Near-to-zero maintenance pistol?

simonrichter · February 2, 2013, 08:21 AM

Assuming you have to pick a pistol knowing that you will have no access to professional maintenance in the future (e.g. a disaster / "dystopia" scenario), so the thing should just WORK w/o being revised by any gunmaker or other professional for many years and thousands of rounds - what making would you choose?

With "just WORK" I mean I'd be content the thing is going boom when I pull the trigger, but I shouldn't need any bells and whistles added, figuratively spoken.

Again I'm talking pistol, knowing that within that assumption of course a wheelgun would be te better choice...

jaytothekizzay · February 2, 2013, 08:27 AM

Glock... like it or not

simonrichter · February 2, 2013, 08:48 AM

if it's Glock, I'd be fine with it since I already own a G17

sarge1967 · February 2, 2013, 09:12 AM

Smith and Wesson revolver or M&P Auto series. Ruger revolvers are tanks as well.

Ben Towe · February 2, 2013, 09:13 AM

Glock or XD/XDm.

TXAZ · February 2, 2013, 09:19 AM

+1 M&P.
Also ensure your using a clean burning, non corrosive ammo.

Rainbow Demon · February 2, 2013, 09:34 AM

A SAA. Theres not a internal part nor spring in that design that I couldn't make a replacement for with a minimum of hand tools.
The 1851 Navy was demonstrated to remain functional with most of its parts missing, the SAA shares some of that ability.

vba · February 2, 2013, 09:35 AM

I guess your homegrown pistol the Glock in your case.

JimPage · February 2, 2013, 09:39 AM

Any Ruger single action, 357 magnum. Versatile for heavy magnum rounds to lighter 38 spcl wadcutters. Tank like tough!

simonrichter · February 2, 2013, 11:22 AM

quite obvious that revolvers would suit better, but I'm talking PISTOLS here

spanishjames · February 2, 2013, 11:25 AM

Revolvers are pistols. You mean a semi-auto pistol.

simonrichter · February 2, 2013, 12:07 PM

I do, yes.

shafter · February 2, 2013, 12:24 PM

I wouldn't count on any mechanical device to last for years with no maintenance. I'd say a Glock would be a good choice for something low maintenance however. Or any Ruger double or single action.

Nanuk · February 2, 2013, 12:39 PM

Considering that Mr Murphy is alive and well and that any mechanical device can fail in the strangest ways, I say Glock.

Dragline45 · February 2, 2013, 12:54 PM

There isn't just one answer to this. Nowawdays there are plenty of reliable auto's on the market. Pick which one fits you the best, buy a bunch of spare parts and springs, learn how to disassemble it, and that gun will run forever.

There is no gun that will 100% run for years on end with no maintenance needed. You might get lucky and never have to fix or change anything in the pistol, or you might need to replace a part here and there. Point is, I wouldn't let near-to-zero maintenance as you say be the deciding factor on what pistol to buy, as almost inevitably with constant use the pistol will need some work done to it, whether it needs a new spring, extractor, etc..

PatientWolf · February 2, 2013, 12:58 PM

I'd also lean toward materials like composites and SS.

**Mike Irwin** · February 2, 2013, 01:04 PM

My primary choice would be a Smith & Wesson Model 28 with a 4" barrel.

Or a Glock-type semi-auto, or something in soulless steel or hard chrome.

LockedBreech · February 2, 2013, 01:12 PM

Either a Glock with np3+ or NIBX treatment over the Tenifer, or a Ruger GP-100.

The Great Mahoo · February 2, 2013, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Assuming you have to pick a pistol knowing that you will have no access to professional maintenance in the future (e.g. a disaster / "dystopia" scenario), so the thing should just WORK w/o being revised by any gunmaker or other professional

Frankly, I expect pretty much all of my guns to function with out any "professional maintenance". Pretty much any gun on the market fits that, too. Just some regular cleaning and minor upkeep with keep most things running no problem. Everyone should be familiar with their personal firearms enough to break them down, clean them, and put them back together.

Assuming we narrow this down to the point of very little in the way of general maintenance, such as having no cleaning kit, oil or tools, then I'd had to say something along the lines of a Glock, M&P, or XD.

1hogfan83 · February 2, 2013, 02:07 PM

Wow. No HK, I would defiantly go for the HK. Even SIG before before a block, I mean Glock.

rodfac · February 2, 2013, 02:29 PM

Geez, I hate to admit it....but a Glock, most any Glock...but I can't really say that the polymer part of the gun will hold up forever...my vote goes for Glock's seeming ability to run without mx or cleaning for long periods of use...in my G19, I've put over 600 rounds through it without touching it at all...my 1911's will not do that.

For indestructibility of parts, I'd vote for one of the Ruger Single Actions...a stainless one to negate the rust issue, at that.

Rod

chris in va · February 2, 2013, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Join Date: December 3, 2011
Location: Austria
Posts: 81

Why do I sense this might be a troll?

g.willikers · February 2, 2013, 02:55 PM

Yeah, if it has moving parts, it can break.
Including Glocks.
I've had front sight and extractor failures with Glock.
1911s seem to hold up about as good as anything else and better than most.
At least the all steel ones.

481 · February 2, 2013, 03:22 PM

I think that Glock, HK, SIG, and S&W autopistols are all capable of being successful 'near-zero' maintenance pistols.

**JohnKSa** · February 2, 2013, 03:35 PM

Moved to Semi-Autos based on OP's comment in posts #10 & #12.

