Handgun recommendation

[Astro14]

Old revolvers and most of the old iron you would be correct.

But the first gen Bodyguard .380 and a lot of revolvers sold in the teens had real problems.
From pins coming out while firing to triggers completely locking up those guns were complete garbage. The revolvers had mangled forcing cones, huge cylinder gaps to triggers that were near unmoveable.

Now it looks like BG .380 2.0 is having some issues as well: https://smith-wessonforum.com/smith...uard-2-0-issues-some-potential-solutions.html

Yeah, I am a collector of older S&W Autos. Carried a 5906 in Desert Storm (first gulf war). A beautifully made, all stainless steel, 9mm automatic. Heavy, reliable to a fault, great feel in my hand. My first gun. Thousands of rounds, and never one malfunction. Every single one of that 3rd generation are the same: well made, accurate, and flawlessly reliable.

S&W put a lot of quality labor and machining into those guns. They couldn’t compete on the basis of price with companies like Glock. Eventually, in the early 2000s, they stopped making them. A shame. A high water mark for quality craftsmanship. Here is one of my 10mm S&W 3rd Gen’s. A 1076. Zero problems with any of the 6 different ammo choices (including target, and full pressure Buffalo Bore) shown, target at 10 yards.

An accurate, reliable, well-made gun.

I don’t have any of the polymer guns from S&W.

 

[Astro14]

Then it starts to depend on your budget and your preferences. There are tons of all metal 9mm pistols available used, and plenty of polymer frame pistols as well.

If you get a chance, shoot a few friends’ pistols and see how they fit your hand, how you like the sights, and how you like the action.

For example, an M1911 pattern 9mm will have a great trigger and a long sight radius, but is not the most convenient to carry. Some of the SA/DA pistols don’t always have great trigger feel.

View attachment 256758

Ah, a 6906 on the right, later 3rd generation, with the MIM trigger and a few other parts.

You know, I would have recommended a 5906, or 6906, but they’re going up in price lately…and cost more than a new Glock for a good one.

Still a great choice!

 

[Pablo]

Yeah, I am a collector of older S&W Autos. Carried a 5906 in Desert Storm (first gulf war). A beautifully made, all stainless steel, 9mm automatic. Heavy, reliable to a fault, great feel in my hand. My first gun. Thousands of rounds, and never one malfunction. Every single one of that 3rd generation are the same: well made, accurate, and flawlessly reliable.

S&W put a lot of quality labor and machining into those guns. They couldn’t compete on the basis of price with companies like Glock. Eventually, in the early 2000s, they stopped making them. A shame. A high water mark for quality craftsmanship. Here is one of my 10mm S&W 3rd Gen’s. A 1076. Zero problems with any of the 6 different ammo choices (including target, and full pressure Buffalo Bore) shown, target at 10 yards.

An accurate, reliable, well-made gun.

I don’t have any of the polymer guns from S&W.View attachment 256785

I have a SW 1006. Awesome gun.

 

[Ranger83]

Ah, a 6906 on the right, later 3rd generation, with the MIM trigger and a few other parts.

You know, I would have recommended a 5906, or 6906, but they’re going up in price lately…and cost more than a new Glock for a good one.

Still a great choice!

It’s a 3913. The other two are an Sig P220 and a CZ85 Combat. The Sig is probably my favorite.

Had a Chief’s Special but it was too small for me to shoot well, emphasizing pistols must fit your hand.

Also had a 10mm 1006 but didn’t shoot it much so sold it.

 

[Cujet]

Good Morning folks. I’m currently looking at a S&W 380 and same manufacturer 9mm

Talked to some older friends at my American Legion. They think I’d love a 380. I’ve shot a 9mm and 45 before. Any info and guidance is greatly appreciated also. Thank You

There are plenty of great choices. This one has the advantage of a very Easy (EZ) slide and is also extremely smooth shooting. So it is a true pleasure to deal with and to shoot. An analogy is a "well oiled machine".

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/m-p-380-shield-ez-manual-thumb-safety

 

[Astro14]

I have a SW 1006. Awesome gun.

I do, too! Love it. The 1076 has the 4 1/4” barrel, and is DAO. Nice thing about that 1006 of yours is that you can cock the hammer, and with a 5” barrel, target shoot to your heart’s content.

Most 10mm ammo is loaded to .40S&W velocities. Easy to shoot out of that big, steel gun. I can bang away all day with target loads, like the S&B, or American Eagle, in my photo. 180g at about 1050 fps.

But load up a magazine of the “good stuff” - Buffalo Bore, for example, and you’re moving that same 180g projectile at closer to 1300 fps. Way more power. Way more recoil.

A totally different gun and you can see why the FBI wanted a big steel gun for that round…

 

[Astro14]

It’s a 3913.

Had a Chief’s Special but it was too small to shoot well.

View attachment 256787

My mistake. Didn’t see that it was a single stack.

