entropy
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All useable for the task, but I you are only gong to have one of each, why not optimal ones? OK, sub the G21SF for the the 1911.
Talk me out of (or into)
- Thread starter Justin.T
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JTHunter
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Justin, here is a suggestion. How about a handgun and short carbine that use the same ammo?
I have a 4" GP-100 AND a Marlin 1894 lever-action rifle and both use .38 Special or .357 Magnum. The GP-100 would be usable with either ammo and easily carried on your hip. The extra length of the levergun would add velocity to BOTH rounds and make a decent defensive rifle for things like pumas, bobcats, coyotes, and up to bears.
I have a 4" GP-100 AND a Marlin 1894 lever-action rifle and both use .38 Special or .357 Magnum. The GP-100 would be usable with either ammo and easily carried on your hip. The extra length of the levergun would add velocity to BOTH rounds and make a decent defensive rifle for things like pumas, bobcats, coyotes, and up to bears.
WestKentucky
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4" 357 is more than 9mm. 3" 357 is about the same as 9mm+p. Snub 357 is about like 38spl, but with a lot more flash and noise.
If your looking to gain power over the 9mm by marginally increasing power by jumping to a snubbie, your better off to just buy better 9mm ammo. Underwood or Buffalo Bore will set you up right.
With all that said, it's not going to cost you anything to keep it, it's not going to take up space, and it doesn't have to be fed...why get rid of one? Your a minimalist...doesn't mean you are a hoarder if you bump up to 2 distinctly different handguns.
By the way, same thought process goes for rifles. You should have a centerfire rifle as well as a rimfire rifle.
If your looking to gain power over the 9mm by marginally increasing power by jumping to a snubbie, your better off to just buy better 9mm ammo. Underwood or Buffalo Bore will set you up right.
With all that said, it's not going to cost you anything to keep it, it's not going to take up space, and it doesn't have to be fed...why get rid of one? Your a minimalist...doesn't mean you are a hoarder if you bump up to 2 distinctly different handguns.
By the way, same thought process goes for rifles. You should have a centerfire rifle as well as a rimfire rifle.
Assuming you know what your talking about, and it seems you do, I decided today to buy some new ammo for my 9mm. Keep the 124 hydra shoks for at home and bought some 147 +p for camping.
I'm in no rush to sell the thing but the money to be used for something else appeals to me more than keeping the thing. I just have never ever enjoyed shooting the thing the few times I have.
It's been fun though and thanks again everyone!
I'm in no rush to sell the thing but the money to be used for something else appeals to me more than keeping the thing. I just have never ever enjoyed shooting the thing the few times I have.
It's been fun though and thanks again everyone!
Armybrat
Member
The 3" SP101 in .327 Federal can pack quite a wallop with AE 100 grain jsp, and it is 6 shots. I like mine - it's about an inch longer than my CW9:
Armybrat
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Or you could find a nice clean Service Six in .357 (6 shot) which isn't much bigger than the SP101...
Varminterror
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Going from not enough to not enough is still not enough.
someguy2800
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It may not be sentimental for you now but I bet you feel different about it in 20 years. SP101's are great little guns but they usually need a little tuning up. I've had 2. My 4.2" sp101 357 is my favorite handgun.
Oh and chances you'll ever use a handgun to defend against a black bear or mountain lion are astronomical. The black bears are scared to death of you and you'll never see the mountain lions coming. Me and my wife were hiking up a slot canyon this January in Utah up to a waterfall. We spent about an hour at the waterfall and turned to go back and about 400 yards back up the trail there were lion tracks coming down from the side of the canyon where it scratched at our foot prints to sniff them and on it went up the other side. Just checking out the traffic.
Oh and chances you'll ever use a handgun to defend against a black bear or mountain lion are astronomical. The black bears are scared to death of you and you'll never see the mountain lions coming. Me and my wife were hiking up a slot canyon this January in Utah up to a waterfall. We spent about an hour at the waterfall and turned to go back and about 400 yards back up the trail there were lion tracks coming down from the side of the canyon where it scratched at our foot prints to sniff them and on it went up the other side. Just checking out the traffic.
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Armored farmer
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Justin T
I certainly appreciate, even envy, your minimalist approach. Both of my grandfathers lived all their lives on their farms with both only owning one .22 rifle, and one 12ga shotgun.
I have only recently begun to appreciate the 9mm. I think i would sleep just fine while camping with it under my pillow. In fact, I would probably choose my 9mm out of all my handguns because it has a light mounted on it.
I have many guns, but many of them were inherited like yours.
Here is something for you to consider....
I feel like your 9mm is easier to carry than either the 640 or the sp101.
While the .357 is a more powerful cartridge, you will give up capacity, ease of carrying reloads, better sights, sight radius, slim width, and familiarity.
I definitely wouldnt trade off i gun i like.
I certainly appreciate, even envy, your minimalist approach. Both of my grandfathers lived all their lives on their farms with both only owning one .22 rifle, and one 12ga shotgun.
