Best Specimen

[SuperNaut]

I've been thinking about what would represent a collection of the best specimens in the following categories. I know it will be difficult, but try to put aside your brand loyalties and think about what you would buy for the following categories if money were no object.

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal)

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)

3. Revolver

4. Semi-Auto Rifle

5. Select-Fire Rifle

6. Bolt-Action Rifle

7. Shotgun (Hunting)

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)

9. Black Powder Rifle

10. Black Powder Pistol

11. Wild Card

I've left out more specific actions and variations (like pump action or carbine rifle) to allow for hopefully interesting justifications/discussion.

Ready? Go!

 

[RKBABob]

OK, I'll play.

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel)

1911A1, for historical significance,
each shot is accompanied by the roar of freedom!​

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)

Even though I don't like 'em, a GLOCK,
because they started the Tupperware revolution​

3. Revolver

Colt detective special snubby,
its a classic prop in all old detective movies.​

4. Semi-Auto Rifle

Ruger 10/22,
cheap plinking rifle, with lots of accessories.​

5. Select-Fire Rifle

AR15
Its the rifle of the good guys!​

6. Bolt-Action Rifle

Mosin Nagant,
Just to see if the recoil is as punishing as everyone claims​

7. Shotgun (Hunting)

Beretta Silver Pigeon 12ga O/U,
for hunting clay pidgeons!​

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)

Remmington 870,
because everyone else here says so.​

9. Black Powder Rifle

1853 3-band Enfield,
no particular reason.​

10. Black Powder Pistol

Ruger Old Army stainless​

11. Wild Card

Beacuse its pretty​

 

[doc2rn]

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel)- Ruger MKI- Best product right from the box

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)- Glock-The foundation of a movement in Tupperware

3. Revolver- Colt Python- made by craftsman to last a lifetime

4. Semi-Auto Rifle- Marlin Model 60-Great rifle that does not need the mods of a 10/22

5. Select-Fire Rifle- HK MP5K-High cyclic rate

6. Bolt-Action Rifle- Rem 700- One of the more accurate right off the shelf rifles

7. Shotgun (Hunting)- Ruger Gold Label- I always wanted one after firing one

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)- Mossberg 500- Performance at an affordable pricetag

9. Black Powder Rifle- Hawkin .50- Because they still make them

10. Black Powder Pistol- Colt SAA- God made men, Sam Colt made 'em equal

11. Wild Card- Ruger 77/22- Tack drivers

 

[Myrdhyn]

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel)
1911, classic-proven design and comfortable to shoot
2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)
Ruger SR-9, most comfortable to shoot polygun I've experienced
3. Revolver
Something rugged and chambered in .357 brand matters not to me as long as its solid and built to last.
4. Semi-Auto Rifle
Marlin Model 60 very fun and fairly accurate plinker
5. Select-Fire Rifle
Thompson SMG, because I've always wanted one
6. Bolt-Action Rifle
Don't care/not much interest/not much knowledge
7. Shotgun (Hunting)
Remington 1100 in 20ga with RemChoke and 28-30" vented barrel, so I could give it to Dad because he's always wanted one.
8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)
870 marine mod with a Surefire forend.
9. Black Powder Rifle
Don't care/not much interest/not much knowledge
10. Black Powder Pistol
Don't care/not much interest/not much knowledge
11. Wild Card
Lever action carbine to match the .357 above.

That was fun

 

[siglite]

My opinion only, of course.

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel) -- CZ75

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly) -- Eh... what about something with an aluminum frame and a steel slide, like say, a P226? Or would that go in the "all steel" category?

3. Revolver -- S&W 629 in .44 Mag

4. Semi-Auto Rifle -- Some AR or other.

5. Select-Fire Rifle -- Sig 552

6. Bolt-Action Rifle -- Blaser in .338L

7. Shotgun (Hunting) -- Browning A5

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat) -- Benelli Nova tacticlol

9. Black Powder Rifle -- No clue whatsoever

10. Black Powder Pistol -- Again, no clue

11. Wild Card -- Barret 82A1

 

[SuperNaut]

Or would that go in the "all steel" category?

Hmm, good point. Maybe I should have made it "all metal" instead. (ETA: modified the OP)

Really interesting and varied responses so far. I honestly expected a lot more uniformity.

