Firearms you are embarrassed to admit owning

[walnutred]

Confession time. For me is is a RG 31 in 32 Long. RGs have a bad reputation which is probably well deserved. However as they have not been imported for decades most most of the information out there is 2nd or 3rd hand.

This is the second RG I've owned. The first was a RG 38 that Ivan the Butcher gave to me. He had found it in an apartment and the crane was bent to the point it would not operate. Probably from someone flipping their wrist to close the cylinder. I repaired the revolver and sold it to a coworker who needed a cheap house gun.

The RG 31 has little going for it from a design standpoint. It has a swing out cylinder but you have to remove the cylinder pin for it to swing out, then you use the pin to punch out the empties.

Other than the fact that this RG works and I like 32s I don't know why I still own this revolver. Well, it does lock up very nicely. The fixed sights are better than any factory prewar S&W front sight I've used. My wife and I went to the range today and this was one of the forearms that I took along. I was reminded that at 25' it will hold a 2.5" group, although it prints 2" low.

So it's ugly and slow to reload but makes an acceptable truck/camping gun. The cylinder is long enough for 32 H&R and sometimes I'm tempted to rechamber it just to see how long it will hold together.

So what firearms do YOU have that your embarrassed to admit to keeping around?

[CH4]

Can’t say that I own such a gun, even those I inherited are top shelf. It’s all about pride of ownership. That said, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Owning a Smith w/IL is like riding a moped, it’ll do the job but you don’t tell your other gun friends.

[The Norseman]

No embarrassment here.

The one’s I bought were well thought out,
and inherited one’s are all Top Shelf. No
luck involved here.

All are in a good home and treated as if they
were the last on Earth. None will see ownership
outside the family.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

[Bald1]

I’ve had a couple Jennings .22 but I sold them. Then I aquired another that was a gunsmith special. The worst was a Star Firestar .40. Better boat anchor than gun. Traded it on an sp101

[TJm15.38]

Can't say that I am embarassed to own any of the stuff I have. However, the Soviet M1895 Nagant revolvers I have may be two of the worst handguns of either World War. Neverthess, it saw widespread use in both and was one of the few revolvers capable of being suppressed due to the nature of the gas seal action. It has the worst double action trigger pull ever experienced, the single action pull is only OK, and the 7.62x38r cartridge is one of the least effective of military revolvers. It is on par with .32 ACP energy levels at best. Anyway, I have two of these and they are great fun and quite a challenge to shoot well because of the crude military sights and the other things I've already mentioned.

DSCN2049.JPG

[Heinz]

These four are not beauty queens and not Smith and Wesson. The Colt has several homemade parts and functions perfectly. It came out of Harlan County Ky in the late 1930s. Two Iver Johnson 32's, both from WW1 combat vets, and a 32 Armenius that my Dad carried after WW2 until I gave him a Colt Official Police and a holster. They all have good stories and pretty good bores. But they are in a back corner of the safe. And I only let good friends see them.

[JMD999]

Originally Posted by Bald1

I’ve had a couple Jennings .22 but I sold them. Then I aquired another that was a gunsmith special. The worst was a Star Firestar .40. Better boat anchor than gun. Traded it on an sp101

I also carried a jennings back 35+ years ago, in a homemade wallet holster with (5) cci stingers. if i loaded (6) it was unreliable. With 5 she always worked fine. It served me when young and poor and still sits in the back of a draw... My son can laugh with his friends when he shows them what Dad carried back in the day! I always liked the "firestars" but never fired one.
The other was a $35.00 Raven .25's- another cheap pot metal pistol, but it always worked, (never could say that about my Wather ppks)
We've come a long way!

[arjay]

When I was young and money was tight I couldn’t understand why a 22 should cost as much as a center fire,so I bought an Excam SAA 22 and couldn’t hit a barn with it.Then I knew 😂 .( I still have it as I’m to embarrassed to sell it!)

[Rudi]

Also had a Jennings .22. Don't miss it.

