You know, of the 10 Commandments, I have the most trouble with that 10th one, the old “Thou shalt not covet”. I shouldn’t feel too bad though, because it does run in the family. If you ever meet my dad, you should ask him about an incident involving a custom Dodge and a signpost – but that’s another story.
Today’s “coveting” is the new Plastic Fantastic Ruger. The guys at The Gun Shots are ga-ga over this thing, and I must say, the pictures on the website display a pretty sharp looking pistol.
Anyone who has ever read my blog knows that I prefer revolvers to semi-autos any day of the week; but shockingly enough, I’m not a big fan of “classic” autochuckers like the 1911. If I’m buying a gun for aesthetics, I’m going to buy a revolver and leave the 1911s and Browning Hi-Powers on the shelf. If I’m buying a semi-auto pistol, I’m buying a working gun. I have some hard miles guns that are revolvers, but I also have some very pretty wheelguns that I wouldn’t carry. Every semi-auto I’ve ever owned has been a hard knock gun, a gun that I don’t worry about messing up the finish. That’s why when I buy semi-automatic handguns, I usually trend towards polymer pistols and wondernines – my Taurus Pt92 is a great example, actually. The gun is beat up – the exterior is scratched and worn, which makes it perfect.
That’s why I like polymer pistols. My number one “Gun I wish I hadn’t sold” was a 10mm Glock 29, it shot like a dream. I’ve shot the Springfield XDs a bit, and despite the fact that I hate grip safeties, they got okay marks from me. I enjoy the Taurus 24/7 lineup, and the Walther P99 is money. So, needless to say, I’m pretty excited for Ruger’s entry into the world of polymer guns. I’m definitely going to be looking to get my hands on one, at least for the purposes of running it through its paces.
Of course, if someone from Ruger were to read this entry and send of those things my way, strictly for evaluation purposes, I certainly wouldn’t object. 😉
I’m an equal opportunity gun nut. I’ll go equally ga-ga over a nice old revolver and a nice old automatic.
I’ve got four guns that rotate as my carry firearms. Two J-frames, one Kel-Tec, and an SW99 (same as the Walther P99).
Eventually a 1911 in Commander or Defender size will be joining the fray; potentially something akin to a Mustang or .380 Govt. as well.
Don’t knock the old autos for aesthetic value; nor discount revolvers as “working” firearms. My 360 PD has been carried under some pretty severe conditions and is holding up just fine; my Colt Gold Cup is a blast to shoot for fun. And I would not feel undergunned with a SW1911 or a 2.5″ Model 19 as my carry weapon…
Can’t we all just get a long gun? 🙂
Oh, I don’t – my Ruger GP100 and both my Taurus Trackers are just as much working guns as any of my autocockers.
What I’m saying is that when I’m looking for an auto, I’m looking for pure functionality. The ugliest gun in the world is pretty if it does what I need it to. When I buy a wheelgun, I am looking for function ,or form. Form doesn’t enter the equation for autopistols.
“What I’m saying is that when I’m looking for an auto, I’m looking for pure functionality.”
I’d have to go along with that. I learned to shoot the 1911 forty five years ago, and so that’s what I tend to prefer in an auto. Most of my handguns are revolvers, though.
The success of lack thereof will rest in the aftermarket. Heavy trigger’d, 34 ounce (loaded) 9 mm’s aren’t exactly what the shooting crowd has been begging for, but low entry price, and the ability to configure the weapon to individual tastes would go a long way to making it a keeper. Thats if all of the other ducks remain in a row such as reliability, accuracy, etc., because despite the move from 9 to .40, .357 and even 10 mm, the most favored bottom feeder for plinking will most likely remain the Luger-loaders.