Guns you used to hate, but now LOVE!

[earlthegoat2]

Used to dislike:

9mm Cartridge
Revolvers
Hi Points
Glocks
anything Black in color
anything in 45 ACP except 1911s.

I still dislike:

Hi Points (but I understand their place in gun society)
anything Black in color
anything in 45 ACP except 1911s

 

[MCgunner]

Oh, I remember I used to dislike TC Contenders. Then, after reading so much about the accuracy, I bought one for hunting. I've never looked back! It's the absolute best hunting handgun (with the Encore) out there IMHO.

Yeah, I was cool to the 9x19 as a round until they started building pocket size 9s. That round makes a lot more sense in a Kel Tec or Kahr or Rohrbaugh Taurus 709 or whatever than in a full size handgun, though I do have a P85.

 

[mec]

I used to be negative about 1911s but lately have gotten a couple that are actually reliable and have made significant progress with accuracy and speed.They have the advantage of a large pool of spare parts and the occasional, though rare, gunsmith who is honest and qualified to work on them. They seem more outstanding now than when I started shooting because, at that time, a variety of classic revolvers and autopistols were common and had not given way to the present situation-plastic and slapdash construction.
For a long time, the 1911 was an instant expert/blowhard magnet buttthose seem to have moved on to the realm of tactical plastic now.

 

[MCgunner]

For a long time, the 1911 was an instant expert/blowhard magnet

I'm not sure what's changed other than the use of polymer in real world carry guns to give those blowhards more to blow about.

 

[Guillermo]

As a kid I looked down on revolvers. My father would loan me his Diamondback and while I appreciated the trigger, it wasn't a cool autoloader.

He also had some old fashioned Smith & Wessons that were SOOO uncool with their tapered barrels and round front sights.

I went through a lot of autos and still have my share. Plan to get more. But I am buying all of the old revolvers I can. An old Smith or when I can afford it, a Colt are things that I now dream of.

Also I used to be so into the 45ACP that I couldn't imagine carrying a .38. As I write this I have a Colt Detective Special on my hip.

Speaking of autos, I hated the little Kel-Tec .380. Then when Ruger copied it I thought "can't make chicken salad out of chicken squeeze"
That tiny little gun sure looks handy. Don't own one but maybe when my revolver spree is over.

Hypocrite? I would prefer to say "evolving opinion"

 

[ironvic]

I used to hate the fixed sight Smith & Wesson revolvers. Then I had this need to buy a vintage K-Frame and the only one around was a really nice 4" Model-10 with deep, crisp bluing, tapered barrel and fixed sights. I handed it back to the shop keeper and couldn't stop thinking about it's sultry lines.

In our area tactical plastic rules and revolvers usually sit on shelves for a long time. That revolver eventually came home with me. It's trigger pull in single and double action is slick and it's a joy to own. To my eye, the old style Model-10 is the next natural evoluton from the Colt Single Action Army.

Now I'm beginning to think that the ultimate tactical handgun (for me anyway) would be a fixed sight stainless .357 Magnum S&W in 4" barrel. The hunt is on!

 

[mec]

In our area tactical plastic rules

If tactical plastic had been invented when I started shooting, I would probably own no more than one or two guns and never would have become a shooting enthusiast.

 

[riceboy72]

Then I had this need to buy a vintage K-Frame and the only one around was a really nice 4" Model-10 with deep, crisp bluing, tapered barrel and fixed sights. I handed it back to the shop keeper and couldn't stop thinking about it's sultry lines.

With a description like that, you know you gotta put a picture of it on here!! Sounds awesome!!

 

[22-rimfire]

In general, when I was younger and had little desire to carry a gun concealed. I just didn't understand the attraction of small pistols or revolvers that were difficult to hit anything with beyond 10 yards. If I wasn't shooting smallish groups with a handgun, I didn't want it. Roll the clock forward and I am quite attracted to the small revolvers and keep itching to buy a couple of the small pocket sized pistols. I have lowered my standards on "group" size with handguns and really only expect good groups with the revolvers I would hunt with. By good I mean, 8" group at 100 yds, 6" group at 75 yds and 3" group at 40-50 yds.

