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Firearms with undeserved reputations

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BenderRodriguez
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11:19a, 4/28/26
AG
Thought this might be an entertaining off season thread for yall.

What firearm do you think has an undeserved reputation? Either positively or negatively. Share what gun comes to mind, the reputation it has, and your impression counter to the popular narrative.

I would assume it goes without saying but obviously this should be a gun you have actual experience with owning and shooting, not "I held a glock once in a gun store and didn't like how it felt" kind of stuff.

I have many, many opinions (shocker, I know) but I'm going to stay quiet and let yall share your own thoughts first.

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fixer
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11:34a, 4/28/26
Beretta 92: unreliable and the slide will come off and hit your face. And it is too big for a 9mm and you can't carry it; and the safety sucks.

Reality: checkmate mags, older locking blocks, a tiny batch of slides were made with bad metallurgical composition; and lack of experience with safety.

1911: unreliable and king of the feedramp stoppage. And if you use mim parts they turn to dust after 500 rounds.

Reality: a good magazine prevents the feedramp stoppage and mim is essentially same thing in connecting rods in engines made for the last 30 plus years.
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EliteElectric
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11:37a, 4/28/26
Glocks-
They look like weapons from an 8 bit video game but they are reliable and fairly accurate
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Bigballin
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11:57a, 4/28/26
AG
2011s

Just buy a Glock and learn to shoot it.
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zooguy96
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11:59a, 4/28/26
AG
I know a lot about a little, and a little about a lot.
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Charismatic Megafauna
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12:12p, 4/28/26
AG
870
Way overrated
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ought1ag
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12:19p, 4/28/26
AG
870
Way underrated
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FSGuide
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12:19p, 4/28/26
AR's from PSA

I have 2 AR15 and 1 AR10 from them.

The AR10 doesn't have a lot of rounds through it. Bought it, put glass on it and zeroed it. Took it to a different range once after that for some 200 yard shooting. Other than that it just lives in my safe. I thought I'd hunt with it more, but just after I bought it we lost our lease and I haven't been on another lease since then.

My first PSA AR15 on the other hand has seen a ton of use. Countless trips to the deer blind when I was guiding hunters on the MLD ranch because we had a ton of hogs. It was also my weapon of choice when we did our "doe days" at the end of every season. A lot of trips to the range for therapy back when I had some free time to myself. After a few trips to the range I did put a Gisselle SSA trigger in it. Noticeable difference from the factory trigger. And it's been on 4 helicopter hog hunts. I dot recall a single problem with it.

My 2nd AR15 from them I built from the ground up with all PSA parts. Put a red dot on it. Did a rattle can paint job on it and it's been in my safe since then. Never fired it. I did take it out of the safe and put a Gisselle trigger in it like I did with my well used AR.
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zooguy96
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In reply to FSGuide • 1:36p, 4/28/26
AG
FSGuide said:
AR's from PSA

I have 2 AR15 and 1 AR10 from them.

The AR10 doesn't have a lot of rounds through it. Bought it, put glass on it and zeroed it. Took it to a different range once after that for some 200 yard shooting. Other than that it just lives in my safe. I thought I'd hunt with it more, but just after I bought it we lost our lease and I haven't been on another lease since then.

My first PSA AR15 on the other hand has seen a ton of use. Countless trips to the deer blind when I was guiding hunters on the MLD ranch because we had a ton of hogs. It was also my weapon of choice when we did our "doe days" at the end of every season. A lot of trips to the range for therapy back when I had some free time to myself. After a few trips to the range I did put a Gisselle SSA trigger in it. Noticeable difference from the factory trigger. And it's been on 4 helicopter hog hunts. I dot recall a single problem with it.

My 2nd AR15 from them I built from the ground up with all PSA parts. Put a red dot on it. Did a rattle can paint job on it and it's been in my safe since then. Never fired it. I did take it out of the safe and put a Gisselle trigger in it like I did with my well used AR.


Yes.

But, damn, higher end ones are noice!

Going from a DPMS to a suppressed LMT….
I know a lot about a little, and a little about a lot.
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maverick2076
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1:50p, 4/28/26
Kel-tec, as a company, gets crapped on regularly for putting out cheap crap. But all 3 Kel-tecs I own (Sub2k, PMR-30, and CP33) have been reliable across at least 2k rounds each, accurate (especially the rimfires) and a blast to shoot. And Kel-tec is a rarity in the firearms industry, in that they aren't afraid to innovate.
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Captain Ahab
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1:58p, 4/28/26
I can think of 3 guns that are consistently overrated, particularly on this board. I am not going to list them because I don't feel the need to crap on someone else's gun collection.

I went to a skeet shoot the other day and took a high end break over shotgun. There were guys out there that blew me away shooting $500 shotguns.

