.460 s&w

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Ron-Bon

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I was in the gun-shop the other day and I saw a guy buying a revolver chambered for .460 S&W. The gentleman helping him asked him was he hunting and he soid "No, it's for home defense." The gun-shop employee shook his held and sold the man the gun.

I have no experience whatsoever with a .460; matter fact, I was not aware that they existed until this exchange. However, after seeing the cartridge compared to others, I can't imagine anyone using this for defense unless it was a last resort. All I can picture is over-penetration, enough recoil to make target re-acquisition difficult, and I would imagine that the muzzle flash is probably overwhelming.

Does anyone else feel differently? Let me know if I'm wrong
 
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I agree that self defense with a .460 SW is a bit extreme. Might as well buy a 30-06 and load it with surplus ball.
 
I can't see a S&W 460 Mag as a home defense gun. I own a few of them, and the last thing I would use it for it home defense. A short compact gun is a better choice for home defense.

Even with the light recoiling 45 Colts, the gun itself is not a light weight.
 
I think you're better off with a short carbine rifle for home defense than using a Smith 460 revolver loaded with 45LC.

Since I was not there, I can't comment on the sale by the gunshop. But they want to sell guns. They also like to have happy customers. Happy customers are repeat customers. The customer may have had his heart set on the big revovler. Who is to say and the gun shop may well have suggested something smaller for the customers purpose and the customer wanted the 460. Oh well. The customer is always right!
 
When I think of kill... I really think overkill!

sw460vrv1.jpg


"Sorry officer, I guess I really over-penetrated that perp."
 
It's an odd conundrum, in that any handgun is inadequate for self-defense, but what I REALLY mean when I say that is, "Any handgun cartridge controllable by most people under combat circumstances" is inadequate for self-defense. .44 mag and up is certainly doing better, but then you have a gun that takes serious strength and practice to use under very stressful circumstances. I THINK, most people would do better with a tactical shotgun or carbine. You have much better control over the giant holes you are making.

If you're really a giant revolver kind of guy who really loves shooting them, I suppose you can do what you want to. But if you just think they are cool, you've got the wrong gun.
 
I'm thinking it's one of the " me man, me need big gun, uh, uh, me man" types. Some ppl simply equate manlyness with the caliber of thier gun. Unfortunetly, many find out afterwards it more than they can handle.

Ya see, it's not the size of the gun, it's how well you place your shots. ;)
 
.44 mag and up is certainly doing better
Click to expand...
Not so. Good .357, .45 ACP, and even 9mm hollowpoints have better stopping power than the .44 magnum, and .45 LC as the bullets on these are designed for hunting and do not expand as well.
 
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