Didn't want to step on the PPK thread but it made me think of all the semi-auto handguns out there with true panache.

Not going to be the style Nazi, panache or style if you prefer can be whatever you think it is. But as a guideline, a Glock 17 or 19 does not have panache, no matter how much aftermarket stuff it's laden with. A plain jane, beat to crap 1911 that was carried through a war definitely does.

Also, try to limit this to semi-autos, we already know there is a plethora of DA and SA revolvers with panache.

So, let's see'em!


I'll start. Recently got this 1988 vintage Beretta Model 87, a single stack .22 in their Cheetah series. It's not the most accurate .22 I own but it holds its own. Mostly it's just a really neat little gun and brings me much pleasure to handle and shoot.

Il mio nuovo piccolo amico.

1943 Colt...



More modern version of the design but I think it still carries with class. Dan Wesson Vigil, Lwt. Commander size .45 ACP...

My early 80's Browning Hi Power Electroless Nickel. I worked an entire summer as a young teenager just to purchase the Satin Chrome model with the black grips and accents from a local Ace Hardware. When I had enough to pay for it, I went to the store and it had been sold.

I was lucky enough to have a close cousin with FFL and got this one shipped. I'm glad it turned out as it did!



Chris in AL

Colt Series-70 Gold Cup
WWI 1911 Colt (WWII arsenal rework)
Colt .22 Conversion kit

Caspian frame and slide I put together a long time ago. Kart barrel and bushing, Herrett’s skip line scales, Bomars, 30LPI checkered front strap, been so long I don’t recall whose internals and beaver tail I used. It’s a shooter though, 1” for 8 200gr SWCs over PB at 25yds.
1980 production BHP. I cut the Novaks, fitted it with the C&S NoBite hammer and spring kit as well as their strong side safety. A close friend who is a Master engraver did the scroll and rasp tooth treatment to the front and backstraps and I found some discount grips from Herretts.

Same engraver buddy did some light scroll and line art mice on one of my wife’s mouse guns. S&W 61 Escort.

My vote goes to the old, round trigger guard variants of the S&W Model 39, the Beretta 92 and the CZ75. Those are the only modern autos that rival the 1911 and P35.

I can't, and wouldn't, argue with what anyone else has posted so far. 1911, BHP, CZ-75, Smith 39 and Beretta 92. That's about it, really. I can't think of any to add, except maybe the Colt pocket autos (1903/1908). And the Luger...............

How about a Colt 1903 with experience?

I'd say the Luger has a certain distinctive style.

Here's one in Artillery configuration

.

<> https://www.sigsauer.com/p320-axg-classic.html <>

This Sig P320 AXG Classic, is not vintage but has Panache. Traded a couple guns to Scheels for it.

Great picture and handgun!

When I was a teenager, and looking forward to when I qualified for a pistol permit (in New York, you cannot even own a handgun without a permit), that Browning/Beretta pistol (but in .380, not .22) was what I was sure I was going to get as my first handgun. Never did get one, but have three Beretta 92 variants.

What? the Woodsmans are chopped liver?

Is that a Sten on top?

Not sure if these qualify, but these are the most-panachy semi-autos I have. The lower one has been in the family for about 60 years - bought new by daddy.

Sterling

I'm partial to these.

Nice!

Here's a vest pocket .32 & my carry SA Champion RO Elite Commander 9mm.

chris

Sterling MK 6...but it will take a STEN mag.

VERY cool!!!

Tanfoglio Stock II. A future classic.

Didn't mean to upset you, Don. I was considering centerfire pistols only.

That’ll do!

Yep!

Nice old Colt. I have carried a 1933 model for 40 plus years and had some great adventures. Mine looks a little worse for wear though. Yours would look great riding in a vintage Heiser flap holster. What brand of holster is the one pictured?

