The First Gun I Bought When I turned 21

[RedBerens]

Back in 1991, I turned 21 and decided to buy my first handgun. I had been reading Guns & Ammo, American Handgunner and Handguns magazine since 1986, so I had an ok foundation. At the time, the Glock was really starting to take off as many departments in the area were adopting it. The Sig Sauer was the 'status symbol' gun for LE around here, and the 3rd generation S&W autos were hugely popular.

Revolvers on the other hand were old hat. No cool people were buying them. I had lots of people telling me what to buy, and when I mentioned a revolver, they would laugh, and told me to at least buy one of the more 'technologically' advanced ones, and make sure it was in stainless steel, with at least a 4" barrel, if not a 6" - oh and to throw those stupid wood grips away and get rubber on it ASAP.

But I was just a dumb kid, and so, like many other immature 21 year olds, I bought something completely impractical. I went with a blued model, which meant more maintenence. I picked a short barrel, which I was told would make it less accurate. To top it off, I even bought the largest frame so it would be too heavy to carry around or conceal.

I don't know, but looking back on it now, maybe that dumb kid actually made a good decision;

S&W model 27-5, with factory Morado wood grips and a 3 1/2" barrel, made in 1991.

 

[RedBerens]

Back in 1991, I turned 21 and decided to buy my first handgun. I had been reading Guns & Ammo, American Handgunner and Handguns magazine since 1986, so I had an ok foundation. At the time, the Glock was really starting to take off as many departments in the area were adopting it. The Sig Sauer was the 'status symbol' gun for LE around here, and the 3rd generation S&W autos were hugely popular.

Revolvers on the other hand were old hat. No cool people were buying them. I had lots of people telling me what to buy, and when I mentioned a revolver, they would laugh, and told me to at least buy one of the more 'technologically' advanced ones, and make sure it was in stainless steel, with at least a 4" barrel, if not a 6" - oh and to throw those stupid wood grips away and get rubber on it ASAP.

But I was just a dumb kid, and so, like many other immature 21 year olds, I bought something completely impractical. I went with a blued model, which meant more maintenence. I picked a short barrel, which I was told would make it less accurate. To top it off, I even bought the largest frame so it would be too heavy to carry around or conceal.

I don't know, but looking back on it now, maybe that dumb kid actually made a good decision;

S&W model 27-5, with factory Morado wood grips and a 3 1/2" barrel, made in 1991.

 

[ENH]

Oh yea, I like that one.

 

[MakeMineaMagnum]

Looks like you were a very smart "kid."

 

[tobyracing]

Nice gun! I am only a year younger than you are. I also purchased my first handgun when I turned 21, a Glock 21. I still have it and it remains my favored CCW. I am now in the process of replacing all of the "rubber" grips on my revvolvers back to factory wood... I guess life comes full-circle.

 

[viceunit]

Wise choice and nice photography also.

 

[j38]

That gun's proof you came out OK.
Nice 27, and I like the background in your pictures. I see more roundguns in your future.

Regards,

Jerry

 

[kwbikr]

Is it just me or does it give anyone else the creeps to see a beautiful gun on a rock?

Nice pistol BTW...

 

[nicky4968]

Considering the delicate things Maxfield Parrish used to put on rocks, the revolver should be fine.

When I turned 21 I did not buy a manly Smith & Wesson, or even something of American make. It was a Model B Star. Put half a jillion rounds through it without a failure of any kind. Paid $35.00 for it. Literally ran like my grandmother's Singer.

Foolishly sold it 10 years later for $75.00. One of my more major errors in life.

 

[Bat Guano]

My first revolver was a 1882 Colt SAA bought out of state at age 20 for $84. No ID required, lied about my age.

Of course that was what led me to a sordid life of crime and dissipation and made me the wretch I am now.

Still have the old buster, and I must say it has aged better than I have.

Now I occasionally lie about my age in the other direction, of course. But then those who know me say I have a tendency to lie anyway. Little do they know it's only a tactic.

WWWKD? (What would Walk Kowalski do?)

 

[Bat Guano]

Yeah, I know. It's W-A-L-T.

 

[Andy Taylor]

Very nice.

 

[augy]

Originally posted by kwbikr:
Is it just me or does it give anyone else the creeps to see a beautiful gun on a rock?

Nice pistol BTW...

It kinda feels like a finger nail on a chalk board to me. Ouch!!

Beautiful gun BTW.

augy

 

[Gunhacker]

Originally posted by tobyracing:
I am now in the process of replacing all of the "rubber" grips on my revolvers back to factory wood... I guess life comes full-circle.

LOL... I think there's a lot of us doing that now. I have a box full of Hogue's that I now look upon with disdain, asking myself "what were you thinking?", blued guns should have wood grips.

My first gun was a M28-2 4" barrel. The day after I turned 21 I marched over to a local sporting goods chain store (Oshman's) and there were two guns in the display case that were in my price range... the M28-2 and a nickel .45 Colt New Frontier SA. I choose the Smith because I wasn't interested in no "cowboy gun"... I shudder to think how much that Colt would be worth today.

 

[catdad]

Very good decision, to buy and to keep.

Oh, and get it off that ROCK

 

[29aholic]

Red...thats a slick one!!
Here's my first...somewhat modified by me over the years. I bought this one when I was 16/17, of course I worked at the gunshop and Dad did the paperwork.

They will bury me with it.

 

[drewball]

There is just something special about your first handgun. I am right now trying to help my little brother pick out his first. I can only hope he is as happy with his first as you are with yours and I am with mine. Unlike you I was a dumb kid and listened to the people who laughed at revolvers and bought a semi. It took age and wisdom to learn how great revolvers are. I have never regretted my purchase of a stainless Colt Delta Gold Cup however. It is still my favorite out of many over a decade later.