Shooting skill is more important than the gun used.
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EliteElectric
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In reply to Captain Ahab • 2:20p, 4/28/26
it's not the paint brush it's the painter
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BenderRodriguez
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In reply to Captain Ahab • 2:35p, 4/28/26
AG
Captain Ahab said:

Shooting skill is more important than the gun used.


Well, yeah.

That's why I've consistently encouraged people to seek out training, competing and actually practicing a lot on this forum in other threads

But this thread is about the hardware instead of the software.

ETA: Sadly, if I started a thread on "tell me about the last class you took or competition you shot", it would get way less traffic than a thread where people get to argue about what guns they like or don't like. That's just the way it is.
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javajaws
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2:53p, 4/28/26
AG
Underrated: JP-5

Overrated: MP5

About right rated: APC9 Pro


Out of all 3 I like the APC9 Pro the best, but if I had a second JP-5 with a shorter barrel that would probably be my favorite.
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Max06
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3:36p, 4/28/26
AG
Underrated: any gun straight off the shelf

Overrated: tons of gucci upgrades that won't *actually* make you a better shooter
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KRamp90
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3:47p, 4/28/26
AG
Kel-Tec CP33.
My nephews friend had his grenade in his hand.
I have not fired mine since. And it was not great before that.
Any buyers? I'll include the brace.
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maverick2076
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In reply to KRamp90 • 3:51p, 4/28/26
What have your issues been with it? Like most semi auto .22 pistols, it can be a little picky on ammo, and the mags take a bit of care to load properly, but mine has been extremely reliable and accurate with Federal Automatch.
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KRamp90
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3:55p, 4/28/26
AG
Just not that reliable with different ammo. I like my M&P 15-22 much better.
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BenderRodriguez
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In reply to BenderRodriguez • 4:18p, 4/28/26
AG
BenderRodriguez said:

ETA: Sadly, if I started a thread on "tell me about the last class you took or competition you shot", it would get way less traffic than a thread where people get to argue about what guns they like or don't like. That's just the way it is.


Just to reemphasize my point here, this thread already has more replies and interest than my week old thread about a really fantastic rifle class I took, and half the replies on that one are me answering questions from the three or four dudes who showed interest in it.

Que sera, quesadilla
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Muzzleblast
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4:19p, 4/28/26
Sig P 320
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Max06
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In reply to BenderRodriguez • 4:27p, 4/28/26
AG
Do it!
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agsalaska
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5:49p, 4/28/26
AG
I'll go.

Overrated is an any AR in 5.56.

Underrated is any AR in 6.5Grendel and probably 6arc although I don't have one yet in 6arc.

For me the 5.56 is underpowered and doesn't serve much of a purpose in my world. The 6.5 Grendel is a HUGE step forward and changes the gun dramatically. I freaking love my 6.5 Grendel. My favorite long gun to shoot.

Also,

Overrated are pocket size .380s like the Ruger LCR. They are too hard to manipulate and the barrel is too short to get good performance out of self defense bullets.







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NRH ag 10
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6:07p, 4/28/26
AG
I'll also say the Beretta 92. Get a Langdon trigger job in as had with a 13lb mainspring and short reset trigger bar and enjoy a superb DA and SA trigger in a reliable handgun with cheap mecgar mags.
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Eliminatus
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7:39p, 4/28/26
AG
Glock's reputation for reliability is well earned and deserved. But been saying for some time that doesn't mean that others are not in the same realm at this point. I truly believe we have reached a point where some are JUST as reliable as Glock. It shouldn't be a main selling point of being the most reliable on the market anymore. Just that it is a very reliable and proven handgun.

So I guess I think that Glocks are overrated? Or maybe the idea that they are superior over all others and that it is a binary choice of Glock reliability and the implication that everything else is bad that makes it so? I don't know. Something like that.
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maverick2076
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In reply to KRamp90 • 7:48p, 4/28/26
KRamp90 said:
Just not that reliable with different ammo. I like my M&P 15-22 much better.


How much do you want for it?
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Buck Compton
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In reply to BenderRodriguez • 7:53p, 4/28/26
AG
BenderRodriguez said:
BenderRodriguez said:

ETA: Sadly, if I started a thread on "tell me about the last class you took or competition you shot", it would get way less traffic than a thread where people get to argue about what guns they like or don't like. That's just the way it is.


Just to reemphasize my point here, this thread already has more replies and interest than my week old thread about a really fantastic rifle class I took, and half the replies on that one are me answering questions from the three or four dudes who showed interest in it.

Que sera, quesadilla
If it makes you feel any better, I didn't comment or engage, but based on your experience I am going to be in Nevada for work later this year and I am trying to make some time with Veles work as it will overlap. I think someone here also suggested KR Training for me once upon a time and I took 5-6 classes out there.