I used to be a confirmed Colt buyer and didn't want anything made by Smith & Wesson or Ruger. Things change and I include those in my accumulation without hesitation.

 

[Zundfolge]

Ditto what Oro said.

 

[Erik M]

When I started buying guns I wouldnt own anything but an automatic. Then I had the chance to shoot a S&W Model 10 and a Ruger Blackhawk .44 spl. I now daily CC a .44, and only carry a full size 9mm when the cold weather wardrobe is in effect.

 

[KBintheSLC]

Glock 26... first experience with it was very bad. Felt small and awkward in my hands. However, I spent a bit more time with one later on and learned to appreciate it. Now I own one, and it is my go-to gun for all-around utility.

Also, anything made by Kel-Tec. I used to think they were cheap and crappy until I bought one... then I bought another, and another. They are still ugly, but are all business. Love em.

 

[NMGonzo]

ruger redhawk

Last trip at the range I found myself not able to hit the bullseye at 10 yards, no matter what I did.

Today I have set the sights straight, shooting double action and hitting it.

I love it now.

 

[rmfnla]

Me, too, for Glocks.

No, wait; I still hate 'em!

 

[Sheepdog1968]

For me, it was 22 LR on a rifle. When I was younger, I had one but wanted to shoot the manly center fire rounds. Now in my early 40s I enjoy taking out a 22 LR. Makes for a mellow fun day that doesnt' cost an arm and a leg.

 

[sprice]

Glocks, Sigs, and ak's

 

[weekender823]

+1 on the Rossi M971

Never thought much of the foreign stuff. I was looking or a S&W .38 just for a regular shooter and tried the Rossi at a local gun shop. Never looked back. The trigger pull on mine is excellent. I think they are one of the best bargains on the market.

 

[W.E.G.]

long-barreled .32 revolvers

 

[MedWheeler]

Actually, yeah. I had put my Grendel P-10 away for nearly two decades, then became intrigued with it again when I started carrying again. Once I found an ammo load that works reliably (had to do some polishing on the gun itself, too), it has grown on me quite a bit. However, it looks and feels so much better with the grip extender on it, and that takes away from its concealability, but it makes a nice backup truck gun.
It's not by any means my carry piece; that duty falls mostly to my Bersa Thunder, or to my Undercover.

 

[maroast]

1911

1911s! When I first got into guns, I use to hate shooting in the lane next someone firing a 1911. Big, stupid guns with too much power!


Then I shot my first one.... wow! it pointed so well, was smooth, and had just the right amount of horsepower.


Then I got this:




Now, I want to sell all my other pistols, buy a press and shoot the crap out of this gun.


On a funny note, the last time I was at the range shooting my .45, I could hear my neighbors making snide comments about my gun being too big and needlessly overpowered...they conversed among themselves about how much they enjoy their .22s and how much cheaper they are to shoot. (I love my .22s too, but the .45 always puts a poop-eating grin on my face)

 

[J Lazy H]

I have an old 32 revolver that turned me on again. It's a ball to shoot.

 

[waterhouse]

1911s. I shot one when I was far too little to handle it (I think I was 6 or 7, and my only handgun experience was a lot of .22 shooting), and forever after thought of them as overpowered hand cannons with too much recoil.

I was still pretty nervous the first time I shot one as an adult. Now I own several, and have had several more come and go through the safe.

 

[stork]

For me it was any semi auto CF rifle or semi auto CF pistol.
Then, I started shooting Bullseye and discovered how accurate a well built 1911 is. Now over 40,000 rounds later, I own 6-1911's in 45 ACP.

And, then I started shooting service rifle (going for Double Distinguished) and found out how accurate and dependable a good AR15 is (now own 3). A couple of my bolts should be this accurate.

Sometimes eating crow is rather tasty.

FWIW