[erikpolcrack]

Somewhere out in my garage is a cardboard box with some non-functional Jennings, Davis, RG, and Weihroth guns. A couple of them could be put back in operation with a little bit of effort on my part, but....

[Krogen]

The gun I was embarrassed to own was a Sig P228. For whatever reason, still unknown to me, I had left it on the passenger seat of my car. A synaptic misfire (aka brain fart). It blended into the black upholstery and escaped my attention.

When headed out for lunch, a buddy getting in the car noticed it and said "what's this?" I was embarrassed to own that gun because of my negligence and stupidity, not because the gun was embarrassing. I did learn a lesson that day.

[Rpg]

I’ve got a Winchester M12 16 ga with a cutts compensator. Ugly as sin.

But an old M12 16ga built on the 20ga action is a great field gun. Most of these came out of the factory with a full choke, 30” barrel. Adding the Cutts gives you a more useful gun for field use.

all that being said, it’s embarrassingly ugly.

The only time I’ll hunt with a gun that embarrasses the dog.

[Fishinfool]

I've bought some cheap guns over the years, but all served a purpose, and worked as they should, or they went down the road. If there is a "gun" that makes me sweat, it's anything from Taurus. Bad luck with all 4 I have owned, as well as one I recommended to a close friend. You would think I would learn. Now I know a lot of guys like the Taurus brand, but I can only judge by my personal experience.

Come to think of it, I have a Hy Point 9mm carbine I bought back about the time they first came out. To this day it won't feed a full magazine despite my best efforts. A cheap gun that wouldn't be so bad shooting with its Sig / CZ / Beretta counterparts if it was reliable, but it aint. So it sits in the safe, hardly worth selling for what its worth.

Larry

[Ivan the Butcher]

Even with giving the RG 38 to Walnut Red, I still have two RG's. One is a RG 10 in 22 LR with a 3.5" barrel. It out shoots my S&W34-2 with most cheap ammo. The other is a RG 22 in 22 Short. I have found not one good thing about it!

I also have a small stockpile of Davis Derringers in 22 Mag and 32 ACP. they were $29 in the mid 90's. When I found ammo they liked they shoot as well as any other Derringer. I load 82gr lead bullets for the two 32s. Using ACP brass and 32 S&W (short) data they are great in SASS "Belly Gun" matches. The Paperwork says to use Winchester STHP ammo. Both hold a fist size group at 25" (two shots from each barrel)! The 22 Mag only likes Federal product # 757 and groups 4 in 3.5" at 50 feet.

I'm sure I have a few others.

Ivan

[minconrevo]

Dummy was to own an AMT Hardballer, traded for shortly after they hit the market. Big dummy was to pay to have a good pistolsmith install S&W K sights to replace the lousy factory ones. K installs on 1911's was popular some 45 or so years back. Now the really BIG dummy was to trade into the thing with a nice Colt Gold Cup.

Don't laugh.

If you happen into a 3-digit AMT Hardballer with S&W K sights, beware. The thing probably still doesn't run.

[Echo40]

Not embarrassed per se, but at least self-conscious because certain folks have a low opinion of it...


Taurus Judge Magnum .410 Bore/.45 Long Colt.

I bought it because I thought it was cool/impressive, but was surprised to learn that my sentiments weren't shared. A lot of folks seem downright offended by this firearm and cannot resist the urge to denigrate it at every available opportunity, at least within certain communities. So for the first few years that I owned it I was sort of shy about it.

Fortunately, I no longer feel that way. I like it, I think that a Revolver that can shoot shotgun shells is awesome, and that it has a lot more utility than a typical .45 Colt Revolver too.

[Golddollar]

Originally Posted by TJm15.38

Can't say that I am embarassed to own any of the stuff I have. Nevertheless, the Soviet M1895 Nagant may be one of the worst handguns of either World War. Neverthess, it saw widespread use in both and was one of the few revolvers capable of being suppressed due to the nature of the gas seal action. It has the worst double action trigger pull ever experienced, the single action pull is only OK, and the 7.62x38r cartridge is one of the least effective of military revolvers. It is on par with .32 ACP energy levels at best. Anyway, I have two of these and they are great fun and quite a challenge to shoot well because of the crude military sights and the other things I've already mentioned.

