When it absolutely has to go bang, you reach for a...

[Eyesac]

I choose the G23/27. The only pistols I own that have never (ever) failed on me. That's not saying they're the best pistols I own, they've just never cracked up on me.

 

[Hawk]

Next to the Old Fuff I suspect my meager collection looks like Thoroughly Modern Millie - the oldest is the 1948 K-22 but the search for a long action continues.

I haven't actually had much issue with strain screws or fiddled springs - just one Python (however that was accomplished) and a couple Smiths but given as the total accumulation is small the number that would light strike was a noticeable percentage.

But as you note, easily corrected.

The thing about the 686 was the square butt - both Brownells and S&W reported "not available" for that specific strain screw - something about standardizing on round butt some time ago. That leaves Numrich or the Home Depot experiment. I suppose a shim could be rigged as well... hmmm.

 

[Old Fuff]

The thing about the 686 was the square butt - both Brownells and S&W reported "not available" for that specific strain screw - something about standardizing on round butt some time ago.

I forgot about that. It's another unintended consequence of Smith & Wesson's cost-cutting changes. I can think of two solutions:

Bite the bullet and buy some extra screws from Numrich. While at it go over the site to see if there is aything else you might need.

A gunsmith can use an end-mill cutter and slightly deepen the hole for the strain screw's head, allowing the screw to be turned in deeper. This is sort of a last resort solution, but one you should know about.

Also be aware that K and L square-butt frames use the same strain screw, as well as most other internal parts except for the hammer. I have found that when ordering L-frame parts you can draw a blank, while the same part is listed under K- frame.

 

[AirForceShooter]

All of them go bang, but In the SHTF senario a 1911.

AFS

 

[Myles]

I love all of my firearms, and if they are not reliable, they're not keepers.

However, when something goes bump in the night, or a big critter is in the yard, it's the S&W 66 I reach for.

 

[OregonJohnny]

If you mean which firearm will not fail in any way, regardless of the "effectiveness" of the cartridge...

Revolver - any of mine, as I only own Ruger and S&W wheelguns.

Semi-auto - Beretta 92FS, then XD, then the rest.

Shotgun - 870

 

[j1979]

For a handgun my Valor, obviously would have a rifle as well

 

[glockman19]

Any S&W or Ruger revolver or any Glock

 

[gglass]

Any one of my 4 M&P's around the house. Each one is 100% reliable.

M&P 40 FS
M&P 357 FS
M&P 9c
M&P 9 Pro Series

If I can't reach for one, then I'd grab the Ruger LCP out of my pocket... Another 100% reliable firearm.

My constant companion:

 

[SwampWolf]

My S&W 6906 or 945.

 

[f4t9r]

HK or Sig
Most everything I have right now is not a concern

 

[Liberty or Death 86]

well, I agree that if it must go bang right away, a revolver is the safest bet. But if it needs to go bang more than six times, a 1911 is probably your best choice. Avoid knives at all costs, they are worse than a weapon of last resort. That is what you use when even your bat is broken and the clouds have opened up and the heavens have said you are completely out of luck. And never ever ever throw a knife. Unless you are Jame Bond, a knife is not really a good self defense weapon. If you don't care about, weight, concealability, or size, you might as well keep a side by side shotgun with you. Those are pretty reliable and get the job done.

 

[BADUNAME37]

My S&W 500 Magnum or my 642 38 snubbie (quite a contrast there, eh?).

 

[wyocarp]

Glock 20.

I'd say a revolver, but I'd rather have 15 round available than 5 or 6.

 

[chupacabrah]

If they're not reliable...I don't keep them.

But I'd reach for my G26 or S&W Mdl 36.
I would say the mdl 65, but I haven't shot it yet.

and the 870 of course

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Reliability is a relative thing, and issues may be overcome by redundancy. Certain solutions are more reliable than others, while other solutions add effectiveness backed up by redundant reliability. If some maniac were chopping his way into my place with an axe, I'd grab the Model 29. BUT, I'd also grab the SAR-1.

 

[tmorg]

Ak 47

 

[Brian Williams]

S&w 13.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Oh, and there's also the simplicity factor. The gun on my nightstand is NOT the 29 but instead an old cop Model 10. Lighter, quicker to acquire and use the fixed sights, as well as outstanding natural pointing.

 

[armoredman]

...............CZ PCR..............................................................CZ P01

 

[Mad Magyar]

I'll play....I'd reach for my S&W 547 9mm.....Like the rest of you, I have extreme confidence in my autoloaders, but....
In fact, I would venture to say that most of us that fire regularly will take out the autoloaders more often because unconsciously we have the "reliabilitiy" factor lurking in the dark corners of our mind..... Anyway, just a suspicion.....

 

[volgunner]

S&w 686+.

 

[Jim PHL]

All of mine are reliable as well. The ones I carry are the only ones that are kept "ready". Those are my SA Micro-compact .45 and my S+W 342. I keep the rest packed up in the range bag, the range bag is stashed away pretty securely and I actually have trigger locks on them! I tend to keep little, if any ammo around except for the carry guns. The range guns (pistols) that I keep any ammo for, the mags are usually not loaded.

I do keep stripper clips for the SKS full

 

[rswartsell]

+1 on the 686+

 

[St.Pete7]

No doubt in my mind, S&W revolvers allow me to sleep easy at night. A Smith and Wesson Model 10 is my bedside gun while my S&W Model 37 is my daily CC pistol.
-St.Pete7