Charter Arms. I had one of their 5 shot 38's in the mid 70's and it was nothing but trouble. Sold it and bought a S&W Model 36. 
Brands you would not buy again...
- Thread starter CS45Fan
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indie_rocker
US Veteran
I will never purchase an EAA product ever again. I owned a 10mm Witness Poly and suffered many headaches over FTF issues. It rarely made it through an entire magazine without locking up in some way. To make it worse, the factory reps seemed arrogant because I owned one of their base-line products.
I replaced it with a Glock 20SF. I am not a big fan of them (they are bulky, ugly, lack character etc.) but the Glock 20 will eat any 10mm ammo you throw at it and keep on chewing.
I replaced it with a Glock 20SF. I am not a big fan of them (they are bulky, ugly, lack character etc.) but the Glock 20 will eat any 10mm ammo you throw at it and keep on chewing.
SCCY Industries - I will never buy another gun from them:
Once, I bought a CPX-2 for use as a carry gun. I really liked the price, and the warranty which states total gun replacement no questions asked, even if it was lost or stolen. The quality seemed pretty good, and my LGS who stocks them said they had heard generally positive things from everyone who had bought one. I took mine to the range and fired around 100 rounds through it, during which time the gun started to fall apart on me. I immediately boxed it back up, and right back to the LGS it went.
In comparison, the Kel Tec PF9, which the SCCY CPX-1 and CPX-2 borrow heavily from its design, is a much better firearm for about the same price. I would not hesitate to buy Kel Tec again, but SCCY, no thanks.
Once, I bought a CPX-2 for use as a carry gun. I really liked the price, and the warranty which states total gun replacement no questions asked, even if it was lost or stolen. The quality seemed pretty good, and my LGS who stocks them said they had heard generally positive things from everyone who had bought one. I took mine to the range and fired around 100 rounds through it, during which time the gun started to fall apart on me. I immediately boxed it back up, and right back to the LGS it went.
In comparison, the Kel Tec PF9, which the SCCY CPX-1 and CPX-2 borrow heavily from its design, is a much better firearm for about the same price. I would not hesitate to buy Kel Tec again, but SCCY, no thanks.
Micro Desert Eagle. First or second day out the trigger pin popped out making the gun inoperable.
Googled it and found a video of the same exact thing happening from a guy who was doing a utube video on his. The pin popped out as he was demonstrating the gun. Trigger inoperable.
Googled it and found a video of the same exact thing happening from a guy who was doing a utube video on his. The pin popped out as he was demonstrating the gun. Trigger inoperable.
Mossberg
Ages ago, when I was a junior shooter, I had a Mossberg 144 that I used for smallbore rifle matches. One day, while practicing, the bolt handle let go and the bolt body slid back and fortunately destroyed my safety glasses, but my face and eye were saved. To this day I will never touch a Mossberg product.
Ages ago, when I was a junior shooter, I had a Mossberg 144 that I used for smallbore rifle matches. One day, while practicing, the bolt handle let go and the bolt body slid back and fortunately destroyed my safety glasses, but my face and eye were saved. To this day I will never touch a Mossberg product.
About the only one I can think of that I might not buy again was a Hawes Western Marshall 22, (S/A Colt Copy). I had some kind of trouble with it, I forget what now, but the dealer took it back.
Then it was a 40-50 year old inexpensive in the first place gun, so I might not rule out another one if one turned up and the fancy struck me.
Then it was a 40-50 year old inexpensive in the first place gun, so I might not rule out another one if one turned up and the fancy struck me.
Glock. Not because they are poly. I have a few poly frame guns that are awesome shooters. Ruger SR9C is a tack driver and always goes boom. Thousands of rounds through it. .
Back to Glock... I cannot get them to fit my hands. I bought a 17,19 and 30. Tried to like them. Never a problem with performance. Just don't fit..even Gen 4 with alternate grips. I think it may be the grip angle. But I am done with Glock.
Back to Glock... I cannot get them to fit my hands. I bought a 17,19 and 30. Tried to like them. Never a problem with performance. Just don't fit..even Gen 4 with alternate grips. I think it may be the grip angle. But I am done with Glock.
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
My first handgun was a Rohm Mod 63. A Western style, 8 shot, 22lr. Bought it new in about 1972. Actually, I don't regret the $39 I spent on it, and it shot just fine in single action mode, but wouldn't always fire a round when shooting double action. And the screw that holds the ejector rod shroud kept coming loose. You know what? I still have it. Haven't shot it in over 35 years. But, I don't think I'll be buying another Rohm.
