An elegant weapon for a more civilized age...

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Sorry, I can't see a Colt 1911 as "elegant".
Or any CZ or other double stack 9mm service auto.
More like Blunt, brute force!

My idea is a K-32. Sure wish S&W would make a run of "classic K32", w/o "Hillary hole".
 
Would a Sar K2 or B6 do it? A cz knockoff, all steel. Buds is OOS right now but seems like ~460.
 
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While I'm too much of a Glock shooter to do well with one, the CZ SP01 is incredibly pleasurable to shoot - the recoil is so linear, my "glocktastic recoil response" means I dive the front sight like I'm trying out for the summer olympics on the recovery with an SP01. It might not look pretty, but it runs SO NICE. If I could design a recoil impulse in a handgun for efficient shooting, it wouldn't even be as good as the SP01, because I wouldn't have thought recovery that smooth was possible.

On the opposite end of the "rolling recoil" spectrum, I have never met a Sig I didn't love shooting, and without question, they're put together with an extra degree of elegance than the competition. If Glock Perfection were an F-150, then Sig Elegance is a BMW - just as reliable and functional, but with better attention to the little things and an all around tighter, cleaner, sexier package.

Ruger Mark series pistols are ultimately enjoyable to shoot, but as an "accumulator" of them, I wouldn't say they carry an aire of elegance. It's sublimely satisfying to run one out, but it's not the same experience. The Ruger is like dancing with my 3yr old niece at my adopted sister's wedding (not niece's mom), a special memory and a kodak moment, but pretty Disney-esque. Dancing with a Sig hammer gun or CZ SP01 is more akin to two stepping with my wife on our first date - that visceral, anticipatory feeling of "something amazing could happen here..." I supremely enjoy shooting Ruger Mark series pistols, as I supremely enjoy dancing with my niece - but shooting the SP01, Sig DA/SA hammer guns, and two-stepping with my wife are a very different emotional experience - relatively, of course.
 
usp9 said:
Elegant and stylish...

Sig P230/232
Beretta 81/84/85
Beretta 92
Walther PPK
Walther PP
Colt Woodsman
... many others. these are some of my favorites.
Click to expand...
Good list. Its tough to get more stylish than James Bonds gun....too bad my Interarms .380 was a jam-o-matic, I really wanted to like that one.
+1 on the SIG P230, a much better blowback than the PPK and almost as sexy.
Not sure I'd call either Beretta elegant....but both are great classic autos.
I'd add the BHP (good luck finding a decent one for $500 though)
And the winner is.......Smith and Wesson model 39! Elegant in either blue or nickel, near perfect ergonomics, very reliable/good feeder and should be able to find a nice one for around 500 with a little patience.
 
I would consider a H&K. You can find a new VP 9 for around $550. Or a used USP in any flavor. High quality, accurate and last forever. Another classic gun I have always liked is the Walther P-38 or the later updated P-2. Any Colt, Browning or S&W are nice too.
 
Remington Model 51. Not R51, the reissue botched model, the original. The most stylish pistol ever made, IMHO. The Walther PP and WTP9 follow closely behind. +1 on the BHP, too. :thumbup:
 
Not sure the objective because there is a huge difference between full frame or compact. including, and specially, barrel size.
Is this more for playing or show and tell or you want it to be an effective gun to counter a threat and esthetics are secondary?
 
1stmarine said:
Not sure the objective because there is a huge difference between full frame or compact. including, and specially, barrel size.
Is this more for playing or show and tell or you want it to be an effective gun to counter a threat and esthetics are secondary?
Click to expand...
Read the OP again:
"Basically, I have all my 'needs' met as far as function, but want a more 'pleasure' handgun of sorts... something like a classic car to take for a gentle cruise on sunday evenings.
...what do you guys think is a good handgun that will bring a smile to my face and never go out of style?? Maybe something around $500"
 
Varminterror said:
While I'm too much of a Glock shooter to do well with one, the CZ SP01 is incredibly pleasurable to shoot - the recoil is so linear, my "glocktastic recoil response" means I dive the front sight like I'm trying out for the summer olympics on the recovery with an SP01. It might not look pretty, but it runs SO NICE. If I could design a recoil impulse in a handgun for efficient shooting, it wouldn't even be as good as the SP01, because I wouldn't have thought recovery that smooth was possible.

On the opposite end of the "rolling recoil" spectrum, I have never met a Sig I didn't love shooting, and without question, they're put together with an extra degree of elegance than the competition. If Glock Perfection were an F-150, then Sig Elegance is a BMW - just as reliable and functional, but with better attention to the little things and an all around tighter, cleaner, sexier package.

