Quintessential Handguns

Operating under the assumption of 9mm, .45 and a wheel gun:

Glock G17 for first time, general all purpose pistol.
Ruger GP100 (4.2") if you must have a wheel gun
USP .45 if one wants a Gucci pistol that will actually work (unlike 1911's or SIG's)

I really want to pick a fight about the .45 Sigs not working.... but I've never owned one for long enough to find out if they don't work. So I'll just leave that be. Nothing wrong with a USP .45 though. That's a good pick.
 
USP .45 if one wants a Gucci pistol that will actually work (unlike 1911's or SIG's)

Ok, I've been around long enough to agree there might be some 1911s that have had issues. Not usually in .45 though.
But SIG? I assume you mean the P220? I've owned the original heel mag release 220 up to a current one. I've never seen anything that is not ammo related happen to mine. They are super accurate and pleasant to shoot. Not one gun failure. But that's just me.
As a combat handgun, hard to disagree with the USP or SIG but as a " quintessential" type gun in .45 ACP, one really must pick the iconic 1911.
 
Even my Norinco 1911 never missed a beat. Not one failure whatsoever, I also had an STI that was excellent .... but I am curious, what 1911 did you have reliability issues with?

My old Colt gives me issues from time to time, but they're mag related.
 
For me it is a fairly short list that pleases my sense of elegance and functionality.

HK P7M8 - my choice of metal 9mm
S&W M29-2 Man must have a 44 revolver with deep bluing
WWII vintage Colt 1911A1

I own those and will someday add a couple from this list:

Python or Korth if I get really lucky
Anaconda
Custom 1911 with the same lines as my A1
A good target 22
 
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Even my Norinco 1911 never missed a beat. Not one failure whatsoever, I also had an STI that was excellent .... but I am curious, what 1911 did you have reliability issues with?

I once owned a Para GI that couldn't get through two magazines without a jam. I tried Wilson and McCormick as well as Colt magazines and 7 different shooters with 1911's of their own and nobody could get that gun to run. Needless to say, it is long gone very cheaply, to someone who knew what they were getting and hopefully found a way to make it run.
 
I once owned a Para GI that couldn't get through two magazines without a jam. I tried Wilson and McCormick as well as Colt magazines and 7 different shooters with 1911's of their own and nobody could get that gun to run. Needless to say, it is long gone very cheaply, to someone who knew what they were getting and hopefully found a way to make it run.

How long ago was that? They've had a lifetime warranty on them for a while.
 
That's because they had to. Para had a really bad rep for a long time. It's one of my never in a million years guns, along with anything NEA
 
That's because they had to. Para had a really bad rep for a long time. It's one of my never in a million years guns, along with anything NEA

Depends who you ask I suppose. I've met a lot of people with the earlier Canadian made Para's who never had an issue. I've also not personally seen an issue with an NEA rifle. I did see a Noveske that was picky about mags though.
 
Colts: 1911 or A1, SAA, Python, Diamondbacks, 1903 and 1908. S&W's: Number 3's, pre war magnums, 3.5 and 5" 27's, 1950 and 1955, 29-2, 25, 57, 66/19, 586/686, 61, 39, 4516. Ruger: Blackhawk , Super Blackhawk. Redhawks. Luger, Mauser C96 and Hsc. Walther PPK and P38. CZ75. Glock 17 or 19. Browning HP and medalist, 1910 or 1922. Webley Mk 1 thru 6. Or an RIC. Sig 220 and 226. That's a lot, but they are all interesting for various reasons. - dan .
 
Depends who you ask I suppose. I've met a lot of people with the earlier Canadian made Para's who never had an issue. I've also not personally seen an issue with an NEA rifle. I did see a Noveske that was picky about mags though.



The most recent para production is much better than the transitional years while the company was wrapping up in Canada and moving to the US. I had a Para long slide hunter in 10mm that was totally reliable and surprisingly accurate. It has a dedicate following in the US as a hunting gun. Can't say I'd vouch for any other model but this one though, and 1200 for a 10mm long slide is pretty cheap.
Para has now been bought by Remington.
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People will laugh but I'll say it... Crosman .22 pellet pistol... both the co2 version and the pump version.

Why? Well, they both shoot a .22 pellet at about 490 fps out the barrel. Simply put, its the closest you will get in Canada to legally being able to shoot a pistol in the bush or rural backyard. Both are accurate and good for target shooting cans or even hunting small game.

In a sense, its the ONLY quintessential Canadian pistol as it is the only one that can legally serve an actual legal purpose in the current system. You can get crazy with them and order a higher quality one from their website with a better trigger, grips, sights etc... I never did that, but considered it, I ended up just buying the standard one from Canadian tire on sale, and I have had more fun with it than any other pistol I have... just bc I can use it camping, at the family cottage, and mini range in the basement.
 
US made. Got it about 6 years back as at least second owner. Never considered warranty, just happy to see the back end of that one. Fired over 500 rounds with about 15% failure rate.
 
IMHO people should aspire to know how to shoot a handgun properly first and foremost. Even the ####tiest of handguns shoots better than the average joe can.



Money doesn't replace proficiency.
 
For the average shooter:
- a polymer gun, Glock or otherwise
- a 1911 reasonably fit for your grip
- a Ruger .22LR
- a Sig Sauer
- a Smith & Wesson SA/DA revolver
- a striker fired DAO pistol (could be in the above)
- a single action cowboy revolver

I know those are an extensive list, but much like saying "you don't know someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes" you can't form a true opinion without experiencing a gun through ownership. I figure that is why we have a thriving EE her on CGN: either ownership too fast or someone who owned it long enough to know better.
 
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Adams M1851 “Dragoon” holster revolver

Manufactured by Deane, Adams & Deane c.1853-54 in London - serial number 8436 R.
38 bore/.50 caliber cap and ball five-shot cylinder, double action, manual safety, solid frame and barrel.
One bombastic handcannon imported to the US during the American Civil War, this is not the kind of gun you can just hang on your belt.
 
For the average shooter:
- a polymer gun, Glock or otherwise
- a 1911 reasonably fit for your grip
- a Ruger .22LR
- a Sig Sauer
- a Smith & Wesson SA/DA revolver
- a striker fired DAO pistol (could be in the above)
- a single action cowboy revolver

I know those are an extensive list, but much like saying "you don't know someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes" you can't form a true opinion without experiencing a gun through ownership. I figure that is why we have a thriving EE her on CGN: either ownership too fast or someone who owned it long enough to know better.

Good call. I have only shot a few of the many guns listed. I am not a fan of the way the Glock looks but it seemed to shoot well which should not put it on or off the list. What would put it on the list is its popularity in movies and video games. At the range I go to, everyone wants to shoot a Glock, SIG and Desert Eagle. From what little I know about the Desert Eagle, i would think it should be on the list as the quintessential most popular rental gun to try.
 
At the range I go to, everyone wants to shoot a Glock, SIG and Desert Eagle. From what little I know about the Desert Eagle, i would think it should be on the list as the quintessential most popular rental gun to try.

Good point, and I don't think it's been mentioned yet.

As soon as people find out I have handguns it's followed by one of 3 "Do you owns?" They are invariably a Glock, a Desert Eagle, and a revolver. People that know a little about guns tend to ask about 1911's or SIGs.
 
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