I started to pass over this thread because I couldn't think of any I wouldn't buy based on experience alone. I am surprised at all I'm reading about Kahr though. I've never owned one, but have considered them. I do have a Para P-14 Lightweight that I bought new about 1994-95, and it's been a great pistol. I had a Kel-Tec P11 that I never fell in love with, but it worked fine, My PMR 30 works fine too. In over 40 years of gun ownership I've only owned 2 new guns that gave me fits, a satin nickel Colt 1911 about 1980 and a Ruger MKII about 15 years ago. The Colt never did get to shooting right, after several trips back and forth to Colt. The Ruger was fixed for good after the second trip back.
I would still but a Colt (and have since) and I own several Rugers. So I guess my mindset is "Your going to get a bad one now and again of anything". I have only had one Glock (27) and it shot just fine, I just never "Fell in Love" with it. But I may try another one someday. There are however a few I won't buy based on reputation, such as Lorcin, Davis, Cobra and a few of those low end pot metal pistols. I'm sure there are some folks that love those guns. There are some guns I won't buy because I think they are overpriced. All in all, I'm just happy that we have so many to choose from out there.
I would still but a Colt (and have since) and I own several Rugers. So I guess my mindset is "Your going to get a bad one now and again of anything". I have only had one Glock (27) and it shot just fine, I just never "Fell in Love" with it. But I may try another one someday. There are however a few I won't buy based on reputation, such as Lorcin, Davis, Cobra and a few of those low end pot metal pistols. I'm sure there are some folks that love those guns. There are some guns I won't buy because I think they are overpriced. All in all, I'm just happy that we have so many to choose from out there.
NJM15
Member
How aboout Hi point
worked flawlessly the little time I used them (gun shy maybe) no pun intended.
The first two I purchased a .9 and .40 had serious problems both back to the factory One squib had another round follow it and blew up luckily no injuries bulged barrel and the action was like a bus ran over it . that was the .40 the .9 less exciting, just cycling problems. But I have to say this, once they were returned theyI think all of us at one time has purchased a new handgun to find out it was not what you were expecting or just didn't work and you felt it wasn't reliable, etc. For me I would never buy a Para Ordnance (before it became Para USA) and Kel-tec again.
Now for some of you folks you probably like these 2 brands, but for me I had nothing but issues. Maybe I just got a lemon or 2.
I'd be curious to hear what you would not buy again.
Cheers!
CS45Fan
worked flawlessly the little time I used them (gun shy maybe) no pun intended.
I have had very few "lemons." The worst was not really a lemon but had a 30# trigger pull and "peening" wear after little shooting. It was a Hungarian R9, HiPower clone. Bought it from the "transit chest guy" at a gunshow 15 years ago for $200. Browning P35 mags fit but that's where similarity ended. Traded it for a 2" 10-5 and never looked back. Joe
Brands you would not buy again = TOYOTA...........pulling into a parking space, car took off on it own, jumped the curb, ran through bushes and hit a tree,,,,,,,,,,,,,wife and i looked at each other and said...."what the hell was that"...........traded that sucker in and never looked back...............
A darn shame about those Virginian Dragoons, they were such nice looking guns. A friend of mine had one, and so did I. Both in .44 Mag. They shot good. They just needed finishing all the sharp edges, and some loctite.
Colddeadhands61
Member
KAHR, I had a P40 covert. First time out the mag fell out when firing. Pins started backing out of the frame. I sent it back, (on my dime), mag and pin problems fixed. It would jam if I used factory extended mags. Fire first shot and jam on the second. No accuracy, at all. Couldn't group at 10 yards assuming I hit the target. IMHO, overpriced junk.
Bosquebass
Member
Last summer a few of the guys in the neighborhood were gathered up telling fishing lies and the talk turned to guns, 44 mags in particular. My buddy pipes up and says that back in the 70's he had a great looking 44 that you could never keep the screws tight on and so he sold it. Said it had "We The People" on the butt and it was a Dragoon something or other. I told him not to feel bad, that at least he got some money for his.
I had to give mine away and didn't mind much seeing it go.
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If I gave up on every brand that I ever had a problem with I would not own any of a dozen "major" brands.
A Brazilian .22 9 shot revolver...
