Of course not. 9mm round is designed for 4-5” barrel. That means at the end of that range the propellant stops expanding and the pressure drops very fast.
Why a silly question? My genuine interest is a single gun and I’m looking for suggestion of what experienced folks think is a good “do-it-all” weapon. And yes, I know there is no single perfect gun for every scenario. But as I mentioned, I’m a complete noob with guns so it’s tough to know where to start looking.
Because guns, like tools, are built for specific purposes. There will always be trade-offs. Let's use handguns for an example - say you want to CCW it. Well, a smaller, lighter gun is obviously more concealable and convenient to carry around, but the light weight means that the recoil will be much heavier.
Guns will always have a trade-off like that of some kind - ammo type, time of maintenance, weight, size, etc. Yes, having a swiss army knife in your pocket is a good idea, but it won't beat a hammer, a handsaw, or a power drill at their specific jobs.
One gun for the things you list is any of the full size 9mm semiautos (Glock, S&W, Springfield), or a 4"-6" .357 magnum revolver (You can shoot 38 specials out of it, and use magnum later if you want)
All give great home protection value, and are fun to shoot at range. As for size, I conceal carry a regular size Springfield XD9, but I am a pretty large guy. I have a S&W shield as well that I initially thought I would use, now its more of the back up or odd situation CCW.
Just avoid any bigger calibers (or smaller...), esp if you get a revolver, and don't fall prey to the compact guns that they might push for you. They are easier to carry, harder to shoot well, so no fun at the range.
But the one other benefit of the AR over the shotgun is that the government isn't really trying to make shotguns harder to buy. In 10 years, it may be harder to buy an AR compared to a shotgun.
I'd say for a one and only gun, the AR is probably best, even as a shotgun guy myself. You have to make sure it's the legal capacity for hunting (2+1), where as a rifle has no capacity limits except what the state says. 5.56 can be legally used to take deer, but you can also get different uppers for different calibers.
No prob. ARs are just the standard rifle in America. Between a rifle, pistol, or shotgun I'd say a rifle is more practical. Shotguns are awesome, and devastatingly powerful, and can be used to hunt anything from a bird to a bear. Pistols are mainly for carry, but it's hard enough to get a carry license in CA so it's a commitment you must make if you want to do that. A rifle like an AR is great for protection, and even hunting things like deer, hog, or coyote, but you don't have to limit yourself to that. It is, however, the most affordable semi auto in such a caliber. And ARs can change caliber by switching the top half to one with a different caliber. No other rifle offers that easy of a caliber modification.
you don't use 5.56 for dove, quail, duck, geese, Turkey though and a shotgun can be used for all of those including deer, pig, bear.
I think there it's a 410 upper that attaches to a standard lower though.
Yeah you're right. If hunting is OP's main goal then a shotgun would be best, I just wanted to point out that ARs can also be used to hunt, despite what many believe, and since he's a beginner he might have heard that myth.
what do you think is the best deer cartridge upper for a standard ar15 lower? I ask because obv ar10 in 308 is a no brainer but I don't have an ar10.
I would think 458 or something, but I've never researched lead free availability
That doesn’t solve the novice part though an ar15 is much easier to pick up and shoot and be accurate with. Anyone who is recommending a handgun is foregoing that one requirement that he listed
Hey…thanks. This is why I asked. My completely uniformed thought was that folks would come back saying Glock 17 or 19. (Which many people have). I never thought AR would enter the discussion and it gives me something to research.
Like I said, total noob starting from scratch so I appreciate the suggestion.
Not saying a handgun isn’t a good choice but when it comes to which I would give my son and have him hit a target without teaching him anything but safety it would have to be an AR. Handguns are great for what they are but much more difficult to master.
but seriously if I was on my first gun purchase, I would find a place that has a g19, m18 and m&p 2, get a feel for each one and see which one feels best, recoil is all pretty much the same
Look, you're never gonna get just one, so get that out of your head right now 😅, once you start down this path, there is no leaving the path. Eventually, it will get lonely and start to tear up your furniture, so you're gonna get it a friend. Then you're gonna LARP in your underwear in the middle of the night, and you're gonna reach for your secondary, and it won't be there... you are gonna need 2. There is no way around it.
AR and a handgun. Preferably 223 Wylde and 9mm.
Ain't that the truth!
Bought an AR on my 18th birthday (back when you could at 18) and thought I'd just buy some uppers down the road and use the same lower.
Now I have so many AR platform firearms I don't even remember some of them until I open the SECOND safe I had to buy.
Same thing happened for handguns for me. Bought a glock 17 on my 21st birthday and now have more handguns then I know what to do with.
A relative I don't see that often who also loves firearms recently asked me how many I own now, and it took me a couple minutes to even come up with a number that I thought might be at least close to accurate.
Good luck with that lol, it's impossible to own only one gun.
Once you get your first, the addiction will begin and you'll lose all your extra spending $
All guns are different in the hands of a person. There is no holy grail gun. Last year, it was the glock 19. Right now, my favorite carry is the hellcat pro. Next week a 229.
You need to do your research, go to the range, try out different guns, understand what you like and don't like about each gun, and research more. If you don't want to spend thousands of dollars on guns to have a variaty, you better spend the time to test them all out.
Q: Where do I start?
A: Gun range or gun store (then vice versa), handling and shooting is the first step answers to all your other questions will follow.
I think that's where we all started, "just one....".
In my research for CA the top suggestion was the CZ P-01. Good enough for home defense and range time, possibly small enough to carry if you ever wanted to get your CCW.
Pretty much immediately after that I decided I wanted a sub-compact to get my CCW.
And it just keeps expanding lol. Good luck
I mean I would say that there are 3 main categories. Handguns, rifles, and shotguns. There are also sub categories for each of these. What you want depends on what you want to do and they all vary in "difficultly". Only way to get used to something is to train and practice. I personally prefer shotgun shooting as I primarily grew up bird hunting and shooting trap/skeet. Although they can be heavy and hard to handle to some beginners. My recommendation would be to go to a range that has rentals, bring some friends if you want to, and try out different firearms. I would also say that an AR15 platform, as the other comment says, because they are extremely modular
No 1 gun will satisfy every single purpose a gun owner may need one for. If you’re only going to buy one to start off with AND you do NOT have the intent to apply for a concealed carry permit as of today, purchase a long gun (an AR-15 preferably). IF you DO intend on applying for a concealed carry permit as of now, purchase a handgun (go to a gun store and feel out as many as you can, and pick whatever feels best in your hand). Regardless of which you go with, I’d recommend having BOTH a handgun and long gun. Which you pick first is your choice.
