I saw this thread in the rifle section and bejoyed and a lot from it. I would to get everyones ideas on the five pistols that they must have. My list includes: Ruger markll with a bull barell for general plinking. S&W 686 in .357 for home defense. Springfield XD .45 for my carry gun. Ruger super red hawk in .44mag. for deer hunting. Kimber grand raptor ll for investment and punching paper. Thanks.

This is tougher than the rifle thread. Let's see:

Ruger Mk II 5.5" slabside - Plinking & targets
AMT Automag II 6" - Just fun to shoot
Colt Magnum Carry 357 - CCW
S&W 629 6" - hunting & last chance bear protection

Someday maybe an....
XP100 in 7mm BR or maybe 7mm-08 - hunting

How's this:

Colt 1911 for target and speed practice
Glock 23 in .40S&W for the space ship landing
Ruger Bisley in .45 Colt for wrist wrenching and teeth chattering and big, big game.
S&W 629 DX in .44 for deer hunting (Maybe scoped?)
Colt SAA in memory of the greatest single action in history (arguably, of course)
Ruger SBH .44 mag 4 5/8" bbl for a trade to be named later :)

Different tastes.

1. Have to have a K-frame 6-shot .22 revovler...either 4" or 6", but I'd really like to have the 6" and have it cut to 5". Revovler becasue i will shoot CB caps..shorts...and shot shells (becasue it's legal in Louisiana to carry a .22 pistol loaded with "rat shot" during archery and BP season).

2. Must have a basic 1911-ish Colt .45. Basic becasue I don't care a hoot for all the bells and whistles, just want a reliable/accurate gun.

3. S&W mod. 57 6" .41mag. This is a deer magic wand.

4. Is a dangerous world, and a good pocket pistol is comforting...a go anywhere, small, light pistol that can be dropped in a pocket. Make it a basic S&W 442. Are heavier guns...are lighter ones...but this is the right combination for me.

That's only 4..and I could live with just those 4..but as i get five, will add one "just becasue".

5. The single finest shooting, most fun, gun I've ever had my handson was a K-32...so toss on of those in the pile just to keep me a entertained.

Colt Diamondback 38 Spec. 4 inch blued
Want this for my itsy bitsy bride
Colt Diamondback 22 RF 6 inch blued
Want this for my itsy bitsy bride
Colt Officers Model size 45 acp steel of some sort
This would be my hip pocket confidant
Colt Anaconda 4 inch 45 Colt
I've got the 6 inch, the four inch would keep it company
S&W K-32 4 or 6 inch blued
Heck I don't know why I do I just know that I do.
Just so Ribbonstone doesn't call me a copy cat, I'll take the Colt version of the double action 32. Or the S&W 32 H&R mag
How's that?
Jim

#1-Smith & Wesson Mod K-22 in a 4" barrel
This is a very good shooting handgun and I only favor it over the Ruger MKII because you can shoot so many different types of .22 cal, ammo in it

#2-Kahr Mod PM9 in 9MM and Night Sights on it for my everyday carry it in my pocket go everywhere with me gun

#3-Glock Mod 19 in 9MM with Night Sights for an all around carry gun when you want something larger than a pocket pistol

#4-Smith & Wesson Mod 57 in .41Mag with a 5" barrel if I wanted a hunting/carry gun for the times that a rifle was to bulky to have along

#5-FN Five-Seven (5/7) For a fun easy shooting handgun that could take the place of several of the others listed here if it had to

I could easily get by with only the 1st (3) handguns listed here with the FN Five-Seven as the 4th. The easiest to do without would be the .41Mag. I personally don't do a lot of big game hunting with a handgun. I know that a lot of other people do. Their choices I'm sure will be a lot different than mine for reasons like that. But for how I personally use handguns, these would work just fine for me.

