My handgun tastes are changing

[Nightcrawler]

A little early morn philosophy for you.

I've been thinking. THe last few times I was shooting, I was a lot more interested in shooting my two revolvers than I was my CZ-97. It's not that the CZ has given me any trouble since I got it throat/polished, it's just that...I think my tastes are changing. I notice that nearly all of the handguns that I want are revolvers now, and I'm not really lusting after any automatics. I really like the CZ-97, and kind of want one of those new rollstamp Colt Government Models, but I'm not drooling over the bottom-feeders like I once used to.

I guess revolvers just have more personality for me.

I don't have what I'd consider a "practical", all-around revolver as of yet, though. I mean, I have the 25-5 in .45 Colt, and the 57 in .41 Mag. Both are excellent guns, but having 6" barrels they're too big and heavy to fit my criteria as an all-rounder.

Another thing that's been a near-constant annoyance for both of them has been finding quality ammunition of decent power to practice with. .41 is plenty powerful, but costs $25/50rds if you can find it at all. .45 Colt is all over the place, but it's mostly anemic Cowboy loads, that have a 255 grain lead bullet falling out of the barrel at 700-750 feet per second.

Currently, my 25-5 is down. It needs to go back to Smith and Wesson for repairs, and I'm going to look into that today. I'm also going to see if they can't rebarrel it to 4"; doing so would make it pretty close to what I want. I also want to get the .41 rebarreled, eventually. I really don't have much use for a 6" revolver, overall, and now that I'm thinking about it am kicking myself for spending $30 on an Uncle Mike's shoulder holster designed for 6" N-frames (though it will work with 4" ones, too).

In the past, I've sold guns to fund new ones, but I won't sell either of my revolvers. Primarily because they don't make either of those models anymore and there's no telling if I'd actually be able to replace them.

I've thought about getting a 4" .44 Mag. It would fit all of my criteria and would solve my ammo-hunting problems. Plus, Buffalo Bore makes a .44 Special load (255 grain Keith @ 1000fps) that is prettymuch the exact load I wish somebody'd make in .45 Colt.

But .44 Mag is so passe'. Everybody has a .44 Mag, whereas you don't see a lot of .45 Colt DA wheelguns around.

I really liked that Scandium .44 Mag that Smith and Wesson makes now when I handled one. It was unique and unusual enough to really tempt my eclectic side. I wondered if it wasn't what I'm looking for. It's certainly handy, has a 4" barrel, fires a big bore cartridge, and looks really really cool. But, it's so light that I've heard it's practically unusable with .44 Magnum loads, and while there are plenty of good .44 Special loads to be had, they're harder to find than off-the-shelf UMC .44 Mag fodder that I'd like to practice with, and I really don't want to get carpal tunnel.

In any case, if I ever do find the revolver I'm looking for, the CZ-97 might be sacrificed in order to fund its purchase. As I said, I guess my tastes have changed. I might be turning into a straight-up wheelgun guy nowadays.

How very un-tactical of me, with only six shots and everything.

 

[WonderNine]

Corbon makes a decent self defense load, though I'd prefer something in the 250-230gr. range with about 700ft/lbs. I don't know how well a S&W 25 would take one in 700ft/lbs, but I'm sure that Anaconda on my wish list would have no problems with them.

Sure wouldn't want to shoot any of that Buffalo Bore stuff at 1250ft/lbs through anything but a Blackhawk though!

 

[mini14jac]

I have found my tastes in handguns and longguns to be "evolving" constantly.
Every few years, I'll sell a few guns, and get down to one or two calibers.
I tell myself that is more effecient.

Then I buy a new caliber, and the cycle starts again.
I'm starting to lean toward revolvers myself.

 

[Matt1911]

My tastes cycle also,but i quit selling ANYTHING to fund another,for i ALWAYS regret it later.

 

[WonderNine]

Funny thing is, I seem to be going the opposite of most people. My tastes have gone from revolvers to semi-autos, instead of the other way around, though I still like rev's and I'm sure I always will.

