The Gilmour Full-Size Zinc Pistol Grip Nozzle is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a dependable, basic hose nozzle at an unbelievably low price.
I totally understand if you're assuming that a $3.99 hose nozzle isn't going to have much to offer, but you're wrong. This zinc and brass beast stacks up solidly against much more expensive options, especially in terms of durability.
When it comes to rough spraying jobs, where you don't want to worry about banging or dropping a plastic nozzle, the Gilmour Full-Size Zinc Pistol Grip Nozzle is the option you want. While working summers at my uncle's canoe rental business, I would hose down and flip a hundred dirty aluminum canoes every afternoon with this nozzle, constantly banging it into hulls and dropping it on the ground after completing each boat. I never would have been able to do that with any other nozzle. Every time I'm in the area, I stop by the business, and the new boat boys are still using that same old Gilmour.
Adjusting the flow and shape of the Gilmour Full-Size Zinc Pistol Grip Nozzle's water stream is a bit more intuitive than other nozzles — similar to driving a manual transmission versus an automatic. But you still end up with a decent variety of spray options, and just like when you finally get comfortable driving a stick shift, it makes operating it a lot more fun.
Basically, the shape of the Gilmour's water spray is based on how hard you squeeze the trigger, beginning with a wide circular stream and narrowing as you apply more pressure. Then, once you've got your desired stream type, you tighten up the rear knob to lock it in, and you're all set.
The Gilmour Full-Size Zinc Pistol's tough metal body definitely makes it the most durable on this list, but also makes it less than ideal for tasks like washing your new car or anything else it might accidentally scratch or dent, especially considering that handy threaded front.
Wirecutter ranked the Gilmour its No. 1 nozzle choice, calling it "a durable, well-made model that lasts a long time and does not easily break down or leak."
Pros: Extremely affordable, highly durable
Cons: Metal construction isn't the most comfortable to hold for long periods of time, takes a little more effort to operate