Good thread topic, makes you stop and think about what seems to work well for each of us personally Thank you for starting it

1. Smith 617, 8 3/8, .22 LR
2. Ruger Old Army stainless, 7 1/2, adj. sights
3. Ruger Super Redhawk, 7 1/2, .454
4. Smith 629, 8 3/8, .44
5. Sig P230 SL, .380 (for CCW)

Thought this would be easy, till I realized it wasn't 5 per chambering. :rolleyes:

Hmmm, I am still whittling down my list of 5 .45s.... will have to get back to you :D

1 Ruger RH in 45 colt

2 Ruger BHHunter .45 colt(maybe a Bisley) with 5 shot cylinder. I always have 2 extra leftover out of a box. Don't particularly want if for extra power, just so I'll only load 5 at a time.:)

3 S&W Model 10 hb.

4. My old Browning Challenger back.. it had esp.

5 Ruger Single Six hunter...but I ain't paying $500+ for a .22 pistol.

These are five that I own and use the most.
1. Ruger MK II 5 1/2" Bull Barrel .22
2. Charter Custom SS Pathfinder 3" .22mag
3. Kel-Tec PAT .380
4. S&W Sigma 40GVE .40 S&W
5. Ruger Bisley SS 5 1/2" .45 Colt
My sixth would be my 4" .357 Colt Trooper or one of my .41's. I don't have a 1911 government model now or it would have been my first.
George

1) Colt SAA in .45 Colt with 7.5" bbl (though I already own this)

2) Colt 1911A1 (or a 1991 would suffice) in .45 Automatic. I would also use it as a platform to shoot .400 Corbon with a drop-in barrel conversion.

3) Ruger Redhawk in .44 Magnum; blued with a 5.5" barrel.

4) Beretta 92F/M9 (so I can shoot, shoot, shoot!) and to keep my pistol qual sharp.

5) ??? I guess thats really all I can think of :)

1) a cap & ball revolver (they are all fun... with a conversion cylander they're even more fun)
2) A TC Contender for hunting and targets
3) A Ruge Blk Hwkr .41 mag for misc. shooting and self defense.
4) A Ruger single six .32 mag for trapping.
5) A Ruger single six .22 for plinking.

These would just squeak me by, as long as I could have all the Contender barrels I need.

Regards,
Gene

1. Ruger Bearcat .22 LR (first model aluminam frame).
This for a general woods loafing/field use/plinking .22.

2. Colt Single Action Army, 5 1/2" .44 spcl, 2nd gen. General packing iron in the field. A 250 gr SWC, loaded to around 950+ fps, will take care of 90% of what we'd normally have a need for in the field.

3. S&W Mountain gun .44 mangleum, 4". General overal use in either the field, OR for 'social enteratining'.

4. Colt 1911 .45 ACP Government Model, 5'. Very little this iron won't do, for 'social entertaining', and very capable in the field as well.

5. Ruger Redhawk, .45 Colt, 5 1/2". For heavy loads, like when the mastodons come back and get in my garden!

Have/use all of the above... Well, ok, I've several others to accompany them, but these would be the 5 I'd select here.

H&R 9shot target .22lr
S&W Mod 19 .357
Sig p230 .380 (Good choice Pepper)
Wison Combat Commander .45acp
OA 10mm 1911
I am all set w/ these 5.

Ruger Mk-II 7½" slab-side bull bbl with 22/45 grips [ grip angle is mor comfortable than the regular Luger-style handle, and plastic frame is easier to hold in cold weather. ] ( already have it )

A 1911, ,45, basic, but with adjustable target sights ( already have it )

A Ruger RedHawk .44 mag, SS ( already have it )

S&W Model 28 6" .357 ( already have it )

A pocket .380 ( have an AMT backup )

That's what I have, but what I'd like to get is:
A 1911, .40 S&W, basic, but with adjustable target sights. Taurus has just come out with one that's reasonably priced.

.

Here are my Top 5 Choice Pistol Applications....


#1 a 22 plinker/target pistol... my choice - Browning Buckmark

#2 a 357 snubby for the top dresser drawer.... my choice - Security Six 2 3/4"

#3 a hi-cap 40cal to keep the snubby company... my choice - Glock M35 15rds

#4 a backup gun for hunting with a rifle... my choice - 357 NM Blackhawk 6.5"

#5 a primary hunting handgun... Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt
and if I get one more choice

#6 Optional.... 50BMG derringer (w/magnaport)

Here are my Top 5 Choice Pistol Applications....


