On and Off Topic Why is it special?

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 1:26 pm

In my mind, I'm thinking many of you look upon your firearms much the same as I. I was thinking about favorites again. I have asked this question in a number of different ways but I'm going to try it again. What is your favorite Handgun? does not necessarily mean most used, most useful, most practical, your one and only, favorite hunting, favorite target. It means, its the one that is somehow special. Whether it was passed down to you, or belonged to someone special, or has a history,or is your favorite caliber. It can be one you own, or one you are looking for.

Same question, for your favorite Rifle?

Would love to hear which fits the category, why it does and of course pictures.

damienph · Post by **damienph** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 1:49 pm

I have accumulated alot of guns over the years and I REALLY like the ones that I have kept. As far as a favorite, as you said not necessarily the most useful or the most practical, I would choose my 1954 Colt Commander. I bought it from a friend who inherited it and doesn't want to have a handgun in his house.

It is special to me because; it was still new in the box, unfired. The finish on it is absolutely beautiful. It was made the same year that i was born, and I am the only person to have ever fired it (at least since it left the factory).

A few friends that also like 1911s thought that I was absolutely stupid for "ruining" the value by shooting it. All of my guns are shooters, I paid my friend the same price that a new Commander would cost (which was more than he was asking). I don't see the point in saving it for the next guy. I truely enjoy it everytime that I take it out to shoot.

I am going to learn how to post pics so that I can show it off.

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 1:57 pm

rjohns, all the guns that have passed through my hands have given me immense fun. Some more than other granted.

Can't do it in Brit but before the handgun ban I got to shoot a S&W 29 in 44mag with some Hogue grips. I could shoot little pebbles of the berm with it. I would to tote one of them and carry one in the woods tucked under my arm. ( I am correct M29?)

Nath.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 2:13 pm

nath, yes you are correct its a model 29. very nice.

How bout your fave rifle?

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 2:19 pm

My Favourite rifle would have to be a plain Rem 700 BDL in 222, I could shoot a gnat off a rat off hand in a gale standing on one leg and picking my nose at any distance you choose

Nath.

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 2:25 pm

A great make you stop and think question.
Sometime before, during or after watching a good western I will have
broken out and fondled my Colt SAA.

(please tell me I’m not the only one

)

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 2:58 pm

S&W 629 classic 44 mag....6" barrel..hogue grips
its my most used, most useful, most practical, favorite hunting & target pistol.
and the
S&W 686 357 mag ...8" barrel... with pac grips is just as fun....

these two can reach out and touch something ....consistantly

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:21 pm

Ummm, I gotta ponder on this one for a while...

2520WHV · Post by **2520WHV** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:23 pm

casastahle wrote:A great make you stop and think question.
Sometime before, during or after watching a good western I will have
broken out and fondled my Colt SAA.
(please tell me I’m not the only one )

Yep....the Colt Single Action Army stands alone in my eyes.

It was there when it was all happening.... not just wanting to be!

2520WHV

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:33 pm

It seems my favorities come and go. But, my Wife loves this Browning Buckmark. This was one of my falling plate guns from years ago (before the eyes went away). It has a 28oz trigger and a 3min red dot. When she goes to the range with me all I have to do is bring a steel dinger target and a brick of 22 and she is occupied until I'm done.

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:40 pm

Colt frontier six shooter original 1904 nickle 4 3/4 with pearl grips. I just like it.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:42 pm

IJ is special because it represents:
my very first center fire hand gun,
my first single action revolver,
and my first .45 Colt,
all rolled into one.

Joe

iceman · Post by **iceman** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:49 pm

As for a favorite handgun I can't answer because I don't have one and can't leagally own one now. If I jump through the necessary hoops I could but I haven't bothered. Once upon a time I owned a Walther PP in 32 auto that I liked so I guess that would be my favorite.
For a rifle hard call, if I was just out walking around probably my 9422, deer on the agenda probably my 99F in 300 savage. If it was a summer day and groundhogs were possible I would have said my BRNO Fox in 22 hornet, but my new Savage edge in 223 is starting to impress me. I can't really say I have a favorite rifle, but I do have a favorite shotgun my Dad's 870 20 gauge. With a few slugs, a couple #4 buck and some birdshot it will handle almost anything.

gak · Post by **gak** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 4:14 pm

Revolver/pistol, tie:

- Colt SAA 4th Gen (late 3rd for the purists) 5.5", because it's truly one of only a very few (yet?) of the recent (late) production in "discreet" .44 Special (ie not a convertible .44-40), and it's a sweetie. This one's ca 2008 production.
- Cimarron Model P .44 Special 5.5" because of it's a charmer and how it came about. I wanted a .44 SA of the Colt configuration I could "abuse" (as opposed to the above). I placed an order through my local gun shop with Cimarron for one of their "Original" (aged aka old west with other Ubertis) finish. They had zero .44s in that old finish in the then-current shipment order, so they guy in their shop offered he happened to have a regular blued/cch one on the bench and he'd be happy to "antique" for me, no additional charge (over the original concept gun). Wa la. I like it even better than the ones finished on the other side of the pond by Uberti. The grips were so-so one piece walnuts, so I had my local Coltsmith fit a set of oversized 3rd Gen eagles he happened to get from Colt. (The Ubertis/Cims-or many of 'em--are just that much larger than the Colts). He antiqued them to match the character of the rest of the gun. Looks and feels the exact clone of the above new Colt--but 100 yrs older--what a distinctive pair! Love the thing. It's my favorite fondler that's darn hard to "hurt" too, and especially after an action tune, shoots "just so."

Rifle: also a tie:

- Winchester 69A .22 chrome bolt, cause it was my first - ca 1958/9 - and still looks and shoots as well today. A tack driver.
- M1 Carbine, Inland 1944, cause it too is a charmer and an original, unmolested piece my father found NIB in the base junkyard on Guam scrounging for engine parts to fix his B-29 so he could bring it (the plane and gun!) home at war's end. Stuck the carbine behind his pilot seat on the journey back to Hawaii. They let him keep it and he handed it down to me when I was 11 or so while he was still around. Many years of terouble free, fun shooting with this hasn't hurt it a bit. It's.a rare WWII M1 with bayonette/lug. Contrary to poplar myth, a few so-equipped did make it into the Pacific Theatre late in the war per a 1944 ordnance directive. Most others you see are post-war refits.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 4:31 pm

I probably get more pleasure out of sitting in a lawn chair, SingleSix in hand, Box of Federal Bulk Bullits handy, nice cold pop beside the bullits

No paper targets, that would entail getting up and moving. Dangerous white rocks, old shotgun hulls, and "stuff" out to a couple hundred yards make for an enjoyable afternoon.

mikld · Post by **mikld** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 4:33 pm

Nuttin' real exotic or classic, but I have two favorite handguns. The first firearm I bought all for my own is a Ruger Single Six with both cylinders, 22 lr and 22 mag. It was made in 1966 and I bought it for $40 in 1969. My other is a S&W 629. Don't know the age but I bought it used in '86. My first "big bore" handgun. These two are with me for the duration...

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 6:46 pm

First one to pop into my mind is my Grandfather's '03 Sporter. My Dad gave it to me for my 30th birthday and it was my constant companion while deer hunting for many years. It's one of those rifles that if I can see it I can hit it.

Favorite handgun took a little thought.
After my divorce I wanted to spend an obnoxious amount of money on something that I wouldn't
have been able to do before. I sent a well worn three screw SBH to Bowen Classic Arms and had it really worked over. It has turned into my perfect packin' sixgun.

jb

Marvin S · Post by **Marvin S** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 6:58 pm

Okay, for today if we only get to pick one each Ill go for a S&W 27-2 6" 357 and for the long gun it will be a 94 Win in 32-40 1923mfg.

txpete · Post by **txpete** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 6:59 pm

I shoot all my guns.when it comes to shooting for accuracy...

handgun

rifle lever action
BB94 375

bolt action
375 ouch & ouch brno

military

Bullard4075 · Post by **Bullard4075** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 7:44 pm

Nath wrote:My Favourite rifle would have to be a plain Rem 700 BDL in 222, I could shoot a gnat off a rat off hand in a gale standing on one leg and picking my nose at any distance you choose

Nath.

I know you're joshin me now ! What would a rat be doin out in a gale standing on one leg ??

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:12 pm

Well....my favorite rifle is my Shiloh Sharps #1 in 2.1. It's special because it's just a cool rifle.

My favorite handgun is a Colt 3rd Gen. SAA 4.75" 45 Colt. It's special to me because it's an icon of the wild west and most of the hero's I had as a child. Plus I made the ivory grips from blanks.

bsaride · Post by **bsaride** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:40 pm

Didn't have to think about which handgun,
Still kickin myself for letting it go...

