What's your favorite handgun brand?

Tool · January 8, 2025, 08:04 PM

What is your favorite handgun brand and which handgun is your favorite within that brand?

To me, it is HK. I love HKs because they are accurate, rugged, and dependable. Of all the HK handguns, my favorite one is P2000. It is just the right size.

BJung · January 8, 2025, 09:24 PM

Browning HP because it fits my hand.

bac1023 · January 8, 2025, 09:29 PM

Is there a price limit on this thread too?

The last thread you started, you completely neutered after the fact.

Tool · January 8, 2025, 09:56 PM

How about <$1500?

The Happy kaboomer · January 8, 2025, 11:30 PM

Smith & Wesson....Ruger.....Colt.....Sig

wild cat mccane · January 9, 2025, 10:41 AM

In auto handguns, there are two that immediately stand out as being the bottom: Ruger and Kel Tec.

Neither have serious sidearms that are agency or military used. Both have examples of light rust oxide finishes that are the worst.

LCP probably kept the handgun brand alive for Ruger. RXM will be a flash for a bit, but Glock isnt exactly top choice anymore.

Meh.

Shadow9mm · January 9, 2025, 11:56 AM

Glock, G19

For me I have tons of training time time with Glock, they are simple and easy to work on/maintain, and they are reliable. For me it fits my needs, and I really appreciate a gun that is so easy to work on.

With that said there are lots of great manufacturers and pistols available these days, as long as its reliable its all down to personal preference.

I will say my least favorite brand it kel-tek, they feel cheap and neither of the 2 I had over the years was reliable.

Drm50 · January 9, 2025, 12:02 PM

DA revolver ….S&W….Model 17
SA revolver……Ruger…Super Blackhawk
Autoloader…….Browning…High Power

All 3 categories don’t include newer models. None of them have the fit and finish they once had. I don’t have plastics & pot metal.

TunnelRat · January 9, 2025, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild cat mccane

In auto handguns, there are two that immediately stand out as being the bottom: Ruger and Kel Tec.

Neither have serious sidearms that are agency or military used. Both have examples of light rust oxide finishes that are the worst.

LCP probably kept the handgun brand alive for Ruger. RXM will be a flash for a bit, but Glock isnt exactly top choice anymore.

Meh.

Lol, you really are on a kick aren’t you? You didn’t actually answer the OP’s question.

I don’t have a favorite brand anymore, though HK was once my “favorite”. There are a number of manufacturers that I think put out reasonable products.

paknheat · January 9, 2025, 01:16 PM

I suppose if I had to say a favorite brand it would be S&W.

I have a lot of training time on their revolvers, and although I have a ton of training time on the Glock I prefer the M&P pistol.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

wild cat mccane · January 9, 2025, 01:26 PM

I mean, no brand has similar guns across multiple calibers except S&W and Sig.

So saying brand is kinda...meh. If you don't mean the P320 or M&P in their multiple specs and calibers, not one brand has one similar like 1 gun than another has it in something else.

JBB · January 9, 2025, 01:43 PM

All of them. LOL

trophyrider · January 9, 2025, 03:00 PM

Probably Smith & Wesson if you were totaling the brands I own. I have 4 different models of M&Ps and a couple of their 1911s.

TunnelRat · January 9, 2025, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild cat mccane

I mean, no brand has similar guns across multiple calibers except S&W and Sig.

Why does that matter for this question?

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild cat mccane

not one brand has one similar like 1 gun than another has it in something else.

This is incoherent.

Schlitz 45 · January 9, 2025, 03:34 PM

Volcanic Arms

jmr40 · January 9, 2025, 04:06 PM

I've tried to hate them but keep coming back to Glock. And I've tried just about all of them. Some costing twice what a Glock costs, and some 1/2 what a Glock costs.

I have several in 9mm , 40, 10mm, and 45 but the G19 is the best all-around and would be my pick if limited to just one.

wild cat mccane · January 9, 2025, 04:20 PM

Meaning, how can someone honestly say they love one manufacturer more than another that isn't just proxy to listing someone's favorite SINGLE gun, not the maker. The question was maker.

Ruger as their top handgun manufacturer? They manufacturer the LCP, EC9...and a new one. There is no commonality or space to quantify a good reason.

Springfield has the Echolan and the Hellcat. That's enough to say they are a favorite maker?

HK because the VP9/P30 (exact same function with one not being deprecated yet) are great...and end there. You've just labeled your two favorite guns. Not manufacturer.

Unless you pick Glock, S&W, or Sig, there is no exact same gun across size and calibers both a options in many variants and different usages (P226 Nitron, Elite, Legion, X-Five for example).

It does make sense to say a favorite manufacturer without a criteria, but by far the cheapest quality guns come from Kel Tec, Ruger, and DiamondBack. That you can easily quantify and is more informational than my favorite is Alien or CZ or Phoenix.

Being pedantic, just not sure the point. There are like 10 makers that all make 100% reliable guns you'll find at ever single store. None are actually bad.

GHOL · January 9, 2025, 04:31 PM

My favorite is a CZ Shadow 2. Shoots well up to 70 odd yards and few others come close to its reliability and or functionality. My XD is good but alas no a patch on the CZ.

44caliberkid · January 9, 2025, 05:48 PM

Smith & Wesson revolvers, favorite is a Model 29, -2 or older. But since you are asking in the semiauto forum, I’ll say my Coonan 357. I have little interest in modern semiautos, I like the Canik SPFX and have a Glock 40 (10mm) which has been largely disappointing. No more black plastic pistols and safe triggers for me, I’ll stick with 1911s.

TunnelRat · January 9, 2025, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild cat mccane

Meaning, how can someone honestly say they love one manufacturer more than another that isn't just proxy to listing someone's favorite SINGLE gun, not the maker. The question was maker.

Ruger as their top handgun manufacturer? They manufacturer the LCP, EC9...and a new one. There is no commonality or space to quantify a good reason.

Springfield has the Echolan and the Hellcat. That's enough to say they are a favorite maker?

HK because the VP9/P30 (exact same function with one not being deprecated yet) are great...and end there. You've just labeled your two favorite guns. Not manufacturer.

Unless you pick Glock, S&W, or Sig, there is no exact same gun across size and calibers both a options in many variants and different usages (P226 Nitron, Elite, Legion, X-Five for example).

It does make sense to say a favorite manufacturer without a criteria, but by far the cheapest quality guns come from Kel Tec, Ruger, and DiamondBack. That you can easily quantify and is more informational than my favorite is Alien or CZ or Phoenix.

Being pedantic, just not sure the point. There are like 10 makers that all make 100% reliable guns you'll find at ever single store. None are actually bad.

To an extent I think this is fair (thank you for taking the time to write that out and expand on your earlier, limited response). I said something similar above in terms of a number of manufacturers putting out good products.

The only place where I would disagree is from your explanation a person would seemingly have to own all of the models of a given manufacturer across multiple manufacturers to have a favorite manufacturer. That seems overly stringent from my view. I think you can own a number of firearms from a manufacturer and have an opinion of a manufacturer, which is really what I think is being asked here. I think a person could also have a favorite manufacturer based on the nature or main thrust of the products put out by that manufacturer and how it aligns with their own interests. That said I would agree that favorite firearm rather than manufacturer is probably more informative.

PzGren · January 9, 2025, 07:01 PM

I do not have a favorite handgun brand, regardless of price. All I required of a gun all my life is that it is able to shoot accurately enough to make master. I am settling for expert in my old age and most guns can perform well enough for that.

I care for quality and expect good handling, a grip that fits me and a decent enough trigger for speed and accuracy. Is there one manufacturer that has made only great guns? H&K came up with the HK4, the P7, the terrible VP70, and the P9S that may have been great at the time but a Canik or Tisas can do the same.

Bentonville · January 10, 2025, 05:46 PM

HK

lunger · January 10, 2025, 07:57 PM

I would say Smith and Wesson.

As to my favorite it changes often. Since this is the Semi Auto Forum, I am currently having an affair with the Bodyguard 2.0 .

BourbonCowboy · January 10, 2025, 08:24 PM

I care for quality and expect good handling, a grip that fits me and a decent enough trigger for speed and accuracy.

I agree with this. And HK's P-series and VP series checks all the boxes.

bamaranger · January 11, 2025, 01:29 PM

OK, so we're commenting on "brand" and posted in the autopistol forum. At the risk of sounding like a politician, the issue comes down to what is the definition, or how does one determine "favorite"? I'll add that use of the word brand as opposed to simply firearm, implies that you own or have owned more than one. Finally, maker or manufacturer seems a better word than brand, but that is likely just me.

Right, so now that rant is over let me think...OK, I have more Glocks than any other single make of handgun. Oddly enough, I didn't plan on that. Opportunities arose to purchase my Glocks at good prices and I did. The only one I bought new with a specific purpose was a G34 as I intended to shoot a bunch of IDPA. The Biden ammo/component shortage knocked that in the head, but I still have the G34. Glocks are affordable, even now. They are arguably the most durable and reliable handgun. But I hate the triggers, I hate the sights and I think they are ugly. Glock makes all sorts of other products, but no other firearms. ....just their pistols. Glock is not my favorite, despite them winning my numbers game.

So what is my favorite semi pistol "brand"? Ya 'know, I wanna say Colt. It's a US company, the gun is still made here. The 1911 has persisted for over 100 years. None of it's contemporaries are still in production. Even today, the design is widely copied and the affordable import versions sell like hotcakes. The pistol is available in a variety of calibers and models There's the whole "two world wars" thing and the connection to LE for many decades. Today they are made with useable sights and the triggers, even on the import guns, are very good. The 1911 is a handsome pistol. But there are no other Colt semi pistols in production, the Woodsman is gone and the various vintage guns are long gone as well. I keep holding my breath for Colt to go the path of Winchester or Remington.

I have a ton of training time with the SIG P-series. Many rounds fired and I even have an assortment of parts and an armorers certificate. When i was working I even competed with the P220. I own a couple of examples of the P-series and have my eyes out for a reasonable honest to gosh P228. All in my experience were reliable and spooky accurate. But the SIG was forced on me as a duty gun. I never fully warmed up to them, and once retired, the big SIG went to the back of the safe where it remains. The P230 still sees daylight, primarily because it's stainless, but .380 leaves me cold. SIG is not my favorite.

I have more RUGER firearms in my armory than any other manufacturer. They made a variety of niche guns that I happened to like, and I am still in the market for some of their discontinued long guns. They are a US company, healthy, profitable. Their product line is well rounded with a variety of firearms of all types. Their customer service is very good. Despite their tendency to discontinue my favorites and not support them I still like the company. They make a passable copy of the 1911 and their basic .22 auto pistol is a classic. I may shoot that standard .22 auto more than any pistol I own. For me.....it's Ruger.

January 8, 2025, 08:04 PM	#1
Tool Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2024 Posts: 202	What's your favorite handgun brand? What is your favorite handgun brand and which handgun is your favorite within that brand? To me, it is HK. I love HKs because they are accurate, rugged, and dependable. Of all the HK handguns, my favorite one is P2000. It is just the right size.

January 9, 2025, 10:41 AM	#6
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,870	In auto handguns, there are two that immediately stand out as being the bottom: Ruger and Kel Tec. Neither have serious sidearms that are agency or military used. Both have examples of light rust oxide finishes that are the worst. LCP probably kept the handgun brand alive for Ruger. RXM will be a flash for a bit, but Glock isnt exactly top choice anymore. Meh. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

January 9, 2025, 11:56 AM	#7
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 4,603	Glock, G19 For me I have tons of training time time with Glock, they are simple and easy to work on/maintain, and they are reliable. For me it fits my needs, and I really appreciate a gun that is so easy to work on. With that said there are lots of great manufacturers and pistols available these days, as long as its reliable its all down to personal preference. I will say my least favorite brand it kel-tek, they feel cheap and neither of the 2 I had over the years was reliable. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload. Last edited by Shadow9mm; January 9, 2025 at 12:15 PM.

