Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > General Topics > Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics
o

Notices

Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics Post Your General Gun Topics and Non-S&W Gun and Blade Topics Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-05-2015, 11:56 PM
Checkman's Avatar
Checkman Checkman is offline
US Veteran
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Idaho
Posts: 976
Likes: 1,947
Liked 1,533 Times in 334 Posts
Default Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.

I own one. The Smith & Wesson Model 745. Only lasted four years (1986-1990). Picked this one up for $350.00. I like it, but it never caught on.

__________________
I type. Therefore I am.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-06-2015, 12:49 AM
Cyrano's Avatar
Cyrano Cyrano is offline
US Veteran
Absent Comrade
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,581
Likes: 13,500
Liked 6,743 Times in 2,526 Posts
Default

I've got two, a S&W 439 and 539. The 439 has an alloy frame, the 539 a carbon steel frame. When the stainless 639 came out, it ended sales of the other two I think only about 1800 nickle plated 539s were made. Probably the same fate happened to the 459 and 559.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg L1020796.jpg (74.7 KB, 364 views)
File Type: jpg L1020797.jpg (77.0 KB, 333 views)
Reply With Quote
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 06-06-2015, 01:02 AM
Cyrano's Avatar
Cyrano Cyrano is offline
US Veteran
Absent Comrade
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,581
Likes: 13,500
Liked 6,743 Times in 2,526 Posts
Default

Here are some Iver Johnsons that didn't make it. The first is the Iver Johnson Pony in 380 caliber. It was a Star design, I forget the nomenclaure. Colt was interested in it, but finally IJ made a few.

Second pictures shows, clockwise from the top, an Iver Johnson TP 22, somewhat modified copy of the Walther TPH, and an IJ TP 25. The bottom pistol is the Iver Johnson Compact 25, built on an Iver Johnson frame using Bernadelli Baby parts. The frame is a TP 25; evidently there were quite a few of these that never got made into pistols, as I've seen a shoebox full of them at a gun show a few years ago.

Production of all these pistols was quite limited, as Iver Johnson was on its last legs.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg L1020303.jpg (97.8 KB, 499 views)
File Type: jpg L1030074.jpg (79.2 KB, 518 views)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-06-2015, 06:04 AM
pawncop pawncop is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 18,248
Likes: 7,989
Liked 5,675 Times in 2,190 Posts
Default

Had a couple of the TP-22's as backup guns. Neither was reliable and they went away.
__________________
I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #5  
Old 06-06-2015, 06:15 AM
cmort666's Avatar
cmort666 cmort666 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Rocky River, OH, USA
Posts: 9,451
Likes: 1,271
Liked 9,184 Times in 3,621 Posts
Default

The Colt All American 2000, the Chauchat of handguns.

A friend had one. It quite literally had the worst trigger pull of ANY handguns I've EVER shot. It stacked, and stacked, and stacked, and just when you thought the trigger was going to snap in half, it went off.

The trigger aside, I seem to recall it having other accuracy problems as well.

It was also the basis of their doomed "smart gun".

It was a total disaster, from start to finish.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-06-2015, 07:12 AM
ralph7's Avatar
ralph7 ralph7 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 9,211
Liked 6,389 Times in 2,215 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pawncop View Post
Had a couple of the TP-22's as backup guns. Neither was reliable and they went away.
I had a TP-22 and it was 100% reliable with hyper velocity ammo only.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #7  
Old 06-06-2015, 07:26 AM
federali's Avatar
federali federali is offline
Absent Comrade
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 3,082
Likes: 12,877
Liked 7,548 Times in 2,081 Posts
Default Handgun Follies

I remember that period of the 80s and 90s quite vividly. It seemed that gunmakers, especially S&W, were coming out with a new gun every week and Combat Handguns, a magazine I once enjoyed reading, hailed each new model and sub-model as the greatest thing since tighty-whities. Those in the market for a handgun were left with their heads spinning. Decide on exactly what you want, then wait a week for yet another flavor of the same handgun to hit market.

