Changing Tastes In Firearms- How Have Your Tastes For Pistols Changed?
As a child, there were several foods and dishes that loathed, and getting me to eat said food usually took the threat of a spanking if I didn’t. Since then, however, I’ve grown to love some of those foods which, now I can’t imagine not being part of my diet. I’ve found the same phenomenon is true when it comes to firearms. This will be a short series on how our changing tastes in firearms have influenced our gun collections. We’ll focus this article on our changing tastes in pistols, so make sure you join in on the comment section and tell us how your pistol collection started, and where it’s going.
CHANGING TASTES IN FIREARMS – PISTOLS
I don’t really feel that old, but I’ve been collecting guns for a hair over 25 years now, which makes me sound old. By the time I bought my first semi-automatic pistol, I had shot all of the transitional era autos; Beretta 92s, Smith & Wesson 5906s, Ruger P89s, HK USPs, and Glocks. Having the experience with those, I actually settled on a new Beretta 92FS Brigadier (as seen in the title image). My thought process was that I wanted to master the Double and Single Actions, and the Brigadier model looks great too. However, after starting my law enforcement career, I replaced my issued S&W 410 pistol with a new Glock 22. I would still take the Beretta to the range on occasion, but for quite some time, I championed the use of Glocks and striker-fired pistols in general. The trigger pull is the same each and every time, compared to DA/SA pistols, and I felt that the consistency was comforting in a way.
Although, as time has worn on, I’ve been gravitating back toward hammer-fired and metal-framed pistols. The first pistol I reviewed for TFB was the CZ SP-01 Phantom, which struck an old chord that I wanted to play more of. I’ve since taken that and the Beretta 92 to the range more and more, along with the FB Radom VIS 100 M1 I recently reviewed.
Last year I also switched my daily carry gun from the polymer framed Glock to the metal framed S&W CSX, which of all things is a Single Action Only. Even though I was quick to ditch my issued S&W 410, I have begun the hunt for a decently priced 3rd Generation Smith & Wesson pistol, and even (*lowering my voice) 1911’s.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m not sure if I could label my journey of pistol ownership as a roller coaster, or just a long, gentle circling back to where I first started. Either way, my changing tastes in pistols have certainly brought me back to where I first started. Have you had changing tastes in pistols? Have you streamlined your pistol collections to one type of action or all of them? Is there a certain model or type of pistol you once hated but have come to love it?
Doug has been a firearms enthusiast since age 16 after getting to shoot with a friend. Since then he's taken many others out to the range for their first time. He is a husband, father, grandfather, police officer, outdoorsman, artist and a student of history. Doug has been a TFB reader from the start and is happy to be a contributor of content. Doug can be reached at battleshipgrey61 AT gmail.com, or battleshipgrey61 on Instagram.
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Hand grenades IWB, satchel charge OWB.
Potato masher as BBQ carry.
I've found my tastes in guns in general has done a total 180. When I first got into the hobby it was semiautos and plastic handguns. I still enjoy my semiauto rifles but I have fallen down the precision bolt action hole and that's pretty much what I shoot now. I'm still planning on buying a 20" carry handle upper for a built lower I have. As far as pistols I have basically moved to metal D/SA or SAO guns from the tactical tupperware. Mostly Beretta, CZ, and SIG. The exception being an original S&W Shield I appendix carry out of convenience. I doubt I'll get into the revolver world but you never know. I can think of a few magnum revolvers that would be cool to own.