{"id":7521,"date":"2013-09-11T13:52:40","date_gmt":"2013-09-11T13:52:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ramworks.net\/blog\/?p=7521"},"modified":"2014-11-14T14:09:00","modified_gmt":"2014-11-14T14:09:00","slug":"hump-day-list-5-greatest-handguns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/hump-day-list-5-greatest-handguns\/","title":{"rendered":"Hump Day List &#8211; 5 Greatest Handguns"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Five Greatest Handguns<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The criteria for consideration was that the handgun had to be born before me, still be in production and still be in demand. The choices were easy for me but do you agree?<\/p>\n<p><strong>#5: Ruger Blackhawk<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Ruger-Blackhawk.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-7527\" alt=\"Ruger Blackhawk\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Ruger-Blackhawk-200x200.jpg?resize=200%2C200\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a>Sure, there is the Colt Single Action Army and it\u2019s been around a long time. But, have you tried to buy one lately? They are expensive and hard to find. They also do not have adjustable sights. The <a href=\"http:\/\/ruger.com\/products\/newModelBlackhawk\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Ruger Blackhawk<\/a> has been around since the 50s, which must have been a group of banner years for great firearm introductions. It has been available in a variety of cartridges and even in convertible combinations as strange as .32-20 and .32 H&amp;R Magnum. It also spawned the Vaquero that is a fixed sight version of the Blackhawk that dominates cowboy action shooting. There may not have ever been a more rugged handgun made than the Blackhawk.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>#4: Browning Hi-Power<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Browning-Hi-Power.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-7529\" alt=\"Browning Hi-Power\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Browning-Hi-Power-200x200.jpg?resize=200%2C200\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a>Yeah, I know, I bet a lot of you thought if I was going to include a 9mm pistol it would be a Glock. Sorry, the Glock does not meet the criteria of being older than me but the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.browning.com\/products\/catalog\/firearms\/finder.asp?f1=007B\" target=\"_blank\">Hi-Power<\/a> does. And, if you look at it from a practical standpoint, the almost 80 year old Hi-Power might be a better pistol. It has a safety that locks the slide, it is single-action and it holds 13 rounds. It has also seen more military service than any handgun and has been used by more armies than any handgun. What? You never fired a Hi-power? Well, if you had you would probably say the same thing that most everyone else says when he or she shoots one. \u201cOh heaven! This gun feels good in my hand.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>#3: Smith &amp; Wesson J-Frame<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/SW-J-Frame-Snub-Nose.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-7530\" alt=\"S&amp;W J-Frame Snub Nose\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/SW-J-Frame-Snub-Nose-200x200.jpg?resize=200%2C200\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a>Also known as the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.smith-wesson.com\/webapp\/wcs\/stores\/servlet\/Product4_750001_750051_765793_-1_757779_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y\" target=\"_blank\">model 36<\/a> or Chief\u2019s Special, the snub-nose J-Frame is another 50\u2019s era handgun. It has a been a staple in police work either as a primary gun for detectives and desk jockeys or as a back up gun for street officers. Though the years have seen many iterations of this design \u2013 some with no hammers and some with shrouded hammers \u2013 the snub nose J-Frame continues to be very popular with many who want to carry a handgun for protection. It has also been available in a variety of chamberings to include rimfires, .32s and even the 9mm. But the .38 Special is what made the gun famous and remains the most popular and best option for this classic which looks like it will never go away.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>#2: 1911 Commander (LW)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/1911-Commander-LW.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-7531\" alt=\"1911 Commander (LW)\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/1911-Commander-LW-200x200.jpg?resize=160%2C160\" width=\"160\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a>A descendant of the greatest fighting pistol ever made, the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.coltsmfg.com\/Catalog\/ColtPistols\/ColtXSE\u2122Series.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Colt Commander<\/a> made the 1911 easier to conceal and lighter on the hip. Originally known as the Commander it picked up the title of Lightweight (LW) when the steel framed version was introduced in the 70s. Some will argue that it\u2019s just another 1911. Its not. Carry a steel framed 1911 for a day and switch to the LW Commander and you\u2019ll feel like you have been cheating on your wife with Jenny Craig. Long live the 1911 as long as it\u2019s a commander. By the way, 9 \u2013 11 is a great day to honor this pistol.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>#1: Ruger Single Six<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Ruger-Single-Six.