Worse firearm I ever owned....

[41022collector]

I have owned a lot of pieces in my life, some good, some bad and some just off the charts in being either unreliable or practical. The below piece is the worse in function, reliability, usefulness and or being practical.

It is the Stinger Pen Gun in .22lr.

In bascis it is a legal Pen Gun in that it folds to resemble a firearm with a grip, barrel and a trigger. BATF considers pieces not to display a traditional outline to be an AOW, so llike converted flare pen launchers to shoot ammunition, those are considered to be an NFA weapon (assassination device) and if not registered, illegal with a max of 10 Years and $10,000 for each violation.

This stinger requires you to turn the barrel safety off, empty the round that was shot (if it ignited), load the new round, screw the barrel back on, seat the barrel after cocking and RE-COCKING per the instructions, then seat the barrel again until the firing pin breech TOUCHES the back of the rimfire round, there is a notch in the chamber area that supposidly kept the rim of the round snug against the breech with the firing pin, but just too much tolerance slop to be reliable, turn the safety (no positive safety, just a barrel that turns for on and off), then aim and fire..... most of the time the barrel is not seated correctly due to slop in the threads and you have to cock and RE-COCK it, re-seat the barrel and then take the safety off and try to fire again.

The .25 and the .32 acp were also unreliable in function. The pieces are made of excellent material, just a poorly excuted design, mostly due to machine tolerances allowed for ease of assembly. The ones made by American Derringer are no better.

I refuse to sell the two I have because I would never want anyone to depend on them in a bad situation.

Here are a few pics of both the standard model and the model built into a folding knife (the folding knife model was actually more reliable, plus the blade was excellent).

 

[mljdeckard]

At least those were MEANT to be disposable, right? I have moaned repeatedly about my 1st gen Sigma .40. Maybe if we keep it up and perpetuate disposable products in general, we can persuade Ford to re-introduce the Pinto hatchback.

 

[Jim K]

I have always failed to see a reason (other than novelty) for such guns. It should be possible to make a gun that would simulate a pen, but neither those nor the ones made as "pens" do that, being too large and bulky. And, of course, they don't fool a metal detector or even a sharp sighted police officer.

As tear gas guns, they might have some benefit; an intended victim could discharge the one cartridge and then flee. But given the low possibility of killing or disabling an attacker with a single shot from a short barrel .22, and an awkward one at that, I doubt that any person feeling the need to carry a firearm (legally or illegaly) would settle for such a device.

Jim

 

[Speedo66]

Worst gun owned was an AR-7 made by Charter Arms. Sent back to factory not being able to fire more than 2 shots in a row, returned the same way.

Followed closely by a stainless steel S&W Chief Special. Arrived new with 5 defects, including a machining curl of steel in the grip area that prevented cocking. The piece on the frame that prevents the cylinder from falling out when open wasn't sized properly and prevented the cylinder from turning when it hit the cartridge rim. Hammer was noticeably cocked to one side, and it spit lead to the side when fired as the cylinder wasn't properly alligned. Forget what the other problem was.

Sent back to factory and returned with all problems solved but with no paperwork indicating what was done or accepting any responsibility and no apology. Last S&W I bought.

 

[natman]

Worst gun owned was an AR-7 made by Charter Arms. Sent back to factory not being able to fire more than 2 shots in a row, returned the same way.

Followed closely by a stainless steel S&W Chief Special. Arrived new with 5 defects, including a machining curl of steel in the grip area that prevented cocking. The piece on the frame that prevents the cylinder from falling out when open wasn't sized properly and prevented the cylinder from turning when it hit the cartridge rim. Hammer was noticeably cocked to one side, and it spit lead to the side when fired as the cylinder wasn't properly alligned. Forget what the other problem was.

Sent back to factory and returned with all problems solved but with no paperwork indicating what was done or accepting any responsibility and no apology. Last S&W I bought.

The S&W may have been a fluke; everyone turns out an occasional clunker, although yours sounds like it was worse than most.

The Charter Arms incarnation of the AR7 is another matter. It is just poorly designed. The best one ever built would still be a stamped steel, pot metal casting monument to mediocrity. I sometimes hear people talk about these things as "survival guns". If your survival depends on one of them working, then stick the muzzle in your mouth and hope it goes off, because you are doomed.

 

[Kingcreek]

Ha! When I saw the thread title and before I even opened and read it, I thought about a Charter Arms AR7. I used to pack one on canoe float camping trips. my biggest gripe was that it was designed to float. if ever there was a gun that deserved to sink...

 

[Dark Skies]

I've always wanted to have a go with one of these James Bond like gadgets.

A lot less ugly than the pen gun.

http://www.techchee.com/2008/07/28/uk-gets-miniature-4-inch-key-fob-gun/

 

[Roadkill]

I have a Red Rock Arms ATR 1. (American Tactical Rifle), I have had to polish the inside rails because of bolt carrier drag, polish hammer surface, trim hammer spring, trim recoil spring, trim gas piston spring, trim and polish gas piston, restake gas tube, polished chamber because rounds were sticking, polish firing pin because it was dragging in bolt, throat chamber so rounds would feed, modify magazines with shims so they would fit in mag well, adjust magazine feed lips so they would allow round to be picked up by bolt, size .223 rounds specifically for the chamber so they will sit back far enough to ignite, load to max+ so enough gas comes through to overcome all problems listed already, and yesterday I JB welded gas tube because of gas leak. Haven't tried it today yet. Last time I had it out it fired but was erratic about extraction. I think the gas leak was causing that.

Its the FAL on top.

 

[22-rimfire]

I don't buy many of the cheaper guns in general. Worst one was probably a Colt Govt Model 380 that jammed all the time. Got rid of it.

 

[41022collector]

That's just it, these Stinger "Pen Guns," were not at all cheap, in the $325 range. Stinger finally had to go out of biz due to of all things a law suit by the feds for 'FAX Spamming," police departments on all their avail gadgets for firearms for law enforcement.

I tend to like collecting gadget guns, but truly when I see ads for them as being made specifically for SELF DEFENSE or Survival, makes me kind of mad.

Now, my Armalite AR-7, seriously, it functionds just fine, never fired a Charter or the newer AR-7 Industries or the Henry models, they do look cheaper made though than the Armalite. I did get a couple of the Ram Line 25 shot clips for the AR7 and these feed very well. They stoppped making them now and they are expensive now when you do find them, there is a guy on Gunbroker who has them for like $86. I bought mine back when they were avail for $17 each. I also have one of the Armalite AR-6 (bolt action version of the AR-7) and to be honest it does have real merit as a dependable survival piece. It has never failed to fire or load and can also use the 25 shot ram-line clip.

22-rimfire: Yeah I agree, that dang Colt Pony .380 was a piece of junk.


Speedo66: As far as the SS Mod 60 from Smith. Ever since Smith sold to Bangor Punta Corp, back in the 80's, I have not bought a new S&W since them, their Taurus line seems to have better fit and finish than the S&W line.

Jim Keenan: I agree somewhat with your statement. I do carry a small NAA Mini Revolver on a neck chain in .22lr under my shirt and also one in a mini get out of town kit. There is some merit for the ability to come up with a small firearm to use to gain access to a better firearm i.e..... the WWII Liberator in .45 and the "Deer Gun" in .32. I do find the NAA dependable and with G-shok or Stinger .22lr and as a last ditch.... use it or lose my life, I like it.

But most gadget guns are not considerable as a self defense piece.

I have an AOW that is made out of a Zippo Lighter, it works well, will even light a smoke. So the ability to use as a surprise or last ditch, if it works, yes, if it does not.... throw bricks. I have the 4mm shown here and a .22lr made a lil differenly, but same concept.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROft_zgQTQk




I also have one of the Stinger's made by Military Armement Corp (MAC)






I have a bunch of AOW gadget guns that I have registered as NFA. I am attracted to them only per the novelty and the occasional uselful piece.

Gadgets are gadgets, but when as the Stinger Pen Gun was marketed as a depenable back up last ditch piece, I was not happy when I honestly found that of all the ones I have handled, owned and fired... NONE were made to be reliable.

Regards,
Mike

 

[FMJMIKE]

Worst gun I ever owned was a CAI Wasr-3 in .223 Remington...........JUNK!!!!

 

[bearmgc]

2 of them, a Colt Pony that gave me fits. I SO wanted it to work. The other, A charles Daly 12Ga semi auto, that semi everythinged. They both went to the pawn shop.

 

[chris in va]

Tossup between the Marlin Plinkster and the Henry AR-7. Neither functioned...at all.

My CZ 75BD was really bad the first 4 years I had it, until I figured out the factory 15rd mag was junk.

CZ 52, I don't know where to begin.

 

[SMMAssociates]

A buddy of mine has one of those "Stingers".... Interesting, but not something I'd want to depend on. I had a tear gas gun of similar design, and considered converting it (a fired gas cartridge was just right for sleeving for a .22), but didn't bother.

That one was at least reliable, although if I was going to be that close to somebody, some kind of "stun gun" or an OC spray can might be a better option. In both cases you usually have a second shot or two....

I've owned more than one gun that's not particularly reliable, but nothing special, and nothing unfixable, except a cheap .22 revolver that's still in the box here someplace, and a .32 S&W Long revolver that was stolen from the guy I gave it to. It's Single Action components didn't work. DA or nothing.... Otherwise, it worked as advertised.