S&W 624 Lew Horton 3 inch 44 Special with Fuzzy Farant grips (no pic).

Rifle will have to be a rimfire, really liked the Browning 52 Sporter I had,
of the current rimfires I would have to go with the Marlin 39A I just got
from Mic, everyone is loving the 17 HMR Savage I won in a raffle but
with the big scope and bipod it's a gallery gun in my mind.

Second choice on a rifle would have to be the 1908 Marlin 1893 pistolgrip,
takedown with 20 inch octagon barrel in 30-30. This rifle just fits me!

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:43 pm

Why is it so special? Because it's a 44 Special.

I've had this Colt SA NF since it was new (1979?) and has logged well over 6,000 rounds. There's another fitted cylinder for 44-40 that has logged another 3,000. Never done nothin' to it except keep it clean. Its been my buddy on countless Pa. hunts, including a few Colorado elk hunts. Its been my buddy at countless cowboy matches. Its been my long range buddy easily busting little things out to 400 meters.

The ivories were made by Colt's master grip man, Sol Weisenfeld back in 1980 or so. He picked me out some ivory slabs that were from the outer part of the tusk which shows the grain. They have aged beautifully. He installed a pair of pre-war nickel silver medallions in the ivory that he has stashed to the side.

My regular friends always ask, "hey, you got your Colt 44 with 'ya?"

My favorite rifle? Its a toss up between my 1886 in 33 which I killed a truckload of deer with or the below pictured 1886 in 40-65 which will hit beer cans at 300 meters. Its also got me a fair amount of wins at silhouette matches and other long range matches.-------------Sixgun

Mike, what are your favorites?

CEMENTHEAD · Post by **CEMENTHEAD** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 12:32 am

Handgun? Most definitely my Ruger Super Blackhawk I converted to Bisley. Alot of trial and tribulation, however it's mine. I can hit with it from 20 to 200 yards with its' favorite load. I've put a little over 13,500 rounds through it. It's like a brother I can carry.

Rifle? The "Time Machine" My Marlin 1895G Guide Gun, absolutely love this gun and the way it handles, its' accuracy, and convenience. I've taken just 4 animals with it, however it takes me back to a simpler time.

Thanks Mike, I enjoyed this thread,

Tom

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 1:24 am

Handgun: easy as pie, my 1970s Colt 3rd gen Colt SAA in .45 Colt. It was an insurance replacement for a 2nd gen that was stolen by a family member... It started life with 7-½" of barrel, but the insurance company had it cut to 4-¾". Boy, did I squawk! It languished in the safe, taken out rarely just to plink. Then I found where they were actually shooting cowboy action! I finally had a REAL reason to take it out and SHOOT the snot outta it!

Now the rifle: that's much more difficult. I have five, in no particular order, a Uberti clone of a J&S Hawken in .53 caliber. My 2nd muzzle loader. And just plain fun and accurate as all get out! But mainly, contrary to popular belief I wasn't born 100 years too late; it was 150!!!

1979 Winchester mdl 94. Started as a used gun I bought in 1982 for $150. Shop claimed they had to take it back because the original buyer could get it to shoot. Said it shot over a foot high @ 50 yards with the elevator removed. I bought it because when I inspected it, I noticed someone had broken the bead off the front sight... probably the nuuube that bought it, thinking that would lower the POI!!! I 1988 I started customizing it. Then, when finished in 1990, I started winning long range matches with it pretty regular. Best group: <6" @ 400 yards.

1986 Uberti mdl 1873 in .45 Colt. Purchased from my niece's Dad, one of my best friends. Absolutely flawless, beat all to heck after 24 years of competition, but still beautiful in my eyes, just like good friends:

1972 Winchester mdl 64A, .30-30. Purchased off a fine gentlemen here, NIB. It replaces one stolen just after returning from my last WesPac cruise and VN. I'd purchased a raffle ticket for $5 in a fund raising for a ship's BBQ. It was the prize. This fine gun restores my faith and love for the human race... thank you Victor for the opportunity:

Not last, nor least is my Shiloh Sharp's in .40-90SBN. A gift from my wife for graduating the Sheriff's Academy. Took her many years to save the money and consulting with another great friend and his accomplice to determine what gun I really dreamed of owning. What's not to appreciate about that:

There are other rifles in my safe that may tug at the heart's strings, but why hog all the bandwidth; HEY! wanna hear about my shotguns?