Jeff Cooper endorsed a 10mm handgun by a company called Dornier and Dixon and for which you could not get magazines, even if your were Jeff Cooper. A full-house 10mm was the equivalent of a 41 Magnum and few could handle it as a duty cartridge.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-06-2015, 08:25 AM
msinc msinc is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 1,243
Liked 931 Times in 432 Posts
Default

The Steyr GB comes to mind...one of the "wonder nines" of the 80's. I had one, it was a big gun. It held 18+1 and didn't shoot bad.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 06-06-2015, 08:42 AM
dmar dmar is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3,089
Liked 2,924 Times in 1,067 Posts
Default

Back in the mid 90s, I bought a Beretta Mini Cougar in 9mm. Very nice gun, and at the time, was considered a great 'compact' size for 9mm. I never really got into that gun, and it a bit wide at the hips for carry, so it just sat in the safe. I sold it a few years ago, and got about all of my money back out of it. I guess the Cougar line still exists as Stoegers. But, technically, Beretta stopped making them, and I'm not sure if a Mini Cougar is made by Stoeger?

A couple of comments from the other posts:
Checkman, that's a great looking M745! Back in the day, I came real close to buying one of those, they are very nice guns. But, given the choice, I just couldn't choose the 745 over a nice Colt 1911. Still have that Colt, and many others...

Cmort, I love Colts, have a bunch of them, and have always had an interest in buying a 2000. But, holy God, every time I tried a trigger on one of those guns, I was so disgusted I just walked away! Even as a pure collectable purchase, I just couldn't bring myself to buy one. Absolutely horrible trigger!
__________________
NRA Life Member

Last edited by dmar; 06-07-2015 at 07:27 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #10  
Old 06-06-2015, 08:50 AM
dmar dmar is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3,089
Liked 2,924 Times in 1,067 Posts
Default

Another one I just thought of was the Marlin Camp Carbine. As a teenager, I used to hunt with one back in the 80s, and liked it. They don't make them anymore, but they were a cool gun.

I saw one at a gun show a couple of years ago. It was in 9mm, and NIB condition, and priced very reasonably from a private seller/aged-accumulator. I was there right as the doors opened, and I was going to buy it right then and there, but wanted to look down the aisle to see if there were any hidden S&W gems before I spent my gun money. Well, by the time I walked back to get the Marlin --- WAIT-FOR-IT --- it was already sold...! ;(. Hey, that's life at the gun show!!
__________________
NRA Life Member
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #11  
Old 06-06-2015, 09:07 AM
oneflycowboy's Avatar
oneflycowboy oneflycowboy is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: South West Illinois
Posts: 318
Likes: 142
Liked 605 Times in 189 Posts
Default

Anything made by Jennings/Bryco.

I have one of their paper weights around here somewhere....
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #12  
Old 06-06-2015, 09:12 AM
Mickey D's Avatar
Mickey D Mickey D is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Carmen, Idaho
Posts: 4,294
Likes: 5,570
Liked 3,587 Times in 1,298 Posts
Default

I've got one of those funky .45s in stainless.




Also an '80s second Gen Wonder Nine.


Don't know why I'm holding on to these.
__________________
Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired
Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
  #13  
Old 06-06-2015, 09:16 AM
kenv1950's Avatar
kenv1950 kenv1950 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 2,724
Liked 2,478 Times in 629 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by oneflycowboy View Post
Anything made by Jennings/Bryco.

I have one of their paper weights around here somewhere....
I've got one of them Jennings J-22 paper weights, worst gun i ever had
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 06-06-2015, 09:18 AM
cmort666's Avatar
cmort666 cmort666 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Rocky River, OH, USA
Posts: 9,451
Likes: 1,271
Liked 9,184 Times in 3,621 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by msinc View Post
The Steyr GB comes to mind...one of the "wonder nines" of the 80's. I had one, it was a big gun. It held 18+1 and didn't shoot bad.
It was descended from the Rogak P-18. Both were gas delayed blowback.

