The Right One For You... How to Define It? (Part I
First; let me ask you what you need it for? Not whether or not you need a firearm but what do you wish to do with your firearm? Protection? Target? A combination of both? Something stout to keep by the nightstand at home all the time just in case? It's a legitimate question. You see a lot of folks will just pick up a "gun" because they could get it cheap or someone essentially gave it to them. That's the unfortunate thing. Because it's like giving a novice a parachute and saying "that'll do". It's not. Much like that parachute and it's ripcord, the trigger on a firearm will fire it but I ask you the reader; can you use it safely and be accurate with it everytime? EVERYTIME? Because if you screw up with that parachute...much like a firearm, it will kill you.
Define what you want it to do; what you're ability is and will you be able to use it effectively for the reason you're getting it for. As a teen in a ROTC unit, I had the unique experience to be trained by professional shooters with the most advanced Olympic grade target rifles made. My Senior Army Instructor and Coach was an expert and a firearms aficionado. The standard peep post sight BA .22 rifles we qualified cadets with were a far cry from the triple aperture Olympic rifles the rifle team used in competitions. In '86 I won the National Championship shooting such a rifle and it put my name on the short list for the Olympic team.
Now imagine if someone won the lottery and bought an $5k Anschutz Medallion .22 target rifle with the fancy sights, do you think they'd do as well as someone with some training to back it up? No. But yet there are literally millions of folks that go out an buy that newest and greatest Jihadi popper in whatever caliber and the word "tactical" slapped on it as liberally as make up on a busy hooker. The Firearm Industry is just like the fishing industry. If you market it that it'll make you better at catching fish, then a lot of us will give in and at least give it a try. In short time you will realize it's not so much the equipment but the user. It takes time to develop the experience to do it correctly and you will get better and better all the time. Weapons, Firearms, "Guns" and it's accessories are exactly alike. It's not the equipment. It's the shooter or the lack thereof.
As you've heard me repeat over and over and over again; YOU are the Weapon! The firearm is merely an extension of your will and merely a tool at your disposal. YOU ARE THE WEAPON!
Although it's an old school design the Autovmat Kalishnikov is still a very stout weapon. I preferred my M4 series but I can zip folks with an AK just as easily as a modern weapon with all the fancy bells and whistles and "tactical" monikers; I have. I just tend to rethink what the limitations of the AK are and how to maximize it's strengths and use it with the proper tactics in mind while minimizing it's weaknesses. For instance, the AK isn't known for it's long range accuracy but for it's hard hitting 7.62x39mm or 5.45mm rounds. While the M4 is known for a much lighter round but better in accuracy. Then you think outside the box; lead your targets to a high avenue of approach and engage at closer ranges to win the day by maximizing it's direct fire capabilities and grazing fire effectiveness. See what I mean? Haven't you ever read in history how pilots would learn the enemy planes so well that they developed techniques on how to maximize their weakness' in order to get a shot? It's the same principle. Hopefully I will always will meet an adversary that hasn't done that deep thinking and I will then maximize all their mistakes until I end them. Easier written than done for most folks unfortunately. Hence tactical training comes into play here. You'll have to think on your feet through the engagement. Most adversaries don't think about it before they get into one and that puts them at a disadvantage especially in a real engagement. Wouldn't that suck if that's what you were thinking during an engagement? I'm just saying to think about what your particular weapon will do. Do you have realistic expectations with it? Will you be able to meet your firearm's capability? Some will find out too late. I advocate that it shouldn't be us.
Again...YOU ARE THE WEAPON!
There are some great weapons and some personal favorites that I have and some great designs with some obvious drawbacks. I can tell you that I also seek simplicity in my life especially with a firearm. It's hard to articulate in a way, there's really no such thing as good gun but there are definitely bad ones out there. Some love this and some hate that and it's all a personal choice but let me ask you before you purchase one; what do you need it to do and will it do that consistently everytime? Notice I said need. Not want. Think about that. At my level, I really don't care for weapons with a bunch of safeties in them. They may be a great option for a novice but for someone that may engage against a bad guy, every safety built on it is just another step I need to negotiate before I can get lead on target. Let's look at a few popular brands that maybe just popular but not the best but some of the brands are reputable for your particular EDC weapon. These are solely my thoughts and opinions regarding these brands based upon my own observations and thoughts. Your opinion may differ. I welcome any replies and comments or retorts. These opinions aren't here to insult your collection any, again, these are just my opinions regarding these brands in no particular order of importance;
Keltech - they are probably one of the cheapest guns out there from their .32's to .45's. They're simple too. BUT I have noticed that their handguns do not tolerate hot humid weather well and they tend to rust very quickly and their trigger pull weight is stupid heavy. It's entirely up to you and what you want. I don't own one nor will I. I like the shotgun and new .308 rifle/carbine, I'm still waiting for a .223 STANAG compatible RFG version but that's about it. They do have some unique thinking that goes into many of their ideas from the KSG, RFB, SU and the WMR. The rest I can certainly live without.
Diamondback - whom wouldn't want a little Glock frame in .380 ACP for a pocket pistol? When they first came out a lot of folks whom loved Glock looked at them hard and bit. They brought them home and shot them for about six months and then the problems started surfacing; those little frames started cracking. As it turns out, this company reduced the weight a bit too much and that was the result. The only difference was that it didn't copy the safe action trigger which didn't help much if your pistol's trigger got snagged with a chapstik in your pocket. Besides, Glock has now come out with a .380 which isn't much larger than this so I would avoid this brand entirely.
Taurus - this company also makes a cheaper handgun but their Millennium series and 24/7 series...their trigger pull is stupid heavy. They have some notable winners like their Beretta 92 clone and the Sig Sauer clone but the rest aren't that good. As a matter of fact, many of their weapons that they've designed have not done well besides their carbine. The revolvers will eventually break. The Millennium series will have eventual issues. The OSS 24/7 handguns were a nice touch but they have a stupid heavy trigger but they do offer a lifetime warranty for the weapon but I have yet to see a Taurus that hasn't gone back to the shop to fix at least once. Sure they're cheaper and looks like a sturdy product but don't be fooled. Eventually it will bite you except for the Beretta 92 and the Sig Sauer clone.
