Handguns from the 80's/90's that didn't make it.

[doublesharp]

I've got PCs in both 9mm and 40S&W. This pic was a quickie for a thread about .40 bedside guns and that's what both of these are. I do love the ghost ring sight - I painted the middle front blade day glo orange and it really shows up.

After the newness wears off I'd like one of the new take down 9mm PCs.

 

[mrmike7189]

I have a 1997 model Ruger PC4. great home defense gun.

 

[Moo Moo]

Five year old thread, but I'll bite. Here's a Browning BDM, made from 1991-98. Made for FBI trials. A unique gun in that it has a switch that allows it be fired in "revolver" mode (double action only) or like a DA/SA semi-auto. It is the slimmest double stack (15 rounds) I have ever encountered. It's a really cool gun and a nice shooter. All steel. Made in the USA. It is definitely NOT a double action Hi Power.

I was just reading a review of this Pistol in the 1995 Handgunner (UK) magazine. Article was written by Jan Stevenson who thought very highly of it.

 

[CajunBass]

I bought one of these "failed guns" just yesterday. At least I guess it's a failed gun. The company sure failed, or merged or something.

A Star Ultra Star, 9mm, conventional DA/SA compact, 9 +1 capacity. I'm guessing it's from the 90's, maybe late 80's. I know parts for them are pretty much unobtainium, but if it breaks, it's no big deal. It was cheap, and I liked the way it felt. I've wasted more money for less I'm sure.

I think I see a little Sig, a little CZ and a trace of HK in there. Maybe not. Am I the only person who actually likes the front hook trigger guard?

I hope to get it to the range before too long, but I have been "shooting" it with an ELMS laser cartridge, and it shoots a laser beam, like a laser. (If you think that thing won't rat out a trigger or sight alignment problem, try one.)

 

[LVSteve]

The Ultrastar is truly odd, a mostly metal gun inside a polymer shell. I have one, and it's built like a brick outhouse. Many don't realize that it is a single stack. It does fill my hand well.

 

[CH4]

You couldn’t give a 610 away. Now you pay dearly for a no dash, dash 1.

 

[PALADIN85020]

This one predates the '70s and '80s, but it was a notable failure in spite of its space-age looks, ergonomics and reliability. It was well liked at the time, and finding one today is a grail project for many.

The reasons for its demise are very complex, and my research on that resulted in a chapter in my book 101 Classic Firearms.

I'm lucky enough to have found one and its even rarer original box.

The Whitney Wolverine has become legendary over the years.

John

 

[ajgunner]

I had a chance at a new in the box Whitney just like your picture. It was about a year ago at a place that was closing down. I didn't know a lot about them but tossed out a $1000 offer at their $1200 price. They didn't take me up on the offer. I did some research and figured I should have bumped it a bit. Went back 2 weeks later and it was gone. They said they had buckled under and taken $850 due to only keeping the doors open till the end of that week. Win some and lose some.
I have a pretty interesting article on them and some Rugers that had a short stint at being made in Mexico. I can e-mail it. If you would like a copy send me a PM with e-mail address.

 

[gp52555]

Heizer PKO-45

 

[morglan]

That pistol's internals were the basis of a series of pistols by Erma. I have a CX22 that is externally identical to a PPK. I bought it in 1981. It has German import and proof stamps. I've often wondered how they got them imported. American Arms took over the design. They also had a miniaturized model of a Walther P38. My PPK clone is a great knock around gun.
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I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.

I have the Erma PPK 22, it's not safe to shoot.

I also have the Erma 'baby Luger' in 380, but no matter what I do, I cannot get it to feed after firing the first shot.

 

[Countrycuz]

I had a .22RF that tried to look like an AR-15. It was a simple blowback semi auto with a carry handle. Funny thing was it had a wood stock and forearm. Can't remember brand but I think it actually said "Armalike" ! Only worked about half the time. Got rid of it.

 

[oysterer]

-HK P7

More recent examples of terrible guns which never made it:

-Hudson

-Maxim

 

[galena]

Colt Double Eagle. Carried one on duty for awhile. Sold it, wish I had it back.

 

[BC38]

I have the Erma PPK 22, it's not safe to shoot.

I also have the Erma 'baby Luger' in 380, but no matter what I do, I cannot get it to feed after firing the first shot.

I like the Iver Johnson TP22 better. PPK clone in miniature, and the TP25 is the 25ACP version.

I have one of the Erma KGP69 - their better quality 22LR version of the Luger. They made another one in 22LR that was lower quality EP22 was the model number I think.

Your 380acp version is the KGP68a. They are pretty well made, I'm surprised to hear yours functions so poorly. I looked at one at a gunshow last year and just couldn't bring myself to shell out $750 for it.

 

[erikpolcrack]

What was the deal with that M1A-like Ruger that never went into production?

There were a couple of articles in gun mags back in the 80s. The 308 was too much for the prototypes, so the Mini-30 was developed instead.

 

[ruger 22]

I know that these were earlier than the 80-90s but the Whitney Wolverine 22lr pistols were a really a great design and a very natural pointer.

 

[jordanka16]

One that's not seen often, PHP pistol. It was the first pistol made in Croatia after they gained their independence. The same company that makes the XD series guns for Springfield armory made it.

Very much like a P38 and a Beretta 92, it's not a bad gun but not great either, trigger is pretty terrible but it's actually pretty reliable.

 

[DWalt]

Had a couple of the TP-22's as backup guns. Neither was reliable and they went away.

I had one back in the early 80s, but did not fire it much. No reliability problems that I remember. Sold it to one of my employees who wanted it for his wife.

 

[DWalt]

Colt Double Eagle. Carried one on duty for awhile. Sold it, wish I had it back.

I found one in a small town pawn shop, LNIB for $600. Owner wouldn’t deal on the price so I didn’T buy. Wish I had.

 

[CMudrock]

The Steyr GB comes to mind...one of the "wonder nines" of the 80's. I had one, it was a big gun. It held 18+1 and didn't shoot bad.

I miss my STEYR GB, but sold it to buy something I NEEDED MORE - I sold it for enough to get what I needed + had enough left over to buy - This DA/SA, SARSILMAZ 2000, Turkish Stainless CZ-75B Clone - to replace my Steyr GB. So far it has been a great choice.