"Personal Preference" does NOT equal "Best"!

[JohnKSa]

This seems very obvious to me, but clearly the distinction is TOTALLY lost on most people who post here.

For example, my favorite handgun (my personal preference from the guns I own) is a 4" stainless steel GP100 that just happens to also be the first firearm I ever owned.

It's not the most accurate handgun I own.
It doesn't have the best trigger of any handgun I own.
It's not the most powerful handgun I own.
It's not the best handgun for concealment.
It's not the best handgun for hunting.
It's not the highest capacity handgun I own.
It's not the best looking handgun I own.

It's NOT the best handgun I own.

But I prefer it to my other handguns for sentimental reasons. It's my FAVORITE.

It's OBVIOUS that the vast majority of the replies to threads about which handgun is best for this or best for that have ZERO thought behind them and are simply the person's PREFERENCE.

Rather than trying to give the person a thoughtful, useful and unbiased answer, people want to turn these threads into a popularity contest. It's a RARE poster who will actually try to give a person useful advice in these situations--instead they just tell them what their FAVORITE is, what their PERSONAL PREFERENCE is. That's a waste of everyone's time including the person posting their preference.

Of course, there are likely to be differences of opinion as to what is "best", but that's what forums are all about. But it's far more interesting and useful to find out WHY someone thinks something is best than it is to find out what they LIKE the most.

My favorite handgun is my GP100.
My best handgun for hunting medium to big game is my .44Mag Super RedHawk.
My best handgun for bullseye shooting is my Ruger 22/45.
My most interesting handgun is a Swedish Lahti that did some Police work after its military career ended.

So, what's your favorite and what's your best?

 

[Deer Hunter]

+1 on the post, my sentiments exactly.

I own two handguns at the moment. One is a 1951 Mk1 browning .22 pistol, and the other is an S&W 625-8. I enjoy both of them, but I like the .45 ACP better in terms of accuracy and comfort. I like the .22 as a plinker, but it's not that reliable (hasn't been cleaned since God knows when...). In one or two 9-round sessions (clip size), I'll usually have around two or three problems. Round doesn't eject, weak primer strikes, ect.

I Can't compare the two, really. It's apples and oranges. But for me, the feel of an N frame Smith is hard to beat. It's my personal preference, and I hope to get a 627 soon.

 

[ShelbyV8]

I agree! I have about quit reading: Need Advice, Which is Better, and anything that has "vs" in the title. I have several handguns, and what is the best CCW depends on what I am wearing, where I going, and what I am going to do. I don't handgun hunt, but if I did it would be Redhawk 5.5" 44 Mag or S&W 4506 45 Super. If I want to cut out a X ring it is a Redhawk 5.5" 357 Mag shooting 38 swc. What works for me may not work for anyone else. It is all personal likes and dislikes.

 

[Daryl Licht]

OK, I'll bite. My personal favorite is an old Ruger Security Six. As far as the best, they're all pretty good, so I'll pass on picking "the best".

Too often, people do recommend guns that have no resemblance to the questioner's requirements as to price, caliber, material, etc. Such answers are a waste of time to someone who may be a beginner, or cannot afford the finest from Colt or Wilson Combat or Kimber.

The other extreme is the one who will condemn a particular piece as "junk". How many of these folks have owned/fired/examined this "junk"? They would not own one, so it has to be junk.

And woe be unto him who would say that they had tried someone's favorite and for some reason just didn't like it. We all know that anybody who doesn't like this gun has to be an idiot, because he's perfectly happy with his.

I have guns made by Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory, and SIG. I still like my Firestorm .38 Super, and my Rock Island .45. I don't like my Ruger P90.

Sorry for the rant, but I read a lot of boards, and having seen so much of this type of crud I had to state MHO. So not I'll sit back and wait for all those posts telling me my Firestorm is junk and I'm an idiot because I don't like the P90. Flame away.

