5 classic handguns that every one should shoot at least once in their life?

I’ll go with:
Colt 1911 (45 APC)
Smith & Wesson Model 27 (357 Mag)
Smith & Wesson Model 29 (44 Mag)
Magnum Research Desert Eagle (50 AE)
Smith & Wesson Model 500 (500 Mag)

And to shoot them before you get old, decrepit, and arthritic like me.

Still have to shoot the luger (although i have handled it) and the sw.

I don't feel the Luger calling, never shot one and don't feel the urge. Cap and Ball you just have to shoot them at least once for the legend. The same with a magnum revolver. Doesn't matter which one but the bigger the better. If your American you have to shoot a 1911 because your American, I say that not really liking them. A machine pistol because everyone should shoot a small full auto at least once in there life for the grin you get on your face. A Glock because its a Glock world.

What about a 44 mag, and a 2" snub, and a small 380 pocket auto. this would give a lot of people some idea of what they are actually talking about?? I agree on the SA 45 long colt, and a 1911. :banghead:

1) Colt Model 1860
2) Colt Single Action Army
3) Colt Gold Cup
4) Magnum Research Desert Eagle
5) Luger P08

JohnBiltz said:

I don't feel the Luger calling, never shot one and don't feel the urge. Cap and Ball you just have to shoot them at least once for the legend. The same with a magnum revolver. Doesn't matter which one but the bigger the better. If your American you have to shoot a 1911 because your American, I say that not really liking them. A machine pistol because everyone should shoot a small full auto at least once in there life for the grin you get on your face. A Glock because its a Glock world.

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I own a few now, and the feeling of shooting them is unique then any other 9mm with the toggle action, it recoils up keeping you on target. (probably why I am so accurate with mine)

these guns can instantly be recognized by anyone, even non gun people as they are world famous. I think babies come out of the womb knowing what a Luger is. Ain't much more "class" then a Luger Not to mention GI's in WWI and WWII had their sights set on one gun... and it's wasn't a P38, HP or PPK..

With that in mind, I'd say:

1. 1851 Navy
2. Colt SAA
3. 1911
4. Luger P08
5. Browning HP

I'd also want a smitty J frame .38 snubby on there as well, due to their prolific use.

All these except maybe the HP can be recognized by most americans.

In this order:

(1) Ruger Bearcat w/ .22 BB caps

(2) Colt Python w/ .38 Specials

(3) Colt Gold Cup .45 ACP

(4) Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum

(5) Thompson Contender in .45-70


Bob Wright

Some of my thoughts on shooting a variety of handguns:

Every seasoned handgunner owes it to himself to revert to a .22 loaded with BB/CB caps. The mild "pop" and complete (almost) lack of recoil just is a thrill to topple a can or empty shotgun shell.

Shooting a Luger is a novel experience, seeing that toggle jump up in your line of sight is somewhat disconcerting. But its one that needs to be felt.

Shooting a Colt Government Model .45 ACP is interesting to a revolver shooter, the "double impulse" recoil and the mechnical goings-on that take place. Not so distracting as a Luger, but there just the same.

Shooting mild target loads, or light bullet .357 Magnum rounds is a sheer pleasure from a Python. There is recoil, and blast, but a most satisfying sight as the target (inanimate) gets shot apart.

The .44 Magnum is probably the most delightful handgun in the world to shoot. Extremely accurate, and a long range gun to boot. It speaks with authority with blast and recoil well below what one would expect from such performance.

The .45-70 Thompson Contender is certainly not for the novice shooter. With a 500 gr. cast bullet the size of a small watermelon, it packs a punch on both ends. Impacting down range, bullets kick up soil like small artillery rounds. If fact, one feels like a cannoneer when loading the rounds into the breech. But what a hoot!

And, yeah, try black powder for fling. I chose to load .45 Colt cartridges with the stuff. Its best to shoot on a day with a little breeze to your back, otherwise you'll never see your bullet's impact for the smoke.

