How many of us will admit.....

[Ian11]

.....that certain guns are just too much for them for defense use. They're just more than I want to deal with.

I'll admit guns like the Glock 33/SIG P239 (357 SIG), alloy j frame revolvers, sub-compact 1911's/Glock 36, snub nose K frame .357 Magnums*, and .44 Magnum (or anything larger) are more than I can handle. Sure, I can shoot them but very badly.

*Unless I'm shooting 110 grain loads.


Okay everyone you can start making fun of me now

 

[priv8ter]

Oh, me!

I will be the first to admit that I get no enjoyment out of a .44Magnum, nor can I get a quick followup shot. Ditto for the light alloy .357's...

I have never really handled an automatic that has given me a hard time though....maybe a compact 10mm would be too much...

 

[rugerfreak]

That's not being wimpy---just practical.

I currently own 5 handguns---2 .22's----2 9mm's----and 1 .357.

If I need anything bigger---I'm grabbing a rifle or shotgun---which easily outpower and outclass most any handgun.

 

[Intune]

I would rather shoot my .44 mag SBH than a lightweight with +p's or mags. I don't mind my Glock 27 .40, have never fired the 36. The .44 with specials in it is a breeze. My 8 yo shoots it. A gun that hurts is no fun to me. I have nothing to prove.

 

[Snowdog]

I never saw much logic in using a .44magnum revolver for home defense (yes, against people mind you, not bears).

A good friend of mine will hear no conflicting opinion about his M29 for home defense. He's convinced those 250gr Winchester Partitions will ensure any two-legged intruder he shoots will stay down for the count.
Mention to him that all that extra energy is simply wasted once that slug sails through the target and he shrugs... doesn't want to hear it.
He's got a perfectly fine Kimber Custom identical to mine, along with a G23 that would make a fine house-gun... no dice.

My personal belief is that if it doesn't dump most it's energy in the target, it's not efficient in serving it's purpose. Most .45acp JHPs will be just as effective, if not more so, than your typical .44magnum against a human target.
If a .44mag is all one's got, at least some lightly built 180gr JHPs or one of the non-hunting defensive premium options (Hydra-Shok, et al) could be rounded up. A Glaser Blue or Silver should fit the bill just fine.

 

[sgt127]

Nope, I agree. I have a great love for the.357 in its 125 GR loading, but firing it in my SP-101 is the absolute limit for me. I also have an old Detonics, the big .45 round is easily managable for me. As is a Kahr MK9 with 115 GR +P+. But, they are all steel/stainless. I would hope that alot of the guys who carry the Scandium/titanium consider what happens if they run across TWO bad guys that need shooting. I hope they practice controlling that ferocious recoil and getting back on target. Me personally, I think its beyond my physical abilities to keep that muzzle pointed in the right direction quickly. And...it hurts my hands.

 

[10-Ring]

I do refer my fullsize guns. They help in absorbing recoil, the longer sight radius makes them feel more accurate & they just feel better in my hands. My compact & sub compact guns need some getting use to but w/ practice I got proficient w/ them. They're not my1st choice, but they work well for me now.
I have found tho that big boomin' calibers aren't much fun regardless of platform.. I don't believe in hurting myself for the sake of shooting. I shoot to enjoy myself.

 

[Mannlicher]

I just dont have a problem with normal handguns. I have not shot one of the new .500 Smith's, but even a .454 is not that bad. My main reason for not using a huge hand cannon is that it is harder to get a second aimed shot with the handgun recoiling hard.

 

[stans]

I admit that I think 44 Magnum is a bit too much for defense against a human attacker. 9mm, 357 Magnum, 40 S&W, or 45 ACP will do just fine. I do occasionally relish in shooting my S&W 640 with full power Magnum ammo, but 50 rounds is more than enough for one day. But the look on the faces of other people on the firing line when I touch off one of those rounds....

 

[Sunray]

The only defensive firearm to even think about using for that purpose is the one you can consistently shoot well enough and have omplete confidence in to do so. Every other firearm is a big kid's toy.

 

[BerettaNut92]

USP45C. Not bad, but I could do better.

 

[coldshot03/04]

SISSIES!!