Love the old Colts; inspired by Nick in Ernest Hemingway’s early short stories. Never could find a Colt but got a look a like clone ; an Iver Johnson Trailmaster or some such. It stovepiped no matter what brand ammo used and didn’t stay in my care very long. My Dad’s youngest brother had a competition Huntsman Colt that I got to shoot a few times. He was a Lt Col in USMC and did 3 tours in Nam. I do have a Marlin 30/30 with the 3/4 tube magazine that was his. Wonder what happened to his Colt? Also his 1911

Some very cool pistols in this thread. Here are some of mine, but I'm not a pistolero. Even though I just bought 3 over the last 2 weeks!!!

My last 2 3rd gens. I'll keep these ones. 4006 and 4506



Some Ruger MK2's:


Some CZ's:

I made it.

My father made those grips.

I don’t own one….. but this is the first thing that came to my mind when I read the OP. Even over my Woodsman. John Browning legacy with machined metal using metric system ammo is about as good as it gets in a description of whatever “panache” means. 351, yours is a fine looking example with a great origin story.
Bob

Kind words Bob! I think this is where I started collecting for my self. I never plan to move it, just pass it on!

Thank you
Chris

Custom Colt Lightweight Commander.

Performance Center 4563.

Something like 108 or so of this type ever left the custom shop.

Mine has a 2 digit serial number.


Hand built/fitted barrels and frames, and exceptionally accurate.

Family heirloom

Colt 1902 Military in .38 Auto.

Precursor to the 1911.

Nice.

Mayhaps a definition of "panache" is in order? I, as well as others, put forth their personal favorites, but panache may best be defined as "dash" or "verve". In that case I might add that defining the circumstances of use may well apply too. For example: In an alder-choked thicket in Alaskan bear country, panache may best be described as not a Colt Single Action .44 but rather a S&W M29 .44 with max velocity hard cast semi-wadcutters (or perhaps some of Mackay's .45 bear loads); or a pre-war Colt 6" Woodsman in upstate PA trout/deer woods in the off season vs. a Walther P-22; or a Colt 1911 .45 clutched in your hand versus a 9mm SIG stuffed in your pants on a Baltimore street at 1:00 AM on a Saturday night. Lookin' good doesn't count for much when practical considerations do, except when "stylin' " matters too.

Definition of panache? Go check it for yourself and then tell me if a single pistol shown here doesn't fit it. It's all in the eye of the beholder. What doesn't do it for you may have it in spades for the next guy. 😉

I like penuche......

I picked this one up from a former forum member at the annual hog hunt in March.



A consignment Browning from six months ago.



A trio of Colts from an estate sale.



A Smith (and a Colt) from the same estate sale.

I knew someone was going to slip a revolver in here. Ha! Nice pistols EdM! Love the Colts.

Sig Scorpion

One of my favorites at one time. Had a few. This one was a favorite. No longer own it but occasionally have the itch for another.

Posted this one in the past, but definite Panache

I had a .30 Mauser Broomhandle I was supposed to get before its owner had nursing home bills that needed paid.

That was a neat gun with panache, along with a High Standard HD and Victor.

1911's are always a panache item.

Details, please. What caliber is that?

I was wrong. It is NOT a 39 S&W. 52 Smith and Wesson 38 Special Wadcutter only.

Looks like a 39 to me, too, except for the magazines, which look like .22 lr mags.

Good eye! I didn’t pay attention to that.

Looks more like a Model 52, they were in 38 Special.

Is that not a 52 in .38spl?

Mfg 1919

Pre-war ACE has got to make the cut..

Walther Olympia

I suspected that's what that was. I'd never seen what their mags looked like.

You are correct, sir! My bad.

My father has one. If you don’t hit what you’re aiming at with that thing, it’s YOUR fault!

They sure do look like a 39, but that’s where it ends.

I almost traded my S&W 1006 for a 52-1 a couple years ago. Probably should have as I load and shoot far more 38s than any other caliber. Pretty neat guns from a bygone time.

