Handgun options

[MountainWalk]

I would be handloading.  Not opposed to 44special.  No 44mag.

[ghosthunter]

Really any Hun will work.

In a high percentage of officer shootings,the officers reported they never saw the sights.
Aiming really not a factor within the 21 ft. Range.

Look it up.

[j_h_nimrod]

I would be handloading.  Not opposed to 44special.  No 44mag.

why not?

[Bean Counter]

IMO the judge is a joke, its not accurate and the 410 is next to useless. Its heavy and large. I've got a couple of Smiths a double  action with a hammer and a double action airweight without a hammer. Before I'd carry a Judge I'd look at a titanium Smith in 44 but it might be a hand full, of course it will shoot 44 special.

For all the experts that claim this, I've yet to meet one that wants to stare down the barrel.

And to all that use that line of logic, I ask, what size of barrel do you prefer to stare down?

[Firedogg]

 In a wheel gun for carry I am also in the GP100 fan club, but my EDC is a Sig 229 in .40.

  For something a bit more affordable than these two choices Taurus has both wheel guns and semi-autos that are dependable.

[theleo]

I would be handloading.  Not opposed to 44special.  No 44mag.

why not?

Because in the case of say, ruger black hawks, you can get six rounds of 44 specials out of a 357 framed handgun instead of a heavier 44 mag framed pistol.

[CP]

I know it's not the same, but I do draw, clock and fire a cap and ball 36 enough that the mechanics of the effort aren't a big deal. I truly would rather have DA though.

   When I buy something like this, I want to use and enjoy it for different things as well. Maybe grouse hunting and of course, target practice.  Autos just don't do it for me. I'm not being obstinate,  I'm sorry.  357 and 45 are what I'm liking. We'll see. Thanks guys for the time and thoughts.

If your heart is set on a revolver there are still a lot of surplus law enforcement weapons around that are fairly priced.  S&W K frame models 13, 19, 65, & 66  in .357

Models 10 are cheap if you are OK with a .38 – they were in their time the most popular LE weapon made; simple, reliable, and virtually indestructible.

Grips can be changed to fit your needs and your hands

[jdb]

I'm really digging the Uberti cattleman' 73. Birdhead grip, blue/case, 45 4.5 barrel and affordable.

If you are seriously considering this as a self defense tool stay away from single action revolvers. While yes they are more than capable of doing the job they are slow and much harder to train with. Basically you would have to be able to train yourself to draw, roll back that hammer, aim, fire and then roll back that hammer again. all with one hand as fast as you can do it and also be able to use your weak hand.

Its much easier and smarter to "program" yourself to draw, aim, fire. keep it simple.

Also I just looked up the revolver your taking about its about $400 for a basic model. you could easily get into a DA smith, ruger or tauras for that.

Not to preach but there are certain rules I play by for self defense guns.

1. Keep it simple.
2. Keep it with you
2. Bird shot is for birds
3. No rim fires...ever
4. Nothing smaller than .380
5. Practice for the worst

Single action revolvers break rule 1 and the size and weight of that gun would break rule 2.

just my 2 cents.

there is nothing simpler than a single action revolver

[Mongo Hunter]

I'm really digging the Uberti cattleman' 73. Birdhead grip, blue/case, 45 4.5 barrel and affordable.

If you are seriously considering this as a self defense tool stay away from single action revolvers. While yes they are more than capable of doing the job they are slow and much harder to train with. Basically you would have to be able to train yourself to draw, roll back that hammer, aim, fire and then roll back that hammer again. all with one hand as fast as you can do it and also be able to use your weak hand.

Its much easier and smarter to "program" yourself to draw, aim, fire. keep it simple.

Also I just looked up the revolver your taking about its about $400 for a basic model. you could easily get into a DA smith, ruger or tauras for that.

Not to preach but there are certain rules I play by for self defense guns.