#1 a 22 plinker/target pistol... my choice - Browning Buckmark

#2 a 357 snubby for the top dresser drawer.... my choice - Security Six 2 3/4"

#3 a hi-cap 40cal to keep the snubby company... my choice - Glock M35 15rds

#4 a backup gun for hunting with a rifle... my choice - 357 NM Blackhawk 6.5"

#5 a primary hunting handgun... My choice 44mag SBH or a T/C in 44mag (currently deciding between the two for my next purchase)

and if I get one more choice

#6 Optional.... 50BMG derringer (w/magnaport)


Option 6 sounds like a good back up for when the Zombies atack. It better come with a helmet and a realy good face screen :)

#1 K22 Combatmaster Peace 4"

#2 1911 45acp

#3 Glock 32c 357sig (bring on the space ships)

#4 Super Blackhawk 44 mag

#5 stubby 5 shot 38 sp

I'm not much of a pistolero but these are the ones that have stayed in my battery. I have shot more small game with the K22 than any of my long guns. It'll put meat in the pot.

1. My Browning Buckmark Standard .22LR
2. My Ruger GP100 6' .357 magnum
3. MY Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8" .45 Colt

4. & 5. Hmmm...
I think one would be a Taurus Titanium 2 1/4" in .45 Colt and the other, it's a toss up between my Taurus PT945 .45acp or a plain jane 1911.

Great Question! Since I will never be able to own the 50 handguns I NEED, I have been very picky with what I have bought.

1. Ruger SBHH in .45Colt. Great hunting handgun; she's scoped and scary accurate.
2. Ruger Vaquero Stainless 5.5" .45Colt. This is a great carry/close-in hunting piece.
3. Ruger Single-six Stainless 5.5" in 22lr/wmr. Great practice/small game pistol.
4. BFR .475Linebaugh cut down to 5.5". Nice to know you are carrying something that can easily kill anything that walks the planet.
5. Walther P99 in 9mm. Light, accurate and reliable. A great gun to carry in the woods when your son might look like a snack for a dog, coyote, or cougar.

If one doesn't reload, substitute the .45Colts with .44Mags.

Jim

springfield xd45 tactical
springfield xd45 subcompact
a h&k in 45 anyone
like said above some sort of 1911 / kimber
fn five seven

Well, let's see: BH 45 colt, BH 357.mag., BH 41 mag., SP 101(357 mag., ), and of course a GP 100 357 mag with a 6" barrel! :) OOPS, sorry, I think I might be a little biased! ;) :D
tommy

1. Ruger Single Six .22 LR

2. Ruger SP-101 .357

3. Glock 29 10mm

4. S&X XVR .460 S&W

5. Remington XP-100 .221 Fireball

Just 5 ,ok here's my 5.

1. Ruger Bisley Hunter 45 Colt

2. Ruger Bisley S/S 5.5in. 45 Colt

3. Kimber Target Eclipse II 45 ACP

4. Encore S/S 15 in. 7MM-08

5. Alaskan Express 455 GNR (on order)

This was a hard choice there's some many good one's. But I already own these so I'm a little bias.

Hoeram :D

1.1911 because I wouldn't know what to do without one.
2.Beretta 92 because I love mine and my wife carries one at work (State Probation Officer) and she can handle it just fine.
3.S&W Mod 19 because it feels like shaking hands with an old friend when I pick it up.
4.Ruger 45/22 because it's laid out like most centerfire autos.
5.A good single action .45 with a 5 inch barrel because I've still got some cowboy in me.
I guess I could get by with less but it wouldn't be much fun.

S&W 500- i like big guns.

1911 preferably a springfield- it's a great gun..for shooting, carrying, hunting, etc...and you can get a .22 slide for it for plinking.

S&W 686- i can hit stuff up close and far off.

taurus raging bull .454- i like recoil and this is one violent gun.

xd-9- fun and cheap to shoot. very accurate.

