What are your favorite and least favorite pistol/revolver makers?
- Thread starter American Eagle
- Start date
ara Ordnance, Beretta and SeecampFavorites: S&W, Ruger, Colt, Taurus
Least Favorite: Honestly don't have one.
I've had close to 60 handguns over the past 12yrs. Among the most, were S&W, Colt & Taurus. Of course any flavor 1911 is my favorite. I've had 8 of those now.
Colt - My personal opinion, nobody does classic revolvers better. Thei action on their MKIII and MKIV pistols were top notch. Even my 1933 Colt Official Police had a beautiful quality aspect to it. Of course, their 1911's are top notch as well. Pretty hard pressed to find a bad gun by Colt.
Ruger - Anything that's says Ruger on the side will outlast anyone of our lifetimes. Ruger just makes solid guns. I've had 3 revolvers, SP101, GP100, and now a Security Six "favorite", and then a P89, P90, and P95. All were among the most durable guns I've handled. Maybe a little clunky feeling, well the P-series anyway, but rock solid shooters.
S&W - I've slowly rolled over to all S&W autos. Never really cared for their tupperware autos. I had a couple 2nd & 3rd GEN autos. Bodyguard .380, and two 1911s, plus a Model 19-5. All were exceptional quality and well worth the value, even if used. S&W hasn't been as flexible with their warrant as I'd like them to be.
Taurus - I've had 10 Taurus pistols now. Only issue I incurred was with the PT1911 ambi safety, would work itself loose with each shot. No biggie. Only time I've required their warranty was when I physically made a mistake and broke the gun. And what did they do? Fixed it for free and returned to me within 8days.
I like just about every brand, and will try any brand at least once. Just because someone has a negative opinion about something, doesn't mean that's my opinion. Not until I at least get to shoot it.
Least Favorite: Honestly don't have one.
I've had close to 60 handguns over the past 12yrs. Among the most, were S&W, Colt & Taurus. Of course any flavor 1911 is my favorite. I've had 8 of those now.
Colt - My personal opinion, nobody does classic revolvers better. Thei action on their MKIII and MKIV pistols were top notch. Even my 1933 Colt Official Police had a beautiful quality aspect to it. Of course, their 1911's are top notch as well. Pretty hard pressed to find a bad gun by Colt.
Ruger - Anything that's says Ruger on the side will outlast anyone of our lifetimes. Ruger just makes solid guns. I've had 3 revolvers, SP101, GP100, and now a Security Six "favorite", and then a P89, P90, and P95. All were among the most durable guns I've handled. Maybe a little clunky feeling, well the P-series anyway, but rock solid shooters.
S&W - I've slowly rolled over to all S&W autos. Never really cared for their tupperware autos. I had a couple 2nd & 3rd GEN autos. Bodyguard .380, and two 1911s, plus a Model 19-5. All were exceptional quality and well worth the value, even if used. S&W hasn't been as flexible with their warrant as I'd like them to be.
Taurus - I've had 10 Taurus pistols now. Only issue I incurred was with the PT1911 ambi safety, would work itself loose with each shot. No biggie. Only time I've required their warranty was when I physically made a mistake and broke the gun. And what did they do? Fixed it for free and returned to me within 8days.
I like just about every brand, and will try any brand at least once. Just because someone has a negative opinion about something, doesn't mean that's my opinion. Not until I at least get to shoot it.
ZEBRARANGER
New member
Tough to pick favorites but as for semi autos I really like Walthers for their P99 AS and Beretta's. For revolvers I like Rugers and Colts.
Dislikes would be Taurus, Glock and Keltec.
Dislikes would be Taurus, Glock and Keltec.
My favorite revolver maker is S&W and my favorite semi-auto maker is CZ because they fit my hands well and make the most models I'm interested in.
My least favorite is Glock because they don't fit my hands well and don't do anything for me that something else couldn't do as well or better.
