What is your Favorite Gun?

Daniel Howe · #51 12-29-2019, 08:22 AM

My 1917

OLDSTER · #52 12-29-2019, 09:42 AM

Certainly not rare, unique, or anything special; but the one I most enjoy shooting is this 1966 Model 10.

cmansguns · #53 12-29-2019, 11:20 AM

Like my title says.........I just cannot select a favorite unless it is range day, and even then I tote numerous hand and long guns depending on weather.

My meager collection from buying, selling, trading for 50 + years has narrowed mostly to Smith wheel guns (my "favorite" hand guns), but I still love to take out the Ithaca 1943 1911A1, the BHP, the 39-2 for exercise, occasionally the Garand and even the scatterguns.

There is no hunting, or competitive shooting any more in my regime, however paper, steel, gongs, spinners are still family fun time and hopefully will remain in my schedule for a long time in the future.

That lone Glock 21 Gen 4 is only necessary so I can go head-to-head with youngest daughter (a NC LEO) when she is home and brings her duty weapon. Otherwise it doesn't get much exercise, so I could reverse the title and say, the Glock would be my "least favorite" if I had to start choosing

Many thanks to all above posters............what a terrific bunch of beauties......no way I can pick only 1 favorite, but kudos to you that can!

Happy Holidays to all from Virginia.

olskool · #54 12-29-2019, 11:48 AM

for me it has to be my 1954 highway patrolman. grashorn grips and a vintage Tylor T,,,,,,,,,,,,

rubiranch · #55 12-29-2019, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olskool

for me it has to be my 1954 highway patrolman. grashorn grips and a vintage Tylor T,,,,,,,,,,,,

1954, my birth year.

There are days I think I need one of these 4" M28s from '54.

Highhawk1948 · #56 12-29-2019, 02:17 PM

My 1967 Old Model Blackhawk 357 magnum

Kurusu · #57 12-29-2019, 02:19 PM

Is this a trick question?

wetdog1911 · #58 12-29-2019, 03:58 PM

My absolute favorite gun to shoot and has been for 29 years is my M41 5 1/2" bull bbl. It's like shooting a laser pointer.

I'm thinking it's because it so closely mimics the 1911 (my second fav), in grip angle, bbl length and balance. It is also way more accurate than the SM ACE.

Just a fun gun to shoot and is always included in any range trip, or informal shooting at a friends backyard range. Certainly a "no excuses" pistol.

Rob

Eddie Southgate · #59 12-29-2019, 11:17 PM

I only have guns that Spark Joy in me so I will never pick just one . The ones I value the highest though are all family guns , my paps 1955 Blackhawk , My dads Winchester 1885 38-55 High Wall and BLR 81 .358 Winchester , the two target pistols my paps brother built for him , the six shot 45-70 revolver pap was building for me when he was blinded and was never able to finish , the kid sized Tennessee .40 cal caplock rifle uncle Royland built my dad for christmas in 1947 , and last but not least the small brass and iron cannon that paps dad was given as a birthday gift in 1886 .

I know that last one is not an actual gun by legal definition but it fires 18 gr of FFG and a .375 ball or shot and easily kills GI Joes and Barbie dolls . It was made after the War from scrap iron and brass salvaged from a foundry that produced weapons for the South . Pap took it apart and had a sand cast mold made for all the parts and I have three of the ones he made from the mold that have brass barrels but aluminum wheels and carriage .

One year for Christmas I got ship models from everybody in the family ,got 11 ships built and took them and the cannons to the pond and launched the lot . I got on one side and my cousin on the other , we proceeded to bombard the ships with .375 balls until one of the balls skipped by my ear and I said let's get motorcycle helmets and use shot instead . It was the 60's !

Ain't enough money in the world to buy one from that lot .

Happy New Year to all !
Eddie

jake1945 · #60 12-30-2019, 05:59 AM

Ruger Redhawk 44mag for range fun
S&W M&P 45acp for concealed carry

iskra · #61 12-30-2019, 11:52 PM

Favorite "handguns"; note plural. Beyond, first knee-jerk reaction of "favorite for what"...

The fun gun I keep returning to, my Smith Third Model Transition 44 Special w/ 6½” barrel, S63k. Chambering my all-time favorite and 'maturing' into collector appreciation of Smith long tubes.

Pix below.
Honorable mention work: Travelmate/love affair! Glock 26, LE era frequent flyer companion to retirement!

One to make money, one to have fun!

God Bless & Happy New Year All!
John

Ranger514 · #62 12-31-2019, 12:45 AM

Awesome guns! Thanks for posting pics. My favorite isn't much of a collectable, but it's special to me because I carried it early in my LE career: a standard snubby 66-3.

1blindref · #63 12-31-2019, 09:00 AM

I remember the thread about your RM that was hanging on a nail in a shed when you first introduced it here. I love than gun and your story of getting it. That's truly one of those "if only it could talk" guns. Imagine what that gun went through before you saved it.