I also have a circa 1968 Charter Arms "Undercover .38" that tends to fail to fire in SA mode when dirty. It's more a curiosity than anything else, so a non-issue.

One thing to toss into the pit here is the "Palm Pistol", kind of a derringer designed for the physically infirm. I'm still not sure the thing is saleable, or doesn't require some NFA paperwork, but I'm waiting to hear....

Good topic!

Regards,

 

[RoostRider]

Worst gun owned was an AR-7 made by Charter Arms. Sent back to factory not being able to fire more than 2 shots in a row, returned the same way.

You and I are on the same page here man.... wow.... that was the gun I thought of immediately when I read the thread title.... what a POS... I never bothered sending mine back to anyone, since the materials are so shoddy it was clear that there was little to nothing that could be done to the gun to make it reliable for more than a a couple hundred rounds max....

That being understood, it still has its 'novelty' factor going for it... being colapsable into the stock and being able to float... yeah, I tested mine, it floats.... why not test it since its junk anyways... lol.... which, by the way, the case leaks.... lol

 

[steven58]

For me it was my old Grendel P-10

The slide was held to the frame by a transverse steel pin that fit loosely in the frame / slide hole. if you racked the slide with the gun anything other than perfectly vertical the pin fell out and the gun auto field stripped

While the trigger pull was long and spongy with significant overtravel the worst part was when it fired. For me, this was the most painful handgun I have ever fired! The rear of the frame just above the grip is squared off. The corner of that lines up perfectly with the pressure point on the back of my hand at the base of my thumb. Combine that with super light weight and a .380 blow back and OUCH!

It hurt more to shoot this than the concurrently owned .35 Remington Contender 14".

Sold it last year for 3X what I bought it for. Guns are so subjective

 

[Sav .250]

With out a doubt it was a Win model 100. It was heavy. Nasty looking. Didn`t shoot for crap. It didn`t help that I never did like it so I just "gave" it to my brother.
For me it was a piece of crap.

 

[Evergreen]

I don't know about you, but I think the pen gun looks real interesting. I guess its something that both terrifies me and intrigues me. Perhaps, in next 10 years they will make pen guns so efficient that they will be able to fire high caliber rounds effectively and also not lose the stealth of what may apepar to be a regular work pen. This causes the potential however for use by some rather unsavory elements, such as terrorists boarding planes. Just imagine if the person checking bags sees a pen in a suitcase and doesn't look close enough at the image. I know they can put bombs in shoes and now I have to take my shoes off before going into a plane. I suppose soon we will have to remove all our pens. No pens allowed on planes. Oh my.

 

[PTK]

Odd. Though I won't contest some of your points, I've had nothing but laughs with my Stinger in .25acp. It goes bang every time.

 

[danprkr]

Bersa 380. First mag out the trigger return spring broke. Sent it in, had it fixed, 2nd mag out the trigger return spring broke. Sent it back, and when it came back it never left the store. I traded it in for a Colt Officer's ACP which worked well, and I kept for 20 years.

 

[Satch]

K-Tec .40 S&W that folds in half. One day at the range the receiver split in half,POS.

 

[Ky Larry]

TEC-9. Worst jam-o-matic POS ever made. I was just young and stupid. Finally came to my senses and traded it for a Thompson Contender w/ 14.5" bull barrel in .223. Instantly went from this to this . I guess every one is entitled to one "*** was I thinking?"

 

[Avenger]

My worst was a Spanish made knock-off of a Baby Browning in .25ACP. NOT a 'Ruby' pattern, just an out-and-out copy. It wasn't a question of would it jam, it was HOW. I had SIMULTANEOUS failure to eject and failure to feed (it looked like the live round t-boned the fired round, which resulted in a jam so thorough it took ten minutes of poking at things with a pencil and cursing to finally clear it), the mag almost always dropped on firing, and once it locked the slide back (no slide stop, either, it just got stuck, apparently on the rear of the magazine) and puked 5 unfired rounds out of the magazine through the ejection port, then dropped the mag and dropped the slide the instant I began to move my hand. *BANG* pitter-patter /SNICK/ would be a good description of THAT delightful event.

I have no idea what was wrong with it, but I'm absolutely sure it involved the word "multiple."

 

[22-rimfire]

TEC-9. Worst jam-o-matic POS ever made. I was just young and stupid.

That was one urge I resisted. The cool thing was that particular gun shop had a full auto Mag 10 for sale for like $500. Times change. And it was even in KY.

 

[AcceptableUserName]

Lorcin .380. Laughable junk. Jammed every two shots no matter what, grips would come loose even after screwed tight, mag plates would come off, but I wish I still had it to be honest....would be a nice paperweight.