Handguns That Will Stand The Test Of Time?

[gnappi]

Only the 1911... OK, MAYBE some polymer brand that sounds like flock

Beretta is one of the few makers that have stayed the course with the 92 series over the years, and then likely only due to the popularity those who care what Government contracts bought. If they (Beretta) don't do something, I expect the 92 to go away also. Every other maker has gone with the tide / herd and gone to polymer because its easier to make a lot of fast... perhaps with less experienced lower wage labor?

I won't be here in 30 years so I can only speculate.

 

[Jackalope 1]

I was thinking on that, and I too can't remember first time handgun buyers getting a 1911 over the last 25 years or so.

However, it sure seems that the people I know that end up with a small handgun collection tend to add a 1911 to it.

For most people in the younger generation 1911'S are like Harley Davidsons, after you try everything else, common sense takes hold and you buy what DOES WORK. In my case I started out with a Ruger SA 357 Magnum, 6 months later I bought my first ( of many ) Colt Government 45ACP and never looked back, but I did kick myself for not buying the Colt 45 ACP ( $60.00 ) first. BUT, first before we think long term, we damn well better think SHORT TERM, can we survive those 3 ( 4???? ) Organism's two in the W.H., one in the House, one in the Senate, if they get their way we legal law-abiding gun owners won't even be allowed slingshots.

 

[Meeks36]

Hi points will live on. Dirt cheap reliable lifetime warranty even if you mess it and admit to it they will fix it.

 

[.308 Norma]

I won't be here in 30 years so I can only speculate.

I might be here in 30 years, but I have neither the gift of prophesy nor a working crystal ball, and I don't know how to run an Ouija board. So "I can only speculate" too - just like everyone else here I figure.

 

[film495]

The Heritage Rough Rider ... lol

 

[John Joseph]

With a scarcity of ammo and components, I hazard to guess cap and ball repro revolvers might be the wave of the future.
Percussion caps might be a problem but at least you can cast your own bullets and make your own black powder.

 

[Tirod]

1911's aren't new nor modern. They likely will still be around in 20 years tho.

Of the current crop since 2015 the SIG P300's with removable fire control units will still be around, along with Gen 2-6 variants and submodels.

The question is, then, who will also offer the same features, because it's becoming a requirement in contracts offered for bid. Those that do will become a good competitor and still going strong decades in the future. Who's going to step up and compete, who will drag behind and stagnate?

Walther, HK, Smith, Beretta, Ruger, Colt, Taurus, Kahr, CZ, Canik, FN, Girsan, Mossberg, Remington, SCCY, Steyr? Probably. What might be asked is who will fall and close their doors, who are the outliers not included who will become important players? And thru the normal course of business over the years, who will get bought up by another and become just a special model under their brand?

 

[joneb]

Handguns That Will Stand The Test Of Time?
I to like use the process of elimination, I think I will start here.
https://www.hi-pointfirearms.com/hi-point-handguns/9mm-handgun.php#

 

[lsudave]

As time goes on manufacturers come and go as do handgun models offered by manufacturers.

What new and current models do you feel will be still offered in the future???

CURRENT models- 1911, CZ 75 (and variants), Sig P22x, Beretta 92 probably. But those are already long-established, and fiercely beloved models. Probably some Glock polymer-frame striker gun, also forevermore.
Revolvers- I don't know the models nearly as well, as I don't have them. But I'm sure the wheelgun guys can list them.

NEW models (recent introduction)- that's a different story. I don't think there's been a distinct, unique design or model that's captured anyone's fancy, in decades; not with any staying power. People liked the HK P7 and the Bren Ten, they're gone now. People see the S&W M&P's, to me they're a variation of the Glock formula. The Grand Power is supposed to be cool, but I don't see it lasting forever. I don't see the Sig military pistol having the allure of the Beretta, much less the 1911... it will be used and then phased out, and nobody will fret.

Note- I'm not taking the position that say, Dan Wesson or Colt will come out with a "new" 1911 "model", and that will stick. To me, that's still a 1911. My idea of NEW, is a completely new design, such as when the Sig P series, the CZ 75 series, the Beretta 92 series etc came around.
*added: say you're at the range, and you look at someone else shooting from a distance... that's a 1911. I don't know if it's a Colt, an Armscor, a Kimber etc. But it's clearly a 1911 at a glance.
Same thing with the others- I don't care if it's CZ, Tanfoglio, Sarsmilaz, Canik etc. If it's a metal-frame, slide rides inside the frame, and the safety/decocker is on the frame, it's a "CZ" at a glance. If it's metal and most of the barrel is exposed, it's a "Beretta 92", even if it's a Taurus.
There really isn't something new out there that comes to mind, something I look at and say Hey LOOK, it's a (blank).

 

[John Joseph]

Any steel frame handgun should qualify. You can conk a perp out with a heavy steel frame handgun, not so much with plastic or aluminum and with the ammo situation is these day....

 

[earplug]

Small reliable self defense pistols have always been in demand. I predict J frame size revolvers and striker fired pistols will still be popular.
Service style and weight handguns constantly change based on government desire

 

[.308 Norma]

Any steel frame handgun should qualify. You can conk a perp out with a heavy steel frame handgun, not so much with plastic or aluminum and with the ammo situation is these day....