Ruger Mark series pistols are ultimately enjoyable to shoot, but as an "accumulator" of them, I wouldn't say they carry an aire of elegance. It's sublimely satisfying to run one out, but it's not the same experience. The Ruger is like dancing with my 3yr old niece at my adopted sister's wedding (not niece's mom), a special memory and a kodak moment, but pretty Disney-esque. Dancing with a Sig hammer gun or CZ SP01 is more akin to two stepping with my wife on our first date - that visceral, anticipatory feeling of "something amazing could happen here..." I supremely enjoy shooting Ruger Mark series pistols, as I supremely enjoy dancing with my niece - but shooting the SP01, Sig DA/SA hammer guns, and two-stepping with my wife are a very different emotional experience - relatively, of course.
Click to expand...

Now that's an answer!!!!
 
1stmarine said:
Not sure the objective because there is a huge difference between full frame or compact. including, and specially, barrel size.
Is this more for playing or show and tell or you want it to be an effective gun to counter a threat and esthetics are secondary?
Click to expand...

Yep, as everydefense stated, I'm looking for a "toy".

I have all my bases covered when it comes to just about everything. I'm just kicking around the idea of trading/selling a couple of pieces that have been collecting dust for something that will be different and fun... in a timeless sort of way...
 
bnolsen said:
Would a Sar K2 or B6 do it? A cz knockoff, all steel. Buds is OOS right now but seems like ~460.
Click to expand...

That's actually where I'm leaning. I owned a full size B6P and traded it for the compact... but I feel like the polymer lower takes away from it. So either I find one of the all metal ones, or snag myself a nicely used CZ75
 
Well if you want a seriously nice CZ clone toy, and can allocate more money for it I would tend to suggest any of the Tanfoglio Witness Hunter, Elite, Xtreme or Match pistols. You'd have to double your budget of course.
 
There was mention of the CZ 82/83. All blue steel, kinda classy if you're not wearing your glasses:) Very fun to shoot. Saw another mention of S&W early auto pistols. have seen some blued ones that were sharp.

What about a Hi Power clone?
 
The steel frame Tangfoglios are great guns in any flavor, and easily in your price range.
As far as Hi power clones, the FEGs weren't bad, although the DA ones take a proprietary magazine. For a little extra class, you could track down one of the Mauser branded (made by FEG) hi powers.
A nice Manhurin-marked PP/PPK or P38 can prolly be found around 5 bills, OK for fun guns but I wouldn't bet my life on them.
Now that I think about it, a Walter P1 might be the ticket. The later production ones had the steel locking shelf and the heavy duty slide, can be found in good/excellent condition for 500ish, and would definitely have you're friends saying "ooooooh I wanna try it!"
They are not known for competition accuracy, but for a reliable "fun" gun- yep.
 
The $500 price tag is hard to fit.

For elegance, the P210 tops my list. It is beautiful, aesthetically and in function.

But the ultimate handgun toy, imo, would be a Desert Eagle 44. It will shoot easy, smooth, accurately and bang the gong with a pleasing tap. Shoot 200-240 grain jacketed bullets at about 1200 fps, and recoil will be a gentle push. It's also kind of nice looking and the craftsmanship is good. Aside from it's lack of utility in comparison to revolvers, there is the stigma among some. And the grip can be large from smaller hands. But the single action trigger is good, and makes up for an imperfect grip.
 
id look for a used witness match. one of the old ones without the rail. Or a tristar cz75 clone of your choice and put some cajun gun works parts in it.
you could dump a lot into reworking a hi-power, but they are small guns. if you have large hands you may not be happy with one.
A nice beretta 92 is certainly a classic, though I personally don't like them much.

I have and love the ruger mk pistols, but I think the buckmark is a classier gun.
 
The 1914 Mauser pistols are well made, but "elegant", ummmmm....I guess that would be in the eye of the beholder. Also pushing the OPs budget to find a good one, I think. The Remington 51 is elegant, but finding one, any one, is gunna be tough ( I mean I've got one, but its the only one I've ever seen in person, ;)).
The postwar Mauser Hsc would be a good choice- available in .380 and they don't command a lot of $$.
As for the Tomcat- wonderful carry gun, neat and somewhat rare......but the frames are well known for cracking and Beretta won't fix them. I carried one for a year or so, until I stumbled upon a thread about the issue and, upon inspection, found mine was cracked as well.
 
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