Ok I would say the .357. Maybe in a Ruger Blackhawk. Slimmer grips plus you can use .38 to pink with if you don't want the recoil.

X2

In some circles, 9mm has a rep of being a bit anemic, but I'd beg to differ. Loaded to +P, they are not far behind 357 Sig. Same bullets.

I wouldn't want to get plugged by one with 124 grain expanding hollow points loaded to +P velocities.

I carry a Glock 20 the most, I shoot a .22 the most, and I have a .44 because if you're an Alaskan resident over 21 with no felonies I'm pretty sure you're supposed to have one

I have or had .45, 9mm and shot alot of .40 and .44. But the most useful is the .22 revolver.

I’m a fan of the 40 and 10mm..

I agree. Another option is to hold off until you can grow up enough for a 45.

Why only one? Different guns for different jobs.

X 2

He didn’t ask about a .45 ! And the grown up version is Casull , not Colt !

I like Wheel guns Cory but I can't shoot a single action very fast.

Guns are scary.

.454 Casull

.22 lr, 380, 9mm, 40 s&w, 357, .45 acp, and .45 lc currently Cal's around the house. Had in the past .32acp 44 mag and many makes and models in all the above that platforms have come and gone.

Different ones for different jobs. All hand guns are e weak compared to rifles but that's the trade off of the ability to easily have one on you all the time. I prefer rifles because I shoot them better but handguns are more convenient.

Anyone else have truck guns, barn gun, tractor gun, minivan guns ect... I like to have them conveniently located and the most likely to be best for that location. That's addition to that's on my belt and the wife is carrying.

Agreed. 5.56 > any handgun cartridge

.357

What's your primary purpose. Platform x may be better for a given purpose and may also dictate caliber choice.

I grew uo with an anti gun single mom. So when I moved out on my own I worked a lot of OT (big shock I Know) but that did a few things. One I made extra money 2 I didn't have time ro spend it. So now and then on a day off I would make it to the gun shop. Now with money and no idea what I liked or didn't would just buy what ever few gund caught my attention. I ended uo with a lot of guns in a short time. Eventually between my purchases and shooting friends I developed my preferences over the years. It is easier when you get the chance to shoot was lot of different options a lot. And even with that over time my preferences changed some.

So decide what your purpose is and find the models that fill that need and figure out what you like and don't like about each platform. Platform and preference is often more important than caliber.

All of the above. But you gotta include .22 also.

Ruger solved that issue !