And even stranger alot of people who go from rev's to semi's tend to get into the plastic, whereas I cannot stand plastic guns. I cannot even stand a plastic PART on a metal gun.

 

[Old Fuff]

One solution to the "practice ammo" problem is to handload your own. This is not difficult to do and you can use relatively inexpensive lead bulets combined with a powder charge to give you whatever performance level you want. Lead slugs are easier on the barrel too. I like the .41 Magnum cartridge for the purpose you have in mind, and a set of loading dies takes care of the availability question.

 

[seeker_two]

I'm in Wondernine's predicament. I'm shifting from sixguns to autos too...

Shoot whatever makes you happy. That's the point...

As for ammo capacity, how many times were you planning to miss? ...

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

All round wheel gun?????


That would be a .357/.38----the .357 is still a fairly powerfull round at reasonable prices-----use .38's for cheap practice ammo.

A new .357 won't break the bank like some of the new big-bores I've been looking at.

 

[HBK]

I've never been into revolvers. If it holds less than 12 rounds...

 

[Cosmoline]

My theory on handgun capacity is this. If it takes more than six shots to put it down, you don't need to reload. YOU NEED TO GET YOUR RIFLE!


Ditto on the .38/.357 recommendation. I've got a Colt Police Pos. Special and a Ruger Security Six. Both were cheap and ammo is quite inexpensive. .357 is by far the cheapest over-the-counter magnum round. And they're both easy to reload. My next purchase is going to be a .357 Mag levergun from Marlin to fill out the trio.

 

[Ian11]

Could be a phase or it could a the start of a lifelong passion for wheelguns. Who knows? See where it takes ya.

I do have my preferences but I find my tastes in handguns constantly expanding. From different revolvers to various automatics (basically all the ones I don't own). And I'm still into the ones I got hooked on when I got started. Basically any quality handgun that launches a bullet.

 

[Swamp Yankee]

I'm with Old Fuff.

Make your next major firearm purchase a reloading setup. It will pay itself back in no time as your discovering, plus you'll have plenty of ammo to enjoy in the flavor of the month, be it wheel or bottom feeder.
Take Care

 

[MikeJ]

I have also been leaning more towards revolvers lately. I was really into semi-autos for a long time but as of late have gotten back into enjoying shooting the wheel guns. Another reason is that none of the newer semi's really do it for me, I guess that is a product of age and familiarity. I agree with Nightcrawler that revolvers have more character than the newer poly-plastic-thermal stuff. Don't get me wrong they definitely have their place, hey I own a Glock too, but they just seem more like tools than anything else. My next purchase will be a Ruger GP100 to keep company with my S&W 586. Best, Mike

 

[Ala Dan]

Att: Nightcrawler

As a friend, I strongly recommend that you hold
on to that Smith & Wesson model 57, .41 magnum.
As an ole' timey DJ would say, "Man that's a blast
from the past"! Great firearm, and easy caliber to
handload.

I had the 4" model with a "S' serial prefix; and being
young and dumb (then), I traded for a N*-S&W model
29! Good thing was, the 29 also had the "S" serial
prefix.

*Nickel

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

 

[Nightcrawler]

Fear not. I have no intention of parting with the M57. As was said, they don't make 'em anymore, and I'd never forgive myself.

However, a 4" rebarreling might be in order, just to make it more totable and use it as an occasional carry piece once I get my CCW.

I was going to order some speedloaders for it, but cancelled my Cheaper than Dirt order.

I should invest in a compact reloading setup of some kind, though right now I honestly have no room for it.

I do mean to get a .357 one of these days, but it's not a priority. The .357 Magnum revolver fails one of my important criteria in that it's not big-bore, and I like big bore guns.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I recall the days of window shopping at gunshows looking for the ultimate hi capacity wondernine.

Now I find myself ogling pre-war Colts.