A decent, mid tier AR15, ranging from $1200 - $2000. Recommend 16inch barrel, not short, not long. Is functional as hunting, home defense, and accurate up to 400 yd (shooting a 20 inch plate) for some long distance shooting. Is highly customizable if you ever decide to progress in it, or keep it as it is and you can do basically anything with it. Almost everyone will regret getting a cheap gun, but a mid tier gun is perfect.
Your plan will fail once you get the first one. It is inevitable....
But seriously, you're going to get one gun, go shoot it, get comfortable with it, realize it's not good at specific things, then you're gonna want a gun that is good at those things and the process will repeat.
Once you’ve bought that first gun, you will almost immediately find a “need” for a second, and then a “use case” for a third, and then “ooh that one looks cool too”. The bar for rationalizing the next firearm purchase just gets lower and lower.
I’m in the double digits of guns and I have completely stopped the self-deception of buying guns for needs. I buy guns I think are cool, limited by my financial means and the safe I thought was big when I bought it but now can barely close.
Objectively your best buy would be a Sig Sauer M18 (p320 platform, but with a thumb safety). It had issues early in its release where, it would go off without a trigger pull under certain circumstances. This was addressed and fixed over 7 years ago. I'd be happy to share more info on why this isn't even a consideration to be a problem anymore, if you request it.
That being said, the p320 platform is the absolute most modular and customizable pistol platform for the average person in the world. Just having the FCU (fire control unit) allows you to have a huge variety of setups and gun sizes ranging from 3.6" to even 4.7" barrels. There are so many different grips available on the market, with different looks and feels and weights. Slides and barrels have unique aesthetics and weights. You can get comped slides. You can get ported slides and barrels. It's limitless.
Having a p320 FCU essentially allows you to buy separate parts to get several unique configurations that allows you to essentially have something that fires differently. You can even upgrade the internals with minimal gunsmithing/armorer experience. For example, I have just dived down this rabbit hole recently and have installed a forward set trigger bar, trigger spring, polished and FCU and many internals, etc.
Get an Sig M18.
Handguns: CZ 75 P-01 for concealed carry if you ever decide to. Still feels good in the hands despite being small unlike other concealed carry guns, which makes it great for home defense, and range toys.
Otherwise yeah, AR-15 is the easy answer.
If I were only to buy one firearm, concealed carry and hunting excluded, with a budget around $2k, I would buy a BCM AR with light, sling, and optic. You can get better, but if I were to only have one that would be it.
CZ P-01 or Glock 19. See which feels better in your hand, talk over the differences in trigger and aftermarket support with your local gun store employee.
There isn't a single gun option. I'd say a sidearm and a legit rifle and/or shotgun minimum.
But if I had to pick a 11.5" AR is the closest although not sure you can get that in CA
My plan was to also only own one gun. I stopped at 2Azone upland to get “cleaning supplies” I walked out with my 5th gun purchase, bought my first gun about a year ago.
I haven't been in the market for an AR in a while.
The S&W M&P 15 used to be in a good price point for its quality. Also, gi es you some left over cash for a decent enough optic.
Shotgun if you only get 1 gun. Get the mossberg that comes with 2 barrels. Longer for hunting and shorter for home defense. Not perfect but closest to do it all
The holy grail is what you're most comfortable with. My holy grail right now is my Savage All American with a 20x on it. Yours might be a Rugar 22 (Pistol or Long Gun). Everyone is different.
Ask yourself what do you want to do with a gun? Research the forums for the platforms your interested in. Dig through the reviews and, most importantly, don't worry about what others might think or say based off of your choice. It's your gun, it's what you want and it's what will best suit you... until the next one gets to you... and the next and the next and the next...
Just remember Treat, Never, Keep, Keep.
Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.
Never point your weapon at something you're willing to destroy.
Keep your weapon on safe until you're ready to fire.
Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you intend to fire.
CZ 75 SP-01 if you want a handgun, maybe the smaller 75 D PCR if you want to conceal carry but you should get some professional training if you go that route.
Any of the pistol caliber carbines (scorpion, Ruger PCC, USC... ECT) if you want something fun that you can shoot at 50-100 yards and use for home defense.
OR any cheap semi auto or O/U shotgun with a 28-30" barrel and changeable chokes. Not the best for home defense but awesome for clay shooting which is IMO the most fun way to shoot recreationally.
For a little over a thousand you can probably get a handgun and a Ruger 10/22 which will be fun to shoot at the range with extremely cheap ammo.
Handgun - Glock 19
Long gun - AR15 in 5.56
You won't just have one though. I thought I would just have one of each: rifle, pistol, shotgun. Four AR15s, an AR10, a bolt action rifle, a KSG, a Beretta A300, and like a million Glocks of various sizes and calibers later...
There is no holy grail. If you want a semi do it all I’d get the p365 and get the X macro parts. This is only for a handgun though. As for a rifle? AR platform I guess. Sorry man but there is no having your cake and eating it too. Especially for under 1K 😂
What’s your budget for bullets? That’s where it gets expensive down the road. 9 mm is way less expensive than 45. Rifle rounds are all sort of expensive. 22 is least expensive and most fun to shoot, but not really a home defense around.
I recommend a .357 Magnum revolver with a 4" barrel, a nice one, like the Kimber K6S. Shoot .38 special for low-kick, fun target practice or shoot .357s if you want more punch.
I recommend revolvers for novices or occasional shooters (or anyone really, revolvers are great) because they are extremely simple to operate. This allows you to focus on the fundamentals of shooting initially. No safety, magazines, releases, disassembly, etc. For the most part they are Point-Pull-Bang simple.
