rskent
Member
Intended Purpose (shamelessly stolen from 460Shooter)
Reliability
Simplicity
Ease of Maintenance
Shootability
Cost
Caliber
Reliability
Simplicity
Ease of Maintenance
Shootability
Cost
Caliber
Last edited:
What influences your handgun preferences?
- Thread starter labnoti
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I recently gave this some though as my daughter noticed that I have very few revolvers, while she seems to have a preference for revolvers. I gave the answer some thought and provided her with an answer.
I am an early Gen-X’er. That means that right about the time that I was developing an interest in firearms autoloaders were replacing revolvers. As a forming gun-nut I was exposed to the writings of Jeff Cooper, and similars. I was seeing revolver vs autoloader torture tests in various magazines.
I was also seeing the sun set on revolvers in the world around me. I don't know if they still do, but the El Monte PD (that's right, I didn’t grow up with a prestigious address) was carrying 1911s’ in condition 1.
In the meantime I did purchase some cap and ball revolvers before I was 21, I even still have one of them. However, when I went to take my first reserve peace officer course (at the time it looked like a path to a law enforcement job) I borrowed my father's Dan Wesson.
It didn’t make it through the 500 round course without needing to be cleaned several times. For those who are not aware, the Dan Wesson had the ability to adjust the cylinder gap. My father kept the gap quite small. The result of that, added to the cheap range ammunition that the SO used resulted in a failure, of the cylinder, to rotate.
You can be sure that when I went to the next stage of the training, with a 1K course of fire, I took a mil-spec 1911 (yes, I still have that one too). I had no problems at all with the 1911. There was a lesson in there for me.
I still prefer autoloaders and my only revolvers are cap and ball, with the exception of my fathers Dan Wesson. My daughters preference is for revolvers; but then, she only shoots .22 and Black Powder (with a single .38 for defense). She is also a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism. . . that pretty much explains it all.
I am an early Gen-X’er. That means that right about the time that I was developing an interest in firearms autoloaders were replacing revolvers. As a forming gun-nut I was exposed to the writings of Jeff Cooper, and similars. I was seeing revolver vs autoloader torture tests in various magazines.
I was also seeing the sun set on revolvers in the world around me. I don't know if they still do, but the El Monte PD (that's right, I didn’t grow up with a prestigious address) was carrying 1911s’ in condition 1.
In the meantime I did purchase some cap and ball revolvers before I was 21, I even still have one of them. However, when I went to take my first reserve peace officer course (at the time it looked like a path to a law enforcement job) I borrowed my father's Dan Wesson.
It didn’t make it through the 500 round course without needing to be cleaned several times. For those who are not aware, the Dan Wesson had the ability to adjust the cylinder gap. My father kept the gap quite small. The result of that, added to the cheap range ammunition that the SO used resulted in a failure, of the cylinder, to rotate.
You can be sure that when I went to the next stage of the training, with a 1K course of fire, I took a mil-spec 1911 (yes, I still have that one too). I had no problems at all with the 1911. There was a lesson in there for me.
I still prefer autoloaders and my only revolvers are cap and ball, with the exception of my fathers Dan Wesson. My daughters preference is for revolvers; but then, she only shoots .22 and Black Powder (with a single .38 for defense). She is also a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism. . . that pretty much explains it all.
Mastrogiacomo
Member
There's a lot to be said about the beauty and simplicity of a revolver. I have more guns than I care to post. My favorite remains my S&W 4" 686+....with the dreaded lock no less...
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Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
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- 13,274
Intended purpose
Reliability
Accuracy
Durability
Ergonomics
Price
Reliability
Accuracy
Durability
Ergonomics
Price
rskent
Member
OK, this is good. Any handgun purchase I make needs to fill a role, even if it’s just in my mind.
Jeb Stuart
member
The only time I would love to wear and a coat and Tie when I was a kid. Just down right COOL!
wickedsprint
Member
Pedigree...I want something proven and not new to market
Large enough to get a decent grip under duress while concealed
Reliable
Durable
Caliber...9mm or bigger
I chose a Glock 19
Large enough to get a decent grip under duress while concealed
Reliable
Durable
Caliber...9mm or bigger
I chose a Glock 19
CajunBass
Member
The Shooters Bible from around 1972..74. I spent hours upon hours pouring through one of those and picking out what I thought would be the "perfect" handgun. The choice changed from day to day. In those days, I either was too young to buy a handgun, or too broke, but the "choice" came down to Smith & Wesson "Something."
