A gun so miserable to shoot, you want it anyway?

[Sergei Mosin]

I felt that way about the Ruger LCR for a time. I rented a .38 version and didn't like shooting it at all - but I couldn't get the little gun out of my mind. It kept calling me back. I rented it again and it wasn't as bad. I bought a .357 and learned to shoot it properly, and now it's one of my favorites.

 

[WestKentucky]

In an absolutely different direction. Big bore Contender barrels are great for hunting. My 44 mag was painful to shoot but I find myself wanting bigger, stronger, more painful. I have been looking at 45-70 barrels recently.

 

[caribou]

In the spirit of the OP, I'd venture to try shoot a .30 Borchard, a .45 Mars semiauto pistol and a .45 Shansi Broomhandle Mauser.

Each scores major points for Ugly, akward and way more than interesting.......or maybe something with a blowforward type action......

 

[MachIVshooter]

I have a number of micro 9mms and .380s, as well as subcompact .45s, and big boomers like my SRH .454 and a 3" 629 .44 mag. The one that gets me the worst? My little Charter Bulldog .44 Spl. It's pleasant with cowboy loads, not bad with factory ammo, but with my handloads (240 Gr Sierra JHC @ 985 FPS from the 2" barrel), that tiny grip on the lightweight little revolver smacks the palm pretty hard.

 

[huntsman]

A gun so miserable to shoot, you want it anyway?

Nope guns are made to be shot and if the experience is such that you are miserable shooting it then look for something more compatible.

I no longer own a .41 and .44mag because of recoil but my EDC is an LCP which I find snappy but not unshootable.

 

[joem1945]

"My "uncomfortable to shoot but was interesting to have" would be an Astra Model 600."

I had mine out this weekend. I like it and rung the steel at 40 yds everytime. I prob fired 60 to 75 rounds, Only gun I got rid of was a single barrel 12 ga. 12 rounds and my shoulder was balck, blue and a ugly green for over a week.

 

[stchman]

I own both the Ruger LCP and S&W M&P Bodyguard 380.

They both suck to shoot, but pleasant shooting experiences they were not designed for. I have other firearms that I shoot for pleasure.

 

[GarySTL]

Well, I recently bought a Keltec carbine in 40 and after 4 magazines I don't like it.

 

[Old Dog]

Perhaps I'm getting wimpy in my old age, but I bought a Springfield Armory XDS in .45. ACP and found it quite miserable to shoot, even more so than lightweight J-frames with .357 or .38 plus-Ps.

I did want the XDS, loved the concept, but it's just not working out for me ...

 

[HisStigness]

I was reading a thread recently, titled something like "worst trigger pull you've ever experienced" or something like that. People kept mentioning the Polish Radom 64, and it's 25 pound DA trigger pull. And I thought, "I have to have one of those!" I shot it for the first time yesterday, and the way the gun shoots and recoils is way worse than the trigger pull. The recoil spring is too light, so the momentum of slide causes more muzzle flip than I have ever experienced in a handgun. And muzzle flip, of course, means that my trigger finger gets hit hard by the trigger guard on its upward swing every shot. The beavertail (if you can even call it that) is poorly shaped and results in the slide grazing the top of my hand every shot. I didn't even want to finish the first magazine and it only holds 6 rounds! I definitely didn't enjoy shooting the Ruger lcp, but I can say for sure that the P64 is worse.

It's rumored that when the Polish police would use lethal force on criminals they would utter the phrase "To mnie boli bardziej ni to ci boli" which roughly translated means "this will hurt me more than it will hurt you."

 

[AnselHazen]

Nope guns are made to be shot and if the experience is such that you are miserable shooting it then look for something more compatible.

I no longer own a .41 and .44mag because of recoil but my EDC is an LCP which I find snappy but not unshootable.

I took mine along with me today in order to try out the new holster.

I own both the Ruger LCP and S&W M&P Bodyguard 380.

They both suck to shoot, but pleasant shooting experiences they were not designed for. I have other firearms that I shoot for pleasure.

Aye me too, I pay 5 bucks for a slot in a competition at the range held one weekend a month. In the spirit of raising a ruckus I am considering paying another $5 and having a go with the Ruger.

 

[Coop45]

I have a 340PD that I might shoot again someday. No.......

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

25 responses and no AMT BACK UP?

Sure, it's heavy.
Sure, it needs to be tuned for reliability.
Sure, it bucks and twists like you read about.
Sure, it punishes you severely if you don't keep your knuckle off of the trigger.
Sure, it takes a lot of training to keep your knuckle off the trigger due to it's 20 pound trigger pull.

