"Classic" handguns

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I have enough Glocks and/or plastic/tactical guns to last a lifetime and have concentrating on what I consider to be classic handguns without regard as to caliber or operation. Although I have purchased the guns in what I think are the proper caliber for that particular gun. I do think the Glock 9mm is a classic in some sense.

What I have so far:
S&W 629 .44mag
Colt 1911 .45acp
Ruger Single Six .22/.22mag
Ruger Mark III .22

What I'm thinking about getting:
Beretta 92 9mm
Ruger GP100 or S&W 686 .357 mag
Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk
S&W J-frame .38

Looking to buy new and available today.

What would you guys call "classic" handguns these days?

 

[Sergei Mosin]

To that list I would add:

-S&W K-frame .38 Special
-SIG P-series (220 for .45, 226 for 9mm, 229 for .40)
-CZ75B

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My list includes:

Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver (antique)
Colt Woodsman (made in 1938)
Colt Officer's Model Target .22
Colt .25
Colt Detective Special
Colt M357 (same as the Python, but without the cosmetics)
Colt SAA in .357
Argentine Model 1927 (made in Argentina on Colt machinery under Colt supervision)
Colt Conversion Kit for above (with the floating chamber)
Colt New Service .45 Colt
Ruger MK II with heavy barrel
Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt

 

[bang_bang]

Might I suggest an older Dan Wesson revolver?

 

[bannockburn]

Some "Classic" handguns:

Colt Government .45 ACP
Colt SAA .45 Colt
S&W Model 36 Classic
S&W Model 10 Classic
S&W Model 17 Classic
S&W Model 586 Classic
S&W Model 27 Classic
Ruger Mk.II .22 Target
Ruger Blackhawk
Ruger Security Six (not available new but certainly a Classic)
Beretta Model 92
Browning Hi-Power
Browning Buckmark
CZ75
SIG P220
SIG P226
SIG P228
SIG P210 Legend (discontinued but still might find one NIB)
Walther PPK

 

[straightshooterjake]

I personally like Smith & Wesson K frames. There are many different K frames that I would consider classic including:

model 10 - fixed sight 38 special
model 17 - 6" target .22 with adjustable sights
model 19 - adjustable sight 357 magnum

A Browning Hi-Power is also one of the all time classics. It is the first widely used pistol with a double stack magazine. And it is a design that has truly stood the test of time.

EDIT: I did not notice that you were looking for new guns. The S&W model 19 is no longer available, but the currently available model 66 is a modern version of the same gun in stainless steel.

 

[huntsman]

I would add Beretta 84 or 85, Sig 220.

 

[Twiki357]

Personally, I don’t consider anything “new and available today” to be classic. Maybe someday in 20 or 30+ years, but when it’s new and definitely nothing made out of plastic.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Many on your list I would not consider "Classic" handguns. I would think the first on the list should be the S&W M&P followed closely by the Chief's Special and the Colt Detective's Special. The S&W pre M27 and M28 would be on my list too.

You can not get more classic than a Colt 1873 SAA or even earlier the Colt 1851 Navy in black powder.

 

[MadMurdock85]

Definitely need to add Walther PP and PPK both in .32 acp. As others have stated add a few p226's and p220's.

 

[Ed Ames]

You are asking specifically for "classics" that are still manufactured?

In that case the list goes a little bit like this:

• Freedom Arms Model 83 in .454 casull.
• Wildey .475 pistol
• CZ75 Polished Stainless
• High end 1911s
• Browning Hi-power
• Walter PPKS
• Some Blackhawk/super Blackhawk models

There are others, SIG 229 comes to mind, but that's a good list.

 

[HB]

I hate glocks but a glock 19 is quickly rising to the top of something to add to my collection.

I have a smith 66 and model 10, they are great guns. I would add a model 36 or ppk to your collection though as they are great to carry and fun to shoot. Learning to master a snub is a lot of fun if you reload light loads.

Edit: I also have a hi power with adjustable sights. I'm going to improve the trigger and safety and it'll be perfect. I prefer revolvers because they are easy and safe to carry and I don't have to chase brass but shoot the hi power more accurately and faster than the revolvers. Not to mention it holds nearly 3x the rounds with quick reloads.

HB

 

[Kookla]

Just going from the list you have and what you are interest in, I'd say go with a Ruger Blackhawk.

 

[FL-NC]

Of what you listed, I would get the GP-100 and I'm not even a revolver guy. To me, the true classics are guns like:
- Colt Python & det. special
-S&W 29, 27, 19, 39
- Colt 1911's, 70 series
- Browning HP
- Lugers
- Colt or S&W model 1917- anything with a Nazi proofmark
- any thing with US Property marked on it
- vintage Walther PPK

 

[Panzerschwein]

A Makarov PM needs to be on this list.

 

[Acera]

Walther P-38 comes to mind.

Also some of the military issue revolvers from Russian and Great Britain.

Ruger MK1




.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Star 30M

Looks like a SIG, operates like a CZ, and is 100% metal

 

[WestKentucky]

Nambu, Luger, p38, pp, pps, colt pocket, colt vest pocket, mustang, colt SAA, Nagant, broom handle, lots of old smiths...10 is at the top.

 

[Sunray]

"Classic" handguns are such in the minds of the marketing types only. However, anything that has been copied, like the BHP, original models of Smith revolvers, 1911/1911A1, stuff that is instantly recognisable(SAA, Broomhandle, Ruger Mk I, et al) or related a specific country's military(P38, Luger, Webley, et al) are "classics". Their clones are not.
The Smith Model 66 is a contemporary of the M19. Not a modern anything.

 

[huntsman]

The fact that a gun is "recognizable" doesn't make it a classic, recognition plays a part but how it's made bares more weight.

There's a lot of love for the Ruger Mark pistols but the fact that the frame is two pieces of sheet metal welded together disqualifies it as a classic IMHO, it was a result of a need to manufacture cheaply so how can it be classic. A great gun? can't argue with the sales success.

 

[Iggy]

S&W 357 Magnum. Descendant of the Registered Magnum and precursor of the Model 27.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

There's a lot of love for the Ruger Mark pistols but the fact that the frame is two pieces of sheet metal welded together disqualifies it as a classic IMHO

Well, maybe we should define "classic."

The actual definition of the word is, "Pertaining to the Greeks and Romans." So technically there can't be such a thing as a "Classic" firearm.

But let me offer this as a set of criteria:

Innovative or original
Long term production
Recognized quality

In that sense the Ruger MKI and successors would be classics.

 

[huntsman]

Traditional
Long term production
Recognized quality

That's my definition

Innovative only if completely disrupts a traditional market, i.e. Glock.

Ruger is neither Traditional or Innovative, they are creative in that they have circumvented the high manufacturing costs that plagued the Old companies but that was just smart business.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Ruger is neither Traditional or Innovative, they are creative in that they have circumvented the high manufacturing costs that plagued the Old companies but that was just smart business.

I would suggest that circumventing the high manufacturing costs that plagued the Old companies IS innovative.

 

[Tallball]

The Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks are excellent handguns. A CZ75, Browning High Power, and Makarov are all good suggestions. I like my Tokarev quite a bit too. I am a fan of surplus handguns. Maybe it makes them more "authentic ".