What do you think about various brands - a fun experiment

[Grant C.]

I've got something of a wager going with an acquaintance about people's perceptions of any given gun brand. I find it interesting how certain brands are perceived by people (Mac vs. PC, Chevy vs. Ford, that kind of comparison) and how the marketing of the brand affects what people buy.

To start the research, I went back through gun mags for the past 10 years or so and noted how each brand was marketed, along with how they were reported on. Now, I'm going to try to match this up with what people actually think and feel about them.

So, here's how this works: I'm going to list several brands of handguns, and I'd like you to respond and tell me how you PERCEIVE the gun, in any terms you want to use - quality, performance, value, sexiness, whatever. There are a few caveats:

1) This is about how the consumer perceives the brand of pistol or revolver only. If the manufacturer makes other types of firearms in addition to handguns, ignore them.

2) I'm not looking for stories at this point; don't tell me that your second cousin had so-and-so brand, and it was awful so you're not going to buy one. Tell me instead that you perceive it as lacking quality, doesn't perform well, etc.

3) No owner testimonials; in fact, if you actually own any given make DO NOT reply for that brand. I'm only interested in what POTENTIAL owners think before they actually buy.

Disclaimer: I do not work for any manufacturer, importer, distributor, retailer, ad agency, or publication in or for the firearms industry. This is my own idle curiousity, and hopefully a chance to prove to someone else that their opinion is completely off-base.

Here are your choices; reply to any or all that you do not yet own, but have a strong image of based on what you've heard or read. These are in no particular order:

Glock
Colt
Springfield Armory
CZ
Tangfolio
Magnum Research/IMI
Smith & Wesson
Beretta
Ruger
Dan Wesson
SIG, SIG-Sauer
Kahr
Taurus
Browning
Kel-Tec
Walther
Kimber
Freedom Arms

Have at it!

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Colt: Dang expensive piece from most sources, used be better, was going on a big downhill, now it seems they are doing a little better again. Though no 1911 collection is complete without one that says Colt.

CZ: Really good pieces with a good price. Some gritty triggers show the low price though.

Tangfolio: A good clone of the CZ for a little less dough and in more calibers.

IMI: Shouldn't this fall under Magnum Research since they are the importer?

Beretta: Some say they are overpriced, but prices I have seen have been lower lately. They function well and are accurate. No more slides fly off so they must be good. And they look nice in the hand thanks to Lethal Weapon and Chow Yun Fat movies...

Ruger: Built like a tank with a low cost, but most of them feel like a brick too. The new P345 is their new slim model and looks really good for their future if it still has the reliability of the older models.

Dan Wesson: Seems to stick out as an odd 1911 manufacturer. Around the price of Springfield Armory, but it doesn't seem many people have them. But then again, haven't heard many bad reports about them. And almost no one carries them either. I have seen maybe 1 revolver from them on a shelf.

Kimber: MIM, we can't have MIM! But for the most part, they seem to be fine. They probably sell more 1911s than other companies. I still want an Eclipse from them.

Freedom Arms: Don't they make really expensive revolvers?!

 

[Reno]

A couple things: any I've left off are because I don't know anything about it. That said, I'm relatively new to being interested in the shooting world so this is a pretty uninformed list, and, of course, just what I've gathered from reading and seeing ads.

Glock: Kaboom
Colt: Overpriced, spotty quality as of late
Springfield Armory: Used to think they were great, until I read what Tuner had to say about them.
Smith & Wesson: Bowed to the Clinton administration. Spotty quality for autoloaders.
Beretta: Weak
Ruger: Ugly, reliable
Taurus: Good quality, pretty good price
Kimber: Better than Springfield for 1911s

 

[boofus]

Glock: German engineering, nuff said.
Colt: Good but pricey. The little horsey logo makes the gun cost more.
Kel-Tec: Unreliable.
Walther: German engineering, nuff said.
Sig: German engineering, nuff said.