 

[Fed168]

The .44 is too big for me to consider it for two legged use. Out in the woods is another story.

As much as they appeal to me, the lightweight revolvers are not my bag either. Too light, heavy felt recoil, again, not for me.

 

[4v50 Gary]

A 44 mag loaded with 240 grain bullets is too much for me. A .454 Casull is also a real hand killer.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Anything bigger than a .44 magnum is more gun than my arthritic wrist can handle comfortably; in fact, 90% of my .44 magnum shooting is with light target .44 special loads in .44 magnum cartridge cases.

That saidâ„¢, in the unlikely event I need to defend my home, wrist comfort is going to be way down toward the bottom of the list of priorities.

 

[SodaPop]

I'll always prefer a rifle.

 

[El Tejon]

Guns are like golf clubs. Depends on the shot (pun intended, of course).

 

[valnar]

I can barely handle my 686P L-frame .357Magnum, especially for follow up shots. My S&W 19 is even harder.

I may invest in a N-frame .357. That might be the magical combo. I wouldn't dream of firing .357 out of one of those Scandium 12oz jobbies. It hurts to think of it.

I think the faster the bullet leaves the chamber, the more it hurst the webbing of my hand. 38sp, 9mm and .45ACP are all perfect.

Robert

 

[Johnny Guest]

I'll admit a couple - - -

I shot a Model 340Sc the other day. I loaded it with two .38 Spl+P 125 JHPs and three full house Federal 125 .357 mags. I am used to shooting an S&W M37 and a Colt Agent, though I save the 158+P loads for occasional use. The 340 with the 125 .38s had a noticible THUMP but was controlable enough. The mag loads were just TOO FLIPPIN' MUCH for me, in this 12-ounce revolver. They hurt the web of my hand and REALLY stung the first knuckle of my trigger finger. (Slightly enlarged by arthritis.)

I have a custom Super Blackhawk Old Model. It is a wonderful piece, with heavy .44 Special and light-to-medium mag handloads. With the use of really full-bore magnum loads, though, that small trigger guard literally brings tears to my eyes and blood from the previously mentioned finger joint. I'm fine with a Ruger Redhawk or S&W, though.

I also had the chance to examine a .500 S&W briefly and shot it with (only) the CorBon 275 load. Piece of cake - - The enormous weight, the big Hogue stock, and the comp made it fairly pleasant to shoot. My 626-6 Mountain Gun with 276 LSWC bullets loaded fairly warm imposed a lot more felt recoil. (I took it along to this particular demonstration so I could do an in-tandem comparison.)

I don't mind some healthy recoil, but a masochist I am not.

Ian11, I look back and see you specify, for defense use. Sorry, I was thinking of sporting use. I am comfortable with the alloy .38s with 158 LWSCHP+P and the compact LW .45 autos with 230 Gold Dot HP. I can handle a K-frame with full .357 JHP, but think it is needlessly penetrative for in-town use.

Best,
Johnny

 

[El Tejon]

Ian, you see this in beginning pistol classes a lot. Guys bring in the latest super lightweight, neon/xeon/sceon pistol with super-duper White Hippo ammo in silly calibers which they tell you all about as they rock back on their heels as if hearing "impressive" velocity is a ward against eeevil.

By the end of the first day, they are asking El Tejon for moleskin and bemoaning their bad shooting.

Gun rag guns are for gun rag authors whose only fight will be over the last on sale flowered shirt at the GAP or fighting over covering Ms. BeachVolleyball while donning their other hat at their publishing company. Leave the gun rag guns to them.

 

[Ala Dan]

When Defending From Within-

Even with the .357 magnum, in HD scenario's I would
recommend the use of a good .38 Special JHP round.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[denfoote]

My .357 snubbie is a bit painfull to shoot with full house loads, but within it's intended range, say 7-10 yards, I do reasonably well with it. all my other pistols are no problem. They might be somewhat of a pain in the to conceal, but I shoot them well. I usually don't buy stuff that I cannot conceal. I don't have a .44MAG or a .50AE Desert Eagle. That fugly automatic revolver is off my list too!!!

At

 

[priv8ter]

Brave man!

Man, I hope Tamara doesn't find out you are referring to a Mateba as 'that fugly automatic revolver'.