Survey: In your personal battery, what gun has proven to be most reliable?

Dogger · February 1, 2000, 12:43 PM

OK, let's try to avoid all the emotion and just identify the single most reliable handgun you have personally owned? What handgun is it? Do you still own it? How many years and how many rounds has it proven to be reliable? Thanks for your responses.

Chad Young · February 1, 2000, 12:46 PM

Glock model 23. Bought it used about a year ago. No malfunctions whatsoever in about 3,000 rounds.

The Ruger P89 is a close second. No malfunctions ever in any factory loaded round. Maybe 2-3 malfunctions on my own sloppy reloads.

Oleg Volk · February 1, 2000, 12:47 PM

Assuming this is limited to autoloaders...Glock 17 (1400+ rds) and Makarov (1100+), both have worked with every ammo fed to them, no malfunctions at all. Kel-tec P32 (after it was looked at by Kel-tec) has gone through 1000+ but there are brands of ammo which are not reliable in it...so 100% with good ammo and less so with ancient surplus wadcutters from 1970s.

Coinneach · February 1, 2000, 12:55 PM

Glock 20.

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"If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance."
-- Samuel Johnson

Mikey · February 1, 2000, 12:56 PM

Wilson 1996-A2 45 acp. Had it over three years and has never malfunctioned since the first round. Approximately 4000+ rounds so far. I've got a Caspian and an STI that have never malf'd but they don't have as many rounds thru them.

Mikey

Joe Blacke · February 1, 2000, 12:58 PM

Ruger p-90.

sigh.

jcoyoung · February 1, 2000, 12:59 PM

HK USP9 Compact.

Bought it slightly used. The previous owner only had it 2 weeks and it was practically NIB. I've only had a couple of stovepipes in the beginning, but not a single problem now. I've only had it about a 10 months and I would guess I have put about 400 rounds thru it.

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"Ray guns don't vaporize Zorbonians, Zorbonians vaporize Zorbonians" The Far Side

[This message has been edited by jcoyoung (edited February 01, 2000).]

LongDuck · February 1, 2000, 01:02 PM

Glock 19. My USP45f is also utterly reliable, but the Glock has more rounds through it. I would guess to be ~3000 at this point,

Dr.Rob · February 1, 2000, 01:03 PM

Colt New Service 1917 Army Model ,45 acp Revolver.

Has never broken or jammed since I bought it. More than 3000 rounds through it since I picked it up in 92 or so.

Ruger Mark 2 .22 auto. Other than 1 bad lot of winchester wildcat ammunition this pistol always functions flawlessly. 5,000+ round through it (no idea how many but its a LOT).

Colt Lightwieght Commander 45 acp. This vintage 1951 gun has never jammed on factory ammo.. (it has jammed on my reloads but those are swc lead bullets) including korean war vintage steel cased ammo.3000 rounds or more through it since I got it in 1990.

All in all, no complaints.

Dr.Rob

FUD · February 1, 2000, 01:07 PM

Browning BDA380 (made by Beretta for Browning).

I bought it back in 1981 and since I've owned it, I have put 50 rounds through it about every other month -- that's close to 6,000 rounds now and not a single failure, NOT EVEN ONE

I just wish that it fired a more powerful round than a .380

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Share what you know, learn what you don't -- EdF.

cjb · February 1, 2000, 01:08 PM

A highly "self-customized" Colt 1991A1 commander.Had it about 4 years now.Fired over 2,500 rounds.+P's,Hydra-shoks,Golden Sabers,and FMJ.Not one FTF or failure to eject.This gun would chamber and eject a brick if I could figure out how to get one in the magazine!!
Calvin
"want more gun control? use both hands!"

Mylhouse · February 1, 2000, 01:12 PM

Sig 229 .40 w/ .357sig barrel, also, about 1500 rounds combined. Ruger KP95, about 1200 rounds. I had a Beretta 92 and a USP9F that were 100%, however, I had less than 500 rounds through each before I sold them.

Tecolote · February 1, 2000, 01:12 PM

SIG Sauer P228, extremely accurate to boot.

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So many pistols, so little money.

CMOS · February 1, 2000, 01:13 PM

HKUSP9 and HKUSP9c

2500 rounds through the latter with no failures.

