Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Most satisfying gun actions

I'll start by saying I'm not advocating for doing anything unsafe, or using guns as a fidget toy. But in thinking of this post idea my brain started warming me of ways to misconstrue it, so I'm sure someone else will read it and have a concern.

Outside of range usage and actual shooting, dry fire practice and other unloaded handling is the 3rd or so best way to acquaint yourself with a firearm. Right? Maybe I'm forgetting something obvious and it's 4th best, but it has to be in the top 5. Pick up a gun, perform a safety check, work the action, manipulate controls, dry-fire if acceptable. Rinse. Repeat.

Now, I'll argue that this is fun, because a gun owner likes their guns, or because the activity is itself satisfying. And some guns - through superior ergonomics, or smooth-as-glass actions, or hammers, decockers, and safeties that make satisfying clicks - are more fun than others.

So I'm curious what you'd rate as the most satisfying, or comforting, or fun (however you want to word it) gun to handle - outside of shooting. The handgun forum probably offers the most variety, so that's why the post is here. But don't be scared to mention a levergun.

Large bore revolvers.

Large bore lever actions.

Precision rifle bolt actions.

M4.

Sig Sauer semi-autos.

Yep. Revolvers, leverguns, and Sig P-series with decockers were high on my list, too. M4/AR didn't make it only because i haven't used one enough. Bolt-actions got a pass for leverguns, but i'm now remembering a Vetterli rifle and feeling giddy when i realized pulling the bolt back a little further actuated the elevator. Thanks for replying, SheriffJoe.

Handguns - double action revolvers.

Rifles - lever actions.

And, since we're not limited to handguns, don't forget pump action shotguns!

I recall being intrigued by the action of the Model 37 Ithaca pump, the way feeding and ejection interacted in opposite directions with the same port under the receiver. Very cool, kind of like watching slight of hand.

I sometimes wish I had kept mine.

Paul

UNLOADED Ruger New Model single action revolvers (while watching westerns is a bonus)

A nice 1st gen SAA. This one is from 1901.
Bob

Bolt

Lever

Revolver

Pump

Almost forgot to mention the satisfying action of the Ithaca M-87 D.S. Police Special over the current off-the-rack offerings.

Immaculate.

This is number 1 for me on the list. And really, any similar revolver that does the click-click-click-click.........BOOM!

Second is a good CRF Win or Ruger Bolt. All that I have used have been slick as schitt, even using cartridges like the WSM's.

Third is a good slicked up lever gun. I like the feel of a broken-in Marlin the best, but the Winchester 94's are far more smooth right out of the box.

I've shot many pump guns, but never found them satisfying. Effective, yes. Fast, yes. Not satisfying. Exactly the same for semi-autos.

Tie: tuned Smith and Wesson K and N frames/ Colt Pythons

RS

Python.

Everything I think some revolver is smooth, I pick up the Python.
Smooooooooooth!

Single action Rugers (smoothed, not Ruger rough)


1911. It's just.....I don't know, like holding my wife's hand.

Just about anything but a Block (glock)

...always the man with the right answer...

At the moment I am at my place in north Idaho where there are some firearms. Next to me is a Colt Officers Model Target. It has a beautiful action.

My Glocks 19s are what I have on me at all times so rate the most dryfire practice. I do ready-up drills w/ my AR as part of my workout routine. My Tikka T3 Lite is my main hunting rifle and gets off hand sighting drills about once/week. The good trigger and smooth action of the Tikka is probably the most sensual but the confidence gained from constant practice w/ the G19 is the most satisfying.



mike r

These are kinda nice to play with.
Bob

I was going to list the 1886/71 action. Smooth but tight and positive, a sharp “snick!” At each end of the lever throw.

A Krag lends a similar feel but in a bolt rifle.

Slicked up 1911 or a Mannlicher stocked Ruger from the '90's in .257 Bob not mine but a hunting buddies who (stole) err.. bought it for $249.37 due to clerk failure to operate register correctly. It's out for the world to see now Neal!