Guns Every Enthusiast Should Know About

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Nothing.

The tastes of gun enthusiasts differ as much as the guns themselves. A lot of people are just naming their favorite guns, which basically will not apply to everyone. I for instance, have no interest in any gun that has any part composed of wood. Every gun I own is metal and sythetics, and I aim to keep it that way. Milsurps, grandpas old hunting shotgun, wood griped revolvers, etc all hold absolutely no value to me whatsoever. Likewise I am sure there are people out there who disdain anything made of black plastic as much as I dislike wood. If I said I think everyone should be well verse in the HK P30, that would be inappropriate for a number of gun owners. My vies are not theirs just as their views are not mine.
 
This list is composed strictly as what I think you should experience to get a general taste and appreciation for about the last century and a half of firearms history. In no particular order:

1911A1
SAA (or replica) in .45 Colt

..sorry, but once you've fired those two, you've already experienced the most exciting moments in handgun history. Anything beyond these two is just icing on the cake.

M1 Garand
98 Mauser
1903 Springfield
Model 38 or 44 Mosin Nagant (model 39 if you can get your hands on one!)
Black powder muzzle loading rifle with the longest possible barrel
model 73 lever action
model 92 lever action
12 guage SxS with 30" barrel or longer

I may add the Nagant revolver, just so you can look at it and give it a good "wth?!"
 
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I also wanna shoot an AK with a silencer on it
Click to expand...

I made a silencer (ATF form 1) on my lathe for my WASR. So far it is my most disappointing silencer project to date. The gas vent on the rifle is very loud and the trigger slaps back painfully. I have not been able to load subsonic ammo for it that feeds well and is accurate. I do not think it is safe to shoot without hearing protection. Others have had better experiences with theirs.

Ranb
 
Three choices, in order of preference- S&W M-27, the finest production revolver ever produced, Colt 1911, the classic big bore autoloader, Holland & Holland double rifle, doesn’t everyone need a custom “dangerous game” rifle?
 
Glock 19/17 - The most popular pistol in the world and probably the most reliable

Ruger10/22 - Definitely one of the most popular .22s and probably the most reliable

AK47 - The most popular rifle in the world and probably the most reliable. Plus a hoot to shoot

Remington 870/Mossberg 500 - The most popular shotguns in the world for a reason

1911 - Enough said
 
Wishoot - My thoughts too. The CZ75B is a wonderful shooter.

The rest of my list has been mentioned is some form or fashion already - I just wanted to give another plug to the CZ.
 
I don't know if this fits but shooting Gambel's Quail with a 28 gauge is fun.
Any Cap and Ball revolver.
 
I think the general is more important than being that specific. I think a gun enthusiast should own, have owned or have handled/fired: .22 pistol and revolver, center fire DA and SA revolvers, 1911 style auto, DA/SA auto, striker fired auto, pump action rifles, lever action rifles, bolt action rifles, pump shotgun, double barrel SG, AR, AK...and a pistol cal. subgun for extra credit!
 
I think the general is more important than being that specific. I think a gun enthusiast should own, have owned or have handled/fired: .22 pistol and revolver, center fire DA and SA revolvers, 1911 style auto, DA/SA auto, striker fired auto, pump action rifles, lever action rifles, bolt action rifles, pump shotgun, double barrel SG, AR, AK...and a pistol cal. subgun for extra credit!
Click to expand...



I understand where you're coming from, but the goal here is to let members know exactly what/why something resonated so specially for you. We can say 1911, but to which do you refer? A lower end Springfield, a higher end Springfield, an original Colt, or a custom Kimber?

Surely you can see why it may matter. There is nothing wrong with a Taurus or Rossi .38 special. But handle an older Smith and see what you think then. Rather than saying .38 special, we open the door for a more focused discussion or topic.

Moreover, we can discuss all sorts of models for a given caliber.



I also wanted to contribute another from my experience:

Remington 870 Wingmaster in 12 gauge. Haven't fired the 20, but I do love the 12. Silky smooth action, solid construction, beautiful wooden stocks. And of course, the deep bluing that sets it all off for me. Not to mention years and years of reliability.
 