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-7532\" alt=\"Ruger Single Six\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Ruger-Single-Six-200x200.jpg?resize=200%2C200\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a>Introduced in 1953, this cowboy style revolver stole the hearts of American shooters and it still remains popular. Many a kid and adult have learned to shoot with one of these and they see extensive use by ranch hands, hunters and recreational shooters. They have been chambered in .17 HMR, .22 LR, .22 Mag. and .32 H&amp;R Magnum. Maybe, if Bill Ruger had not done it someone else would have but give credit where credit is due. It has become one of the most successful and fun shooting handguns of all time. Everyone has a little cowboy in them and a <a href=\"http:\/\/ruger.com\/products\/newModelSingleSix\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Ruger Single Six<\/a> is the most affordable way to find it. If you don\u2019t have one you need one and you may not realize how bad you need it until you own it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You tell me.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Vote in the poll and give your opinion as to which of these five &#8211; based on my criteria &#8211; should not be included in this list of the greatest handguns.<\/p>\n<p>[poll id=&#8221;17&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Five Greatest Handguns The criteria for consideration was that the handgun had to be born before me, still be in production and still be in demand. The choices were easy for me but do you agree? #5: Ruger Blackhawk Sure, there is the Colt Single Action Army and it\u2019s been around a long time. But, have you tried to buy one lately? &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[256,257,258,259,260,261],"class_list":["post-7521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-5-greatest-handguns","tag-colt-commander","tag-greatest-handguns","tag-ruger-blackhawk","tag-ruger-single-six","tag-sw-j-frame"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5hujZ-1Xj","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7786,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/front-sights-for-handgun-hunting\/","url_meta":{"origin":7521,"position":0},"title":"Front Sights for Handgun Hunting","author":"gunwriter","date":"December 2, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"To be a successful handgun hunter you need three things: Your handgun has to have sights you can see. You handgun needs a good trigger. You need to practice, practice, and practice. \u00a0 Experienced hunters know that the best times to see game is often in the early morning and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;HUNTING&quot;","block_context":{"text":"HUNTING","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/hunt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Opening day Blackhawk buck.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/HS-11-300x239.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8722,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/new-sights-from-xs\/","url_meta":{"origin":7521,"position":1},"title":"New Sights from XS","author":"gunwriter","date":"April 7, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Anyone who follows this blog knows I use and trust XS Sights. I like them so much I had a set custom fitted to the gun - a Ruger Single Six in .32 H&R Mag - I carry everyday here around Shadowland. (It helps when you have a top\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"AR Back-Up Sights\"","block_context":{"text":"AR Back-Up Sights","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/tag\/ar-back-up-sights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Ruger Single Six with XS Sights - Custom Installation.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Single-Six.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Single-Six.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Single-Six.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Single-Six.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7511,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wrap-it-in-leather-take-it-to-town\/","url_meta":{"origin":7521,"position":2},"title":"Wrap it in leather. Take it to town.","author":"gunwriter","date":"September 7, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Just received my latest piece of leather art from Mike Barranti at Barranti Leather. He hooked me up with a holster for the gun I carry most often in the field which is a Ruger Single Six in .32 H&R Magnum. He even added a nice touch with the Shadowland\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Barranti Leather\"","block_context":{"text":"Barranti Leather","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/tag\/barranti-leather\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"IMG_3080","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3080-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15555,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/the-25-best-handguns-ever\/","url_meta":{"origin":7521,"position":3},"title":"The 25 Best Handguns Ever","author":"gunwriter","date":"June 22, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Here is a look at 25 of the best handguns ever made. There are a lot of classics on this list and some that are not. Some of these may not be as good of guns as the ones they inspired, but the ones they inspired would not exist without\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;DEFENSE&quot;","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/25-Wilson-Combat-EDC-X9.jpg?fit=1200%2C1005&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/25-Wilson-Combat-EDC-X9.jpg?fit=1200%2C1005&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/25-Wilson-Combat-EDC-X9.jpg?fit=1200%2C1005&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/25-Wilson-Combat-EDC-X9.jpg?fit=1200%2C1005&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/25-Wilson-Combat-EDC-X9.jpg?fit=1200%2C1005&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15902,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/the-22-magnum\/","url_meta":{"origin":7521,"position":4},"title":"The 22 Magnum","author":"gunwriter","date":"February 16, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"There was a time when the 22 Magnum was the darling cartridge of riflemen. 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