CMOS

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GOA, TSRA, LEAA, NRA, SAF and I vote!

rock_jock · February 1, 2000, 01:14 PM

Glock 17. Bought it new in '94. I've put about 2000 rounds through it w/o one malfunction.

nobody · February 1, 2000, 01:18 PM

Glock M19, ~2500 rounds-zero malfunctions.

Mikie · February 1, 2000, 01:19 PM

My USP40C has 4800 rounds through it and the last hiccup was with a reloaded 175gr LSWC that didn't quite close, otherwise the past 2000 rounds have been flawless. My Glock 23 is a close second but has a greater sensitivity to the 175gr LSWCs, though only 3 failures in about the past 1500 rounds. Unfortunately the G23 has failed to chamber a factory 165 Golden Saber once and also a reloaded 165gr JFP once. So the USP40C edges it out as most reliable.

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**Mal H** · February 1, 2000, 01:38 PM

Since you said handgun, I have to say it's my Ruger GP-100. It will even take badly loaded and sized ammo in stride.

For pistols it's my SIG P239 - zero malfunctions of any type that weren't my fault. (I loaded some lead bullets too long and they wouldn't chamber. That doesn't count towards the gun.) It's not my favorite, but it's my most reliable.

Fred · February 1, 2000, 01:48 PM

Glock 19, 2K+ rounds, no bobbles and a Ruger P89 with 3.5K. Have to say that the P89 has digested everything from real light to +P, with no burps and no change of recoil springs.

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Regards - AZFred

DorGunR · February 1, 2000, 01:55 PM

Belgium made Browning Hi-Power.
Aquired in 1967, carried as my personal
sidearm for 1 tour in Nam.
Thousands of rounds (FMJ) never had a
malfunction. I still enjoy shooting this
pistol about once a month.
BTW..My "Aussie" friends kept me supplied
with all the 9mm ammo that I wanted.
Bunch of great guys...never try to drink
an Aussie under the table.

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"Lead, follow or get the HELL out of the way."

[This message has been edited by DorGunR (edited February 01, 2000).]

aztec777 · February 1, 2000, 01:59 PM

Dogger-In my revolvers, my S&W 686 with 4" barrel has 7400+ rounds through it and my Ruger Police Service Six has at least 5000 rounds through it. From very light 38 Special loads to heavy 357 Magnum loads have run through these fine revolvers with no problems at all.

In my semiautos, my 2 year old Caspian Commander has 4000+ rounds of 45 acp through it with no problems. The Belgian Browning Hi Power I've had for about 15 years has never given me a problem. Not even with reloads, hot rounds, target loads, or surplus ammo. It probably has 10,000 rounds through it. Man, I don't spend enough time shooting.

Lavan · February 1, 2000, 02:01 PM

Browning Portuguese Hi-Power
3000-4000 rds no malfunction.

Still trust the revolvers more.

Dan · February 1, 2000, 02:15 PM

Glock 23. ~7K rnds. ZERO malfunctions.

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Dan

Si vis pacem para bellum!

Check me out at:
<A HREF="http://www.mindspring.com/~susdan/interest.htm" TARGET=_blank>

www.mindspring.com/~susdan/interest.htm</A>
www.mindspring.com/~susdan/GlocksnGoodies.htm

Ankeny · February 1, 2000, 02:15 PM

Pistol would be a P7M8. Feeds about anything. Second place goes to Glock.

Revolver would be one of several Power Customs on S&W K-frames back when Ron was still making them and I was shooting them. No idea of the number of rounds fired but I would guess in excess of 50,000? Nah, more than that, easily.

Nukem · February 1, 2000, 02:40 PM

This almost has to go to the oldest ones you still own unless you're keeping the unreliable ones for sentimental value

Autoloaders- original P-85 8000+ rnds Revolvers-Trooper MKIII .357 owned since purchased new in 1997, lost track of # fired.

I've got newer and better, but these just keep on going. The only thing I own that has more rounds through it is a MKII Government Tagret.

February 1, 2000, 12:43 PM	#1
Dogger Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: Virginia Posts: 481	OK, let's try to avoid all the emotion and just identify the single most reliable handgun you have personally owned? What handgun is it? Do you still own it? How many years and how many rounds has it proven to be reliable? Thanks for your responses.

February 1, 2000, 12:46 PM	#2
Chad Young Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 1999 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 601	Glock model 23. Bought it used about a year ago. No malfunctions whatsoever in about 3,000 rounds. The Ruger P89 is a close second. No malfunctions ever in any factory loaded round. Maybe 2-3 malfunctions on my own sloppy reloads.

