Your favorite of your collection?

[Alex]

I was thinking about this question the other day when my girlfriend asked me:

(As I'm cleaning my guns one night)

"So which one is your favorite?"

"Huh?"

"You know, which gun do you like the most?"

I got to thinking about it, and the stories and memories attached to each of my firearms.

So the point of the thread is this: What is your favorite of your firearms collection, and what is the story behind it?

I'll start off with mine:

After some thought, I had to say that my Ruger SP101 in .357mag was my favorite of all of them. (2 1/4 in barrel, Stainless Steel) I bought the Ruger about 2 months ago. I had always wanted a revolver, but had literally NO idea where to start. I finally went to my local shop and started asking questions. I decided to settle on a .357, since I would be able to shoot .38special out of it. (Seemed like the best bargin)

As I was discussing the revolvers they had in stock, I started to handle some, starting with a S&W. It felt nice, but had a bobbed hammer, which ment double-action only. I wasn't crazy about that, since that was part of the appeal of owning a revolver for me, more of a "Fun Gun" than a carry weapon. So I kept looking through their selection, seeing a lot of revolvers I liked, but none that I loved.

I was about to leave when I spotted an SP101 in the bottom corner of the case, and realized I hadn't looked at that one yet. I asked to see it, expecting to be disappointed as I had been with most of the others. (Great guns, just didn't "Feel" right to me)
As soon as I held it, I knew it was the one I had been looking for. I loved the weight, the feel, the size and the looks. I had literally found exactly what I had been looking for. I was very excited until I asked the price. They wanted $540 for it. I hadn't planned on spending any more than $400, which I told him. He said that was the lowest they could go, and promised me I wouldn't find one any cheaper.

So I left the gun store feeling awful. There was my perfect revolver, and it was just a little too much money. I decided to swing by the other shop in town, just to BS with the guys there, and see if they could price check an SP101 for me (Figured maybe I would talk the other guys down a bit) When I got there, they were helping customers, so I made myself look through the pistol cases. When I got to the third one, I couldn't believe what I saw there.

Right there in front of me was a Ruger SP101, 2 1/4 inch barrel Stainless Steel, in .357mag. It was literally perfect, with no scratches, dings, etc. I waited until one of the employees was available, and asked to see it (I was surprised they had revolvers, they're more of a tactical shop) He told me it had just come in that afternoon on consignment, and he expected it would be sold pretty quickly, given the price and accessories. I asked him how much they were asking, (ready to hear a price in the 500 range) and he said the magic words:

"For the Holster, Speed loaders, Pistol, Hogue grip he wants.......$375 out the door."

Now, I can tell you one thing, I'm pretty quick on a draw. However, my wallet was out of my pocket faster than I could have ever drawn a pistol, even to save my own life.
So I bought the revolver of my dreams, and some ammo to go with. Took it home, and fell in love with how it shoots.

Today, two months later, it's still by far my favorite of my guns. Others have come and gone, but I have a place in my heart for my little hand-cannon. It actually gets more carry time than my Glock 27, since it's so much more comfortable.

So that's the story of my favorite of my guns, let's hear yours!

[BW1911]

Isn't your first almost always a, if not THE, favorite?

Me? No, I don't own any guns, sir!

[newdovo]

Most of the guns that I've acquired have filled some need. Personal defense, home defense, target shooting, plinking fun, etc. If I was a hunter, I'd have guns for that, too. Some are more practical than others.
As a kid, my dad took us plinking with an old pump-action .22. Lots of memories associated with shooting that gun. When I renewed my interest in the shooting sport as an adult, a Henry .22 pump was my first acquisition. And it's my favorite. I suppose I could come up with reasons why it's such a practical rifle to own, etc. It has been a good gun to shoot with the kids and novice shooters. But really, it's just a fun plinker and I have a soft spot for it.

Parry

...Your favorite of your collection?

Oh, I'm not a collector. I'm an accumulator.

