Posted: 2/11/2015 11:01:54 PM EDT
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Perfect for the TL:DR crowd...Nothing to do tonight so I'm doing a few quick mini reviews on some of my current handguns. Feel free to use the format and do your own reviews as well...
Firearm: Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: Estimated Round Count: Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: Modifications: Additional Comments: Firearm: Remington Rand M1911A1 with Colt Slide Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .45 ACP (Mostly WWB and Fed Ball ammo) with CMC and Wilson 8rnd mags Estimated Round Count: UNK but approx 3500rnds since acquired. Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: No malfunctions since acquired 5 years ago. Could use some extractor tension work as it occasionally throws brass straight back over your head. Modifications: Resprung when acquired as everything felt a bit weak Additional Comments: This is a rattle trap of an older 1911. It was MFG'ed in 1945 and now has a mismatched slide, S&W contract replacement barrel which it likely got in the 1950's, and then was polished at some point in its life. Due to this it has little collectors value, so it gets carried and shot almost weekly. Even with the miniscule GI sights it's been a very accurate shooter. 
Firearm: FN FNX-9 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9mm / WWB & FED 115gr FMJ / Hornady 124gr Personal Defense for carry / 17rnd factory FN mags Estimated Round Count: 800rnds since new Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: The FNX utilizes a safety which disengages/drops the trigger bar from the sear. Upon disengaging the safety, the trigger bar remains in the dropped position until you apply slight trigger pressure. At this point there is a tactile and audible click as it raises into position. It's not a functional issue, but is an annoyance and from what I gather from other FNX owners it's a common "quirk". Modifications: None Additional Comments: This handgun was purchased for my wife, who liked the V1 controls on my HK45C but thought she wanted a 9mm. After I got her this, she "commandeered" the HK anyways. It's a comfortable handgun (yes that's subjective) but the only one I own that I wouldn't consider CCW'ing IWB. FN saw this as a service handgun and because of that did not put as much time into "dehorning" and making these little pistols a little less "sharp". Just my opinion...I'm sure plenty of people CCW these things. 
Firearm: Glock G19C Gen3 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9mm / WWB & FED 115gr FMJ / Hornady 124gr Personal Defense for carry / 15rnd Factory Glock mags Estimated Round Count: 2500rnds Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: None Modifications: Factory Glock extended slide release lever Additional Comments: Purchased for the wife most recently when she decided she wanted a more simple firearm for training/carry. Didn't intend on buying a C model but it came across me for a great deal. We've shot it at night and didn't have any issues with muzzle/port flash so I'm comfortable with her carrying it. 
Firearm: Glock G19 Gen3 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9mm / WWB & FED 115gr FMJ / Hornady 124gr Personal Defense for carry/ 15rnd factory Glock mags Estimated Round Count: 18000+ rnds Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: One of the factory mags that came with this pistol does not always lock open on the last round. It's been relegated to a training/range mag. I've experiences 3-5 FTE's/stovepipes over the course of 8 years of owning this thing...with all but one being practicing weak hand drills. They were self induced/limp wristing issues. Modifications: Factory Glock extended slide stop lever Additional Comments: This was my first handgun. It's beginning to show some wear but continues to function very well. It's on the original recoil spring and I'll likely replace it soon. It needs some new sights as the factory plastic Glock sights are beat. It was carried more than anything until I picked up my G21 when I lived in AZ. Now that I'm back in TX and actually have to make an effort to conceal my sidearm I'll likely go back to the G19. 
Firearm: Heckler & Koch HK45C Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .45ACP / WWB ball & Hornady/Fed 230gr JHP's/HK USP45C and HK45C 8 rnd mags Estimated Round Count: 3000rnds Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: This 45C was purchased in 09 and suffered from the out of spec trigger bar/false trigger reset issue. After years of being disgusted and frustrated with it I sent the thing into HK. They replaced the trigger bar and it feels great now. The right side slide stop lever also flopped around a good bit and HK took care of that as well. Modifications: Stippling Additional Comments: I was never happy with the texture of the grip and it would slide around in my hand during drills (especially sweaty hands during hot SW summer range sessions), so I had Chris of Damato's Custom Stippling hit the frontstrap and one of the backstraps with some texture. It feels a lot better and since I just got this back from HK for the trigger issue I plan on hitting the range with this handgun a lot more in the future. 