 

[Moonclip]

My favorite handgun is probably a S&W 17-4 6". My best handgun though is probably a S&W 629 classic dx 44magnum.

 

[browningguy]

My personal favorites are my High Power Competition for bullseye, my .40 High Powers for carrying (clothing permitting), and my Inglis High Power with shoulder stock for plinking.

If you have something that's not a High Power how can it be the best?

 

[P95Carry]

Daryl - no need for flames!!! I accept the choices of others - even if on occasions I may comment as to their suitability, if that seems far stretched sometimes. otherwsie - live and let live - plus the old ''the gun you shoot best'' kinda deal.

We are all different weights, builds, skill levels - interest categories even so - no way to have a level playing field - except for our love of guns and shooting.

I really - really - have a job to demarkate my fave/faves - and best. John - this is not easy

One of my faves is my M27-2 - because it is for me such a classic N frame - plus I like 357's.

My best handgun tho from a practical POV is - BFR in 45-70 as a hunting gun
Best varmint could well be Contender with .223 barrel
Best carry - is without doubt my SIG 226. Evolution of carry has achieved it that status.

Most interesting might just be the old Webley MkVI - for historic reasons as much as anything.

 

[RyanM]

My only guns are a 2" Ruger SP-101 with target grey finish, and a Glock 23. Both are awesome and both have their pros and cons, so I really doubt I'd be able to pick a favorite or best.

 

[JohnKSa]

So now I'll sit back and wait for all those posts telling me my Firestorm is junk and I'm an idiot because I don't like the P90. Flame away.

Daryl, You're an idiot if you don't sell that P90 and buy something you LIKE!

Naw, can't fault you on that at all. The early P-Series Rugers lacked refinement. I have owned a couple of P89 pistols and while they're hard to LIKE, I do respect them. They seem to get better the more they're used. I wish I had the time and money to try to wear one out. The newer P-Series pistols are a bit more ergonomic and are easier to like while apparently not giving up anything in the durability department.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Personal preference may equal best within a person's collection of guns, but for most, you are right, it probably does not.

Then again, if the personal preference gun is the one the shooter is most familiar with, then that gun may very well be the best gun to use in some self defense situations.

 

[psyopspec]

Good point, John, though not to be confused with those times when a poster starts a thread and specifically asks "what are your thoughts on/experiences with ________." In those and similar cases, personal favorites and the reasoning behind them are being asked for - along with opinions from those who owned the product and found it to be sub-par. Your point remains though, there's no need for the discussion to deteriorate.

The worst-quality firearm I ever owned was a SIG 229. It stovepiped, failed to eject and the slide never locked back on an empty mag. I never started a thread on it here because it surely would have gone nowhere, started mudslinging and invited SIG diehards to come down on my shooting and firearm maintenance skills since there's no way it could have been the gun rather than the shooter. Instead I just sold the thing with problems disclosed and purchased a different brand firearm.

 

[461]

My favorite is my GP-100 as well. I just seem to work better with it than anything else and it is a great all around gun. Not the best at any one thing perhaps but good or better at darn near everything.

 

[El Tejon]

To quote my brother, "it's all preference. Remember, it's just a silly little handgun, not a death ray." MPFreeman, THR member emeritus.

Well said, John.

 

[Model520Fan]

So, what's your favorite and what's your best?

My favorite? Which is my favorite child?

My best? My best for what?

I have several guns that I have a strong attachment to. There are a few more that I have a strong attachment to that I don't own any more, which is one of the reasons I very rarely sell guns any more.

My best reasonable-power defensive weapon which weighs almost nothing but needs to be concealed under a vest or jacket is my S&W 325PD. Unfortunately, it is not super-accurate in my hands, although it is certainly adequate to 15 yards.

My best reasonable-power defensive weapon with which I am very accurate and which can be carried comfortable and very well concealed all day long in an IWB holster is my Stainless Series 80 Government Model.

My best reasonable-power defensive weapon with which I am very accurate but which needs to be carried in a belt holster is my Series 80 LW CDR.