SCCY - although they hail from right here in Daytona Beach, FL, they are probably one of the most flimsy weapons made today. It's another Keltech clone. A lifetime warranty comes with the weapon but the triggers are again stupid heavy and built much like a Keltech. It will rust easily but I couldn't really tell you how long it will last. Of course this is a $200-$300 weapon. What do you expect?
Remington - their newer line of 9mm and .40 caliber handguns are over designed and packed in a lot of grease for a reason; they will rust quickly unless you want to clean it every other day. Other than that, they seem to be over complicated and cut and beveled for no particular reason which only adds on additional manufacturing cost therefore, more expensive for you the consumer. They are also heavy for a small weapon. Some of their newer semi automatic weapons have the shape of a Makarov with a grip safety which is uncomfortable for me but only holds a single stack magazine. It's heavy and built well and has cuts and machining in areas that make you scratch your head saying WTF? For it's size and it's weight and the limited magazine capacity, I'd avoid one until they get really serious and build something modern.
Ruger - most of these fine weapons are built like a tank. Their semi automatic line is also very stout and very heavy to wear. The newer LCR's and LCP's have had a better turn out than expected. They are essentially a Keltech with a Ruger flair added on. Ruger did it right. They don't rust as much and they are more durable to wear. I have higher praise for Ruger weapons. I even like the SR versions. It has one of the lowest bore axis striker weapons made on the market and a decent shooter. They are just heavier than the average bear. Their revolvers are just as well built and they specialize in cowboy six shot single action revolvers and boy, can they make them! They are built well and look nice but again like most Rugers, they are also heavy as a battleship strapped to your hip.
Walther - some of their weapons were pretty unique and then they came out with the PDX series and that showed me that Walther...whom is run by Smith & Wesson has certainly lost it's way. Their former stellar reputation for good solid pistols was tarnished. Generally speaking though, they don't rust often and they do take a beating but some of their newer designs for EDC have been disappointing to say the least. I have one; the P-22 and I want to get another PPK/S in .380 again. The other new James Bond weapon P-99 was also very ergonomic and comfortable to shoot but the new stuff that came out the past three years have me looking elsewhere. They have lost their minds since the merger with S&W.
Smith & Wesson - in my experience, S&W makes the best revolvers on the Earth but when it comes to the semi automatic handguns, it needs work. Older versions with the magazine safety were solid pieces like an old school 645 but the newer line of M&P's marketed as Shields are just Glocks in disguise. Although S&W offers a lifetime warranty for the weapon, the Shields are just a prettier Sigma and those ALWAYS break at the trigger. Get ready to send it to the shop eventually. It will break. If you want a Glock, just get one. That hinge trigger just isn't going to cut it.
Kimber - whom doesn't have a 1911 model? Either .380, 9mm, .40 and traditional .45 ACP. They make a quality NIB 1911 handgun but with that Kimber name, it's all hype. They tend to rust a bit more than I'd like to admit but overall it's a solid piece especially if you know the tricks to slicking up your 1911 BUT with that said, Kimbers are expensive. A good one will run you at least $650-$2000. However, you gotta remember that the 1911 is an older platform. This is the only trick this old dog knows besides a few hunting rifles. Any weapons aficionado should have at least one in their inventory. My bodyguard pistol is a Kimber CDP Pro. Just get ready to shell out the money for this pricey b**st.
Wilson Combat - speaking of tricks and trick ponys, WC is probably one of the best manufacturers of 1911 frames on the planet. From standard ones to teflon coated customized jobs. If you've got $2,500 to $5k to blow on a 1911, this is one of the better brands of handguns. I would have one but on a civil servant's check, I'd rather buy a politician. No one can really afford it besides wannabes. They are so nice you just don't want to take them to the field. Wilson Combat isn't known for their diverse models but for the few weapons they make, they work and they work well. It would be money invested well if you purchased one. You wouldn't be disappointed.
Springfield Armory - SA essentially makes only two types of handguns; the 1911 and the XD series. I know for a fact that their 1911's are probably the best on the market and fairly reasonable. You can get a decent GI version for about $600 but they have some really nice ones for about $1500 and they would give Kimber a run for their money. However, even a compact 1911 isn't really compact. 1911's are also heavy. Now, don't take this wrong especially if you own one but I detest XD's. Springfield's XD was bought from a Croation design called a HS2000 and it was essentially a Glock with grip safety. Add in a Browning link and you have the XD but because of the grip safety, it has made this a tall weapon. If you look at it in comparison to most semi automatics, it's much higher in the hand and it's bore axis is a 1/2" higher than it needs to be and that creates more muzzle flip than it should for that caliber. When you have a shorter barrel XD, you have a monster to control. Yet alone with .45 ACP rounds. Take a look if you don't believe me. There are many other better designs. XD's rate very low on my "gotta have" list. Very low.
Hi-Point - what can one write about Hi-Point that hasn't already been said or heard? It is truly the cheapest PoS firearm that money can buy. It is the preferred weapon of 90% of cheapskates, wannabes, 21 year old first timers on a budget and crackheads nationwide. I have never tackled a criminal to find anything other than this boat anchor. They offer a lifetime warranty for a weapon that will need it. It's amazing that they've been in business for nearly 20 years. Talk about a tall bore axis. You could rappel of the side of one. Supposedly they work but most folks will snicker behind your back if you were seen with one on the range. Yeah, they're that bad. I have seen some of the torture videos to this brand. They will run with dirt, water, pond scum, sand, getting run over and even a bullet to the ejection port. They will run. They don't look nice at all and ugly as hell and not the most accurate tack driver but they will run. As much as I hate to admit it, they do work. I still won't buy one even if it's less than $150. I know I will make fun of you and a majority of gun owners will also make fun of you.
Hi-Standard - "isn't". They may have made some decent milspec weapons from the '40-'50's but that isn't the case anymore. They are liability prone made with inferior materials. I'd be surprised if they were still in business but I still see their weapons in shelves from time to time. Avoid them as well. They are the worst next to Hi-Point. It has liability written all over it in my honest opinion. You aren't getting a quality firearm if was made recently.
Kahr - in recent years, this little company started from one of the sons of Reverend Sun Yun Moon of the Moonies and it's done pretty well. They had their initial hiccups being a brand new manufacturer but since then they've developed a product line that is quite respectable. The only drawbacks of owning a Kahr are three things; they are expensive for such a little pistol, they have no active safeties if you want it and their triggers are all spongy to shoot. They are all striker fired and the all metal ones are particularly heavy. I own two; the PM9 and the CW380. The latter I regret. I should have gotten that Walther PPKS instead. I'm accurate with it and it is smaller than most Glock frames and that's why I wore it instead of my Glock 36 or 26. The PM's were lighter and thinner. Just fork out the ducketts. My PM9 with a corrosion resistant upper and Trijicon night sights would have been $650 for that little Mighty Cricket. Thankfully I got a good deal on it for only $450.
IWI - Israeli's aren't stupid. When they see something that works efficiently, they use it or steal the idea. One of the better weapons on the market is the Jericho series or Baby Eagles. They are essentially a CZ 75 with with a lower bore axis and a lower receiver that encompasses the entire upper. This makes them stronger however even the polymer frame pistols are heavy as a gilded brick and they don't use any fancy finishes on their pistol lines. Just good old parkerization. It's supposedly corrosion resistant but I can tell you from experience that it will merely trap rust underneath that finish and you'll have a bigger problem later on. Overall I like them. They don't produce striker fired weapons and only DA semis. It also has a very low bore axis and if the weapon is clean, it shoots smoothly with little muzzle flip. Most them are just plain heavy and they make the famous Desert Eagle but what right minded serious EDC guy carries one of those tucked into their waistband? No one besides an amateur.
Browning - Browning is a company named after the most prolific American firearm inventor in the past 150 years next to Samuel Colt. The 1911 was his brainc***d and Browning arms offers some of the most beautiful rifles and shotguns in the world but the company also makes a super line of Hi-Power pistols and smaller variants. On one hand, the Hi Power is a proven standard for over 70 years. The bad thing is that the Hi Power is a pistol design that's over 70 years old. They are old school. Nothing but metal and wood. Plus like the 1911, the traditional Hi-Power is a single action. I have yet to see a compact Hi-Power and the smaller calibers are just as large as the 9mm original variant. You really can't go wrong with this proven design but it's not gonna be compact enough to carry as an EDC and it's also a tad heavy to wear. You can't wear one as an ankle gun can you?
CZ - this is the brand that became famous in the '70's with providing a single or DA semi automatic much like a Browning but inspired designers to copy them. It's a simple blowback weapon that has the lower totally encompassing an upper receiver. With it's Czech roots this weapon still is a formidable one on the market that offers a strong, no nonsense type of gun that has inspired designers from the Israel to Europe. For the price of about $350 - $600 you really can't beat it for a good, strong weapon that will last a lifetime of use. It's not fancy and you'll still have to maintain it but they have a few specialized models but overall, it's a good weapon that will last.
EAA - overall EAA has some pretty good firearms at a lower cost. I would not say I would implicitly trust one to probably save my life but on the other hand, I haven't had that opportunity. They offer their copies of well made firearms and have brought out some of their own designs like the Witness. If you have about $350-$500 to blow on a weapon, it's not bad at all. I'm sure one could find things during it's disassembly to tweak on your own later on but for a NIB pistol, it's not bad. Not great but not bad.
Bersa - is a small company in Argentina that has exact copies and revised copies of Walther PPK's. They started in the '60's. It makes you think if some of the boys from Germany brought more than heritage to that section of the world. They aren't the most innovative thinkers nor designers but they build a decent clone of the PPK series with an additional safety. If you're on a budget and you want a PPK, it's not a bad firearm but not a great one either. It's up to you on this one.
Colt - without getting into a large cornucopia of an argument, it is just my opinion that they don't really care much anymore. They bet they could make the bills on their military contracts and let their civilian line die. This is why they went bankrupt. Recently, they were bought by another entity and started making decent weapons again. I have yet to hear good or bad things about their new line and their re-introductions of their revolver line and smaller 1911 frames. I know that from about '85-05 a lot of their civilian handguns were a disappointment and one would have to get a lot of side line work done on them just so they would function normally. I sincerely hope that you've done all your homework before you picked up this pricey brand and ask if it's much like a Sig. More brand name rather firearm.
Sig Sauer - is probably one of the best engineered weapons on the planet. Known for it's German precise engineering and very tight tolerances. It has even recently won the recent coveted "modular handgun" contract for the US Army. Some swear by them and some love them. I don't. Unless you get one of the special coating ones they offer then it will rust badly. I was issued the original 226 in 9mm a long time ago. Working a beachside beat, all that salt air gets to it. Sig purposely builds it's uppers with more carbon in it. Because of that, it makes it strong and can be precisely machined but it also makes it more brittle and rust prone. They are so tight that if you threw a handful of sand in them they'll lock up but then again, most firearms will do that including some of my favorites. Sig was also the leading pioneer of the "decocker". They were also copied by companies such as Astra and Taurus. The biggest factor of Sig Sauer firearms isn't that it's a great handgun or rifle, it's that they charge a lot more for their weapons. If you make a bunch of handguns for a military and Federal contract as the lowest bidder, then you're going to gain more profit from your other sales; meaning the civilian gun market. Sig Sauer commands top dollar for their firearms. Their reputation for being a leader in firearms manufacturing has got word of mouth advertising and that's something you can't just buy. Because of which, they know it and add another 30% to the bottom line. You will get a very nice weapon that has some rust issues but you'll pay out your nose. Not many gun owners will fork out $500-$2000 for a weapon but many will and that keeps them in business. It's up to you. Personally, I don't own one. Let's put it this way; I respect them. I've worn one for a living and used them for a living at one point in my life but at the end of their use in my life, I didn't go out and buy one. What does that say? I do own numerous Glock models though.