Firearm: Glock G20SF Gen3 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 10mm Auto / HSM 180gr FMJ & HPR 180gr JHP's so far / Factory Glock 15rnd mags Estimated Round Count: 200 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: None Modifications: None...will get a factory Glock extended slide stop release Additional Comments: Just purchased this handgun recently. I'm in the process of vetting it and once I find a carry load I like I will buy a case or two and this will be my back country handgun. I can't comment much else on it until I get more range time... 
Firearm: Glock G21SF Gen3 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .45 ACP / .45ACP / WWB ball & Hornady/Fed 230gr JHP's / Factory Glock 13rnd mags Estimated Round Count: 5000rnds Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: None Modifications: Factory Glock extended slide stop lever Additional Comments: Softest shooting .45ACP I own. I can run drills with this using carry ammo as quickly as with the G19. It's accurate and additionally it suppresses well. I purchased a Glock M16x1 threaded barrel and a piston for my AAC TiRant .45 and it's quieter than I expected. A lot of people will tell you Glocks don't suppress well but I can't tell the difference between this and other hosts. 
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Quoted:
I've read "official" reviews that have said less than you in a few magazine pages. Nice job. Y'all are more than welcome to add to this. They just reflect my personal experiences...but sometimes that's what's nice to hear about firearms. There are a million reviews and articles on, for example, the Glock G19, but that's only one handgun and the experiences of one author. On top of that it's tough to get a subjective review when you don't know if they have an underlying bias. So feel free to review any handguns some of you have, and what you like/dislike about them. |
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This is a good idea!
Firearm: S&W 22A Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .22 l.r., any cheap bulk pack (used but be $7.97, you know where...) Estimated Round Count: 110,000 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: several broken firing pins, frame cracked at 65,000 rounds, sight rib claw (old style) broke, mainspring changed (was set and half an inch shorter) Modifications: none Additional Comments: I put over 100,000 rounds through it with the kids. It had several smaller part failures and needed details stripping about every 20,000 rounds. The firing pins also broke regularly every 20,000 to 30,000 rounds, the frame cracked and S&W built a new frame. The gun still uses the original magazines and has lost very little of its accuracy. 
Firearm: SIG P210-4 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9x19, mostly reloads with 124 gr LTC, either lubed or coated Estimated Round Count: surplus weapon, I shot about 5,000 rounds through it Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: none Modifications: none Additional Comments: An extremely well made pistol with tight tolerances and inverted rails, plus a great trigger, which leads to great accuracy. 
Firearm: SIG P210-6 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9x19 reloads Estimated Round Count: 800 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: none Modifications: none Additional Comments: I got this for the advantage of a fixed hammer unit and sports trigger over the P210-4. It also has adjustable sights, which are great on the P210 since POI is influenced by bullet style and weight. The trigger is not oly contoured differently than the service triggers, the characteristics are even nicer! 
Firearm: S&W M10-10 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .38 Special reloads, LSWC Estimated Round Count: surplus, 500 shots Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: none Modifications: rust blued, Nill grips, trigger job Additional Comments: For $279 we got a good deal here, gun is tight and shoots well. Target was my son at 10 yards 
Firearm: Korth 26/ Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .357 Magnum, full power reloads, 158 gr SWC with GC Estimated Round Count: bought used, I shot maybe 3,000 rounds through it Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: Ammo has to be sized very carefully, the chambers are even tighter than on my 1972 Python Modifications: none Additional Comments: Very well made target revolver with excellent sights, a great 25 meter gun! 
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Firearm: S&W M64-5
Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .38 Special Estimated Round Count: surplus, 200 rounds, car gun Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: out of three guns, one had a bad cylinder stop Modifications: grips and polishing Additional Comments: We got three for $199 each, with shipping and FFL they came to about $237 about six months ago. They are former Brinks guns and handled by people that obviously cared little for them. Two cleaned up very well, one is okay and had a bad cylinder stop that needed replacing. 
***I took it shooting and found its trigger very stiff and had some S&W FGC grips on it that are too slick and very uncomfortable. When I came back from the range I worked on the trigger and changed the grips to some Nills. 
Firearm: Colt Python (1972) Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .357 Magnum Estimated Round Count: 3,000, about one quarter of it .357 Magnum Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: ammo related. Gun was frozen when Hansen/Prvi Partizan .357 Magnum had a case separation and the front of the brass got lodged partly in the barrel, with the rear portion still in the cylinder. Modifications: Herrets Colt customs shop grips Additional Comments: Great looking gun and in 1985 I had to have it. Good single action, I don't care for the double action, nor the grip shape. Firearm: Colt OMM (1961) Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .22 l.r. Estimated Round Count: 1,500 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: none Modifications: none Additional Comments: As most postwar OMMs it has a great single action but less emphasis was put on D/A at the factory. It is an accurate fun-gun! 
