Top 10 handguns

San Antonio Express-News ^ | 01/12/2010 | Source: MadOgre.com

[VRWCmember]

Yes, STUFF. A business that catered to the needs of the community. What a concept. It wasn’t a specialty store but a store for every one. Bicycles, hardware and everything you could actually want in a store.

I bought my first handgun - my S&W .357 - at Hurst Pharmacy about 25 years ago. A Pharmacy! Of course, it was one of those local drug stores that sold almost everything you could want.

[VRWCmember]

Many types of firearms available in them. Marlin, Savage and , I think, Stevens, used to market their cheap models under different brand names.

When I was a boy, my dad bought me a Marlin .22 bolt action rifle with a 7-shot magazine for my 9th or 10th birthday. I still have it. A couple of years later, he bought me a Savage (Stevens) Model 311 20-guage shotgun (double-barrel side by side) for Christmas. I still have that one too.

[Spike Knotts]

“Yep. How many of this particular firearm have you owned? I’m willing to bet my ‘sample size’ is bigger than your sample size.”

I took one look at all the problems the range guns had locally and stayed far, far away. Just like I’ve never bought a Yugo because their reputation precedes them. Anyone interested in the truth about an HS2000, oops I mean the XD, or XD(M), or whatever name they’ve come up with now, anyone interested should go take a look at some rental XDs. Then ask the guy at the counter how many parts he’s replaced on them. It seems like the pistol gets more expensive every time they change the name.

Most of your post is just anecdotal evidence, so I’ll focus on the parts that don’t sound like they were written by Springfield’s marketing department. I also notice that you completely ignored the part where I informed you of the history of your weapon, and how it got here, who made it, and how much it originally cost. You can buy a Yugo with big rims and a wing...it doesn’t make it any less of a Yugo under the racing stripe. What value did Springfield add to the weapon, other than their already questionable name, to the HS2000? I’ll be awaiting your answer.

“Well since I reload the majority of my range and PD ammo I’ve got a pretty good idea of how many rounds actually got pushed down the tube my friend. 5 boxes of CCI Large Pistol primers equals pretty near 5,000 rounds in this part of the Universe, give or take a few.”

Every person on the internet shoots thousands of rounds. Why don’t you post a pic of your reloading setup? Put a sign on it that says “Spike Knotts is dead wrong.” I’ll be glad to post a pic of mine with “Lurker don’t shoot.”

“Really? I got mine brand spanking new, in a case with 2 spare mags, a holster, and a mag loading tool for $500.00. Can you get a brand spanking new Glock for that? How about an H&K? Last time I checked H&K’s were running from 850 to 1,000 a copy.”

You can get a Hi-Point pistol for 200 dollars, if absolute bottom line costs are your concern. You can get a decent revolver for 300ish. You can find brand spanking new Glocks for 500 bucks if you shop around...quite easily. You ever heard of Gunbroker? How about Guns America? You can go down to your local gun shop and have them order one for you, direct, for 550 or so, depending on the model. I notice you couldn’t refute that it says “Made in Croatia” on the side of your 500 dollar weapon...and Croatia is known for its quality. Just like America or Germany...lol. So again, what did Springfield do to the HS2000 to make it worth double its original price? Import it? lol

“There are other things I like about the XD. Check the grip angle compared to the Glock. It’s significantly different. In fact if you lay a 1911 on top of the XD you’ll find that the grip angle is almost identical.”

Yeah, and the trigger is just like a 1911 too, right? Oh wait...it is total crunchy garbage with a soft reset. So you changed from a fantastic platform...to one that just copied some things from that platform. So you have the same grip angle, but you lost that beautiful single action trigger. Yeah, makes sense to me.

I’m not sure why you’re going at this as a Glock versus XD angle. I don’t care what you shoot, just don’t try to tell me that your Croatian made, renamed and double priced, not adopted by any large agency pistol is number 4 in the World. It is a fanboy lie. The pistol is barely 10 years old.

