outdoor protection handguns

[Bill W]

Had a chance yesterday to shoot two lightweight handguns.  One was a 5 shot Taurus .44 Mag with a ported 4 inch barrel.  I believe it's aluminum framed to hold down the weight.  I bought it with snake shot in mind as that's most of the issues over here.   The other one was an older derringer in .357 Mag.  We only shot .38 Specials in it as the word was "it's a knuckle buster".

I only shot one full throttle .38 Special load as I didn't like how it thumped my middle finger.  I'd previously shot it with .38 WC loads and thought it was easy to handle.  The current owner wanted to see if the second barrel would fire as it's activated by recoil.

The .44 was a real handful with 240 grain SWC loads at 1000-1100 fps.  It was even testier when a factory .240 grain jacketed load was fired.  Doesn't pop up too much in the air because of the porting and the rubber grips took the sting out of shooting it but you definitely knew you had something in your hand.

The .44 is a nice light one for toting while fishing.  It appears to be built along the line of a .44 Special as the cylinders won't take a traditional 429421 SWC crimped in the crimp groove.   Definitely lighter than a Ruger Super Red Hawk. 

[theleo]

Sounds like you'd be happier with the 44 shooting Skeeter loads in 44 special brass (900 fps). You can run the 429421's up to about 1200 fps in 44 special brass and it will still be under 44 magnum pressures (44 special +p+, not for most 44 specials) but they're a handful.

[Bill W]

I knew what I was getting into before I bought the lighweight .44.   I have two others a Super Redhawk and a Dan Wesson.   I didn't want to carry either of those as they're too heavy.

Pretty much all the lighweight one will shoot will be snakeshot loads.  I use the Speer shot capsules to load those.

[high country]

I have owned a Taraus 450ti which is 19oz 45lc+p and I still own a 329pd. I  much prefer the 329. It's not painful to shoot and I have a whitetail that died at 80 paces to it.

[splitshot]

   I have a ruger 101 that was used for my carry till I got a sig 938.  the 101 shoots snake shot nicely as well as 38 sp.  have not put any 357 thru it yet.  I think the 101 is about 25 0z which is a nice carry.  bill I can bring the 101 to the next fly meet if you want to have a look see.   mike w

[NW-GSP]

Glock 20 10mm. 15+1 rounds.

[splitshot]

  that's good you have more bullets but I personally don't like 10 mm and glock.  10 mm are spendy and hard to find and glock , don't know , maybe the sound of the name.  not a thing wrong with them at all.  what is the weight of that gun? b   mike w

[HighlandLofts]

Glock 20 - 15+1 Great gun

[KFhunter]

  that's good you have more bullets but I personally don't like 10 mm and glock.  10 mm are spendy and hard to find and glock , don't know , maybe the sound of the name.  not a thing wrong with them at all.  what is the weight of that gun? b   mike w

It's heavy and requires a meaty paw, the SF version is a little better for smaller hands but I wear XL gloves and prefer the full grip. 



G20 wouldn't be my 1st choice if I weren't in bear country, I'd opt for a lighter carry.

[Firedogg]

Bond Arms Ranger II in .45.  Defensive rounds,.410  OOO or OO buck, or birdshot for snakes. Surprisingly the recoil was not as bad as I thought it would be. Fun to shoot.
 

[splitshot]

   would gloves help?  mike w

[MADMAX]

41 mag ruger blackhawk 4 inch barrel

[HighlandLofts]

I've done the revolver thing for years 6" stainless 357 GP100, 5 1/2" stainless 41 mag Redhawk and a 7 1/2" stainless 44 mag Redhawk, I'll take my Glock 20 -10mm any day of the week over any revolver for open woods carry as a defensive handgun. I like revolvers, but I like having 16 rounds of decent defensive rounds in my gun more.

[splitshot]

   ive packed the pistols that have had 15 -20 rounds in them for years and they are heavy and me being a small guy started thinking why?  if I cant hit the thug with the first 4 or 5 shots 10 more shots wont do it.  so lighter I go.  now a derringer is a good idea.  any one have one for sale?    mike w

[NW-GSP]

   ive packed the pistols that have had 15 -20 rounds in them for years and they are heavy and me being a small guy started thinking why?  if I cant hit the thug with the first 4 or 5 shots 10 more shots wont do it.  so lighter I go.  now a derringer is a good idea.  any one have one for sale?    mike w

Even law enforcement has a hit success ratio of 30%. Let that sink in.

After using a firearm in self defense no one has ever said " I wish I had less ammo"!.

[jdb]

Even law enforcement has a hit success ratio of 30%. Let that sink in.

After using a firearm in self defense no one has ever said " I wish I had less ammo"!.
[/quote]most law enforcement gun handling skills are abysmal at best.

[JDHasty]

If you need it for "outdoor protection" then you are talking spittin' distances.  There really is no need to practice with "full throttle" loads that you have in the gun in case you need to "repel boarders."  You can shoot reduced loads to your heart's content and your hand will be happier for it.  The people who are handgun hunting (or silhouette shooting) are who need to put in range time with full throttle loads.

I would, and have, recommended a Smith 10mm as what I see as the best compromise between Power -vs- weight and comfortable portability, but I have a Smith Model 13 2-1/2" 357 that I carry... because that is what I have.  The loads that are in it would damage it with repeated firing and even one would not do it any favors. 

I started carrying it back when it was legal to bait bear and I was walking into a bait stand one day and a bear was there waiting.  I had a 77/22 with me and a black lab that thankfully stayed at heal through my hasty (no pun intended) retreat.  This could also be the case in a berry patch. 