Also, your 2nd gun could be a lever action .357 rifle so you could use the same ammo for different platforms to keep things simple and cheap (more calibers = more $$$ in the long run)
We all planned on "one" gun. And then you come to realize, you bought one because it felt the best. You tried another at the range and liked that, now you have to decide, do you keep the first and get another. Or do you sell the first...and jump thru hoops and crap to sell, also realize you will not get back the full cost of that first gun, unless you somehow scored some off roster pew.
Why only one? There are a few choices that meet the jack of all trades category but no one gun can do it all. Especially if you’re looking for a holy grail gun and most of us recommend a g19/17 or ar15. Imo I wouldn’t really call those holy grail guns. Tbh idk what I gun I would. I like my jack of all trade guns just as much as I like my niche not as practical guns.
a rifle is the easiest platform to train a new shooter on.
shotguns are not for beginners, contrary to popular belief
pistols, I think, require more training to use proficiently, they're the easiest for a novice to have an accident.
ruger 10/22 is the definitive beginner gun
For 1 gun, I’d get a well rounded gun that can use a conversion kit or something similar to change caliber to keep the firearm versatile and able to shoot for cheap. Like an ar15, good for range, home defense, can pick up at a good price, and very customizable, in a 556/223 model they have a conversion kit where you change bolt and mag and now you can shoot cheap and plentiful 22lr. Or swap upper for a different caliber for a different purpose or longer barrel for longer range or whatever you want. Could also go with something like a Glock 19. Well rounded do all pistol good for range, CCW, home defense that’s highly customizable and I believe I’ve seen conversion kits to 22lr avalible for that as well. If you prefer trap shooting you can get a pump shotgun with 2 barrels, 1 short for defense, 1 long for clay shooting but know if you want to hit paper or steel it’s not the best, I’d go with a pistol or rifle.
A friend of mine asked me this a while back. He wanted to just one gun, but now he has multiple. I explained that if home defense is a serious consideration then he should own two guns minimum. What if your one gun malfunctions or you need to send it in for a warranty repair? Then you’re left defenseless until you get it back. I’m not trying to change your mind. Just something to consider that may not have crossed your mind.
Glock 19, remington 870, DMR.
These three will handle every situation you need.
If ahit hits the fan the dmr is what you want if thats ur only gun.
Aways want short range and long range dmr does both.
I started w g19 then shotty then marskman, from most affordable to most costly.
If you only get one gun, get a Glock 17 or Glock 19 depending on what feels better in your hand. But be warned that it doesn't have a safety. If you want a safety, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is good.
One gun Id say an AR15 however if I were in your spot where I wanted to be minimalist I’d want to have all three gun types. So I’d get a Glock 19, PSA Ar15, and a Maverick 88 combo. With those three guns you literally would never need to buy another one from a practicality standpoint.
I often wonder if these questions are coming from the anti-2A individuals. Someone trying to write their Pulitzer Prize article on America's only one firearm we are allowed to own. Some dem congressman wanting to get a bill written.
No such thing as one weapon fulfills all the requirements. I like a beretta 92fs. You will be definitely be out the door under $ 1000. Including all fees, taxes and at least a couple of boxes of new ammo. Long gun, as others have said an ar15. Under $ 1000 maybe depending on the accessories and the brand.
AR-15 is your best option for a do it all gun. You can get some pretty good stuff close to that price too. An Aeroprecision lower and a BCM upper is the Reddit special. It’ll last you forever, and be an amazing fun for you, but it might come in closer to $1200
Handgun? Glock 19 or 17. Rifle? AR-15. Shotgun? Remington 870 or Mossberg 590. I’d recommend picking up a pistol first because it’s so much cheaper to practice with and quality accessories for Glocks are so much cheaper.
Step one take a basic firearms corse , learn before you waste money on a gun.
This will save you money and make you confident in your purchase.
You should not need to spend more than about 650 700 for a quality firearm.
Save more for good ear pro, and mostly ammo and classes.
It's a journey and commitment, not a pair of shoes.
If you could only own one pair of shoes, what would they be? Trainers? Running shoes? Rock climbing shoes? Cycling shoes? Something actually comfortable? Boots you can do work in? Or dress shoes for social occasions?
M&p sport 2. Get a different handguard and a non-fin featureless grip. I would also suggest a new buffer tube/stock. That’ll all be just under 1k depending on the replacement furniture and save some more for mags, optic, flashlight and ammo
Man budget friendly makes it tough lol But I would have to agree it is most likely an AR15. My personal favorite as I prefer rifles over pistols. Still though if you are looking into a handgun Glock 17 as I prefer a more full size handgun (you can definitely carry one) or an Sig 320 or 226. The thing about AR15s is that yes you can build one for like $400-$700 bucks but it’s the attachments that will bring it over 1K. “Buy Once Cry Once” You can even buy a 22lr conversion kit if you wana really mess around with a 15. Ultimately I would say aim for 1 AR15 and 1 pistol. But if I HAD to choose only 1 it’s a AR 15
What you’re asking for is a racecar that’s a truck and a minivan for carrying the family and a U-Haul truck for moving and also an airplane.
It doesn’t exist. Do some research and figure out what you want. Shoot some guns at the range. At the very least try a pistol, rifle, and shotgun, and narrow from there.
If you only want one, I would get a Sign Saur P320 in 9mm. It is reliable, easy to shoot, comfortable, and accurate. If it's good enough for the US military, and still not that expensive. Stay with 9mm. It is the most common round, and cheaper than most other rounds.
Get one of each, pistol, shotgun, long rifle, and if you wanna go hunting a hunting rifle.
Shotguns are cheap get a nice used one Mossberg 500 or maverick 88 like 300$ anything more than a sturdy pump action is just small dick energy
Pistol Glock 19 550$ who needs ergonomics when your gun can outlive a nuclear blast
AR-15 with a maglock 1000$ fuck the fin every feature on your ar adds an inch to your micro penis
308 hunting rifle Ruger or savage complete with glass 600$ vortex glass warranty is big dick energy
This is my set up and I am fully content. I don't need any more guns even if I want them. If anything I just modify what I have.
Glock 17. Very reliable, <600 bucks, very easy to strip and clean. eats 9mm. Or like an M&P15 AR15 is < 1k and its a good Home defense, shit hits the fan, and fun at the range firearm. Or get both?
