Three Guns TTAG Recommends: Jon Wayne Taylor Edition

RF asked which three guns I recommend to someone without reservation. They had to be currently made, and I limited myself to the lower middle end of the price range. That cut out a whole lot of very good guns. Still, this question was a pretty easy one to answer. There are at least three guns that I recommend, regularly, without hesitation, to any skill level shooter. Note: there are no shotguns on this list. Yes, I think everyone should own a pump-action shotgun, but there isn’t a mid priced manufacturer out there that I’ve seen perform universally well, like the guns below . . .

1.  CZ75 9mm

This is the pistol that I think everyone should own. It’s spectacularly reliable. I’ve fired well over 10,000 rounds through a CZ75 without a malfunction, and I’ve never heard of a bad one. They can be quite accurate, they have an external safety or decocker that is intuitive and easy to manipulate, they point naturally, and won’t break the bank.

You just can’t go wrong with a CZ75. I’ve recommended many, and so many people have come back telling me how much they love the gun. If you want to make it even better, there are some folks out there, like Cajun Gun Works, that can make this gun absolutely world class. If this is your first pistol, dollars to donuts says that after a few years of shooting everything else you’ll come back to this gun.

2.  Sons of Liberty M4 5.56 NATO

These are mid-priced working guns that shoot MOA and will absolutely pour out rounds. There are a lot of AR manufacturers out there. Hell, I’m one of them. But for a direct impingement 5.56 at this price point, SOL gives you an exceptional value.  I’ve seen one of their guns go 17K rounds, full auto, without a malfunction, with no more maintenance than a bore snake and Frog Lube. Their customer service is outstanding. Again, every person I know that’s bought one has reported the same experience and satisfaction.

3.  Savage 110 in .30-06

For the price, it’s difficult to beat the Savage 110 in accuracy and reliability. I have one that was made in 1958. I bought it in 2011. With factory ammunition, it shot one-inch groups at 100 yards. With hand loads, I cut that in half.

This year, I went hunting with a friend who bought his, made just a few years ago, based on my recommendation. With my hand loads, he shot 3/4 MOA and shot just barely over 1″ groups with factory federal hunting loads.

Want a .280AI or a .338-06 instead? Because of the outstanding design of the rifle, you can do it yourself in minutes. Plus, it is now the oldest continually produced bolt action rifle in America. Reliable? If your hand still works to cycle the bolt, the rifle will not fail.