Handguns, a more personal gun than long guns?

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freebird72

New member
Though I adore all my guns, I find myself more attached to my handguns as opposed to my long guns. I tend to see my long guns as tools, while I see my handguns as entertainment; though, they are still tools. My handguns feel much more natural and personal to me than any of my rifles or shotguns.

So I was wondering, do you find your handguns to be on a different level of attachment than your long guns?
 
Actually no. I consider a handgun more of a tool whilst a long gun is more an object of affection and great utility.
 
No. My first gun I got was a 22 rifle I got as a kid around 1960. It was a single shot but I always wanted a semi-automatic 22. The first new gun I ever bought was a Marlin 60 just after I bought a Marlin 25 magnum rifle with a scope used. My pistols are more recent and I guess I haven't properly bonded with them yet since I had none in my youth.
 
I prefer my handguns to rifles as well. Two exceptions. My 10/22 that I built myself when I turned 18 (also first gun) and my fathers Browning BLR are extremely dear to me. I have several other long guns but I hardly use them but I know they'll be there if it NEED them. :D
 
For me, the issue of "personal" is a matter of which gun I create memories with. I make more memories hunting than I do at a range, and since I use long guns for hunting, I have a more personal view of them.

Also, on average, long guns tend to be more customizable than handguns in terms of adding optics, stocks, slings, rails, etc. This is especially true of ARs, 10/22s, and some shotguns. So I don't know if that makes them more personal, but it does mean they can be more personalized.
 
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I consider my hunting rifles to be more personal than my handguns.

My handguns are things I enjoy, but my hunting rifles and I have been through same damn serious business together. I can tell you about of hunts, who I was with, where I was and what game I took, or missed, through those guns.
 
Never gave it much thought

However, I named my Model 70. Never thought to name any of my handguns; so there's my answer. No.
 
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I too disagree with the notion that a handgun is more personable. It can go either way, but many times rifles have a place in someone's heart(like a family rifle as only one example).
 
Absolutely.

That was not always the case, but I moved to a Free State and started carrying about seven years ago.

While my rifles/shotguns may sit in the safe for extended periods of time, every handgun I own gets carried or shot somewhat regularly, or it gets sold. That makes for a far more "personal" relationship.
 
Interesting thoughts... I do more puttering, renovating, upgrading and customizing on my handguns so consequently I spend a lot more time with them and can easily see and feel the changes I make on them... Naturally I feel more of a personal link with them... They are partly the result of my handiwork. I also shoot them WAY more than my long guns.

I can see how this would also be true if I did more of the same with my long guns but it just hasn't evolved that way... as much... Yet.
 
I think if the mind set is 'self-defense' -- handguns would be more personable


if the mind set is collecting history of the battlefield, or hunting or target shooting, or the science of reloading -- rifles and their customizations would be reflecting more your character -- and therefore more personable.
 
I've always got warm and fuzzies from my hunting long guns and my SXS bird guns in particular. Memories of hunts, dogs and friends, it's powerful stuff. No such connection with a pistol and I doubt there ever will be eventhough all I use now is pistols.
 
So I was wondering, do you find your handguns to be on a different level of attachment than your long guns?
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Yes, I do find them to be on a different level than my long guns, but I am opposite of you. My handguns are most all tools, and I am much more fond of most of my long guns.

The only handgun that comes close to my long guns as far as sentimental value is my Colt Commander.

I think if the mind set is 'self-defense' -- handguns would be more personable
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I think oppositely. With the mindset being self defense, I will pick a utilitarian gun that will be accurate, affordable to practice with, and efficient at what I want. For my other guns I can find one that is just flat-out pretty and just take it out of the safe to admire it if I can't afford to shoot it too much.
 
Guess I'm the odd man out, I don't prefer long gun over pistols or the other way round either. I do have favorites among each group though.
 
I think handguns and shotguns are more personable. Rifles are like women, can't live with them can't live without them. Just when you think all is well, wont group, very fickle. A good hand gun or shotgun wont let you down,
 
I can't separate the two I am fond of every weapon I have. Though I do seem to spend more time with the handguns. :confused:
 
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