"Soldier of Fortune" did a less than glowing review of the Rogak, the finale of which was a picture of the reviewer throwing it downrange like a boomerang.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #15  
Old 06-06-2015, 09:45 AM
GatorFarmer GatorFarmer is offline
Junior Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Sheridan, Wyoming
Posts: 5,333
Likes: 159
Liked 3,889 Times in 1,361 Posts
Default

The Bren Ten was the name of the 10mm. I believe it was the first 10mm, and was based off the CZ75 that was then rare in the United States. To get a real CZ75 you had to buy it through Canada back then, as the Czechs were still Commies and we did not trade with them.

The Jennings .22 is still made. It is now the JA-22. I actually have one, purchased just before I left SC. Mine works fine though the finish wears rapidly. They were regionally popular in Beaufort as tacklebox guns.

I miss the 940 steel J frame and its temperamental moon clips.

The Czech made Springfield M6 survival guns were also interesting and I had one in .22Hornet.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 06-06-2015, 10:19 AM
DWalt's Avatar
DWalt DWalt is online now
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,483
Likes: 236
Liked 28,949 Times in 14,015 Posts
Default

"The Bren Ten was the name of the 10mm."
It could also be converted to .45 ACP. The current EAA Witness (by Tanfoglio of Italy) is about as close as you can get to the old Bren. Quite a story exists surrounding the checkered history of the Bren Ten. I've had an EAA Witness in .45 ACP for about 10 years, along with slide, magazines, and barrels for .38 ACP and 9mm. Caliber switching is a snap. A truly excellent and well-made handgun, but quite heavy in the all-steel version.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 06-06-2015, 10:34 AM
CO_Kid CO_Kid is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 768
Likes: 872
Liked 681 Times in 282 Posts
Default

Another Colt that went away for a different reason than the 2000. The pocket nine.

I've shot one. Great gun. Would be more popular than reality TV nowadays. Production got shut down after a few thousand guns due to a patent lawsuit, won by Kahr.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 06-06-2015, 10:44 AM
pawngal pawngal is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Okoboji, IA
Posts: 6,042
Likes: 21,470
Liked 19,560 Times in 4,687 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cmort666 View Post
The Colt All American 2000, the Chauchat of handguns.

A friend had one. It quite literally had the worst trigger pull of ANY handguns I've EVER shot. It stacked, and stacked, and stacked, and just when you thought the trigger was going to snap in half, it went off.

The trigger aside, I seem to recall it having other accuracy problems as well.

It was also the basis of their doomed "smart gun".

It was a total disaster, from start to finish.
Totally agree, my son just had to have one. I swear it would shoot around corners, and to make matters worse he traded off a Mark II Bull Barrel Ruger for it.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 06-06-2015, 11:05 AM
doublesharp's Avatar
doublesharp doublesharp is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Derby City
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 4,618
Liked 7,407 Times in 2,221 Posts
Default

S&W 619 & 620s were 2005 editions that didn't stay in the production line-up long. I had 2 620s but sold one to a pal. Still have one and it is a real shooter. Other than the lock, these were worthy successors to mod 65 and 66 but I guess they didn't sell or there wasn't enough profit in them. The 620 is a 7 shot .357 with the cut away underlug it has the look of a mountain gun.

__________________
God spelled backwards is dog.
Reply With Quote
The Following 9 Users Like Post:
  #20  
Old 06-06-2015, 12:16 PM
M3Stuart's Avatar
M3Stuart M3Stuart is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Northeast Texas
Posts: 2,861
Likes: 921
Liked 1,326 Times in 723 Posts
Default

Wow! The list is so long. Guns that never caught on enough to continue production;
I thought they were ok, but apparently these never 'caught on' enough that anybody thought they should continue producing them: Colt Python, Anaconda, Agent, Detective Special, S&W 610, 620, 60 no dash, Ruger MkII...

