First gun owned was a Ruger LCP.
Second was a Ruger LC9.
Third was a Glock 19.
Forth was a Glock 26.
Fifth was a Shield 9
Sixth is a Shield 45.

Each and every one of these weapons met a need and served a purpose for which it was purchased.

I think each one is a great handgun when used for a particular purpose.

I am able to see the positive and negative in each handgun and have no qualms with any of them.

I love watching the "fanboys" rant and rave about a single weapon or manufacturer and the rational of why they would never consider this or that particular maker or caliber......

Every weapon has a place and purpose, it may not suit your current place and purpose but that does not make it a "bad" weapon.

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Hipcocked45

Exactly right. It comes down to personal preference, for example I'm not a big fan of the polymer framed pistols, but I wouldn't hesitate to choose any one of the guns you mentioned if my favorites were not available. I've owned a Glock 17 and 19 and they were both fine pistols. I got hooked on third generation S&Ws and that's pretty much all I have at the moment, plus a couple 1911s.

So after reading this, I found myself needing more of the back story. Can you let us know what each gun was purchased for and if it filled the need 100% or would you have chosen a different gun after owning it for some time? I have many that I just cant part with but in hind sight, theer could have been a better choice at the time if I would have thought it out a little more. Thanks dben
PS, not asking for a rant or rave

Sure thing: 1st LCP ... wanted a bug for personal protection and cc. Was not familiar with many handguns at the time and this seemed perfect for me. I could easily get by at work with this weapon while I studied other makes and models.

2nd: LC9. After having the LCP for a while, felt the need to step up caliber and capacity so moved up to the LC9. Could carry it in pocket if necessary but found myself going to appendix carry.

3rd: Glock 19....Stupidity....got hung up in the glock culture and figured bigger must be better plus mag interchanges and more firepower. Was to large and heavy for me for appendix carry.

4th: Glock 26.....see Glock 19 last statement.

5th: Shield 9....perfect size for cc appendix in a caliber I liked and with 2 extra mags sufficient fire power for me to feel comfortable.

Current Shield 45....loved the 9 so much and now I can have a 45 in basically the save footprint with an improved trigger and the takedown power of the 45 on less than perfect shot placement.....OH YEAH....stick the fork in me I'm done.....Yep

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Hipcocked45

Welcome home

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

If everybody liked the same things.......The world world be a DULL place.......

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S&W Accumulator

Oh that I could pick just one... That would make my gun safe look awfully silly though. It would also be like having only one pair of boots.

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Join the NRA today

Well if you could just have one, you could sell the big gun safe and buy MORE BOOTS.

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Hipcocked45

Two I don't regret parting with:

1. SIG P229R: fine pistol but learned I have no use for rails on guns

2. 2.5" S&W 686: barrel too short for fairly heavy larger frame gun, replaced with 3" Model 65 with less weight and better balance/proportion/sight radius

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SWHF #448

For over 40 years I have tried hard to like semi autos. Owned a lot of them and now don't have a one. I am a dyed in the wool revolver guy no denying it. If I had realized this years ago no telling how many more S&W revolvers I would have.

Now then, based on my original post I have never owned a revolver of any type. Really don't even like the looks of the modern wheel gun. That being said, I know it to serves a purpose and should I ever venture to learn about and handle a wheel gun I know I would appreciate that kind of weapon.

Now, if we could strap em on, tie em down one one each side, I could probably go for a pearl handle 8" barrel with a full belt of ammo...

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Hipcocked45

I don't think I've ever actively disliked a gun. If I had I'd never have bought it. I've parted with many for various reasons, mostly monetary, but only one just didn't suit me at all. It was a Kel-Tec P32 that I just couldn't for the life of me shoot accurately. I liked it for size and weight and had no problems with .32 ACP for a backup. It just didn't work for me.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I will echo zag except mine was a Walther PPK. After my second "web bite" I started to anticipate the flinch.

I traded it for a Bersa Thunder and never looked back.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Thank (whatever deity) that we have different tastes. I love the PPK, despite the frisky recoil. Hate the S&W .380 Bodyguard I bought...too small, blowback is fierce and it squirms in the hand when fired. Bersas are a step in the right direction for me.

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50 Years of DSOTM

I like a lot of guns, but none of them are Glocks. Beside the name sounding like someone upchucking in a wastebasket, I never liked their trigger or lack of second strike ability. But hey, we all have personal preferences.








Even though mine are right.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

And we wouldn't need menus.