I suppose that's why most of the guns I've owned over the years have been Smith & Wesson revolvers from that time period. The others have mostly been Smith & Wesson revolvers from some other time period.
I suppose that's why most of the guns I've owned over the years have been Smith & Wesson revolvers from that time period. The others have mostly been Smith & Wesson revolvers from some other time period.
doubleh
Member
As a youngster growing up in the golden era of western movies the single action was my first love so my first handgun was a SS copy. As a young adult when I finally managed to get a job where I could afford both girls and pistols I bough the very best of the 22 rimfire replicas, the Ruger Single Six. I still have it along with several other single action revolvers now. I have branched out into semi-autos along with double action revolvers over the years though. Now as a geezer I find I enjoy revolvers more than semis for one reason. My back doesn't bend along with my knees very well anymore and I don't have to chase my brass with the revolvers. 
There is no need to suggest one of those rolling cage things. I would average about one brass case per fill up with all the old steel and aluminum cases laying everywhere.
There is no need to suggest one of those rolling cage things. I would average about one brass case per fill up with all the old steel and aluminum cases laying everywhere.
mljdeckard
Member
A few things come to mind.
Since I was a little kid, and my parents got me a WWII play set, with a 1911 that was about 1/2 size, it intrigued me. Even though I have carried several other guns over the years, (Glock, Sig, Beretta, etc,) I always wished they were 1911s. growing up and studying history made me appreciate it more. and if that wasn't enough, the trigger is the clincher.
I want to have to doodle with it as little as possible. I don't want any surprises. However, since I have a strong preference for 1911s, this has had mixed results. My Kimber is very boring. My RIA needed a few trips to the gunsmith to run well.
When rookies ask me what they should get, I tell them that there are many great guns, but some are here to stay, some will be in "What ever happened to" articles 20 years from now. I like guns that are well established in the market, and have many options for training aids, magazines, grips, holsters, .22 conversion kits, etc. To that end, I tell them, "Any accessory that hits the gun market, the first two guns it will be made for are the Glock 17/19, and the 1911." Some guns have almost no options for aftermarket magazines, which is very bad, if the magazine that came with the gun has a problem, and they come in here and ask us for help, and the first thing we tell them is....try a different magazine. Also, it is much easier to have gunsmithing done on guns that are more popular.
I like flat, dark finishes. I suppose for me, the intent of weapons stems from warfare, and usually that means having a finish that will withstand the elements, and not give away your position.
I don't keep safe queens. I suppose if I happened into one at little or no cost to me, I might keep it. But my guns get used. I recently inherited my grandfather's old 16 ga Model 97, which needs a total rebuild. I ask myself, would my grandfather want to have it sit in a locker forever? Or would he want it out hunting grouse? I am going to have it rebuilt. I have his M-1 carbine. It is gaining in value, and some would say I shouldn't risk it by using it hard, or getting it seized as evidence after a defensive shooting in my home. so, I ask myself, what would my grandfather say? He would say guns are replaceable. People aren't. So, I don't keep guns I don't shoot, that's just me. I have a commemorative Para with my unit's markings from my deployment. I still use it.
And you should be able to shoot it well. I shoot 1911s best. I suppose it's possible that some of that comes from liking them and really WANTING to make them work, but they work for me.
People say it should be a 'carryable' handgun. Ok. But I find that this is a bit subjective. Today there are many options that were designed to be carried concealed by civilians. But since I have always carried full-size (or oversize double-stack) handguns, I have found that carryable depends on how willing you are to work with it.
Since I was a little kid, and my parents got me a WWII play set, with a 1911 that was about 1/2 size, it intrigued me. Even though I have carried several other guns over the years, (Glock, Sig, Beretta, etc,) I always wished they were 1911s. growing up and studying history made me appreciate it more. and if that wasn't enough, the trigger is the clincher.
I want to have to doodle with it as little as possible. I don't want any surprises. However, since I have a strong preference for 1911s, this has had mixed results. My Kimber is very boring. My RIA needed a few trips to the gunsmith to run well.
