The next time the conversation in your hunting camp begins to lag, here's a surefire way to get things heated up in a hurry. All you have to do is ask this simple question: "If you could have only one gun, what would it be?" I assure you that things will get about as exciting as if you'd thrown a hungry fox into the neighbor's chicken house.

If the Sheriff were limited to just one gun, his choice would be a medium-frame, 4-inch-barreled, .357 Magnum double-action revolver such as the S&W Model 619 or Model 620.

This question does come up occasionally. In fact, the editor of this fine magazine challenged me with it just recently. Of course, my first thought was that I don't even want to think about living in a world that would limit me to just one gun, whatever that fine piece of ordnance might be. But after calming down a bit, I have to admit the question of one gun does force me to reevaluate my guns and what I do with them.

I'm sure a lot of shooters would answer the one-gun question by selecting some sort of rifle. And I can imagine that the .22 rimfire would be in for its share of support. Others, who hunt mostly upland birds and deer (especially in the eastern U.S.), might opt for a good shotgun. There's nothing wrong with either of those answers. But you'll just have to forgive me if my choice is a handgun of some sort.

I'm no longer involved in competition shooting or law enforcement duties, so my handgunning needs center around plinking, personal protection, and handgun hunting. The often-overlooked sport of plinking is a very democratic endeavor and can be enjoyed with just about any gun that happens to suit one's fancy. The defensive handgun, however, needs to be of substantial caliber yet easily concealable. And the hunting handgun is all about the combination of power and accuracy.

While I appreciate the opportunity that I have to shoot and examine most of the handguns that are available today, my personal handgun needs are really solved with one of three guns.

For quite a number of years my law-enforcement and personal-protection needs have been resolved with some form of .45 ACP Model 1911 pistol. I have carried a number of Colt Government Models and Commanders, and I certainly do appreciate the quality 1911s that are produced by the likes of Les Baer, Ed Brown, Springfield Armory, Kimber, Smith & Wesson, and Para-Ordnance. They are all well-made pistols that have proven to be accurate and reliable. There's no doubt that they are great defensive handguns--and current sales figures definitely back up that statement. Unfortunately, I have never been pleased with the 1911 as a hunting handgun. The cartridge lacks the power needed for anything but close shots on deer-size game. And since the 1911 is an autoloader the cartridges fired in it can't be handloaded down for use on smaller game because the lighter loads simply won't cycle the action reliably. So in my search for an answer, I'm going to set the trusty 1911 aside.

The second of my favored handguns is a .44 Magnum Ruger Flattop. Mine is one of the Old Model guns with the barrel shortened to 45/8 inches, the action slicked up, and refinished with the Armaloy finish. It is a powerful and accurate old friend that I have packed many a mile in hunting camps and on horseback. It has accounted for its share of game animals and has occasionally been used to bring some social misfit to justice. Like my 1911s, the .44 is a beloved member of my shooting battery.