 

[HankB]

OK - I'll just try to give a brief perception of each brand name. (And I added a few, just for fun.)

Glock - Utilitarian. They generally work well, but few would call them beautiful.
Colt - Overpriced, variable quality.
Springfield Armory - Cheap .45s for folks who can't afford a Kimber.
CZ - Not a bad value at all.
Tangfolio - It'sa cheapo gunno
Magnum Research/IMI - Big hunks of metal for King Kong.
Smith & Wesson - Sold us out. Cheapened their line (MIM parts) and put in stupid locks.
Beretta - The cool movie guns used by Bruce Willis and others.
Ruger - For people who can't afford something better
Dan Wesson - Are they still around?
Kahr - (Too biased against their polymer guns to comment.)
Taurus - South American Knock-Offs of "name" brands.
Kel-Tec - Teeny tiny guns that sometimes work.
Walther - High maintenance guns whose superiority MUST NOT BE QUESTIONED! All hail WALTHER!
Kimber - For those who can't afford a Baer or Wilson.
Freedom Arms - The Rolls-Royce of single action revolvers
Browning - Finely finished handguns
SIG - They generally work well . . . if they fit your hand.
FN - Roughly finished Brownings
Thompson/Center - For hunting.
Les Baer - pricey, finely crafted 1911s
Wilson - pricey 1911s that would cost $400 less without the "Wilson" name.
Rock River Arms - Who?
Mauser - They make handguns?

 

[gbelleh]

This is a strange question. THR members probably know a lot more about these guns than many who might buy them. The perception of any gun is a very personal opinion based on what you've been exposed to. I'll try to give you my perception of these guns before I had much experience with them (before I found TFL). I hope that satisfies what you're looking for...

Glock - Almost indestructible, totally reliable perfection
H&K - The coolest guns on the planet! Hans Gruber has fine taste!
Sig - Finely crafted German goodness.
Colt - Pretty, expensive, good quality, legendary history
Springfield Armory - pretty good copy of a Colt
CZ - good quality, underrated
Tangfolio - Looks like a knock-off?
Magnum Research/IMI - Big, cool looking hand cannons!
Smith & Wesson - Legendary history, used to be unmatched in quality, recent bad politics and qc problems
Beretta - legendary history, high quality, pretty, Italian guns, good enough for the US Armed Forces!
Ruger - Big, blocky, reliable, ugly, boring.
Dan Wesson - ?
Kahr - Very small, very high quality, ccw guns
Taurus - makes knock-offs with questionable qc.
Kel-Tec - Good prices, reliability is hit or miss, great customer service.
Walther - Bond, James Bond...it has to be good, right?
Kimber - Excellent 1911 copy...until MIM parts crashed the party.
Freedom Arms - ?

 

[MJRW]

Glock - own
Colt - a legacy
Springfield Armory - good guns at good prices
CZ - great guns at better prices
Tangfolio - no opinion
Magnum Research/IMI - big and flashy, more hype than use
Smith & Wesson - american legacy
Beretta - no opinion
Ruger - own
Dan Wesson - own
Kahr - quality conceal carry pistols
Taurus - own
Kel-Tec - own
Walther - fine german engineering that has lost the fine german engineering part
Kimber - a relative standard in 1911s at a standard price
Freedom Arms - very high quality at very high prices

 

[krept]

my unenlightened opinions/impressions

(I own none of the brands in question)

Glock - definition of "generic" but reliable, tough, accurate. About as disposible as they come. superb fighting/combat weapon. simple, expendable, dependable. most likely my next purchase.

Colt - has some nice touches that add quality. heard great things about NRM 1911 and older Pythons. Uncertain of customer service, have to wonder if I would pay more for a Gucci-esque brand name.

Springfield Armory - Warm fuzzies. Would be proud to own. They make 1911s and M1As OORAH. Probably not tiptop quality relative to Colt, but seems more work oriented as opposed to safe queen.