“Since I’ve been shooting 1911’s for the last, oh 30 years or so, that was a big factor in my decision to plunk down my bucks for the XD. It ‘points’ the same as my Commander.”

I can’t imagine why someone who has shot 1911s for 30 years (you must have millions of rounds through them, at your rate) would switch to a pistol that tried to copy the 1911 and the Glock and failed at both. Was it the great trigger the XD has that made you switch? lol That grip angle is so important...but trigger control is nothing. As long as you can point the gun in a natural manner, it doesn’t matter if you now have to learn a completely different method of trigger control. Right? I mean, you like the XD because it has the same angle...but the awful trigger matters not a bit, right? You’re not even making sense. It’s like saying you bought a British car because it has the same seat as your old car...but you can’t reach the pedals or the wheel. So, you’ll feel like you’re in your old seat...but you’ll be operating entirely new controls. Sounds like a recipe for success to me.

The pistol was REBRANDED and doubled in price...with no changes. You don’t have a problem with this? So if I bought a 5 dollar broom called the Val-U and renamed it the Double Diamond , you’d pay 10 dollars for it? Could I have your contact info? I’d like to add you to my sales list.

[Lurker]

I also notice that you completely ignored the part where I informed you of the history of your weapon, and how it got here, who made it, and how much it originally cost.

Don't care, don't care, don't care, and really, really don't care.

Why don’t you post a pic of your reloading setup? Put a sign on it that says “Spike Knotts is dead wrong.”

A pic of my faithful RCBS rig will be up for your perusal this evening.

Yeah, and the trigger is just like a 1911 too, right?

No there's a bit of difference to it. Nothing that can't be gotten used to. Truth be told I liked it a lot better than the Glocks I tried. Maybe it's a personal preference thing.

just don’t try to tell me that your Croatian made, renamed and double priced, not adopted by any large agency pistol is number 4 in the World.

I never tried to tell you any such thing. I'm not the author of the original piece there Sparky. I simply added a comment that I like my Springfield XD in .45 ACP.

You're the one with his panties in a wad. Do you work for Glock?

it doesn’t matter if you now have to learn a completely different method of trigger control. Right?

Apparently some of us have an easier time learning new skill sets than others. Do try to live with your shortcomings. God gave each of us different gifts. I'm sure there's something, besides being a general dick, that you're quite good at.

Keep at it. You'll discover yours eventually.

Have a nice day.

L

[Vinnie]

Smith and Wesson M&P at #3. I bought one last year, compact model in .40 cal. It is really sweet

Me too. And love it.

[Spike Knotts]

"Don't care, don't care, don't care, and really, really don't care."

That is a fantastic attitude. "I'll just pay whatever for whatever, it doesn't matter."

I wish I had bought a box of HS2000s ten years ago. I could have tripled my money.

"A pic of my faithful RCBS rig will be up for your perusal this evening."

Sweet, RCBS is good stuff. I use a Hornady LnL myself. I've been keeping my eyes open for a used Rockchucker...I'd like to start swaging/jacketing .223. I cast .40 as it is. I'll be waiting for the picture. Don't forget now.

"No there's a bit of difference to it. Nothing that can't be gotten used to. Truth be told I liked it a lot better than the Glocks I tried. Maybe it's a personal preference thing."

So then...I guess muscle memory isn't quite as an important concern as you made it out to be. So there goes the one criteria you had for purchasing the pistol, other than price and the plastic accessories it came with. Trigger preference is highly subjective...and once again you're defending yourself against a Glock. I don't care about Glock versus XD. I doubt anyone would make the claim that the XD(or Glock...or really anything except some revolvers) has a better trigger than a 1911. 3.5 pounds with no creep, no overtravel, and a virtually instantaneous reset are hard to beat. Of course, you could have stayed with the 1911 that you've shot for 30 years and you wouldn't have had to change the muscle memory that is so important to you. And I agree that muscle memory is important...it is just goofy to use it as a reason for purchasing a weapon when nearly every other feature of the pistol is different. How about the fact that for "30 years" you trained your muscles, upon the draw stroke, to use your thumb to swipe the safety on the 1911. What does your thumb do now? So you switched for the grip angle...but the controls are different, the trigger is entirely different, the safety is different...everything is different but for the grip angle.

