Musings on Handguns

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Kleanbore

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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?
 
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Hi...
I am approaching 67 and have some health issues including worsening arthritis in my neck.
Hunting and shooting rifles and shotguns is rapidly approaching the point where it will no longer be doable much less fun.

Haven't quit yet but that day is coming.
I still can shoot all of my handguns including the big magnums and SuperMags, one handed, two handed or off a rest with no problems. Not interested in quitting that aspect of the shooting sports...in fact, I just put a three screw Super BlackHawk on layaway last week. Don't need it...already have a New Model SBH and various other .44Magnums. Just couldn't pass up a three screw for $550.
 
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.
 
d2wing said:
I am switching to rimfire. I shoot a match a couple days ago. I came in second and was happy with that. But my hands hurt even after shooting a 9 MM. I think my centerfire days are over.
Click to expand...
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'm a fan of single action revolvers, especially Rugers and have them in calibers from 22lr up to 45 Colt. I find them comfortable, accurate, and safe to use and regard them as good teaching tools when introducing kids and newcomers to handguns. My current favorite in 22lr is the Single-Ten with the 5.5" barrel. For centerfire calibers, a Blackhawk in 357 magnum shooting 38 specials is versatile and hard to beat . (I love the 41 magnum Blackhawk but ammo can be tough and expensive to find unless you reload.)

As I've gotten older I'm spending more time shooting black powder guns. The single shot pistols like the Traditions Trapper or Lyman Great Plains pistols, percussion or flint, are a lot of fun. The hooked breech makes it easy to remove the barrel for cleaning and you don't have to fiddle with placing percussion caps 'just so' like on revolvers. They can also be darn accurate.

Thanks for broaching the topic. It gave me something to think about.

Jeff
 
Since you mention Python, sounds like you have expensive taste. https://simpsonltd.com/mauser-c96-red-9/

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, I find 7.62x25mm Tokarev and CZ 52 handguns to be a lot of fun. Ridiculous fireball and muzzle blast, but recoil comparable to 9mm. They are robust and generally inexpensive handguns, allowing some room for the generally expensive ammunition.
 
Kleanbore said:
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
That's how see it. Others may see it differently.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Like some others here, age(nearly 71)and health(rheumatoid arthritis) limit my shooting to days my hands feel up to it. I shoot mostly my 38 spl and light 357 reloads in my revolvers about twice monthly. Certainly no big bores in my future and if I had any sense I wouldn't buy any more guns at all. However, my LGS has a S&W Model 15-2 Combat Masterpiece that caught my eye...
 
Still comfortable with shooting .22s, a lot of .380, 9mm., and .38 Special, and the occasional .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .45 Colt, and .45 ACP. Never was a big fan of the .44 Magnum except in a Desert Eagle!
 
Kleanbore said:
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
I’ve shot .44 magnum, but never really had any need for it. Depending on the size and weight of the gun, and what’s on it, i.e., scope, etc., I’ve found the range of comfort with them to be from fine to “I don’t want to shoot it again”.

I’m good with a K frame or SAA clone shooting .357 and on down. OK with a Glock 26 with +P’s. Not a fan of shooting an LCP more than a few practice shots at a time though. Enjoy my .22 Buckmark very much.
 
Pretty much all of the guns you said you wouldn't want aren't meant for recreational shooting, anyway. I have a lot of guns I don't shoot, though pretty much all were purchased with the idea that they would be shot. I enjoy shooting defensive-class handguns (pocket sub-class or larger) more than "target" type guns, anyway. For example, I enjoy shooting my Taurus PT22 and Phoenix HP22A more than either of my Ruger Mk-II pistols; it might be that the Rugers are "too easy."

I don't specifically "enjoy" shooting scads of rounds through my NAA revolvers or my Bauer 25, but I enjoy owning them, and they don't frighten me (in my hands.) I have an older Italian Jetfire .25 that I'm willing to bet I will enjoy shooting; I just haven't gotten around to it.

I'd have been more intrigued in the subject if you had named off a list of recreational shooters and said you had no interest in them. Maybe that will be another thread. :)
 
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MedWheeler said:
Pretty much all of the guns you said you wouldn't want aren't meant for recreational shooting, anyway.
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Well, neither were the Beretta Models 1934 and 1935, the Schofield, or the Colt Paterson. However, I would enjoy shooting them. That would be recreation, and it would be the only reason I would have one.
 
A Colt Woodsman Match Target and a Smith & Wesson 686+ with a five inch barrel.

The latter would, of course, be quite serviceable for defense, but I do not carry openly, nor do I keep it at hand for home defense.
 
I suppose I should add to the list: large-frame, long-cylinder revolvers with rifled barrels, chambered for shot-shells. There are better handguns.
 
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.
 

Nah, I'm just gonna shoot everything I have 'til I can't make it outside to shoot anymore. If things work out, I'll be shootin' some .357 and .45 ACP the day before I pass on.

(Granted, I can't shoot near as much of the big boomers as I could back in the day, but I'm not gonna let my infirmities rule my life if I can still walk on my own).
 
In addition to having good taste in music I'm in total agreement with Old Dog. The thrill of magnumitis wore off along time ago and in my old age 7 yards has become the new 25. :neener:
 
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