February 1, 2000, 12:47 PM	#3
Oleg Volk Staff Alumnus Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 7,022	Assuming this is limited to autoloaders...Glock 17 (1400+ rds) and Makarov (1100+), both have worked with every ammo fed to them, no malfunctions at all. Kel-tec P32 (after it was looked at by Kel-tec) has gone through 1000+ but there are brands of ammo which are not reliable in it...so 100% with good ammo and less so with ancient surplus wadcutters from 1970s.

February 1, 2000, 12:55 PM	#4
Coinneach Staff Alumnus Join Date: February 23, 1999 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 4,272	Glock 20. ------------------ "If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance." -- Samuel Johnson

February 1, 2000, 12:56 PM	#5
Mikey Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1998 Location: Tennessee Posts: 885	Wilson 1996-A2 45 acp. Had it over three years and has never malfunctioned since the first round. Approximately 4000+ rounds so far. I've got a Caspian and an STI that have never malf'd but they don't have as many rounds thru them. Mikey

February 1, 2000, 12:58 PM	#6
Joe Blacke Member Join Date: September 12, 1999 Posts: 57	Ruger p-90. sigh.

February 1, 2000, 12:59 PM	#7
jcoyoung Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2000 Location: Oak Forest, IL Posts: 661	HK USP9 Compact. Bought it slightly used. The previous owner only had it 2 weeks and it was practically NIB. I've only had a couple of stovepipes in the beginning, but not a single problem now. I've only had it about a 10 months and I would guess I have put about 400 rounds thru it. ------------------ "Ray guns don't vaporize Zorbonians, Zorbonians vaporize Zorbonians" The Far Side [This message has been edited by jcoyoung (edited February 01, 2000).]

February 1, 2000, 01:02 PM	#8
LongDuck Member Join Date: September 15, 1999 Posts: 97	Glock 19. My USP45f is also utterly reliable, but the Glock has more rounds through it. I would guess to be ~3000 at this point,

February 1, 2000, 01:03 PM	#9
Dr.Rob Staff Alumnus Join Date: July 28, 1999 Location: Denver Posts: 2,454	Colt New Service 1917 Army Model ,45 acp Revolver. Has never broken or jammed since I bought it. More than 3000 rounds through it since I picked it up in 92 or so. Ruger Mark 2 .22 auto. Other than 1 bad lot of winchester wildcat ammunition this pistol always functions flawlessly. 5,000+ round through it (no idea how many but its a LOT). Colt Lightwieght Commander 45 acp. This vintage 1951 gun has never jammed on factory ammo.. (it has jammed on my reloads but those are swc lead bullets) including korean war vintage steel cased ammo.3000 rounds or more through it since I got it in 1990. All in all, no complaints. Dr.Rob

February 1, 2000, 01:07 PM	#10
FUD Junior member Join Date: January 28, 2000 Posts: 1,727	Browning BDA380 (made by Beretta for Browning). I bought it back in 1981 and since I've owned it, I have put 50 rounds through it about every other month -- that's close to 6,000 rounds now and not a single failure, NOT EVEN ONE I just wish that it fired a more powerful round than a .380 ------------------ Share what you know, learn what you don't -- EdF.

February 1, 2000, 01:08 PM	#11
cjb Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2000 Posts: 265	A highly "self-customized" Colt 1991A1 commander.Had it about 4 years now.Fired over 2,500 rounds.+P's,Hydra-shoks,Golden Sabers,and FMJ.Not one FTF or failure to eject.This gun would chamber and eject a brick if I could figure out how to get one in the magazine!! Calvin "want more gun control? use both hands!"

February 1, 2000, 01:12 PM	#12
Mylhouse Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 1999 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 446	Sig 229 .40 w/ .357sig barrel, also, about 1500 rounds combined. Ruger KP95, about 1200 rounds. I had a Beretta 92 and a USP9F that were 100%, however, I had less than 500 rounds through each before I sold them.

February 1, 2000, 01:12 PM	#13
Tecolote Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 1999 Posts: 1,999	SIG Sauer P228, extremely accurate to boot. ------------------ So many pistols, so little money.

February 1, 2000, 01:13 PM	#14
CMOS Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 1999 Location: TEXAS Posts: 1,417	HKUSP9 and HKUSP9c 2500 rounds through the latter with no failures. CMOS ------------------ GOA, TSRA, LEAA, NRA, SAF and I vote!