Beretta - the world's oldest surviving firearms manufacturer got a second wind when they won the US Army's 9mm handgun contract in the mid '80's but you've already learned from my previous article as to why. They have some pretty decent handguns that were originally from Italy which still command top dollar then they were made in Maryland and now, they Italian made ones are trickling in again but don't command as much as their earlier predecessors. The 92 frame was based on their 1934 series which was designed in the mid '20's but nothing has changed much besides making it larger and stronger for the 9mm and 40 caliber versions. They have tried thinking out of the box with the Storm carbine and the PX4 which was a dog of a design. Since they've lost most of the US military contract, and so long as they don't win another one anytime soon, I predict that this brand name will fade from desirability in the next 50 years. I have one in my own collection and I enjoy shooting it but it does have it's limitations. For about $500-$800 you can get a nice 92 version. If it were I and I had the extra $600 laying around, I'd avoid it. Not because it's a bad firearm but because there are so many better options now.
FN - Fabrique Nationale. This Flemish company puts out the famous M249 SAW and M240 Machinegun for our military. FN has delivered some of the most influential weapons designs in the 20th Century such as the FN-FAL/L1A1, the FNC, the P90, the FN 5.7, some sniper systems based on a Remington 700 and even the Browning Hi-Power. Their reputation is stellar and their weapons are stout and well designed. However FN didn't have much of a handgun market until the past decade. They have made some pretty nice polymer framed handguns that compare to HK's line of handguns and I've shot a few and found them solid, accurate and robust. I have yet to see a "compact" version of this because much like the HK USP series, the "compact" version isn't. But, with that said; if I had the extra $500. This is the handgun I'd buy for my own use. I don't believe that you'll be disappointed nor have I heard of these FN pistols screwing up. I would feel secure defending my life with one.
Heckler & Koch (H&K) - as strange as it may sound, HK manufactured parts for sewing machines before WWII. They were tasked by contract to make weapons for the war effort. This should sound strange because we asked numerous companies to manufacture rifles and pistols in the US as well. HK had it's problems post war as most German companies did back then. In the '60's they came out with an innovative line of rifles most famously the HK 91, which was a 7.62 mm NATO adopted by the West German Bundesweher/Army which was followed by others such as the HK 93 & 94 series. In the '70's their wares were publicly seen by everyone when the British SAS stormed an embassy with their iconic MP-5 submachineguns. Since then, the MP5 has been a worldwide staple of every special operations unit and SWAT teams. When some of their models were banned from import in 1986, HK lost an important market in the civilian gun sales in the US. They figured out another way. HK's name is legendary in the those who know community. About twenty years ago, HK designed the USP, the Universal Self loading Pistol and it's taken off like a bat out of hell. For roughly $600-$1300 you could get a handgun that was tougher than you. Although it maybe a little tall for some, the HK is accurate and extremely resilient. They were essentially the pioneers in polymer framed weapons. One of their earlier commercial successes were the VP70 and later the metal framed squeeze cocker handguns. But now the USP series has gone through a version 2.0 and they're more streamlined, more ergonomic and they are adding in striker fired weapons to their line up. The early "compact" pistols weren't. The newer ones are better but not as small as I'd like to see. The upside of having an HK is brand reputation. They have special coating on most of the weapon that will prevent rust issues and you can get an HK armorer to adjust it to a DAO if you wish. I suggest leaving it alone. They also have a decocker built into the frame mounted safety. They are still synonymous with spec-ops and SWAT teams. They are reliable, robust and very tough and they will work everytime. The downside of having such a reputable brand is the accessories. A 12 round .45 ACP magazine for a USP will run up to $60-$75 a piece. They are not known for their cheap prices but you'll get a hell of a handgun that will outlast you.
Glock - you've read my article about how Glock got so popular but let me expand on that. They are clunky and boxy and perhaps not even pretty but I don't need a pretty handgun in a fight. I need one that works all the time, everytime I squeeze the trigger. Gaston Glock delivered and he delivered well. Glock has set the bar for polymer framed handguns. Unlike many weapons platforms, they aren't oil dependent. They are essentially meant to be fired dry. The Gen II - V's are coated with a TH3 coating and are impervious to rust. They have exceeded all stress tests. They essentially are maintenance free which is great for a lazy guy but I clean my weapons like I was taught. They are the pioneer in the Safe Action Trigger and it has changed the way we train firearms by learning indexing. The Glock is not a weapon for a novice that likes to finger a trigger. It will kill them or someone else. A Glock is an efficient and simplistic firearm that is built well and is also another weapon that I praise highly. I own all of them in the 9mm class except for the G18. They are one of the easiest and cheapest weapons that one can learn to adjust or make improvements with. They even shoot underwater. See the videos online if you don't believe me. The special operations community issues the G17 and G19 as their sidearm. Some hate them and prefer a renamed Sigma/M&P/Shield/Defender series. Some prefer the grip safety offered by Springfield. Some prefer no safety like on a Kahr but then I'd like to point out this; if you bought one of those. You bought a Glock already. Then I'd point out if you want a Glock, then just buy a Glock. You simply cannot go wrong with one. They are known to be the AK of handguns for a reason. They will work everytime, all the time. For about $450-$700 you can pick a handgun that will possibly save your life. You will not be disappointed. Out of all the service weapons I have worn in my career. This is the only weapon that I own five different models to. What does that say?
