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What guns surprised you? Good or Bad.

8K views 56 replies 46 participants last post by  danelectro 
#1 ·
Life is a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get.

The famous Forest Gump quote was to imply how surprising life may be, how assumptions may not reflex reality.

Same hold true for guns, as we are often surprised by certain brands; good or bad. Many times we try out a gun based on recommendations, but our experiences can differ from the people who suggested them. In my short shooting history, I have had a few surprises, both good and bad.

Almost everyone I have talked to have had a Glock at some point. Near unanimous, Glock is the most popular manufacturer in the US, especially among military and law enforcement. I hated the feel of Glock, no matter how much I tried to like it. I shot both the 9mm and the .40, and hated them both. The grip feel is awful with the checkering; and the beaver tail pushes my grip hard and often. Shooting the Glock is as comfortable as receiving kisses from mother in laws. Same could be said about the Springfield XDM, the perceived Glock clone.

One gun I shot that was surprisingly smooth was the H&K P30. Have not thought much about the H&K products and hated the price tag, the P30 was incredibly awesome to shoot. The grip feel was light, just enough to provide decent grasp. The short trigger is perhaps the best I have experienced to date, with just the right weight for single or double action pull. Although my experience with the P30 can only be described as short and sweet, but will always be in my heart.

What guns surprised you, good and bad? Thank you for reading, have a good labor day.
 
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#2 ·
Sucks to be me, I can't like the Glocks either. Tried and tried and tried....I shoot 'em just fine and dandy but I hate 'em. And that surprises me actually.

The Springer XDS on the other hand I rather adore except that it punishes my hand worse than any gun I ever shot in .45 ACP and *that* surprised me as well. I love it but it just plain hurts to shoot. I'm likely gonna buy one anyway and fix the grip so it ain't so abrasive.

The third big surprise and the biggest pleasure was inheriting a Colt 1903 Model M in .32 ACP. Made in 1918 and not well preserved in terms of finish, the bore was perfect and it was tight and functional (and declared so by a competent pistol smith) so I took it to the range and I shot it because from the moment I handled it I had a yummy feeling in my soul.

Changed the whole way I look at handguns and revitalized a life long love of shooting sports and handguns that had been on hold for many years. I'm back in the saddle and shooting, collecting, and hand loading again soon because of this pistol.

VooDoo
 
#4 ·
I like Glocks and carry one on a regular basis as it is my primary carry sidearm; gen3 Glock 23 which I have modified to my preferences. I also like Smith and Wesson M&P's a lot and own four of them. I don't particularly care for XD's but I do own one. I don't hate any gun; doesn't make much sense to hate an inanimate object.

Guns that have surprised me. My M&P 15 Sport and my M&P 15-22. Both have exceeded my expectations and are sure keepers. My Kahr T9 is so pretty I refuse to carry it. It belongs in a frame, though it will stay in my safe. Once bought a Springfield 1911 short barrel and I didn't care for it at all. Got rid of it in short order. Also bought a P9 Kahr maybe ten years ago and didn't like it one bit. I love my K9 Elite '03 and my PM9 but that P9 was not for me.

There have been a boat load of others over the past 45 1/2 years of my gun culture existence. Too many to list. I have become a lot more discriminating in my purchases as a rule but still make mistakes at times. Or rather should I say, sudden purchases without prior thought and consideration. That sounds better than mistakes.
 
#5 ·
A Mauser C-96 "Broomhandle", (Dad) brought back from Germany , at the end of his tour with the 95th Infantry "Patton's 3rd Army"
Shoots O-K with Portuguese ammo ... the real deal. 7.63
Shoots horribly high... off of point of aim; with " Tokarev 7.62
 
#6 ·
Jean's Kel-Tec P3AT is both reliable and sufficiently accurate for self-defense purposes.
It was also as cheap as dirt.

Yes, there are things "wrong" with it, but they are detail—maybe even "cosmetic"—issues that do not affect its function.
We consider it to have been an outstanding bargain.
And, like both Jean and me, it's completely American made.
 
#7 ·
I was surprised how well the S&W 3913 shoots. It is a very accurate firearm and has become my go to gun on a day to day basis. I am don't like how the Glock shoots even though I have 8 of them. Yes they go bang every time I pull the trigger and I am combat accurate with it but if it don't shoot the head off a snake at 3 yards then I don't have much use for it.
 
#9 ·
Might be the wrong place since this is in the semi-auto forum, but here it is anyway. Pleasant surprise, although it shouldn't have been, how much I liked the Colt Python. As a hardcore S&W revolver fan, I really wanted not to like it, but it won me over with the first shot. My only regret was not buying one when they were still being made and prices were within reason. Big disappointment was an S&W Bodyguard 38spl. Pretty much a turd from day one. Factory couldn't fix it. Couldn't get rid of it fast enough.
 