 

[Gingerbreadman]

Most of these I don't own, or have even held, but I'll contribute.
1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal)-Browning Hi Power with tangent sights.
2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)-HK MK-23 .45acp.
3. Revolver-Thunder 5 .45LC
4. Semi-Auto Rifle-59/66 SKS (I like mine )
5. Select-Fire Rifle-suppressed SBR FA ruger 10/22 with a folding stock, vertical foregrip, and aftermarket bayonet lug. I can dream....
6. Bolt-Action Rifle-Browning A-Bolt 7mm.
7. Shotgun (Hunting)-Remington 870 3" with 28" barrel (already have this)
8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)-18" barrel for the above 870.
9. Black Powder Rifle-something in .50 caliber. Just my little "up yours" to anyone who wants to regulate them because of their own stupidity.
10. Black Powder Pistol-something bigger than .50 caliber, for the same reason above.
11. Wild Card-pen gun.

 

[bluestarlizzard]

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal) - colt 1911A1 (preferably one made by singer)

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)- Hk Mk 23- i relize glock is more prevelent, but the SOCOM is a really really great pistol.

3. Revolver- errr..... Colt Peacemaker

4. Semi-Auto Rifle-

5. Select-Fire Rifle- if i leave out semi can i have two here? BAR and AK-47

6. Bolt-Action Rifle- SMLE

7. Shotgun (Hunting)- no clue

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)- benelli super 90

9. Black Powder Rifle- errrr.... no clue really. maybe a Brown Bess replica?

10. Black Powder Pistol- no clue

11. Wild Card- FN P90 (and i want the armor pericing rounds!)

 

[MachIVshooter]

These would be my personal choices, but:

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal)-S&W 1006 10mm

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)-S&W M&P .45

3. Revolver-S&W Model 29 (pre-lock)

4. Semi-Auto Rifle-Armalite AR-10

5. Select-Fire Rifle-FN FAL

6. Bolt-Action Rifle-Remington 700

7. Shotgun (Hunting)-Beretta Silver Pigeon

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)-Remington 11/87 Police

9. Black Powder Rifle-1861 Springfield

10. Black Powder Pistol-1858 new army

11. Wild Card-Browning M2HB

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Revolvers?

You might want to expand that.

Single-action revolvers and double-action revolvers have a different enough flavor to merit separate categories.

I'll play later when I get home.

 

[lurch37]

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal)----- Colt 70 Series .45

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)----- Glock 21

3. Revolver----- Colt Python

4. Semi-Auto Rifle----- Valmet 76 5.56

5. Select-Fire Rifle----- M249 SAW

6. Bolt-Action Rifle----- Springfield A303

7. Shotgun (Hunting)----- Ruger Red Label

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)----- Remington Marine Magnum

9. Black Powder Rifle----- Dont have one

10. Black Powder Pistol----- Colt Reproduction Navy

11. Wild Card----- Barrett 50 of some sort.

 

[never_retreat]

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal)
1911 Kimber gold match
2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)
Hk usp
3. Revolver
SW 686
4. Semi-Auto Rifle
AR 15 (most brands)
5. Select-Fire Rifle
Not big in this department maybe something from FN
6. Bolt-Action Rifle
rem 700
7. Shotgun (Hunting)
rem 870
8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)
rem 870 short barrel pistol grip
9. Black Powder Rifle
My 1861 springfield cap lock
10. Black Powder Pistol
Got me
11. Wild Card
Something in 20mm and motor driven

 

[Pigspitter]

1. Semi Auto: (steel) Browning High Power
2. Semi Auto: (poly) Glock 17
3. Revolver: Smith & Wesson Model 29
4. Semi-Auto rifle: M1A
5. Select-fire Rifle: Colt M16A4
6. Bolt Action Rifle: Remington 700
7. Shotgun (Hunting): Remington 1100
8. Shotgun (HD): Remington 870
9. Black Powder Rifle: Enfield Rifle
10. Black Powder Pistol: Colt Navy
11. Wild Card: Holland and Holland Royal Grade Side by Side

 

[Ed Ames]

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal): 1911 (custom from Tussey or similar)

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly): Probaby XD45

3a. Double-action Revolver: S&W M29
3b. Single-Action Revolver: Ruger Super Blackhawk

4. Semi-Auto Rifle: Browning Semi-auto .22... older high grade take-down without the crappy gold.

5. Select-Fire Rifle: M-16

6. Bolt-Action Rifle: Styer-Mannlicher Classic full stock in 6.5x55SE

7. Shotgun (Hunting): dunno... browning gold 20ga?

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat): Rem 1100 12ga

9. Black Powder Rifle: Savage 10ML

10. Black Powder Pistol: Colt 1862

11. Wild Card: Schmidt-Ruben straight-pull.

 