CEMENTHEAD · Post by **CEMENTHEAD** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 2:01 am

Griff wrote:HEY! wanna hear about my shotguns?

ummmmm .................YES !!!!!

Great selection Griff!

Thanks, Tom

SJPrice · Post by **SJPrice** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 6:34 am

Nath wrote:My Favourite rifle would have to be a plain Rem 700 BDL in 222, I could shoot a gnat off a rat off hand in a gale standing on one leg and picking my nose at any distance you choose

Nath.

Pictures please

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 3:36 pm

Hey Griff, You sure have had a lot of guns stolen. What are you, a trucker or something--you know, always away from home.

Let me know when your headed to Alaska so I can snag your SA Colt

-------------Sixgun

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 5:40 pm

Urf.

I don't have a gun that isn't a favorite... except the Glock 19 (work gun) and the Pheonix .22 (throwaway/car gun)

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 6:51 pm

I never shoot it, just look at it.
My aunt's Colt Diamondback I inherited when she died.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 8:40 pm

My Dad's service revolver, a S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum, is still my hands-down favorite. God forbid, if I could only have one, it would be that one.

Rifle? I'll have to noodle on that a bit. As much as I love my leverguns, I know I have shot my old 10/22 more - by several 10's of thousands of rounds - than any other gun in my collection. It was the last gun my Dad gave me before he died, so it would probably take the top spot, again for sentimental reasons.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 10:59 pm

Sixgun:

my current handgun favorite is a work in progress. Its a colt signature 1851 that NKJ is doing some work on and then will have some ivory grips installed. It will be carried in a simply rugged cross draw longhunter holster.

My favorite rifle is my .54 cal brad emig custom virginia rifle. I have taken more deer and medium size game with it than any other rifle I have owned.

My favorite levergun is my original 1886 in 45-70 followed closely by the model 55 in 30-30. both have full length barrels and their combined age is 204 years.

Lawyer Daggit · Post by **Lawyer Daggit** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 11:27 pm

An early production Remington model 7 .222. I have taken an incredible amount of game with this rifle since I purchased it in about 1986. I would never part with it, and to me it is the ultimate rambling gun.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:07 am

The gun I was able to buy from my Uncle John's estate after he passed away: a Ruger Flat Top that he bought new in 1961(right). He was one of my true heros. He was a truly gifted horseman and a good man. Let me live with him for four years until my Mom and I got back on our feet. He passed in 2005 but there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. An equal favorite, for different reasons, is my Dad's Security Six also pictured here, that he carried everywhere for 30 years. Both "larger than life" guns that I thought I would never own.

stew71 · Post by **stew71** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 5:50 pm

Favorite all-around rifle....my dad's Remington 700 30-06. Deadly accurate in the field and at the bench. Sorry no pics..

Favorite military...it's a toss-up between my H&R M1 Garand, or my 1902 Carl Gustav Swedish Mauser. No pics of the M1, but here's my little Swedish honey....

Favorite shotgun...that's easy. My Browning 12ga A-5. But I could be convinced to go with my sweet little Ruger Red Label 20ga O/U. No pics there either.

Favorite handgun...another easy one...my Ruger Single-Six....

Favorite levergun....oh yeahhhhhhhhh.......My Browning 95 in 30-40 Krag...

Lastly, my favorite charcoal burner.....Uberti 1860 Army 44. Although that could change next year when I start building my Lyman Plains Rifle.

Great thread by the way. Now I gots to go update my photo stash..

shooter · Post by **shooter** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:54 am

I have 3 favorite handguns. They all have sentimental value to me. The first is my first handgun. It was my late uncle's and then my dad's, but I acquired it from my dad when I was around 15. It is a Ruger Super Blackhawk of the "gunfighter" configuration. It doesn't have the Dragoon style grip frame, but the standard BH style, only steel instead of aluminum.

Second is my Ruger Single Six Bisley. It is a tack driver with a very smooth action. I can usually hit anything I want to within a hundred yards. This gun I acquired from my late uncle.

Third, but maybe my favorite, is my Clements worked Bisley Vaquero in .45 Colt. Stainless with a bead blasted finish, free spin pawl, action job, warning label removed, cut forcing cone, honed cylinders, and a windage adjustable front sight. It is a joy to shoot. It was given to me back in March by my cousin after my uncle died. I always loved that gun, but my uncle never did because he didn't care for the fixed sights.