In that case, I guess one of these would be near the top of the list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Walker

 

[browneu]

I'm late to the party and many of these are already spoken for but they're worth saying again. CZ 75 and the clones, Smith & Wesson 686 and 547, any 1911, and just for fun I'll throw in the AR Pistols and HK SP5.

 

[defjon]

Ppk
J frame (snubs)
L frame (including gp100 type 357 beefy revos)
Glock/polymer with doohickey triggers
Colt style single acti9n (lumping the Ruger single actions with broad strokes here)
22 target type pistols (mk2, browning etc)
1911
I think Beretta 92 and sig 226 are timeless as well
Percussion and flintlock? Theyve gone a few hundred years already! Still an interest /niche market.

 

[Jackalope 1]

1911. Everything else is just a fad.

How very true, common sense would tell you there will be two handgun types will survive the test of time, and of course, already have, the revolvers and 1911'S, fads come, fads go, those two always remain. So called " experts " are determined to fix what isn't broken. Why concentrate on new-fangled gadgets, wasting time money effort instead of improving to near perfection these two already proven firearms???? The LAW of PHYSICS prevents us from exceeding a predetermined volocity for handguns and rifles, until a different source of propulsion is developed to propel bullets to a greater speed but yet not passing the strength of metals used in said firearms!!

 

[Mr. Mosin]

I’m going to suggest what has already been stated-
The 1911 pattern platform
S&W double actions, of the J/K/L/N variety
Colt 1873 Peacemaker pattern
Walther PPK just because of “Bond... James Bond”

 

[thunderbyrd]

i honestly believe the chiappa rhino will be considered a classic in times to come. i would really like to shoot one.

 

[Paul's]

Can I change a load on a factory box of blazers 45acp by pulling the bullets and add a few grains of same type.

 

[dumbhunter]

1911s but I think they will be looked at and used in the way we think of Colt SAA's- as a beautiful piece of history that will be admired along, but shot little.

Glocks will take the 1911s role.

My wild card is the HK USP series... built like a tank, polymer, and despite the price tag still sells very well. But who knows...

 

[sisyphus]

1911s and CZ 75 and Sig P22x variants

 

[Jackalope 1]

First guess...1911!

BOARHUNTER

Totally proven in peace and war, most any long-term compañy sooner or later starts building 1911'S. Why?? Because they sell million's. If Glock knew how to build 1911'S you can be sure they would be in their line as well.

 

[Boattale]

I think Todd is pretty close to the mark. In the past we had distinct handgun models; the 1911, the BHP, the Colt Trooper, etc. I think in the future it will be more product lines with "model years" like cars, speakers or phones. Whether by design or just luck Glock has been on this train for years with gen after gen of "perfection". Madison Avenue has convinced consumers that the only viable path to satisfaction is to have the latest and greatest. You have an iPhone two gens old? How gauche! How tacky! Are you a poor? With the bulk of the firearm being molded polymer it's pretty easy to make changes, especially with the lower grade of plastics used in most pistols now and the lack of expectation that you'll still be using it in five or ten years. The heart of the gun, provided they're still steel and constructed as we do presently, will maybe stay pretty much the same from gen to gen to manage costs. Even now you can buy custom frames in different shapes, sizes and colors to drop "the gun" or subframe into. This will probably become more popular as time goes by.

So no, outside of the shrinking Fudd Gun World we'll probably see model lines (eg Camaro or Corvette) with model years or manufacturing generations. It seems unlikely that the bigger companies will continue to make the exact same model, unchanged from year to year for decades at a time. People will be chasing the new and guns will become systems/platforms to conform with current fashion trends. This will be especially true for the Tactical Man-bun Squad that seems to drive the industry now.

I shoot a Galaxy S5. No. Wait, I talk on a Galaxy S5. All the cool kids shoot S21. That said, I have a man bun wearing grandson who carries a .357 Bisley at work (he's a land manager for the Nature Conservancy). There will always be a niche for the throwback types, I truly believe that. For a completely off topic but still valid example, muscle cars. Small world true enough, but still a thing. And my guess, it's going to remain a thing for a long long time. Same with the classic guns of every type.

 

[Howland937]

I'll preface by saying I'm not a Glock hater...or fan. They're a gun, like many others, designed to do what they do, well.
I've always thought of them as the Toyota Camry of handguns. Known for being reliable and practical.
Ain't nobody restoring 1986 Camrys though...that I've seen anyway.

 

[WisBorn]

I'll preface by saying I'm not a Glock hater...or fan. They're a gun, like many others, designed to do what they do, well.
I've always thought of them as the Toyota Camry of handguns. Known for being reliable and practical.
Ain't nobody restoring 1986 Camrys though...that I've seen anyway.

It is surprising how many people collect Glocks. They are easy to replace parts on so keeping them running is not hard.

 

[Miguel Loco]

Whether a "first time" buyer gets a 1911 or not....it will still be around for a very long time. After 110 years, they still sell well. They will also hold value much better than any plastic gun.....which are basically a dime a dozen. As new gun owners become more educated....they tend to graduate to better firearms.