Why is much of Europe still sticking with the 9mm?

[wanderinwalker]

KRAUTGUNNER,

Thanks for the response. With that in mind, are guns like the .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, etc. even heard of? I'm thinking most likely not, or not very common at all, but I've been surprised before. Here in New Hampshire, I personally know of 3 or 4 hunters who use handguns extensively, especially in the thick brush so common where the pavement ends.

I once surprised a German guest when he learned that I was free to ride a dirt bike without adult supervision, on public land, at the age of 15. And the fact that I didn't have a displacement restriction on my permit/license.

 

[KRAUTGUNNER]

@ wanderingwalker:

Yes, firearms with heavy calibers like .44 Mag, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, .500 Linebaugh, etc. are legal in Germany.

But NOT for hunting game!

Most of the owners of those heavy handguns are target shooters (like myself; I've got a S&W 629 Classic DX with 8 3/8" barrel ) or collectors.

Of course, most target shooters in Germany prefer "decent" calibers like .32 S&W long, .38 Special, 9mm Luger or .45 ACP.

We "heavy-metal" fans are looked upon with considerable suspicion and sometimes disgust, but we can surely live with the prejudices of the politically correct, plain and conformist "hole-puncher" shooters.

Those poor guys regard target shooting as a deadly serious matter and anybody having FUN with informal recreational shooting and plinking is regarded as some sort of leper or pariah. :banghead: