Top 5 pistols to own (collectible)

[C4IGrant]

LAV, you are the biggest gun collector of historically important firearms that I know of. Can you give us a list of cool pistols to own that you personally feel are "desirable?"



C4

[Larry Vickers]

A 1911 of some flavor ( many to choose from)
A Luger of some flavor ( once again many to choose from)
P38
Browning Hi Power - do your research to determine which one
Magnum revolver - S&W registered magnum or pre model 29

That is a good start for sure

Cheers

LAV

[accce]

H&K P7 has to be 1

[Larry Vickers]

The P7 is a very cool and innovative pistol but no way from a historical/collectors perspective it bumps any of those guns out of the top 5

Sorry Holmes- that canine won't hunt ;-)

LAV

[Larry Vickers]

After looking the list over again I wouldn't change anything- Here are a few interesting observations;

2 of them are German designs
2 of them are Browning designs ( BHP was finished after his death)
4 of them were designed primarily as military issue service weapons
Only 1 is not an auto loader
Only 1 has no real merit as a military service weapon
4 of the 5 are still being used today somewhere for the role they were designed for....

That leaves the question; which one is not?


LAV

[Amp Mangum]

The Luger.

[Larry Vickers]

Well done Amp!!

You get a Gold star!!

[Wayne Dobbs]

Always enjoyed the LAV gun trivia games at class! Hope you're doing well bro!

[Larry Vickers]

Thanx Wayne

Here is one to ponder; the most important double action service pistol in history is the P38; many pistols copied its magazine ( SIG P225, HK P7M8, SIG P210) - most all DA/SA guns copied its trigger mechanism, and our current service pistol ( M9) copied its trigger mech, decocker style safety and locking mechanism

When the M9 goes out of service many years from now it will signal the end of the DA/SA service pistol era ( everyone else has moved on to other designs like the Glock) - so the P38 will have marked the beginning of the DA duty gun era and a modified P38 will mark the end of it

Very unique set of circumstances- I challenge anyone to think of another one like it in the world of firearms

What does this all mean? If you don't have a P38 buy one ASAP ; you will then own one of the most important handguns in history

Be safe

LAV

Bonus question; name one famous DA/SA gun that does NOT use a version of the P38 trigger mechanism?

[RC51_Texas]

Bonus question; name one famous DA/SA gun that does NOT use a version of the P38 trigger mechanism?

The CZ 75?

[Larry Vickers]

RC 51

Well done!!

You sir are correct - the DA stroke on the CZ 75 would be described as a dual 'push' bar mechanism as it pushes the hammer back until it is released

On the the P38 it is a pull bar that pulls the hammer cocked then releases it

I have some early CZ 75's and the DA stroke is superb - granted a bit long but super smooth

Later guns are not nearly as smooth

Be safe - 2 Gold stars for you today!!

LAV

[Quentin]

... If you don't have a P38 buy one ASAP ; you will then own one of the most important handguns in history

Be safe

LAV

...

Mr. Vickers, I assume you're talking about getting a wartime P38 with the steel frame? Or would you also include the post war P38 and P1 with aluminum frames? Prices are good on mixed parts P1s these days, $300-350 last time I checked and parts are plentiful. They make pretty good shooters since there's no collector value.

Excellent list of historical firearms, by the way. Very hard for anyone to argue with your selections. I am fortunate to have at least one of each.

[Larry Vickers]

A post war P1 would do just fine; I have one and they are great shooter P38 pistols

Once you get past the heavy DA pull the P38 is a great gun; for the time fantastic sights, very soft recoil and with proper training the heel mounted mag release isn't a big deal ( until of course you need to do it one handed! Then your in a world of hurt!)

Cheers

LAV

[morbidbattlecry]

You know i have been thinking about something. After reading you guys talk about triggers. Why is it the 1911 trigger was never copied? Its supposed to be one of the best triggers ever. I would have guessed it be copied all over the place.