"miserable?"

To a great many, you bet.

Mine, I had to have it if only to go with my AMT longslide and it grew to be a favored BUG.

Now, for me, it's:
Slim
Reliable
Accurate
Smooth
and
Loves Federal Hydra Shoks

And yet, when I let others fire it, I see the misery on their faces. At least no one's dropped it yet.

Todd.

 

[Candyman87]

I was reading a thread recently, titled something like "worst trigger pull you've ever experienced" or something like that. People kept mentioning the Polish Radom 64, and it's 25 pound DA trigger pull. And I thought, "I have to have one of those!" I shot it for the first time yesterday, and the way the gun shoots and recoils is way worse than the trigger pull. The recoil spring is too light, so the momentum of slide causes more muzzle flip than I have ever experienced in a handgun. And muzzle flip, of course, means that my trigger finger gets hit hard by the trigger guard on its upward swing every shot. The beavertail (if you can even call it that) is poorly shaped and results in the slide grazing the top of my hand every shot. I didn't even want to finish the first magazine and it only holds 6 rounds! I definitely didn't enjoy shooting the Ruger lcp, but I can say for sure that the P64 is worse.

It's rumored that when the Polish police would use lethal force on criminals they would utter the phrase "To mnie boli bardziej ni to ci boli" which roughly translated means "this will hurt me more than it will hurt you."

Also miserable to shoot but a different kind of miserable. I definitely have a love/hate relationship with my P-64.

And that phrase would definitely make sense

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have a double barrel 410 derringer type of handgun I sometimes shoot just because. It did cut me once when I tried to double it without being sure I have a good grip after the first shot. I still have no idea why I still own it lol.

 

[WardenWolf]

My Polish P-64. Nasty recoil from such a small gun. But with custom wood grips, it's not so bad. I've carried it for over 5 years.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

^^^Why own it?^^^

Why not own it!?!

I'd have to fake that into some sort of "Pirate Gun" for sure.

Todd.

 

[TfflHndn]

I have a SIG P232 that is an uncomfortable, snappy little bugger to shoot. I don't enjoy shooting it at all. But I like the stainless finish, the night sights and the small size. I carry it from time to time, but probably not enough to warrant keeping it. I just had to have it, but I can't really remember why any more. Maybe one of these days it'll go down the road with someone who will be happier to have it.

 

[Teachu2]

My wife held a Ruger LC9 once and had to have one. Ordered it, waited six weeks to find one, and she shot three rounds. Tried a grip sleeve, still hated it. She now carries a Shield 9mm.

I kept the LC9 and shot it enough to achieve reasonable accuracy, but it was neither fast nor pleasant. It moved on to a happier home.

 

[Jim NE]

I have a double barrel 410 derringer type of handgun I sometimes shoot just because. It did cut me once when I tried to double it without being sure I have a good grip after the first shot. I still have no idea why I still own it lol.

Is that quarter there to show how much you paid for that thing? JUST KIDDING!

I've seen those things online. I think the single barrel version is the only gun I've seen that sells new for under 100 bucks. Interesting.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have always enjoyed shooting the Makarov and CZ82 in 9x18. Accurate, easy to shoot, very manageable recoil.

Thought that I would try a P64. Read all the stuff about terrible trigger pull, but decided to tame it with replacement of springs. Read about recoil, and bought a grip sleeve before I shot it.

The trigger is now OK. Not as nice as either the Mak or the CZ, but not the monster that others experience.

The recoil? What a nasty beast. Hurts to touch off a couple of magazines.

But, that said, I really like her.

 

[marksman13]

I shoot the snot out of my Bodyguard and I've never found the recoil to be unpleasant. I think the trigger and sights are better than most pocket guns.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Another just popped to mind though a bit outside the specific category.

I was just going through a safe thinking about things to sell and came across my Enfield Jungle Carbine.

Thinking out loud, my wife says: "So, why sell it then..."

All she heard was along this vein:
Should I...
Sure is pretty...
... never shoot it...
Do I even have any .303?

So then when she asked her question about selling, my response was:

"Well, I used to like looking at it in the office but it's been in the safe for years...
And besides, it sucks to shoot!"

So, there's that.


Todd.

 

[Overkill870]

Probably my airweight j frame would fall into this category. Heavy plus p loads sting a bit but it shoots so well I love it. With my hogue monogrip it is not bad.

 

[jjadkins1]

I love my Makarov. I carry some form of 1911 most of the time but carry my Mak as a backup or small carry. I will never get rid of it.