1.) S&W Mod 65-2 ,3" barrel, rb
2.) Ruger Bisley 44mag SS 5-1/2" accusport limited
3.) Ruger Redhawk 5-1/2 " - 45colt
4.) S&W mod 625 5"-45acp
5.) Ruger MKll Government Target 22

1) Glock 17 to quailfy for my CCW

2)Colt Anaconda .44 mag 8" barrel for hunting

3) Rugar Redhawk for using garrett type loads when hunting.

4) Ruger single six .22lr/.22mag for plinking.

5) S&W 622 Semi auto .22 lr for plinking.

6) Ruger old style vaquero for hunting and possible SASS use.

That six I know but those are all the handguns I need.

I'll choose the five that I have,

Ruger SBH 44 mag with 10 1/2 inch barrel and scope, hunting
Ruger 22/45 with 5 1/2 inch barrel, sometimes with scope, practice and plicking
Taurus 24/7 in 9mm with high capacity clip and super bright light, home protection
Taurus snub nose 38, pickup pistol and CCW
Kel Tec 380, CCW

Lately I have been thinking about upgrading the Taurus snub nose 38 to a stainless Ruger GP100 with 4 inch barrel or a stainless Taurus 357, 4 inch barrel and fixed sights.

Mine are:
1)Ruger 4" 22/45 MKII
2)Ruger SP101 3" 357
3)Ruger SBH 4 5/8" 44 Mag
4)Springfield XD45 45 ACP
5)TC G2 Contender Super 14" 44 Mag

1. Ruger P97 .45 ACP home defence
2. Smith and Wesson 22a .22 plinker
3. Smith and Wesson 686 .357 Mag, 8 3/8" Barrel
4. Kimber Target stainless in 10mm
5. Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull

1. 7 1/2 inch Stainless Super Red Hawk 44 mag ( short distance food gettin)

2. Magnum Reserch Lone Eagle in 30-06 (long distance food gettin)

3. 6 inch Stainless Ruger GP 100 ( target and smaller food gettin)

4. Stainless 6 7/8th Ruger MKIII ( small food gettin and target shooting)

5. Stainless ruger 345 (personal defence)

I have all of the above plus a few more but these would meet my needs.

Let's make it complicated -- Five handguns for a variety of applications:

"Big" -- Smith 629, 4" bbl. 44 mag. There are bigger, but unless you're hunting Kodiak bear with a handgun, this will do.

"1911" -- Les Baer or Wilson I think. Kimber is over-hyped. I have a couple Springfields. Mil-Spec, and Ultra Compact "Loaded."

"Tactical"-- I think the Springfield XD, 5" bbl. 45 ACP. 13 rd. capacity, 2006 Gun of the Year.

Compact -- Kahr MK9 or Smith Mod. 60 snubby. *LMAO* I have both . . . and more than five handguns.

Small/Pocket -- NAA Guardian 32 ACP. Kel-Tek is nice if you can get past feeling like it's a squirt gun.

And so that leaves out my military stuff, Makarov, CZ 52, the Smith in 38 Spl, Ruger Security Six, Ruger New SBH, and a couple others. I suppose the Uzi Mod. 45 Micro Pistol is a "pistol" . . .

I don't own the Springfield XD . . . yet. *S*

Ruger Bisley SS 5 1/2" 44 mag
Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter 44 mag
Smith and Wesson 29, 4" bbl. 44 mag
Smith and Wesson 686, 6” bbl. .357 Mag
Ruger MK6, 22 6” bbl.

My choice would be...

CZ P01 9mm- great little pistol, small enough to conceal.

Glock 23- gotta have one of those reliable ones.

Browning HiPower- great in the hand.

Colt Anaconda- not exactly a bear killer but I like this revolver.

HK USP 9mm- gotta have one of those bling guns.

