Relying on a vintage handgun for SD/EDC.

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Saw this on another board, and I started a similar thread elsewhere.
Rather than a cutoff date, I would have the following criteria.
1. Nothing from a long vanished manufacturer with spare parts either extremely scarce or non-existent.
2. Nothing made in WWII Germany or German occupied countries 1942-1945.
3. Nothing with poor ergonomics, say poor grip-frame angle-the Tokarev, e.g., difficult to engage/disengage safety-the Mauser 1914/1934, the CZ-27, e.g. Some included heel clip magazines.
4. Nothing too rare or exotic, Broomhandle Mauser, e.g. Yes, I know, Winston carried one.
Some noted the danger that your handgun might be seized as "evidence", in which case a Hi-Point, an Iver Johnson, H&R, U.S. Revolver Co. might be a good choice.

 

[mcb]

I have been know to carry a 105 year old Webley Mk VI around the hunting property. Does that count?

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

a 32 smith & wesson long revolver is ideal choice here, like those old top breaks. or one of those savage auto pistols.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I think a CZ82 is an excellent option. 13rds, good trigger, DA/SA, functional safety, 9x18Mak is a reasonable round, standard mag release, etc.

Cold War, so may not be as "vintage" as you had in mind.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

a 32 smith & wesson long revolver is ideal choice here, like those old top breaks. or one of those savage auto pistols.

No way Id carry a Savage auto in condition 3- the safety is ridiculously difficult to disengage in a hurry. Of the course the same could be said of the Remington M51 and Colt Pocket Hammerless- but at least those had grip safeties if one felt comfortable forgoing the thumb safety.

Although not a top break, my Dad will sometimes still carry a .32 H&R Vest Pocket, and it actually fits in his vest pocket, lol.

I would totally rock a vintage GP35, VIS35, or any US Military pistol (except maybe a Colt New Army) even today if concealability wasnt an issue. Probably not a Luger- they dont point naturally for me. A Nambu or Glisenti would be a hard pass.....but the M1934/5 Beretta might make the rotation.

I have carried a WW1 vintage Gabilono (Llama) Ruby .32 acp from time to time and never felt undergunned.

 

[Y-T71]

My first thought is a Colt 1903/08

 

[earplug]

I keep a couple of 1975-76 vintage alloy, 1951 Beretta's nearby. I don't worry about a rapid reload. Pistols have been dead reliable and point well for me.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I keep a couple of 1975-76 vintage alloy, 1951 Beretta's nearby. I don't worry about a rapid reload. Pistols have been dead reliable and point well for me.

I carried a steel framed Beretta 51 for a while, and while a tad heavy, its incredible slim profile made it easy to conceal comfortably.

 

[jar]

It's getting harder every year to find one of my guns that will qualify as 'vintage'.

 

[Gerd33]

While both may break point 1 on the list though I'd definitely be willing to rely my CZ82. If I still had it, I'd consider the Ballester Molina .45 I once owned.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

While both may break point 1 on the list though I'd definitely be willing to rely my CZ82. If I still had it, I'd consider the Ballester Molina .45 I once owned.

View attachment 1100237 View attachment 1100238

My Dads nightstand gun is a Ballester Molina with a custom 6" barrel.

 

[Gerd33]

My Dads nightstand gun is a Ballester Molina with a custom 6" barrel.

I slightly regret selling the Ballester. It flawlessly ran everything I put through it. I'd pick up another if I ever run across one at the right price.

 

[Archie]

I carry one of two such pieces for everyday use.
A Colt Commander in .45 ACP. The Government Model basic design is over one hundred years old, the Commander was released for sale in 1950 or so. The very one I carry is from the '70s or '80s.
Second, an S&W Mod 10-5 from the early to middle '60s.
Those are not a whim or possible idea. Those are the ones I carry.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

Yeah if we're talking pre-world war II there are actually lots of choices to choose from, much like today. I guess our first reaction is naturally "Oh all they had back then was 1911s and webley revolvers" but no, there was a wide selection then as well.
I guess my now informed choice would be a Smith & Wesson K frame, 1898 model in .38 spec or a Colt police positive. A browning 1908 would be neat as well now that you mention it

Colt Pocket Hammerless-

A Beretta 1934 would be another high choice of mine (although haven't ever fired one of those.. .yet)

But we're talking carrying these in the present day so of course we don't want something too collectible. Fun thread

 

[cfullgraf]

I”d carry my WWII vntage Mauser built 32 ACP PP if necessary.

Also, any vintage 1911.

But in either case, I’d rather carry somethng less unique.

I keep current production guns for every day, frequent use and save the older guns for fun days at he range.

My grand father’s Colt 1908 that he carried in France during the Great War only gets shot once in a while. But the US Armaments current production Colt 1903 I plan to shoot the snot out of.

 

[.38 Special]

I'm still carrying a Smith & Wesson Model 19 in .357 Magnum. It's not exactly ancient, but the cartridge will be celebrating its 100th birthday in the not too distant future, and the basic gun dates from the 19th century.

There are somewhat better designs available now, but I would not want to face a man, armed with such a gun and who knows what he's about, with even the most modern sidearm available today.