CZ - Foreign, makes me think of long, heavy DA pulls. If I wanted DA/SA, i'd go with a SIG instead. Seems like a CZ would make a great tool, but seem cheap for some reason. Probably won't ever own one. Aesthitics are so-so, leaning more towards positive. Seem tough and reliable but imprecise.

Tangfolio - sounds like something a cheap pimp from Miami would wear. Zero experience. Knockoffs?

Magnum Research/IMI - cool, interesting products. DEs are unergonomic and of questionable reliability but very keen looking. Baby eagle looks kind of cool... CZ knockoff? Seem fairly well made, have no idea about customer service.

Smith & Wesson - never liked the Semis... totally nonplussed by all of em. Probably work OK, impressions = nothing spectacular about fit/finish, trigger, etc. Not a fan of the laser engraving. Wouldn't be surprised if the semis are greatly underrated. Revolvers - look very cool, older ones are some of the greatest made. Would be nervous about buying a new one because of quality issues. Not sure about customer service. A little overpriced, seem a little delicate. Not happy with their politics.

Beretta - everywhere. not so great ergonomics. decent reliability, should have pretty finishes. unknown customer service. could have complex lockwork. time for a new service weapon.

Ruger - clunky but very tough. reliable. good customer service. good prices. probably decent finish. crummy triggers. not happy with their politics.

Dan Wesson - solid customer service. good attention to detail. love the ability to switch revolver barrels. don't they make a 10mm 1911? COOL. Used = underpriced. good fit/finish. revolvers appear VERY strong, rivaling Ruger. Like the appearance w/full underlugs.

Kahr - kind of cheap, captured a niche market (CCW). long/heavy trigger pulls. decent fit/finish. unknown customer service.

Taurus - yin/yang. could be the best bang for the buck or the ultimate PITA. Awesome product lineup, not afraid to take chances. Customer service=shady but great warranty.

Kel-Tec - feel exactly the same here as I do with Kahr. Maybe a little cheaper, maybe a little better customer service.

Walther - classy, good fit and finish. should have good customer service but shouldn't need it. priced fair to high for what you get. interesting weapons.

Kimber - funny name. hit and miss here, too. Hit = top of the line production 1911. Miss = falling apart POS. Should have good finishes and precise tolerances. Worried about parts breakages. Decent customer service. Would buy Colt or Springfield first.

Freedom Arms - awesome fit and finish, great accuracy. large weapons. probably great customer service. quailty comes with a high price tag. Don't like single action revolvers.

 

[Mikul]

Glock: Chosen by most people because so many other people have bought it. Very popular with newbies with ego problems.

Colt: Might as well be dead. Ten years ago they still made great guns, but nobody seems to buy them anymore unless they're collectors.

Springfield Armory: Trying hard to appeal to the tactical shooter, but with spotty enough QC to be ignored by serious shooters.

CZ: Inexpensive and overall good quality.

Tangfolio: Like CZ without the cost or quality control.

Magnum Research/IMI Israeli-made guns for the testosterone or ego addicted.

Smith & Wesson: Great revolvers and poorly designed semi-autos.

Beretta: Purchased because the military uses them. Their quality has improved to the point that I am not longer shocked when they fire 100 continuous rounds without a jam.

Ruger: Traditional revolvers and big semi-autos. Ruger looks to the past instead of innovating for the future.

Dan Wesson: Unfocused. Do they want to make high-end guns or do they want to be another Springfield?

SIG, SIG-Sauer: High quality DA/SA semi-autos.

Kahr: Small guns with unproven long-term sturdiness.

Taurus: S&W knock-offs with spotty QC.

Browning: They still make handguns?

Kel-Tec: Small toy-like guns.

Walther: Owned by James Bond wanna-bes. Their little .22 is pretty nice, but nothing else.

Kimber: Worked hard to make good 1911's, usually successful in that regard.

Freedom Arms: Expensive, hand-fit revolvers.

 

[GunnySkox]

I haven't actually seen many ads, so most of my stuff is based on hearsay and aesthetics (Which, I expect, is the whole point of the study, no?)