"I never tried to tell you any such thing. I'm not the author of the original piece there Sparky. I simply added a comment that I like my Springfield XD in .45 ACP."

That isn't what happened at all. You left out some key details. I, me, Spike Knotts, responded to this article with concerns over the XD being number four, amongst other things. I didn't speak to you. YOU, Lurker, then responded to my comments to the poster/author as if they were directed at you , thus choosing to enter the debate on the side of the article. See how simple that is? You spoke to me first.

"You're the one with his panties in a wad. Do you work for Glock?"

Yeah, I'm the one getting angry. It must be why I'm resorting to personal insults. From the beginning I've said this has nothing to do with Glock versus XD. It could be Les Baer versus XD. Or a SW Custom shop revolver. Or a Charter Arms Bulldog. They're all superior weapons to your HS2000.

"Apparently some of us have an easier time learning new skill sets than others. Do try to live with your shortcomings. God gave each of us different gifts. I'm sure there's something, besides being a general dick, that you're quite good at." Wow, more personal insults. Did you forget that YOU brought up muscle memory, and that YOU like the XD because it has the same grip angle, thus making it an advantage for YOU that you didn't have to relearn your grip? Those are your words, are they not? I'm sorry I upset you by pointing out how silly it is to say you got the pistol because it has the same grip angle(ergo feature) as a 1911, but virtually every other ergo feature is different.

Since you've chosen to run from actual debate, and instead resort to name calling...here's something for you to consider.

"You don't have to destroy your enemy, just his willingness to engage." It was fun engaging you, but it is even more fun seeing you retreat while hurling insults over your shoulder.

Have a nice day. Here is some gun porn for you to enjoy.

[spodefly]

[DollyCali]

thank you. taking my CCW in NE Ohio at the end of month & would like to get another smaller gun,

[Mr Inviso]

“8.) SIG Sauer 226: Good enough for the Navy SEAL teams, good enough for anybody...except the US Army, Marine Corps, or Air force”

The Invesitgative branches of the above all carry the M11, which is the SIG/Sauer 228. The Army also adopted it for tank crews and so on as a “substitute standard”.

[mikeus_maximus]

I too was happy to see the S&W M&P at number 3. I bought the S&W M&P 357sig compact a few months ago. That brings the handgun collection up to 5. Long gun collection stands at 6.

I wonder if this list is referring to the classic S&W M&P revolvers, from which the new M&P semiauto line takes its name? The new series is a Glock beater, however.

Anyway, since moving to the Free State of Arizona 4 months ago, I've acquired an M&P 9mm compact, a Sig Sauer P238, and a S&W 686p with a Performance Center trigger job (my favorite!)

[mikeus_maximus]

A number of gun store types have said the M&P 9c is their next purchase- great series of guns, very ergonomic. I really like mine.

[mikeus_maximus]

Yes, it’s under new ownership, American ownership, and not the sell-outs who catered to Clinton.

[mikeus_maximus]

I would have expected at least one S&W revolver. Say, a 686 perhaps.

+1!

[VRWCmember]

Sweet.
My 9mm does not have the little thumb flip safety switch however. It has the grip safety and the trigger safety only.

[Grizzled Bear]

I am very happy with my Springfield XD.

I have the Smith and Wesson M&P in 45 ACP. I looked at the XD, but the gun dealer convinced me about the S&W.

[CholeraJoe]

I love mine. It is now my favorite CCW replacing my Rossi .357 Mag snub nose.