Your Top 10 Favorite Handguns

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My Top 10 circa 2001
Primary: Glock 23 .40

1. Glock 23 .40: (.40 Glocks are fine but Glocks are best in 9mm)
2. Sig Sauer P229 9mm: (I prefer the P228 but in a compact DA/SA 9mm few are better)
3. Browning HP 9mm: (classic, always will be)
4. Glock 21 .45: (I like them even more now with the SF frame. If not a 9mm Glock, I'll take a Glock 21SF in .45)
5. Glock 27 .40: (Glock's are best in 9mm)
6. HK P7/M8 9mm: (still want one)
7. Sig Sauer P220 .45: (SIG's are best in 9mm)
8. Colt MK IV Series 80 .45: (Semi-custom 1911's now, whole nuther level)
9. Sig Sauer P226 .357 Sig: (fun to shoot .357 SIG but expensive, almost bought one but never did)
10. S&W 686 2 1/2" .357 Mag: (fun to shoot but really, there are better guns to fight with for its size/weight)
Click to expand...

Current Top 10

Current Primary G26/G17:
1. Glock 34, 17, 19, and 26 (my favorite self defense pistols)
2. Glock 21 SF .45 ACP (my second favorite self defense pistol)
3. Full size single stack 1911 in .45 ACP: Semi-custom from SA Custom and Les Baer (Classic platform made the way they should be)
4. S&W J frame in steel (36, 60, 640, 649) (BUG, everyone should have one esp. one that you'll shoot often)
5. SIG Sauer P226 9mm (The best SIG Sauer P series pistol evah)
6. S&W M&P in 9mm and .40 (has potential but S&W has to to bring up QC. I prefer Glock but I know others prefer this one)
7. Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum (If you can own only one .44 Magnum the Redhawk is it. esp with the out of the box trigger today. Yes, Ruger)
8. Browning High Power MKIII and Practical in 9mm (classic, slim, elegant. rare quality these days)
9. H&K P7/M8 and PSP (unique, awesome little defense gun)
10. Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum (nice BUG just a bit bigger than a S&W J, if you dont' mind the size/weight)

*Edited to see my old list and new list side by side with my thoughts about my old and new choices today
 
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You know, normally it's kind of painful when an ancient thread comes back to life, but this is one of those rare cases where it's nice to see it come back to life.

I looked over my personal favorites list from nearly a decade ago, and I'd have to say that I've got some changes...

1. Smith & Wesson Model 19. I own two, a 4" and a 2.5". Both are used for carry. The 19 is, by far, my favorite handgun of all time. Lensringer and I are in complete agreement about this handgun. Still my all-time favorite handgun. I now have THREE Model 19s. A couple of years ago I added a 6" to my collection. The previous owner ground the front sight blade thin, but for $200 I wasn't going to complain.

2. S&W Model 042, a J-frame .38. This is my primary carry gun virtually since the day that I got it. Still one of my favorites, and still a regular carry gun for me. I can't believe I've had it this long.

3. S&W Model 28, 4". I bought this one in nearly mint condition for the princely sum of $250. It was, I believe, unfired. It's not now, but it's sporting a set of Ivory grips and looks FANTASTIC. Still a favorite.

4. S&W Model 58 4". A relatively new acquisition, I'm learning the joys of the .41 Mag. with it. Every time I shoot my .41 I love it more and more. I've tried for some time to add a Model 57 to the stable, but so far no luck.

5. HK P7M13. Probably one of the finest handguns ever made. I carry this one quite often. Have to say that this one is off my list. I've since purchased a P7PSP and it's even better than the M13, it fits my hand a LOT better.

6. Kahr K9. A wonderous little 9mm. Heavy, but that helps control recoil with hot 9mm loads. I carry this one, too. Kahr, too, has fallen out of favor with me. I ended up selling mine. Its replacement is my High Power, which is a strong contender for No. 2 on my favorite guns of all time list.

7. EAA Witness 10mm. Also a relatively new acquisition, it's accurate, does great things to bowling pins, and is quite fun to shoot. Also off the list. I sold this one a couple of years ago. It was fun, but... Its replacement? Not sure yet, but it may be my newly acquired S&W Model 18-3. But, since I don't have the 18-3 yet, I'll just play the safe card and say my Brazilian Contract M1917.

