Fang
05-14-2010, 05:10 PM
Some longarms and handguns just seem made to go together; whether it's historical association, common elements of design philosophy, similar operating principles, pure aesthetics, or some undefinable correlation, they just seem wonderfully complementary. A lot of these pairings are based on subjective impressions and opinions, so it's always interesting to share one's ideal pairings, as well as the reasoning behind it.
I'll start.
M14 and 1911: Old-school American designs, overpowered and designed to do one thing: shoot reliably and accurately. Both are shootable with irons farther out than most might think (500 and 100 yards), and both are big, loud, heavy, and unsubtle. Also, they happen to represent my favorite rifle and handgun.
FAL and Hi-Power: The common thread here is that both are designed at least in part by Duidonne Saive. They both feature well-thought-out controls and takedown mechanisms, and both were about forty years ahead of their time.
AK and Glock: Inelegant and ugly, but simple and reliable. Both guns function like appliances and are not distinguished by gilt-edged accuracy. Neither would inspire more than an irritated sigh if dropped in a mud puddle. Both are what instantly pop to mind when people who are scared of guns think about guns.
Colt SAA and Winchester Model 95: The classic cowboy combo, preferred in the same caliber so that they could share ammunition. Both required the action to be manually reset, which makes both quite forgiving of poor or rough handling when not cocked.
Gyrojet carbine (http://www.littlegun.be/arme americaine/gyrojet carabine-02.jpg) and Dardick revolver (http://blog.modernmechanix.com/mags/qf/c/MechanixIllustrated/8-1957/this_gun/med_this_gun_0.jpg): Comedy option. Two bizarre and unique designs that never really went anywhere. I would pay money to watch someone do a three-gun match using these.
I'll start.
M14 and 1911: Old-school American designs, overpowered and designed to do one thing: shoot reliably and accurately. Both are shootable with irons farther out than most might think (500 and 100 yards), and both are big, loud, heavy, and unsubtle. Also, they happen to represent my favorite rifle and handgun.
FAL and Hi-Power: The common thread here is that both are designed at least in part by Duidonne Saive. They both feature well-thought-out controls and takedown mechanisms, and both were about forty years ahead of their time.
AK and Glock: Inelegant and ugly, but simple and reliable. Both guns function like appliances and are not distinguished by gilt-edged accuracy. Neither would inspire more than an irritated sigh if dropped in a mud puddle. Both are what instantly pop to mind when people who are scared of guns think about guns.
Colt SAA and Winchester Model 95: The classic cowboy combo, preferred in the same caliber so that they could share ammunition. Both required the action to be manually reset, which makes both quite forgiving of poor or rough handling when not cocked.
Gyrojet carbine (http://www.littlegun.be/arme americaine/gyrojet carabine-02.jpg) and Dardick revolver (http://blog.modernmechanix.com/mags/qf/c/MechanixIllustrated/8-1957/this_gun/med_this_gun_0.jpg): Comedy option. Two bizarre and unique designs that never really went anywhere. I would pay money to watch someone do a three-gun match using these.