 

[Tallball]

I shoot my K22 from 1951/52 very often, including yesterday.

I have six or seven handguns that are over 100 years old. There are better choices for SD, but they do go bang every time. The M&P from 1915/16 is a little loose, but it doesn't spit lead. It could still serve its purpose.

Smith And Wesson Pre Model 10

• Tallball
• Dec 14, 2018

 

[StrawHat]

This 4”, S&W Model 1917 gave me comfort for years, still does even though I carry something more modern.




Kevin

 

[jar]

Yeah if we're talking pre-world war II there are actually lots of choices to choose from, much like today. I guess our first reaction is naturally "Oh all they had back then was 1911s and webley revolvers" but no, there was a wide selection then as well.
I guess my now informed choice would be a Smith & Wesson K frame, 1898 model in .38 spec or a Colt police positive. A browning 1908 would be neat as well now that you mention it


A Beretta 1934 would be another high choice of mine (although haven't ever fired one of those.. .yet)

But we're talking carrying these in the present day so of course we don't want something too collectible. Fun thread

If a gun I use for self defense gets held whether or not it was collectible would be way way down my list of concerns.

Even collectible guns are just stuff.

I have several Smith and Colt revolvers that are actually old enough to qualify as vintage and they do get carried fairly often as my SD choice of the moment. Some examples are a smaller 1926 Colt Police Positive chambered in 38 Colt New Police (aka 38S&W with a blunt point) and a S&W DA Model 4 chambered in 38S&W. Both are small enough to easily conceal and both accurate and fun to shoot. I also quite often in cooler days (don't happen very often) carry my 1919 Colt Army Special chambered in 38Special. A couple weeks ago I carried my S&W 19-5 but it's nowhere near old enough to be considered vintage.

 

[film495]

I tend to keep a CZ-70 in my vehicle. It was old surplus and took a lot of tinkering to get it working right and figuring out what ammo to feed it with. hasn't jammed or malfunctioned in 1,000 or so rounds now, and Fiocci is what it likes to eat. Neat little firearm, would like a couple more of them.

blowback action and only like 46 total parts to take apart and put back together for a total break down, inspection, and assembly. some of the springs and parts are not really available though, so - I'd recommend against it, unless you are willing to buy spring stock, and figure out how to wind your own springs.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

An interesting question, which prompted me to try looking up what a "vintage" firearm is considered to be.

To say that this widely varies would be an incredible understatement! You can't even apply the more "standardly known" rules about what constitutes and "antique" to firearms, as what constitutes such is relative to the object, the market, the statutes, and more.

The Antique Automoble Club of America defines an antique car as over 25 years of age. But that definition isn't necessarily in alignment with legal definitions for antique vehicle registration in all the states.

26USC5845(g) defines antique firearms as "...any firearm not designed or redesigned using rimfire or conventional centerfire ignition with fixed ammunitiona nd manufactured in or before 1898..." and goes on to include other caveats. So an "antique" 1911 that is 111 years old would not fall under the legal definition of an "antique" for NFA purposes.


ANYWAY...that was just a little rabbit hole I started going down as I did some Google-fu on the subject.


To answer your question of whether I'd rely on a vintage gun as limited by the parameters you suggested in the OP, I can certainly think of a few.

Any "vintage" 1911 would do for me. The design has lasted for 111 years with minor changes over the years. They certainly would have parts and ammunition support today.

There are a number of "vintage" revolvers I'd also carry. S&W certainly made a great many in calibers I'd prefer which are also supported today in the parts and ammunition category. Especially in .38/.357.

Not sure how your German restrictiona apply here, but the Walther P-39 was first manufactured in 1938, outside the dates you specified, and certainly uses the popular 9mm round available today.

I'd LOVE to have a vintage Browning Hi Power! Nuff said on this one!

The CZ 75 is now 47 years old...does that make this one a vintage, too? 'Cause I'd add this to the list if it is!

 

[Mark 40]

I've enjoyed reading the contributions to this thread, thanks BLACKHAWKNJ for getting it started.

Have a S&W model 31 from 1968. It's not in a primary role for SD, but its in a quick access safe in the basement "just in case". Sometimes I've thought about the age thing and my only other choices are 22LR pistols or revolvers for the basement quick access safe.

I've had my gunsmith check it over and he gave it his blessing. The revolver has been flawless, its a favorite. This thread has given me more confidence to leave things as is.

 

[jar]

A couple pistols that I've carried fairly qualify as 'vintage'.

The lower one was made in 1920. The upper is relatively new.

The Savage was made in 1913 so it qualifies as 'vintage'.

This Walther Model 4 was my CCW pistol earlier this week and since it was made in 1923 qualifies as 'vintage'. Notice the ejection port is actually on the Port side!

 

[Sarge7402]

I have been know to carry a 105 year old Webley Mk VI around the hunting property. Does that count?

Many moons ago I owned two Webley's both converted to fire .45 ACP. Carried one in the service and one in law enforcement work. Both served me well and were built hell for stout

 

[CDW4ME]

5. Should be reliable with HP ammo.