Bob Wright

How about these:

Jennings .22
Raven .25
RG anything
Any Hi Point
Davis .25
Iver Johnson anything

All classics

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Hey wait a minute, you forgot the Type 94 Nambu! You don't even have to use the trigger to shoot it, just apply some pressure to the external sear and BANG!

Well lets see:
Semi-custom 1911
Browning Hi Power
Browning Buck Mark after tuning
Colt SAA .45Colt
S&W 952-1

Hmm...
.45LC SAA (Peacemaker)
.45ACP 1911
9mm Luger
.44Mag. S&W Model 29
.50 Desert Eagle.

There's others to be sure, that could be added to the list, GLock 17, S&W 500 Nitro, .357 Colt Python, Berreta 92F, Walther PPK, Ruger Mark I/II, .38 Derringer, and last but not least a 1858 Remi BP. But, I think those I listed above would give you 5 completely different feels that pretty much cover the spectrum.

Colt SAA
SW Model 29
Colt 1911
Broomhandle Mauser
HK P7M8


Good thread!

1911
Colt SAA
S&W Model 29
Luger p.08
Webley MK VI revolver

And a sixth, since its not a "handgun" in the modern/cartridge sense ... a flintlock pistol. Definitely need to shoot one at least once!

1.Any variant of a single action revolver in at least .38-40 caliber
2. Smith and Wesson K frame .357
3.Smith and Wesson N frame .44 Magnum
4.A GI 1911(not one of those tacticool ones)
5.A modern polymer gun of some type

1911 National Match
S&W Model 3 .44Russian
Colt SAA 44-40 or 45LC
S&W Target Masterpiece
1847 Walker Colt

I'd like to do a technological progression type deal.
Something like...

Black Powder
Colt SAA
1911
Colt Python
Some kind of full auto
Hammereli with some type of electronic trigger or one of those super accurate .22 multi thousand dollar marksman type rigs.

Wow, picking only 5 is a very hard thing!

Colt 1851 Navy or Colt 1860 Army - .36 Cal or .44 Cal Cap & Ball
S&W Volcanic - .41 Cal
Colt 1873 SA Army - .45 Colt
Colt 1911 (not 1911A1) - .45 ACP
S&W M&P - .38 Special

I would have liked to add a Ruger Mark II, Ruger Single-Six, S&W Registered Magnum and Freedom Arms M83 but you only allowed 5 so I picked the ones above.

If we can only do five I think it comes down to this:

A funky/historical auto
A funky/historical revolver
A practical auto
A practical revolver
A superb handgun (excellent accuracy, trigger, fit, and finish)

Funky means something not mainstream e.g. a top-break revolver, a toggle action semi-auto, gas operated, cylinder gap sealed, etc. I would probably go with a Webley and a P08 but I can see many alternatives.

Practical means something mainstream and widely considered good in a serviceable way. Glock, CZ, Ruger, S&W, and so on. Good quality, but nothing fancy. Probably a Glock and an S&W M10 but it could as easily be a decent 1911 and a GP100.

Superb means a worked over 1911, or a .22 target gun, a fine revolver, or similar. Perfect trigger, accurate, pretty wood, polished metal. I would probably go with a fully customized 1911.

My list would include:

Colt Single Action Army
Colt 1911
Luger
Webley revolver
Walther PP/k

Python - gotta be included although I've never had the privilege
SW 686
Ruger Standard
Colt SAA
DW Valor

1911 45acp
Ruger security six
44 mag S&W
50 cal MR Desert eagle
44 cal. BlackPowder C& B revolver

1 luger
2 1911
3 single action .45lc
4 a nice (not cheap) .44 mag
5 glock (love it or hate it, it was a game changer)

American history war theme.
Revolutionary war: Model 1775 flintlock pistol
Civil war: Remington 1858 new army (cuz I like it)
WWI: S&W 1917 .45ACP
WWII: Colt 1911
Current: Beretta M9

I am with Agaarguy. Most of the chosen guns are common , not all, but most.

.45 Colt Sigle Action Army.
Mauser Broom handle
Old Luger 9mm
Colt Python
1911