Attachment 678816

I have one of these too, made in the Tula Arsenal in 1940. It's special to me because it was captured by the Finns while fighting the Soviets. From studying Finnish history I have great admiration for the Finns.

[THE PILGRIM]

Had a Blackhawk in 30 Carbine.
Seemed like a good idea at the time!

[pantannojack]

I never had my own but saw a "Deuce Magnum" reportedly a pawn shop in DT Phoenix between 2nd st and 2nd ave was selling a pot metal revolver in 22 short for 2$. I heard some LEO's were carrying them for BUG's. I recently saw one on an auction site.

[mrcvs]

Shhh…

Don’t tell anyone, but I might own several revolvers from a manufacturer in Hartford, Connecticut. A 4 letter word beginning with the letter C.

[pasound]

1980's. A Randall 1911. All stainless, shiny and seemingly tight. One of the earliest stainless 1911's. The steel turned out to be soft, wore fast. After less than 500 rounds of 45 hardball, the slide was loose and rattled, rails worn, and the trigger sear started double-tapping. Dumped it at a pawn shop to make it someone else's problem.

[Rustyt1953]

None of my cordless hole punchers necessitate my wearing a paper bag over my head in public.

Heck, I own a Hi-Point carbine. I remain unsnickerd at.

[.38SuperMan]

Originally Posted by TJm15.38

Can't say that I am embarassed to own any of the stuff I have. Nevertheless, the Soviet M1895 Nagant may be one of the worst handguns of either World War. Neverthess, it saw widespread use in both and was one of the few revolvers capable of being suppressed due to the nature of the gas seal action. It has the worst double action trigger pull ever experienced, the single action pull is only OK, and the 7.62x38r cartridge is one of the least effective of military revolvers. It is on par with .32 ACP energy levels at best. Anyway, I have two of these and they are great fun and quite a challenge to shoot well because of the crude military sights and the other things I've already mentioned.

Attachment 678816

I had a Nagant thirty plus years ago and sold it but consider it was most likely the result of a government committee. I got interested in Russian guns, cameras, watches and such. When asked I described them as being forged on an anvil not precisely machined.

[TJm15.38]

Originally Posted by .38SuperMan

I had a Nagant thirty plus years ago and sold it but consider it was most likely the result of a government committee. I got interested in Russian guns, cameras, watches and such. When asked I described them as being forged on an anvil not precisely machined.

Yeah, when something goes wrong with it, you can fix it with a hammer and a screwdriver.

[bulletslap]

A S&W Sigma.

[TheTinMan]

I have a Kel-Tec PF-9. It was cheap. It is small and flat. It shoots 9mm. The trigger is pretty awful. I can’t remember the last time I shot it, but I can’t imagine anyone paying more than $50 bucks for it so here it will stay.

[Bruceboy]

Not a one but on the other hand I regret selling several.

Al

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Forty years ago I bought a RG 26 .25ACP…less than $50 new. The best I can say is it went bang every time.

The current embarrassment is an AMT .45 Longslide. Rough…poor casting and machining.

[DUSTYDOGDAN]

Jennings 22LR pistol from the early 1990's. Had one when I was in my 20's and sold it. Last year a mint in the box showed up at work for $80 bucks..I had to get it. With my Cabelas points it was free. I still had a mag for it.

[LVSteve]

As a milsurp guy with eclectic tastes I have plenty of things about which others say I should be ashamed. Some of their thoughts and my counters, in no particular order...