Just kidding. I know this isn't what the OP meant...or is it?
__________________
But then, what do I know?
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 06-06-2015, 12:26 PM
Wyatt Burp Wyatt Burp is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Northern California
Posts: 6,655
Likes: 3,299
Liked 17,158 Times in 2,907 Posts
Default

I could be wrong, but I think "Sonny Crockett" carried two of the guns mentioned here in that upside down holster on Miami Vice. The S&W .45 and the Bren Ten. I know Don Johnson was given a S&W .45 auto by Rolling Stone Ron Wood.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #22  
Old 06-06-2015, 12:32 PM
johngalt's Avatar
johngalt johngalt is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: St. Paul (smokey!) MN
Posts: 5,335
Likes: 1,443
Liked 6,647 Times in 2,564 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cmort666 View Post
The Colt All American 2000, the Chauchat of handguns.

A friend had one. It quite literally had the worst trigger pull of ANY handguns I've EVER shot. It stacked, and stacked, and stacked, and just when you thought the trigger was going to snap in half, it went off.

The trigger aside, I seem to recall it having other accuracy problems as well.

It was also the basis of their doomed "smart gun".

It was a total disaster, from start to finish.
Many years ago the LGS had one on the shelf. It sat there for a very long time, I don't know if they ever did sell it. You couldn't give me one for free.
__________________
Common sense isn't so common.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #23  
Old 06-06-2015, 12:40 PM
cmort666's Avatar
cmort666 cmort666 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Rocky River, OH, USA
Posts: 9,451
Likes: 1,271
Liked 9,184 Times in 3,621 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by johngalt View Post
Many years ago the LGS had one on the shelf. It sat there for a very long time, I don't know if they ever did sell it. You couldn't give me one for free.
I suppose that you could put it in the category of a "last ditch" Arisaka or one of the monstrosities made up for the Volkssturm. They're something you'd never shoot, but might collect if you were interested in that kind of thing.

Such a collection might include:
  • Colt All American 2000
  • Rogak P-18
  • Kimball .30 Carbine pistol
  • Bryco/Jennings of whatever sort
  • RG revolvers
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #24  
Old 06-06-2015, 12:41 PM
UncleEd UncleEd is online now
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 4,497
Likes: 2,830
Liked 9,064 Times in 3,182 Posts
Default

Besides the All American, Colt had a double action "1911".....I forget its name, Double Eagle?, but a dog. Colt also had the Colt Cowboy. Yuk.


Colt also had a series of economy revolvers such as Detective special but without polishing, without any refinements, just
horrible. Company kept trying to get into the gun of the month
act with cut rate garbage, hoping the Colt name was enough to sell them.

Ruger .357 Maximum

Remington economy rifles with locking lugs in the rear of the bolt instead of the front.

The COP

Forget its name but a blowback 9 mm with a slide and spring
weighing and designed for a major work truck.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 06-06-2015, 12:45 PM
kaaskop49 kaaskop49 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Demon-class planet
Posts: 7,404
Likes: 29,169
Liked 8,461 Times in 3,772 Posts
Default

There was a 4-caliber conversion set based on a Mauser HSc lookalike. By switching bbl/slide assemblies and magazines, the gun could fire .22LR, and .25, .32, and .380ACP. Guess it was overdone. Introduced in the 70s.

Mas Ayoob was fond of the Security Industries stainless snub revolvers and wrote them up very positively. They seemed to disappear quietly, don't know why.

The American Rifleman did an article not too long ago on firearm developments that didn't catch on. Not good for large firms, it's especially unfortunate when an individual puts his faith, time, and above all, money into a concept that falls short.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #26  
Old 06-06-2015, 12:57 PM
cmort666's Avatar
cmort666 cmort666 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Rocky River, OH, USA
Posts: 9,451
Likes: 1,271
Liked 9,184 Times in 3,621 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by UncleEd View Post
Forget its name but a blowback 9 mm with a slide and spring
weighing and designed for a major work truck.
Sounds like the Stallard/Hi Points, which are made here.