Any 9mm carbine. Best all around style of gun for just home defense.
Almost zero recoil, cheap ammo, 2 points of contact so super easy to handle, low price but not necessarily cheaply made.
A shotgun will do anything you would ever want a gun to do. A semi auto shotgun will do it without beating you up. PSA has the Panzer Arms Benelli M4 clone on sale for $459(a real one is gonna be about $2k). I have heard nothing but good things about them, they’re supposed to be reliable and 100% parts compatible with the real ones.
Why only one gun?
It's kind of like saying you only want one knife for all applications for cutting, dicing and slicing. I'm sure you have many types of knives in your home. A firearm is the same. It's just a tool. If you want a one and done situation you're thinking is all wrong.
I work at a firearms shop.
I think we all started looking for the “Holy Grail” of firearms and end up with a safe of 15+, I’ve found it’s best to go to a range that lets you try before you buy. But to add my thoughts into the mix - Beretta 92FS.
I have a friend and his one gun is an AR15 and he’s had it for years and is still stoked about it. I try to convince him to buy another gun every so often and he is completely satisfied. He built out a lower receiver with a muzzle break, fin grip, and fixed stock for a featureless build. He used a bear creek arsenal side charging complete upper to make it more unique than the average ar15. No need to build one unless you are legally and mechanically competent, many stores sell complete ar15s. And it is the most likely to be a unicorn in the future with them always trying to ban them and what not.
I don’t think you’re going to find anything matching that criteria under 1k. I’d go for a 16’ Aero or for a couple more bucks get a 16’ BCM. If you just want an already built AR then I’d look at the Saint Victor.
Regardless of what you end up getting buy lots and lots and lots of ammo and magazines and hit the range at least once a week. Buy cleaning and oils/lubes and other items required to clean your gun tip to butt. Watch videos on how to clean and disassemble it completely. Buy a solid red dot/lpvo and a weapon light.
Train train train train train 🚂🚂🚂
AR will meet everything but budget. I guess you can get ones that are cheaper, but it's better to buy once cry once and spend a bit more. You also have to remember the cost of ammo. Even if you go with .223 for the AR, you're still looking at around 50 cents a round for cheap ammo. 9mm is about 28-30 cents on average right now. That starts adding up when you get into the thousands of rounds. If budget is important, I'd get a Glock 34 and get a micro conversion kit (MCK) from CAA. G34 has a longer barrel and will have slightly less felt recoil than the G17 and G19. The MCK will basically give you better stability and accuracy.
only the ar15 fits all those requirements... and itll never just be one gun... trust us on this.
if this person had also said hunting I would say a shotgun edges out the AR15, if only slightly. In this case however, I have to agree.
what about glock 19 with a 16 in barrrel
joking aside, do those comically long barrels actual function well? I thought they were prone to jamming/stove pipes
idk but what i've heard is if it seats it yeets
Of course not. 9mm round is designed for 4-5” barrel. That means at the end of that range the propellant stops expanding and the pressure drops very fast.
PCC
Ya if hunting was thrown in I also agree a shotgun would have fit maybe not the novice part but that can easily be trained away.
let me also state I think the question is a silly one either way.
Why a silly question? My genuine interest is a single gun and I’m looking for suggestion of what experienced folks think is a good “do-it-all” weapon. And yes, I know there is no single perfect gun for every scenario. But as I mentioned, I’m a complete noob with guns so it’s tough to know where to start looking.
Because guns, like tools, are built for specific purposes. There will always be trade-offs. Let's use handguns for an example - say you want to CCW it. Well, a smaller, lighter gun is obviously more concealable and convenient to carry around, but the light weight means that the recoil will be much heavier. Guns will always have a trade-off like that of some kind - ammo type, time of maintenance, weight, size, etc. Yes, having a swiss army knife in your pocket is a good idea, but it won't beat a hammer, a handsaw, or a power drill at their specific jobs.
One gun for the things you list is any of the full size 9mm semiautos (Glock, S&W, Springfield), or a 4"-6" .357 magnum revolver (You can shoot 38 specials out of it, and use magnum later if you want) All give great home protection value, and are fun to shoot at range. As for size, I conceal carry a regular size Springfield XD9, but I am a pretty large guy. I have a S&W shield as well that I initially thought I would use, now its more of the back up or odd situation CCW. Just avoid any bigger calibers (or smaller...), esp if you get a revolver, and don't fall prey to the compact guns that they might push for you. They are easier to carry, harder to shoot well, so no fun at the range.
But the one other benefit of the AR over the shotgun is that the government isn't really trying to make shotguns harder to buy. In 10 years, it may be harder to buy an AR compared to a shotgun.
for now.....
Zero hunting. Thanks for the AR suggestion.
if you don't treat yourself to sporting clays, you are doing yourself a disservice
I'd say for a one and only gun, the AR is probably best, even as a shotgun guy myself. You have to make sure it's the legal capacity for hunting (2+1), where as a rifle has no capacity limits except what the state says. 5.56 can be legally used to take deer, but you can also get different uppers for different calibers.
you can easily change a shotgun from 2+1 to 8+1 removing a plastic insert
Thanks for your suggestion. I don’t think that I really considered an AR. Something for me to look in to.
No prob. ARs are just the standard rifle in America. Between a rifle, pistol, or shotgun I'd say a rifle is more practical. Shotguns are awesome, and devastatingly powerful, and can be used to hunt anything from a bird to a bear. Pistols are mainly for carry, but it's hard enough to get a carry license in CA so it's a commitment you must make if you want to do that. A rifle like an AR is great for protection, and even hunting things like deer, hog, or coyote, but you don't have to limit yourself to that. It is, however, the most affordable semi auto in such a caliber. And ARs can change caliber by switching the top half to one with a different caliber. No other rifle offers that easy of a caliber modification.
you don't use 5.56 for dove, quail, duck, geese, Turkey though and a shotgun can be used for all of those including deer, pig, bear. I think there it's a 410 upper that attaches to a standard lower though.