Firearm: Glokc 23/9 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9mm WWB or reloads Estimated Round Count: 35,000 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: ammo related failures Modifications: 9mm LWD conversion,triggerhousing and extractor. Stipling, truck bed liner Additional Comments: Got it dirt cheap after a stippling joob gone bad.The frame was built up with MarineTex and truckbed liner. This gun has pretty much retired a G19 I have and is constantly borrowed by my sons. 
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Firearm: Walther P88
Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9mm reloads, LRN Estimated Round Count: 6,000 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: none Modifications: Additional Comments: I absolutely needed to get this gun in the mid 1990s and shot it one season in a league on steel plates. The gun is well made but has a blocky grip and high bore axis. It is accurate but there are guns with a faster recovery and follow up shots. 
Firearm: Glock 34 Stormlake 4 port barrel Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9x19 Estimated Round Count: 2,000 - 3,000 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: Modifications: Stormlake barrel, I gave this to my son and also added Sevigny rear sights Additional Comments: I have had several competitive shooters shoot this gun with the stock barrel and the ported barrel for speed. On average we all shot 20% better (faster with hit ratio) with the ported barrel at 7 yards IDPA targets. 
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Firearm: Ruger GP100 (Security guard special)
Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .38 Special Estimated Round Count: pre-owned, 10,000 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: Modifications: trigger job, Nill grips that are extremely speed loader unfriendly Additional Comments: I bought this used for a good price years ago when most people overlooked revolvers. It is in .38 Special with fixed sights and has a reserved seat in our range bag. I gave it the full trigger job per Iowegan's Book of Knowledge (IBOK) which he had sent me by email a long time ago. It is a good and solid gun 
Firearm: S&W M686 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .357 Magnum, mostly .38 Specials, 158gr LRN or LSWC with 3.8gr Bullseye Estimated Round Count: 8,000 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: Modifications: S&W FGC grips, trigger job Additional Comments: I bought it at the Indy gun show back around 1993 for $360 and shot falling plates and bowling pins with it for a while. I loved the gun but my eyesight is suffering with age and a stainless steel front sight is big B.S.!!! 
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Quoted:
Nice reviews! I'll be adding a Ruger MK III 22/45 TB, Beretta 21A, and Raven P25 (don't laugh it was a gift from my FIL to my wife) shortly as well. ETA: Great to see some uncommon handguns in there that most wouldn't even consider. Hey, I had bought a lot of handguns from law enforcement auctions and a Raven was among it. I shot a few mags full and it worked fine, besides the ergonomics. |
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Firearm: Radom VIS 35
Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9mm Luger Estimated Round Count: unknown Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: Modifications: Additional Comments: The Radom VIS 35 is a Polish semi auto that is based on John Moses Browning's design and equals the FN 35 in reliability. Mine, an earlier version displays tighter tolerances and better workmanship than the late war models. It is a well-made gun that balances nicely with great ergonomics and a good accuracy potential. It is a good speed shooter with well above average recoil recovery. 
Firearm: Bersa 383 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .380 ACP Estimated Round Count: unknown Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: reliable Modifications: Additional Comments: A well made firearm that is reliable but has pretty bad slide-bite. 
Firearm: P.08 Mauser 1942 - VOPO re-issue Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9mm Parabellum Estimated Round Count: unknown, I shot maybe 500 rounds through it Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: ammo related Modifications: Additional Comments: This is a VOPO reissue that has a replacement barrel, those typically were made in Czechoslovakia were the P38 barrels were manufactured during WWII. Besides that it is not forcematched but original numbers matching. Condition is excellent, also when compared to my other two Vopo Lugers. This one is a real shooter and with my own cast 124 gr TC it shoots along with my P210s.I juat have to seat the bullets a little deeper to find place in the magazine. I prefer it over the other VOPO or original Mauser P.08s in my possession. 
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Firearm: FN 1910-22
Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .32 ACP Estimated Round Count: unknown Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: none Modifications: Additional Comments: WaA140 marked. All three 1910/22s that I own have a poor slide to frame fit, whihc probably accoounts for their reliability. I find the grip safety awkward and the earlier model without the widenend trigger face is uncomfortable to shoot. I have a hard time to shoot them well and cannot put one magazine reliably all into the black at 25 yards. 