8. 1911A1 Sprinfield Milspec. This is my primary bowling pin gun. This one survived a double charge of Winchester 231 (nearly 10 grains!) a few years ago, and did so with absolutely no damage. How could one not love that?

9. Sig P220. I don't have one, but I want one. A wonderful .45 ACP. Over the years I've cooled considerably on the P220. A good gun, but the prices are absolutely insane. Its replacement in this list? My Model 24-3 in .44 Special. It's a target gun, with an incredible trigger and 6.5" barrel. TONS of fun to shoot.

10. S&W Triple Lock, New Century, whatever. One of the finest handguns ever made, and the father of all N-frame Smiths. I've got a Model of 1917 military, but it's just not the same as a true Triple Lock. A lot less expensive, though.
 
OH MY GOD. I responded to this thread and I had NO IDEA it was a my own Necro-Thread that I started almost 8 years ago.:rolleyes::eek:

*Interesting how my choices have changed a bit since then. After the Glock 23 I switced to a SIG P228 9mm for a few years. My current "primary" is a Glock 26 or Glock 17 depending on the situation.
 
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since i wasn't here 10 years ago.........

01. hk p7 - i like the m13 almost as much.
02. fn hi-power - number 2 today
03. 1911 - number 3 today
04. walther p88 compact
05. walther p99 - 9mm only the .40 does not make the list.
06. beretta cougar
07. walther p5
08. sig p6
09. browning bdm - yes i like those
10. walther ppk - can't really compare this one to the rest,but is is one of my favorites. NO S&W.

my carry gun ?
sig p6
 
1. Colt Python, 4-inch barrel.

2. Colt's 1911 .45ACP, WWII era government issue.

3. Colt's 1911 .45ACP, Gold Cup, Nat'l Match.

4. Smith & Wesson Model 13, 3-inch barrel.

5. Glock 17.

6. Smith & Wesson Model 29, 6-inch barrel.

7. Bren Ten (I grew up watching Miami Vice).

8. .44 AutoMag (I grew up reading Mack Bolan).

9. Ruger MKII, 7.5-inch heavy barrel.

10. Colt SAA, artillery model.

Honorable Mention: Browning P-35 Hi-Power, HK P7, Beretta 92, Smith & Wesson Models 19/66, Smith & Wesson Victory Model, Colt Official Police .38 Special, and Walther PPK.
 
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1 S&W 657 4"
2 Ruger 45LC Bisley
3 Springfield 1911
4 S&W 19
5 Ruger 22/WMR Bisley
6 S&W 657 3' - 1298fps with 200gr!
7 Ruger SBH 44
8 S&W 29 - 8" only
9 S&W 57 - 4", 6", and 8" - Smooth as butter
10 S&W 27 - 5" & 8" - Dang, wish I hadn't sold them!
 
Kimber TLE II
Glock 17
Glock 22
Glock 21SF
Glock 27
Springfield Mil-Spec
Smith & Wesson 629 - 4"
Smith & Wesson 327 NG
HK USP 45
Beretta 92

In no particular order.

I actually carry every single one of those at the same time.......What? You all don't believe me???
 
First have to start by saying I haven't fired many handguns, so just ranking the ones I have in the order of preference.

1. S&W 5906 - Sold my S&W 459 to purchase this as my range and home defense gun, as it has better ergonomics, completely stainless steel, and has Crimson Trace lasergrips were available for it.

2. S&W M&P 45 - Shot my friends, and was a little apprehensive about the larger caliber, as I have arthritis and my wrists aren't extremely strong, but the gun shot great, accurate and ergonomic.

3. Ruger MkII - Great gun for plinking, accurate, and inexpensive to shoot

4. S&W 686 - Father's gun, 6" Barrel gun shoots very accurately, but for me it kicks like a mule compared to the semi-auto's I have fired. Again weak wrists, but would love to own one with a shorter barrel, as the design has always appealed to me.

5. S&W 459 - Gun shot and functioned well and will a little more practice I am sure it would have been more accurate.

6. S&W Sigma 9VE - Again, friends gun, shot well pretty accurate. Didn't care for the trigger pull as it felt too long for me. Did however, envy the ease of field stripping over the older S&W semi's.