This thread ought to be titled, Most Overhyped Guns Ever.
I would put the 1911 and the Python in that category.

For guns that enthusiasts tend to sneer at,
1) 3rd Gen Smith Autos, especially the incomparable 4506. Must better shooter than the best 1911 for a third of the price

2) H&K P7, one of the best shooting small 9mms out there.

3) Ruger Mark whatever. Common as dirt and there's a reason for that.

4) Lever action rifle. Any standard caliber, from pistol to 30-30 to 45-70. They're all good and there's a reason they've been made so long.

5) Smith .38 airweight. Miserable shooters but the gun you're going to have with you always.
 
The Colt Woodsman or the Hi Standard HD Military for a classic, accurate American .22 auto.

The Winchester .52 for a classic, accurate American .22 bolt action.

The Remington 51 or the Colt 1903/08 for a classic, true American pocket pistol.

The Winchester 92 for a classic, exceptionally smooth lever action rifle.

The Pennsylvania-Kentucky long rifle with flint ignition....the one that started it all for American riflemen.
 
+1 for Maia007 and the very accurate Winchester 52 rifle and Hi Standard pistol. Maybe include the .22 S&W Model 41 pistol.

Since most of the military arms have already been mentioned several times I'll add any Olympic level rifle, pistol or shotgun.

These might include but not be limited to:
Anschütz Target Rifles (I think the Winchester 52 is in this class)
Perazzi shotguns
Hammerli pistols

I don't own ANY of the above, I have had the chance to fire Anschutz 54 and Winchester 52 rifles. I would really like a chance to shoot an Olympic level pistol and shotgun although I realize having an Olympic class firearm does NOT make one an Olympic class shooter.
 
A couple of others have mentioned black powder....so I'll point you to the Kentucky long rifle. In flint or percussion cap...make it .45 cal. I don't own one, just been lucky to shoot one once. You need that in your memory bank!

Mark
 
Swedish Mauser M96, M38, M41...any one will do
Any 1911
Hi-Power
M60, the belt fed one
Thompson 1928
Thompson Contender in a good rifle cartridge like 30-30
M1 Garand
M1A
K31
Ruger Mk2
SKS
S&W K frame
Glock 22
10/22 or Marlin 60
Beretta 92FS
1903A3
Beretta OU
Remington 870
AK47
TT33 Tokarev

Ranb - I made a silencer (ATF form 1) on my lathe for my WASR. So far it is my most disappointing silencer project to date. The gas vent on the rifle is very loud and the trigger slaps back painfully.
Click to expand...

Trigger slap is very easy to fix. You can buy a replacement trigger pack cheap (like Tapco) or just fix it yourself with a Dremel like I did.
 
Thompson/Center Contender: no serious pistol target shooter or hunter should be without one....IMO the most accurate handgun I've ever fired, and the ability to chamber rifle cartridges is a nice plus.

Henry Big Boy (.44mag): this is the most fun I've ever had with a firearm....huge power, good accuracy (more accurate than I am, heh), and it's hard to deny the visual appeal of the rifle. That and lever actions are fun.

Honestly, I'm all about fun firearms, unique guns that put a twist on the normal shooting session. I just wish I could afford them all :D
 
S&W Model 15 Combat Masterpiece - the Model 19 is a great gun, but I prefer the N-frame for Magnum loads. IMHO, it's a toss-up between the Model 10 and the Model 15 as the best duty .38 Special of all time.
Everybody's mentioned the Ruger 10/22 but I really prefer the Henry H001 lever-action. Add a Ruger Bearcat and you're a .22 caliber cowboy!
 
Colt 1860 Army C&B. (I happen to prefer the Uberti.) Simply the best pointing revolver in my experience.

S&W K-22 or K-38 to learn just how good a double action revolver can be.

A long barreled, 32" or more, muzzleloader in 45 or 50 caliber. Love the pace of loading and shooting. Love the smell of real black powder. Love the history.

TexasBill: I like the idea of the 22LR cowboy but the Bearcat is too small for my hands so I would substitue a Marlin 39 rifle and a Ruger Single-Six.

Jeff
 
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