What's Your First Handgun? Do You Still Have It?
- Thread starter Alan
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Mzzlldrinpa
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- Jun 30, 2025
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Ruger P89. My dad had a P85. Wanted to be like him. 
Yes, I still have it.
Yes, I still have it.
Mad Irish Jack
Member
In 1973 I purchased the Ruger Security Six .357 Magnum/.38 Special revolver. I still have it and shoot it. I reload the rounds I use in it; Remington bulk .357 JHP 154, CCI primers, 14.5gr of 2400 pdr. I bought it after recommendations of my wife cousin and a couple friends who where PSP officers. PA State Police had changed to that as their Duty weapons back around 1971 I believe. (that is until the realization that the criminal world was fast out gunning the Police world with semi and full auto weapons. This pistol can be completely disassembled to individual parts with any small hard metal item (I use a dime when a screw driver isn't handy). I have sever CC holstering items, all of which are more than adequate for the job, provide you practice with all at some time.
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flash60601
Well-known member
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- Jul 5, 2025
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- 47
First? Do I still have it?
An RG-10, 22LONG, zamak frame and maybe barrel too. Only steel parts were cylinder and hammer. And an emphatic "NO" ! I do not have it, though now it might qualify for a curiosity. After 65 years, I still shudder to think that I actually shot it, more than a few boxes of 75-cent ammunition.
Since then, I have graduated to (and through) a bunch of S&W, mostly 19's, 27, 28, 39, and a lot of Colts, Tauruses, Rugers, Beretta, KelTecs, a couple of Star, Astra, P-08's - oh, they were fun.
An RG-10, 22LONG, zamak frame and maybe barrel too. Only steel parts were cylinder and hammer. And an emphatic "NO" ! I do not have it, though now it might qualify for a curiosity. After 65 years, I still shudder to think that I actually shot it, more than a few boxes of 75-cent ammunition.
Since then, I have graduated to (and through) a bunch of S&W, mostly 19's, 27, 28, 39, and a lot of Colts, Tauruses, Rugers, Beretta, KelTecs, a couple of Star, Astra, P-08's - oh, they were fun.
AveragEd
Member
I also started my collection with a Model 19. It was equipped with the "3Ts" - target trigger, hammer and stocks and I shot it a lot, very well at the times when I did my part. I shot it three evenings every week for a year with the goal of putting 50 rounds into the black bull of an NRA 25-yard slow-fire pistol target offhand. I never quite did it but did have several 48s and 49s.
I mistreated it by shooting hot handloads in it. Eventually the chambers became out of round, making fired case ejection very difficult. I called Smith & Wesson and was advised to return it for repairs. They replaced the cylinder and two years later, after I had been doing the same thing, they replaced the cylinder again but this time, they sent a note along advising me tone down my loads as they would not repair it under warranty again. Being young(er) and dumb(er), I sold it and bought Colt Pythons as well as N-frame and later L-frame Smith & Wessons.
Today, at age 78, I'm old(er) and smart(er) so I no longer abuse my K-frames. All of the rounds shot in them are target loads with either 148-grain HBWCs or 158-grain cast SWCs. Although I have numerous K-frames, my favorite S&W revolver is a Model 686-3 National Match.
It sees the most range time of all my revolvers. I think the five-inch barrel has just the right balance.
Ed
I mistreated it by shooting hot handloads in it. Eventually the chambers became out of round, making fired case ejection very difficult. I called Smith & Wesson and was advised to return it for repairs. They replaced the cylinder and two years later, after I had been doing the same thing, they replaced the cylinder again but this time, they sent a note along advising me tone down my loads as they would not repair it under warranty again. Being young(er) and dumb(er), I sold it and bought Colt Pythons as well as N-frame and later L-frame Smith & Wessons.
Today, at age 78, I'm old(er) and smart(er) so I no longer abuse my K-frames. All of the rounds shot in them are target loads with either 148-grain HBWCs or 158-grain cast SWCs. Although I have numerous K-frames, my favorite S&W revolver is a Model 686-3 National Match.
It sees the most range time of all my revolvers. I think the five-inch barrel has just the right balance.
Ed
casey36
Member
My first was a Ruger Redhawk in .44 magnum. I later traded it in for a Ruger Bisley in .45 colt. Still have the Bisley and wish I would have kept the Redhawk. It was a good shooter.
An antique H&R American Double Action in .38 S&W.
Gave it to my Dad many years ago and its long long gone now. He took it shooting at some point in the last 25 years and said it wasn't working right and dangerous so he scrapped it. He did save the grip panels which I have around here somewhere. Pleasant memories shooting it, but it was not that much of a gun.
Gave it to my Dad many years ago and its long long gone now. He took it shooting at some point in the last 25 years and said it wasn't working right and dangerous so he scrapped it. He did save the grip panels which I have around here somewhere. Pleasant memories shooting it, but it was not that much of a gun.
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2025
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My 1st handgun was a Ruger standard 22LR pistol I loved the way it looked I put a lot of rounds through it but eventually sold it. I do have a Ruger Mark II stainless model now with target sights it’s awesome but I do miss the old original model.
My first was a Euroarms cap n ball 51 Navy in .36 caliber. Very accurate believe it or not. I've replaced the springs and the hand a few times but I still have it. I used to carry it all over the farm as a kid. I should get it out sometime.