I've got too many favorites to post them all right now.
The ones I cherish most are from family members and a few friends that have passed away. Those guns trigger great and fond memories when I shoot, or just pull them out of the safe.

Green Frog · #64 12-31-2019, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie Southgate

I only have guns that Spark Joy in me so I will never pick just one . The ones I value the highest though are all family guns , my paps 1955 Blackhawk , My dads Winchester 1885 38-55 High Wall and BLR 81 .358 Winchester , the two target pistols my paps brother built for him , the six shot 45-70 revolver pap was building for me when he was blinded and was never able to finish , the kid sized Tennessee .40 cal caplock rifle uncle Royland built my dad for christmas in 1947 , and last but not least the small brass and iron cannon that paps dad was given as a birthday gift in 1886 .

I know that last one is not an actual gun by legal definition but it fires 18 gr of FFG and a .375 ball or shot and easily kills GI Joes and Barbie dolls . It was made after the War from scrap iron and brass salvaged from a foundry that produced weapons for the South . Pap took it apart and had a sand cast mold made for all the parts and I have three of the ones he made from the mold that have brass barrels but aluminum wheels and carriage .

One year for Christmas I got ship models from everybody in the family ,got 11 ships built and took them and the cannons to the pond and launched the lot . I got on one side and my cousin on the other , we proceeded to bombard the ships with .375 balls until one of the balls skipped by my ear and I said let's get motorcycle helmets and use shot instead . It was the 60's !

Ain't enough money in the world to buy one from that lot .

Happy New Year to all !
Eddie

Back in the early ‘60s when I was in my early teens, my grand uncle, a retired machinist/gunsmith made a model of a Naval Cannon (a la “Old Ironsides”) and gave it to my younger brother and me with the comment that “Every boy needs something to burn his fingers on!” The bore is about 20 gauge or so, and it has a simple touch hole, so we never got it to go off very reliably, but it did provide hours of fun. Thanks for reminding me of simpler times... I may have to set it off tonight to greet the New Year.

Froggie

loknload · #65 12-31-2019, 09:52 AM

That’s a hard one to answer,,,?
Probably my favorite ones are the ones pictured here,,,
My Smith 36, My Glock27 and my Beretta Cougar 8040
All the ones I use for carry but really like!

bruce5781 · #66 12-31-2019, 01:14 PM

My next favorite gun is finally coming to fruition. I recently completed my scavenger hunt for parts, right down to the bead. Now to find a builder.

A 44 McGivern.

Regards,
Bruce

Valmet · #67 12-31-2019, 01:23 PM

In this particular category of S&W, I’d have to say a .38 Spl Victory Model. My grandfather served in the European Theater in 1944-45 and recalled carrying an issued Colt 1911A1 that he never warmed up to as he didn’t care for the weight. As he told it, one evening (probably in March-April of ‘45), he was walking back to HQ passed some barrels full of GI gear- helmets, web gear, bayonets, etc and he saw a revolver handle protruding from one of the barrels, which he picked up.

From then on, he left his Colt .45 in his footlocker (which sits in my basement), and carried the Victory Model. He brought it home when he returned that fall and it was his nightstand gun from 1945 until he gave it to my father in 2000. He had a German POW make him a set of grips with his initials engraved in them. My dad got a S&W letter on it in Dec 2014 and the gun shipped to Office of Strategic Service, Naval Station, Norfolk on Aug 22, 1944. A month other, in January 2015 he gave the gun to me.

While I still have the custom grips my grandfather had made, I purchased an original, correct set of Victory Model grips from a member on here and it sits snugly in my safe. I still take it out and shoot it once in a while, and it is likely my favorite 1896-61 wheelgun.

Krogen · #68 12-31-2019, 02:17 PM

This one ^^^^^ needs a picture!

LLOYD17 · #69 01-01-2020, 12:43 PM

Can't decide between the 44's...

or the 45's...

Pretty much if it's got a 4 as the first digit I'm game.

SixGunSancho · #70 01-01-2020, 02:31 PM

Favorite Handgun: Springfield Armory TRP 1911-A1 .45 ACP

Favorite Rifle: Sako AV Classic .270 Win

Favorite Shotgun: Browning A-5 Light Twelve

Favorite Concealed Carry: Springfield Armory EMP 3 9MM

Favorite New Gun: S&W Model 66-8 2.75"

In my opinion, the best handgun to ever bless Earth is the full-size 1911-A1 .45 ACP.