My least favorite is Glock because they don't fit my hands well and don't do anything for me that something else couldn't do as well or better.
bedbugbilly
New member
Hmmm . . . . hard decision - I've owned Ruger, Colt, S & W, H & R, High Standard, Bersa . . . can't say that I have a "least favorite" as I have liked all of them - all have had features that I like. If I had to pick my favorite - it would probably be Ruger as I have more of them than the others. I have a SR9, an older 22 Super Bearcat, a 357 New Vaquero and a new 357 LCR - all fine, rugged and dependable pistols. My others are "vintage" and they all are nice shooters. Knock on wood, with the exception of the High Standard Sport King that I had which had feeding problems (I inherited it, I didn't buy it), I've never had a problem with any of them.
orionengnr
New member
Favorite
For revolvers: S&W P&R models. End of discussion.
For semi-autos-
--1911s. Of the 25 or so that I have owned, I have had the best luck with Kimber, although I realize that others have had different experiences. I am on #8 and counting...for a reason. Each has functioned correctly from round #1.
--Kahrs. Again, I have read the negative experiences of some, but of my three, I had problems with one (PM9) and it was addressed quickly and correctly.
Least favorite:
Kel-Tec. I am oh-for-four (one P11, one P32, two P3ATs), after F&B, mags, ammo, parts sent from Cocoa Beach, etc. I am done with K-T.
When I bought an LCP and it actually worked, I was shocked, and pleasantly surprised. Gee, a sub-compact .380 that works? Who knew?
For revolvers: S&W P&R models. End of discussion.
For semi-autos-
--1911s. Of the 25 or so that I have owned, I have had the best luck with Kimber, although I realize that others have had different experiences. I am on #8 and counting...for a reason. Each has functioned correctly from round #1.
--Kahrs. Again, I have read the negative experiences of some, but of my three, I had problems with one (PM9) and it was addressed quickly and correctly.
Least favorite:
Kel-Tec. I am oh-for-four (one P11, one P32, two P3ATs), after F&B, mags, ammo, parts sent from Cocoa Beach, etc. I am done with K-T.
When I bought an LCP and it actually worked, I was shocked, and pleasantly surprised. Gee, a sub-compact .380 that works? Who knew?
LockedBreech
New member
Favorite
1.) Beretta. What's not to love? With the exception of naysayers who used them in poorly-maintained condition or with cheap magazines, and the hordes with no experience who repeat the claims of those naysayers, Beretta's firearms, most notable the 92 series, have served millions of users with reliability, accuracy, and durability. The 92 series is, to me, the preeminent 9x19 combat pistol.
2. Ruger. I actually don't care too much for their full-size pistol options, but I love their subcompacts and I'm very fond a company with a reputation for standing behind what they produce.
3. Smith & Wesson. An American-classic company producing Tier 1 firearms. It's a shame I don't own one yet, but an M&P is in my future.
4. Glock. Tough as hell, and I actually don't find them ugly at all, simply utilitarian and plain-featured. Fitting characteristics for a duty handgun.
5. CZ. How can you not love an underdog, dark-horse manufacturer like CZ? They churn out quality by the decades and are still criminally unrecognized for building reliable, tough stuff. I had to FIGHT a friend to convince him to buy a CZ-75B that fit his hand like a glove, and he still thanks me for it.
6. Sig-Sauer. Their stuff has a great reputation, for the most part, and fits me like a glove. I intend to buy a 229 at earliest opportunity.
Least Favorite
1. Taurus. That they market their lower-level garbage as life-saving, high-end equipment offends and infuriates me, and puts Taurus on my radar as a company that not only makes low-end guns, but does so unethically.
2. Hi-Point. My life's worth more than that.
3. Bersa. I don't know why, but Bersa just unsettles me. I don't get a feeling of quality from them, and a nonexistent track record makes me extra-leery. They may earn a removal from this list if they can produce a line with a long-standing positive reputation. For all the endorsements of the Thunder series, I've still seen too many problem reports.
