One Pistol

Browning 9MM: military round so so can get them anywhere, anytime, and cheaper than other rounds of that class. The piece is small enough for easy concealment, balanced quite well for fast handling and fast reacquisition of target after each shot compared to anything else in it's power range. The bigger the round, the greater the kick and the slower the reacquisition. Parts are cheap and easy to come by and most Canadian soldiers will have one too. The grip is a good in-between size for both male and female hands. It has a ton of options available as it is carried by many.

I agree with Knuckle on the 9mm part. Can't get any better than that. My father and I fight over 45cal vs 9mm all the time. He's wrong, of course. 😀

I'd suggest trying out a dozen or more pistols to see what fits best in your hand, and which safety system you are most comfortable with. Some pistols are thicker, some are thinner.

I've never liked the 1911 platform - poor capacity, hammer bite, and the safety system makes me paranoid. It also felt too skinny. However, the Browning Hi-Power (yes, I know it's not a 1911, I just clump it in there too) has the added safety of the firing pin block, which is nice. I prefer the Glock safety, personally.

Don't get sucked into the 9mm vs 40cal vs 45cal debate.

9mm! RT is right about the bigger bullet is better debate, but 9mm can be purchased anywhere. Try to get a box or two of jacketed hollow point (JHP) rounds which, in case of life or death, would become your equalizer to the biggest rounds.

Browning hi-powers are nice pieces though difficult to find on the civilian market, unless well worn, and quite expensive. Spare parts and holsters are also harder to find. Unlike RT's belief, some swear by 1911 platforms, though I agree with home they are not my favorite. Glocks are lighter and you can find a multitude of aftermarket parts for them. My next one is likely going to be a Sig.

I would encourage you to go visit your local gun shops and get a feel for the guns they have. Pick them up, feel the grip, look through the sights, etc. what would work for me maybe too big for your hands or you may not like the grip's angle. As newly licenced person, it can feel a bit overwhelming to go to a gun shop but once you've done it a couple of times, it becomes easier; you can also become quite familiar with your gunshop owner. If you feel they don't treat you well, go somewhere else!

The piece is small enough for easy concealment

Careful there buddy....legalities!!!

It really depends on you and your circumstances.
I 100% suggest you hit local ranges and make contacts with owners, to try as many as possible action types, calibers and specific models.

I usually share the "NATO/local caliber" argument for availability, especially if somebody doesn't reload.
But it also comes to whether you want the gun that does everything and what kind of threats you're facing, whether it's mostly a farm gun/hunting backup gun or you're going to go CCW, whether your weather and body type would allow you to wear something bulkier and looser in most settings or if you need to stick with a small, slender gun.
CCW also depends on your carry preference. I can carry things on my hip that aren't great in the small of my back, and carry things in front of my hip that I don't like on the side of my hip.

Capacity may also end up playing a factor.

For me, over the last few years I've lost hand strength and as much as I love my M9-generic and my 1911 (I like that slender profile, none have ever bit me, and I can handle the recoil of .45), I can't get them back together without help, although I've gotten close using a couple of padded clamps.
That means I can't clean them unless somebody is on hand to help me get it back together.

My one single handgun would also depend heavily on my long gun option.

I like the revolver because I've never had one too dirty to shoot, never had a FTE, feed or fire issue, never had one that I can't get apart (and back together), and I can use rifle stripper clips to carry reloads when I want a slimmer profile than a speed clip. I also don't have to worry about cold wx with a revolver and changing the lube I use.

I like hammerless in a DA (why have it to snag if I don't need it) or DA/SA selectivity in an eared gun.

They make revolvers in 9mm and .45 ACP now, as well.

I think I'd prefer the .357 Mag in a 5" bbl for an all-around "one gun" situation.
It's got the power I need and I can feed it .38+P and .357 specialty hunting and person-stopper rounds, but I can also buy less expensive .38 Special for practice or reload them at even lower cost to shoot exactly like my others.

But I can't comfortably carry (I'm legal to carry) a revolver behind my right hip if I'm sitting, and I can carry a single-stack .45 or 9mm there, and get to it even in the light-model truck with a person or pet beside me.

I also like the Raging Judge, but it's not CCW at all, really, unless you can wear a heavier, longer coat. When it's holstered, I prefer a left-hip cross draw or a raised platform that suspends it low in front of my left ribs. I want a balanced 3" rigger-style padded belt or thicker 3" web belt to wear it on a thigh.
However, I love the versatility of rounds (.454, .45 LC, .410-bore, inserts for .45LC that allow .22LR or short to be used).