#10 ·
The XDs surprised me with its accuracy and comparative pleasantness to shoot (compared to a Kahr K-40)

I was surprised at how well I was able to shoot my G20 at 25 yards, despite feeling like I was holding a 2x4.

I was surprised to find how accurate an AR-15 can be, with hand loaded ammo, a decent trigger, and good optics.

I was surprised to find out how much more I liked Benelli shotguns than anything I've ever owned, for dove hunting. (I still don't own one.)

I was surprised at how much CZ's impress me, and by how unimpressed I am with the Sigs and HK's I have handled.
 
#13 ·
Happy Surprise: Ruger SR1911 full size. Now this is the only 1911 I have ever fired so you might take this as ALL 1911 models. I ruled out the 1911 real early in my quest to buy one and only one (ever) semi-auto because I wanted a high capacity polymer beastie in 40 cal. The cost per bullet on the 1911 didn't make sense, the low capacity was a problem, plus it was an 'old fart' gun. Then I rented one. A week later I bought the same model. Where do I get an 'old fart' application? I don't think I need to explain the overall effect of a 1911 - y'all know what I mean. I am totally on board with all the 1911 respect.

Unhappy surprise: FN FNX-40. Looks awesome, packs 14+1 of 40, goes boom every time, has all the stuff I (thought) I wanted - whats not to love? Well, the nerve damage it gave me after 100 rounds because it fits so poorly into my mutant hands wasn't so cool. The curve of the back handle is wide and hits the base of my thumb wrong, so that lovely gun will get sold.


edit - it made funnies out of the word f a r t. Silly interwebs.
 
#15 ·
Might be the wrong place since this is in the semi-auto forum, but here it is anyway. Pleasant surprise, although it shouldn't have been, how much I liked the Colt Python. As a hardcore S&W revolver fan, I really wanted not to like it, but it won me over with the first shot. My only regret was not buying one when they were still being made and prices were within reason. Big disappointment was an S&W Bodyguard 38spl. Pretty much a turd from day one. Factory couldn't fix it. Couldn't get rid of it fast enough.
In my opinion, the Colt Python was the best looking DA revolver ever made.
 
#16 ·
Happy Surprise: Ruger SR1911 full size. Now this is the only 1911 I have ever fired so you might take this as ALL 1911 models. I ruled out the 1911 real early in my quest to buy one and only one (ever) semi-auto because I wanted a high capacity polymer beastie in 40 cal. The cost per bullet on the 1911 didn't make sense, the low capacity was a problem, plus it was an 'old fart' gun. Then I rented one. A week later I bought the same model. Where do I get an 'old fart' application? I don't think I need to explain the overall effect of a 1911 - y'all know what I mean. I am totally on board with all the 1911 respect.

Unhappy surprise: FN FNX-40. Looks awesome, packs 14+1 of 40, goes boom every time, has all the stuff I (thought) I wanted - whats not to love? Well, the nerve damage it gave me after 100 rounds because it fits so poorly into my mutant hands wasn't so cool. The curve of the back handle is wide and hits the base of my thumb wrong, so that lovely gun will get sold.

edit - it made funnies out of the word f a r t. Silly interwebs.
I was at a range yesterday where I am a member and saw my first Ruger 1911. One of the shooters had one and it was nice. He let me dry fire it. It did have some work done on it but it was a sweet 1911.
 
#17 ·
I kinda' like the CZ's, I have 3 the CZ 75 Compact, P01 and CZ 40 P they seem to fit my hand like a glove, and are reasonably priced, I also have a Kimber "Super Carry Pro" 4 inch barrel with rounded grip frame, great feel, fun to shoot. Also have a Sig P229 .40 Equinox, a little bulky for a .40 but it's well made and shoots and looks great, same for my 92 SF Beretta Inox 9mm. I at one time swore I'd never buy a Glock, went out and bought a Gen4 G26 and was so impressed I bought a G30 two days later, don't know what came over me but I just hadda' have one. But my all time favorite is my Kahr MK40 all stainless, love the size, quality, and weight although to some a bit heavy for such a small gun. I guess it's my favorite as I've carried it every day since I bought it.
 
#18 ·
Yup...something weird has happened in my brain having shot an XDS in .45 and researched them/learned to love them. Today I shot a Glock G26 9mm that belongs to a Gun Buddy whose XDS 9mm is being fixed in the recall. he was so upset and lonely for a similar pistol that he bought a used G26. I'm now hooked...it's the first Glock I ever handled and then shot and said "Hmmmm...I have *GoT* to get me one of these!"