People say the work, but I can't imagine why I'd want to get one of those if I could get ANYTHING else, be it a Makarov, a Helwan, a CZ52, or a Walther P-1. And that doesn't include police trade-in Smith revolvers.

There have been a number of previous attempts to make pure blowback firearms more powerful than 9x18mm Makarov, most of them failures, including:
  • Walther Model 6 - Heavy recoil spring
  • 9mm Dreyse - Heavy recoil spring able to be decoupled from the slide for loading
  • LeFrancais Armee Pistolet - Heavy recoil spring combined with a tip up barrel for loading
  • Astra M400/M600 - Heavy recoil spring
The only one of these which could in ANY way be considered "successful" was the Astra.

The Hi Point is conceptually similar to the German attempt to turn the He-177 heavy bomber into a "dive bomber". Yeah, they did it... But WHY, and to what better effect than a Ju-87 or an SBD? What does a Hi Point do better than a P-1?
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #27  
Old 06-06-2015, 12:59 PM
cmort666's Avatar
cmort666 cmort666 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Rocky River, OH, USA
Posts: 9,451
Likes: 1,271
Liked 9,184 Times in 3,621 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kaaskop49 View Post
There was a 4-caliber conversion set based on a Mauser HSc lookalike. By switching bbl/slide assemblies and magazines, the gun could fire .22LR, and .25, .32, and .380ACP. Guess it was overdone. Introduced in the 70s.
H&K P-4. They're collector's items now.
Reply With Quote
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
  #28  
Old 06-06-2015, 01:12 PM
doublesharp's Avatar
doublesharp doublesharp is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Derby City
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 4,618
Liked 7,407 Times in 2,221 Posts
Default

Ruger PC4 and PC9 pistol caliber carbines. Originally produced for police dept to match Ruger handguns and share magazines. After the Miami shootout most pd dropped the pistol caliber carbine in favor of AR platform. PCs are pretty collectable, especially the early production models marked Police Carbine.
__________________
God spelled backwards is dog.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #29  
Old 06-06-2015, 01:58 PM
Ματθιας's Avatar
Ματθιας Ματθιας is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Nuke City
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 2,549
Liked 6,084 Times in 1,873 Posts
Default

Star - Firestar, Ultrastar, Megastar, 28, 30, 31
Astra - A series
Beretta 92 type M
__________________
Thread Killer.

Last edited by Ματθιας; 06-06-2015 at 01:59 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 06-06-2015, 02:49 PM
cmort666's Avatar
cmort666 cmort666 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Rocky River, OH, USA
Posts: 9,451
Likes: 1,271
Liked 9,184 Times in 3,621 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ματθιας View Post
Star - Firestar, Ultrastar, Megastar, 28, 30, 31
I always liked the BKM and BKS. They were the original compact 9x19mms. Supposedly the firing pins extended past the breech face when the hammer was down, but could be shortened so that they didn't.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ματθιας View Post
Astra - A series
A friend in the Army had one. He got it during the brief period during which the U.S. Cavalry Store sold guns. It was a decent pistol.

Last edited by cmort666; 06-06-2015 at 04:25 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #31  
Old 06-06-2015, 03:06 PM
LVSteve's Avatar
LVSteve LVSteve is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Lost Wages, NV
Posts: 19,827
Likes: 24,247
Liked 28,997 Times in 10,772 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by UncleEd View Post
Remington economy rifles with locking lugs in the rear of the bolt instead of the front.
IIRC the biggest issue with those was that they were way more accurate than anybody expected and they started taking sales from the 700. Of course, the anti-rear locking Mafia got vocal about them, too. Rear locking never seemed to be a problem with the Lee-Enfield, MAS 36 or Madsen 1948, but that's just me bothering folks with facts again.

