Thread: Tasters' Choice: Fine Firearms

Morning, gents. Just figured I'd ask what everyone's favorite vintage (or new) firearms are.

My personal pride and joy is a 1938 Sigsauer K31 in a tiger-striped walnut stock with a 50's vintage Weaver K4 (4x fixed) scope. I've enjoyed playing around with loads and trying to find that magic number that will put 6 bullets through the same ragged hole. So far, the best groups I've been getting are in the 3/4" range, but I've had some flyers, thanks to a loose nut behind the stock. It's a pleasure to view, and a brute to fire, but I love it to death.


My number two choice is my 1918 Remington Armory Mosin Nagant M91. It's big. It's heavy. It's ugly. It's not refined. But it has a history that interests me without fail. At some point in its life, the rifle was in Finland ("G" proof stamp on the barrel, just below the rear sight), then it returned to the U.S. before '68 (no importer marks anywhere). However, it lost its stock, had to get a new magazine assembly from Izhevsk, ditched the cleaning rod and handguard, and picked up a bolt that had served in Poland, possibly during WWII (Polish armories stamped some of their captures/acquisitions with a "diamond-P"). I don't know if the rifle served as well, but wherever it was, it was used hard: the blueing is largely gone, and the barrel is pitted and overbore (mic's at .315" groove depth). Still, it shoots 1" groups with surplus ammo and iron sights at 100 yards.

So, any of you that want to post up what you have/love, feel free!

Here is my latest, a Browning Hi-Power with tangent sight and slotted backstrap for stock. Below that a S&W 357 magnum model 27-2 with a 5" bbl. Then a Winchester model of 1897 takedown riot shotgun made in 1940. A late '70s minty Colt Python 357 magnum. I could go on and on with other weapons but don't want to hog the thread.

Wow! Is the P-35 pre WWII or one with proof marks? I have never touched one of those. Nice, thanks for sharing.

Originally Posted by redrover66

Wow! Is the P-35 pre WWII or one with proof marks? I have never touched one of those. Nice, thanks for sharing.

No, that is a type 3 with the stronger cast frame and better safety release than the older pre type 2 models. It is one of the last mfgd and assembled in Belgium. More often they are mfgd in Belgium and assembled in Portugal. One way or the other they are great guns.

I don’t know if these qualify as fine but I do love the classics…

Sharps 1874
Marlin 1897
US Rifle Caliber 30 Model 1903
US Rifle Caliber 30 M1
Colt 1911A1 Light Weight Commander (Yes, I know it has a new-fangled aluminum frame but it was a the legacy of Marine Sgt Major so that makes it a classic.)

Semper circa,
LG Roy

Oh boy... gun porn !

When it comes to knives, incl. razors, I do have a bit of a collector bug. With firearms, my approach is way more utilitarian. I went through various platforms (BHP, SIG, XD, 1911...) before deciding on Glocks as go-to weapons for concealed carry and home defense. This G34 is my favorite, and has been equipped with a Trijicon red-dot sight.



One pair that I have kept in spite of never carrying them anymore are the HK P7 PSP's (2nd image) - they have a certain history associated with them, and I have not wanted or needed to sell them.



Finally, how can a man not own a S&W Model 66 (no-dash)? To me, the classic modern American wheelgun, a comforting presence and a .357 mag heavy hitter, I do still take this one out on occasion...



And then there's rifles. Here's another American classic that I recently acquired and dressed up a bit. Hope to take it hunting in the spring:

Everyone ought to own at least one 44 magnum IMHO. Here are two S&Ws and what about single actions ? Two Colt New Frontiers. The 5 1/2 tube is a 357mag and the 7 1/2 is a 44 spl.

Jimmy, no need to worry about hogging the thread. You've obviously got a lot of good-looking firearms, and there's no shame in showing them off! By all means, more is better. I have a Winchester '97 with the uberlong barrel (28" if memory serves) with the latest patent stamp being 1921. It is a super-tight choke that throws a fist-sized pattern at 40 yards. And that vaquero is beautiful. What kind of grips are those? Faux antler? I also like that Single-Six .22 you put last. Is it a magnum or LR? My Grandpappy has the .22LR version with a 12" barrel.

Hamburg0, I don't have a Model 66, rather a 4" 686 full underlug, 6-shot (didn't realize that the +1 model was available). It came equipped with the same knurled cherry finish grips, but I have put them in storage in favor of the more utilitarian Hogue monogrip.

Also, there is nothing wrong with liking the polymers like the H&K and the Glock. I have a Ruger KP95 that I absolutely love.

I also have a Czech military pistol Cz82 which has won a special place in my heart. It's rugged, ugly and heavy, but so am I...


Gentlemen, fine, FINE examples of boomstickery. Please keep it coming.

Sideline discussion: All you .357 shooters, what's your favorite load (factory, custom, home-brew, etc)? My personal favorite is the 158gr Hornady XTP over 5.3gr of Bullseye, but 8.5gr of BlueDot comes in a close second. These are more in the mild range, but they are deadly accurate. In fact, I was able to put six rounds into a 2" group at 30 yards from a rest.

Originally Posted by Library Guy

I don’t know if these qualify as fine but I do love the classics…

Sharps 1874
Marlin 1897
US Rifle Caliber 30 Model 1903
US Rifle Caliber 30 M1
Colt 1911A1 Light Weight Commander (Yes, I know it has a new-fangled aluminum frame but it was a the legacy of Marine Sgt Major so that makes it a classic.)

Semper circa,
LG Roy

I was gonna say "Pics or it NEVER HAPPENED!!1" but then I noticed that you have your Sharps '74 with tangent sight in your profile pic. However, more pictures would be appreciated, especially that '03.

Originally Posted by SonOf1337

Jimmy, no need to worry about hogging the thread. You've obviously got a lot of good-looking firearms, and there's no shame in showing them off! By all means, more is better. And that vaquero is beautiful. What kind of grips are those? Faux antler? I also like that Single-Six .22 you put last. Is it a magnum or LR?

Not a Vaquero or a single six. Both are 2nd generation Colt Single Action Army New Frontier centerfire revolvers. The short barrel is a 357 magnum with genuine stag grips. The longer barrel is a 44 special.