The differences among these are nitpicking, it seems, but up north, here, clothing varies with the season and the occasion. I have AT LEAST half a dozen other bests just in primary defensive weapon. Then a few in secondary defensive weapon.

My best show-folks-what-a-bargain-I-got handgun is a Colt Woodsman Match Target (Second Series) that someone put away wrapped in a towel. Deep external pitting, absolutely no way to improve the appearance of the gun without restamping serial number and ALL markings. No internal damage whatsoever. $50.

My most accurate handgun - H-S Precision 7mm-08: 1/2" 5-shot groups at 100yd with Hornady ammo. Slightly smaller with precision reloads.

My best gun for carrying when I might have to leave it in the trunk of my car: Colt Dick Special that I paid $90 for.

My best bear-country weapon might be my stainless Vaquero Bisley with Federal 300's. I'm not sure. Probably my 3" double-Magnaported 629 with Partitions is better. I don't know much about bears, and would rather avoid them. Also, I might not be able to carry the Ruger just anywhere, while the 629 can always go in my DeSantis, even in the summer.

Lots of conditions => lots of bests => lots of guns.

 

[wanderinwalker]

El Tejon,

Well said! I have some coworkers who could use to understand that sentiment.

Any, of my two handguns, my favorite is my S&W 629-1. Is it the best? Well, depends on who you ask. It won't take a steady diet of 300+gr stomper .44 Magnums, a couple of the chambers are a little oversize, it weighs 3 pounds empty and it measures as long as a ruler. It is probably still my best woods gun though.

My Glock 17 is arguably "better" as a handgun/fighting weapon. More rounds, more controllable, quicker to reload, easier to carry and simple to operate. It is lighter and thusly more likely to get carried. The 9mm Luger is adequate for personal defense (and would beat the snot out of a sharp stick in the woods). It's not my favorite, but in some cases it IS the better of the two weapons.

 

[hurrakane212]

Best gun favorite gun

Well since I gave my mother my Beretta 950 .22 short with the tip up barrel ( that's a great little plinker... needs high velocity ammo to cycle properly though), I only have my Rossi .357 Mag snubbie.
My favorite to shoot? Rossi .357 Mag snubbie WITH .38 SPECIALS!
My best gun (for defense) My Rossi .357 snubbie with 125 grain .357 Magnum JHPs.
My little gun is more accurate then it has a right to be for a snubbie, but with the Magnums it's hard on the hand....~Nathan

 

[bakert]

I'm not really sure I have a favorite. I like most guns, even some of the less expensive ones and have had pretty good service out most of them. I may prefer my choice over the other guy's for a certain purpose but in the area I grew up in you did not badmouth another man's gun, his dog or his wife(not necessarily in that order). Just wasn't acceptable.
The guns I always take to the range
Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt
S&W 66 .357
Ruger P97
S&W K22
Ruger Mark11 bull barrel
For concealed carry; Ruger P97, S&W model 10 .38 and when you really have to hide one, a Taurus 85 .38.

 

[The Drew]

I think when it comes to "best" that question is easier answered when asking for a pricepoint. Like what is the "best" new 9mm under $450. I am a bang for the buck guy, I like to buy quality handguns inexpensively.

My favorites change, depending on my mood, and my uses, however right now my favorite is my CZ75B 9mm satin nickel with comp hammer and the trigger job I did on it. It is just a sweet shooter, and I'm pretty fast and accurate with it in IDPA competition. The best part is that I picked it up for $400.

My most interesting gun is my CZ 52, what a wicked firearm, I like to get it out when there are a bunch of guys at the range who don't know me and my gun and light off a bunch of rounds... You should see the looks I get. Best part of the 52 is that because I have a C&R I got it for $99 and free shipping when Aim had a special a while back...

 

[Dr.Rob]

My 'favorites' are all marked COLT... the ones I'm the best WITH are marked "Ruger" (Mk2) and FEG (Hi-power clone).