I can empty the loads that are in it and possibly save my life, and more likely than not - damage that small frame 357, but if I need it the odds are I need it bad enough that I don't really care about that.  If I need it it will be at spittin' distance and even though I have never fired a single round of that load I feel comfortable I could pull the trigger enough times to empty the gun and put all on a paper plate at the distances we are concerned with. 

Think about it, what you have is fully capable, and if you are in that situation... your hand being hurt will not enter your mind for at least a few hours.     

[lucky7]

I like the Guides Choice holster from Diamond D Leather. To me it is a lot more comfortable to have it in your sternum while wearing a pack and carrying a rifle. Up out of the way, not snagging branches or your strap. When in E Wa I carry a Taurus Judge, first two cylinders #4 or #6 for buzzin' worms backed up by 4 45lc. Best of both worlds. W Wa I have been carrying a 6" 629 and don't really notice the weight dragging me down with the above mentioned holster. The muzzle blast from 300gr cast cores from that 629 will scare away even the most seasoned criminal. Go Big or Stay Home...

[MADMAX]

I've done the revolver thing for years 6" stainless 357 GP100, 5 1/2" stainless 41 mag Redhawk and a 7 1/2" stainless 44 mag Redhawk, I'll take my Glock 20 -10mm any day of the week over any revolver for open woods carry as a defensive handgun. I like revolvers, but I like having 16 rounds of decent defensive rounds in my gun more.

I think its plenty for the biggest problem in the woods
and thats not bear or cats I'm referring to
I also switch off with a glock 19 and my XD45

[NW-GSP]

Even law enforcement has a hit success ratio of 30%. Let that sink in.

After using a firearm in self defense no one has ever said " I wish I had less ammo"!.

most law enforcement gun handling skills are abysmal at best.
[/quote]

Yes and the same goes for 90% of handgun owners.

[b23]

Glock 21 or G19 with a 460 Rowland conversion kit would be pretty serious outdoor protection and offer a lot of firepower.

Has 44mag power with high capacity mags, what's not to like.

[jdb]

Even law enforcement has a hit success ratio of 30%. Let that sink in.

After using a firearm in self defense no one has ever said " I wish I had less ammo"!.

most law enforcement gun handling skills are abysmal at best.

agreed

Yes and the same goes for 90% of handgun owners.
[/quote]agreed

[KFhunter]

   would gloves help?  mike w

I just meant that when buying gloves I look for them in XL size, it's just a reference point regarding hand size if someone were wondering if they could grip the G20. 

If someone buys gloves in medium size, they might have problems with the standard G20 so I'd recommend trying the SF version. 

Small gloves forget about it.

[KFhunter]

Even law enforcement has a hit success ratio of 30%. Let that sink in.

After using a firearm in self defense no one has ever said " I wish I had less ammo"!.

most law enforcement gun handling skills are abysmal at best.
[/quote]

It's one thing to punch paper, it's something else to shoot at a moving target while not trying to become a target yourself.  Statistics are meaningless in a firefight, all that matters is gaining cover and keeping them off you - and a person need lot's of rounds to do that.

Thankfully most civilian shootouts are a couple shots fired then bad guy runs - usually.   Very rare to see a protracted shootout with civilian vs civilian. 

[NW-GSP]

Even law enforcement has a hit success ratio of 30%. Let that sink in.

After using a firearm in self defense no one has ever said " I wish I had less ammo"!.

most law enforcement gun handling skills are abysmal at best.

It's one thing to punch paper, it's something else to shoot at a moving target while not trying to become a target yourself.  Statistics are meaningless in a firefight, all that matters is gaining cover and keeping them off you - and a person need lot's of rounds to do that.

Thankfully most civilian shootouts are a couple shots fired then bad guy runs - usually.   Very rare to see a protracted shootout with civilian vs civilian.
[/quote]

I agree. I live a half a mile from a indoor gun range but never go there to shoot. I will drive to the woods and set up my own targets so I can do moving shooting drills.

[KFhunter]

Get some like minded people and do propane airsoft training, need real bodies to shoot at.

some of this stuff is getting pretty realistic

[MADMAX]

Geez sounds like the old days with BB gun wars, really sharpened the eye on moving targets
Can you imagine that nowdays ?

[jasnt]

Get some like minded people and do propane airsoft training, need real bodies to shoot at.

some of this stuff is getting pretty realistic

that looks fun!

[KFhunter]

Get some like minded people and do propane airsoft training, need real bodies to shoot at.

some of this stuff is getting pretty realistic

that looks fun!

Not sure I'd want to pick up "brass" 

[NW-GSP]

Where can you buy one of those?.

[KFhunter]

Where can you buy one of those?.

Not sure they're made anymore    It's a Marushin Glock 21 to help you google it. 

There's just not much interest in picking up the 'brass' casings.  You could get a gas blowback that's just as real but doesn't eject anything to pick up later.  In combat training no one picks up spent brass (until training is over)  Just use biodegradable airsoft pellets and plink/train for cheap.  Don't get an electric or spring airsoft they're not realistic, propane is the best.  They make then with realistic weight and all metal.

Green gas is just propane w/ silicon added for a self lubing gun, they jack the price up so just use your own can of silicon spray lube and dry propane good to go

[NW-GSP]

In my Leo training we had to pick up all the brass at the end of the day. But I can understand why others would not.

[KFhunter]

ya, it's too bad there's not much interest in it.   Drives up cost loosing the casings and more time loading them, but for training I think it would be excellent to add realism.