So these are some of the brands that came off the top of my mind and my thoughts and observations on them based on what I've experienced, seen, heard or read about from reputable sources in the know. Your opinion my greatly differ but that's just my opinion. I welcome any comments either supporting my opinions or retorts to the contrary. I welcome them all.
Define what you want it to do; what you're ability is and will you be able to use it effectively for the reason you're getting it for. As a teen in a ROTC unit, I had the unique experience to be trained by professional shooters with the most advanced Olympic grade target rifles made. My Senior Army Instructor and Coach was an expert and a firearms aficionado. The standard peep post sight BA .22 rifles we qualified cadets with were a far cry from the triple aperture Olympic rifles the rifle team used in competitions. In '86 I won the National Championship shooting such a rifle and it put my name on the short list for the Olympic team.
Now imagine if someone won the lottery and bought an $5k Anschutz Medallion .22 target rifle with the fancy sights, do you think they'd do as well as someone with some training to back it up? No. But yet there are literally millions of folks that go out an buy that newest and greatest Jihadi popper in whatever caliber and the word "tactical" slapped on it as liberally as make up on a busy hooker. The Firearm Industry is just like the fishing industry. If you market it that it'll make you better at catching fish, then a lot of us will give in and at least give it a try. In short time you will realize it's not so much the equipment but the user. It takes time to develop the experience to do it correctly and you will get better and better all the time. Weapons, Firearms, "Guns" and it's accessories are exactly alike. It's not the equipment. It's the shooter or the lack thereof.
As you've heard me repeat over and over and over again; YOU are the Weapon! The firearm is merely an extension of your will and merely a tool at your disposal. YOU ARE THE WEAPON!
Although it's an old school design the Autovmat Kalishnikov is still a very stout weapon. I preferred my M4 series but I can zip folks with an AK just as easily as a modern weapon with all the fancy bells and whistles and "tactical" monikers; I have. I just tend to rethink what the limitations of the AK are and how to maximize it's strengths and use it with the proper tactics in mind while minimizing it's weaknesses. For instance, the AK isn't known for it's long range accuracy but for it's hard hitting 7.62x39mm or 5.45mm rounds. While the M4 is known for a much lighter round but better in accuracy. Then you think outside the box; lead your targets to a high avenue of approach and engage at closer ranges to win the day by maximizing it's direct fire capabilities and grazing fire effectiveness. See what I mean? Haven't you ever read in history how pilots would learn the enemy planes so well that they developed techniques on how to maximize their weakness' in order to get a shot? It's the same principle. Hopefully I will always will meet an adversary that hasn't done that deep thinking and I will then maximize all their mistakes until I end them. Easier written than done for most folks unfortunately. Hence tactical training comes into play here. You'll have to think on your feet through the engagement. Most adversaries don't think about it before they get into one and that puts them at a disadvantage especially in a real engagement. Wouldn't that suck if that's what you were thinking during an engagement? I'm just saying to think about what your particular weapon will do. Do you have realistic expectations with it? Will you be able to meet your firearm's capability? Some will find out too late. I advocate that it shouldn't be us.
Again...YOU ARE THE WEAPON!
There are some great weapons and some personal favorites that I have and some great designs with some obvious drawbacks. I can tell you that I also seek simplicity in my life especially with a firearm. It's hard to articulate in a way, there's really no such thing as good gun but there are definitely bad ones out there. Some love this and some hate that and it's all a personal choice but let me ask you before you purchase one; what do you need it to do and will it do that consistently everytime? Notice I said need. Not want. Think about that. At my level, I really don't care for weapons with a bunch of safeties in them. They may be a great option for a novice but for someone that may engage against a bad guy, every safety built on it is just another step I need to negotiate before I can get lead on target. Let's look at a few popular brands that maybe just popular but not the best but some of the brands are reputable for your particular EDC weapon. These are solely my thoughts and opinions regarding these brands based upon my own observations and thoughts. Your opinion may differ. I welcome any replies and comments or retorts. These opinions aren't here to insult your collection any, again, these are just my opinions regarding these brands in no particular order of importance;
Keltech - they are probably one of the cheapest guns out there from their .32's to .45's. They're simple too. BUT I have noticed that their handguns do not tolerate hot humid weather well and they tend to rust very quickly and their trigger pull weight is stupid heavy. It's entirely up to you and what you want. I don't own one nor will I. I like the shotgun and new .308 rifle/carbine, I'm still waiting for a .223 STANAG compatible RFG version but that's about it. They do have some unique thinking that goes into many of their ideas from the KSG, RFB, SU and the WMR. The rest I can certainly live without.
Diamondback - whom wouldn't want a little Glock frame in .380 ACP for a pocket pistol? When they first came out a lot of folks whom loved Glock looked at them hard and bit. They brought them home and shot them for about six months and then the problems started surfacing; those little frames started cracking. As it turns out, this company reduced the weight a bit too much and that was the result. The only difference was that it didn't copy the safe action trigger which didn't help much if your pistol's trigger got snagged with a chapstik in your pocket. Besides, Glock has now come out with a .380 which isn't much larger than this so I would avoid this brand entirely.
Taurus - this company also makes a cheaper handgun but their Millennium series and 24/7 series...their trigger pull is stupid heavy. They have some notable winners like their Beretta 92 clone and the Sig Sauer clone but the rest aren't that good. As a matter of fact, many of their weapons that they've designed have not done well besides their carbine. The revolvers will eventually break. The Millennium series will have eventual issues. The OSS 24/7 handguns were a nice touch but they have a stupid heavy trigger but they do offer a lifetime warranty for the weapon but I have yet to see a Taurus that hasn't gone back to the shop to fix at least once. Sure they're cheaper and looks like a sturdy product but don't be fooled. Eventually it will bite you except for the Beretta 92 and the Sig Sauer clone.
SCCY - although they hail from right here in Daytona Beach, FL, they are probably one of the most flimsy weapons made today. It's another Keltech clone. A lifetime warranty comes with the weapon but the triggers are again stupid heavy and built much like a Keltech. It will rust easily but I couldn't really tell you how long it will last. Of course this is a $200-$300 weapon. What do you expect?
Remington - their newer line of 9mm and .40 caliber handguns are over designed and packed in a lot of grease for a reason; they will rust quickly unless you want to clean it every other day. Other than that, they seem to be over complicated and cut and beveled for no particular reason which only adds on additional manufacturing cost therefore, more expensive for you the consumer. They are also heavy for a small weapon. Some of their newer semi automatic weapons have the shape of a Makarov with a grip safety which is uncomfortable for me but only holds a single stack magazine. It's heavy and built well and has cuts and machining in areas that make you scratch your head saying WTF? For it's size and it's weight and the limited magazine capacity, I'd avoid one until they get really serious and build something modern.
Ruger - most of these fine weapons are built like a tank. Their semi automatic line is also very stout and very heavy to wear. The newer LCR's and LCP's have had a better turn out than expected. They are essentially a Keltech with a Ruger flair added on. Ruger did it right. They don't rust as much and they are more durable to wear. I have higher praise for Ruger weapons. I even like the SR versions. It has one of the lowest bore axis striker weapons made on the market and a decent shooter. They are just heavier than the average bear. Their revolvers are just as well built and they specialize in cowboy six shot single action revolvers and boy, can they make them! They are built well and look nice but again like most Rugers, they are also heavy as a battleship strapped to your hip.
Walther - some of their weapons were pretty unique and then they came out with the PDX series and that showed me that Walther...whom is run by Smith & Wesson has certainly lost it's way. Their former stellar reputation for good solid pistols was tarnished. Generally speaking though, they don't rust often and they do take a beating but some of their newer designs for EDC have been disappointing to say the least. I have one; the P-22 and I want to get another PPK/S in .380 again. The other new James Bond weapon P-99 was also very ergonomic and comfortable to shoot but the new stuff that came out the past three years have me looking elsewhere. They have lost their minds since the merger with S&W.
Smith & Wesson - in my experience, S&W makes the best revolvers on the Earth but when it comes to the semi automatic handguns, it needs work. Older versions with the magazine safety were solid pieces like an old school 645 but the newer line of M&P's marketed as Shields are just Glocks in disguise. Although S&W offers a lifetime warranty for the weapon, the Shields are just a prettier Sigma and those ALWAYS break at the trigger. Get ready to send it to the shop eventually. It will break. If you want a Glock, just get one. That hinge trigger just isn't going to cut it.
Kimber - whom doesn't have a 1911 model? Either .380, 9mm, .40 and traditional .45 ACP. They make a quality NIB 1911 handgun but with that Kimber name, it's all hype. They tend to rust a bit more than I'd like to admit but overall it's a solid piece especially if you know the tricks to slicking up your 1911 BUT with that said, Kimbers are expensive. A good one will run you at least $650-$2000. However, you gotta remember that the 1911 is an older platform. This is the only trick this old dog knows besides a few hunting rifles. Any weapons aficionado should have at least one in their inventory. My bodyguard pistol is a Kimber CDP Pro. Just get ready to shell out the money for this pricey b**st.
Wilson Combat - speaking of tricks and trick ponys, WC is probably one of the best manufacturers of 1911 frames on the planet. From standard ones to teflon coated customized jobs. If you've got $2,500 to $5k to blow on a 1911, this is one of the better brands of handguns. I would have one but on a civil servant's check, I'd rather buy a politician. No one can really afford it besides wannabes. They are so nice you just don't want to take them to the field. Wilson Combat isn't known for their diverse models but for the few weapons they make, they work and they work well. It would be money invested well if you purchased one. You wouldn't be disappointed.
Springfield Armory - SA essentially makes only two types of handguns; the 1911 and the XD series. I know for a fact that their 1911's are probably the best on the market and fairly reasonable. You can get a decent GI version for about $600 but they have some really nice ones for about $1500 and they would give Kimber a run for their money. However, even a compact 1911 isn't really compact. 1911's are also heavy. Now, don't take this wrong especially if you own one but I detest XD's. Springfield's XD was bought from a Croation design called a HS2000 and it was essentially a Glock with grip safety. Add in a Browning link and you have the XD but because of the grip safety, it has made this a tall weapon. If you look at it in comparison to most semi automatics, it's much higher in the hand and it's bore axis is a 1/2" higher than it needs to be and that creates more muzzle flip than it should for that caliber. When you have a shorter barrel XD, you have a monster to control. Yet alone with .45 ACP rounds. Take a look if you don't believe me. There are many other better designs. XD's rate very low on my "gotta have" list. Very low.
Hi-Point - what can one write about Hi-Point that hasn't already been said or heard? It is truly the cheapest PoS firearm that money can buy. It is the preferred weapon of 90% of cheapskates, wannabes, 21 year old first timers on a budget and crackheads nationwide. I have never tackled a criminal to find anything other than this boat anchor. They offer a lifetime warranty for a weapon that will need it. It's amazing that they've been in business for nearly 20 years. Talk about a tall bore axis. You could rappel of the side of one. Supposedly they work but most folks will snicker behind your back if you were seen with one on the range. Yeah, they're that bad. I have seen some of the torture videos to this brand. They will run with dirt, water, pond scum, sand, getting run over and even a bullet to the ejection port. They will run. They don't look nice at all and ugly as hell and not the most accurate tack driver but they will run. As much as I hate to admit it, they do work. I still won't buy one even if it's less than $150. I know I will make fun of you and a majority of gun owners will also make fun of you.
