One semi and one revolver

You can hardly go wrong with a S&W 686 in stainless....shoots full power magnums or target-power .38Sp and it's easy to reload.

I'm a Sig fan, so I'd recommend a Sig P226 in 9mm...top quality gun that will last forever and inexpensive ammo. If you don't like the entry price for Sig, try an M&P9mm or even a [sigh] Glock.
 
I would recommend exactly what I have ... an early S&W Model 66 (mine is a prohib with a 4" barrel ... but I think it was also produced with a 6" barrel), and an easily/inexpensively tuned-up Norinco 1911 with aftermarket Herret traditional-style grips.
 
BCRider said:
For a semi auto you're really limiting your options by insisting on stainless steel. There's many great shooting and great feeling guns that don't come in stainless. In 9mm the Browning Hi Power comes to mind. And for 1911's there's many great makes and models that again are only in blued steel. If this gun will be primarily a shoot seldom sort of gun I'd go for one of these options. These are pretty much the two classic handguns that have the most history.
Click to expand...

I've rethought my position on the stainless with the semi after handling a Kimber Gold Match 1911 at Epps today. It looked fantastic. If you can think of other 1911's worth collecting that my world just has opened up to, please let me know. Also if there is a certain series within that model that is preferred, let me know e.g. High Power Mk2 vs Mk3. Goal of this pistol is to do some occasional plinking but to add to the collection a nice piece.
 
BHP Mk. 2 or 3 is a matter of choice. Mk.2 is the "traditional" model with the older features. The Mk.3 has an ambi safety, 3 dot higher profile sights, molded grips ( which I don't like) and a baked on finish which is very durable. I find the 2 tone BHP Mk.3 with the rounded hammer one of the most beautiful stock guns around!
As for 1911s, the sky's your limit. 10 guys here will give you 10 different opinions! Some will say , buy a Norc and shoot the c##p out of it and others will point to Les Bauers, Wilson Combats, Kimbers, original Colts esp. The Gold Match version in Series 70. SIGs are also popular. Others will say HK .45s and the SIG P220 or even Glocks even though none of these are 1911 patterned. The best thing to do is grab cash in hand and go to your favorite store or go to your range and beg to try someones' gun. When you find " IT", you will know!
 
canoetrpr said:
I've rethought my position on the stainless with the semi after handling a Kimber Gold Match 1911 at Epps today. It looked fantastic. If you can think of other 1911's worth collecting that my world just has opened up to, please let me know. Also if there is a certain series within that model that is preferred, let me know e.g. High Power Mk2 vs Mk3. Goal of this pistol is to do some occasional plinking but to add to the collection a nice piece.
Click to expand...

For SHOOTING I've always really liked the STI guns. But I don't feel that they are one of the nicest LOOKING guns. I find the names on the sides tend to be over done for size and depth. It's really hard to suggest much since personal tastes for features and styles and configurations change so much from person to person. Some like the original vertical slide serrations and others like the fancy modern options. SOme like double sided thumb safeties and others hate them. Then there's the issue of what budget you are willing to spend for this. So asking for opinions on what YOU should buy is a little like asking "how long is a piece of string?".

Best you can do is look at lots of pictures from various makers. There's also a dedicated 1911 forum at 1911.org . Not to mention a lot of 1911 owners around here. So first start by figuring out what you want in a 1911 if you go for one. It can be anywhere from and exact GI copy to the fanciest race gun ready stuff. And you can spend a little on a Norinco or a LOT on a Nighthawk. Or more likely somewhere in between.

For the sub $1K mark I would suggest you check out the Remington models as well as the STI Spartan. And getting back to stainless I quite like the Ruger 1911 too. Once we get up to around $1300 to $1600 I tend towards STI and perhaps some selected SIG models that don't have the extra slide cuts.
 
trebor2880 said:
Dan Wesson 715, stainless 38/357.
Les Baer Concept V, stainless .45ACP
Click to expand...

If one were REALLY serious about only owning one example of each style these would be amazing examples to have. And if price was NO object then a Korth for the revolver and a Nighthawk for the 1911?

As suggested earlier though I'd add a nice single action revolver onto the list to make it a trio. US Fire Arms perhaps? Or Freedom Arms? Or perhaps a custom built with the colour case and fire blued Doug Turnbull final finish? Or perhaps since we're upping the budget per gun what about a Series II Colt "shooter"? I understand that the older Series II's were a better fit and finish than the Series III's which, rumour has it, were hand fitted and assembled from Italian parts then given a Colt prancing pony stamp.
 
One of the nicest guns that I own is a K frame S&W, a 19-3 and it has had some custom work done to it. It is a sweet gun. I like the gun so much I have bought two other older S&Ws and was very disappointed in both of these. These older guns can have issues so be aware of this. I would say double or triple check before you lay down you money on an older gun based on my experience. Sellers don't always describe their guns well, maybe they do not know any better or hope that you do not know the difference. Once you have the paper work done it is a PITA to reverse it but doable. Modern S&W revolvers are good and the Ruger revolvers are good as well. More S&W are stainless. A blued revolver is a beautiful thing, stainless is hard to clean for one thing, satin finish on stainless, if rubbed gets a small polished spot than the gun looks like ^ell. I have about as many S/A as D/A revolvers. I like the S/A but they are slow to shoot/reload. If you want a D/A might as well go with a S&W as the Rugers are about the same money I think. For just shooting I like the 6 inch bbl, it is well balanced in my opinion, I have a 5 inch and a 4 5/8 inch but I like the 6 inch the best.
 
I'd get the CZ 75 SP01 9mm - cheap to shoot, good quality, great feel to it.

CZ75-9-SHADOW_460.jpg


And for a revolver, I'd get a Ruger Vaquero in .357 - that way you can feed it magnum loads and .38 special.

RUG-5107_460.jpg
 
If you care about reliability and capacity you should probably skip the 1911 and get a proper modern pistol. Glock, M&P, Sig or CZ.
 
Stainless GP 100 4.2" Mine has a great trigger, can take apart and clean easily at home. Tough heavy gun.
CZ85 combat nickel, they shoot great, have adjustable sights.
 


My paper work says this started out as a Model 64. The serial number indicates it was a 64-3 variant, and the previous owner had a six inch barrel retrofitted onto it, along with the adjustable sights.
And that makes sense because it has the smooth trigger finish and the lower profile hammer, not known to be purposefully found on a dedicated target revolver.
This thing shoots like a house on fire! Some days I do shoot better with the 1950s era Colt Model 3-5-7, and on other days this nice k frame in stainless steel, circa 1995.

Cheers!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom