Musings on Handguns

[Jackalope 1]

If you ever get a chance, try a steel frame, full size 1911 in 9mm. Heavy for carry purposes but man, what a soft shooter.

How right you are, I really lucked out, walked into a small grocery store, owner just bought a MINT Colt 1911 series 70 9mm, box with papers plus box of 50 -10 rounds. Made an offer, said cash & carry, done deal, filled out 4473, out the door goes I. Shot 1,000 rounds, one sweet shooting 1911, just like you say, couldn't give better advice to that forum member. I've had the 1911 9mm 46 years and counting, now it wears a Carbine Williams 22 Conversion top half, shoots like a dream come true.

 

[Jackalope 1]

I agree. I see nothing wrong with your list. I actually thought I would like one of those little NAA .22 revolvers until I put one in my hand and wrapped my middle finger around it’s grip.That’s all I could grip it with. Weird…not something I care to fool with.

Don't sell those NAA 22 revolvers short, use to work with a man who had one fastened onto his belt buckle, BIG, Texas size, went into a bank cashed his paycheck, $6,000, left to go to his P.U. 2 ( 3?? ) Disreputable social predators attack Ed him, long bladed knives in hand, fully intended to kill him. He grabbed his NAA 22 and shot one in the eye, DOA, 2nd one under the chin bullet came out back of head, DOA. Witnesses ( 7 ) said self defense, no charges filed. Bad news, gave him nightmares, drank himself to death. He was one really nice guy. Sad Sad Sad!!!

 

[Kleanbore]

Don't sell those NAA 22 revolvers short, use to work with a man who had one ...predators attack Ed him, long bladed knives in hand, fully intended to kill him. He grabbed his NAA 22 and shot one in the eye, DOA, 2nd one under the chin bullet came out back of head, DOA.!

When I said I would not want an NAA revolver, it was in the context of a discussion that did not involve SD.

I know that some people carry them, but I would never carry one for SD.

It worked for this fellow, but I would wager that if people tried them in properly conducted FoF exercises, all but a few would give them up after one session,

 

[Jackalope 1]

Hard to disagree with your list. My on going purge of things firearm related has seen 9mm, 380, 44magnum, and my S&W 625 leave the house. I still shoot 45acp but in softer shooting pistols. 22, 38/357, 45acp are still around and if I ever find a 45 colt revolver that I like and have the money for at the same time I'll be adding that in.

Never had a 625, but I always thought and read the 625 was a 45 LC, Anaconda is my 45 LC, a very nice indeed to shoot, factory loads ( standard loadings ) quite pleasant, but I reload so can brew up mild, warm or HOT ( 27 GR. 4227 ) rarely, but DEFINITELY gets the job done. I am always in the market for a 625 wearing a 8 3/8" barrel.

 

[Jackalope 1]

You need some .32's in your life.

.32 acp-.32 s&w Long = low recoil.

.32 Magnum can poke holes in plenty of things.

.327 fed mag is hot stuff you may not want to fire.

So get a .327 fed mag revolver and you can fire 5 cartridges from it. Very affordable if you reload.

The 327 Federal SHOOTS BIG HOLES in whatever is blood and flesh. Use Hdy 85 xtp or 100 xtp, can't go wrong.

 

[Jackalope 1]

So far I have been blessed with no problems healthwise. Will be 78 Monday and was going to go shoot a few. My "go to" range is shut down due to work on the berms. They'll reopen sooner or later.

County I live in built a shooting range after passage of I-1639 " Billionaire's Law " , that's the good news, the BAD, it's never open!!!!!

 

[kidneyboy]

Never had a 625, but I always thought and read the 625 was a 45 LC, Anaconda is my 45 LC, a very nice indeed to shoot, factory loads ( standard loadings ) quite pleasant, but I reload so can brew up mild, warm or HOT ( 27 GR. 4227 ) rarely, but DEFINITELY gets the job done. I am always in the market for a 625 wearing a 8 3/8" barrel.

S&W 625 45acp. Wish I could find one in 45 colt.

 

[Jackalope 1]

When I said I would not want an NAA revolver, it was in the context of a discussion that did not involve SD.

I know that some people carry them, but I would never carry one for SD.

It worked for this fellow, but I would wager that if people tried them in properly conducted FoF exercises, all but a few would give them up after one session,

In full agreement with you he never ever dreamed he would Use it for SD, bought it for shooting rats in his barn and ground squirrels eating holes in his house. But because he had it he lived, only long enough to see all four children graduate from high school. Tried everything possible to convince him he did the right thing, to no avail. Sad!!!

 

[Shivahasagun]

The 327 Federal SHOOTS BIG HOLES in whatever is blood and flesh. Use Hdy 85 xtp or 100 xtp, can't go wrong.

It's a good round but loaded to it's full potential in a small revolver like the LCR it kicks like a mildly loaded .357 magnum and barks even louder. That does slow down shots after the first.

That's what I learned after firing some CCI 100 gr Gold Dot .327.

I carry mine with .32 magnum 100 gr XTP at 1050 fps. (Measured from my gun) they wont expand at that velocity but will penetrate well.

Maybe 1200 fps in a .327 load would get them to open a little without being a full-pressure load?

I do reload .32 (Long and soon Magnum) and you're putting ideas in my head...

 

[Jackalope 1]

It's a good round but loaded to it's full potential in a small revolver like the LCR it kicks like a mildly loaded .357 magnum and barks even louder. That does slow down shots after the first.

That's what I learned after firing some CCI 100 gr Gold Dot .327.

I carry mine with .32 magnum 100 gr XTP at 1050 fps. (Measured from my gun) they wont expand at that velocity but will penetrate well.

Maybe 1200 fps in a .327 load would get them to open a little without being a full-pressure load?

I do reload .32 (Long and soon Magnum) and you're putting ideas in my head...

GP100 6.5" 100 grain XTP, ACC #9 1549 fps across my Oehler 35 P Chronograph, puts a hole thru a coyote as big as my Win M70 .338, eating sheep no longer will he be.

 

[Shivahasagun]

GP100 6.5" 100 grain XTP, ACC #9 1549 fps across my Oehler 35 P Chronograph, puts a hole thru a coyote as big as my Win M70 .338, eating sheep no longer will he be.

Impressive.

I'm wondering what powder to use for a warm-hot .32 mag 100 gr lead bullet.

2 inch barrel .327 LCR. Titegroup, 700x, or CFE Pistol.

I lean towards 700X but the Titegroup will meter better if I want to use a dispenser instead of scoops and beam scale.

 

[Reloadron]

My love affair with the gun (OK fondness for shooting sports) began in 1958 when a 22 rifle, which I still have was given to me. At 71 I still enjoy shooting all of my handguns including my S&W Model 29. In rifle I haven't shot my 7mm Remington Magnum in years as it is punishing but I am still shooting 30-06 Springfield and .308 Winchester on a regular basis. Up here in NE Ohio winters suck moving me to the indoor range but summers and fall are great to get to the outdoor range and enjoy my rifles. I will continue to load for and shoot all of my handguns and enjoy doing so. However, to each their own.

Ron

 

[sugarmaker]

Anything that makes my tinnitus worse is out, so larger bore and lower pressure is the future.

 

[SwampWolf]

It's a good round but loaded to it's full potential in a small revolver like the LCR it kicks like a mildly loaded .357 magnum and barks even louder.

I just wish they'd offer the LCR chambered in .327 Magnum with a 3" or a 3 1/2" long barrel-I'd buy one for sure.

 

[Kleanbore]

I just wish they'd offer the LCR chambered in .327 Magnum with a 3" or a 31/2" long barrel-I'd buy one for sure.

I have never fired an LCR, but a .327 with a decent DA pull and a 3 1/2 inch barrel would be a nice idea.

I would load it with .32 H &R cartridges.

 

[SwampWolf]

I have never fired an LCR, but a .327 with a decent DA pull

The LCR is one of only three small-framed revolvers currently being made that my wife has no problem pulling the trigger in da mode (the other two are the Kimber and the Colt Cobra/King Cobra). Other likely candidates for her in terms of configuration are Taurus, Charter Arms, Ruger 101 and all Smith J-frames; all of which have da trigger pulls too hard (heavy) for her to muscle past.

 

[Shivahasagun]

The LCR is one of only three small-framed revolvers currently being made that my wife has no problem pulling the trigger in da mode (the other two are the Kimber and the Colt Cobra/King Cobra). Other likely candidates for her in terms of configuration are Taurus, Charter Arms, Ruger 101 and all Smith J-frames; all of which have da trigger pulls too hard (heavy) for her to muscle past.

Same for my wife. LCR's replaced J-Frames.

 

[Kleanbore]

The LCR is one of only three small-framed revolvers currently being made that my wife has no problem pulling the trigger in da mode (the other two are the Kimber and the Colt Cobra/King Cobra).

That is something to keep in mind.

I have a K6a with a snub barrel loaded with .38 Specials, but for the .32 I would be thinking more along the lines of a kit gun, and the SA mode would be needed. The Cobra would

My wife can handle the SP 101 reasonably well, but I have difficulty with it due to age, arthritis, and tendonitis.

 

[Jackalope 1]

I am down to two handguns that are not expressly intended for defensive carry. Age and infirmity have made the others less than useful for me.

Things were not always that way. Target revolvers, a great SAA, an 1851 replica, and other favorites were regularly taken to the range on weekends, where I joined with friends who brought Lugers, Tokarevs, Gold Cups, various Colt and Smith revolvers off different frame sizes,, the occasional Beretta 1934 or PPk, and so on, for some shooting fun.

Those were the days, but for me, that is all in the past.

From the time I was ten until I was well over thirty, I read gun books and magazines all the time. Technology has changed that. Now, I can get as much enjoyment from the web, and from posts from CraigC and Driftwood Johnson, as I ever did from Shooting Times or Sixguns by Keith.

Now, if I had a backyard range, I could shoot more. My semi-auto CCW pistol would get more use, but I would not consider that to be recreation.

So, what might I want to shoot? A new Python, a Schofield. or a Pedersoli black powder target pistol?

Well, yes, all of those, but thinking about it, it would take a lot less typing to approach it from the other direction.

Here, I think, are the handguns I would not want:

• Anything with a spur trigger--too dangerous to handle
• Any pin-fire gun--neat, but the ammunition is too dangerous to handle
• One of those little single action NAA .22 revolvers--toys, lethal, and very possible to misuse
• A .25 ACP vest pocket pistol--I've fired them, and they don't do anything for me
• A pepperbox replica--why?
• Derringers--I just don't like 'em
• Them real big guns that I cannot handle

Edited to add:

• A large rifled revolver chambered for shot-shells
• A target air pisol that must be pumped ten times between shots

That's how see it. Others may see it differently.

Some decades ago, I divested a Colt SAA .45 , because I did not want anyone loading six into it.

CraigC has changed my thoughts on that.

How do others feel?

When I carry ( rarely ) my single actions Rugers I fold bright orange plastic ribbon and squeeze it in between hammer and fireing pin, takes a second to pull out. Yeah, I know, simply send it back to Ruger and have them insert the transfer bar, no charge, had that inserted when the barrel was changed to 10" length on my SA 44 Magnum, just worried my Rugers would be, could be stolen during shipping.

 

[Jackalope 1]

What do I not want to shoot?
-Anything above .380 if I can't get at least 2 of my fat fingers fully on and around the grip.
-Anything so loud I feel like I need earplugs and earmuffs
-All the other stuff @Kleanbore listed.

I do, presently, refuse to put all my eggs into one (or 2) caliber baskets. Mostly due to what we've seen happen with shortages.

S&W are working 24/7, hired 300 more people, still can't meet the demand, how the other manufacturing companies are working I have yet to find out, seems like an ideal time for COLT to get really busy, get back to giving all us Colt Firearms lovers what we crave, me, about 4 more of their best, #1 is two SSA in 44 special & 45 LC, Delta 10MM, 44 Magnum Anaconda packing an 8" barrel.

 

[Jackalope 1]

If you ever get a chance, try a steel frame, full size 1911 in 9mm. Heavy for carry purposes but man, what a soft shooter.

I agree, it is a hoot to shoot.

 

[jrmiddleton425]

"Musings on Handguns" you say? It so happens I have some!

I am 38 years old as I write this. I have been shooting handguns on and off since I was 20 years old. Things I learned:

*I've found that big sights are easier to see.
*There's a "cool factor" to 1911s and pinned and recessed S&W revolvers.
*Glocks are decent tools.

But something was still MISSING. It took me a few years to realize what it was. I HATE SHOOTING BENCHES! When I have the opportunity to NOT use a shooting bench, I run 80% hits on an IDPA target at 15 yards!

For a guy in a wheelchair, shooting off a bench at the range is the pits. If the bench is high ENOUGH to roll your wheelchair under, it's TOO HIGH to get your arm in the right position so your muzzle is level. It's more uncomfortable than you can imagine.

Add to that that after 30-40 rounds, I get fatigued and start shaking a little, and well...you can guess what happens. I start missing until I make myself take a break.

And then, on a lark, between 2014 and 2020, I bought a pair of CZ pistols. As people who know me on this forum are aware, I have waxed at length regarding them. And why shouldn't I? They are the only pistols I have, that shooting from said bench, I can make 60% hits on an IDPA target at 20 yards. With any other pistol at 20 yards, it's pure luck if I cut paper with more than 3 shots out of 10 in a magazine.

Note that I have NO shame in admitting my hit percentage. Straight up, I do need to practice more.

I own half a dozen handguns, and I have had the opportunity to shoot about a dozen owned by someone other than me (usually my father).

I'm at the point where everything else sits in the safe, and the CZ pistols go to the range.

 

[SwampWolf]

I own half a dozen handguns

Better get cracking; time's running out.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

How do others feel?

Well, I feel like I've been blindsided!

JUST when I thought I had a handle on my own bucket list of firearms (.44 Automag, .475 Wildey Magnum, lever action 30-30, and misc. others), along comes YOU tossing out "pin gun", which I then have to google.

Now I want one.

I hate you.

 

[Jackalope 1]

I forgot my contribution to the airgun discussion. I don't shoot them much any more since we moved out of the neighborhood and back to some acreage but these are really nice and fun to shoot. CO2 also opens some full auto options, can't find a picture of mine.

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Very nice looking SSA you have, I would post some of mine but I'm at a lose at how you do it.