Lightest weight, biggest firepower pistol???

[thinkingman]

How do the S&W survival guns, .460 and .500 fit in the mix??

About 3 pounds at a time.

[Jason]

Its purty much 44 or 41 for me. I've killed blackies at close range with both calibers a couple times with each and know they will do the job on a griz... and hard cast 320's outta my 44 right now!!!

.44 still has more knockdown power than a .41,
My buddy loads 305gr Cor-Bon hunting penetrators in his S&W 329pd when guiding in Alaska, but at home he just shoots lighter stuff.

From the reviews I read were the Taurus 444 and the S&W 329pd will hold up to the .300gr+ cartridges but at limited use.

[Huntnphish]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_Five-seven

But it would be a bit like shooting Griz with a .17 HMR.  Bad idea.

Try telling that to the family members of the 13 killed and 29 wounded (at distance) in the Fort Hood shooting. I wouldn't shoot griz with it but for self defence its hard to beat.

[whacker1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_Five-seven

But it would be a bit like shooting Griz with a .17 HMR.  Bad idea.

Try telling that to the family members of the 13 killed and 29 wounded (at distance) in the Fort Hood shooting. I wouldn't shoot griz with it but for self defence its hard to beat.

Thanks for the info on the FN - I had never heard of it.  Looks intriguing.  do you handload for it?  Is it difficult to get dies or brass for?  Anything else that one would need to know about for handloading for this unique cartridge?

[high country]

I also have a 1911sc that shoots 45super. I like trust the 329 more, but I don't feel under gunned with hardcast in my 45. one can also go 460 rowland, but the comp adds a good bit of size/weight.

[sakoshooter]

This is certainly not a bear stopping gun but for those of you that liked that FN, take a look at this gun for all around self defense with firepower. 22 Mag w/30rds.
http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/pmr-30/

[demontang]

Ive been looking at the smiths for a light revolver. I have also done some penetration test in differnt media and I was amazed that a 45 acp shooting 230gr hollow points matched the 44mag shooting 240gr softpoints the differnces was the 45 opened up better in harder media but that is probly just the bullet.

[Jason]

Ive been looking at the smiths for a light revolver. I have also done some penetration test in differnt media and I was amazed that a 45 acp shooting 230gr hollow points matched the 44mag shooting 240gr softpoints the differnces was the 45 opened up better in harder media but that is probly just the bullet.

not sure how the 45acp compares to a 44? thats just 1/3 the energy out the barrel compared to a 44mag
45acp 230gr Federal Hydra-Shok 900 ft/s  414 ft·lbf  
45acp 200gr Hornady XTP 900/360

[Bofire]

 :)Bullets and cartridges have had major changes in the last few years. Now there are handgun bullets that WILL actually expand at handgun velocitys. That said in "normal" handgun cartridges I think energy has a minor influence. A 44 mag. is a normal cartridge to me, nothing like a 454 casull or 460 rem or 500, or a number of handgun cartridges newly figured out.
Most handguns will make a hole the size of the bullet, that being the case penetration is a big deal. I once read a test that showed 48 inch penetration with a 45 acp 230 grain hardball!! almost twice the soft point 44 mag!!! I know of a guy, smart guy, who went to Alaska for Grizz, for a handgun he took a 45acp 1911, for the penetration, his idea was "no handgun will stop a grizz, I wanta know the sumbitch will die later if I put a few holes in em"!! Hard to argue with that! Personally I'd carry a 12 guage shotgun with slugs and pray!! for defense against Grizz!
People have funny ideas about handguns, tell a lot of folks a 30-30 hits WAY harder than a BAD AZZ 44 MAG, they think yer nuts. "by God a 44 mag will break yer wrist if ya don't hold it right"!! an all sorts of stories.
I skinned a bear once that had 2 44 mag bullets in the neck, neither killed it, penetrated about 2-3 inches, 240 grain winchester soft points factory load. delivered at about 20 feet.
New bullets and loads are bettter than the old days but a handgun is not a rifle and never will be.
Carl

[Jason]

As far as penetration go's, we could all load with fmj or hardball ammo and get penetration.
Load them all up with the same loads and see what they do.
I don't know about you guys, but I want to make sure I'm causing the most volatile damage I can
when I need to and not just be poking holes.

[Bluemoon]

One is for the hill tops inside of city limits.
One is for the hill tops outside of city limits.
One has Black Talons.
One has 310-gr. Garrett Hammerheads.
Guess which is which
 

[jdb]

I personally cant think of a situation that a properly loaded .45 colt couldnt handle w/ aplumb. in a short barrelled b-hawk it would be as handy a packin pistol as a person could hope for. no its not a scandium framed .25oz wonder gun bit it wont break your bank either.

[high country]

The fact is a well placed 22lr is better the poorly placed 500 smith bullets. Know your gun your enemy and your surroundings.....life will be fine. I can say my 44 will pass through a deer at about 80k paces.....here is proof

[Huntnphish]

I can say my 44 will pass through a deer at about 80k paces.....here is proof

80,000 paces? Really?

[Bofire]

 :)He has tiny little feet and really short legs!!LOL
Carl