Glock - I think they're "cool", but have heard enough KaBoom! stories that thinking about getting one has sort of gone out the window.

Colt - Eh. Jackasses. I get the feeling that Colt resents having to sell things to civilians that don't cost an arm, leg, kidney, and firstborn child. I thought the Trooper revolver was cool, but they took it off the line for no bloody reason at all. Frickin' Colt.

Springfield Armory - Opinions vary so much on SA that I get confused. Actually, on 1911s in general, there's so much BS marring all the proper info, I prefer to look at other designs. In other news, XD's are "in" this season.

CZ - Delicious! I love the looks of CeeZees, and from what I've been told/been reading, they generally reek of quality.

Tangfolio - Qué?

Magnum Research/IMI - "I think it's time to blow this thing / Get everybody and the stuff together / Okay, three, two, one, let's jam!" Mmm, Cowboy Bebop. I really get down on the Eagle pistols' "I'm going to kill you in the face" aesthetics, and from what I've read/heard, the baby eagles are pretty nice.

Smith & Wesson - Similar to SA, they vary. I do, however, thoroughly enjoy some of their smaller revolvers.

Beretta - Opinion marred by small quantities of Cougar usage and ownership of Beretta shooting glasses ( ), but, in terms of cool-factor and pimp-shine, Berettas are hard to beat.

Ruger - Bill Ruger should die! Again! Other than the oooogly Mks 1 and 2, I think Ruger's are just a'ight.

Dan Wesson - No hay, no hay esperanza! Porque? Mire! *slap!*. In other news, never seen one.

SIG, SIG-Sauer - Mmmm... Delicious.

Kahr - Heard good things, mostly. Apparently, the little ones are miniscule and good as BUGs or pocket-carry primary. Never seen

Taurus - All I know about Taurus is that their factory is in Brazil, or somesuch.

Browning - JMB was cool, but CeeZees are cooler than Hipowers.

Kel-Tec - I figured out P3AT = P380! I hear they're good, but they're ugly. O'course, looking cute never one a gunfight.

Walther - James Bond, Jet black. Who am I to disagree with the action-heroes? P22s and P99s I've heard are good, and I like the looks of them.

Kimber - They're either God's own gift to hand-cannons, or the most overpriced pieces of sheeyat ever created, depending on who you ask. To that end, don't ask me, because I don't care.

Freedom Arms - Where?

~Slam_Fire

 

[Alfadog]

This thread is a flame war waiting to happen, but what the hell, here goes:

Glock--good, reliable design that works well in 9mm and has an operating system designed for a fighting pistol. If I wasn't a 1911 guy, I'd be carrying a 9mm Glock. I have heard of way too many problems with the other calibers to spend my money on one.

Colt--I own one.

Springfield Armory--I'm glad someone is still offering a reasonably priced 1911 w/o unecessary firing pin safeties. No QC to speak of. Crappy barrels and small parts. GI and Mil-spec models are decent base guns for a custom build up, but not something I would buy to use as is.

CZ--I like the CZ75. Good design but hampered by having useless DA capability. Don't know about any of their other models. Good value, but not something I like enough to spend money on.

Tangfolio--Cheap Italian CZ clones.

Magnum Research/IMI--Desert Eagle. I have no idea why anyone other than a Hollywood prop supplier would buy one.

Smith & Wesson--I own several of their revolvers. Their DA semiautos have the idiotic Walther-style slide mounted decocker. Would never buy one. The new SW1911s seem to be decent, but have ugly rollmarks, an unnecessary firing pin safety, and poorly fitted sights.

Beretta--I have heard so many reports about these guns' lack of durability from so many sources that I believe it. Lousy ergonomics. They have the idiotic Walther-style slide mounted decocker. Would never buy one. Embarassing that our government issues these to our troops.