Anything made in Egypt (Hakim, built using Swedish Ljungman AG-42 tooling, so it cannot be that bad...apart from being stupid long and heavy)
Anything made in Pakistan (Enfield No4 MkII built on tooling supplied by the Brits. Saying out loud that it was one of my better made Enfields caused a ruckuss in some quarters)
Anything made in Mexico (Mexican 1910 Mauser pattern. Yeah, they must be rotten because multiple custom gun makers in the US sought them out to use the receivers to build hunting rifles. )
Anything made in Spain (Stars and Mausers. Don't believe all the stories about "soft Spanish steel".)
Anything with clear Nazi markings. (It's just history, get over it)
Anything French. (They're more innovative than their looks suggest)
Any bullpup rifle. (I've got short arms and I don't give a rat's patootie about parade evolutions)
Guns not designed by JMB (I'm an equal opportunity gun aficionado)

[.455_Hunter]

I have a RG .22 short DA/SA revolver purchased NIB with the side swinging cylinder. It's blued with white plastic grips, and two trips around the cylinder usually results in six firings.

[6string]

This is a bizarre, yet compelling thread.
Most of the guns mentioned here are such obvious pieces of junk.

What possible motivation could any sensible person have to want to buy them to begin with?

It’s one thing to do a little research (or just plain logical thinking!) and make a disappointing purchase.

Is it just a morbid curiosity to discover just how bad “bad” can be?

A friend of mine owns a pawn shop. He is one of the most insightful people I’ve known regarding the subject of human nature and impulsive/compulsive behavior, particularly as it pertains to throwing away money.
He makes a lot of profit selling many of the guns specifically mentioned here. Over and over again, it’s what a lot of people want to buy (and ultimately want to sell!)
And, quite often it’s the same individuals making the same dumb mistakes!

The resale values rarely exceed 10-20% of the purchase price.

[jc2721]

I had a Davis .38 double derringer for a couple of months, I even fired it to make sure it worked. What's kinda embarrassing about it is that I sold it to a guy who was blind. He also bought a Charter Arms AR-7 from me.
He knew exactly what he was fingering and was happy to get the guns but still...

[BourbonCowboy]

I've got a Hi Point carbine that folks told me that I should be ashamed of - because it was so ugly. Then I wrapped it in a Hi Towers bullpup stock and now everyone wants to shoot it - because it looks so cool.

[tops]

I have 3 pistols chambered in .32 S&W. Three different brands. IJ, H&R and S&W. I kinda like top break pistols. They sure aren't anything to write home about but it amuses me to shoot them once in awhile. (Little things amuse little minds ). Larry

[borntxn]

I inherited a Phoenix Arms Raven .25 caliber semi-auto. $59.99 new in about 1995. I've never shot it nor taken it out in public.
Raven1.jpg

[robvious]

not actually embarrassed about it at all... but most would assume my long lost Phoenix HP22A would qualify for this thread.. tiny, heavy, cast zinc, overly complicated pocket gun... theoretically a hunk O junk... but mine used to rock a 5 inch steel plate at 25 plus yards... and skip cans all day long.. quite fun to shoot back then... all for just over $100...

[beagleye]

I use my Daisy Pump BB gun more than any other gun times 10. That's a little embarrassing. I'm friggin 60 years old.

The upside is I can neck shoot a starling at 20 yards.

[Tntcwg3]

Lorcin 380!

[raljr1]

We bought a Raven 25 auto for Mrs when we were less enlightened and way poorer. I also bought an AMT Backup in 380. Both worked, the Raven better than the AMT. Still have the Raven and two full boxes of ammo, (probably worth more than the gun), and son wanted the Backup for some reason, so it's still in the family too.

[OutAtTheEdge]

Rossi RBM22. I bought this rifle after I discovered about 600 rounds of .22 WMR ammo stashed in my shop. I had forgotten I had it, and no guns on hand so chambered. I also had a brand new Vortex rimfire scope lying around, so on a whim I bought the Rossi. After my discount, it was only $165. At 50 yards off a bench, the best this gun will shoot is about 3 inches. Can you say "barn gun"?

[Bill Bates]

Am I the only one that will admit to owning one of these.

