Favorite Unloved Firearms

[herrwalther]

Also, for years the lack of the side gate made them a no go for many but they have since offered side gate options in conjunction with their tube feeding feature which is kind of cool. Mine isn't a side gate but I still like it alot.

Soon all Henry center fires will have a loading gate. They are completely phasing out the plain receivers of Golden and Steel models. I am happy to say I have the first H009BG rifle ever released to the public. Side gate, brass receiver, plain and straight stock, octagon barrel.

 

[DustyGmt]

Soon all Henry center fires will have a loading gate. They are completely phasing out the plain receivers of Golden and Steel models. I am happy to say I have the first H009BG rifle ever released to the public. Side gate, brass receiver, plain and straight stock, octagon barrel.

Makes sense, they lost a ton of sales because of it and I imagine they were probably flooded with customer inquiries about offering a side gate model.

 

[21H40]

I have a soft spot in my heart for sporterized milsurps. My first favorite rifle was an old 1903 that had a "traditional" 60's sporter job with a Redfield adjustable rear aperture sight. It handled well and just made 30.06 plain fun

 

[hso]

Luv my M1 Carbines, but I think the wags that wag about them are mostly repeating old Korea War complaints by their uncles.

 

[Throwbackguy]

My Henry carbine in .45lc, when my police friends come with me to the range. They universally make fun of the brass/walnut/octagon monstrosity (and giant less-powerful boolifs) while toting their Glocks and ARs, and I totally admit to its trading on old heritage. And yet, after they cycle that second round… they’re all smiles, all around. Same could be said of my Wrangler.

 

[Hugger-4641]

My mini 14 would probably be my favorite in this category. I also own a couple Taurus that have somewhat redeemed the distaste I had for them not long ago.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Luv my M1 Carbines, but I think the wags that wag about them are mostly repeating old Korea War complaints by their uncles.

The worst thing about a Carbine is that its not as accurate, powerful, or cheap as an AR15.
Of course, the best thing about a Carbine is that its NOT an AR15....

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

It's ironic that with our American penchant for revisionist history, we now recognize many of the Spanish pistols, particularly the Stars, as quite worthy.
I love mine, in spite of the fact that it's totally impractical with its 6" barrel and a grip that really doesn't fit my hand, busting my knuckle with the trigger guard when shooting. But beautifully put together and gorgeous bluing, made in 1933. Been pondering converting it to a snubby...
View attachment 1137813

Please don't chop that gun!

I will be more than happy to find a clean Detective Special (same gun short barrel) to trade you for that one. The post WW2 examples have a wider grip frame for more knuckle room as well.

 

[tws3b2]

Taurus and Sar. Both surprisingly accurate and reliable. And well under $400 ea. But, I think that's why so many put them down. They just don't cost enough. I've always been pro made in America, especially firearms. But made in America has either became American made Chinese junk or pricing itself out of the market.
But my most favorite looked down upon firearms today are not black with doodads hanging all over them. Give me wood and blued any day.

 

[WestKentucky]

RG snubby. Grandma carried it in a cigarette pouch for most of her life. Aside from the sentimental attachment it’s still a fair defensive gun and fun shooter. 2” 32 long gutter sight wood grip… heavy trigger is my only gripe with it.

 

[FlSwampRat]

Top of the list of what I own would be my 40 S&W Hi Point carbine. FUGLY as all get out but super reliable and quite accurate.

I always look at things as being use-specific. To explain that, I'd have to point to vehicles. A production vehicle you'd take the whole family on a picnic with is hardly useful for racing for example. I recommend Hi Point firearms, particularly handguns, in 9mm and larger caliber for someone who wants what I call a "nightstand gun", a gun to have at the ready for late night smashing glass response. They shoot dependably and are heavy enough to use as a club if you miss every shot. They way too big and clunky for concealed carry and the sights, let's face it, suck for real target use. Hence, my recommendation for a nightstand gun.

 

[FlSwampRat]

All of the Tauruses (Tauri?) I own. People love to hate Taurus, but all of the centerfire pistols I own are Taurus, and I'm planning on adding a TX-22.

Have a 2" bbl .357 Bull Gun and it shoots reliably with all in the black offhand at 25'.

 

[FlSwampRat]

Oh did I mention my fantasy life as a wanna-be 007?

Hey, I have a Bersa Thunder .380, right there with you.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I wouldn't say "punching bags for ridicule so much as "never caught on", have no cachet. For me it's the Colt Trooper and Dan Wesson. I note when S&W introduced the L frame it had the size and heft of the Colt O frame and I never heard of complaints that the Trooper-and the Python-did not hold up to regular shooting of magnum loads. The Dan Wesson never seems to have caught with the general shooting public, I have read that IHMSA shooters liked them.
I have both the M-12 and M-15, both are accurate when I do my part, and the interchangeable barrels...

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I wouldn't say "punching bags for ridicule so much as "never caught on", have no cachet. For me it's the Colt Trooper and Dan Wesson. I note when S&W introduced the L frame it had the size and heft of the Colt O frame and I never heard of complaints that the Trooper-and the Python-did not hold up to regular shooting of magnum loads. The Dan Wesson never seems to have caught with the general shooting public, I have read that IHMSA shooters liked them.
I have both the M-12 and M-15, both are accurate when I do my part, and the interchangeable barrels...

Im a fan of all 3-

The Trooper is only pedestrian compared to its Python brother, and for some reason DWs never caught my eye before this one. I will say the Dan Wesson is the most accurate centerfire handgun I own.

 

[HPJeep]

Here's a few I've had or still have:
-Tokarev Tokagypt 9mm Lugar made in China. Good shooter with better grips. A bit ugly though. Miss that one.
-Store brand lever or bolt guns sold by Sears, Montgomery Wards, JCPenney, etc. Ted Williams comes to mind. Usually the guns were made by Winchester, Marlin, Stevens, etc. All we're good guns for cheaper prices.
- Spanish pistols by Astra and Star. Damn good guns. Should have kept them.
-FEG cline of the Hi Power. Have two and excellent quality and reliability.
-Post 1964 Winchester Model 70 and 1894. They worked. Not as collectible as Pre 64s.

 

[Old Dog]

Please don't chop that gun!

Ah, you are right! It's a classic, and a neat shooter as is. I can wait for that perfect Detective Special I know I'm gonna find one of these days...

-Tokarev Tokagypt 9mm Lugar made in China. Good shooter with better grips. A bit ugly though. Miss that one.
-Store brand lever or bolt guns sold by Sears, Montgomery Wards, JCPenney, etc. Ted Williams comes to mind. Usually the guns were made by Winchester, Marlin, Stevens, etc. All we're good guns for cheaper prices.
- Spanish pistols by Astra and Star. Damn good guns. Should have kept them.
-FEG cline of the Hi Power. Have two and excellent quality and reliability.
-Post 1964 Winchester Model 70 and 1894. They worked. Not as collectible as Pre 64s.

I've had every one of these, including guns made under the Sears & Roebuck and Montgomery Ward labels. One of my 1983 Winchster Model 70s remains a great rifle, push-feed notwithstanding. And I still remember the Ted Williams ads in the outdoor magazines and his appearances on ABC's American Sportsman in the '60s. Also some of the guns made for Western Auto. FEGs severely underrated and all the Spanish pistolas are muy bueno.

 

[Deus Machina]

I like my good ol Mosin. M39. Got it in 1986 for $29. Clunky. Never on anyone’s list of best milserps.

They're on mine.
My M44 is the one I have on my list.
Sure, they have a reputation for being inaccurate; I can attribute this mostly to the ammunition and the kind of rough sights. Mine's surprised me a few times.
And they have a reputation for being clunky and chunky, or for locking up after firing. The machinist and 'pragmatic engineer' in me understands 1) they wouldn't lock up as-issued, or after a thorough cleaning (it's usually a glaze of seriously old cosmoline) and 2) they clunky-chunky deal is due to their simplicity, which is an admirable quality.
They work fine in Florida spring. They also work just in Afghanistan summers and Finnish winters. Functionality is 95% of an issued weapon's intent. If you can't get it working, you're not hitting it hard enough.

 

[stonebuster]

. S&W Model 64-8 38spl with the hated internal lock and dreaded two piece barrel I got for $300 OTD. Like new, tight as a drum and good shooter but not real loveable even with the Zebrawood I added.

 

[chicharrones]

It's ironic that with our American penchant for revisionist history, we now recognize many of the Spanish pistols, particularly the Stars, as quite worthy.
I love mine, in spite of the fact that it's totally impractical with its 6" barrel and a grip that really doesn't fit my hand, busting my knuckle with the trigger guard when shooting. But beautifully put together and gorgeous bluing, made in 1933. Been pondering converting it to a snubby...
View attachment 1137813

Please don't chop that gun!

I will be more than happy to find a clean Detective Special (same gun short barrel) to trade you for that one. The post WW2 examples have a wider grip frame for more knuckle room as well.

Another vote against the saw. That's a beauty of a revolver.

 

[Appalachiannative]

Here's a few I've had or still have:
-Tokarev Tokagypt 9mm Lugar made in China. Good shooter with better grips. A bit ugly though. Miss that one.
-Store brand lever or bolt guns sold by Sears, Montgomery Wards, JCPenney, etc. Ted Williams comes to mind. Usually the guns were made by Winchester, Marlin, Stevens, etc. All we're good guns for cheaper prices.
- Spanish pistols by Astra and Star. Damn good guns. Should have kept them.
-FEG cline of the Hi Power. Have two and excellent quality and reliability.
-Post 1964 Winchester Model 70 and 1894. They worked. Not as collectible as Pre 64s.

That top one is called a Norinco 213 I loved that thing after I took that import requirement safety that wasn't part of the original design off of there. Dont remember why I sold it. Probably to pay for a traffic ticket as a stupid 23 year old at the time

 

[jmorris]

What models of guns do you like that are generally considered to be punching bags for ridicule?

All of my “safe queens” to me they are more like art work than the “tool” ones I use for specific purposes.

One Van Gogh would cost much more than all of them I own and not be as aesthetically pleasing to my eyes.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Para Ordnance 1911s.

 

[Coyote3855]

I own and shoot a number of Kel Tec firearms. People seem to either love or hate them. I suppose my favorite is the PMR 30. My wife likes hers as well.

 

[Legionnaire]

I own and shoot a number of Kel Tec firearms. People seem to either love or hate them. I suppose my favorite is the PMR 30. My wife likes hers as well.

I've owned a couple of P11s and an original P32. Agree they are underappreciated.