[SuperNaut]

I guess I'll take a stab at my own questions:

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal)

Les Baer 1911

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)

Beretta PX4

3. Revolver

S&W Model 22

4. Semi-Auto Rifle

M14

5. Select-Fire Rifle

AK-47

6. Bolt-Action Rifle

Remington Model 700

7. Shotgun (Hunting)

Beretta Silver Pigeon

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)

Saiga 12

9. Black Powder Rifle

Thompson Center Triumph

10. Black Powder Pistol

Colt 1851 Navy Revolver

11. Wild Card

Barrett M82

BTW my personal selections have changed about 10 times since I started thinking about this. I imagine they'll change at least 10 more times as I read everyone else's selections.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal)

M1911. I've carried one all my adult life. For woods use, my Colt Woodsman is ideal.

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)

Don't have or need one.

3. Revolver

Too many different calibers and purposes for revolvers to make a choice here. I carried a Colt M357 in Viet Nam, served two customers, and neither one asked for his money back. I also have and like the Colt Officer's Model Target (in .22 LR), the Colt Detective Special (.38 Special), the Colt SAA (mine is a 2nd Generation in .357) and the Colt New Service (mine was made in 1906). In addition, I have and like the Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt.

4. Semi-Auto Rifle

M1 Garand

5. Select-Fire Rifle

I have no use for such a weapon.

6. Bolt-Action Rifle

Pre-64 Model 70 Winchester.

7. Shotgun (Hunting)

Model 870 Remington

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)

Model 870 Remington with short barrel and unplugged magazine.

9. Black Powder Rifle

Kentucky flintlock made by Bob Watts of Stone Mountain, Georgia.

10. Black Powder Pistol

Quality reproduction of the M1858 Remington
11. Wild Card
Kimber M82 in .22 LR

 

[SuperNaut]

You might want to expand that.

Single-action revolvers and double-action revolvers have a different enough flavor to merit separate categories.

Too many different calibers and purposes for revolvers to make a choice here.

I'm a laid-back kinda guy, feel free to sub catergorize at will. This isn't a loan application folks!

 

[jrfoxx]

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal)- 1911 .45acp (pick your own band/finish)

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)- Glock, although I dont like how my had fits them,and I'm in the minority n not liking thm, so....

3. Revolver- Colt Trooper MkIII-good lookin, well built, acurate, and if you go with a 4" bb, it'll cover HD,SD,hunting and target pretty well.I love my 1974 nickle plated one, but it also has a lot of sentimental value, so that likely biases me a bit, still a great gun though

4. Semi-Auto Rifle- M1 Garand

5. Select-Fire Rifle- M4 in 6.8spc

6. Bolt-Action Rifle- Remmington 700 24" or 26" bbl in 308 or 30-06 wih top notch optics (his IOR-Valada seems nice, and well thought ofhttp://www.impactguns.com/store/IOR-4-14ILMP8.html ) and a good aftermarket stock

7. Shotgun (Hunting) RugerRed Label O/U 12ga (absolutely love mine..VERY comfortable, well made, and well balanced)

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat) Rmington 870 or Mossberg 590, 9 shell tube, (with speedfeed stock, and tritium ghost ring sights)

9. Black Powder Rifle-tough call(as I dont know much about the various details of the old BP guns really), so any nice, original flintlock works for me

10. Black Powder Pistol-nice, original 1860 army works for me

11. Wild Card-Ma Deuce

 

[Billll]

Best specimen:
1. Steel Semiauto pistol - Colt 1911
2. Polymer semi-auto - Some Glock or other
3. Revolver, SA - Colt Peacemaker
DA - S&W 686
4. Semi-Auto Rifle- M1 Garand

5. Select-Fire Rifle- M4
6. Bolt-Action Rifle- Styer Scout in .338
7. Shotgun, hunting - Some finely engraved British double, with proper tweedy wardrobe and a manservant to hand me 2 more shells.
8. Shotgun, military/defensive - Rem 870 / Mossberg 5xx tossup
9. BP rifle - Sharps, one of the longer ones.
10 BP pistol - Colt Dragoon
11. Wild card - Barrett 50

Some of the categories get a bit fuzzy. The Peacemaker could go in the BP pistol slot, but I decided to go with the cap-and-ball example. The Sharps is a cartridge gun and could be used with smokeless, but is better known as a BP piece. A Ruger Blackhawk would be a good example of a modern SA revolver, but the Peacemaker belongs in there somewhere.

