imported post
very old Ranger,
I've only had one Jennings gun before,a J-22 back in the very late 1970s. Even when I bought it, I knew it was not a gun to shoot a whole lot (due to its metallurgy/construction) but it DID work even though I didn't fire it much. Eventually though, it developeda problem (too long ago to recall what exactly) andI got rid of it.IMO, it's a gun to carry a lot but not to USE a lot. Same story with the supposedly "better" NAA Mini-Revolvers (had2-3 of them).But if that's all you can afford, then you'll just have to use it, IF that becomes necessary...and despite its "marginal" reputation.
Actually, the Jennings MIGHT be a bit better gun than other brands such as Lorcin (which seems to have REALLY bad press in comparison). And although Raven has has bad press also, I've seen several articles on it that say it was a pretty decent gun. And don't get people here started on how they feel about Hi-Points! ;-)
But ALL of these brands -- due to their construction -- won't hold up long if they are shot regularly (frequent practice sessions) so just reserve them for only occasional practice (and keep that to a minimum).
I look at this another way, too: If the gun I have happens to malfunction/fail on me at the very moment I need it (and even so-called "superior quality" guns can fail, like some Kimber 1911s I've seen, so it's not just the low-end guns) then that's my fate. IMO, it's an Act of God if you will and time for me to go. So personally, I'm not reallyconcerned about it whatsoever...it's the very least of any worries.
Presently, my CC gun is an obscure Serbian (!) product, an all-steel compact 9mm. Got it for $250 plus shipping to my local FFL. So far, NO malfunctions whatsoever. Asidefrom the heavy trigger -- probably due to damn lawyers and legal liability issues (and needing a slight sight adjustment to bring the bullet impact a tad right) -- I don't see how you could get a better quality gun for $250.It's a basic no-frills tool, but being made of steel is very strong, robustand durable...so I can shoot it as much as I care to.
Too bad we can't keep the weapons criminals have when they break into our cars/homes...as likely, they will have better guns than the Jenings (or Lorcin) and you could just keep THEIR gun(s). ;-)
Whatever, if all one has is a Jennings, then they should keep it untilhe/she can get something moredurable and with a better reputation...then sell the Jennings or keep it as an "emergency backup gun" in the safe.
As for the so-called "plastic guns" (a misnomer often used by clueless media people) such as Glocks, they are very good high-quality guns, so don't let that stop you (unless it's a "plastic" revolver like the Ruger LCR, which has shown gas-cutting problems). They're fine -- I just don't like their techno/boxy looks.
I prefer military surplus (milsurp) guns myselfso I have a couple of Tokarevs and my "Tokarev clone" Zastava M88 compact 9mm I mentioned above. My 1911 Colt is in another state but I don't need it here...my 2 Tokarevs are battle proven (like the 1911) and as mentioned, my Zastava M88 (based on the Tokarev design) is 100% reliable so far.
If you're looking for a more affordable but quality and reliable handgun for S-D purposes, why not look into getting some kind of milsurp pistol? There are some Makarovs around now (they come and go) and althoughof a weird caliber (NOT 9x19 Luger Parabellum, but 9x18mm Makarov) there's a lot of milsurp ammo also around now for it (stock up while it's available). With milsurp guns you'd be spending about as little as you can for a decent quality gun.
Whatever, you don't have to pay $500-$1000 for a quality reliable handgun, so just do some research online. You could start by going togunsamerica.com for getting a sense of what's out there and pricing.
Good luck,
-- John D.
P.S. IMO, "no magazine disconnect" is not a problem (and some of us don't like them anyway). MANY guns don't have a mag disconnect and they're fine -- the 1911 hasn't had one for what, 100 years now? My Tokarevs don't, either, and the only safetyTHEY have is the hammer at half-cock. Those guns are not "defective!"Besides, I think more people have been shot by their guns due to stupid handling of them than by some supposed "defect" the guns have...real or imagined.