redeemed.man
Ultimate Member
Not a favorite handgun thread, the focus is solely on versatility. My least favorite handgun happens to be my most versatile.
The vast majority of my handguns happen to be Glock branded so for me it would have to be the Glock 22 simply because I have the accessories/parts on hand to make these changes. It's my least favorite mostly because I don't typically shoot .40 S&W and because it is a beater Gen 3 LEO trade in. A simple barrel change gives it the capability to shoot .357 Sig with the same magazines I use for .40 S&W. With a slide and magazine change from Tactical Solutions (reviewed here: http://www.handgunsmag.com/reviews/tactical-solutions-glock-22-lr-conversion-kit-review/ )it can shoot 15 round mags of .22 LR. With a barrel (Lone Wolf 40-9) and magazine change it can shoot 9 mm although some of our in house experts will tell you this is not a good idea long term due to wear and tear on the extractor and/or ejector. In a pinch it works flawlessly and with great accuracy. I am ordering a MechTech upper in 9 mm (reviewed here: http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=1715 ) which will convert a G22 lower into a 9 mm carbine when used with my numerous Glock 9 mm magazines. My Glock 31 is equally versatile but it's not a beater and I like it better so I am less likely to use it in a converted form.
Apparently .22 TCM is another option (9 mm case necked down to .22 caliber bullet at 2000 fps from a handgun) but I do not own this conversion: http://armscor.com/firearms/conversion-kits/glock-conversion/
If I stock up on some new accessories and parts it is likely that my Glock 21 and/or my Glock 20 will become my most versatile handgun(s). With up to 12 caliber conversions and the same long gun versatility via a MechTech upper (reviewed here: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/12/jeremy-s/mechtech-c-c-u/ ) you can cover yourself in pretty much any situation. A great article on the possible caliber conversion topic here: http://www.wideopenspaces.com/incredible-11-caliber-conversions-glock-20-video/ but the article leaves out the .50 GI conversion discussed here: http://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/combat-test-gi-glock-21-50/
It would appear that the G20/21 platform is even more versatile I just don't happen to own many of the necessary conversion parts/accessories yet.
Ammo shortages that occur from time to time are one of the primary reasons for versatility but other applications like: protection against wildlife, teaching new shooters, lower cost practice ammo, truck gun functionality, etc. add to the possible reasons for a versatile handgun.
What's your most versatile handgun and why?
The vast majority of my handguns happen to be Glock branded so for me it would have to be the Glock 22 simply because I have the accessories/parts on hand to make these changes. It's my least favorite mostly because I don't typically shoot .40 S&W and because it is a beater Gen 3 LEO trade in. A simple barrel change gives it the capability to shoot .357 Sig with the same magazines I use for .40 S&W. With a slide and magazine change from Tactical Solutions (reviewed here: http://www.handgunsmag.com/reviews/tactical-solutions-glock-22-lr-conversion-kit-review/ )it can shoot 15 round mags of .22 LR. With a barrel (Lone Wolf 40-9) and magazine change it can shoot 9 mm although some of our in house experts will tell you this is not a good idea long term due to wear and tear on the extractor and/or ejector. In a pinch it works flawlessly and with great accuracy. I am ordering a MechTech upper in 9 mm (reviewed here: http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=1715 ) which will convert a G22 lower into a 9 mm carbine when used with my numerous Glock 9 mm magazines. My Glock 31 is equally versatile but it's not a beater and I like it better so I am less likely to use it in a converted form.
Apparently .22 TCM is another option (9 mm case necked down to .22 caliber bullet at 2000 fps from a handgun) but I do not own this conversion: http://armscor.com/firearms/conversion-kits/glock-conversion/
If I stock up on some new accessories and parts it is likely that my Glock 21 and/or my Glock 20 will become my most versatile handgun(s). With up to 12 caliber conversions and the same long gun versatility via a MechTech upper (reviewed here: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/12/jeremy-s/mechtech-c-c-u/ ) you can cover yourself in pretty much any situation. A great article on the possible caliber conversion topic here: http://www.wideopenspaces.com/incredible-11-caliber-conversions-glock-20-video/ but the article leaves out the .50 GI conversion discussed here: http://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/combat-test-gi-glock-21-50/
It would appear that the G20/21 platform is even more versatile I just don't happen to own many of the necessary conversion parts/accessories yet.
Ammo shortages that occur from time to time are one of the primary reasons for versatility but other applications like: protection against wildlife, teaching new shooters, lower cost practice ammo, truck gun functionality, etc. add to the possible reasons for a versatile handgun.
What's your most versatile handgun and why?