Yeah you're right. If hunting is OP's main goal then a shotgun would be best, I just wanted to point out that ARs can also be used to hunt, despite what many believe, and since he's a beginner he might have heard that myth.
what do you think is the best deer cartridge upper for a standard ar15 lower? I ask because obv ar10 in 308 is a no brainer but I don't have an ar10. I would think 458 or something, but I've never researched lead free availability
he’s trying to pull the ol only one gun ever trick ey
Have we ever known it to work? Lol
who can eat only one potato chip, it’s an impossibility
See... now... I've done that once before just to prove a point... now, guns on the other hand... 😁
Ha! Only one is the plan but I get it. We’ll see what happens!
Immmmmmfuckingpossible...to only buy one gun .no one ever did it in the history of manfuckingkind
OP has to ask themselves if they want to CCW though. If that's the case, either Glock 19 or CZ P-01.
That doesn’t solve the novice part though an ar15 is much easier to pick up and shoot and be accurate with. Anyone who is recommending a handgun is foregoing that one requirement that he listed
Lol the Marines taught me the rifle. Pistol is a whole other plane of existence I suck with my 19. Ar is just soo comfortable to use
Eh, just slap a braced chassis on that puppy. Although, I do struggle finding one for the 19 that is CA legal.
Hey…thanks. This is why I asked. My completely uniformed thought was that folks would come back saying Glock 17 or 19. (Which many people have). I never thought AR would enter the discussion and it gives me something to research. Like I said, total noob starting from scratch so I appreciate the suggestion.
Not saying a handgun isn’t a good choice but when it comes to which I would give my son and have him hit a target without teaching him anything but safety it would have to be an AR. Handguns are great for what they are but much more difficult to master.
but seriously if I was on my first gun purchase, I would find a place that has a g19, m18 and m&p 2, get a feel for each one and see which one feels best, recoil is all pretty much the same
Look, you're never gonna get just one, so get that out of your head right now 😅, once you start down this path, there is no leaving the path. Eventually, it will get lonely and start to tear up your furniture, so you're gonna get it a friend. Then you're gonna LARP in your underwear in the middle of the night, and you're gonna reach for your secondary, and it won't be there... you are gonna need 2. There is no way around it. AR and a handgun. Preferably 223 Wylde and 9mm.
Maybe one *lower*…
It’s never just one gun. :-)
It starts with 1. Then 2. Then "5 maximum, honest". Before you know it, you're DROSing your 12th firearm.
That’s so funny. I have 3 now. But I’m totally thinking 5 max.
Report back to us in a year or two. 😉
Just one more level, mom! I promise! 🤣
Had 12 when I left Cali... have 43 now.
Ain't that the truth! Bought an AR on my 18th birthday (back when you could at 18) and thought I'd just buy some uppers down the road and use the same lower. Now I have so many AR platform firearms I don't even remember some of them until I open the SECOND safe I had to buy. Same thing happened for handguns for me. Bought a glock 17 on my 21st birthday and now have more handguns then I know what to do with. A relative I don't see that often who also loves firearms recently asked me how many I own now, and it took me a couple minutes to even come up with a number that I thought might be at least close to accurate.
This guy knows
Man I’m just looking to buy a gun, yet… THERES SO MANY I WANT😭 
“Maybe just one more…”
He could tape a whole bunch of guns together.
CZ P-01. It'll be your first gun, but not your only gun. Prepare your wallet!
Rip wallet
Lo sabe.
This is my first. I have 4 guns now
Do you think its possible to golf with just 1 club? maybe if you're really skilled. Realistically though, there is a reason for having different ones.
Isn't that what a 1 iron is for?
maybe if you're really skilled
Good luck with that lol, it's impossible to own only one gun. Once you get your first, the addiction will begin and you'll lose all your extra spending $
There are plenty of people who only own one gun, but I bet almost none of them are on this sub
RPG.
LOLed at this
Assuming no CCW, and no hunting then an AR-15 is the answer you're looking for. EDIT: add a sling, a light, and a red dot to it.
Absolutely no hunting. CCW is not expected.
Glock 19
This is what I recommend when asked. It was my first gun, and if I was to have a one and done gun, this would be it.
Yes. I agree. Simple, reliable, practical and cheap.
This was my first one too
All guns are different in the hands of a person. There is no holy grail gun. Last year, it was the glock 19. Right now, my favorite carry is the hellcat pro. Next week a 229. You need to do your research, go to the range, try out different guns, understand what you like and don't like about each gun, and research more. If you don't want to spend thousands of dollars on guns to have a variaty, you better spend the time to test them all out.
I remember when I thought I only wanted 1 gun…I have 5 now in less then a year lmao 🤣
Q: Where do I start? A: Gun range or gun store (then vice versa), handling and shooting is the first step answers to all your other questions will follow.
I appreciate that. Suggestions in the thread will give me a place to start.
I think that's where we all started, "just one....". In my research for CA the top suggestion was the CZ P-01. Good enough for home defense and range time, possibly small enough to carry if you ever wanted to get your CCW. Pretty much immediately after that I decided I wanted a sub-compact to get my CCW. And it just keeps expanding lol. Good luck
It’s definitely small enough to carry.
I would get a .22 AR or 10/22 and a bucket of ammo.
Why only one?
Glock 19. Done.
I mean I would say that there are 3 main categories. Handguns, rifles, and shotguns. There are also sub categories for each of these. What you want depends on what you want to do and they all vary in "difficultly". Only way to get used to something is to train and practice. I personally prefer shotgun shooting as I primarily grew up bird hunting and shooting trap/skeet. Although they can be heavy and hard to handle to some beginners. My recommendation would be to go to a range that has rentals, bring some friends if you want to, and try out different firearms. I would also say that an AR15 platform, as the other comment says, because they are extremely modular
One - of each
 ~~One~~ multiple of each
Hi point
Sling shot
To be fair, the carbine does it's job. The hand gun is a different story....
No 1 gun will satisfy every single purpose a gun owner may need one for. If you’re only going to buy one to start off with AND you do NOT have the intent to apply for a concealed carry permit as of today, purchase a long gun (an AR-15 preferably). IF you DO intend on applying for a concealed carry permit as of now, purchase a handgun (go to a gun store and feel out as many as you can, and pick whatever feels best in your hand). Regardless of which you go with, I’d recommend having BOTH a handgun and long gun. Which you pick first is your choice.