mtgianni · #71 01-01-2020, 03:10 PM

My favorite is a BLR in 308 that has killed, moose, elk, deer antelope, coyotes, fox and jackrabbits.
My favorite handguns, sorry I am not much of a picture taker, are:
1] Model 14-2 I bought it with pacs and they are still on it but it is wonderfully accurate. I shot it enough DA that it needed a new extractor and hand but it came through in great shape.
2] Model 69 4.2". I picked this up fall of 2019 and it has worked it's way steadily up.
3] Pre-Regulation Police 1952 32 Long. Chrome with Franzite grips it is not pretty to a collector. Al it does is shoot well.
4]Ruger Lipsey special 44 Special Blackhawk 4 5/8". Its a well balanced, accurate shooter.
5] Mod 15 38 special 4". Another K frame 38 that's accurate, who would have suspected it.

film495 · #72 01-01-2020, 04:14 PM

whatever I'm about to take to the range. pretty fond of my Model 10, so much so - just ordered another one from Classic. if one is good, 2 might be better, 3 may be just right … lol

wetdog1911 · #73 01-02-2020, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixGunSancho

In my opinion, the best handgun to ever bless Earth is the full-size 1911-A1 .45 ACP.

Without a doubt, one of the truest statements ever uttered!

To say John Moses Browning was a firearms genius is a vast understatement.

Rob

Chubbo · #74 01-03-2020, 02:01 PM

This is a hard choice to make. Considering that this is a S&W web-sight & thread, It seems only fitting to choose a Traditional S&W Revolver, S&W's own favorite revolver, the Mod. 27, in my favorite bbl. length 3.5". If this is to include any brand, and style gun, then It's a toss up between the Mod. 27 3.5", and the Colt Gold Cup NM. http://attachment.php?attachmentid=4...d=157807435870 Gold Cup NM pistol.

runscott · #75 01-04-2020, 09:07 PM

I look forward to re-reading this entire thread when I have more time. The OP's selection is great. I was also intrigued by the 4" HP with stags - .357's are my favorite and I think the HP does not get enough respect. After looking at all the beautiful polished blue revolvers, the HP's matte finish is appealing in its own right.

Like most of you, I can't pick a favorite but if I had to do so, it would be my 6.5" 1955 pre-model 27. It came with 1970's targets and it was very, very dirty. Also, it was my first antique S&W. I had to do a LOT of work to recondition it. It's a tack-driver and the barrel length, frame size and grips make it a perfect shooter. Plus, it's shooter-grade, but very nice shooter grade. With all the work it took to get it just where I wanted, it's a favorite for sure.

rubiranch · #76 01-04-2020, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runscott

Like most of you, I can't pick a favorite but if I had to do so, it would be my 6.5" 1955 pre-model 27.

My 6.5" isn't a pre, just a 1960 4-screw 27 no-dash but its probably my favorite.

I have other M27s that are worth a lot more and some that are in better shape but to me its the pinnacle of all .357 revolvers.

Mime even has a trigger shoe.

notsofast · #77 01-04-2020, 11:01 PM

Hard to pick an absolute favorite but my Highway Patrolman sure has a good feel to it

Bobbysixkiller · #78 01-04-2020, 11:03 PM

My 686+ is pretty close to the top.

Bobbysixkiller · #79 01-04-2020, 11:08 PM

I really love this little guy too. 38 m&p snub

shrade · #80 01-04-2020, 11:33 PM

chubbo
nice looking maple stocks and grips on your two favorites!

S&W ucla · #81 01-04-2020, 11:35 PM

I might lean towards this one. TripleLock 5" target 44spl. Shoots good too!!

NavySCPO · #82 01-05-2020, 07:07 PM

Years ago in a particularly nasty divorce (has there even been one that wasn’t?) I lost many of my favorite guns. Fast forward 35-40 years and I decided to find and purchase the dozen lost. While finding those exact guns was impractical (if not almost impossible), finding similar ones was easy enough...well, not on the bank account. Still, if you need a quest to motivate you, this one sure was fun! Think long and hard on all those beauties you’ve let slip through your fingers, and replace them for you or your beneficiaries. You’ll find it’s very rewarding in more ways than you might imagine.

On to the point, two of those lost were my very first S&W (Model 19) and my very first Colt (Lawman Snub). They were then and are now my two favorite guns.

two-bit cowboy · #83 01-07-2020, 01:57 PM

I've replied to several of these type threads. Seems as though my "favorite" changed a few times through the years, but this one still captures my heart when I think of my answer to the question.

Rusty, etched 3" Baby Chiefs -- hammer down - range day at post #55

THREEDFLYER · #84 01-11-2020, 01:17 PM

Caleb,

As one who has seen your guns in person I can agree you have certainly acquired some "Wealthy Man" guns during your accumulating phase of life. Nice work! It would be hard to pick just one for sure!!

