guns that exceeded your expectations
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1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
A few come to mind.
The last NIB Norinco 1911A1 that lounged in the safe for two years while I tried to decide whether to sell it or shoot it. I opted for the latter, and it turned out to be a good choice.
Excellent slide to frame fit. Fairly typical but workable barrel fit...and a trigger that broke clean and crisp at 6 pounds even. Light boosting with oil brought it down to a tick over 5 pounds, which is perfect for me. The pistol shoots to point of aim at 25 yards, and is easily as accurate as either of my out of box Colt Billboard 91A1s were when they were new...and it runs like that battery rabbit on everything that will fit into the magazines. I gave 350 bucks for it.
The 681 Smith that I bought over 20 years ago for the purpose of practice to save mileage on my minty Model 58. Shocked was I at the glassy DA trigger and the fact that it cut neat, small cloverleafs at 25 yards with everything that I threw at it...though it makes very small cloverleafs with my go-to 160 grain home cast SWC and 14.5 grains of 2400. All six chambers shoot into the group.
The first M77 Ruger RSI International (.308) that I ever bought...also about 20 years ago because I'm a sucker for Mannlicher-stocked turnbolts...and discovered that I hit the lottery when I found the dual sweet spots early with my old GP load of a 150-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip and 45 grains IMR 4895 AND the Nosler 165-grain Ballistic tip and 44 grains IMR 4064. After bedding the recoil lug, the little carbine shoots consistently 7 rounds into 3/4 minute clean out to 300 yards. Happy was I.
There have been others, but these three stand out.
The last NIB Norinco 1911A1 that lounged in the safe for two years while I tried to decide whether to sell it or shoot it. I opted for the latter, and it turned out to be a good choice.
Excellent slide to frame fit. Fairly typical but workable barrel fit...and a trigger that broke clean and crisp at 6 pounds even. Light boosting with oil brought it down to a tick over 5 pounds, which is perfect for me. The pistol shoots to point of aim at 25 yards, and is easily as accurate as either of my out of box Colt Billboard 91A1s were when they were new...and it runs like that battery rabbit on everything that will fit into the magazines. I gave 350 bucks for it.
The 681 Smith that I bought over 20 years ago for the purpose of practice to save mileage on my minty Model 58. Shocked was I at the glassy DA trigger and the fact that it cut neat, small cloverleafs at 25 yards with everything that I threw at it...though it makes very small cloverleafs with my go-to 160 grain home cast SWC and 14.5 grains of 2400. All six chambers shoot into the group.
The first M77 Ruger RSI International (.308) that I ever bought...also about 20 years ago because I'm a sucker for Mannlicher-stocked turnbolts...and discovered that I hit the lottery when I found the dual sweet spots early with my old GP load of a 150-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip and 45 grains IMR 4895 AND the Nosler 165-grain Ballistic tip and 44 grains IMR 4064. After bedding the recoil lug, the little carbine shoots consistently 7 rounds into 3/4 minute clean out to 300 yards. Happy was I.
There have been others, but these three stand out.
To the op, sorry to here about your SR40c. I had just the opposite experience with my SR9c.
I picked the Ruger SR9c up almost on a whim, an LGS had the all black on sale for $389, I liked the feel and thought it would be nice to have a 9mm still small enough for carry but more capable than my Kahr CM9.
I wasn't expecting much, after I got home(maybe a little buyer's remorse kicked in) thought I might just sell it because I didn't really need it. Once I started shooting the thing that all changed
I was impressed, it shot better than it felt, the trigger is very crisp and the pistol is completely reliable. The SR9c did exceed my expectations.
I picked the Ruger SR9c up almost on a whim, an LGS had the all black on sale for $389, I liked the feel and thought it would be nice to have a 9mm still small enough for carry but more capable than my Kahr CM9.
I wasn't expecting much, after I got home(maybe a little buyer's remorse kicked in) thought I might just sell it because I didn't really need it. Once I started shooting the thing that all changed
I was impressed, it shot better than it felt, the trigger is very crisp and the pistol is completely reliable. The SR9c did exceed my expectations.
Rail Driver
Member
surjimmy said:
Do you mean an Obrez (Mosin/Nagant SBR'd into a pistol) or a Nagant Revolver? *two very different things
OrangePwrx9
Member
Quite a few, actually:
BHP
Kahr K9
S&W 686
Ruger Security Six
G19
BHP
Kahr K9
S&W 686
Ruger Security Six
G19
orionengnr
Member
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My LCP...after owning four Kel-Tecs, I finally own a mouse gun that actually works. And I mean worked out of the box, any ammo, any mag, any time, any place. No excuses, no regrets.
My S&W M25-13. I had gotten rid of all my ILS S&Ws several years ago and swore I'd only go with P&R S&Ws from that point on. But I'm a sucker for .45LC (at one point I had three), the prior owner had gutted the ILS and the price was right. It's currently my only .45 LC revolver. It is probably my favorite revolver (shhhh...don't let the P&Rs hear me), definitely the one I carry the most (winter time only, due to it's size) and definitely the one I shoot the most. It's also probably the most fun to shoot, although my 4" M57 gives it a run for it's money.
My S&W M25-13. I had gotten rid of all my ILS S&Ws several years ago and swore I'd only go with P&R S&Ws from that point on. But I'm a sucker for .45LC (at one point I had three), the prior owner had gutted the ILS and the price was right. It's currently my only .45 LC revolver. It is probably my favorite revolver (shhhh...don't let the P&Rs hear me), definitely the one I carry the most (winter time only, due to it's size) and definitely the one I shoot the most. It's also probably the most fun to shoot, although my 4" M57 gives it a run for it's money.
Steve CT
Member
S&W Model 59. I owned a 39 many years ago that I liked, not really sure now why I sold it. I picked up a 59 a couple years ago, and within a week I knew my M&P 9 was going away, and the M&P was also one that really exceeded my expectations.
SleazyRider
Member
Based on the reviews and posts I've read on Internet forums, all my guns exceed my expectations. But these 3 come to mind immediately:
1. The Browning Buckmark Camper, .22 LR;
2. The CZ 82, 9 X 18;
3. The GSG 1911, .22 LR.
1. The Browning Buckmark Camper, .22 LR;
2. The CZ 82, 9 X 18;
3. The GSG 1911, .22 LR.
I could be mistakened, but those look like Nighthawk pistols. How could you possibly be "wowed" by what might be considered some of, if not the greatest production fighting pistols made???Both of these, the upper in 45, the lower in 9mm!
helitack32f1
Member
Makarov and Glock Gen4 G 17
Valkman
Member
I've had great luck in buying guns that really pleased me:
a Model 66 S&W that was a police turn-in and has a smooth-as-butter action
3 Kimbers that I bought (2 used) that have been superb
a S&W 629 that is a super sweet shooter
2 4" XD45's that are tack drivers and hold 13 + 1 rounds of felon repellant
I could go on and on - the Norinco that shot so well I turned into a Bullseye gun, the SA MilSpec that is being turned into a custom, etc.
a Model 66 S&W that was a police turn-in and has a smooth-as-butter action
3 Kimbers that I bought (2 used) that have been superb
a S&W 629 that is a super sweet shooter
2 4" XD45's that are tack drivers and hold 13 + 1 rounds of felon repellant
I could go on and on - the Norinco that shot so well I turned into a Bullseye gun, the SA MilSpec that is being turned into a custom, etc.
wlewisiii
Member
S&W Model 10, 4" tapered barrel. I've owned a few revolvers in my life, but not even the Colts can compare to it for smoothness, accuracy and all around elegance. I'd sell everything else before it.
CZ-82 - and what I bought as a collection piece but ended up as a carry piece - a PA-63. That one I sold to a good friend for his first carry piece, but I want to replace it with another or similar Mak shooter, there's real value there.
Walther P-1 - easy recoil and very accurate.
Walther P-1 - easy recoil and very accurate.
FEG Hi-power and FEG Pa-63, both great buys and great guns.
I'll add that while I don't own one, shooting a Detonics compact .45 destroyed all my misconceptions of what it would be like. That's one neat little pistol.
I'll add that while I don't own one, shooting a Detonics compact .45 destroyed all my misconceptions of what it would be like. That's one neat little pistol.
I've got to say: Glock 22. I never would have thought that I would be saying that about a polymer pistol but to not mention it would be inaccurate. I'm not sure if I just got a jewel of what but it is dead on. Got to love the capacity too.
leadcounsel
member
A few come to mind. Most impressed with the FAL. Hated the way the looked. Thought they were overrated and ugly. So I bought one. A DSA. Shot it. Fell in love! Also really was impressed by the M1A.
Handguns; I'd say CZ75 models. Just fabulous. While I prefer Glocks for their simplicity, the CZ are just awesome. Also, never cared for the 1911 until I got one in a great trade... fell in love with the 1911 platform after that...
Lesson is sometimes just listen to those who know guns and buy one and take a chance...
Handguns; I'd say CZ75 models. Just fabulous. While I prefer Glocks for their simplicity, the CZ are just awesome. Also, never cared for the 1911 until I got one in a great trade... fell in love with the 1911 platform after that...
Lesson is sometimes just listen to those who know guns and buy one and take a chance...
Handguns where my expectations were met 100%:
- S&W M&P 340CT
- S&W .500 Magnum 4" barrel
- Walther P99C AS
- Beretta 92FS
- Colt 1911 Government Series 70 Reissue
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FMF Doc,
You're close... they are from Berryville but from the Wilson Combat Team!
BMF500
Member
10" BFR in 500S&W, best money I ever spent.
Oiginal production run Ruger single six I grew up with it.
S&W Combat Masterpiece Maxed Combat in Cities course, Berlin
S&W 65-5 Lady Smith Taken in for a bad debt at other man's insistence
Win 94 .357 mag Trapper Takes down every thing, Texas hog to coyotes
I am a point shooter. Most of the time I never remember seeing the sights.
blindhari
S&W Combat Masterpiece Maxed Combat in Cities course, Berlin
S&W 65-5 Lady Smith Taken in for a bad debt at other man's insistence
Win 94 .357 mag Trapper Takes down every thing, Texas hog to coyotes
I am a point shooter. Most of the time I never remember seeing the sights.
blindhari
relicdigger
Member
I love my Rohrbaugh R9s. It is with me all day and I have never had any issues with it.
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