[dorminWS]

Why pick a favorite? I like'em all.

[ffhounddog]

SIg P228 for pistol and for rifle LWRCI M6A1. I carried a M11 overseas and always wanted a LWRCi Rifle and found one for $1500 new.

Other than that my HK P2000 9mm and Colt 6920.

[SilentServiceVet]

If I had more than one, (not saying I do) then it would be the last one I bought that is my favorite. And they're jealous of each other too. Constantly fighting over me, seeking my affection. If I had more than one, that is.

[sjm]

it's hard to choose a favorite i don't think i've found one i did'nt like yet, but i'll keep buying until i find one. the s & w model 29 proformance center is at the top of my list, the new s & w governor is right up there. the kimber polymer is nice. i just can't choose

[Tweaker]

Without a doubt, my KelTec RFB in .308 Win. From the long hard search to find it to the long hard effort to work out the bugs with it from the factory, to the bad ass cartridge and its short awesome stature, I LOVES IT!

It makes me grin and can whoop some ass.

[Palladin]

You gotta admit, those cases falling out the front are just bad to the bone!

[M1A4ME]

After reading the OP I'm reminded I seldom shoot my favorite guns anymore.

My favorite handgun?? Darn, that's tough. The M29 is accurate and powerful (and so smooth its unbelievable) yet I haven't shot it in years. The M586 is the most accurate revolver I've ever owned, but again, I haven't shot it in years. My favorite semi-auto is an older Colt Combat Commander (that again, hasn't been fired in years). I carry and shoot different guns (still a Colt 1911 type).

My favorite rifle?? Again, tough. Most accurate up close is probably the M700 varmint special. When I missed a groundhog I knew I'd screwed up. That rifle didn't miss if I did my part. Bigger caliber. The 03A4 was the most accurate rifle I had (one of my M1 Garands may be right there with it though). I was sitting out on the end of the "bald knob" one day watching the reclaimed stip mines around the bald knob and across a couple of hollows (hollers where I come from). It was deer season but the deer weren't coming out of the woods on their own that day. I was sitting there watching a flock of crows on the "Buck Ridge" across the creek from me. They were walking through the grass feeding on bugs (nice warm sun shiny day). With my 180 grain reloads that rifle would allow me to bust 3 of 5 one gallon milk jugs at 500 yds. on a regular basis (you've got to fill them with water so you can see the hits) and that's why I was confident of hits while watching for deer hundreds of yards away. My range finger (old mechanical style) told me the crows were 600 yds. away on the side of the mountain. I finally got bored enough to take a shot at the crows. No wind, I held over the one crow farthest up the hill by what seemed like the right amount vs. the 500 yd. milk jug shots and squeesed off the shot. That crow went to flopping, bouncing and fluttering around in the grass and the rest of the flock of crows "left Dodge" in a hurry. Me? I was jumping up and down shouting "die, die, die, you sob". I'd have had that thing mounted (after I saved up the money). Finally it got up, walked around, tried to fly a couple of times before finally getting a few feet off the ground and on to a limb of a small tree at the edge of the strip. I decided to give it a second shot and just cleaned missed that one and the crow flew off up the holler. That 03A4 is one good shooting rifle with those 180 grain reloads. I've only taken it to the range once in the last 25 years.

I shoot my AR more than anything else these days but my "shooter" M1 Garand is my favorite rifle at this time.

If I had to head out the door with two guns right now it would be my stainless Colt series 80 and my M1 Garand. I'm not getting in firefight. I'm going to shoot through what someone thinks is "cover" and then move on.

[MrZ]

I Love my Springfield XDm .40, gotta love a gun that’s designed and tested on the battlefield but yet i always go back to my Taurus 357 magnum anytime I leave the house.

[John1]

I enjoy shooting all of my firearms, but my favorite gun is my Ruger SP101 357 magnum, 2.25" barrel. In SA or DA it is a joy to fire. It is also my OC of choice.