 

[Ranger83]

The Army Marksmanship Unit’s Pistol Shooter’s Guide is online a number of places. Highly recommended.

https://www.lakeis.org/documents/army shooting manual.pdf

 

[LDB]

I have the EZ in .30SC. I wanted one of the EZ models and wanted the new caliber so it only made sense to go with the combination. I like the EZ and have it in my carry rotation. Can't speak on any other new S&W pistols but the EZ is definitely a nice choice.

 

[Plumb Bob]

That's why I mentioned Bodyguard .380ACP.

My buddy had a Shield in .40SW. Other than failures to feed and soft primer strikes, it only failed to fire around 10 times.

I'm not a huge fan of 40SW pistols in a 9mm-designed frame. My Shield 9 has never had any malfunctions of any type.

 

[Pablo]

I'm not a huge fan of 40SW pistols in a 9mm-designed frame. My Shield 9 has never had any malfunctions of any type.

Yes my general impression is the Shield in 9mm is very reliable.

 

[Cropduster172]

Then it starts to depend on your budget and your preferences. There are tons of all metal 9mm pistols available used, and plenty of polymer frame pistols as well.

If you get a chance, shoot a few friends’ pistols and see how they fit your hand, how you like the sights, and how you like the action.

For example, an M1911 pattern 9mm will have a great trigger and a long sight radius, but is not the most convenient to carry. Some of the SA/DA pistols don’t always have great trigger feel.

View attachment 256758

I like that trusty S&W on the right.

 

[Pablo]

I like that trusty S&W on the right.

Watch out for (used) factory magazines with those. I think they didn't wear/age well. New or aftermarket seemed OK with my 3913 and my "matching" Camp 9 gun.

 

[shortyb]

If price is not a huge concern, for the purposes of having a full size 9mm, that is not a glock or a glock copy.........I recommend the USP in 9mm

LOVE the USPs. Have a 40S&W in my arsenal and it is a fantastic defensive piece.

 

[shortyb]

Old revolvers and most of the old iron you would be correct.

But the first gen Bodyguard .380 and a lot of revolvers sold in the teens had real problems.
From pins coming out while firing to triggers completely locking up those guns were complete garbage. The revolvers had mangled forcing cones, huge cylinder gaps to triggers that were near unmoveable.

Now it looks like BG .380 2.0 is having some issues as well: https://smith-wessonforum.com/smith...uard-2-0-issues-some-potential-solutions.html

The Bodyguards ARE garbage. However, the Shield, especially in 2.0 and Plus guise are some of the best, most reliable small semis I have ever used.

 

[burbguy82]

LOVE the USPs. Have a 40S&W in my arsenal and it is a fantastic defensive piece.

IMO the best ever. The original was in .40 so one in 9mm or even 45 is less taxed. It was an still is an offensive gun.

 

[shortyb]

I can't speak for S&W autos as I own and carry revolvers only since retiring from active LEO duty. But I can say without a doubt that S&W quality with regard to their revolvers is abysmal. Pick a category, barrels not clocked straight, fail to fire (with factory ammo), MIM internal parts breaking, finish issues etc. I carried and trusted my life to S&W revolvers (still do, but nothing produced after 1970) and I'd buy a Taurus revolver before buying any Smith.

Same. My original issued duty model 64-3 HB (circa 1982) that my life and many other lives depended on. Heavily massaged now, but a great shooter right out of the box.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Old revolvers and most of the old iron you would be correct.

But the first gen Bodyguard .380 and a lot of revolvers sold in the teens had real problems.
From pins coming out while firing to triggers completely locking up those guns were complete garbage. The revolvers had mangled forcing cones, huge cylinder gaps to triggers that were near unmoveable.

Now it looks like BG .380 2.0 is having some issues as well: https://smith-wessonforum.com/smith...uard-2-0-issues-some-potential-solutions.html

I handled one of those BG 2.0 noisy crickets a couple weeks ago at a local shop. Had a hard time with some basic controls due to smallness, though over all ergos were not bad at all except the short trigger guard says "no gloves", Didn't like the break on the store gun, seemed crunchy with 2 steps but doesn't matter for intended use I suppose. Was thinking light deep EDC but that night I had a dream I fumbled and dropped the plastic- fantastic which broke into three pieces that I was furiously trying to put back together like humpty dumpty before I was come upon. Woke up and said to myself - So that's a NO!

Range (maybe even HD) - Kel-Tec PMR 30 in .22 WMR it's got a good pop to it. sort of a lost star wars prop look about it though

If you don't mind stuff from somewhere Asia

some guys seem to like their CANIK TP 9 SF or, for carry one of their METE. Personally I have never handled one.

Happy New Year Guys! but already sad about the New Orleans tragedy

 

[Ranger83]

 

[Cropduster172]

Same. My original issued duty model 64-3 HB (circa 1982) that my life and many other lives depended on. Heavily massaged now, but a great shooter right out of the box.
View attachment 256885

Our department/State issued was the 66. First one I got going through NJSP Academy only clicked once in double action. They quickly replaced it. Had to keep the issued Pachmyr Presentation grips on it though...which was fine with me.

Not mine but identical: