what guns are sized "right" for their caliber?

[Nom de Forum]

The M2HB.

This is one I have to disagree with. It is far to heavy for the power of the cartridge compared to weapons of similar and greater power. It remains in use due more to reliability, expense of replacement, and the inertia of established logistics.

The 1911 on the other hand is just about perfect for the .45ACP.

 

[Dframe]

D frame Colt in 38 Special. With a K frame S&W a very close second

 

[tark]

An 18 pound Thomas Bland & Son 4 bore elephant gun. If it weighed any less it would tear your shoulder off. It did manage to break my collar bone.

18 pounds? That what Gun Bearers are for.

 

[22-rimfire]

As mentioned, the Colt D frames are sized nicely for both 38spl and 22LR.
Ruger SR-22 (pistol) is sized right for a coat pocket 22 pistol.
Colt Woodsman and the clones, aka Ruger Mark I,II, III series.
Browning BL-22 and 22 semi-auto rifle are sized right for general purpose 22 rifles.
M29 and M57 Smiths are sized right for the calibers.
Ruger 10/22 is sized right.

 

[capnrik]

Usfan, I don't remember the 1892 being made in .30/30....

 

[mokin]

My 9 mm Browning Hi Power is juuust right.

 

[jlr1962]

I have yet to fire a gun that was unusable for me. I have fired some guns that I wouldn't want to shoot 200 rounds in a single range trip.

I think that a 1911 in 45 is the bomb.

 

[gbran]

I have both the Single Six, which is a perfect fit for me and a Bearcat which is too small and is perfect for grandkids.

 

[usfan]

Usfan, I don't remember the 1892 being made in .30/30....

I think you're right.. i'm sure it was the m94 i was thinking about. And although one could argue that the marlin passed it in actual strength & robustness, for historical reasons the win 1894 & the 30-30 were made for each other.

Another brilliant design by guess who? Right. John Moses Browning.

Good catch. They are different designs & different rifles, even though they are both lever action carbines. I seem to remember reading that the m94 is the best selling high powered rifle in US history, & that the 30-30 cartridge has taken more game than any other. The 92, while also a popular, robust design, is primarily used for pistol caliber cartridges.

I'll go out on a limb & say the 454 casull & the m92 are pretty well matched, even though they were not really designed for each other. the m92 has a sturdy enough action to handle the 454, with modern steel. I don't think you could do that with the 1894, but in 30-30, it is perfect.

edit: for clarity, i meant the marlin 336, as an improved rifle for the 30-30, not the marlin 1894, which was another pistol caliber carbine.

 

[usfan]

My 9 mm Browning Hi Power is juuust right.

The all steel Browning design is classic, but the 9mm has evolved more than most other rounds. Some of the newer 9s, like glocks & even beretta give the old hi power a good run for its money. Toss in the XD, CZ, Sig, & HK, and the field is pretty crowded. Granted, one could argue that the browning design formed the foundation for all of the others, which were primarily just tweaks on perfection.

But considering the tweaks, i've got to go with the glock as the 'perfect' match for the 9mm cartridge, now. IMO, it has enough improvements to warrant taking the crown from the older design. the g-17 might be the most carried LEO piece in the world, & only after a short time, historically speaking. And the g-19 is almost the perfect balance of power, capacity, weight, balance, & concealability.

I give credit where it is due, & JMB is still the reigning king of firearm design & perfection. Nobody comes close to him in this race, even Mikhail Kalashnikov's AK-47, the most popular warfare rifle in human history. Browning beats him with variety, but MK wins with specialization & sheer volume.

But, since this is an opinion poll, with the criteria being 'optimal', a not very clearly defined standard, opinions will vary a lot, & personal preference can trump volume or historical significance.

 

[J-Bar]

The Colt Model P, Single Action Army, .45 Colt.

Still being made and cloned 142 years after its introduction.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

My norinco 22 ATD is pretty perfect size for a .22... AND it bottom ejects. which I love

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The Colt Model P, Single Action Army, .45 Colt.

Still being made and cloned 142 years after its introduction.

The SAA is indeed a classic, but the New Service, a modern double-action with a swing-out cylinder is the ultimate .45 revolver. Mine was made in 1906, and I have mounted adjustable sights ad Herritt grips on it.

 

[Gravedigger56]

I would add that I think Kimber has 2 that are almost perfect (size + weight + balance). The Micro in .380 and the Ultra CDP II in 9mm.