[Marshwheeling]

Not that I am embarrassed by it, but it is butt-ugly. My ČZ52, first gun I owned. The fiercely snappy 7.62x25 round is fun to shoot.
On second thought, I am now embarrassed because the photo posted upside-down.

[sigp220.45]

I hate to say it, but its a Smith and Wesson.

I got this 12 gauge 916A for $75 a couple of months ago. How bad could it be, I thought?

It worked in the store, but gave up the ghost once it got home. It must have had only two trigger pulls left in it. Its not worth a trip to the gunsmith, but my neighbor wants to have a try at fixing it. We’ll see how that goes.

The only bright side is when I went in to get it after the three-day wait they had just put out a Ruger Speed Six snub in .38 Special. That one works just fine.

The only picture I have of the 916 is one from the store.

[murphydog]

Originally Posted by Bill Bates

Am I the only one that will admit to owning one of these.

I doubt it, there are probably plenty of cigar smokers here.

[AlHunt]

There are no embarrassing guns. I could see quirky, inexpensive guns being a collecting niche all it's own. Maybe with it''s own collectors society, where they all wear paper bags over their heads ...

Probably the least expensive thing I have is a PK380 with a sort of useless laser. But there's nothing wrong with it. In fact, maybe I'll make a holster for it and carry it.

[Ivan the Butcher]

Originally Posted by sigp220.45

I hate to say it, but its a Smith and Wesson.

I got this 12 gauge 916A for $75 a couple of months ago. How bad could it be, I thought?
It worked in the store, but gave up the ghost once it got home.

The only picture I have of the 916 is one from the store.

I had the S&W 916's ugly stepsister an Eastfield 916. It came with no magazine tube or spring. I made one out of an aluminum shower rod, and pinned a wooden plug in the end. It was the same length as the barrel and held 11 +1 rounds. Rustoliumed it flat black. Worked fine, balanced terrible! Then a guy just had to have it! I paid $10, had $5-6 in the tube and spring, Got $75 in the 80's

Ivan

[Dave_n]

Originally Posted by TJm15.38

Can't say that I am embarassed to own any of the stuff I have. However, the Soviet M1895 Nagant revolvers I have may be two of the worst handguns of either World War. Neverthess, it saw widespread use in both and was one of the few revolvers capable of being suppressed due to the nature of the gas seal action. It has the worst double action trigger pull ever experienced, the single action pull is only OK, and the 7.62x38r cartridge is one of the least effective of military revolvers. It is on par with .32 ACP energy levels at best. Anyway, I have two of these and they are great fun and quite a challenge to shoot well because of the crude military sights and the other things I've already mentioned.

Attachment 678816

I have one of the later "target versions" and it always brings cries of "what the H*** is that?" when I bring it to the range. However, single action and quite accurate up to 10 metres. The double-action was nominally for soldiers so that they could not squander ammo, with the single-action for officers. Dave_n

[THE PILGRIM]

Re-Pete - was down at Roswell, NM.
Got into Jack Rabbit hunting with borrowed guns.
The gun owners tired of this and yelled Buy a Gun!
So I bought a cheapie pot metal 22 Revolver.
Didn’t take me long to dislike it!
Took it back to Pawn Shop - Gun Store, took a hit,
Traded for a Ruger Single Six.

[Terry G]

I could write a book. RG .22 broke the hammer spring on the 20 th round. I got it fixed and then managed to drop it off my motorcycle at 60 MPH, for the best. Yes, a Nagant, too. DA Trigger pull is horrendous. You can reload a Colt SAA faster, too. Polish P 64, another Trigger pull disaster. The DA was so heavy and the SA so light you could easily double the gun without meaning to. Jennings .22, forget it. Ruger 9 MM American. Gun would throw two shot's out of a magazine completely out of a group. Tried everything and had others shoot it, Same thing. I could go on. Lately a Taurus TH 45. Four times back to Taurus, finally sent me a new gun. It failed to extract after less than 200 rounds. Taurus has it again.