As for the Steyr GB, it was doomed when it lost to the Beretta 92 in the DoD competition. My milspec example shoots just fine in SA, but the DA trigger is overly heavy.
__________________
Release the Kraken

Last edited by LVSteve; 06-07-2015 at 07:49 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
  #32  
Old 06-06-2015, 03:17 PM
DWalt's Avatar
DWalt DWalt is online now
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,483
Likes: 236
Liked 28,949 Times in 14,015 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cmort666 View Post
Sounds like the Stallard/Hi Points, which are made here.

People say the work, but I can't imagine why I'd want to get one of those if I could get ANYTHING else, be it a Makarov, a Helwan, a CZ52, or a Walther P-1. And that doesn't include police trade-in Smith revolvers.

There have been a number of previous attempts to make pure blowback firearms more powerful than 9x18mm Makarov, most of them failures, including:
  • Walther Model 6 - Heavy recoil spring
  • 9mm Dreyse - Heavy recoil spring able to be decoupled from the slide for loading
  • LeFrancais Armee Pistolet - Heavy recoil spring combined with a tip up barrel for loading
  • Astra M400/M600 - Heavy recoil spring
The only one of these which could in ANY way be considered "successful" was the Astra.

The Hi Point is conceptually similar to the German attempt to turn the He-177 heavy bomber into a "dive bomber". Yeah, they did it... But WHY, and to what better effect than a Ju-87 or an SBD? What does a Hi Point do better than a P-1?
Probably the best example of a successful 9mm blowback design pistol is the Astra 400/600. Extremely well made and durable. But with very jarring recoil, and not pleasant to shoot. And any owner of one is advised to resist the temptation to disassemble it.

Last edited by DWalt; 06-06-2015 at 03:18 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #33  
Old 06-06-2015, 03:33 PM
Farmer17 Farmer17 is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Edmond, OK
Posts: 5,215
Likes: 1,133
Liked 6,605 Times in 2,458 Posts
Default

About 1981 I fired a friends squeeze cocker HK p-7 9m/m and I thought for sure that would be the wave of the future and make a lot of other guns disappear.

How about that tiny .45 acp pistol that wasn't semi-auto, you pushed the slide forward with your offhand thumb to cycle a round. Now that's "thinking outside the box"
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #34  
Old 06-06-2015, 04:13 PM
DWalt's Avatar
DWalt DWalt is online now
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,483
Likes: 236
Liked 28,949 Times in 14,015 Posts
Default

"About 1981 I fired a friends squeeze cocker HK p-7 9m/m and I thought for sure that would be the wave of the future and make a lot of other guns disappear."

Try finding one. Those who have them will probably go to their grave with it in the casket to use on Satan.
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 06-06-2015, 04:15 PM
Muss Muggins's Avatar
Muss Muggins Muss Muggins is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bootheel of Missouri
Posts: 16,855
Likes: 6,981
Liked 28,085 Times in 8,897 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by msinc View Post
The Steyr GB comes to mind...one of the "wonder nines" of the 80's. I had one, it was a big gun. It held 18+1 and didn't shoot bad.
I remember those. A Lieutenant in our local PD carried one for a while. Those things were so big they had their own zip code.
__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 06-06-2015, 04:16 PM
Muss Muggins's Avatar
Muss Muggins Muss Muggins is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bootheel of Missouri
Posts: 16,855
Likes: 6,981
Liked 28,085 Times in 8,897 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
"About 1981 I fired a friends squeeze cocker HK p-7 9m/m and I thought for sure that would be the wave of the future and make a lot of other guns disappear."

Try finding one. Those who have them will probably go to their grave with it in the casket to use on Satan.
That's what I'm keeping mine for . . .
__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .
Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
  #37  
Old 06-06-2015, 04:20 PM
Muss Muggins's Avatar
Muss Muggins Muss Muggins is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bootheel of Missouri
Posts: 16,855
Likes: 6,981
Liked 28,085 Times in 8,897 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by oneflycowboy View Post
Anything made by Jennings/Bryco.

