Pistol of Choice

Complete Heat wrote: The .357s are great, but revolvers take far mor practice to be good than does a semi-auto. I would stay with a semi in 45 ACP.

How do you figure you need more practice with a revolver than a semi??

gambler wrote:

Poconoeagle wrote:If you are looking for self defense weapon and are not gun savy or practiced...YET... then I think a double action revolver in say a .357 caliber is best. nothing to slide,click,switch on or off just point and shoot. no shells ejecting ect.

The Ruger SP101!!

http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?mo ... 8&return=Y

got 6 rugers (revolvers)... yes it is a good choice for sure. I agree also about a Mark II or III way much fun with a box of 500 .22's for little money.

Crimson-Trace....... can't miss

"Len, I can't believe being a Browns fan has not called for protecting yourself until now." LMAO I use a 9mm with 147 gr HP. Nice light gun. I have a S&W .44 mag , model 29 , just to heavy to carry around.

Gambler,

Would you rather be shot with a rifle or a pistol? The muzzle velocity on a rifle is 2-3 time greater than a pistol and the kinetic energy is many times greater as well. That is why a rifle is a better weapon. If you knew you were going to a gunfight would you take your handgun or a nice fighting rifle like an M1A? Firing a revolver in rapid fire is more difficult to do accurately than with a semi because of the trigger pull.

Mike

I guess the question to Coalen is why do you want a pistol rather than a long gun? (if you want to carry concealed ( for personal protection away from home) then you will need a pistol. If you are just looking for a target practise for fun or home defense weapon, I would recommend against a pistol.

When i go to bed , I put the pistol under my pillow. Pillow be kinda lumpy with a rifle and a pain to get out.

12 ga single, used $80, take a hacksaw cut to min legal length for your state, 00 buck. Done. No practice, no skill required, home defense done with piece of mind, you know you can get the job done, home intruders will know it too.
Ray

My advice is:
Go shop around and see what you like and to handle a few weapons and see what feels good to you. There are many good choices. I carry several different handguns. My regular carry gun is a FEG R 61 in .380 ACP. I also carry a Ruger P-89 9mm sometimes and also a Ruger Security Six.357 Magnum on occasion. I prefer the FEG because it is easy to conceal and light.
For in home defense my weapon of choice is a shotgun.

Complete Heat wrote:Gambler,

Would you rather be shot with a rifle or a pistol? The muzzle velocity on a rifle is 2-3 time greater than a pistol and the kinetic energy is many times greater as well. That is why a rifle is a better weapon. If you knew you were going to a gunfight would you take your handgun or a nice fighting rifle like an M1A? Firing a revolver in rapid fire is more difficult to do accurately than with a semi because of the trigger pull.

Mike

I would not want to be shot with anything. And if I shoot you in the chest at 25 yards with my 45 colt you will not be alive when I shoot you with my 458 Alaska to let me know which one hurt more. Don't get all wrapped up on velocity because velocity isn't everything. If you are hunting grizzly would you rather have a 22-250 or a 45colt?
If I knew I was going to be in a gunfight I would take my handguns. But I can hold my own with either weapon. (maybe not with the rifle anymore because of my bad eye)

But hey, to each his own. You prefer a rifle and I prefer a handgun.

I have been in six gun fights . I was 19 and 20 years old at the time and had no fear. Now that I'm a old man I have become scared in my ways. I would use a 12ga. When you get to the point when its not just you but your family at stake, think about it . what would you want in your house a handgun or a shotgun.
Ray

Complete Heat wrote:Firing a revolver in rapid fire is more difficult to do accurately than with a semi because of the trigger pull.

It isn't just trigger pull. The revolver gives the shooter all the recoil energy from driving the bullet down the barrel. A semiauto uses some of the recoil energy to reload the weapon, this reduces the recoil energy that you would have to absorb and readjust to target again. This recoil also produces a larger wander from the target because it lifts more when fired, remember Dirty Harry?

I usually cut 'em to 18.25" and I make sure the OAL is 27".

coaledsweat wrote:

Complete Heat wrote:Firing a revolver in rapid fire is more difficult to do accurately than with a semi because of the trigger pull.

It isn't just trigger pull. The revolver gives the shooter all the recoil energy from driving the bullet down the barrel. A semiauto uses some of the recoil energy to reload the weapon, this reduces the recoil energy that you would have to absorb and readjust to target again. This recoil also produces a larger wander from the target because it lifts more when fired, remember Dirty Harry?

Yes, yes I do

I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

coaledsweat wrote:

Complete Heat wrote:Firing a revolver in rapid fire is more difficult to do accurately than with a semi because of the trigger pull.

It isn't just trigger pull. The revolver gives the shooter all the recoil energy from driving the bullet down the barrel. A semiauto uses some of the recoil energy to reload the weapon, this reduces the recoil energy that you would have to absorb and readjust to target again. This recoil also produces a larger wander from the target because it lifts more when fired, remember Dirty Harry?

If we go back to the subject, Pistol of choice (in the $300.-$400. range), I would not bet my life on a semi auto in that price range.
Don't get me wrong, John Browning's 1911 (.45 ACP) is the "best combat pistol". The only problem is that to have the reliability every time you press the trigger, the price starts at $1,000. and goes up to over $3,000.
Also with a revolver the bullet has to jump the gap from the cylinder to the barrel (.003"-.007"). This lets gas escape while the bullet is traveling down the barrel, reducing recoil.
Double Action revolver shooters usually fire using single action. The single action trigger is fast and as good as any semi auto trigger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3fgduPdH_Y

RS