The topic of a handgun "wish list" came up recently, and I thought it might be fun to discuss here. What would you like to see from the manufacturers (assuming they actually had the production capacity to make them and get them to market!)?
Here's some ideas to get started from my own wish list:
1. Ruger GP-100 in .22LR. The .22LR SP-101 is OK, but I've got large hands and that SP-101 frame is just too small. S&W needs some competition in this arena with their 617, anyhow. A good, large frame .22LR from Ruger would be super neat;
2. Single Stack Glock 9mm. Yep, me too. I'm thinking a single stack version of the Glock 26 would be just the ticket to compete with Kahr P9, S&W Shield, Ruger LC9, Springfield XDS, and all the others. I can't figure out why Glock isn't all over this? They could have owned this market if they'd acted on it a few years ago, but instead they surrendered it to their competition. It seems like this would have been a natural progression for them. I wonder what's going on in Gaston's head?
3. Glock in .22LR. I've got an Advantage Arms kit on my Glock, and I like it but it is finicky. I would love to see a factory Glock .22LR. Once again, I can't understand why they don't fill this huge void in the market? It seems like an obvious move, to me;
4. Return of the S&W Model 19. I know, they had problems with the forcing cone standing up to a steady diet of Magnums, so they discontinued it. However, there has never been another .357 with the same mix of good looks and handling qualities as the Model 19. I miss it very much, and would love to see it come back. Perhaps with modern metallurgy, or some clever engineering, they could fix the forcing cone issue? The Model 619 and 620 just didn't cut it--they used the larger L-Frame, which just isn't as trim as the handy little K-Frame. I guess the market agreed, because they didn't last long.
5. S&W Revolvers Without Lock Holes! If I could have just one wish from this list, this would be it. I know that S&W was purchased by a lock company (was it Saf-T-Hammer? I can't recall) and all that, but I can't even begin to tell you how much those locks annoy me. Yes, I have some concerns about the mechanical lock/flag failing and engaging when I don't want it to, but the bigger concern for me is that it's insulting to see that lock hole in the side. It's like a constant reminder that the left wing dingbats were able to force one of their crazy ideas onto one of the most iconic American firearms companies in existence--we have never needed keylocks on our guns to make them safe! What we need are responsible, trained gun owners! Actually, I think these keylocks might perversely have a negative effect on safety, because some people might act carelessly and not follow the safety rules "because it's locked and can't fire anyhow." The big thing though, is that it's an insult to all law-abiding, safety-conscious gun owners. This is a Clinton-era remnant that needs to be eliminated immediately. It's ugly, potentially dangerous, and a thorn in our side. It's like a scab that keeps getting picked off, every time you pick up the gun.