Hi-Standard - "isn't". They may have made some decent milspec weapons from the '40-'50's but that isn't the case anymore. They are liability prone made with inferior materials. I'd be surprised if they were still in business but I still see their weapons in shelves from time to time. Avoid them as well. They are the worst next to Hi-Point. It has liability written all over it in my honest opinion. You aren't getting a quality firearm if was made recently.
Kahr - in recent years, this little company started from one of the sons of Reverend Sun Yun Moon of the Moonies and it's done pretty well. They had their initial hiccups being a brand new manufacturer but since then they've developed a product line that is quite respectable. The only drawbacks of owning a Kahr are three things; they are expensive for such a little pistol, they have no active safeties if you want it and their triggers are all spongy to shoot. They are all striker fired and the all metal ones are particularly heavy. I own two; the PM9 and the CW380. The latter I regret. I should have gotten that Walther PPKS instead. I'm accurate with it and it is smaller than most Glock frames and that's why I wore it instead of my Glock 36 or 26. The PM's were lighter and thinner. Just fork out the ducketts. My PM9 with a corrosion resistant upper and Trijicon night sights would have been $650 for that little Mighty Cricket. Thankfully I got a good deal on it for only $450.
IWI - Israeli's aren't stupid. When they see something that works efficiently, they use it or steal the idea. One of the better weapons on the market is the Jericho series or Baby Eagles. They are essentially a CZ 75 with with a lower bore axis and a lower receiver that encompasses the entire upper. This makes them stronger however even the polymer frame pistols are heavy as a gilded brick and they don't use any fancy finishes on their pistol lines. Just good old parkerization. It's supposedly corrosion resistant but I can tell you from experience that it will merely trap rust underneath that finish and you'll have a bigger problem later on. Overall I like them. They don't produce striker fired weapons and only DA semis. It also has a very low bore axis and if the weapon is clean, it shoots smoothly with little muzzle flip. Most them are just plain heavy and they make the famous Desert Eagle but what right minded serious EDC guy carries one of those tucked into their waistband? No one besides an amateur.
Browning - Browning is a company named after the most prolific American firearm inventor in the past 150 years next to Samuel Colt. The 1911 was his brainc***d and Browning arms offers some of the most beautiful rifles and shotguns in the world but the company also makes a super line of Hi-Power pistols and smaller variants. On one hand, the Hi Power is a proven standard for over 70 years. The bad thing is that the Hi Power is a pistol design that's over 70 years old. They are old school. Nothing but metal and wood. Plus like the 1911, the traditional Hi-Power is a single action. I have yet to see a compact Hi-Power and the smaller calibers are just as large as the 9mm original variant. You really can't go wrong with this proven design but it's not gonna be compact enough to carry as an EDC and it's also a tad heavy to wear. You can't wear one as an ankle gun can you?
CZ - this is the brand that became famous in the '70's with providing a single or DA semi automatic much like a Browning but inspired designers to copy them. It's a simple blowback weapon that has the lower totally encompassing an upper receiver. With it's Czech roots this weapon still is a formidable one on the market that offers a strong, no nonsense type of gun that has inspired designers from the Israel to Europe. For the price of about $350 - $600 you really can't beat it for a good, strong weapon that will last a lifetime of use. It's not fancy and you'll still have to maintain it but they have a few specialized models but overall, it's a good weapon that will last.
EAA - overall EAA has some pretty good firearms at a lower cost. I would not say I would implicitly trust one to probably save my life but on the other hand, I haven't had that opportunity. They offer their copies of well made firearms and have brought out some of their own designs like the Witness. If you have about $350-$500 to blow on a weapon, it's not bad at all. I'm sure one could find things during it's disassembly to tweak on your own later on but for a NIB pistol, it's not bad. Not great but not bad.
Bersa - is a small company in Argentina that has exact copies and revised copies of Walther PPK's. They started in the '60's. It makes you think if some of the boys from Germany brought more than heritage to that section of the world. They aren't the most innovative thinkers nor designers but they build a decent clone of the PPK series with an additional safety. If you're on a budget and you want a PPK, it's not a bad firearm but not a great one either. It's up to you on this one.
Colt - without getting into a large cornucopia of an argument, it is just my opinion that they don't really care much anymore. They bet they could make the bills on their military contracts and let their civilian line die. This is why they went bankrupt. Recently, they were bought by another entity and started making decent weapons again. I have yet to hear good or bad things about their new line and their re-introductions of their revolver line and smaller 1911 frames. I know that from about '85-05 a lot of their civilian handguns were a disappointment and one would have to get a lot of side line work done on them just so they would function normally. I sincerely hope that you've done all your homework before you picked up this pricey brand and ask if it's much like a Sig. More brand name rather firearm.
Sig Sauer - is probably one of the best engineered weapons on the planet. Known for it's German precise engineering and very tight tolerances. It has even recently won the recent coveted "modular handgun" contract for the US Army. Some swear by them and some love them. I don't. Unless you get one of the special coating ones they offer then it will rust badly. I was issued the original 226 in 9mm a long time ago. Working a beachside beat, all that salt air gets to it. Sig purposely builds it's uppers with more carbon in it. Because of that, it makes it strong and can be precisely machined but it also makes it more brittle and rust prone. They are so tight that if you threw a handful of sand in them they'll lock up but then again, most firearms will do that including some of my favorites. Sig was also the leading pioneer of the "decocker". They were also copied by companies such as Astra and Taurus. The biggest factor of Sig Sauer firearms isn't that it's a great handgun or rifle, it's that they charge a lot more for their weapons. If you make a bunch of handguns for a military and Federal contract as the lowest bidder, then you're going to gain more profit from your other sales; meaning the civilian gun market. Sig Sauer commands top dollar for their firearms. Their reputation for being a leader in firearms manufacturing has got word of mouth advertising and that's something you can't just buy. Because of which, they know it and add another 30% to the bottom line. You will get a very nice weapon that has some rust issues but you'll pay out your nose. Not many gun owners will fork out $500-$2000 for a weapon but many will and that keeps them in business. It's up to you. Personally, I don't own one. Let's put it this way; I respect them. I've worn one for a living and used them for a living at one point in my life but at the end of their use in my life, I didn't go out and buy one. What does that say? I do own numerous Glock models though.