When rookies ask me what they should get, I tell them that there are many great guns, but some are here to stay, some will be in "What ever happened to" articles 20 years from now. I like guns that are well established in the market, and have many options for training aids, magazines, grips, holsters, .22 conversion kits, etc. To that end, I tell them, "Any accessory that hits the gun market, the first two guns it will be made for are the Glock 17/19, and the 1911." Some guns have almost no options for aftermarket magazines, which is very bad, if the magazine that came with the gun has a problem, and they come in here and ask us for help, and the first thing we tell them is....try a different magazine. Also, it is much easier to have gunsmithing done on guns that are more popular.
I like flat, dark finishes. I suppose for me, the intent of weapons stems from warfare, and usually that means having a finish that will withstand the elements, and not give away your position.
I don't keep safe queens. I suppose if I happened into one at little or no cost to me, I might keep it. But my guns get used. I recently inherited my grandfather's old 16 ga Model 97, which needs a total rebuild. I ask myself, would my grandfather want to have it sit in a locker forever? Or would he want it out hunting grouse? I am going to have it rebuilt. I have his M-1 carbine. It is gaining in value, and some would say I shouldn't risk it by using it hard, or getting it seized as evidence after a defensive shooting in my home. so, I ask myself, what would my grandfather say? He would say guns are replaceable. People aren't. So, I don't keep guns I don't shoot, that's just me. I have a commemorative Para with my unit's markings from my deployment. I still use it.
And you should be able to shoot it well. I shoot 1911s best. I suppose it's possible that some of that comes from liking them and really WANTING to make them work, but they work for me.
People say it should be a 'carryable' handgun. Ok. But I find that this is a bit subjective. Today there are many options that were designed to be carried concealed by civilians. But since I have always carried full-size (or oversize double-stack) handguns, I have found that carryable depends on how willing you are to work with it.
FindANewSlant
Member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2018
- Messages
- 29
I'm into handguns/calibers with great aftermarket support and proven capability in the hands of the law enforcement or military. So, S&W M&Ps, and glocks.
jar
Contributing Member
And what I already own.
AABEN
Member
One that points and fells good in my hand and is accurate
bullseye308
Member
Mainly what has influenced me more than anything is reliability, accuracy, durability, and price. I am only interested in guns with a proven history of working consistently. No influence from movies, magazines, here. I go for time tested and proven designs. Currently I have 6 9mm’s because I have faith in the round if placed properly and with enough of them. Ammo is cheap, don’t be stingy. The Glock 17/17L is my preferred carry gun and occasionally one of my Springfield Range Officers gets to go out. Also used to carry an Astra A-100 in 9 efore I got my Glocks. Bought the wife a Ruger SR9C as she found that fit her best.
Wanted for years a 4” heavy barrel target 38 and lucked into a Smith 67 no dash cheap. Could have been happy with a Ruger or Taurus, but right time and right place and actually had cash got me the Smith. Years back wanted a big, solid 357 that would outlast me and picked up a very slightly used Ruger GP-100 6” 357 stupidly cheap. It makes me happy, as does the 38, each for their intended purposes. Decided I wanted a 22 pistol and figured the wife would claim it so I got a Ruger SR-22 with the hopes she would like it and get her shooting more and I could use it for pest control when she wasn’t looking. Bingo, it worked just like I planned(didn’t hurt it is black/purple to match her Smith M&P 15-22).
I don’t hunt anymore, I just carry for defense and target shoot. Everything I have works for that, and is accurate enough for that, robust enough to do that for a while, and most share mags and ammo.
Wanted for years a 4” heavy barrel target 38 and lucked into a Smith 67 no dash cheap. Could have been happy with a Ruger or Taurus, but right time and right place and actually had cash got me the Smith. Years back wanted a big, solid 357 that would outlast me and picked up a very slightly used Ruger GP-100 6” 357 stupidly cheap. It makes me happy, as does the 38, each for their intended purposes. Decided I wanted a 22 pistol and figured the wife would claim it so I got a Ruger SR-22 with the hopes she would like it and get her shooting more and I could use it for pest control when she wasn’t looking. Bingo, it worked just like I planned(didn’t hurt it is black/purple to match her Smith M&P 15-22).
I don’t hunt anymore, I just carry for defense and target shoot. Everything I have works for that, and is accurate enough for that, robust enough to do that for a while, and most share mags and ammo.
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