Ruger--Ruger's game plan is to make a cheap gun that looks like a classic. Their pistols are supposedly reliable, but have terrible ergonomics and seem to be designed by people who have no clue about defensive use of firearms. Most of their semiautos have the idiotic Walther-style slide mounted decocker. The new P345 is a lawyer pistol (internal lock, mag disconnect safety). Would never buy one.

Dan Wesson--Kimber wanna-be.

SIG, SIG-Sauer--Reliable and high quality, but large for concealed carry or small hands. I cannot figure out how to hold one so that my thumbs are not on top of either the decocker or the slide release.

Kahr--Great little design. Wish the trigger reset was more positive. Don't like rubber grips on steel frame models.

Taurus--Junk.

Browning--Hi-power is nice but I would'nt pay what they want for one. Lousy factory trigger. The Buttmark .22 is a P.O.S.

Kel-Tec--Neat little guns but often not reliable. Factory usually fixes them but not very confidence inspiring.

Walther--Overpriced crap. PPK is an unreliable, underpowered, overpriced turd for James Bond wanna-bes. P99 is right up there with Beretta 92 as worst service pistol design in history.

Kimber--Do not like Series II safety and external extractors. Spotty QC on MIM small parts. Still probably best bet in 1911 under a grand. They deserve a lot of credit for revitalizing the 1911 market.

Freedom Arms--Super high quality and tightly fitted S.A. revolvers that I have no use or desire for.

I'll add a few more (in case there is anyone out there isn't mad at me yet):

HK--Reliable but overpriced and subpar ergos (for me). Uber-tactical marketing designed to appeal to 17-year old wanna-be SEALS and government purchasing department desk jockeys.

Les Baer--I like them. Very good quality, but fit much tighter than necessary. Nicely finised. Best value in high-end 1911s.

Ed Brown--Like Baer, but costs $500-$600 more for comparable features. Why?

Wilson--Nice but overpriced 1911s. Better barrel fit than Baer, but I think Baer's small parts are better. Why can't they put decent sights on a $2,000 gun?

 

[P95Carry]

Glock - The ''in'' gun ..... so many have them. But reputed to be uber reliable.
Colt - More collectible these days but - real Colt=solid quality.
Springfield Armory - Not sure - QC issues seem to be mentioned a lot.
CZ - Good bang for Buck overall.
Tangfolio - Doesn't register much in my database - nothing much to go on
Magnum Research/IMI - Got BFR - SOLID!
Smith & Wesson - Got several - older=better in many ways.
Beretta - Maybe under-rated
Ruger - Got several - solid, tough reliability for most part
Dan Wesson - Not sure but hear more good than bad.
SIG, SIG-Sauer - Must be OK - liked by so many.
Kahr - Seem popular but have not fallen for one yet - ''not sure'' category
Taurus - Got several - good value but the after sales stories can suck.
Browning - Got genuine BHP - not much to complain about
Kel-Tec - Got P3 .. low budget good value but - reliability not always up there.
Walther - Always felt they were expensive but good quality - used to have GSP . good gun
Kimber - Not sure - QC issues seem to be mentioned a lot.
Freedom Arms - Very costly but near unbreakable.

 

[Black Majik]

Glock: Reliable gun. Thought about purchasing a G23 to fill a niche. Never got to it. I wouldn't mind having one to beat around with or carry if I ever got a CCW. Good quality. The compact model isn't all that bad looking. Their fullsize feels funny (finger grooves are spaced out too much). Not all that accurate with it.

Colt: Improving quality on an already beautiful gun. Colt needs to keep it up. Good prices for their NRM line. The way 1911's should still look. Except for their XSE line.

Springfield Armory: Cant say I think all that highly of them. They have a few pistols that interests me from the 1911 line, but I doubt I'll ever buy one. Fit and finish is sub average, especially their M1A's. Blah on the fit and finish. SA has some work to do.

CZ: Good pistols at a affordable price.

Tangfolio: Tango whaaa...?? Obviously their marketing doesn't do very well since I dunno much about them except that they make clones.

