[Dave T]

I'm not sure if the following opinions are correct, or just the ramblings of a 30+ year handgunner who is getting a little cantankerous in my advancing years?

Allmost all of the handguns I'm interested in are out of production - the older versions of still available models. For example:

I like 1st & 2nd Generation SAAs better than the 3rd Generations.

I like MKIV '70s Government Models better than the '80s version (and actually perfer the pre-70s Commercial GMs and Commanders).

I like the earlier "3 Screw" Ruger Blackhawks. I like the Security Six much better than the GP-100.

I think older S&W revolvers are much better than the new ones.

Recently got interested in Kimbers. Yep, l like the ones that came before the Series II.

I won't even go into rifles, in part because this is a handgun section, but you can guess how it goes.

[Jim K]

Depends a bit on the definition of "better". In the case of Ruger, I think the added safety of the new guns more than makes up for any nostalgia for the old system. (But I have not had my older ones converted.)

The only guns I have seen that equal the 1st Generation SAA for fit and workmanship are from USF, not Colt.

As to 1911 types, I prefer straight GI to about any of the GMs or clones for anything but pure target shooting.

Jim

[priv8ter]

I would probably agree that craftmanship was better back in 'the day'.

Only problem with some of the old stuff is, from a purely deffensive standpoint, they can't handle some of the new +P or +P+ loads.

[PDshooter]

Not when it come's to wives:)

[Prodigalshooter]

Redheads:cool:
Cute.

[Porter Rockwell]

Hello,
I can't agree but used to out of pure ignorance.
My pristine 1st gen Colt needed chamber throat reaming and forcing cone mods to shoot better than 4in @ 25yds.
I've lost complete track of how many beautiful Smiths shot loose until I discovered the Enhanced S&W.
My '58 Ruger FT .44 Mag is dead soft compared to the Ruger NM SA
I believe we all could write a book on 1911s and their individual foibles, personally I havn't seen anything that surpasses the 70s big letter Colts yet without including the "Custom" guns like Valtro.
I my not be in keeping with the spirit of your post but the "early" hicap 9mms from, well S&W have all been left by the wayside by makers like Glock-CZ-SIG etc.
Thanks for the Memories!

[Mark IV Series 80]

Hello Dave T,

I agree with you wholeheartedly on the S&W revolvers and the Colt 1911-types.

I won't ever buy a new S&W with the key-lock or the MIM parts.

The newer, sand-blasted Colts look like junk to me. I hear that they have also gone to cheaper, MIM or cast parts inside.

[J Miller]

Dave T,

When I read your comments, I thought you had read my mind. I feel exactly like you do.

However I do understand what the others are saying about metalurgy, and that kind of thing.

I wish we could have the "old designs" with the new technology. That would be great.

I hate NM Rugers transfer system. An answer to a non existant problem. I won't buy a new $&W, Taurus, Remington, or any of the guns with the stupid key locks. The only exception would be the Springfield 1911's. Thats because you can switch the mainspring housing for an old style one.

No they don't make them like they used too.
Unfortunatly the improvments in metalurgy does not make up for lack of fit, lack of finish, lack of blued guns, (I am not a fan of stainless guns), stupid lawyer inspired afterthought safetys, and polymer of any kind. :barf:
Nor do I believe that you have to have the ability to shoot +P, or +P+ ammo, or that a self defense gun has to be a semi auto with a hi-cap magazine. :rolleyes:

I'm old fashioned and I won't deny it. :neener:

[Sean Smith]

The newer, sand-blasted Colts look like junk to me. I hear that they have also gone to cheaper, MIM or cast parts inside.

Uh, the new Colts aren't sand blasted. The ugly old 1991s were, but the new ones (last year or so) aren't. They are blued and have a nice finish on the flats. The Series 70 reproductions actually seem nicer than the originals (!). Colt's use of MIM parts is extremely limited, and in terms of materials used for internals Colt is way ahead of the competition. And no more plastic triggers! :D

http://usgi1911.tripod.com/series80/left.jpg

http://usgi1911.tripod.com/series80/

http://usgi1911.tripod.com/series70/Colt70l.jpg

http://usgi1911.tripod.com/series70/

[Dave T]

Not arguing with anyone but thought I would respond to a couple points, since I started this train of thought:

Priv8ter,

I don't use +P, or +P+ for self defense so your point is lost on me. My 1972 vintage Model 27 would digest any Plus Anything you can come up with but I load it with Magnums anyway. Same goes for my 3-Screw Ruger 357 Blackhawk. My 1959 Government Model will and has eaten countless rounds of 230g HydraShoks, Win SXTs, Speer Gold Dots, and Hornady ETPs. It's even shot a few hundred of the Federal EFMJ, Hornady and ProLoad 200g +Ps.

Porter,

Back in the late '80s, when I was serious into the Cowboy Action Shooting thing, I had a couple restored 1st Generation Colts that would shoot under 2" at 25 yards from a rest. I can't see much better than that anymore so that was just fine with me.

As for Smiths, I find rapid fire DA will loosen any revolver, enhansed or earlier. I never have (and never will) own a Smith auto so I can't compair them to Glocks or anything else.

I've had a couple Flattop Rugers and never loosened or shot out one of them. YMMV.

You seem to agree with me about the '70s Colt 1911s.

To everyone,

Guess it's nice that we can choose what we prefer.

[Mark IV Series 80]

Hello Sean,

Those new Colts that you have look pretty nice.

The only new 1911-types that I see in the gunstore these days are the Springfields, Daleys, Para's and Kimbers.

Maybe people buy these new Colts as soon as they come in, and maybe Colt isn't making enough of them.

[Sean Smith]

The guns are pretty easy to get, just tell the store to get one for you. :D

Actually, the pictures I posted are other people's guns, my new blued Colt is great but my camera stinks. It runs great and is darn accurate too.

[BigG]

There are intangible factors that are very appealing about some older weapons...

[CZF]

I know some people who will only own/buy the Pre B (type A)
CZ75s, or older BElgian made (and assembled) P-35 Hi-Powers.

In their minds.. OLD IS BEST.

[Bullet Bob]

I have firearms journals and magazines going back to the 50's. As Skeeter Skelton used to say, many people seem to feel that the guns made 20-30 years before whatever time period they're in were somehow better. If the articles/letters were written in the 50's, they liked the guns of the 20's and 30's. If they were in the 70's, they wanted guns from the 30's and 40's. It's just human nature, I guess. Just think, in 2023, somebody will be searching hard for a 2003 Colt, if they're still allowed guns then!