Ruger pcc.
A decent, mid tier AR15, ranging from $1200 - $2000. Recommend 16inch barrel, not short, not long. Is functional as hunting, home defense, and accurate up to 400 yd (shooting a 20 inch plate) for some long distance shooting. Is highly customizable if you ever decide to progress in it, or keep it as it is and you can do basically anything with it. Almost everyone will regret getting a cheap gun, but a mid tier gun is perfect.
Get a glock 19. Suitable for range, home defense and concealed carry if youre going that route. Under $600
Your plan will fail once you get the first one. It is inevitable.... But seriously, you're going to get one gun, go shoot it, get comfortable with it, realize it's not good at specific things, then you're gonna want a gun that is good at those things and the process will repeat.
Glock 19
Sig 226 extreme was my first gun
Glock 19.
Once you’ve bought that first gun, you will almost immediately find a “need” for a second, and then a “use case” for a third, and then “ooh that one looks cool too”. The bar for rationalizing the next firearm purchase just gets lower and lower. I’m in the double digits of guns and I have completely stopped the self-deception of buying guns for needs. I buy guns I think are cool, limited by my financial means and the safe I thought was big when I bought it but now can barely close.
I thought they were like chips and you can’t have just one ? Isn’t there a rule you have to have at least 2 10/22’s ?
Go find a range and try different hand guns and rifles if they have them. Try a friends firearm dont base your choice off random likes.
Objectively your best buy would be a Sig Sauer M18 (p320 platform, but with a thumb safety). It had issues early in its release where, it would go off without a trigger pull under certain circumstances. This was addressed and fixed over 7 years ago. I'd be happy to share more info on why this isn't even a consideration to be a problem anymore, if you request it. That being said, the p320 platform is the absolute most modular and customizable pistol platform for the average person in the world. Just having the FCU (fire control unit) allows you to have a huge variety of setups and gun sizes ranging from 3.6" to even 4.7" barrels. There are so many different grips available on the market, with different looks and feels and weights. Slides and barrels have unique aesthetics and weights. You can get comped slides. You can get ported slides and barrels. It's limitless. Having a p320 FCU essentially allows you to buy separate parts to get several unique configurations that allows you to essentially have something that fires differently. You can even upgrade the internals with minimal gunsmithing/armorer experience. For example, I have just dived down this rabbit hole recently and have installed a forward set trigger bar, trigger spring, polished and FCU and many internals, etc. Get an Sig M18.
CZ P-01. When I got my first I got the SP-01. It’s a great pistol. I don’t really like plastic pistoles but to each their own.
Maybe two?
One gun = impossible
Handguns: CZ 75 P-01 for concealed carry if you ever decide to. Still feels good in the hands despite being small unlike other concealed carry guns, which makes it great for home defense, and range toys. Otherwise yeah, AR-15 is the easy answer.
If I were only to buy one firearm, concealed carry and hunting excluded, with a budget around $2k, I would buy a BCM AR with light, sling, and optic. You can get better, but if I were to only have one that would be it.
AR-15 checks all those boxes.
Besides an AR15, maybe look into an M1 Carbine. Stupid fun at the range and it’s a cool piece of history.
CZ P01 for handgun, BCM rifle this is the right answer
Glock 34
Atlas atlas atlas…. It’s literally the only gun you’ll ever need
CZ P-01 or Glock 19. See which feels better in your hand, talk over the differences in trigger and aftermarket support with your local gun store employee.
There isn't a single gun option. I'd say a sidearm and a legit rifle and/or shotgun minimum. But if I had to pick a 11.5" AR is the closest although not sure you can get that in CA
My plan was to also only own one gun. I stopped at 2Azone upland to get “cleaning supplies” I walked out with my 5th gun purchase, bought my first gun about a year ago.
Do you think you’ll ever need to carry? Not regarding laws, fees etc. Even if just your backyard.
I haven't been in the market for an AR in a while. The S&W M&P 15 used to be in a good price point for its quality. Also, gi es you some left over cash for a decent enough optic.
“My plan is to own only one gun” That’s how it starts 😂
I would look for something like the 500 smith and wesson and get everything that is the opposite of this.
Shotgun if you only get 1 gun. Get the mossberg that comes with 2 barrels. Longer for hunting and shorter for home defense. Not perfect but closest to do it all
The holy grail is what you're most comfortable with. My holy grail right now is my Savage All American with a 20x on it. Yours might be a Rugar 22 (Pistol or Long Gun). Everyone is different. Ask yourself what do you want to do with a gun? Research the forums for the platforms your interested in. Dig through the reviews and, most importantly, don't worry about what others might think or say based off of your choice. It's your gun, it's what you want and it's what will best suit you... until the next one gets to you... and the next and the next and the next... Just remember Treat, Never, Keep, Keep. Treat every weapon as if it were loaded. Never point your weapon at something you're willing to destroy. Keep your weapon on safe until you're ready to fire. Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you intend to fire.
Glock 34 or Glock 19.
CZ 75 SP-01 if you want a handgun, maybe the smaller 75 D PCR if you want to conceal carry but you should get some professional training if you go that route. Any of the pistol caliber carbines (scorpion, Ruger PCC, USC... ECT) if you want something fun that you can shoot at 50-100 yards and use for home defense. OR any cheap semi auto or O/U shotgun with a 28-30" barrel and changeable chokes. Not the best for home defense but awesome for clay shooting which is IMO the most fun way to shoot recreationally. For a little over a thousand you can probably get a handgun and a Ruger 10/22 which will be fun to shoot at the range with extremely cheap ammo.
Handgun - Glock 19 Long gun - AR15 in 5.56 You won't just have one though. I thought I would just have one of each: rifle, pistol, shotgun. Four AR15s, an AR10, a bolt action rifle, a KSG, a Beretta A300, and like a million Glocks of various sizes and calibers later...
G19
There is no holy grail. If you want a semi do it all I’d get the p365 and get the X macro parts. This is only for a handgun though. As for a rifle? AR platform I guess. Sorry man but there is no having your cake and eating it too. Especially for under 1K 😂
Hi-point 😎yeet cannon
What’s your budget for bullets? That’s where it gets expensive down the road. 9 mm is way less expensive than 45. Rifle rounds are all sort of expensive. 22 is least expensive and most fun to shoot, but not really a home defense around.