For me, I suppose it would be my 1st year production Pre-27 3.5" engraved by the late Rudy Marek of Oregon......even though it's not factory engraved, it just says something to me each time I handle it. (See photos wearing giraffe bone stocks, I have original stocks)

Hope 2020 treats you and your growing family well, and hope to see you someday soon......My wife and I will be heading up to Glacier Park in July so maybe a visit is in our future!

jtcarm · #85 01-12-2020, 10:19 PM

Im kinda low-rent for this thread with my 17 no dash.

CALREB · #86 01-16-2020, 01:47 PM

Mines gotta be SW model 14s, love them all, but partial to the underlugged models 14-5,6,7. Especially 4" the model.

glowe · #87 01-16-2020, 03:57 PM

What is my favorite model S&W is a better question for me. I look for historically significant models and for me the Model 1899 Military & Police is perhaps that most significant development in the factory's history. After all, it introduced the 38 Special caliber with a style that is still manufactured today. Some would say that the new models are the best, but I think the 38 Hand Ejector, First Model was an engineering marvel and one of the finest built revolvers S&W ever made.

A close second would be the Model 1896, since it was the very first hand ejector revolver made by S&W. The 32 Hand Ejector, 1st Model started it all and shooting one today is still a pure pleasure.

Without these two models, all these S&W revolvers shown in this thread might have never existed!!

Triathloncoach · #88 01-16-2020, 04:02 PM

My 28-2 and my Colt SP1. Both classics.

Wildwest22 · #89 01-16-2020, 07:52 PM

My favorite would have to be my 4 screw, no dash model 29 with a 8 and 3/8ths barrel. I’ve not seen many early 29’s with this barrel and presentation case. I also love my S serial numbered model 57.

rubiranch · #90 03-10-2020, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubiranch

My 6.5" isn't a pre, just a 1960 4-screw 27 no-dash but its probably my favorite.

I have other M27s that are worth a lot more and some that are in better shape but to me its the pinnacle of all .357 revolvers.

Mime even has a trigger shoe.

I have a nice pair of Cokes on the way for it.

And I sold my two pre-27s

Charlie Foxtrott · #91 03-10-2020, 11:50 PM

It would have to be the Barrett REC-7 that I bought the other day. Shot it yesterday, nice gat!

Tubbsy · #92 03-11-2020, 02:52 AM

My favorite Smith would have to be my 28-2..... my grandpa carried a very well worn one sometimes on our hunts when I was a kid.... as for favorite overall, it would have to be his .22 supershot.... I remember him taking it squirrel hunting.... he always got more than my brother or I did with our rifles....

lamarw · #93 03-11-2020, 07:03 AM

I know this is an S&W Forum, and I have a number of favorite S&W revolvers.

Currently, I am fixed on a Colt M1911A1 coming from the Civilian Marksmanship Program. They are selling about 8,000 of these, and the best of best are being auctioned. I won a very nice one at auction last Friday Evening. I hope to receive it this week. It will be displayed with a Colt M1911 from WWI era and a Remington Rand M1911A1 in pristine condition I already have in my collection.

Therefore it is currently my favorite until I receive it and get it settled in its new home. Here are some pictures of the three. The last two picture, below, are of the soon to be new to me Colt from the auction archive.

delcrossv · #94 03-11-2020, 11:22 AM

#3 son's favorite is pretty easy. He insists on taking it out every time we go to the range. (Ladysmith Target)

Slow DA @ 15 yds.

Kids these days!

iskra · #95 03-12-2020, 10:13 PM

My favorite "gun", very special to me. 1954, age 14, small gun show in suburban Kansas City. Fell in love with an "old gun" @ $22.50. Wanted it bad. Dad shaking head & finished! Just before Christmas, dad offering "pre Xmas" gift for under tree. Needing to pick it up in Lawrence, Ks, from Prof Carlysle Smith, Anthropologist of note, owner and having refurbed a bit. Below. 1854/67 Austrian Wänzl Jäger Rifle, Cal 54 RF. Saw same model several occasions at the Army History Museum in Vienna.
Pardon the story, but something very, very special to an old man now few months shy of 80 years.
Apologies for exploiting bit 'mushy' trip opportunity down memory lane!
Best!
John

rubiranch · #96 03-12-2020, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iskra

My favorite "gun", very special to me. 1954, age 14, small gun show in suburban Kansas City. Fell in love with an "old gun" @ $22.50. Wanted it bad. Dad shaking head & finished! Just before Christmas, dad offering "pre Xmas" gift for under tree. Needing to pick it up in Lawrence, Ks, from Prof Carlysle Smith, Anthropologist of note, owner and having refurbed a bit. Below. 1854/67 Austrian Wänzl Jäger Rifle, Cal 54 RF. Saw same model several occasions at the Army History Museum in Vienna.
Pardon the story, but something very, very special to an old man now few months shy of 80 years.
Apologies for exploiting bit 'mushy' trip opportunity down memory lane!
Best!
John

Thanks for sharing your story with us. And the rifle.