Decisions, decisions. I'll take one of each, please.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal): Colt 1911 restored WWII era

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly): M&P 45 (just can't do glock)

3. Revolver: Some old colt like a trooper since I'll never afford one IRL

4. Semi-Auto Rifle: M1 Garand - restored WWII era

5. Select-Fire Rifle: Browning Automatic Rifle - restored WWII era

6. Bolt-Action Rifle: Enfield - restored WWII era

7. Shotgun (Hunting) - no idea - some real expensive italian one

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat) - remington tacticool

9. Black Powder Rifle - no idea something vintage from an old war

10. Black Powder Pistol - same as #9

11. Wild Card: WWII era restored thompson submachine gun

There, so will Santa bring me this stuff or what???

 

[frogomatic]

this looks like fun...

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal)
- Wilson Combat 1911

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)
- Springfield XD

3. Revolver
- Ruger SRH alaskan (this one I already have )

4. Semi-Auto Rifle
- Springfield M1A

5. Select-Fire Rifle
- Russian AG-94(?)

6. Bolt-Action Rifle
- a pristine k98 Mauser

7. Shotgun (Hunting)
- My dad's 22/410

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)
- spas12

9. Black Powder Rifle
- 45-70-500 Sharps

10. Black Powder Pistol
- Colt single action army

11. Wild Card
- any original Holland & Holland break open

 

[Ala Dan]

O.K. I Will Play

.01 Semi-Auto (All Steel) = 5" 1911A1 in .45 ACP
.02 Semi-Auto (Poly) = H&K Socom MK-23 in .45 ACP
.03 Revolver = (Tie) Smith & Wesson 6" six-shot 686 .357 magnum
Old Model Ruger Blackhawk 4-5/8" .357 magnum
04. Semi-Auto Rifle = Benelli R1 in .308 Winchester
05. Select Fire = Springfield M14 in .308 Winchester (military issue)
06. Bolt Action Rifle = Sako in .308 Winchester
07. Shotgun (Hunting) = Benelli SBE II 12 gague
08. Shotgun (Home Defense) = Remington 12 gague 870 Marine Magnum
09. Black Powder Rifle = Thompson Center Stainless/Hardwoods Pro-Hunter
10. Black Powder Pistol = 1877 Colt Lightning
11. Wild Card ( assault rifle) FN PS90

 

[Walkalong]

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal) - Colt 5" 1911 .45 ACP *
2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly) - XD .40 *
3. Revolver - Redhawk - 44 Mag *
4. Semi-Auto Rifle - RRA AR 15 .223 *
5. Select-Fire Rifle - M 14 .308 *
6. Bolt-Action Rifle - Sako .308 Full Length Stock *
7. Shotgun (Hunting) - Pre War Model 24(I think?) Double Barrel .12 Gauge *
8. Shotgun (HD/Combat) - Tricked out Wilson 870 .12 Gauge *

9. Black Powder Rifle - ??

10. Black Powder Pistol - ??
11. Wild Card - Ed Brown or RRA 1911 *

Just stuff I have and like *, or would like to have. *
Roll Tide

 

[possom813]

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal)

5" 1911 in .45 or 38 super. No alloy stuff.

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly)

Glock, just because

3. Revolver

Ruger GP 100 4", just a great revolver and I don't care for S&W.

4. Semi-Auto Rifle

Browning BAR in .270

5. Select-Fire Rifle

Thompson 1927A1

6. Bolt-Action Rifle

Winchester Model 70

7. Shotgun (Hunting)

Remington 870 Wingmaster in 12 or 20 ga.

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat)

Benelli M1 Super 90

9. Black Powder Rifle

I know nothing about black powder rifles.

10. Black Powder Pistol

Colt Navy is blackpowder I think. I've read about them.

11. Wild Card

M35A2

 

[Baba Louie]

1. Semi-Auto Pistol (All Steel/Metal) SIG P210

2. Semi-Auto Pistol (Poly) HK USP Elite

3. Revolver (2 selections) Mateba and/or Korth

4. Semi-Auto Rifle Barrett 82A1... maybe an M1941 Johnson

5. Select-Fire Rifle M1918 BAR

6. Bolt-Action Rifle CG-63

7. Shotgun (Hunting) Browning Citori Upland

8. Shotgun (HD/Combat) Win M12 Combat-Riot or Rem M11 Riot

9. Black Powder Rifle Knight Long Range Hunter .50 cal

10. Black Powder Pistol Ruger Old Army

11. Wild Card 60mm M2 Mortar

Well, a boy can dream, eh?