Alchemy Prime

It's not a 52.

It's either a 52-1 or a 52-2.
The 52's did not have the dimple or cut for the barrel weight.

Tony

I’d consider a 52-1 or 52-2 a model 52. The other number simply denotes an engineering change.

I like my Rock River .45 Basic Carry with upgraded target sights. Pictured here with a demo qual target I shot for a class of court officers.

That’s pretty cool! You don’t see them very often. Well, I guess you do.

I think the Savage 1907's meet your definition. If not they meet mine.

Those are cool. Savage entered one into competition with the 1911 for US Military adoption, and I think it did well. It was that model on steroids, so it could handle .45 ACP.

Nice!

Another recent scarce find. Shares the same magazines with my M41. Not a bad $200 shooter.

I've likely got different ideas than most, but the panachiest auto pistols all shoot bullets of 40 gr or under.

You want panache and bigger bullets you're looking at a 1911 of some flavor or other.

The Woodsman marked a watershed in human history...

1911s in .38 Super have panache by the bucketloads. I think they have more panache than the .45s, really. I love my .45s, but the Supers are just everything they oughta be.

Family Rubber Band Squirrel Shooter. All the three boys of that generation had a 22lr at the ready, just in case.





PS: I still feel the High Power defines panache but I don't own one......yet.

Those are very 1950s cool. Made the way things used to be made in the US. Always wanted one, and found a very nice looking one like that about ten years ago, and bought it. Jammomatic. Back and forth to the gunsmith at the shop I bought it from, to no avail. The store eventually (after about a year of back and forth to their gunsmith) gave me a full refund on it. Bad luck, I guess. They have great reputations.

I collect old Colt SAA's and often sit at my desk holding one from 1890 and wish it could tell me it's history.
There is one handgun I have that I'm glad it can't tell me anything.
1942 BYF.
I'm sure this one has some sort of "Panache

That one's in great shape for a war time weapon.

Very cool.

Probably get laughed off the forum for this, but function has a certain amount of panache.

Our high school shop teacher would drolly proclaim when we brought our projects to him for grading, “ well, I guess there’s beauty in function.”

I’ve grown quite enamored of the Glock 44. After testing 15 varieties of ammo and several hundred rounds down range, and a fair pile of feral domestic rabbits done in, I’m pretty sold on it.

I was a wee bit surprised with your comment on the accuracy of the Model 87 in that it is lacking in some accuracy. Is that for this pistol in comparison to other .22lr autos that you have? Are those other autos more of a range only shooter?

I have heard from many sources that this Model is a champ in accuracy with an all steel frame with great engineering thrown in. I have been looking for one in the same shape as yours and enjoyed the photo thanks.

The "not the most accurate .22 I own" comment is literal, the Beretta is not as accurate as a pair of Ruger Mark III and Mark IV target models with Volquartsen triggers and red dot sights so that's not a real fair comparison.

To be honest I haven't really wrung out its full accuracy potential with a good rest, so far the only accuracy testing was shooting four different brands of ammo more as a function and POI check at an indoor range just kneeling down and laying my hands on the platform/bench at the shooting station.

But that Beretta is a lot more fun to shoot than the two Rugers - they are more for deliberate, make each shot count type shooting. With the Model 87 I find myself burning through 200 rounds rapid fire every time I take it to the range. Plus, it's just a really cool pistol.

As far as I am concerned, the S&W's best 3rd Gen that they ever produced came out of the old Performance Center. It was a rare version of a 4563. The .45 CQB, with a black finish. The guns were hand fitted and had a very tight Briley bushing setup. The example shoots little tiny groups, which, considering it is an aluminum framed 4" barrel gun is no small feat. The DA trigger is quite nice, and the single action trigger is the best I have ever seen/felt on a traditional DA/SA gun. It is truly exceptional. I have seen factory 1911s with more take-up than the SA trigger on this pistol.

Panache or Pancakes, I will take it!