As for this thread… most underrated category is any bolt gun with wood furniture. Most overrated category is any "modern" lever action.

For real answers, no one talks about the p226 anymore, but it's still my favorite pistol. Has a good reputation but I still say underrated.

For overrated I can't decide between a Walther ppk or AK-74. Probably the Walther.
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rab79
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9:04p, 4/28/26
AG
Underrated 181+ series mini-14's after they get a little bit of cheap accurizing work. Off the shelf many of them will "walk" on the target but a recoil buffer, stock shims, a heavy flash hider and a homemade barrel strut will make them capable of 1.5-2 moa.
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JB!98
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9:27p, 4/28/26
AG
Under rated:

Rock River AR's - I have shot with buddies who have LMT's, DD's, and LaRue. My Rock River just chugs along right with them with the same accuracy and function.

Rock Island 1911's (after some trigger work)- shoot as well as my Colt or Kimber.

Cheaper does not always mean inferior.
Today, unfortunately, many Americans have good reason to fear that they will be victimized if they are unable to protect themselves. And today, no less than in 1791, the Second Amendment guarantees their right to do so. - Justice Samuel Alito 2022
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Eliminatus
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In reply to Bigballin • 9:33p, 4/28/26
AG
Bigballin said:
2011s

Just buy a Glock and learn to shoot it.


The "custom" and top end 2011s I fully agree. Thankfully though there is a push to convince the gun world that sub $1500 2011s are not only possible, but damn good. The diminishing returns you get past that is pretty crazy with what has come recently.
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91AggieLawyer
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In reply to rab79 • 10:36p, 4/28/26
AG
rab79 said:
Underrated 181+ series mini-14's after they get a little bit of cheap accurizing work. Off the shelf many of them will "walk" on the target but a recoil buffer, stock shims, a heavy flash hider and a homemade barrel strut will make them capable of 1.5-2 moa.


The Mini-14s I shot back in the day ('80s and '90s; 3 or 4 of them) were reasonably accurate and reliable. You could also abuse them to some extent and they'd still be fine. So I think their reputation, at least to a point, has been under valued and I've defended the rifle.

HOWEVER, and this is a HUGE however, they're nowhere near worth what they're priced at now. Especially considering what kind of AR you can buy for that money. I haven't paid much attention to their pricing so its probably been that way for a long while.
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Cromagnum
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8:05a, 4/29/26
AG
Kimber 1911, any kind. Tries to look custom, has all the problems of cheap, poorly fitted 1911s.
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TheMetalDetective
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8:13a, 4/29/26
On Glocks…

I know a Green Beret with 3rd Group very well. They are allowed to choose which sidearm they carry on his ODA. They all carry Glock, without exception. In fact, in his deployments and all of his training he told me he has never seen anything but Glock on SF hips. And these are hard men with multiple deployments who have actually put bad guys in the ground.

So that speaks volumes to me about Glock.

He purchased the Model 19x (?) with the full-size frame and shorter slide and said that is the most popular model.

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Eliminatus
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In reply to Cromagnum • 8:18a, 4/29/26
AG
Cromagnum said:
Kimber 1911, any kind. Tries to look custom, has all the problems of cheap, poorly fitted 1911s.

Supposedly the QC has gotten markedly better last few years. Sadly, the last one I bought was well in their dark times. Had a custom unit design one that had to be sent back twice before I just gave up. When I first got it, I think I audibly gasped at how bad the finish was on it. Horrendous on a special order gun.
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BenderRodriguez
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In reply to Buck Compton • 8:28a, 4/29/26
AG
Buck Compton said:
If it makes you feel any better, I didn't comment or engage, but based on your experience I am going to be in Nevada for work later this year and I am trying to make some time with Veles work as it will overlap. I think someone here also suggested KR Training for me once upon a time and I took 5-6 classes out there.


It absolutely does. Glad I can send any business his way, that Veles class was absolutely fantastic. Reno would be an awesome place to take it too.
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BenderRodriguez
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8:35a, 4/29/26
AG
I am glad to see the Beretta 92 mentioned by a couple of yall as thats the very first gun that comes to my mind too.

It has an undeserved reputation of being unreliable and kind of a POS.

I can't find the picture right now but I saw a photo a few years ago from some military competition where the poor dudes M9 was silver because the finish had been completely worn down, and I think the fact that most people's experience with the Beretta 92 comes from used and abused military guns explains its less than stellar reputation with US shooters.

In reality its a pretty fantastic handgun, when you're using a well maintained one and not one that's been used to hammer in tent stakes in the desert.

I got a good deal on a used M9A4 a few years ago and thought I would probably shoot it a little then use it as trade fodder down the line, but I really enjoy that gun.
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