Thoughts? Criticisms? Opinions?
- Thread starter Atlshaun
- Start date
First: IF you are going to try limit yourself to US made products, do not limit yourself to NEW only. High Standard made some really nice pistols, that you can only purchase used now...I particularly like my wife's Trophy...from Connecticut,,,the TX High Standards are Ok I guess, but the Connecticut made ones are older and better.
I also like the Colt Woodsman, all of the above are 22 cal., even though High Standard did make a reasonable 1911 too.
Some High Standards are very inexpensive for what you get, others, not so inexpensive, but still good guns worth their money...like the Victor and Trophy.
I also like the Colt Woodsman, all of the above are 22 cal., even though High Standard did make a reasonable 1911 too.
Some High Standards are very inexpensive for what you get, others, not so inexpensive, but still good guns worth their money...like the Victor and Trophy.
Welcome to TFL!
Regarding cost, as mentioned, ammunition is going to be a big expense if you buy most of your guns to shoot rather than to look at. Targets come in a wide variety and you'll want to try a lot of different types. You'll also need cleaning equipment and supplies, a safe means to store the firearms, and probably a few accessories. Your tactical shotgun (870 is a good choice by the way) will likely be one that soon "wants" some more accessories. Often aftermarket grips and sights will greatly improve a handgun. Scopes, triggers, bipods and slings are not cheap but a lot of us add them to rifles. Extra magazines are, in my mind, a must for any mag-fed firearm. You'll want a range bag and carrying cases. The list goes on and on - I even have a small first-aid kit in my range bag, for example.
I'd recommend that you start with a .22 pistol or rifle and stick with that until you are proficient and are sure that this is a hobby that you'll stick with. Meanwhile, read up on each model that you're interested in, and any similar ones. Cruise and search this site and several others as much as you can. Google and Bing are your friends. Try before you buy - there are a lot of ranges that will let you rent guns. Put 50 rounds through any model that you've chosen before you write the check. In short, start out slow, do plenty of research, and you'll be a lot happier in the long run.
Hope that helps, Flops.
Regarding cost, as mentioned, ammunition is going to be a big expense if you buy most of your guns to shoot rather than to look at. Targets come in a wide variety and you'll want to try a lot of different types. You'll also need cleaning equipment and supplies, a safe means to store the firearms, and probably a few accessories. Your tactical shotgun (870 is a good choice by the way) will likely be one that soon "wants" some more accessories. Often aftermarket grips and sights will greatly improve a handgun. Scopes, triggers, bipods and slings are not cheap but a lot of us add them to rifles. Extra magazines are, in my mind, a must for any mag-fed firearm. You'll want a range bag and carrying cases. The list goes on and on - I even have a small first-aid kit in my range bag, for example.
I'd recommend that you start with a .22 pistol or rifle and stick with that until you are proficient and are sure that this is a hobby that you'll stick with. Meanwhile, read up on each model that you're interested in, and any similar ones. Cruise and search this site and several others as much as you can. Google and Bing are your friends. Try before you buy - there are a lot of ranges that will let you rent guns. Put 50 rounds through any model that you've chosen before you write the check. In short, start out slow, do plenty of research, and you'll be a lot happier in the long run.
Hope that helps, Flops.
If you are new to guns I would suggest starting with one or two and learning what you like rather than generating a list up front. As others have suggested, don't ignore rifles and base your overall criteria on what is useful and effective for you rather than limiting yourself by insisting on American guns.
A S&W 617 as a first gun is a great choice.
I'd get 3 other .22s before moving to center fire. A .22 semi-auto pistol, a .22 bolt action rifle and a .22 semi-auto rifle.
Lots of cheap fun.
Unless you're looking for a top quality sporting shotgun, I'd look used. Pump action shotguns are real simple machines that given basic care will last forever, give or take a year or two.
My 15 year old 870 works as well as it did when new and the same can be said for my ~70 year old Savage.
If you buy a used BHP maybe the foreignness will have rubbed off.
CZ and Sig do have American presences. Not sure how much of the guns are American made. Probably as much as a Chevy or Ford is American made.
The Colt 1911 and S&W 686 are good choices. I do like K-frames, the M&P family of revolvers worth a look.
I'd get 3 other .22s before moving to center fire. A .22 semi-auto pistol, a .22 bolt action rifle and a .22 semi-auto rifle.
Lots of cheap fun.
Unless you're looking for a top quality sporting shotgun, I'd look used. Pump action shotguns are real simple machines that given basic care will last forever, give or take a year or two.
My 15 year old 870 works as well as it did when new and the same can be said for my ~70 year old Savage.
If you buy a used BHP maybe the foreignness will have rubbed off.
CZ and Sig do have American presences. Not sure how much of the guns are American made. Probably as much as a Chevy or Ford is American made.
The Colt 1911 and S&W 686 are good choices. I do like K-frames, the M&P family of revolvers worth a look.
If your new to guns then this is what i would get. Your needs might be different. 1.Ruger 10/22 2.Ruger 22/45 3.Smith@wesson m@p 9mm 3.Mossberg pump 12 gauge 4.Ruger m77 hawkeye .30-06 5. Ruger mini 14 ranch stainless. My list would be different because im not limited to american. Those guns should have most things covered.
oneounceload
Moderator
There is a LOT more to US made guns than just saying Ruger, Ruger, Ruger. Personally, some of their items aren't bad, some totally suck, and none are the cat's meow, but workable. There are better US made shotguns, better US made pistols, and better US made rifles
jhgreasemonkey
New member
Since you are newer to guns I would think that buying all of them on your list and diving in with them right away would be overwhelming. I would just start with a couple of your choosing and focus your learning on those so that you can master each one. You have great choices on your list. I think it would be great to start with the Browning HP 9mm and the S&W .22 revolver. Both are really nice guns capable of good accuracy and they will be fairly cheep to feed, especially the .22. You are going to want money for lots of ammo and accesories for each gun like holsters, grips, cases, extra magazines, etc.
