I went through an analysis of what I wanted caliber wise and then the manual of arms for each category. I have DA revolvers from Taurus and S&W -- cylinder goes counter clockwise and the cylinder release is push forward. Colt and Ruger work different, so none of them.
First pistol was an AMT and then S&W, so all subsequent pistols have a safety you flick up to fire or have no safety (e.g. glock). No 1911's for me...
Rifles are Remington pump and semi auto. Shotgun was planned to be Rem 870. I'm a lefty and would like the lefty version, but I can't find a lefty trigger for the Rem 7400 and 7600. So when/if I get an 870, it will be the right hand version.
I now have an M1A and may get rid of the Remingtons. Anyone know of a shotgun with a garand style safety? A Ruger 10-22 and mini-14 would also work well with the M1A. Also thinking of a Mossburg 500 for the shotgun, but that will be a different safety position to learn.