1911 45ACP (maybe Para Ord, Colt, Springfield, Wilson's)
S&W .356 TSW ((9x21.5)
S&W 586 L Comp .357
S&W 629 6" .44 mag (no dash, no keys!)
Ruger slab side Gov. Target 7 1/2" .22 w/red dot

OR

Browning 5.5 Target .22
SSA's (all 4 5/8 barrels except the .44 in 5 1/2")
Ruger Vaquero 44.40, .45 Colt, .44 mag
Armi San Marco .32-20

I was raised on K-22, 38-44 Heavy Duty and Model 27, all 6"
Got to have a K-22 6" sweeeeeeet.
Model 27 6", it shoots like a rifle.
Commander 45 for carry
Government 45 for same and home.
and some kind of 44 mag for everything you want to destroy.
Model 29, Vaquero or Super BKK

I don't own these but I think my list would go as follows:
1 Smith & Wesson Model 10 or Model 15, stainless okay too, so is M66/M19. A k-frame. Home defense and general shooting.
2 Ruger Single Six I have a '64 vintage Colt Frontier Scout but he Ruger is more durable and has the transfer bar
3 Either a Smith & Wesson Model 637 or a Model 12- the M12 seems like a nice compromise between a k and j for carry-six-shots but similar to the model 36-they should reintroduce a + P rated one
4 Glock 19-carry, HD, a lot of other uses
5 Ruger Vaquero .357, blued- CAS, hunting

Interesting choices but...

#1 Nice 22, revolver or auto, mine is a bull barreled MKII
#2 .357 revolver Smith, Ruger or Colt 6"
#3 Service Caliber auto; 1911, CZ75, or High Power
#4 6 inch or longer .44 Magnum
#5 this one is optional

That said, I don't have a 6 inch 357 anymore, I have a 4 5/8 Blackhawk and a 4 in Security Six, maybe I will swap both for a 6 inch GP100 or 586. Plastic pistols have no soul.

Andy

Interesting tally so far.......

Here are the votes. Not perfect since not everyone specified a specific brand or listed multiples for a particular usage. But this gives a ball park figure of the favorites.


Rugers 65

S&W 39

Colt 21 this includes 1911's with no brand specified

Glock 8

Springfield 7

Taurus 5

Kimber 4

All other brands were 3 votes or less.

I want to bend the rules...just a little... to just guns that I want.

I want Ruger to chamber their auto pistol in .22 mag cause I want one.
I also want Ruger to bring back the .357 max, maybe Blackhawk and SuperRedhawk.
Ruger, again, needs to do the SP101 in .22lr and/or .22 mag.
How about a TC Encore in .357 Herrett and maybe a .30 Herrett barrel also.
And just to make five...haven't owned a .45 auto in a while...maybe a Ruger P90.

My picks are as follows:

1) Colt Diamond Back 38spl

2) Colt Python 357 Magnum

3) Smith & Wesson model 29, caliber 44 mag

4) Colt 45 acp model 70 Series

5) KIMBER 45 acp

Here are 3 of the 5 for me so far....

1. Springfield Armory model-1911A1 .45 cal Parkerized finish (5" barrel)
2. Taurus Model-66 .357 cal stainless steel (4" barrel 7 round)
3. Colt Defender Model-90 .45 cal Stainless Steel (3" barrel)

Five essentials?

.22 handgun, either revolver or auto. I like the S&W 617 and 41 as revolver and autos, with the Ruger MK II/III a close second.

.357 mag double action revolver. I like the S&W 627PC, but the 686 is very good as well as the Ruger GP100.

.45 ACP handgun. 1911 is the clear front runner, with S&W 625 revo close behind.

9mm auto. Everyone should have a toy gun. Mine are a CZ-75 and SIG 226.

.44 Mag revo. Single action, double action. It doesn’t matter. Your choice. I like Ruger 5 ½” Super Blackhawk and Redhawk.

This is a basic list. Could I live within this list? Not a chance! But it is a start.

My picks I have as follows:
1) Ruger 22/45 for plinking and practice
2) Ruger Vaquero in 45 Colt for a sidearm whn hunting
3) Ruger SRHin 454 for serious handgun hunting
4) Taurus Milennium Pro in 40 S&W for CCW
5) XD Service in 40 S&W for the house gun

I have a Ruger P90 that I carry in my truck at all times. Les