So from a Glock "Meh" to a Glock "WoW!" in like a matter of weeks.

And yup, I'm really, really surprised. And pleased.

VooDoo
 
#19 ·
I bought a Ruger Single Six years ago because the price was right, never wanted one. Now 30 some years later it's been my holster gun for 20 years. It's shot rabbits, several rattle snakes, don't know how many tin cans. Great little gun. My biggest bad surprise was a S&W Model 24 bought new in the mid 80s. Sent it back 3 times trying to get it corrected. Finally traded it and a 1100 shot gun for a Python.
 
#20 ·
Well, first of all, I'm a sixgunner from 'way back, have had little to do with the autoloaders. Not that I've not had the experience.

I reckon the one pistol that surprised me was an AMT (I think) auto pistol in .30 Carbine. I was at a public range one day and a shooter there offered to let me fire off a little from his pistol. I had seen him firing and knew it had a pretty good "bark" when fired.

I loaded a magazine into the pistol and sighted on my target maybe fifty yards away. This pistol hardly moved under recoil, more from the slide cycling than the bullet firing. And the bullet got there in a hurry!

The .30 Carbine is as much fun as a .22 autoloader, and plenty flat shooting.

Bob Wright
 
#23 ·
Ruger LCP. Been looking for one at a reasonable price for quite a while. Finally located one with extra mags, Fobus holster, soft case. Bought it. Took it to the range and ran 50 rounds through it. Gun worked fine but it's very uncomfortable to shoot. Being so small and with such a short grip, I could not get a comfortable feeling with it in the hand. I have arthritis and it was pretty uncomfortable to shoot, much more so than the Bersa Thunders and Ruger P95 that I also have. It's going to be for sale shortly.
 
#24 ·
I got to shoot an FNP9 awhile back and was very impressed at how accurate and comfortable it was. It hit right to point of aim every time.
I bought 2 HSc 380 Mauser pistols over the years. First was a German Mauser, Interarms import, 70's vintage. It jammed alot, until the trigger bar broke. I traded it at a loss. Years later I bought an Italian made version, a Gamba product. It never broke, but it jammed more then the Mauser model. I guess I wasn't destined to own an HSc.
 
#25 ·
ALL three of my Glock pistols surprised me. Why? Because none of them worked when they were brand new! The two G-21's were, 'kaBoom!' specials that were very dangerous to shoot with any higher end self-defense ammo. It took a joint lawsuit by both the Portland Police Bureau, and the Georgia State Patrol before Glock, GmbH/Inc. finally admitted that there was, indeed, something seriously wrong with their G-21 pistols, stopped BS' ing everybody, and got around to actually fixing the problem. (If they hadn't my, now, superlatively handling G-21's still wouldn't be working safely.)

As for my G-19(RTF-2)? I've finally got it ejecting OK; but I doubt that it'll ever be anywhere near as good as either of my G-21's. (Only cost me an additional $300 some-odd dollars in order to bring it to the level of trouble-free performance that it enjoys, today!)

What pleasantly surprised me about these Glock pistols is that - once I finally had them up and running - they are utterly reliable, straight shooting guns.

Yes, life is definitely surprising! When I was a boy I never dreamed (nor did anyone else) that I'd be living in the modern, thoroughly homogenized, and socialist America that we, all, exist in today. Some mornings I get up out of bed, turn on, 'the news'; and the place seems like a foreign country! When I was a young man there were no drugs in schools, only the people out west carried guns; and there were no popularized mass shootings, no illegal immigrants (to speak of), and everybody still believed in God and went to either church or synagogue on weekends.

NOT TRUE ANYMORE, THOUGH!

My active-duty US Marine Corps, 'uncles' began teaching me how to shoot when I was only nine years old. In those days, there was no such thing as a, 'comfortable gun'. You took whatever firearm you were handed, and hit the target with it. I guess this is, 'Why' I've never had any problem physically adjusting to a, 'blocky Glock'. I still shoot whatever I'm handed and leave things at that. Perhaps I should mention to you, though, that a Glock handles much better if you put a Hogue, 'HandAll' rubber grip sleeve on it.

What a horrible thought! Why would I ever want to kiss my dearly beloved mother-in-law? (You know the clever old woman who once gave my physically gorgeous wife a set of lovely flannel nightgowns to wear to bed at night - She was so thoughtful of my wife's good health! To this very day I still don't know, quite, how to thank the woman!)

Personally, I don't like shooting any H&K pistol for an extended period of time. The narrower backstraps just dig into my hand too much. If you like H&K's, 'LEM' triggers then you should try one of SIG's short-throw, 'DAK' triggers! (Perceptively better!)
 
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