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Posted: 1/29/2023 9:39:15 PM EDT
[#1]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Most of you guys don't know your history of what the handgun "scene" was like in 1985. The Glock didn't make it to US shores until 1986. The SIG P226 had just entered production, and was in trials with the US military, but I don't think it was available commercially in 1985 in the US. I still have the one I bought summer of 85 and it's date coded 1985. 
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Posted: 1/29/2023 9:42:39 PM EDT
[#2]
A 10mm Bren Ten, just like Jeff Cooper and Sonny Crockett did.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjOx3b2SWkA |
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Posted: 1/29/2023 9:47:33 PM EDT
[#3]
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Posted: 1/29/2023 9:47:47 PM EDT
[#4]
I turned 15 that year...so nothing.
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Posted: 1/29/2023 9:50:23 PM EDT
[#5]
1911 probably
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Posted: 1/29/2023 10:05:35 PM EDT
[#6]
Either a Smith and Wesson 9mm auto or a 1911 of some sort.
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Posted: 1/29/2023 10:43:25 PM EDT
[#7]
Was a Colt 1911.
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Posted: 1/29/2023 10:43:42 PM EDT
[#8]
Was a Colt 1911.
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Posted: 1/30/2023 12:34:43 AM EDT
[#9]
I wasn't even a year old at the time. Been fun learning just how few choices there were at that time. I would probably be carrying a Detective Special. Really love mine and carry it from time to time.
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Posted: 1/30/2023 1:06:15 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: A S&W 469, which still gets some carry time today. In reality, I toted a Rossi revolver in 1985, when I carried sans license. I was a poor back then, but that .38 special wasn't a bad gun. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/390133/IMG_0648_jpg-2689669.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/390133/H22021-L233451750_original_jpg-2690107.JPG In 1985, I heard WWII and Korean War vets refer to .38 special as “a solid Mankiller”. 9mm as, “the equal or better than .38 special”, and .357 and 45 ACP as “what a man that can truly shoot and handle a gun can wield and better than .38 or 9mm.” Now, for most guys a bargain level .38 or 9mm was doable. Even a single action .357. A 45 or double action .357 or wonder nine was 2-3x as expensive. |
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Posted: 1/30/2023 1:11:01 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Almost certainly a HK P7. Was concealed carry legal anywhere in 1985? Academic question since I wasn't born yet. Off the top of my head Vermont was constitutional open or concealed carry and the typical guy was not aware of the exact laws elsewhere unless they were a native. |
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Posted: 1/30/2023 1:17:38 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I really didn’t carry a 9mm back then, the ammo sucked I carried a Sig 220 and still do, the same one too Also a Smith 37 and a 66 Every so often I carried a Colt 1911 Off the top of my head it was about 5 years prior to Black Talon 9mm, but 9mm Silvertip had already been around about 5 years. |
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Posted: 1/30/2023 1:32:46 AM EDT
[#13]
Either a Colt Commander or a Colt Commando Special
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Posted: 1/30/2023 1:39:29 AM EDT
[#14]
In order of exoticness:
1) S&W M19, 2.75" 2) Jon Jovino Terminator, 2.75" (though I'd stick to .44 Specials) 3) ASP, because why not? 
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Posted: 1/30/2023 7:16:38 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Off the top of my head it was about 5 years prior to Black Talon 9mm, but 9mm Silvertip had already been around about 5 years. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: I really didn’t carry a 9mm back then, the ammo sucked I carried a Sig 220 and still do, the same one too Also a Smith 37 and a 66 Every so often I carried a Colt 1911 Off the top of my head it was about 5 years prior to Black Talon 9mm, but 9mm Silvertip had already been around about 5 years. https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/the-development-of-personal-defense-ammo/ In 1986, a shootout in Miami changed everything when a 115-grain Winchester Silvertip fired from a 9 mm failed to stop a felon. |
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Posted: 1/30/2023 7:27:27 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: In 1985, I heard WWII and Korean War vets refer to .38 special as “a solid Mankiller”. 9mm as, “the equal or better than .38 special”, and .357 and 45 ACP as “what a man that can truly shoot and handle a gun can wield and better than .38 or 9mm.” Now, for most guys a bargain level .38 or 9mm was doable. Even a single action .357. A 45 or double action .357 or wonder nine was 2-3x as expensive. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: A S&W 469, which still gets some carry time today. In reality, I toted a Rossi revolver in 1985, when I carried sans license. I was a poor back then, but that .38 special wasn't a bad gun. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/390133/IMG_0648_jpg-2689669.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/390133/H22021-L233451750_original_jpg-2690107.JPG In 1985, I heard WWII and Korean War vets refer to .38 special as “a solid Mankiller”. 9mm as, “the equal or better than .38 special”, and .357 and 45 ACP as “what a man that can truly shoot and handle a gun can wield and better than .38 or 9mm.” Now, for most guys a bargain level .38 or 9mm was doable. Even a single action .357. A 45 or double action .357 or wonder nine was 2-3x as expensive. Yeah, my dad, a WW2 vet, preferred the .38 special in a revolver because he thought it was the best for self defense, but he opined the .357 magnum as "too powerful" for carry. I don't ever remember him giving an opinion on 9mm, but he was also a fan of .45 acp. |
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Posted: 1/30/2023 7:39:41 AM EDT
[#17]
In 1985? IIRC, it was a Taurus 65 .357 Mag 4 inch.
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Posted: 1/30/2023 9:00:34 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/the-development-of-personal-defense-ammo/ In 1986, a shootout in Miami changed everything when a 115-grain Winchester Silvertip fired from a 9 mm failed to stop a felon. Just commenting on time points of where we were on 9mm. And.. To be honest the practical/functional level of performance between it and HST is there but not the extreme magnitude people make it out to be |
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Posted: 1/30/2023 1:24:06 PM EDT
[#19]
Hard choice between a Beretta 92 and a 1911.
But I’d lean towards the Beretta, ain’t much sexier than a classic 92F. |
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Posted: 1/30/2023 1:57:27 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Beretta 85 I loved mine, very accurate, too bad it was a 380 or I would have kept it. I ended up with a 1911, because those were the shit back in the day. You could get custom anything for it. Second and third choices would have been Browning HiPower or CZ75. |
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Posted: 1/30/2023 1:59:25 PM EDT
[#21]
BHP
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Posted: 1/30/2023 1:59:31 PM EDT
[#22]
Same thing it is now.
P7M8 I shoot it the best of any handgun I have. Have strayed into many different ones over the decades but have always came back to it. |
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Posted: 1/30/2023 2:33:07 PM EDT
[#23]
I've seen the Browning HP listed a few times.
I am not sure the exact date, but sometime during the MkII Hi Power, they changed the feed ramp. The older style had a hump in it and was not too accepting of hollow point ammo. By 1985 I think you would get the flat feed ramp. Again I didn't see as many people carrying 9mm back then. Just some of the reason why, good bad or indifferent |
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Posted: 1/30/2023 2:56:30 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Most of you guys don't know your history of what the handgun "scene" was like in 1985. The Glock didn't make it to US shores until 1986. The SIG P226 had just entered production, and was in trials with the US military, but I don't think it was available commercially in 1985 in the US. The only full-sized handguns readily available commercially to American shooters were really the following: 1. The P.08 (as surplus or war trophy) 2. The P38 (again as surplus, plus new production imported by Interarms) 3. The Browning Hi-Power 4. The M1911 and Commander variant 5. The S&W Model 39 and 59 So in the year 1985, if you were carrying a full-sized duty pistol, one of the above 5 were pretty much all that was out there. That's why so many persons who carried sidearms were attracted to smaller stuff such as J-framed S&W revolvers, or Walther PPk's and the like. EDIT--I forgot one other full sized service pistol offered over here: the H&K P7. But they were rare/oddball compared to the others, and expensive. (I am glad I bought my in 1984.) There were more than that. I have an '80s vintage Astra A-80. They were available in 9mm, .38 Super and .45 ACP. The 80 has the heel mag catch. The 90 and 100 series had Browing-style mag catches as I remember. They were a somewhat clone of the Sig. I some times carried my .38 Super A-80 and it's a good shooter.  Attached File |
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Posted: 1/30/2023 10:23:32 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: There were more than that. I have an '80s vintage Astra A-80. They were available in 9mm, .38 Super and .45 ACP. The 80 has the heel mag catch. The 90 and 100 series had Browing-style mag catches as I remember. They were a somewhat clone of the Sig. I some times carried my .38 Super A-80 and it's a good shooter. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/6163/AstraA80_jpg-2691373.JPG Astras are great. I sold them in my gun store in the late 1980s. Very smooth trigger on double action. |
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Posted: 1/30/2023 10:26:06 PM EDT
[#26]
Depending on the time of year, I was either 17 or 18 so no EDC. But off I had, I was heavily influenced by my dad back then so I'm sure I would have carried a revolver of some sort.
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Posted: 1/31/2023 6:27:44 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I've seen the Browning HP listed a few times. I am not sure the exact date, but sometime during the MkII Hi Power, they changed the feed ramp. The older style had a hump in it and was not too accepting of hollow point ammo. By 1985 I think you would get the flat feed ramp. Again I didn't see as many people carrying 9mm back then. Just some of the reason why, good bad or indifferent The Browning MkII was FN's initial attempt to win the M9 contract and had a straight feed ramp. The MkIII incorporated changes from the early trial feedback; but the Hi-Power was out of the running for the M9 before they ever released it IIRC. Being FN though, you can always find mixmasters of older parts in newer pistols (or newer parts in older pistols). My 1995 MkIII Hi-Power has a 2001-era slide stop. |
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Posted: 1/31/2023 6:33:45 PM EDT
[#28]
PPK/S
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Posted: 1/31/2023 6:54:05 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: S&W Model 39 THIS I packed my 39 when I'd carry back in 1980-87. |
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:01:34 PM EDT
[#30]
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:11:41 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Glock 17 came to America in 1988 Incorrect. AF serial January of 86 Gen 2 was introduced in the US in 88 You missed every single gen1 glock |
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:11:44 PM EDT
[#32]
Beretta 93R, obviously
More realistically a HK P7M13 if I could afford one, a Beretta 92 Compact if I was a bit poor. |
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:18:51 PM EDT
[#33]
Same then as now. 1911 .45 ACP.
On a side note.. had a whole bunch of shooting this morning in the hood. It was so close that it woke me up completely. It was crazy. |
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:21:00 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Incorrect. AF serial January of 86 Gen 2 was introduced in the US in 88 You missed every single gen1 glock Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Glock 17 came to America in 1988 Incorrect. AF serial January of 86 Gen 2 was introduced in the US in 88 You missed every single gen1 glock 
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:25:55 PM EDT
[#35]
1975 70 Series Colt Commander - steel
By 1985 probably a Sig P226, Sig P220, Sig P239, Sig P225, Sig P229 .357 Sig |
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:28:43 PM EDT
[#36]
Hmmmm from what I have experience from that era either a S&W 2 1/2" Model 66 or a Sig P225.
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:31:46 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 1975 70 Series Colt Commander - steel By 1985 probably a Sig P226, Sig P220, Sig P239, Sig P225, Sig P229 .357 Sig |
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:33:40 PM EDT
[#38]
I carried a Charter .44 Bulldog or a Star PD.
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:34:07 PM EDT
[#39]
In 1985.... Beretta 92fs or 92G
In1993 ....Brigadier elite IA 92G vertec grip skeletonized hammer beveled magwell with rail. |
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:38:28 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The Browning MkII was FN's initial attempt to win the M9 contract and had a straight feed ramp. The MkIII incorporated changes from the early trial feedback; but the Hi-Power was out of the running for the M9 before they ever released it IIRC. Being FN though, you can always find mixmasters of older parts in newer pistols (or newer parts in older pistols). My 1995 MkIII Hi-Power has a 2001-era slide stop. Would not have been eligible. They demanded a double strike capability. The only striker fired gun was the P7M13 which could be uncocked and recocked for a double strike capacity. |
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:39:54 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: AF is Midway Took a second, but well done. |
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:41:12 PM EDT
[#42]
Easy, HK P7
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Posted: 1/31/2023 7:56:27 PM EDT
[#43]
Colt 1911. Because that's what I had.
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Posted: 1/31/2023 8:03:19 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Would not have been eligible. They demanded a double strike capability. The only striker fired gun was the P7M13 which could be uncocked and recocked for a double strike capacity. The JSSP procurement covered almost 10 years. I can't speak to the specifics; but I remember reading in the gun mags at the time that it was FN's entry for that procurement. I've still got some Small Arms magazines from when the M249 was going through testing full of ancient gun lore of that era. |
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Posted: 1/31/2023 8:12:42 PM EDT
[#45]
Smith Model 19 4" nickel.
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Posted: 1/31/2023 9:56:43 PM EDT
[#46]
My first handgun, a Browning Buckmark my Pop gave me. I used to carry it in an Uncle Mikes shoulder holster while hiking in VT. Never got a second glance. No spare mag. Great trail gun, I still have it.
As a VT native we were always super proud of our pro 2A history. Hell even that commie Bernie was pro-2A until he went national. It’s a shame what has happened there due to out of state assholes (like Bernie) ruining the state. |
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Posted: 2/2/2023 7:36:20 AM EDT
[#47]
Canik rival
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Posted: 2/2/2023 7:49:06 AM EDT
[#48]
Glock 7
It's a porcelain gun, doesn't show up on metal detectors and costs more than you make in a month! |
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Posted: 2/2/2023 7:54:22 AM EDT
[#49]
In 85 I was 11. It was a Hawes 22 revolver with 2 shorts and 4 Winchester super X hollow points. I ran a trap line for the entire season and had just started nuisance trapping for farmers. Except for school and church I carried it every day. I’ve since upgraded.
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Posted: 2/2/2023 10:52:46 AM EDT
[#50]
1985 was before my time and well before adulthood, but if I were to go to that time and carry, I'd be carrying some sort of 1911 or Hi Power. Bren Ten would be cool if I could get one and enough magazines.
1911 could be anything from a Detonics Combat Master, to a pre-Series 70 Colt LW Commander, to a full-size pistol (probably also a pre-Series 70 Colt, but made after when the hardened slides and barrels came out). I'd probably stick with an FN for Hi Powers. Not a lot of variety there in 1985. I'd likely have custom work done for both. |
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