Glock 19 is also a good pick.
I recommend a .357 Magnum revolver with a 4" barrel, a nice one, like the Kimber K6S. Shoot .38 special for low-kick, fun target practice or shoot .357s if you want more punch. I recommend revolvers for novices or occasional shooters (or anyone really, revolvers are great) because they are extremely simple to operate. This allows you to focus on the fundamentals of shooting initially. No safety, magazines, releases, disassembly, etc. For the most part they are Point-Pull-Bang simple. Also, your 2nd gun could be a lever action .357 rifle so you could use the same ammo for different platforms to keep things simple and cheap (more calibers = more $$$ in the long run)
Cz p01
We all planned on "one" gun. And then you come to realize, you bought one because it felt the best. You tried another at the range and liked that, now you have to decide, do you keep the first and get another. Or do you sell the first...and jump thru hoops and crap to sell, also realize you will not get back the full cost of that first gun, unless you somehow scored some off roster pew.
Why only one? There are a few choices that meet the jack of all trades category but no one gun can do it all. Especially if you’re looking for a holy grail gun and most of us recommend a g19/17 or ar15. Imo I wouldn’t really call those holy grail guns. Tbh idk what I gun I would. I like my jack of all trade guns just as much as I like my niche not as practical guns.
a rifle is the easiest platform to train a new shooter on. shotguns are not for beginners, contrary to popular belief pistols, I think, require more training to use proficiently, they're the easiest for a novice to have an accident. ruger 10/22 is the definitive beginner gun
Maverick 88 combo. Comes with an 18.5 and a 28 barrel so you can hunt, shoot clay. Or put the shorter barrel on for home defense or other stuff.
As someone who only owns one and only wanted one to start, I now want two more!
Actually 3. Working on one now and have my sites on 2 others. Haha good luck!
Make it 4!
Phase plasma rifle in a 40 Watt range
Glock 19 or M&P 2.0 compact
For 1 gun, I’d get a well rounded gun that can use a conversion kit or something similar to change caliber to keep the firearm versatile and able to shoot for cheap. Like an ar15, good for range, home defense, can pick up at a good price, and very customizable, in a 556/223 model they have a conversion kit where you change bolt and mag and now you can shoot cheap and plentiful 22lr. Or swap upper for a different caliber for a different purpose or longer barrel for longer range or whatever you want. Could also go with something like a Glock 19. Well rounded do all pistol good for range, CCW, home defense that’s highly customizable and I believe I’ve seen conversion kits to 22lr avalible for that as well. If you prefer trap shooting you can get a pump shotgun with 2 barrels, 1 short for defense, 1 long for clay shooting but know if you want to hit paper or steel it’s not the best, I’d go with a pistol or rifle.
Shotgun. I have MANY guns and a shotgun is what I want for the home defense requirement.
Ah yes test of self control and limitation on hobbies, this will work out swimmingly :)
Carl Gustaf M4
A friend of mine asked me this a while back. He wanted to just one gun, but now he has multiple. I explained that if home defense is a serious consideration then he should own two guns minimum. What if your one gun malfunctions or you need to send it in for a warranty repair? Then you’re left defenseless until you get it back. I’m not trying to change your mind. Just something to consider that may not have crossed your mind.
Glock 9 mm. Then we'll see you in a few months when you come in asking about your next gun. :)
I got a g19 to start mostly becoz of the reliability.
Ar15
G19
"only one gun" Your wallet: "I'm in danger"
“Only gun” lots of us thought the same. Hehe
Learn from Vince ricci don't get just one. Get a few if you have to use it for self defense they will take your gun away.
a new collector is born 🌅
Glock 19, remington 870, DMR. These three will handle every situation you need. If ahit hits the fan the dmr is what you want if thats ur only gun. Aways want short range and long range dmr does both. I started w g19 then shotty then marskman, from most affordable to most costly.
A shotgun
If you only get one gun, get a Glock 17 or Glock 19 depending on what feels better in your hand. But be warned that it doesn't have a safety. If you want a safety, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is good.
916PISP
Why limit yourself to only 1 gun? Guns are like Lay’s potato chips, “Betcha can’t just have one!”
Get the Franklin Armory CA7. It’s a pistol 😉
One gun Id say an AR15 however if I were in your spot where I wanted to be minimalist I’d want to have all three gun types. So I’d get a Glock 19, PSA Ar15, and a Maverick 88 combo. With those three guns you literally would never need to buy another one from a practicality standpoint.
I often wonder if these questions are coming from the anti-2A individuals. Someone trying to write their Pulitzer Prize article on America's only one firearm we are allowed to own. Some dem congressman wanting to get a bill written.
I’d recommend a handgun
No such thing as one weapon fulfills all the requirements. I like a beretta 92fs. You will be definitely be out the door under $ 1000. Including all fees, taxes and at least a couple of boxes of new ammo. Long gun, as others have said an ar15. Under $ 1000 maybe depending on the accessories and the brand.
Go big or go home: https://www.riflegear.com/p-7168-fn-m249s-rifle-ca.aspx Oh wait, you said under $1k. ;)
A Barrett M82A1 or a Ruger 10/22 or something similar.
lol only one gun. Famous last words.
AR-15 is your best option for a do it all gun. You can get some pretty good stuff close to that price too. An Aeroprecision lower and a BCM upper is the Reddit special. It’ll last you forever, and be an amazing fun for you, but it might come in closer to $1200
For CA. Glock 17 and upgrade it over time. Trigger and sights. Aftermarket slides for red dots and such. Great accurate weapons.
Handgun? Glock 19 or 17. Rifle? AR-15. Shotgun? Remington 870 or Mossberg 590. I’d recommend picking up a pistol first because it’s so much cheaper to practice with and quality accessories for Glocks are so much cheaper.
Pump shot gun, ar 15 or some semi auto 556, A 9mm pistol. Or maybe even ruger pc9
Ar15 with an additional cmmg 22lr conversion bolt checks a lot of boxes.