7. S&W M&P 40 - Brother-in-Law works for Brink's and they transitioned from revolvers to these, so was able to try out one. Obviously it had the same ergonomics as the 45, but the recoil seemed to be more than I noticed on the 45, gun shot well. Wish I could have liked the 40 more, as my brother-in-law has thousands of empty cases he picked up from the range when practices and trains other security guards at Brinks. So would have plenty of access to reloads.
 
"OH MY GOD. I responded to this thread and I had NO IDEA it was a my own Necro-Thread that I started almost 8 years ago."

Now THERE is situational awareness for you! :D
 
1. 1911 .45 ACP: You can take your pick for manufacturer. I've owned or shot Colt, S&W, RIA, US Switch and Signal, Springfield, Ed Brown, and Dan Wesson. I currently own just a S&W. Its a great design and a more than adequate cartridge.

2. S&W Model 66: Its a Model 19 in stainless. Since I live in the Pacific NorthWet, this one edges out the venerable Model 19.

3. S&W Model 19: Great cartridge, great looks. If it had the ability to stomach a permanent diet of full-house .357 loads, it may have gone up the list. But its still a classic.

4. Ruger .22 auto pistol: I've had 22/45's, mark II, and have shot the Mark I and III. All were great fun, all were reliable if kept reasonably clean (like cleaned every 1000 shots or so.

5. S&W Model 17: The only revolver I can really afford to shoot on a regular basis. Its more accurate than I am, and probably better looking.

6. Glock 22, 23, 27: All of the .40 S&W glocks I have owned have behaved very well. I had only one failure and that was due to a defective Winchester round. The 27 snapped a bit and the 22 is pretty large, but the 23 was perfect sized. One of the few guns I regret selling.

7. Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Mag: Its a tank. Enough said.

8. Smith and Wesson Model 36/60: I've owned several. They need to be old enough to have hammer mounted firing pins and no locks. I also prefer the larger grips on the older models as I don't have dainty hands. The bantam grips on the current j-frames are just not comfortable for me to shoot.

9. Sig 239 DAO: Good carry gun. Solid, accurate, reliable. Just nothing outstanding enough to move it up my list or keep it in my stable.

10. Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless: Beautiful design. A bit heavy, but otherwise a wonderful gun.

Several guns did not make the list because I have either not owned them (Browning HP, Colt SAA), or because I've had to work on them and find them to be evil (see Colt DA revolvers).
 
favs

OK, I'll play (How do you even find threads that are eight years old? I mean...I know you can search but still...)
Favorites in no particular order;
1) High Standard Victor
2) Ruger Mk.II Gov't
3) Colt Gold Cup National Match
4) Thompson Contender - favorite barrel = 10" .30-30.
5) Makarov
6) Ruger Blackhawk .44 Mag 5.5"
7) Pardini .22 Free Pistol
8) Glock 36
9) Browning HP
10) S&W 317 Airlite .22 Snub nose.
Pete
 
Any quality 1911
Sig 220
S&W model 41
S&W model 19 snub
Ruger Mark II
Walther PPK/S


sorry, don't need any others......
 
1, ruger birds head vaquero 45 colt
2, ruger vaquero 45 colt 5 1/2
3, s&w 19 2 1/2" 357
4, s&w 686 6" 357
5, colt gold cup national match series 80 45 acp
6, ruger mk 2 gov't 22 lr 6 7/8
7, h&k p7m8 9mm
8, beretta 950 25 acp
9, glock 26 9mm
10, bond arms 45 colt, not the 410
 
1. Glock 19
2. Ruger Security-Six
3. PPK/S
4. SA 1911
5. Ruger Single-Six
6. Browning HP
7. S&W j-frame (642)
8. Python
9. CZ 75 SS
10.Glock 21 SF
 
1. CZ 75 BD Police: Tackdriver doesn't even begin to describe how spookily accurate it is. Low recoil in an all steel frame, ergonomic grip and 16+1 that can be accurately be laid down on target faster than anything larger than a .22.

2. S&W Model 10-7, 6": Smooth DA trigger and great ergonomics. Eats bullseyes for lunch.

3. Colt Army Special .38, 4" (circa 1923): See Mod. 10-7 above . . . just looks better doing it.

4. Ruger P345: Everything a 1911 isn't while keeping most of what it is. Thin, light, accurate and dead solid reliable chambering everything up to and including spent cases.