Magnum Research/IMI: Desert Eagle... Big fuggin' gun.

Smith & Wesson: Declining QC. Damn internal locks on their revolvers. Everyone is searching for the older pistol/revolvers. I'll never consider their autoloader line. Bad marketing on them I suppose.

Beretta: Beautiful gun that doesn't work. Unrelaible with crappy sights. Beretta gets the thumbs down on this one. Beautiful guns that'll make great safe queens to just stare at. Thats bout' it.

Ruger: Clunky ass pistols. Pretty ugly too. Their revolvers are nice except for the SRH. What were they thinking adding a longer barrel on a short revovler. Uuuuuggggllllyyy! S&W quality at a lower price. Same thing applies, I wont consider their autoloader line.

Dan Wesson: Never seem em'.... but I hear good things about them.

SIG, SIG-Sauer: They make the best DA/SA pistols IMO. Great ergonomics, comfortable feel, accurate. Only thing is... those plastic grips on the P series MUST GO. Priced too high though for what you get. Should be around 600'ish...

Kahr: I want a PM9. Everyone raves about their fit and finish... cant say I really see what they're talking about, but I wouldn't hesitate to own a Kahr. Priced way too high!

Taurus: A seal in a whale tank.

Browning: Old respectable company, so so reputation... they haven't sold me on a BHP and I doubt the ever will. Dont see much marketing for Brownings. My feelings on them is whatever.

Kel-Tec: Cheap gun maker that makes cheap guns that works.

Walther: Their PPK's suck. Too much hype. Only the name is what keeps them alive, and the James Bond movie. Overpriced also.

Kimber: Set the new standard for 1911 pistols. Hit or miss on their quality. I'd much rather own a Kimber than a SA.

Freedom Arms: I've only heard that they make good quality, but expensive revolvers. Dunno anything about them.

 

[Boats]

Glock--grip designed on weekend bender to UFO museum in Roswell, NM. Having a safety on the trigger still strikes many as a bad joke.

Colt--I am an owner, but can you say Harley-Davidson?

Springfield Armory--Owner. IMBEL makes a good 1911 with crap extractors. Wrecked the HS2000 by renaming it the xtreeeeme doooty.

CZ--owner next month. Best bang for the buck with no MIM.

Tangfolio--A CZ clone I have never actually seen an example of.

Magnum Research/IMI--The Deagle, seriously bitten by the Iwannacoolgun virus, but it ain't that cool at all.

Smith & Wesson--Half german hybrids and revolvers with an ugly locking hole in them.

Beretta--A movie icon. Loved or hated. Badly in need of a "modern" hit.

Ruger--Functioning bricks followed up by their first non brick auto tricked out by the legal department. Virtually indestructible revolvers.

Dan Wesson-- An in-and-out of bankruptcy "me-tooer" First broken mag catch I have ever seen was on a sample fired by Mr. Camp.

SIG, SIG-Sauer--World class pistols marred by a high bore axis.

Kahr--The Moonie pistols.

Taurus--Brazilian producer of indifferently made clones and original designs that never seem to catch on because, alas, they are indifferently made too.

Browning--Really, FNH--makers of the venerable High Power, a poly pistol line seemingly no one has ever bought, and the vastly overrated FiveseveN.

Kel-Tec--Better premise than execution of a mousegun design with potential.

Walther--Makers/designers of a really good 9mm platform and of a classic, but nothing special, line of .380s

Kimber--Scwartz safety, MIM filled, goofy name, what's to love?

Freedom Arms--I hope they are worth it because they're as ugly as all get out.

