handgun?

[Robert]

I was wondering if anyone could help with the pros and cons of a semi auto handgun and a revlover? I was alos curious if anyone knows anything about the ruger semiautos and revoovlers?
Thanks Robert

[Dogfish]

Owned a Ruger P85. Rattled, but shot VERY WELL for the price. Had a SP101 pointed at me, promptly pointed a S&W 4006 back, he dropped his. Nice gun, scary to look at, well built.

I have carried both autos and wheel guns, but I tend to prefer the autos because they are slimmer which is nice for concealed carry. My caliber of choice is the .40 S&W, and my primary pistol is the HK USP Compact. Have a nice little .44 special revolver that packs a mean punch, but I get 12 shots, not just 5, with the semi-auto. I like having numbers on my side. Corbon loads help to pump u[p the power levels.

MAny calibers are very suitable, just test a few out with your friends, and see what you like.

[crabbait]

Hey Dogfish, do you pack a badge with that heat? Your response sounds like a man with experience.

I also prefer the auto to the wheel gun but I own some of each. I prefer the Kimber .45 compact carry gun but any of the .45 autos based on the Colt 1911 will do. They function well and pack enough punch to stop a fight with a single hit.

I also like my stainless Charter Arms Bulldog .44 special. It only weighs 19oz and carrys five rounds but it will also settle a disagreement with a single shot. Double action wheel guns are nice because they very rarely malfunction and if they do fail to fire you just pull the trigger again. No safety to fumble with either.

For those of us who do not carry a badge, one of the most important things is to never let anyone know you are packin' unless your life, or the life of a loved one, depends on it.

[SeanD]

I much prefer autos. Wheel guns just dont feel right. Maybe im just too young. I have a ruger P89 its a full size 9mm auto and its ok, not super accutate, feels a little sloppy but its fun. Ive shot the P95 which is the compact one and i dont like it at all. Its more fun to shoot the full size auto vs compacts i think. Kimbers are sweet! My buddy has a kimber 1911 .45 and it the nicest auto ive fired. Cant stand the way glocks feel in my hand either. Ruger revolvers are awsome if you want a hunting pistol its the one to get. Had a blackhawk 45 long colt. I sold it because it wasnt what i wanted as i have no desire to hunt with a pistol. Another friend has a redhawk 44 mag with leupold scope its sweet. My next pistol will me a makarov 9x18 for carry. I havent shot one yet but they are supposed to be super reliable, and very accurate. They feel right in my hand and they are compact. Cant wait. need that tax refund.

[Dogfish]

Crabby,

Had the star for two years as a reserve. It was one of the funnest volunteer activities I ever participated, except for that night. Didn't have to take a #2 for two days. Couldn't.

I have a little bulldog as well. Mine is the blue aluminum frame. Very light, but it hurts to shoot more than 5 rounds of Corbon with it. Even light loads are punishing. Still, you're right. 240 grain bullet at 1,000 fps will take the fight out of most anything, short of a grizzly.

Those Kimbers are sweet. Like the carry model with smoothed/rounded edges.

Your pistol is a LAST RESORT. Remember that, but I have carried for 14 years. Pulled it once as a civilian on a guy with a knife. Officers said they would have dumped the guy, he was 6 feet away from me in between a set of double doors. Only after I became a reserve did I learn about the 21 foot rule (anyone within 21 feet with a knife drawn will most likely stab you before you draw, aquire, and shoot). Pulled one once on the guy with Ruger, but there were three of us. I just happened to be the first one he saw, lucky me.

Best advice I can give is BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS, don't set yourself up for trouble, and don't carry without training. Enroll in a class that covers the basics of safety, along with the legal aspects.

Andy

[crabbait]

Dogfish, amen brother. You sounded like a fellow with enough time to develop some wisdom. Have you tried the Pachmeyr grips on your Bulldog? I find the checkered rubber much kinder to the hand but then I started with a large frame .357 and max Speer loads back when a 1911 was the only dependable .45. Recoil has never bothered me much.

Did my time "in harms way" wearing a sailor suit patroling the seamy side of San Diego. Never want to have to pull down on anybody but would much rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

For you 9mm packers, I quote a fellow who used to guide greenhorns to Cape Buffalo, "Always carry enough gun". High capacity will never equal a well placed shot with enough fire power to get the job done. The .40SW will get it done as well as the .45, I'm just nostalgic and stuck in my ways. My first .45 was and is a Remington/Rand built in 1944. Somebody put a pair of Herritt grips on it at some point and I know it has been to 'Nam and back. Wish I knew the rest of its history. I couldn't bring myself to customize it, ergo the Kimber.

Good to know ya, Dogfish. Nuff said.

[SeanD]

Dont navy seals carry 9mm beretta 92's?

[Dogfish]

Yeah, I have the rubber grips, still bites my hand. I like the "big hole" on the business end. I also have the Hogue Hand-all on my USP. Positive grip, always have the same sight picture. Almost don't need to aim, just look at the front sight.

For serious use some spec ops carry the Mark 23. A large version of my little USP, but in .45 ACP. A lot more versatile than the 92, many different firing modes. Shoots a bullet twice the weight at a little slower speed than that pesky little 9mm. 12 rounds vs. 15, but the down range effect is much more devastating.

[crabbait]

SeanD, Yes, all military are issued the 9mm Berreta by federal decree. The Seals actually use a bunch of hardware that is not normally issued to the average ground pounder.

Do a bit of investigation and you will find that people who have a choice generally pack something other than the 9mm. Don't get me wrong, if recoil is a problem for someone or if you think that the 9mm is the greatest gun ever made, more power to you (no pun intended).

After all, the federal gov'ment picked the 9mm. How could they be wrong?

[periwinkle]

Crabbait - Andy
love your wisdom and experience------
I've got a 38 SW spl under my pilow and a Beretta 40 SW in my safe. Thinking about a lasersite on both... what's your opinion? Yes'''' I shot at people running up the hills in Korea 1950!!!

By the way Andy - y not split for a fish trip for your Dad when he gets back w/ Bardo????? :smile:

[crabbait]

Howdy Periwinkle. The problem that I have with lasers is that they give away your position. If the old eyes just aren't cutting the iron sights anymore, try one of the red dot sights. I have an Aimpoint on a Ruger MkII Govmnt Target model. This sight emits no light and provides no magnification. The red dot that you see floating in the scope is always on target whether or not it is centered in the scope. If you can see a sillouette, even in the darkest conditions, you can score a hit everytime.

There are a bunch of red dot sights that are cheaper than the Aimpoint but you need the center the dot in the scope for good accuracy.

Lasers may have their place but I don't think self defense is one of them. Great fun for target plinking, though.

[Dogfish]

I'd rather have nite sites than some add-on w/ batteries. Last thing I want to be lookin' for is some switch. You just don't have time. Not to mention tunnel vision. KISP, Keep it simple, Peri. :smile:

I have kids, so my pistols are next to my bed in one of those quick action safes. I know, buttons(actually five for my code), but got to have those to protect the kids.

I think I have a trip lined up for my dad. May do the blackmouth thing, might look for a trip on the Quinault with Inky's son. Not sure just yet.

[Bob Barthlow]

Robert, the only Ruger semiauto I've owned was a P-85 which I had problems with and was recalled. The only wheel gun I own is a Ruger singlesix chambered .22LR/.22 WIN MAG. In a semiauto you need to check out GLOCK....I own a GLOCK 17 chambered 9mm,it has preban +2, 19shot clips and factory nitesites. I shot this gun every Tuesday night for 2 years at a local combat course for 2 years,1000's of rounds and never had a jam. I 've shot every thing from reloads to Isralie (sp) army rounds, which are very hot, 4" to 8" muzzel flashes. Then I wanted more punch,so last year I picked a new GLOCK 21 CHAMBERED .45 ACP, was able to find a few preban +2 clips,15shot each. It has factory nite sites, it's also a real shooter that packs more punch.......one last thought, the cops have to buy their own service gun, why do so many buy GLOCK? [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

[Robert]

Thanks for all the information. I think I will save my money and get something good like a glock. What are nite sights? Thanks Robert

[crabbait]

Night sights are iron sights of any of several designs that are outlined with tritium (trilium?)or have tritium inserts. The tritium glows in the dark without the need for any power or light source.

Cabelas is also selling Hiviz fiberoptic front sights for some Browning, Ruger and Glock pistols. Of course, they need some form of ambient light to gather. Cabelas also sells phosphorescent paint that you could use on an existing sight.

The tritium sights would probably work best in truly dark conditions. You would still need to align the front and rear sights in order to shoot accurately.