1. Keep it simple.
2. Keep it with you
2. Bird shot is for birds
3. No rim fires...ever
4. Nothing smaller than .380
5. Practice for the worst

Single action revolvers break rule 1 and the size and weight of that gun would break rule 2.

just my 2 cents.

there is nothing simpler than a single action revolver

Keep everything simple, the gun is not the problem. To train yourself to add the extra motion of cocking a hammer is harder compared to just pulling the trigger. not to mention training for follow-up shots.

There are people out there that carry 1911's. Properly carried 1911's are "cock and locked", all you have to do is thumb down a little lever and fire. But you would be amazed at how many people screw that up under stress.

[jaymark6655]

I will vouch for that.  I started carrying a Glock, later received a 1911 as a gift.  When I tried to draw and fire, nothing happened.  Took me almost a week of training to remember flicking off that safety.  Now when I use the Glock, my thumb tries to move a lever that isn't there.  Strange that it caused that much problem because I never forgot to flip lever on an M16 while raising it. 

[pianoman9701]

Most of the double action 45 Long Colts I know of have been larger cals (.454 or .460) primarily, but utilize the 45 LC just fine.
There's also a revolver called the Judge by Taurus that is a double action 45 LC and also .410 shotshell.  Not huge, but definitely not compact--mostly the cylinder was long.  Think it was 5 shot.

The Judge is on sale at Freddy's right now. I believe it's 399.00, which is about $150 off list.

I love the magazine capacity of a dependable auto. My 9mm LC9 has an extended mag so I have 11 shots. I also just got a shoulder rig for my XD .45, which gives me 14 shots. Since breaking in either gun, I've never had a jam. The 9mm is great because I can stick it in behind my back and never know it's there. The .45  is piece of mind in tweeker-ville.

[theleo]

I'm really digging the Uberti cattleman' 73. Birdhead grip, blue/case, 45 4.5 barrel and affordable.

If you are seriously considering this as a self defense tool stay away from single action revolvers. While yes they are more than capable of doing the job they are slow and much harder to train with. Basically you would have to be able to train yourself to draw, roll back that hammer, aim, fire and then roll back that hammer again. all with one hand as fast as you can do it and also be able to use your weak hand.

Its much easier and smarter to "program" yourself to draw, aim, fire. keep it simple.

Also I just looked up the revolver your taking about its about $400 for a basic model. you could easily get into a DA smith, ruger or tauras for that.

Not to preach but there are certain rules I play by for self defense guns.

1. Keep it simple.
2. Keep it with you
2. Bird shot is for birds
3. No rim fires...ever
4. Nothing smaller than .380
5. Practice for the worst

Single action revolvers break rule 1 and the size and weight of that gun would break rule 2.

just my 2 cents.

there is nothing simpler than a single action revolver

Except for double action revolvers.

[Eric M]

Okay in the original post you mentioned being comfortable with revolvers. Everyone who mentioned semi autos has probably been shooting one for quite awhile. If you haven't, DON"T BUY ONE, at least not right away. There is no point in you carrying around a weapon you are not trained to use. Semi autos take practice, and you need to acquire "muscle memory". Otherwise at the critical time you are going to get yourself killed. If you need this gun now, and lack the training, then get yourself a revolver. I understand a budget, but don't go cheap. Lots of people poo poo the .38 nowadays, but the Ruger LCR (around $350-400) stands out in my mind as a reliable, hammerless, accurate little pistol. You can have all the stopping power you want, but if you can't hit anything because of recoil, it's a paperweight. Then get out and shoot a couple times a month. Just my 

[jdb]

I guess it's all in your experience, all I've ever had is revolvers and the majority single action, it's just a natural thing for me to hook my thumb over the hammer as the gun recoils and it kinda cocks it's self as it comes down from recoil. Not saying it's as fast as a semi auto but it can be done pretty fast. I never feel inadequately armed when I have a single action.

[Ridgeratt]

I guess it's all in your experience, all I've ever had is revolvers and the majority single action, it's just a natural thing for me to hook my thumb over the hammer as the gun recoils and it kinda cocks it's self as it comes down from recoil. Not saying it's as fast as a semi auto but it can be done pretty fast. I never feel inadequately armed when I have a single action.

Also never heard of a wheel gun Stove piping a round.