January 9, 2025, 01:26 PM	#11
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,870	I mean, no brand has similar guns across multiple calibers except S&W and Sig. So saying brand is kinda...meh. If you don't mean the P320 or M&P in their multiple specs and calibers, not one brand has one similar like 1 gun than another has it in something else. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

January 9, 2025, 04:06 PM	#16
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,976	I've tried to hate them but keep coming back to Glock. And I've tried just about all of them. Some costing twice what a Glock costs, and some 1/2 what a Glock costs. I have several in 9mm , 40, 10mm, and 45 but the G19 is the best all-around and would be my pick if limited to just one. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

January 8, 2025, 09:24 PM	#2
BJung Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2019 Posts: 849	Browning HP because it fits my hand.

January 8, 2025, 09:29 PM	#3
bac1023 Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 1,214	Is there a price limit on this thread too? The last thread you started, you completely neutered after the fact.

January 8, 2025, 09:56 PM	#4
Tool Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2024 Posts: 202	How about <$1500?

January 8, 2025, 11:30 PM	#5
The Happy kaboomer Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Posts: 298	Smith & Wesson....Ruger.....Colt.....Sig

January 9, 2025, 12:02 PM	#8
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,500	DA revolver ….S&W….Model 17 SA revolver……Ruger…Super Blackhawk Autoloader…….Browning…High Power All 3 categories don’t include newer models. None of them have the fit and finish they once had. I don’t have plastics & pot metal.

January 9, 2025, 01:16 PM	#10
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 384	I suppose if I had to say a favorite brand it would be S&W. I have a lot of training time on their revolvers, and although I have a ton of training time on the Glock I prefer the M&P pistol. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

January 9, 2025, 01:43 PM	#12
JBB Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: SW Florida Posts: 113	All of them. LOL

January 9, 2025, 03:00 PM	#13
trophyrider Member Join Date: October 10, 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 63	Probably Smith & Wesson if you were totaling the brands I own. I have 4 different models of M&Ps and a couple of their 1911s.

January 9, 2025, 03:34 PM	#15
Schlitz 45 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2018 Location: Colorado Posts: 415	Volcanic Arms

January 9, 2025, 04:20 PM	#17
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,870	Meaning, how can someone honestly say they love one manufacturer more than another that isn't just proxy to listing someone's favorite SINGLE gun, not the maker. The question was maker. Ruger as their top handgun manufacturer? They manufacturer the LCP, EC9...and a new one. There is no commonality or space to quantify a good reason. Springfield has the Echolan and the Hellcat. That's enough to say they are a favorite maker? HK because the VP9/P30 (exact same function with one not being deprecated yet) are great...and end there. You've just labeled your two favorite guns. Not manufacturer. Unless you pick Glock, S&W, or Sig, there is no exact same gun across size and calibers both a options in many variants and different usages (P226 Nitron, Elite, Legion, X-Five for example). It does make sense to say a favorite manufacturer without a criteria, but by far the cheapest quality guns come from Kel Tec, Ruger, and DiamondBack. That you can easily quantify and is more informational than my favorite is Alien or CZ or Phoenix. Being pedantic, just not sure the point. There are like 10 makers that all make 100% reliable guns you'll find at ever single store. None are actually bad. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM. Last edited by wild cat mccane; January 9, 2025 at 04:33 PM.

January 9, 2025, 04:31 PM	#18
GHOL Member Join Date: December 25, 2024 Posts: 21	My favorite is a CZ Shadow 2. Shoots well up to 70 odd yards and few others come close to its reliability and or functionality. My XD is good but alas no a patch on the CZ.