Firearm: Spreewerke CYQ P38 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9mm Luger Estimated Round Count: unknown Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: Modifications: Additional Comments: Late war production and shoddily put together pistol. Mediocre accuracy at best, lousy trigger, horrendous double action trigger. 
In comparison to the WWII P38 some P1's were very accurate. I shot maybe a couple of hundred different ones when I was in the military and was chosen to sight guns in. While the P1 is not a fast handling pistol it is capable of excellent accuracy. When I was young and my eyesight good, I shot issued guns in military reserve state matches with 97 to 99% scores. But I had also found many guns that could barely do 90%. A GSG9 guy, who was a crack shot test fired plenty of new P1s, the best ones were selected for the BGS and the worse given to regular police. When he showed up at matches, I knew I was bounced one place lower. 
Firearm: Glock 17 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9 Luger Estimated Round Count: 2,000 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: Modifications: Vanek Trigger Additional Comments: I have tinkered with Glocks since two decades, after at first rejecting such radically different design. I have boxes full of parts, barrels, tools but when I spent the money of Charly Vaneks trigger, it brought the Glock experience to a different level, i.e. almost target grade. 
******My son got a LWD ported barrel for it and it is a blast to shoot. I cannot do better with any other handgun! 
Firearm: S&W M19-2 &-3, 2 1/2", 4", 6" Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .357 Magnum Estimated Round Count: not counted, the 4" was shot about 25,000 to 30,000 rounds Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: Modifications: grips, trigger job, springs Additional Comments: For me the M19 is the classic K-frame revolver; the S&W Combat Magnum. I love S&W K-Frame centerfire revolvers, especially for fast double action shooting. I actually prefer them for fast D/A work over my various Korth revolvers. 
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Another rimfire pistol that is just marginally a weapon but rahter sports equipment. I also had a Walther GSP that I competed in ISSF 25 meter pistol with and did slightly better in accuracy but worse in rapid fire, for whatever reason...
The GSP got sold, the Hämmerli lives on but with standard 212 grips. Firearm: Hämmerli 208 Neuhausen Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .22 l.r. Estimated Round Count: 40,000 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: none with standard velocity quality ammo. Modifications: grips, weights Additional Comments: I had also sold my 208 long ago and got this from a friend. The 208 still holds a record and it is extremely well made, with an adjustable trigger for weight, overtravel and let off. Newer guns have the trigger even more adjustable, for length, with easily changed sight blades etc. 
Firearm: Ruger Service Six Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .357 Mag Estimated Round Count: unknown Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: Modifications: refinished, rust blued, IBOK trigger job Additional Comments: I got this for $140 as a rusted up project gun with holster and some ammo. I rust blued it and this gun has clearly the best trigger characteristics of all of my Ruger revolvers. 
Firearm: Ruger MkII 678 Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .22 l.r. Estimated Round Count: bought used, we shot it about 10,000 rounds Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: Modifications: Hogue grips Additional Comments: I got it to replace the S&W 22A for an inexpensive plinker with a longer sight radius for my sons. It works well, is a little more ammo sensitive than the 22A but is giving a slight advantage in shooting it for accuracy over the short 22A. A simple, no frills gun that can be customized to target level - and have endless amounts of money dumped into the project.... 
Firearm: CZ 75, early model Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: 9x19 Estimated Round Count: 3,500 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: none Modifications: Kettner grips, handstippled ( one of my first jobs) Additional Comments: Typically for the early guns, this also had a loose hammer unit. This was often fixed with screws to fix the hammer unit to the frame.I did not go that route but got rid of it. It shot fairly well but was not outstanding enough to keep a gun that was quite rare back then. 
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Here's another one
Firearm: Ruger Super Redhawk Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .44 Magnum Estimated Round Count: 500 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: none Modifications: Trigger job per IBOK Additional Comments: This is the mare's leg, a big brute that I subject to loads that I would not dare to fire from my S&W 629s. It is a very solidly built fun gun! 
Firearm: Ruger 22/45 lite Caliber/Ammo/Mags Used: .22 Estimated Round Count: 300 Issues / Malfunctions Experienced: Modifications: none Additional Comments: my son got this for his girlfriend and it was the first time that I shot it. It has an unnecessarily heavy trigger for a rimfire handgun. 
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