I have only recently begun to appreciate the 9mm. I think i would sleep just fine while camping with it under my pillow. In fact, I would probably choose my 9mm out of all my handguns because it has a light mounted on it.
I have many guns, but many of them were inherited like yours.
Here is something for you to consider....
I feel like your 9mm is easier to carry than either the 640 or the sp101.
While the .357 is a more powerful cartridge, you will give up capacity, ease of carrying reloads, better sights, sight radius, slim width, and familiarity.
I definitely wouldnt trade off i gun i like.
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Zendude
Member
For a larger caliber with minimum bulk, maybe consider a Charter Bulldog 44 Special. It’s even lighter than an SP101.
someguy2800
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That a regular officers size right?
Armored farmer
Member
Yes
3.5"
JeeperCreeper
Member
I can't comprehend the reasoning behind a self-limited "only 3 guns" rule. Especially if it limits the best tool for the job.
Maybe if my "pew pew obsession" gets bad, I may have to limit myself, but it won't be to only 3. My brother, the ultimate minimalist (he's an adventure-bike rider and his apartment is literally 2 camp chairs, a hammock, and a laundry basket) has no limit like yours.
Handguns take up very little space. If there's one that you will use, and is good for the job, then get more than 1. That's like trying to build a house with only a hammer. Sometimes having an extra tool is OK.
That being said, a snubby .357 won't be a great improvement over a hot loaded 9mm.
Maybe if my "pew pew obsession" gets bad, I may have to limit myself, but it won't be to only 3. My brother, the ultimate minimalist (he's an adventure-bike rider and his apartment is literally 2 camp chairs, a hammock, and a laundry basket) has no limit like yours.
Handguns take up very little space. If there's one that you will use, and is good for the job, then get more than 1. That's like trying to build a house with only a hammer. Sometimes having an extra tool is OK.
That being said, a snubby .357 won't be a great improvement over a hot loaded 9mm.
bannockburn
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Armybrat
I would add a used Speed Six for consideration as well.
I would add a used Speed Six for consideration as well.
Thanks for the advice, its why I decided to stick with the 9. Also I would say I'm not obsessed and thats why I don't want to own a bunch of them.
I'd rather something in a more common caliber but that looks nice!
Something a few of you hit on and I think its important. I have shot a lot more than I lead on on this forum. I went through the police academy in 07 and was a reserve cop. I just don't talk about it because I like to see what advice people give with out any biases. I think familiarity is huge and is another reason I will stick with the Kahr. Ive got thousands of rounds through a glock and kahr which are like the same function. I guess learning a new platform (i.e. speedloaders) would be doable but its another reason for not switching and just buying some hotter rounds for camping. I'm also a pretty laid back individual so even though I bring it up (half just for fun) I'm not too worried about these extreme situations. Hopefully, knock on wood, I never actually "need" one of these things and its just for a fun couple times a year hobby of shooting paper or clays.
That is a crazy story! I'm torn, I really want to see one sometime in the wild but then again maybe I don't or maybe from my car. The appeal of seeing one while hiking though is there. I've had 3 friends and met a couple other people that have seen them with no issue which is pretty magical. I'd honestly hate to ever have to shoot one, they are so cool. I met someone in Montana who was stalked and killed it when it came out of the bush at him. Incredible creatures.
I will say I live around Lake Tahoe and the black bears here are definitely not scared to death of humans. Attacks are still unheard of but they are pretty brazen going for food when people are around. I'd also much rather just scare one off. Thanks for sharing the story.
someguy2800
Member
I am from north central Minnesota and we have both of them here as well as wolves. They are on our trail cameras regularly, especially the wolves but I've never seen a mountain lion in person. I've seen bears several times and the wolves only a twice in the daylight. I sometimes worry about my dog but I haven't the slightest fear of being attacked myself.
John Joseph
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It doesn't take an elephant gun to kill a mountain lion. It does take speed and lots of luck though.
Bears require sterner stuff, a .357 would be OK, a .44 would be better, especially if it's a big mean bear but IMHO, neither will develop enough steam in a snubbie.
Bears require sterner stuff, a .357 would be OK, a .44 would be better, especially if it's a big mean bear but IMHO, neither will develop enough steam in a snubbie.
+1 for more concern for my dog!
For hiking and backpacking in heavy bear country I feel better with bear spray. This is just for in the tent last defense kind of thought. Like if the bear is coming into your tent its not just to say hello. Now I know its very rare but it has happened, I've watched the movies, haha!
Mauser lover
Member
Hey... I ran across this article. Don't know if it is any good or not as far as truthfulness goes...
http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2018/02/defense-against-bears-with-pistols-97_25.html
But... take from it what you want.
http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2018/02/defense-against-bears-with-pistols-97_25.html
But... take from it what you want.
Terry Chadron
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I think, especially for (home) defense situations, unless you are specifically trained for these situations, the more rounds you have available, the better. Once adrenalin starts rushing, accuracy will most likely go down and having a few extra rounds might make the difference. In regards to stopping power, I personally think the 9mm will do fine, assuming you hit a part that is vital.
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