January 9, 2025, 05:48 PM	#19
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,280	Smith & Wesson revolvers, favorite is a Model 29, -2 or older. But since you are asking in the semiauto forum, I’ll say my Coonan 357. I have little interest in modern semiautos, I like the Canik SPFX and have a Glock 40 (10mm) which has been largely disappointing. No more black plastic pistols and safe triggers for me, I’ll stick with 1911s.

January 9, 2025, 07:01 PM	#21
PzGren Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2001 Posts: 1,288	I do not have a favorite handgun brand, regardless of price. All I required of a gun all my life is that it is able to shoot accurately enough to make master. I am settling for expert in my old age and most guns can perform well enough for that. I care for quality and expect good handling, a grip that fits me and a decent enough trigger for speed and accuracy. Is there one manufacturer that has made only great guns? H&K came up with the HK4, the P7, the terrible VP70, and the P9S that may have been great at the time but a Canik or Tisas can do the same.

January 10, 2025, 05:46 PM	#22
Bentonville Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2002 Location: NC Posts: 347	HK

January 10, 2025, 07:57 PM	#23
lunger Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 459	I would say Smith and Wesson. As to my favorite it changes often. Since this is the Semi Auto Forum, I am currently having an affair with the Bodyguard 2.0 .

January 10, 2025, 08:24 PM	#24
BourbonCowboy Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2019 Posts: 143	I care for quality and expect good handling, a grip that fits me and a decent enough trigger for speed and accuracy. I agree with this. And HK's P-series and VP series checks all the boxes.

January 11, 2025, 01:29 PM	#25
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,803	brand OK, so we're commenting on "brand" and posted in the autopistol forum. At the risk of sounding like a politician, the issue comes down to what is the definition, or how does one determine "favorite"? I'll add that use of the word brand as opposed to simply firearm, implies that you own or have owned more than one. Finally, maker or manufacturer seems a better word than brand, but that is likely just me. Right, so now that rant is over let me think...OK, I have more Glocks than any other single make of handgun. Oddly enough, I didn't plan on that. Opportunities arose to purchase my Glocks at good prices and I did. The only one I bought new with a specific purpose was a G34 as I intended to shoot a bunch of IDPA. The Biden ammo/component shortage knocked that in the head, but I still have the G34. Glocks are affordable, even now. They are arguably the most durable and reliable handgun. But I hate the triggers, I hate the sights and I think they are ugly. Glock makes all sorts of other products, but no other firearms. ....just their pistols. Glock is not my favorite, despite them winning my numbers game. So what is my favorite semi pistol "brand"? Ya 'know, I wanna say Colt. It's a US company, the gun is still made here. The 1911 has persisted for over 100 years. None of it's contemporaries are still in production. Even today, the design is widely copied and the affordable import versions sell like hotcakes. The pistol is available in a variety of calibers and models There's the whole "two world wars" thing and the connection to LE for many decades. Today they are made with useable sights and the triggers, even on the import guns, are very good. The 1911 is a handsome pistol. But there are no other Colt semi pistols in production, the Woodsman is gone and the various vintage guns are long gone as well. I keep holding my breath for Colt to go the path of Winchester or Remington. I have a ton of training time with the SIG P-series. Many rounds fired and I even have an assortment of parts and an armorers certificate. When i was working I even competed with the P220. I own a couple of examples of the P-series and have my eyes out for a reasonable honest to gosh P228. All in my experience were reliable and spooky accurate. But the SIG was forced on me as a duty gun. I never fully warmed up to them, and once retired, the big SIG went to the back of the safe where it remains. The P230 still sees daylight, primarily because it's stainless, but .380 leaves me cold. SIG is not my favorite. I have more RUGER firearms in my armory than any other manufacturer. They made a variety of niche guns that I happened to like, and I am still in the market for some of their discontinued long guns. They are a US company, healthy, profitable. Their product line is well rounded with a variety of firearms of all types. Their customer service is very good. Despite their tendency to discontinue my favorites and not support them I still like the company. They make a passable copy of the 1911 and their basic .22 auto pistol is a classic. I may shoot that standard .22 auto more than any pistol I own. For me.....it's Ruger.