But since I have more than one gun, unless it's a hunting backup, I'm more likely to carry the double-stack 9mm Sig that can handle the +P rounds, or a single-stack Springfield XDS in .45 when I want a smaller, slimmer profile that I can wear in my back.
🙂

(I've heard the "small of back" carry arguments. Explain it for Rachel if you're so inclined but I've fallen and been pushed into walls and on girders and slid on gravel with both carries. I can't find a single non-anecdotal report of paralysis resulting from a gun in the spine or behind the hip. If you have, please post it. If we want to argue it back and forth, start a thread and I'll detail the pro-con I've hit with both and others can do the same.)

I recommend the Glock 17 which is 9mm. Toughest, most reliable and easiest shooting semi auto on the market and with 9mm Hollow points, it is hard to beat. The Sig Sauer P226 would be my second choice (distant second). I have carried the P226 for duty purposes but if I could change it for the Glock, I would.
GM1

As you can see by all the different opinions there isn't one best pistol except the one you like most for your circumstances.
I would say get a .22 cal Ruger or Browning and learn to shoot it well. By then you'll have had the chance at the range to try lots of different guns and find out what you like best while becoming a proficient shooter with cheap ammo. When you do buy the next one it will very likely be the best one for you.

I would say get a .22 cal Ruger or Browning and learn to shoot it well. By then you'll have had the chance at the range to try lots of different guns and find out what you like best while becoming a proficient shooter with cheap ammo. When you do buy the next one it will very likely be the best one for you.

That it one wise comment! Handgun beginners can sometimes miss the broad side of a barn at 5 yds with a pistol. 22 caliber handguns are cheap and so is the ammo. My first handgun was a Walther P22 for that reason.

MrsPrepWithPets: CCW is impossible in Canada and bbl shorter than 4.1" are illegals. That really cuts down in options to full size pistols and enormous revolvers.

I think the question was "if you could only have 1 pistol" , so I opted for the 9mm. If you want to progress into handguns properly, I too agree that the 22 cal is the way to approach this. You get lots of practice for cheap and swapping guns at the range is fun, especially when it costs you little. 😉

I agree with all the above, but will add that lots of guys like the CZ-85 Combat. It's ambidextrous, has adjustable sights and is a good weight for fast target re-aquisition.

I second the Glock 17 in 9mm. It's light, big enough to fill your grip (adjustable backstraps too), very accurate at practical distances, and no pesky manual safety. So if you're surprised (you have to assume you will be) it's ready to shoot.

I favor my 357 for in the home with no retreat. But out in the open, even if the 9mm doesn't drop him right away, he'll have to run after you with blood squirting out. All in all 9mm is a solid choice.

I am a big fan of the 9mm for all the reasons listed above. That being said. . . Get what you can afford and feel comfortable with. I have a Steyr M9A1 and I absolutely love it.

Get a side arm and get shooting.

PortAlberniPrepper

I would say to purchase a .22 If you can only have 1 handgun then a 22 is the way to go. If you bring guests to a range imagine letting them shoot 100 rds 9mm $25 100 rds 22 $6. for the best bang for your buck its 22 imagine putting 500rds of 9mm into a backpack Vs 500 rds 22 ?? Going to a range and trying different firearms is definately the way to go, if it was easy there would be only 1 type of handgun instaed of 1000's same as buying a car personal prefernce. Learn to shoot the 22 spend your extra money on more 22 until you are proficient the move up if you want. just my 2cents and I tell all my students to purchase a 22 and always keep one for others to try doesn't scare them with the noice and is easy on your pocket book.
as from my handle you know which firearms I enjoy shooting

Supermag

In Glock we trust... I have a Glock 22 4th gen in 40 s&w with trijicon sights. I have used the Glock for the last 10 years and it is by far the most dependable out there. as far as law enforcement and military go, most swear by it as well. I would however go with th 9mm as the ammo is cheaper and does about the same damage. The Trijicon sights are great as with the iridium, you can see your sights in complete darkness. Not sure what you would be aiming at in darkness, but, in low light conditions I find this almost invaluable. many m15 rifles can be set up to interchange the magazines which is always amazing as you can switch back and forth if necessary. Only tactical uses obviously.