Tells me I need to spend more time with my ponies.

 

[Roundeyesamurai]

My favorite gun? My Beretta 92G-SD.

The gun I carry every day? Glock 17.

The "best"? Depends, define "best".

When asked the question "What is the best ______ ?", my usual response is to ask the questioner to define "best". What qualities are you looking for? Usually, the answer ends up being along the lines of "what's best for me and my needs"- a far cry from "which make/model lasts longest" or "which make/model can withstand the most abuse", and so forth.

In terms of combat handguns, when making recommendations, I usually come back to the same four makers/models: Beretta 92s, Glocks, H&K USPs, and SIGs. One would be hard-pressed to make a case that any of those four makes aren't totally trustworthy- and if so, their case would be based on the occasional lemon (which occurs with anything mechanical). Find one of those four makes/models that fits you best, and you're most likely to have a weapon which will serve you well.

 

[McCall911]

So, what's your favorite and what's your best?

I'm always wrong about everything but I can answer this.

Favorite: S&W 645--"Mr. Smith"
Poor trigger, big & heavy, but still...

Best: Not a handgun (Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag)
Well...Jerry Miculek I'm not!

 

[taliv]

if personal preference is aesthetic, i agree, it doesn't equal 'best'. when i use it, though, it's more related to the fact that i'm left-handed, not mechanically inclined, etc. therefore, my preference will be ambidextrous as possible, low-maintenance, and easily concealed on my very tall/thin build.

for me, best and preference are the same: a wilson combat supergrade compact in .45

i must say though, that every day i grow more fond of my steyr S9, at well under 1/10th the price. if i could get an S9 in 5.7x28 caliber, i'd be in heaven. i'm getting wood just thinking about it.

 

[22-rimfire]

Favorite Centerfire: (1) Colt Trooper Mark III 357 (for shooting)
2) 4" Smith Model 57 (41 mag) (for shooting)

Favorite Rimfire: (1) Ruger Mark II bull barrel (22LR) (for shooting)
(2) High Standard Victor 22 (for shooting)

Favorite Auto Centerfire: Glock 23 (40 S&W) (for shooting): for now
Least Favorite: Glock 22 (40 S&W): It is on my to sell list.
Favorite Fondling Gun: 6" Engraved Colt Diamondback 22 It is one of those guns that you look at it and just go n-i-c-e.

 

[Lennyjoe]

My over all favorite gun is my Kimber Pro Carry.

My best gun for hunting is a Savage 110 in 30-06
My best handgun for outdoors is a Glock 20 10MM
My best handgun for range shooting is a Belgium Browning Hi-Power
My best rifle for range shooting is a Ruger 10/22
My best rifle for varmints is a Savage 12FLV in 22-250

My favorite gun to shoot is my AR-15.

 

[pierrebazukhov]

Here goes my third attempt to post in this thread...

Amen to this thread. It gets me down that one of my favorite hobbies seems to be filled with juvenile "best" and "POS" opinions and arguments. Why can't we rationally discuss a guns pro's and con's and suitability for purpose without it?

What I love are the guys who say "I wouldn't trust my life to a Ruger P-series (or Smith 3rd gen auto)." Often these guys have never owned one or shot three rounds through one 20 years ago and didn't like it. It also is a strange coincidence that these are the "uncool" brands right now. I'm not picking on anyone in particular, just making an observation.

What's my "best?" My "best" is probably my Smith and Wesson Model 19-3. It does just about everything I would want out of a pistol, and looks good doing it.

What's my favorite? I like my Witness because it's just like a CZ75 but in .45 ACP. Part of me likes the fact that it's kind of an oddball. A Glock (can't have a thread without mentioning a GLOCK!) is probably "better," but I don't have Glocks any more and still like my Witness. It may be a tossup, though, with my S&W 24-3. I love the caliber, the looks, the feel of it, and it's resemblance (family resemblance) to my 19-3. And it's an oddball, too.