Really I'd rather have a refinished 1903 model pocket .32 than a new Glock.

Then again I'd take a new roll mark Government model over a Glock.

 

[Blueduck]

It's not that the CZ has given me any trouble since I got it throat/polished, it's just that...I think my tastes are changing.

the CZ-97 might be sacrificed in order to fund its purchase.

This kinda thing has cost me a lot of money over the years until I realized that changing taste is just part of the process (for me at least). Better to sit a gun back and wait for that "phase" to return. Selling one gun you like to buy something you *really* want always seems like a good idea, but then your taste change again back to the original choice.

Seems like every deal I make puts me a bit further in the hole. Somtimes I think if given a $50,000 Purdy Shotgun I could swap it down to a Lorcin in only 6 or 7 steps

 

[DDGator]

I agree Nightcrawler -- I feel the same way. I learned on wheelguns, got seduced by semis for a while, and am returning back to wheelguns. I am shooting IPSC and plan to shoot IDPA. I can't help but look at the guys who can really handle a wheelgun and think -- "Now that guy is a real shooter!"

 

[10-Ring]

My handgun tastes are changing

Changing? Maybe more evolving Or, it might just be a phase. I find myself in phases too. I just started shooting my USPs again after concentrating primarily on my revolvers these last few months.

 

[Rob96]

I went thru a change also. I like all of my handguns to have one type of trigger pull. I have two 357 magnum revolvers, a Glock 19 and a new Colt 1991A1. I would still like to add another Glock 19 and Colt 1991A1.

 

[caz223]

I learned with wheelguns, and find myself shooting autos more and more lately.
It's because my lastest diversion is steel plate shooting.
High capacity, quick reloads, faster follow-up shots, better triggers.
I shoot 9mm/.45 acp/10mm for these type of events.
But as mentioned earlier, when somebody really good with a revolver shoots, I have to respect him for not taking the easy way out.
I haven't even tried it.
I may when I get my 610.
Moonclips, baby.

 

[standingbear]

mine too

lol.they are changing to ones that i can afford ammo for.ill never sell my sig 226..it took me a very..very very long time to afford it and it shoots very...very good.my ruger slabside...can shoot all day with 22 l.r-i got a bunch of bricks at a local store when they were going out of business last spring(5 bucks a brick)my mac 10 has to go...just cant afford to go out and plink with it even if it is just a semi auto.my 44 mag redhawk is like a fine wine...i rarly get it out but when i do, someone always complains its too loud.sissies.

 

[Nick96]

It's called maturity. That point in life were you are able to clearly dissern fact from BULL S**T. Fact is, most folks have no need for a semi auto larger than .22 cal. If you want one, fine - if you have fun with it, fine - but you don't "NEED" it.

 

[seeker_two]

Nick96:

 

[Dave R]

"I should invest in a compact reloading setup of some kind, though right now I honestly have no room for it."

Nightcrawler, that's one of 3 excuses I used to put off reloading for about 3 years from the time I first wanted to. The other 2 excuses were:

2. The setup costs to buy press, dies, etc.

3. If I had the time to reload, I'd be shooting.

Well, when I finally started I almost kicked myself for putting it off for so long.

Space? I keep everything in a single rubbermaid tub, with some smaller boxes to organize things. I use 2 "C" clamps to attach the press to the kitchen table, or the outside picnic table, when I need it. Takes 30 seconds to set up and pull down.

Cost? Used presses are around $40. I found one for $25. It works fine. You can buy used dies at gun shows. If you're spending $25 per box of ammo, you can buy all your gear and make your first 200 rounds for the cost of buying 200 rounds retail. I may be exaggerating a little, here.

Time? Some of the steps can be done while watching TV or doing other things. Brass prep and priming, mainly. NEVER do anything else whan measuring powder. And follow all safety rules. The only thing that takes any time is measuring powder, and that goes pretty fast when you get used to it. And its fun & satisfying.

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