5. Wilson CQB: (yes I did just rank the $450 Ruger ahead of the $2400 Wilson) Way accurate, smooth, everything a 1911 should be. Tight tolerances make it a picky eater though and doesn't like 300 round range sessions without a scrubbing at some point.

6. Browning Buckmark: If other guns are tackdrivers, this one's a needle driver. Most accurate handgun I've ever owned or shot bar none.

7. CZ 82: Most "shootable" small gun I have. 12+1 of 9mm Makarov seem to go wherever I will them to.

8. S&W Mod. 629-2: Killed many a steel Ram with it's glass rod S/A trigger.

9. Ruger GP100 6": a Whitetail's worst nightmare is this gun and nuclear 180 gr. hardcast solids.

10. S&W 642: Pocket rocket. Saved my butt once (without even shooting it) so it has to be included.
 
Originally posted by :RamSlammer
5. Wilson CQB: (yes I did just rank the $450 Ruger ahead of the $2400 Wilson) Way accurate, smooth, everything a 1911 should be. Tight tolerances make it a picky eater though and doesn't like 300 round range sessions without a scrubbing at some point.
Click to expand...

I'm not debating your choice or its position. Just that if your CQB can't go 300 rounds without cleaning than there is something wrong. I'd ask Wilson and see if they can diagnose it. I've shot over 600 rounds and just shy of 1000 with my Baer TRS and SA Professional between cleanings and they ran fine. (Just a little bit of lube between 300-400 rounds). Towards the end the slides do feel sluggish but no issues. And these are supposedly 1911's with even tighter tolerances than Wilson. If your CQB can't go 300 rounds between cleanings then it can't make it through most handgun classes. That's unacceptable.
 
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Quote:
Originally posted by :RamSlammer
5. Wilson CQB: (yes I did just rank the $450 Ruger ahead of the $2400 Wilson) Way accurate, smooth, everything a 1911 should be. Tight tolerances make it a picky eater though and doesn't like 300 round range sessions without a scrubbing at some point.


I'm not debating your choice or its position. Just that if your CQB can't go 300 rounds without cleaning than there is something wrong. I'd ask Wilson and see if they can diagnose it. I've shot over 600 rounds and just shy of 1000 with my Baer TRS and SA Professional between cleanings and they ran fine. (Just a little bit of lube between 300-400 rounds). Towards the end the slides do feel sluggish but no issues. And these are supposedly 1911's with even tighter tolerances than Wilson. If your CQB can't go 300 rounds between cleanings then it can't make it through most handgun classes. That's unacceptable.
Click to expand...

Ian, You are probably right that I need to have the CQB looked at. And, I'm not saying it doesn't run after 300 rounds - just takes some additional cajoling occasionally to get it into battery when dirty. It's had about 2K rounds so far and it's rare that it ever gets 300+ round sessions any more. It is incredibly accurate. Much more so than me - as was proved by using a Ransom Rest once. Wilson's place is not far from where I fish sometimes - may just drop it off this summer. Thanks.
 
Primary: Glock 17

1: Beretta 92FS
2: Glock 17
3: CZ75 SP01 Shadow
4: S&W model 66 4 inch
5: Bul M5 high cap 1911 .38 super
6: S&W model 60
7: Colt Gold Cup .45 ACP.
8: Ruger Single Six Convertible
9: Webley Mk IV
10: S&W Model 18*

* purchased but not yet fired.
I currently own 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10. My brother in law has 3 and it is on my wish list. I owned 6, it was destroyed by the Australian Government. I shot 7, it was also destroyed by the Australian Government. I will own 8 again.

Apart from the above the only other handgun I desire is a S&W 627 8 Times or an original 5 inch barreled model 27.
 
1. S&W M&P .40
2. S&W M&P 340 .357mag/.38
3. S&W SW1911 .45
4. S&W 310 Nightguard .40/10mm
5. H&K USP .40
6. Glock 19
7. Glock 22
8. S&W Model 10 .38
9. S&W 329PD .44mag
10. Ruger Redhawk (cougar magnum)
 
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