Beretta - the world's oldest surviving firearms manufacturer got a second wind when they won the US Army's 9mm handgun contract in the mid '80's but you've already learned from my previous article as to why. They have some pretty decent handguns that were originally from Italy which still command top dollar then they were made in Maryland and now, they Italian made ones are trickling in again but don't command as much as their earlier predecessors. The 92 frame was based on their 1934 series which was designed in the mid '20's but nothing has changed much besides making it larger and stronger for the 9mm and 40 caliber versions. They have tried thinking out of the box with the Storm carbine and the PX4 which was a dog of a design. Since they've lost most of the US military contract, and so long as they don't win another one anytime soon, I predict that this brand name will fade from desirability in the next 50 years. I have one in my own collection and I enjoy shooting it but it does have it's limitations. For about $500-$800 you can get a nice 92 version. If it were I and I had the extra $600 laying around, I'd avoid it. Not because it's a bad firearm but because there are so many better options now.
FN - Fabrique Nationale. This Flemish company puts out the famous M249 SAW and M240 Machinegun for our military. FN has delivered some of the most influential weapons designs in the 20th Century such as the FN-FAL/L1A1, the FNC, the P90, the FN 5.7, some sniper systems based on a Remington 700 and even the Browning Hi-Power. Their reputation is stellar and their weapons are stout and well designed. However FN didn't have much of a handgun market until the past decade. They have made some pretty nice polymer framed handguns that compare to HK's line of handguns and I've shot a few and found them solid, accurate and robust. I have yet to see a "compact" version of this because much like the HK USP series, the "compact" version isn't. But, with that said; if I had the extra $500. This is the handgun I'd buy for my own use. I don't believe that you'll be disappointed nor have I heard of these FN pistols screwing up. I would feel secure defending my life with one.
Heckler & Koch (H&K) - as strange as it may sound, HK manufactured parts for sewing machines before WWII. They were tasked by contract to make weapons for the war effort. This should sound strange because we asked numerous companies to manufacture rifles and pistols in the US as well. HK had it's problems post war as most German companies did back then. In the '60's they came out with an innovative line of rifles most famously the HK 91, which was a 7.62 mm NATO adopted by the West German Bundesweher/Army which was followed by others such as the HK 93 & 94 series. In the '70's their wares were publicly seen by everyone when the British SAS stormed an embassy with their iconic MP-5 submachineguns. Since then, the MP5 has been a worldwide staple of every special operations unit and SWAT teams. When some of their models were banned from import in 1986, HK lost an important market in the civilian gun sales in the US. They figured out another way. HK's name is legendary in the those who know community. About twenty years ago, HK designed the USP, the Universal Self loading Pistol and it's taken off like a bat out of hell. For roughly $600-$1300 you could get a handgun that was tougher than you. Although it maybe a little tall for some, the HK is accurate and extremely resilient. They were essentially the pioneers in polymer framed weapons. One of their earlier commercial successes were the VP70 and later the metal framed squeeze cocker handguns. But now the USP series has gone through a version 2.0 and they're more streamlined, more ergonomic and they are adding in striker fired weapons to their line up. The early "compact" pistols weren't. The newer ones are better but not as small as I'd like to see. The upside of having an HK is brand reputation. They have special coating on most of the weapon that will prevent rust issues and you can get an HK armorer to adjust it to a DAO if you wish. I suggest leaving it alone. They also have a decocker built into the frame mounted safety. They are still synonymous with spec-ops and SWAT teams. They are reliable, robust and very tough and they will work everytime. The downside of having such a reputable brand is the accessories. A 12 round .45 ACP magazine for a USP will run up to $60-$75 a piece. They are not known for their cheap prices but you'll get a hell of a handgun that will outlast you.
Glock - you've read my article about how Glock got so popular but let me expand on that. They are clunky and boxy and perhaps not even pretty but I don't need a pretty handgun in a fight. I need one that works all the time, everytime I squeeze the trigger. Gaston Glock delivered and he delivered well. Glock has set the bar for polymer framed handguns. Unlike many weapons platforms, they aren't oil dependent. They are essentially meant to be fired dry. The Gen II - V's are coated with a TH3 coating and are impervious to rust. They have exceeded all stress tests. They essentially are maintenance free which is great for a lazy guy but I clean my weapons like I was taught. They are the pioneer in the Safe Action Trigger and it has changed the way we train firearms by learning indexing. The Glock is not a weapon for a novice that likes to finger a trigger. It will kill them or someone else. A Glock is an efficient and simplistic firearm that is built well and is also another weapon that I praise highly. I own all of them in the 9mm class except for the G18. They are one of the easiest and cheapest weapons that one can learn to adjust or make improvements with. They even shoot underwater. See the videos online if you don't believe me. The special operations community issues the G17 and G19 as their sidearm. Some hate them and prefer a renamed Sigma/M&P/Shield/Defender series. Some prefer the grip safety offered by Springfield. Some prefer no safety like on a Kahr but then I'd like to point out this; if you bought one of those. You bought a Glock already. Then I'd point out if you want a Glock, then just buy a Glock. You simply cannot go wrong with one. They are known to be the AK of handguns for a reason. They will work everytime, all the time. For about $450-$700 you can pick a handgun that will possibly save your life. You will not be disappointed. Out of all the service weapons I have worn in my career. This is the only weapon that I own five different models to. What does that say?
So these are some of the brands that came off the top of my mind and my thoughts and observations on them based on what I've experienced, seen, heard or read about from reputable sources in the know. Your opinion my greatly differ but that's just my opinion. I welcome any comments either supporting my opinions or retorts to the contrary. I welcome them all.
7 years ago