Don't remember the brand, Century Arms was selling them for $129 in the 1990's...wanted a cheap to shoot wheel gun, so I got one through the LGS in Fremont CA. Cartridges wouldn't seat properly, causing cylinder hangups during target shooting...ya think someone forgot to check that the cylinders were properly reamed? Must have been a Friday afternoon...probably still have it somewhere...maybe a door stop.
Don't remember the brand, Century Arms was selling them for $129 in the 1990's...wanted a cheap to shoot wheel gun, so I got one through the LGS in Fremont CA. Cartridges wouldn't seat properly, causing cylinder hangups during target shooting...ya think someone forgot to check that the cylinders were properly reamed? Must have been a Friday afternoon...probably still have it somewhere...maybe a door stop.
I wanted to add one more brand to the list: Cimarron.
My first ever handgun was a Cimarron Plinkerton in .22LR. Not long after I purchased it, I found that the cylinder would not go into lockdown when the hammer dropped. In fact, it could freely rotate out of position with the hammer all the way down when fired. Thankfully, I never experienced anything more than a spattering of a small amount of lead on my hands, the couple of times I shot it before discovering the problem. Out of concern for safety, I called Chiappa, who handles their customer support and repairs, and requested that they look at it. I also requested that they fit a 22WMR cylinder to the gun while it was in for service. I was charged around $75 plus shipping to get the gun taken care of. When it came back, the new 22WMR cylinder was a good fit with good lockdown and timing, the 22LR cylinder was still able to free rotate when the hammer dropped. Quite frankly, I was a bit shocked that they shipped it back that way. In fact, I cannot recall if I even shot it at all after that, for fear of safety. I ended up trading it away as a 22 magnum only soon after for something better.
I know that the Plinkerton is one of Cimarron's low-end **** guns, and that they do make a lot of high quality SA revolvers that are fairly good. I have chosen not to buy from them again because of the demonstrated lack of care in the repair of my gun. I don't feel that I can trust them or their products because of this, as well as having an uncertainty of how far through the company and product lines this lack of care goes.
I will add that I have had my share of problems with several of the firearms I have owned, and generally my experience with customer service from the likes of Smith and Wesson, Beretta, Ruger, Colt, and even Taurus, has been positive. Usually, but not always, it takes more than a malfunction to turn me off from a specific brand or a specific gun.
My first ever handgun was a Cimarron Plinkerton in .22LR. Not long after I purchased it, I found that the cylinder would not go into lockdown when the hammer dropped. In fact, it could freely rotate out of position with the hammer all the way down when fired. Thankfully, I never experienced anything more than a spattering of a small amount of lead on my hands, the couple of times I shot it before discovering the problem. Out of concern for safety, I called Chiappa, who handles their customer support and repairs, and requested that they look at it. I also requested that they fit a 22WMR cylinder to the gun while it was in for service. I was charged around $75 plus shipping to get the gun taken care of. When it came back, the new 22WMR cylinder was a good fit with good lockdown and timing, the 22LR cylinder was still able to free rotate when the hammer dropped. Quite frankly, I was a bit shocked that they shipped it back that way. In fact, I cannot recall if I even shot it at all after that, for fear of safety. I ended up trading it away as a 22 magnum only soon after for something better.
I know that the Plinkerton is one of Cimarron's low-end **** guns, and that they do make a lot of high quality SA revolvers that are fairly good. I have chosen not to buy from them again because of the demonstrated lack of care in the repair of my gun. I don't feel that I can trust them or their products because of this, as well as having an uncertainty of how far through the company and product lines this lack of care goes.
I will add that I have had my share of problems with several of the firearms I have owned, and generally my experience with customer service from the likes of Smith and Wesson, Beretta, Ruger, Colt, and even Taurus, has been positive. Usually, but not always, it takes more than a malfunction to turn me off from a specific brand or a specific gun.
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BearBio
Member
Based on experience: Hornaday. Especially the Lok-n-load press. Biggest *** and worst CS I've ever seen.
Anything from a company taken over by Freedom Group. Modern Sigs, Remington, Marlin, Kimber, what else?
I have a Kimber in 10mm that has been great and I stood up for them in forums when people would bad-mouth them, until a dealer showed me his collection from the case and I was shocked. Every one had rust on the barrel hood.
I have a Kimber in 10mm that has been great and I stood up for them in forums when people would bad-mouth them, until a dealer showed me his collection from the case and I was shocked. Every one had rust on the barrel hood.