Bamashooter
New member
Everyone seems to be steering you in the right way. You need guns that can handle any situation. Definatly a .22lr, 12ga. shotgun, carbine for 300yrds and in, and a long gun in your favorite caliber for reaching out and touching whatever. Im with you on the American made stuff unfortunatly it doesnt always work out that way for whatever reason so dont limit yourself or you could miss out on something you really want/need. Spend lots of time learning how to shoot your guns and clean your guns as well as what ammo they like and dont like and no matter what you have you will be fine.
The S&W Model 617 is an excellent choice. I have one and it's a tack driver. But it's also pretty darn heavy for a .22 LR, even though it holds 10 rounds. The 4-inch barrel is the better choice with the 617 for an all-around enjoyable rimfire. Those 10 charge holes take a bit of time to load too, unless you opt for a speedloader.
The .357 Magnum
A four-inch 686 is a good, safe choice. But what is your intended primary use for it? This is a full size "service weapon", so it will likely fill your need for home defense, target shooting and close range medium game hunting. And if you're planning to hunt with it, I'd opt for either the Ruger GP-100 or a S&W Model 27, either with a 6-inch barrel.
The .357 really comes into it's own with a 6-inch barrel. Then it can be used for hunting larger animals than light deer, such as Boar, Deer, Black Bear, and cougar (all where legal of course). The extra barrel makes longer range shots more certain and with more velocity.
If you're looking for home defense and/or target shooting, save some money and buy a K-Frame .38 Special instead. A 4-inch K-38, like the Model 15 or 67 is very accurate for targets, cheaper for range practice and suitable for defense with +P ammo. A good used one can cost you from $300 to $499 depending on model and condition. That'll save you several hundred off the 686.
S&W Model 15 and Model 67 (Stainless)
You list two excellent 9mm pistols and the Colt 1911 .45 ACP in your buy-list. That's fine, but consider that you can find a Colt 9mm Commander or steel framed Combat Commander to do almost anything the XD or Browning can do. It also gives you 98% common parts between two calibers. That simplifies spare parts, but more importantly, gives you the same grip, same manual-of-arms for two platforms. Consider this idea, unless you really have a love-affair with one of the other two platforms.
Colt 9mm Combat Commander Series 80
Also, don't overlook S&W's excellent 1911 line of pistols. I prefer Commander length (4") pistols and their lightweight model works superbly for me. And the S&W 1911's are available in both black and stainless.
S&W 1911Sc Scandium Lightweight, 4" barrel
12-Gauge Platform
If you're going with a Remington 870, you want the Police model, not the Express model. The 870-Max or an 870P with an 18-20" barrel with a 2-3 shot extension are good choices. See RemingtonLE.com for more info.
On the other hand, Mossberg shotguns can save you quite a few bucks over the Remington and provide different "tactical" options. I would not overlook their line of shotguns.
The Missing Gun
Do you already have a rifle? It's absence is conspicuous on your list. Depending on the desired use, a good bolt rifle or semi-auto magazine rifle can be added to the mix. For a precision hunting/target rifle, it's hard to beat the .308 cartridge today. The Remington 700 platform is a good choice, though examine the Savage line too. In a semi-auto, the M1A would be my choice. For a combat rifle the AR is quite a good platform in either 5.56 or 6.8 SPC. And even though the cheap mil-surp 7.62x39 Russian ammo is all but gone, an SKS or AK is still an effective but modestly priced rifle.
Onward Allusion
New member
My first thought is - Why are you limiting yourself to US made firearms? Your criteria disregards a HUGE chunk of excellent firearms made, past or present. Second, you do know that the SA & Browning HP are foreign firearms, right?
Skip the Governer. Lots of hype. If you do get it, you'd be better served with 45 LC.
Justice06RR
New member
Top 2 suggestions are Smith&Wesson and Ruger if you're really bent on US made firearms.
Dont discount other manufacturers though. Springfield Armory makes great pistols too but they are built in Croatia; Glocks are made in Austria.
Dont discount other manufacturers though. Springfield Armory makes great pistols too but they are built in Croatia; Glocks are made in Austria.
Walklightly
Moderator
Everything that need's to be said has been said. I agree, there's a reason I don't go to show's "much".
But at the same time I never go to LGS's "much", unless it's for a transfer, an easy 10-15 minute $25 for them=$100 an hour per employee.
To them, that's nice, when your not there at peak hour's. Still making money and paying that dumb-butt when business is at a daily low to pay the light bills.
TBS, coming into to get a transfer at the LGS, the God's opened up the sky's and I got a killer deal on a LINB, wood's and a Hogue's grips, a blued Ruger Redhawk 5.5" for $425. I'm happy. What do you think Pond?
But at the same time I never go to LGS's "much", unless it's for a transfer, an easy 10-15 minute $25 for them=$100 an hour per employee.
To them, that's nice, when your not there at peak hour's. Still making money and paying that dumb-butt when business is at a daily low to pay the light bills.
TBS, coming into to get a transfer at the LGS, the God's opened up the sky's and I got a killer deal on a LINB, wood's and a Hogue's grips, a blued Ruger Redhawk 5.5" for $425. I'm happy. What do you think Pond?
Pond James Pond
New member
I think you, too, will spend a few evenings this week with a soft cloth and your new revolver!!!
PS: I'm not stalking you!! I actually saw that post by pure by chance... honest
PPS: That is a sickeningly good price, even by US standards, if I'm reading the market correctly!
Last edited: