BALANCE

[LaneP]

I had cataract surgery several years ago and I'm dealing with not seeing the as sights well on my handguns. I use cheaters for shooting at the range but I have trouble seeing the sights in other situations.

But, as far as the gun I'm shooting, I still shoot what I shot long ago. I don't shoot as many full power magnum loads any more because I have nothing to prove and most of my targets these days are paper or aluminum cans.

I drag out the 460XVR once in a while and send some 427 big block busting loads down range.

This is exactly the predicament I have from cataract surgery in 2017. I love iron sights but can hardly use them the way they're supposed to be used trying to shoot with 1.5x readers on. Ultimately a dot sight or cross hair reticule is the best solution for me, but I prefer the simplicity and old school durability of irons, as difficult as they can be now.

 

[DTL]

At 70, I find my go-to guns on range day are my SA Ronin 4.25" & Range Officer 5" 1911's in 9mm. They are my all-day shooters, out of ammo long before tired out with them. I recently sold off my larger calibers for that reason, and now have six 9mm, Beretta APX Centurion, S&W Shield Plus, S&W CSX and a Canik Mete SFX. I only shoot the S&W's with defensive rounds 10-15 rounds each every week as they are for carry purposes. I also have two .380 carry pistols which I only shoot occasionally now that I have the 9mm S&W's.

 

[Pure2nd]

Have you discovered your balance point yet? By that, I mean the point where you become a less accurate shooter when you increase the power of you handgun.

As I get older, my point is changing. I sold off my .41 and .44 magnums, even my S&W model 24 snub nose and most of my .45ACP pistols.

I find that a 2 pound (or something around that) pistol is just right for me as a carry gun and a range gun. I usually shoot .38 Specials in my .357's when I go to the range. I make an exception for my 6 inch model 586. Between the heavy weight of the gun and having been MAGNA-PORTED, it is easy to shoot, even with full power 125 grain .357 ammo. I just would not want to carry it around on my hip.

I still shoot .40 S&W, using the 180 grain ammo that is not nearly as fierce as the 155 grain load my agency once issued. You can really tell the difference in a short barreled .40.
Most, in semi autoes, I shoot 9m.m., which is still my issue gun caliber.

I recently bought my wife a BERETTA 92X Compact and think it is just about perfect for me as well. I will see how much she likes it on her birthday.
I shoot the full size BERETTA 92's and 96's just as easily, but they are just larger and less concealable than the Compact model, so not as good a fit for my needs.

Have you found a balance point at which you happy with?

This is not a caliber question per say, but just what do you find is the best balance of size, caliber and action type for you?

Jim

Awesome thread...

My balance point in regards to handguns is fit. I'm not a big man but have hand size that allows me to palm a basketball. Smaller guns tend to waller around in my grip and are often unpleasant to shoot.

I won't shoot very many revolvers because my middle finger gets beat to heck. However an 8" barrel .41 or similar platform is something I'm very comfortable with.

For semi-autos it's full size or larger mid frames. Anything smaller reduces accuracy and pleasure of use greatly.

In those regards recoil impulse has never been an issue if the gun fits my hand size.