greatest rifle, handgun and shotgun and why.

[Patriot86]

This is like asking "Batman or Superman"

For me, a civilian who is interested in self defence and hunting:

Pistol: Sig Sauer P226, Accurate, reliable, high capacity, adaptable.

Rifle: AR-15, Reliable, inexpensive, easy to handle, accurate enough, adaptable for multiple uses by switching uppers.

Shotgun: I am a big fan of the Benelli Supernova as of late, IMO though the Mossberg 500 series, Remington 870 and Benelli Supernova all pretty much tie up up.

[AllenJ]

Pistol: Hands down the 1911. Over 100 years old and still going strong.

Rifle: Pre 64 Winchester Model 70. The riflemans rifle, nuff said

Shotgun: Remington 870 Wingmaster. Mostly because I grew up shooting one and still love it to this day.

[Rifleman1952]

Handgun, 1911: The basic design is still in use 100+ years after it was developed. I can't think of any other weapon that can make that claim. It has been (and is still) used by the military, law enforcement, and beloved by civilians around the world. If it were up to me, a likeness of John Browning would be on Mt Rushmore.

Rifle, M-1 Garand: It was the first semi-automatic rifle to be used by the vast majority of our soldiers and marines in WWII, and played a huge role in the Allies' victory. It is still quite popular today. (AR-15 & AK-47 are tied for second place)

[F23Blackwidow2]

The M1 Garand is the greatest battle implement ever designed be used NOTHING you would be shooting at that lives outside of Africa can survive a .30-06 because its not a 5.56, so you don't need 20 rounds to kill 4 people, you only need 8. And you can do it from a loooooooooong range.

The M1911 makes and impact. And it makes a BIG ONE! Why would you want 15 shots of 9mm when you can have 8 shots of .45? Think about it this way; would you rather be hit by a baseball traveling 100mph (think verlander), or a 18 lb bowling ball traveling 70 mph. Or put it this way; which one are you going to come back alive from?

So yes, I would rather go into combat decked out 1945 style then 2013 style. Because i can hit what I aim at, and I want it to go down when I do.

[PatientWolf]

To me, the word "greatest" carries with it a connotation of certain level of mystique and is different from the word "best", which could change the list and would become more of a "what I own" fan list. So here goes my attempt at a list of the "Greatest".

Rifle; sorry but I have a 4-way tie (in no order).
Winchester model 70
Winchester model 94
Springfield M1 Garand
Springfield 1903

Pistol: for me this one is simple.
Colt 1911

Shotgun:
This one goes to the Remington model 870,
(although the Mossberg was close due to the shear value and being a fantastic shotgun that anyone can afford).

[thedudeabides]

Rifle: Remington 700
Handgun: 1911
Shotgun: Remington 870

[Jager78]

Totally agree with Hawkeye on this one.

Colt 1911 (However for a polymer in .45ACP the HK45 is it)
Remington 700 (The Sako TRG-42 is awesome but bulky)
Remington 870 (For the money it beats any Mossbergs or Benellis)

Although he is talking about three firearms that are still being used today.
In the 1800's it would have been the Colt Peacemaker .45, Winchester 94 .30-30, and the Winchester 1897 12 Gauge Pump Shotgun.

Well I suppose that these are still being used today too.

+1 for the USA!~

[Tucker 1371]

Pistol is hands down the 1911, 100 year and kickin. Heck MARSOC (Marine Corps SF unit) just went back to it.

Rifle is trickier for me, for a bolt action Id say the Pre 64 model 70, for semiauto I'd say the Garand and M14 (not a whole lot of difference between the two other than the detachable mag and different cartridge).

Shotgun is the 870.

[brmfan]

HK USP Tactical .45
Remington 700 (pre Cerberus)
Remington 870

[MRYANJ99]

Tough one for sure

Handgun: whatever type of Glock you can shoot the best.

Rifle: Of the few rifles I have experience with, Ruger 10/22 has been my favorite

Shotgun: Mossberg 500

[Will Beararms]

Glock

870

AK 47

[AK71]

Sorry for the newbie question, but when some of you say just "1911" do you mean the design, the original maker, or a particular brand. I'm very interested in getting one and have only had a chance to hold a couple so far.

[MTGreen]

Sorry for the newbie question, but when some of you say just "1911" do you mean the design, the original maker, or a particular brand. I'm very interested in getting one and have only had a chance to hold a couple so far.

1911 without any other info would typically refer to the Colt .45 semi-automatic pistol that served as the US armed forces standard issue side arm from 1911 to 1985.

In the actual quotes above other manufactures may be intended, only the authors know for sure, but the presumption is Colt. Many manufactures make 1911 pistols.

[coachteet]

Rifle: AK47-- the ultimate peasants gun: reliability incarnate, and a nasty round fired out of 30rd mags.
Handgun: XDm 9mm-- 19+1 factory mags, match barrel, customizable grip, accurate, durable, reliable.
Shotgun: Mossberg 12 gauge 590 Mariner 20"-- 9rd capacity, durability, reliability.
Revolver: Any S&W or Colt 357: flexibility of caliber, plus it's not too big and not too small. Reliable, reliable, reliable.

It's just my opinion. But I value best bang for your buck things. I never buy the cheapest or most expensive anything.

[barnettamb]

Rifle- original Henry rifle or M1 Garand

Pistol- Colt "Peacemaker" or M1911

Shotgun- Winchester Model 12 or Remington 870

Best Cartridge- .30-06