 

[Ol'Sarge2K]

Glock - Ugly, works.
Ruger - Uglier, works. Built like tank, but oversized.
Colt - Overpriced. Not what they used to be.
Springfield Armory - Own (no comment)
CZ - Looks good, is good.
Tangfolio - Sounds cheezy.
Magnum Research/IMO - Sounds cheezy.
Smith & Wesson - Can they make a semi that doesn't suck?
Beretta - Ugliest, hideously overpriced, massively oversized.
Dan Wesson - No opinion.
SIG, SIG-Sauer - Expensive, but worth it. I.E. you are paying for quality.
Kahr - No Opinion.
Taurus - Get what you pay for. Has a great warranty, but so does the Hundai.
Browning - No Opinion.
Kel-Tec - No Opinion.
Walther - Overpriced. Paying for a name and not quality.
Kimber - Overpriced.
Freedom Arms - No Opinion.
HK - Overpriced, over engineered.

 

[gbran]

Here's mine

Glock- Owned
Colt- Owned
Springfield Armory- Owned
CZ- Good reputation, economical
Tangfolio- Mediocre?
Magnum Research/IMI- Good quality, usually too heavy
Smith & Wesson- Own
Beretta- Good quality, but not my style
Ruger- Own
Dan Wesson- Pricey
SIG, SIG-Sauer- High quality
Kahr- Want a PM9
Taurus- Own
Browning- Owned
Kel-Tec- Ceap, crude, but OK
Walther- Formerly high quality
Kimber- Overrated
Freedom Arms- Unequalled quality

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Ok, I will play:

Glock - Plastic, squishy, reliable, lack aesthetics..
Colt - Historical, personal interest, sorry they can't keep the quality.
Springfield Armory - Variable, Some good, some ok.
CZ - Very good "bang" for the buck. Reliable.
Tangfolio - good cheap gun, to bad EAA is involved.
Magnum Research/IMI - No opinion.
Smith & Wesson - Great revolvers if you can find a 5 screw N frame.
Beretta - Expensive, very reliable
Ruger - cast toys.
Dan Wesson - Great guns, small shop, variable quality, but willing to fix whats broken.
Kahr - No opinion.
Taurus - steel seemed pretty soft to me, took it back, no real opinion.
Kel-Tec - no opinoin.
Walther - If it is stainless steel and american, it is worthless junk, no opinion otherwise.
Kimber - Interesting study in quality, Started out good, then pretty much down hill ever since.
Freedom Arms - Amazing guns, not much experience though.
Browning - Has been, older guns nice though.
SIG - 210's are great, 22X and 23X guns seem expensive for what you get.
FN - no opinion
Thompson/Center - no opinion
Les Baer - Tight well built accurate and reliable. My 1911's!
Wilson - Expensive kimber quality level, loose, with an expensive name on the slide.
Rock River Arms - no opinion
Mauser - peaked on the 96 broomhandle. Still need to get a shooter 96.


Probably missed a few.....

 

[christophera]

Glock-Good pistols and may get one in the future but doubtful.
Colt-Maybe good but I get a bad vibe off them. Them being the firearms and the company. Wont buy.
Springfield-Owned
CZ-Don't seem to be quality. Wont buy.
Tangwachit-Never heard of. Wont buy.
Magnum R-Below parr. Wont buy.
S&W-Own. Bought for quality and accuracy.
Beretta-Good but don't like features. Wont buy.
Ruger-So-so. May buy MkIII in future but no centerfires.
Dan Wesson-Don't know enough to have an opinion but probably wont research them enough to buy.
Sig-Owned and probably will in future. Quality drew me in.
Kahr-Crap.
Taurus-Crap.
Browning-Good but wont buy. Nothing stands out that I need.
Kel-tec-Crap.
Walther-Okay until partnership with S&W. Like their revos but their autos suck. Therefore I'm leary of Walthers. Probably wont buy.
Kimber-Quality stuff and would buy a Custom I if back in production.
Freedom Arms-Never heard of. Wont buy.

What about Hechler & Koch my friend. Quality attracted me to them plus their guns have a cool yet ugly look that I like.

 

[Devonai]

Beretta: Beautiful gun that doesn't work. Unrelaible with crappy sights. Beretta gets the thumbs down on this one. Beautiful guns that'll make great safe queens to just stare at. Thats bout' it.

Perhaps you have encountered the 1/100th of 1% of problem Berettas. I've put 7,000 rounds through my 92FS without a single problem, and I've had similar experiences with other varieties. A Cougar 8040 is my current every day carry weapon.

I fully suspect these attitudes are from non-Beretta owners!!! Feh!

 

[christophera]

My buddy carried an M9 in Iraq this past year. He's a medic and is qualified with the weapon. After all that he will NEVER buy one. Tells you somethin'.

 

[joegerardi]

My take:

Glock - Own.

Colt - I want to like them, but I'm not sure. I'm really going to take a long, hard look at an NRM at the gun show in 2 weeks.

Springfield Armory - Own.

CZ - Own.

Tangfolio Owned.

Magnum Research/IMI - Crew-served handguns. Why? I can barely lift the damn' thing, let alone shoot it. The Baby Eagle is a CZ clone that is heavier and more expensive. No reason not to go for CZ instead.

Smith & Wesson - Owned.

Beretta - Well-built, but too big for what they are, and the decocker is in a dumb place. Also, Hollyweird has turned me against 'em.

Ruger - Bill Ruger can rot in hell for all I care.

Dan Wesson - Intrigue me, I want one, (PM-XSS) but want to know more about their quality first...

SIG, SIG-Sauer - Own.

Kahr - Own.

Taurus - Want to like them, but just can't. The Millenium series have the WORST triggers!

Browning - Little need for them in this day and age. Too many others do everything better. Still, the Arcus clone is starting to whisper to me.

Kel-Tec - Afraid of 'em.

Walther - Own.

Kimber - Something about them just bothers me. For some reason they just don't look or feel quite like a "real" 1911.

Freedom Arms - No knowledge, so no opinion.


..Joe

 

[JohnKSa]

First of all, your idea is good, but there is no way you are going to get people to read carefully enough to properly follow your directions...

That said, here goes:

Springfield Armory (A bit ambiguous--I'm assuming you mean the NEW SA)
Good designs poorly implemented. Lots of QA problems primarily as a result of substandard materials. The best products out of SA lately seem to be the Croatian pistols. Tend to be on the expensive side.

CZ
Good designs well implemented. Well made, but not anything fancy. Very functional. Good value.

Tanfoglio (spelling correction only--I've owned one of these.)

Magnum Research/IMI
Good stuff but mostly on the exotic side. Well made and functional. No dings that I can think of.

Dan Wesson
Good stuff, some innovative ideas. Probably too expensive to manufacture to make a profit--just my guess. Well made good looking but a bit different.

SIG, SIG-Sauer
No dings. Personal impression is that they are too expensive for what you get. I don't like the looks of their pistols either. Blocky looking with a higher bore axis than they should have for their size.

Kahr
Good quality, expensive, primarily caters to the pocket pistol crowd. Innovative.

Taurus
Some QA problems, mediocre to really BAD customer service despite an excellent warranty. If you get a good one, good--you're all set. If you get a bad one, you're on your own. Generally considered a value, but IMO, you lose in customer service what you got in price.

Browning
Too expensive, living in the past selling to customers living in the past. Attempts to move forward met with hostility from their customer base. Good products, good quality.

Kimber
Good quality, good product. No dings that I can think of.

Freedom Arms
Excellent quality, excellent product. Worth what you pay. A bit out of many folks price range.

 

[Ol'Sarge2K]

"My buddy carried an M9 in Iraq this past year. He's a medic and is qualified with the weapon. After all that he will NEVER buy one. Tells you somethin'."


I was issued a Beretta for a couple years in the service while a Grunt. Berreta = crap.

 

[JohnKSa]

Toldja so!

 

[Ol'Sarge2K]

3) No owner testimonials; in fact, if you actually own any given make DO NOT reply for that brand. I'm only interested in what POTENTIAL owners think before they actually buy.

ISSUED. Wouldn't waste my own money on the thing.