4. Rossi. I associate Rossi as lower-end similar to Taurus, but I am less offended by them due to their less-aggressive marketing that seems family and casual-shooter focused.
1.) Beretta. What's not to love? With the exception of naysayers who used them in poorly-maintained condition or with cheap magazines, and the hordes with no experience who repeat the claims of those naysayers, Beretta's firearms, most notable the 92 series, have served millions of users with reliability, accuracy, and durability. The 92 series is, to me, the preeminent 9x19 combat pistol.
2. Ruger. I actually don't care too much for their full-size pistol options, but I love their subcompacts and I'm very fond a company with a reputation for standing behind what they produce.
3. Smith & Wesson. An American-classic company producing Tier 1 firearms. It's a shame I don't own one yet, but an M&P is in my future.
4. Glock. Tough as hell, and I actually don't find them ugly at all, simply utilitarian and plain-featured. Fitting characteristics for a duty handgun.
5. CZ. How can you not love an underdog, dark-horse manufacturer like CZ? They churn out quality by the decades and are still criminally unrecognized for building reliable, tough stuff. I had to FIGHT a friend to convince him to buy a CZ-75B that fit his hand like a glove, and he still thanks me for it.
6. Sig-Sauer. Their stuff has a great reputation, for the most part, and fits me like a glove. I intend to buy a 229 at earliest opportunity.
Least Favorite
1. Taurus. That they market their lower-level garbage as life-saving, high-end equipment offends and infuriates me, and puts Taurus on my radar as a company that not only makes low-end guns, but does so unethically.
2. Hi-Point. My life's worth more than that.
3. Bersa. I don't know why, but Bersa just unsettles me. I don't get a feeling of quality from them, and a nonexistent track record makes me extra-leery. They may earn a removal from this list if they can produce a line with a long-standing positive reputation. For all the endorsements of the Thunder series, I've still seen too many problem reports.
4. Rossi. I associate Rossi as lower-end similar to Taurus, but I am less offended by them due to their less-aggressive marketing that seems family and casual-shooter focused.
Favorites (current and past):
Beretta
SIG (of Neuhausen, Switz.)
SIG Sauer (Germany; USA before Cohen era)
FN (Belgium)
Freedom Arms
Colt (before mid-1970s)
S&W (for pre-lock revolvers)
Walther
Least favorites:
Taurus
Kimber
Kahr
Para-Ordnance
SIG Sauer (USA during Cohen era)
Beretta
SIG (of Neuhausen, Switz.)
SIG Sauer (Germany; USA before Cohen era)
FN (Belgium)
Freedom Arms
Colt (before mid-1970s)
S&W (for pre-lock revolvers)
Walther
Least favorites:
Taurus
Kimber
Kahr
Para-Ordnance
SIG Sauer (USA during Cohen era)
LockedBreech
New member
Austin, have you played with the FNX or FNP series pistols at all? They're a steal, I'm wondering how the feel of the quality is. Does it feel Ruger SR9-ish? Because I don't care for THAT much plasticky feel.
LS, I need to take a closer look at the FNH USA pistols. I really don't know that much about them. I've been able to shoot a few mags in total through a few guns belonging to other range patrons, but I can't remember which ones were FNXs and which ones were FNPs at this point. A couple of them had nice triggers and a couple of others had so-so triggers at best. Build quality seemed good overall, but I wasn't able to break anything down and scrutinize it closely. I've read a number of positive reviews, but I've also read some well-argued posts (some with photographs) about both design and QC issues.
Justice06RR
New member
My favorites are Smith&Wesson and Springfield. at least those are the ones i've owned and have served me reliably.
Taurus is ok; I have a 740Slim that has yet to fail me.
Keltec is on the black list. I gave it a chance and the Pf9 i owned (and sold) was a jam-o-mattic.
Taurus is ok; I have a 740Slim that has yet to fail me.
Keltec is on the black list. I gave it a chance and the Pf9 i owned (and sold) was a jam-o-mattic.