February 2, 2013, 08:48 AM	#3
simonrichter Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Location: Austria Posts: 758	if it's Glock, I'd be fine with it since I already own a G17 __________________ "Get off of my lawn!" Walt Kowalski . ISSC PAR .223

February 2, 2013, 09:13 AM	#5
Ben Towe Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2009 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 1,128	Glock or XD/XDm. __________________ 'Merica: Back to back World War Champs

February 2, 2013, 09:19 AM	#6
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	+right Ammo +1 M&P. Also ensure your using a clean burning, non corrosive ammo. __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

February 2, 2013, 09:39 AM	#9
JimPage Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2010 Location: Rome, NY Posts: 941	Any Ruger single action, 357 magnum. Versatile for heavy magnum rounds to lighter 38 spcl wadcutters. Tank like tough! __________________ Jim Page Cogito, ergo armatum sum

February 2, 2013, 11:25 AM	#11
spanishjames Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2010 Posts: 553	Revolvers are pistols. You mean a semi-auto pistol. __________________ Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." -Sydney J. Harris

February 2, 2013, 08:21 AM	#1
simonrichter Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Location: Austria Posts: 758	Near-to-zero maintenance pistol? Assuming you have to pick a pistol knowing that you will have no access to professional maintenance in the future (e.g. a disaster / "dystopia" scenario), so the thing should just WORK w/o being revised by any gunmaker or other professional for many years and thousands of rounds - what making would you choose? With "just WORK" I mean I'd be content the thing is going boom when I pull the trigger, but I shouldn't need any bells and whistles added, figuratively spoken. Again I'm talking pistol, knowing that within that assumption of course a wheelgun would be te better choice... __________________ "Get off of my lawn!" Walt Kowalski . ISSC PAR .223

February 2, 2013, 08:27 AM	#2
jaytothekizzay Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2008 Location: st. louis Posts: 450	Glock... like it or not

February 2, 2013, 09:12 AM	#4
sarge1967 Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Posts: 16	Smith and Wesson revolver or M&P Auto series. Ruger revolvers are tanks as well.

February 2, 2013, 09:34 AM	#7
Rainbow Demon Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2012 Posts: 397	A SAA. Theres not a internal part nor spring in that design that I couldn't make a replacement for with a minimum of hand tools. The 1851 Navy was demonstrated to remain functional with most of its parts missing, the SAA shares some of that ability.

February 2, 2013, 09:35 AM	#8
vba Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2008 Posts: 357	I guess your homegrown pistol the Glock in your case.

February 2, 2013, 11:22 AM	#10
simonrichter Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Location: Austria Posts: 758	quite obvious that revolvers would suit better, but I'm talking PISTOLS here __________________ "Get off of my lawn!" Walt Kowalski . ISSC PAR .223

February 2, 2013, 12:07 PM	#12
simonrichter Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Location: Austria Posts: 758	I do, yes. __________________ "Get off of my lawn!" Walt Kowalski . ISSC PAR .223

February 2, 2013, 12:24 PM	#13
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	I wouldn't count on any mechanical device to last for years with no maintenance. I'd say a Glock would be a good choice for something low maintenance however. Or any Ruger double or single action.

February 2, 2013, 12:39 PM	#14
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	Considering that Mr Murphy is alive and well and that any mechanical device can fail in the strangest ways, I say Glock. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

February 2, 2013, 12:54 PM	#15
Dragline45 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Posts: 3,513	There isn't just one answer to this. Nowawdays there are plenty of reliable auto's on the market. Pick which one fits you the best, buy a bunch of spare parts and springs, learn how to disassemble it, and that gun will run forever. There is no gun that will 100% run for years on end with no maintenance needed. You might get lucky and never have to fix or change anything in the pistol, or you might need to replace a part here and there. Point is, I wouldn't let near-to-zero maintenance as you say be the deciding factor on what pistol to buy, as almost inevitably with constant use the pistol will need some work done to it, whether it needs a new spring, extractor, etc..

February 2, 2013, 12:58 PM	#16
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 947	I'd also lean toward materials like composites and SS.

February 2, 2013, 01:04 PM	#17
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	My primary choice would be a Smith & Wesson Model 28 with a 4" barrel. Or a Glock-type semi-auto, or something in soulless steel or hard chrome. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 2, 2013, 01:12 PM	#18
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Rocky Mountain West Posts: 3,395	Either a Glock with np3+ or NIBX treatment over the Tenifer, or a Ruger GP-100. __________________ 16 Pistols, 5 Rifles, 1 Shotgun, no time to shoot them

February 2, 2013, 02:07 PM	#20
1hogfan83 Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2011 Location: Fayetteville AR Posts: 420	Wow. No HK, I would defiantly go for the HK. Even SIG before before a block, I mean Glock. __________________ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe—and shudder. James 2:19 "I do not fear the man that practices ten thousand kicks one time, I fear the man that practices one kick ten thousand times." Bruce Lee

February 2, 2013, 02:29 PM	#21
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	Geez, I hate to admit it....but a Glock, most any Glock...but I can't really say that the polymer part of the gun will hold up forever...my vote goes for Glock's seeming ability to run without mx or cleaning for long periods of use...in my G19, I've put over 600 rounds through it without touching it at all...my 1911's will not do that. For indestructibility of parts, I'd vote for one of the Ruger Single Actions...a stainless one to negate the rust issue, at that. Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

February 2, 2013, 02:55 PM	#23
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Yeah, if it has moving parts, it can break. Including Glocks. I've had front sight and extractor failures with Glock. 1911s seem to hold up about as good as anything else and better than most. At least the all steel ones. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

February 2, 2013, 03:22 PM	#24
481 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Posts: 540	I think that Glock, HK, SIG, and S&W autopistols are all capable of being successful 'near-zero' maintenance pistols. __________________ QUANTITATIVE AMMUNITION SELECTION

February 2, 2013, 03:35 PM	#25
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,986	Moved to Semi-Autos based on OP's comment in posts #10 & #12. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?