine is what I think they call the "carry size, not full size not subcompact. I like it because it is relatively thin for easy concealment yet still holds a lot of rounds and fits my hand really well. It shoots well also although my "baby eagle" is the most accurate pistol I have owned and now my wife claims it as hers LOL.