I have one of their paper weights around here somewhere....
They show up all the time as Government's Exhibit 1 . . .
__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .
Reply With Quote
The Following 8 Users Like Post:
  #38  
Old 06-06-2015, 04:24 PM
the ringo kid the ringo kid is offline
Banned
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 20,895
Likes: 85,108
Liked 22,838 Times in 10,553 Posts
Default

How about the Intratec DC nine? I remember seeing those for a short period during the early nineties--now just dont see them anywhere? I liked them because when I had one--I had a Steve McQueen ""Hell Is For Heroes""complex. I even had three magazines banded together like he did with his Grease Gun-in said movie.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #39  
Old 06-06-2015, 04:42 PM
zzzippper's Avatar
zzzippper zzzippper is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: St. Louis area
Posts: 3,778
Likes: 1,587
Liked 5,185 Times in 1,935 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
"About 1981 I fired a friends squeeze cocker HK p-7 9m/m and I thought for sure that would be the wave of the future and make a lot of other guns disappear."

Try finding one. Those who have them will probably go to their grave with it in the casket to use on Satan.
I had two and sold both without shooting either. Another example of my investment prowess with guns.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #40  
Old 06-06-2015, 04:48 PM
wheelgunguy's Avatar
wheelgunguy wheelgunguy is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 268
Likes: 369
Liked 326 Times in 140 Posts
Default

Smith&Wesson 940.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #41  
Old 06-06-2015, 10:54 PM
kaaskop49 kaaskop49 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Demon-class planet
Posts: 7,404
Likes: 29,169
Liked 8,461 Times in 3,772 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Farmer17 View Post
About 1981 I fired a friends squeeze cocker HK p-7 9m/m and I thought for sure that would be the wave of the future and make a lot of other guns disappear.

How about that tiny .45 acp pistol that wasn't semi-auto, you pushed the slide forward with your offhand thumb to cycle a round. Now that's "thinking outside the box"
Hi Farmer! That .45 pistol was the Semmerling, if I'm not mistaken. I believe it dates back to 1969 and it sold for the princely sum of 1,000 dollars (!) in 1969. Even to this derringer fan, this gun was an oddity, requiring a second hand to reload from the 4-round magazine.

The HK P-7 was not a bad gun. It pre-dated the wonder-nines, fired from an 8-round, later 13-round, magazine, and was not much longer than a 2" bbl revolver, when all LEOs carried wheelguns. A police officer friend of mine carried one off-duty and swore by it, not at it.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #42  
Old 06-06-2015, 11:06 PM
prplbkrr prplbkrr is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Driftless Area, S. Wis
Posts: 157
Likes: 183
Liked 352 Times in 101 Posts
Default

And now that we are old and grey w/ a lil' extra money, who wouldn't want an Auto Mag. I think those are the coolest looking guns ever made, bar none.
Reply With Quote
  #43  
Old 06-06-2015, 11:58 PM
Old TexMex's Avatar
Old TexMex Old TexMex is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: South of the Nueces
Posts: 9,273
Likes: 23,812
Liked 20,090 Times in 5,871 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by prplbkrr View Post
And now that we are old and grey w/ a lil' extra money, who wouldn't want an Auto Mag. I think those are the coolest looking guns ever made, bar none.
Now that's a little earlier my Dad had one made of chrome moly and I wish he'd hung on to it. Sure turned some heads at the range with that thing roaring and shining like a diamond in a goats ***.

I did see an auto mag II .22Magnum at a show not long ago. passed on it.
__________________
Halfway and one more step

Last edited by Old TexMex; 06-07-2015 at 12:03 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #44  
Old 06-07-2015, 03:59 AM
Kernel Crittenden's Avatar
Kernel Crittenden Kernel Crittenden is offline
US Veteran
Absent Comrade
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: The Badger State
Posts: 6,548
Likes: 3,410
Liked 6,481 Times in 3,065 Posts
Default

For about 10 minutes in the 1990's a company called American Arms Inc. out of Kansas City made a cute little .22 pistol that was sorta a cross between a PPK and a 1911. It was called the PK-22 and it was designed by ERMA. Build quality was not exactly stellar, but I kinda wanted one for a cheap plinker. They "exited the market" before I could bring one home....