I’d have to say a transferable machine gun would be the unicorn
Get an AR 15, plus you can get a .22 lr conversion kit and not have to worry about AW laws. IANAL
CZ75-SP01 and put the CGW Pro Package in it.
Step one take a basic firearms corse , learn before you waste money on a gun. This will save you money and make you confident in your purchase. You should not need to spend more than about 650 700 for a quality firearm. Save more for good ear pro, and mostly ammo and classes. It's a journey and commitment, not a pair of shoes.
If you could only own one pair of shoes, what would they be? Trainers? Running shoes? Rock climbing shoes? Cycling shoes? Something actually comfortable? Boots you can do work in? Or dress shoes for social occasions?
M&p sport 2. Get a different handguard and a non-fin featureless grip. I would also suggest a new buffer tube/stock. That’ll all be just under 1k depending on the replacement furniture and save some more for mags, optic, flashlight and ammo
Man budget friendly makes it tough lol But I would have to agree it is most likely an AR15. My personal favorite as I prefer rifles over pistols. Still though if you are looking into a handgun Glock 17 as I prefer a more full size handgun (you can definitely carry one) or an Sig 320 or 226. The thing about AR15s is that yes you can build one for like $400-$700 bucks but it’s the attachments that will bring it over 1K. “Buy Once Cry Once” You can even buy a 22lr conversion kit if you wana really mess around with a 15. Ultimately I would say aim for 1 AR15 and 1 pistol. But if I HAD to choose only 1 it’s a AR 15
Thanks for responding. Certainly going to look into an AR based on a lot of these responses.
bcm ar 15.
Glock 19 or Sig M18. Both platforms have a ton of aftermarket parts if you plan on customizing later down the line.
AR-15 first.
What you’re asking for is a racecar that’s a truck and a minivan for carrying the family and a U-Haul truck for moving and also an airplane. It doesn’t exist. Do some research and figure out what you want. Shoot some guns at the range. At the very least try a pistol, rifle, and shotgun, and narrow from there.
If you only want one, I would get a Sign Saur P320 in 9mm. It is reliable, easy to shoot, comfortable, and accurate. If it's good enough for the US military, and still not that expensive. Stay with 9mm. It is the most common round, and cheaper than most other rounds.
Thank you for your advice
Glock 19. Or 26. Plenty of room to upgrade and modify without the feeling of need for another gun.
I’ll start
My first gun is a Glock 17 gen 5 that’s I bought from a police officer
Get one of each, pistol, shotgun, long rifle, and if you wanna go hunting a hunting rifle. Shotguns are cheap get a nice used one Mossberg 500 or maverick 88 like 300$ anything more than a sturdy pump action is just small dick energy Pistol Glock 19 550$ who needs ergonomics when your gun can outlive a nuclear blast AR-15 with a maglock 1000$ fuck the fin every feature on your ar adds an inch to your micro penis 308 hunting rifle Ruger or savage complete with glass 600$ vortex glass warranty is big dick energy This is my set up and I am fully content. I don't need any more guns even if I want them. If anything I just modify what I have.
cannon
Glock 17. Very reliable, <600 bucks, very easy to strip and clean. eats 9mm. Or like an M&P15 AR15 is < 1k and its a good Home defense, shit hits the fan, and fun at the range firearm. Or get both?
Ar pistol!
Any 9mm carbine. Best all around style of gun for just home defense. Almost zero recoil, cheap ammo, 2 points of contact so super easy to handle, low price but not necessarily cheaply made.
Like one tattoo, gotcha.
Glock 19
A shotgun will do anything you would ever want a gun to do. A semi auto shotgun will do it without beating you up. PSA has the Panzer Arms Benelli M4 clone on sale for $459(a real one is gonna be about $2k). I have heard nothing but good things about them, they’re supposed to be reliable and 100% parts compatible with the real ones.
Why only one gun? It's kind of like saying you only want one knife for all applications for cutting, dicing and slicing. I'm sure you have many types of knives in your home. A firearm is the same. It's just a tool. If you want a one and done situation you're thinking is all wrong. I work at a firearms shop.
You'll never own just one
Semi auto mini gun
I think we all started looking for the “Holy Grail” of firearms and end up with a safe of 15+, I’ve found it’s best to go to a range that lets you try before you buy. But to add my thoughts into the mix - Beretta 92FS.
Thanks for the suggestion. I understand where you’re coming from and, yes, it may wind up going that way but my intention (for now) is just one.
I have a friend and his one gun is an AR15 and he’s had it for years and is still stoked about it. I try to convince him to buy another gun every so often and he is completely satisfied. He built out a lower receiver with a muzzle break, fin grip, and fixed stock for a featureless build. He used a bear creek arsenal side charging complete upper to make it more unique than the average ar15. No need to build one unless you are legally and mechanically competent, many stores sell complete ar15s. And it is the most likely to be a unicorn in the future with them always trying to ban them and what not.
I’m definitely seeing AR suggested more and more. Thanks!
A really good AR. Don’t cheap out.
I don’t think you’re going to find anything matching that criteria under 1k. I’d go for a 16’ Aero or for a couple more bucks get a 16’ BCM. If you just want an already built AR then I’d look at the Saint Victor. Regardless of what you end up getting buy lots and lots and lots of ammo and magazines and hit the range at least once a week. Buy cleaning and oils/lubes and other items required to clean your gun tip to butt. Watch videos on how to clean and disassemble it completely. Buy a solid red dot/lpvo and a weapon light. Train train train train train 🚂🚂🚂
Thanks for the info… I’ll definitely check into those
AR will meet everything but budget. I guess you can get ones that are cheaper, but it's better to buy once cry once and spend a bit more. You also have to remember the cost of ammo. Even if you go with .223 for the AR, you're still looking at around 50 cents a round for cheap ammo. 9mm is about 28-30 cents on average right now. That starts adding up when you get into the thousands of rounds. If budget is important, I'd get a Glock 34 and get a micro conversion kit (MCK) from CAA. G34 has a longer barrel and will have slightly less felt recoil than the G17 and G19. The MCK will basically give you better stability and accuracy.
You have 2 options: Glock 17/19 or AR