My favorite rifle is a tough one. Again I have 3. A Pre '64 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .243, a 1974 Winchester 94 30-30, and my Marlin Guide Gun. My 30-30 is my all the time go-to gun. If I had to pick one rifle that would probably be it just because of the utility and practicality, but I enjoy shooting the other 2 mentioned just as much.

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 3:33 am

Favorite handgun? My favorite semi-auto handgun is probably my Wilson Combat 1911, although I carry a little Springfield Lightweight GI 4 inch gun, more then any of my others, and I have quite a few.

However, just maybe my favorite handgun of all, is a Smith and Wesson 25-2. This is a big double action N Frame in 45ACP. It's my third 25-2, as I literally wore out my first one shooting IPSC in the revolver division, many years ago, and a friend ended up with my second one. The one I have now, I purchased only a year ago, but it came from an estate auction, it was owned by someone who knew and appreciated what it could do.

It's not original as the big target trigger has been ground, reshaped and polished smooth, and a trigger overtravel stop screw installed in the trigger. It has a nice set of smooth target grips on it, and the action is butter smooth. It feels perfect to me, as I love those big N frames, and I have shot one so much in the past, and I love that fine old Smith and Wesson Blue, too. And it shoots as good as it looks and feels.

It's my nightstand gun, along with a couple of extra full moon clips and a flashlight. I will never sell this gun, at least I can't forsee it.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 8:23 pm

My favorite handgun is my Ruger Vaquero in .45colt It was my first handgun and a gift from my Dad. It survived years of CAS and is still my side arm that I take when hunting.

My favorite rifle is my Lee Enfield No4Mk1 a 16th birthday present from my dad and my first center fire rifle. I have hiked it many miles out hunting and launched who knows how many rounds threw it plinking. When going out shooting it is always the first gun out of the safe.

Here is a pic of both the Enfield is wearing the plastic ATI stock I got for it so that I dont beat up the wood when out hunting.

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 8:49 pm

I guess it would be my Smith 29. Had it for many years, and shot a fair bit of game with it, including my first deer. It brings feelings of comfort wherever I carry it. Honorable mention would have to go the the Smith K-22.

The Smith 29

The deer,

modified image resized.jpg

As for a favorite rifle, it's a toss up between the 1903 Springfield sporter I got from my Dad, or the Browning 1886 short rifle. I really like my older 94's also.

The 86 short rifle is in the rack here, third from top.

This 94 pretty much goes wherever I go,

.

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:43 pm

I must be losing it. I thought I posted already on this, but I can't find it. Sooo, I'll do it again.

My Shiloh Sharps #1 in 45 2.1, because it's just a really cool rifle.

My Third Gen. Colt SAA w/4.75" bbl. in 45 Colt w/ivory grips I fit to the gun from blanks.

Well now that I've posted twice my original showed back up at the top of the page. What's up with that? At least I'm not losing my mind (on this issue). I knew I'd posted here before, but I looked like four times and it would show up.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 7:50 am

Some really special firearms guys!! Malamute, every time you show pistol, it speaks loud and clear what a favorite, special firearm should be.

fordwannabe · Post by **fordwannabe** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:47 am

Favorite is such a broad term..I have the shotgun thing nailed hands down it is my Montgmery Wards double, yeah I know it's a cheap gun but it was originally owned by my Great grandfather. He was from Asheville NC and was named Thomas Grover Embler, so my Dad was named for him and I am a Jr so eventually I was named after my GGF sorta. It has many stories that go with it about the big chunk missing from the buttstock and the fact it is about 3 inches shorter than factory. I would really put up a scrap with somebody over that one.

Rifle I have a couple
#1 favorite is my Dad's 1917 sporter
#2 but when I just have to grab and go shoot something my 1895ss I bought from a friend is the go to piece.

Handgun
#1 My Grandmothers(yeah I wrote Grandmother) Colt police Positive. I have the box and it is really nice,She is the person who taught me how to shoot starting at the age of 5. My Dad ,her son in law also got her High Standard Model A when she passed, which I now have also.

#2 is a smith 66 it was the first gun issued to my brother on his first police job after the academy. When the department went to semi's they offered the cops first crack at their issue guns and my brother had $25 dollars a paycheck deducted until it was paid for and then presented it to me for Christmas. I will never part with it until I am called Home.
Looking at my favorites is funny because I have a couple nicer guns and some older guns and some that are more expensive but each of these is valuable because of the people and times they represent. Before writing this I didn't realize which ones were the most important to me. Tom