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~
Reply With Quote
  #45  
Old 06-07-2015, 04:11 AM
PR24's Avatar
PR24 PR24 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Sunny AZ
Posts: 603
Likes: 185
Liked 693 Times in 292 Posts
Default

Daewoo DP51 K5. Weird 'fast action' system. Typical Daewoo quality....uh, not so great.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #46  
Old 06-07-2015, 09:39 AM
wbraswell's Avatar
wbraswell wbraswell is offline
SWCA Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: East Texas
Posts: 6,619
Likes: 3,126
Liked 6,323 Times in 2,484 Posts
Default

What was the deal with that M1A-like Ruger that never went into production?
__________________
Wayne
Torn & Frayed
Reply With Quote
  #47  
Old 06-07-2015, 10:49 AM
pharmer's Avatar
pharmer pharmer is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Santo las nubes, Florida
Posts: 8,968
Likes: 9,179
Liked 14,622 Times in 4,682 Posts
Default

I had a SS Sterling M 400 in .380 acp. I liked it but it was as big as a browning P35 and had a part that was both hold open and ejector with a tiny flat spring. I haven't seen one in 20 years. The company went OOB without ever making the D/A .45 they promised. Joe
__________________
Wisdom chases me; I'm faster
Reply With Quote
  #48  
Old 06-07-2015, 10:56 AM
raljr1 raljr1 is offline
SWCA Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Northeast FL
Posts: 5,750
Likes: 7,411
Liked 15,075 Times in 3,596 Posts
Default

A Raven .25 auto. My wife liked it and wanted it so I bought one for her. Probably about the worst gun to buy a woman, but hey, it was cute and shiny....it's still laying in the safe.
__________________
Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #49  
Old 06-07-2015, 11:05 AM
Tex1001's Avatar
Tex1001 Tex1001 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: North Texas prairie
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 2,521
Liked 2,094 Times in 661 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kernel Crittenden View Post
For about 10 minutes in the 1990's a company called American Arms Inc. out of Kansas City made a cute little .22 pistol
That pistol's internals were the basis of a series of pistols by Erma. I have a CX22 that is externally identical to a PPK. I bought it in 1981. It has German import and proof stamps. I've often wondered how they got them imported. American Arms took over the design. They also had a miniaturized model of a Walther P38. My PPK clone is a great knock around gun.
AmerArms22.jpg
_______________________
I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #50  
Old 06-07-2015, 11:24 AM
cmort666's Avatar
cmort666 cmort666 is offline
Member
Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it. Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Rocky River, OH, USA
Posts: 9,451
Likes: 1,271
Liked 9,184 Times in 3,621 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PR24 View Post
Daewoo DP51 K5. Weird 'fast action' system. Typical Daewoo quality....uh, not so great.
A friend's [Korean] wife has one. He bought it for himself, but she liked it so much, it ended up with her.

I'm not a fan of DA/SA autos, but it overcame that by having a version of FN's "fast action" hammer mechanism. As I recall, it can be carried cocked and locked as well.

I believe they're back under the name "Lionheart". You could certainly do worse for a CCW gun.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
The 460 Smith & Wesson didn't make! ruggyh S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 15 01-30-2019 07:13 AM
Why didn't Smith make? O2BShooting Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 2 01-19-2012 01:15 PM
MAKE OFFER: Numerous handguns and some exotic grips David Kachel GUNS - For Sale or Trade 31 11-30-2010 06:54 AM
She didn't make it gunlovingirl The Lounge 65 11-02-2010 05:30 AM
The revolver that S&W didn't make Bloodhound S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 10 10-07-2008 04:41 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:06 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)