The trick with the red dot sight is that you align nothing, just put the dot on the dead guy and squeeze. The trade off is that you (1) have to turn on the sight and (2) have to have good batteries. I have found that the batteries (watch type in the Aimpoint)will last a long time as long as you remember to turn them off when you put the gun away. Turning the sight on takes about as much time as flicking off the safety. If the sight does not work then you are in spray-and-pray mode. In this case I hope you went with the biggest handgun possible and maybe the muzzle flash and sonic boom will discourage him.

Always trade-offs. As usual, no free lunch.

[local_hooker]

I agree with dogfish H&K makes a great weapon. I've carried a USP since 98' and have never had a problem. I also agree with the caliber .40 is the way to go. I carry a 9mm right now, but thats beyond my control. I had the opportunity to punish the h*ll out of a H&K MP5 in 96' Ten days of mud, rain, snow, and thousands of rounds, that thing was solid as a rock and never failed.

Rapid Robert "Some" cops have to buy thier weapons, but very few. Most of the time it is smaller departments with small budgets that practice this. Most departments issue, or at least restict officers to a select few weapons they may purchase for carry. Imagine the armorer's nightmare of 100 officers packing 25 different weapons. Most people who buy thier own, buy glock's because they can be had for $350. A H&K or SIG will run over $600 most of the time but it is worth the money.

Don't get me wrong I love glocks too, carried a 17 from 94' to 98'. Glocks have no safety to slow you down, and no decocker. It did jam twice in four years, luckily it was at the range and not in a fight.

If you want a reliable weapon for less cash the glock is the way to go.I would stay away from the 9mm.

If money is less of a concern than reliability go for the H&K usp.

If you plan to carry conceled, train for it. Not just once when you get the weapon, but at the very least quarterly.

Oh yeah the revolver thing....they are more accurate. I shot a 412# black bear with a 44mag a few yaers ago from 30 yds. When the bear turned and looked at me I was wishing it was a 300mag instead of a 44mag! Luckily I had a two buddies and 9 hound dogs on my team that day. Now that bear watches vigilantly over my buddies family room.

Good luck, let us know whatcha got.

Sean

[ 02-19-2002, 08:16 AM: Message edited by: local_hooker ]

[Bob Barthlow]

hooker, a new GLOCK for $350.00, where?

[Dogfish]

I believe more in the caliber, than the pistol. There are a number of great pistols out there. Wide range of prices. Find one that suits you. Test fire a bunch. As long as you choose a quality gun, you should be fine.

Glocks have a high aimpoint for me. The grip angle is wrong for me, I feel like I am pushing the front sight down to get a good sight picture. I like double actions, not a fan of striker fired guns.

Love a safety on occassion (DAO), love a decocker(DA/SA), love cocked and locked(SA). Mine can do all, plus some. Options are what you get for a bit more money. Add another caliber for $200.

Glock is a good gun. Just not for me.

[local_hooker]

Rapid Robert......At 911 dist. on Johnson creek BLVD. If you have department letter head you pay no excise tax. Without letter head I think they want $399. I'm buying a 27 there in about two weeks.

later

Sean

[sbasser]

I carry a Ruger GP-100 Stainless, 6" .357 in the truck/boat. Also bought a Walther PPKS in stainless, .380 to carry if I want (rare). It has yet to prove its reliability to me, but it did like more expensive ammo or hotter loads. I polished the feed ramp to a mirror finish, and need to go shoot half a dozen boxes through it before I trust it. The Star .380 I had many years ago never jammed. My brother carries a blued version of the Walther. I'm looking for a good target .22 semi-auto for plinking, if anybody has any suggestions. I have a scope to put on it. This is my first post on this forum...I visit the Bass/Panfish Forum mostly. Catch & Release, Steve

[crabbait]

SBASSER - For a target .22, it is hard to beat the Ruger 6 7/8" barrel Government Target model. It comes with a bull barrel and shots little tiny groups. The 5 1/2" bull barrel model balances beautifully and is also very accurate.

I have the 6 7/8" with a Burris base, Weaver rings and an Aimpoint red dot sight. This thing is a rifle without the stock. Also extremely reliable.

[roundbelly]

if you carry a auto loader outside of your coat in cold weather like say -10 then like any slide driven exjector you might have trouble. where a wheel gun will work, almost always.