Any love for the older more experienced handguns?

Do you shoot or carry an older handgun?

  • Yes both shoot and carry an older handgun.

    Votes: 38 46.9%
  • Yes, shoot but do not carry an older handgun.

    Votes: 39 48.1%
  • No, I prefer something that is new.

    Votes: 4 4.9%

  • Total voters
    81
  • Poll closed .
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jar

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I find that I tend to actually carry and shoot my older handguns more than my newer ones. That might be simply a matter of familiarity but there is also an appreciation and sense of wonder that something that is subject to so much violence in every use can function for so long and still function as well as new ones.

Looking at what I own, about 30% of my handguns are less than 25 years old, about 18% are 25 years but less than 50 years old, 22% are 50 -74 years old, 16% are between 75 years old and 99 and 12% are over a century old.

Of the ones I normally carry I find that the ones between 50 years old an over 100 years old really seem to end up in rotation far more than their fair share.

I was wondering what other folk tend to do; do any of you carry an older handgun rather than a newer one? If so, how old and pictures of the experienced handguns always welcome.
 
I carry guns that are around 10 years old or newer. But if I had other guns that were even older I would carry them if I liked the gun. But another question would be. "Do you by a new gun simply because a new model came out, or when you do buy a gun, do you look at the build quality and buy because it will in your opinion be a gun that will last your lifetime? I am done with new models. Usually the differences do not outweigh the cost. JMO.
 
My two primary carry guns are a Smith Model 60 from the 80s and a Smith model 38 from 1968.

So yeah. Most of my guns are older than I am.
 
I have a number of older handguns. Some over 100 years old. I shoot them all on a pretty regular basis, but as time goes on, I tend to go with the flow and "modernize" when it comes to carry/use choices, handguns and long guns.

I have a couple of S&W revolvers, a Colt Commander, and a High Power that I bought new, when they were new, and used to carry, that are probably older than a lot of people who post here, so whats officially "old"? :)
 
I recently picking up a Browning Hi Power. It's a gem as far as being shooter and I'd be comfortable be carrying it if I carried IWB, but I pocket carry a P365 or P365XL.
 
I don't think age makes too much of a difference as long as the gun is safe for smokeless powder and is properly maintained.

I'd go one step further and say due to more hand fitting and other features, such as pinned barrels, recessed cylinders, etc., older guns are probably, in many cases, of better quality than new guns.

Update the wear items, i.e., springs, and I'd carry an older gun without a thought.
 
All my "suppository" guns are at least 25 years or more old. I haven't bought, traded, or been gifted a cartridge gun in many years. Most of my firearms are muzzle loaders. I do carry at times, and sometimes my carry gun is a two shot .36 caliber muzzle loading derringer. I'm just old fashioned, or maybe just old.
 
My main "carry gun" is a five shot 357 Mag revolver sometimes loaded with full power 357 loads others with 38 Special. I guess these days revolvers are considered "older guns" but I'm OK with that.
 
I shoot, but tend not to carry my older pistols. Mostly because of wear.

If my Glocks or CZ P10C get a great deal of holster wear then so be it. I don’t feel the same way about my BHP’s or 1911’s.

I carried a BHP for years and years, but switched to a Glock (the 19 at first) for less weight, slightly better mag capacity and the fact that I don’t care if it‘s finish gets messed up.
 
I have an appreciation for a well made firearm whether it's older or not. If it feels comfortable in my hand and shoots well I could care less about how old or new it is.
 
All my handguns are also 10 years old or newer. The only older handguns I'd be interested in are revolvers. Even then, I'd probably never would carry them. I prefer to EDC and shoot the hell out of pistols that I can get replacement parts for, and that are still supported by the manufacturer shouls I ever have to send it in for replair beyond my abilities...
 
I enjoy shooting my older guns, and a fair number of them I purchased new. But the older I get, the more critical become good sights for accurate and quick shooting. The older guns that I own simply do not cut the mustard in comparison to the sights available on newer guns. So I tend to shoot and carry relatively new guns.

BOARHUNTER
 
Yep, I tend to gravitate to the guns (handguns & rifles) that were popular and new when I was a little kid. The ones I longed for, shot or saw relatives using. I do own some modern models, but find myself going back to the "old school" stuff more often than not.
 
I collect S&W revolvers. All are too big or cumbersome to carry. I carry an old 9mm Makarov when I carry.
New boxy polymer automatics don't ring my bell. Give me the CLASSICAL look!
 
Some folks like to keep in mind that 1) if they are involved in an altercation which involves his/her CCW, 2) it will certainly be taken by the authorities and 3) if, in the unlikely event, it is returned, it probably won't be in the same condition it was the last time he/she saw it. As a result, some folks carry less expensive firearms, regardless of age, as long as he/she is willing to bet his/her life on it.
 
I love shooting my old metal framed gun. They are too heavy for EDC through. With the new plastic frames I can pack more firepower in a smaller lighter weight package.

I love shooting my Beretta 92 INOX with 15 rounds of 9mm that I have owned for almost 30 years now. I love shooting my 1911's even more. But it doesn't makes sense to me to carry my 92 when I can carry my XD mod 2 with 13 rounds of .45 acp which is considerably smaller and lighter.

My EDC is either a P32, LCP or DB9 or 3.3" XDs in .45 depending on what I am wearing and where I am going. 20 years ago my EDC was a NAA Guardian... a beautiful gun but weighs more than my P32 and LCP put together. (I still own the Guardian though) My Xd mod 2 is my hiking/woods gun.

Carrying my 92 on my hip for and hour or so and I understand why many cops loved Glocks when they came out.
 
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I usually carry either my LCR or my LCPII, not because they are new, but because they are so light and easy to carry.

If the weather is cooler and I have a second shirt or light jacket, I sometimes OWB carry my S&W 915 (a third-generation pistol) or my 2" Model 10. The 915 is from... I dunno, the 80's, I guess? The Model 10 is from 1961, IIRC. I shoot them both well and they have both been completely reliable. They were both police trade-ins and didn't cost much. If one were seized, I would be out around $300. If I got it back with a few extra scratches, I probably wouldn't even notice.

 
Some folks like to keep in mind that 1) if they are involved in an altercation which involves his/her CCW, 2) it will certainly be taken by the authorities and 3) if, in the unlikely event, it is returned, it probably won't be in the same condition it was the last time he/she saw it. As a result, some folks carry less expensive firearms, regardless of age, as long as he/she is willing to bet his/her life on it.
If I'm involved in an altercation where I have to use my handgun the possibility of it being taken and held as evidence, perhaps not returned or returned scratched up will be so far down the list of my concerns I'm unlikely to even see it.
 
Some folks like to keep in mind that 1) if they are involved in an altercation which involves his/her CCW, 2) it will certainly be taken by the authorities and 3) if, in the unlikely event, it is returned, it probably won't be in the same condition it was the last time he/she saw it. As a result, some folks carry less expensive firearms, regardless of age, as long as he/she is willing to bet his/her life on it.
I don't mind that the gum that helped save my life is taken by authorities.

It have done it's job. It will be remembered.

I kinda view it like a good horse you put out to pasture. Always remember the scraps that you got into and how it helped get you out.
 
I do not carrying something that I can not replace easily or affordably.

So, things like this are in

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This is a "truck gun"

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and these are out:

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The old DS's were outstanding revolvers, six shots, great triggers, smooth actions, but they are way too pricey to lose one.
 
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