All Around Handgun Battery...Circa 1980

[Fishinfool]

I found this old picture, circa 1980, showing my most used handguns at the time:

The Super Blackhawk covered my deer hunting needs.

The 6 inch 28-2 covered field and target.

The model 41 target and small game.

The 586 ND was my new duty carry, all around SD gun.

The Ruger Single Six, my first handgun, all around woods gun.

The 3 inch model 36 concealed carry.

The Charter Arms Pathfinder (.22lr) woods pocket gun / plinker.

The Bauer .25 auto hide out for uniform carry / SD.

With the exception of the 586, all are gone now, replaced by others over the years that fill the same roles, presumably better. In hindsight though, the Super Blackhawk, Model 28, Model 41, and Single Six are still as relevant as they ever were, and have been replaced over the years, filling those voids. Plenty of 1911's too.

My biggest changes over the years have been the switch to plastic fantastic for SD carry, and the use of handgun optics.

What were your "go too's" back in the day, and how have things changed in your selections over the years?

Larry

 

[Alpo]

1980, a whole lot less than you.


I had a Ruger Mark I bull barrel, which I still have. A 6-inch trooper Mark III, which I sold after I bought my Python, and a Gold Cup, bought new that summer. Stolen and replaced with another Series 70 Gold Cup.

 

[reccpd101]

In 1980: I carried a 1917 .45 shortened to 4 inch barrel on my uniform with 2 N frame speedloader pouches carrying 2 moonclips in each pouch. 30 rds of .45 beat 18 rds of 38 (we were prohibited from carrying "magnum" rounds). A model 38 airweight bodyguard in an ankle holster was back up. Off duty carry was a Model 36 3 inch on my belt or in the summer NC heat the model 38 in the ankle holster. I sure wish I had that 1917 back.

I also had a well worn .22 Model 18 for small game and cheap target practice.

 

[Oscar Zulu]

Was that a Colorado Centennial Single Six?

OZ

 

[lihpster]

Not needing a duty or a undercover piece simplified things a bit. So did my budget. Ruger MkII Bull Barrel, S&W Mod. 15 and a Taurus PT92. Eventually upgraded the Taurus to a 1911.
Now, I could put together several of these small batteries. Short of griz country, I'd feel adequately gunned.

 

[Muley Gil]

I used to think that all of my firearms needs could be filled with three guns: a Ruger Super Blackhawk, a Winchester M94 in .44 magnum and a 12 gauge Savage 311.

Boy was I wrong!!!

 

[pharmer]

1982: SW 66-1 6", Ruger MKI 4 3/4", Excam GT 26 .25acp (carry gun in work boot collar, Browning P35, Ruger 10-22 (20# trigger pull!), H&R 088 12 ga single shot. Got my 01 FFL in December and everything changed several times before 1995. Still have the 66 and P35. Joe

 

[Fishinfool]

Was that a Colorado Centennial Single Six?

OZ

Just a regular 3 screw, 5 1/2 inch. Shot it so much, the anodizing on the aluminum grip frame started wearing off, so I just polished it down to bare aluminum.

Larry

 

[Drm50]

When I was a kid thought I needed Ruger SBH, Ruger S-6 and a Luger.
My Marlin 1897, a Win m70 220swift, 30/06 , 375 H&H and a Browning A5 12g. I even knew what I needed in my tackle box which was about a dozen plugs and lures. When I think about it seriously I probably could have gotten by very easy on that set.
I remember my old man asking me how many guns I thought I needed at about age 12. Must have fell off wagon at 6 or 7.

 

[bigmtnman]

I pulled out this pic. of my handguns in 1984 ...... I only have the Ruger Single-Six left now. You can see it is "Smith" heavy

8 - S&W includes 19s 29 15 17 34 28 41
3- Colt
3- Ruger
T/C ... Walther PP .380 .... and a "repro" Rolling Block in 357

I think I had my competition, defense, concealment and plinking bases covered for 1984 !

If I had a defense "situation" nowadays, that "soulless" hi-cap Austrian plastic in .40 S&W is my go to for THOSE purposes.