February 1, 2000, 01:14 PM	#15
rock_jock Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2000 Location: SE Texas Posts: 1,779	Glock 17. Bought it new in '94. I've put about 2000 rounds through it w/o one malfunction.

February 1, 2000, 01:18 PM	#16
nobody Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2000 Posts: 163	Glock M19, ~2500 rounds-zero malfunctions.

February 1, 2000, 01:19 PM	#17
Mikie Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 1998 Location: Eastern MA, USA Posts: 229	My USP40C has 4800 rounds through it and the last hiccup was with a reloaded 175gr LSWC that didn't quite close, otherwise the past 2000 rounds have been flawless. My Glock 23 is a close second but has a greater sensitivity to the 175gr LSWCs, though only 3 failures in about the past 1500 rounds. Unfortunately the G23 has failed to chamber a factory 165 Golden Saber once and also a reloaded 165gr JFP once. So the USP40C edges it out as most reliable. ------------------

February 1, 2000, 01:38 PM	#18
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,949	Since you said handgun, I have to say it's my Ruger GP-100. It will even take badly loaded and sized ammo in stride. For pistols it's my SIG P239 - zero malfunctions of any type that weren't my fault. (I loaded some lead bullets too long and they wouldn't chamber. That doesn't count towards the gun.) It's not my favorite, but it's my most reliable.

February 1, 2000, 01:48 PM	#19
Fred Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 1998 Location: CA Posts: 465	Glock 19, 2K+ rounds, no bobbles and a Ruger P89 with 3.5K. Have to say that the P89 has digested everything from real light to +P, with no burps and no change of recoil springs. ------------------ Regards - AZFred

February 1, 2000, 01:55 PM	#20
DorGunR Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2000 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,125	Belgium made Browning Hi-Power. Aquired in 1967, carried as my personal sidearm for 1 tour in Nam. Thousands of rounds (FMJ) never had a malfunction. I still enjoy shooting this pistol about once a month. BTW..My "Aussie" friends kept me supplied with all the 9mm ammo that I wanted. Bunch of great guys...never try to drink an Aussie under the table. ------------------ "Lead, follow or get the HELL out of the way." [This message has been edited by DorGunR (edited February 01, 2000).]

February 1, 2000, 01:59 PM	#21
aztec777 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 1999 Location: Nevada Posts: 188	Dogger-In my revolvers, my S&W 686 with 4" barrel has 7400+ rounds through it and my Ruger Police Service Six has at least 5000 rounds through it. From very light 38 Special loads to heavy 357 Magnum loads have run through these fine revolvers with no problems at all. In my semiautos, my 2 year old Caspian Commander has 4000+ rounds of 45 acp through it with no problems. The Belgian Browning Hi Power I've had for about 15 years has never given me a problem. Not even with reloads, hot rounds, target loads, or surplus ammo. It probably has 10,000 rounds through it. Man, I don't spend enough time shooting.

February 1, 2000, 02:01 PM	#22
Lavan Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1999 Location: California Posts: 2,716	Browning Portuguese Hi-Power 3000-4000 rds no malfunction. Still trust the revolvers more.

February 1, 2000, 02:15 PM	#23
Dan Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 1998 Location: Hiram, Ga Posts: 283	Glock 23. ~7K rnds. ZERO malfunctions. ------------------ Dan Si vis pacem para bellum! Check me out at: <A HREF="http://www.mindspring.com/~susdan/interest.htm" TARGET=_blank> www.mindspring.com/~susdan/interest.htm</A> www.mindspring.com/~susdan/GlocksnGoodies.htm

February 1, 2000, 02:15 PM	#24
Ankeny Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 1998 Location: Shoshoni, WY USA Posts: 556	Pistol would be a P7M8. Feeds about anything. Second place goes to Glock. Revolver would be one of several Power Customs on S&W K-frames back when Ron was still making them and I was shooting them. No idea of the number of rounds fired but I would guess in excess of 50,000? Nah, more than that, easily.

February 1, 2000, 02:40 PM	#25
Nukem Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2000 Posts: 709	This almost has to go to the oldest ones you still own unless you're keeping the unreliable ones for sentimental value Autoloaders- original P-85 8000+ rnds Revolvers-Trooper MKIII .357 owned since purchased new in 1997, lost track of # fired. I've got newer and better, but these just keep on going. The only thing I own that has more rounds through it is a MKII Government Tagret.