Having thought about it, I have come up with this:
Ammo Availability: It would have to meet the Wal-Mart test and be likely to be found almost anywhere. So, good bye .357 Sig, 10mm, .41 Mag, .32 ACP, .45 Colt, .44 SPC
Capacity: The handgun must carry at least 6 rounds. More is better, but six at a bare minimum. Goodbye snubbies and derringers.
Caliber: Depending on what (FMJ, JHP, LSWC,etc) ammo is available, I would tend to choose the largest diameter to ensure the most blood loss if I was to press the handgun into a hunting role or self defense.
Action: Either a modern double/single action revolver, semi auto, striker fired semi or simple action semi. Goodbye cowboy revolvers. Double action revolvers probably have the edge for simplicity and speed to the novice, but since this is going to be your only handgun, you should become proficient with it regardless of action.
Parts Availability: In the event that parts break or springs wear out or you want to customize your one handgun, it would need to be a popular model, with preferably easy to obtain parts and accessories.
Conclusion: For me, based on the above criteria, I would either choose a .357 from either Ruger or S&W or a .45 from Glock or a 1911 pattern. Honorable mention would go to the .44's from Ruger and S&W. If absolutely pressed into answering the OP, I would choose my 1911. It is accurate, holds 9 shells, and is of one of the largest diameter calibers commonly available. Extra mags are easy to slip into a pocket or hide under a shirt for concealment. While not my first choice for hunting, it will take deer sized game with proper shot placement.
These are justly thoughts and there wasn't a specific scenarios outlined, so you may disagree. Many may argue for the .40 S&W, but I have found the recoil impulse to be sharper than the slow .45, which hinders me in faster follow up shots. Just my .02 cents.
Ammo Availability: It would have to meet the Wal-Mart test and be likely to be found almost anywhere. So, good bye .357 Sig, 10mm, .41 Mag, .32 ACP, .45 Colt, .44 SPC
Capacity: The handgun must carry at least 6 rounds. More is better, but six at a bare minimum. Goodbye snubbies and derringers.
Caliber: Depending on what (FMJ, JHP, LSWC,etc) ammo is available, I would tend to choose the largest diameter to ensure the most blood loss if I was to press the handgun into a hunting role or self defense.
Action: Either a modern double/single action revolver, semi auto, striker fired semi or simple action semi. Goodbye cowboy revolvers. Double action revolvers probably have the edge for simplicity and speed to the novice, but since this is going to be your only handgun, you should become proficient with it regardless of action.
Parts Availability: In the event that parts break or springs wear out or you want to customize your one handgun, it would need to be a popular model, with preferably easy to obtain parts and accessories.
Conclusion: For me, based on the above criteria, I would either choose a .357 from either Ruger or S&W or a .45 from Glock or a 1911 pattern. Honorable mention would go to the .44's from Ruger and S&W. If absolutely pressed into answering the OP, I would choose my 1911. It is accurate, holds 9 shells, and is of one of the largest diameter calibers commonly available. Extra mags are easy to slip into a pocket or hide under a shirt for concealment. While not my first choice for hunting, it will take deer sized game with proper shot placement.
These are justly thoughts and there wasn't a specific scenarios outlined, so you may disagree. Many may argue for the .40 S&W, but I have found the recoil impulse to be sharper than the slow .45, which hinders me in faster follow up shots. Just my .02 cents.