Author Topic: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver  (Read 7539 times)

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Online sneakypete

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #25 on: April 25, 2018, 02:01:58 pm »

 With that 357, if you're not a reloader, you still have the full range of power, from wadcutter 38 target loads, to full power 357 Ammo. And 327 and 32 S&W ammo is running twice the price of 38 and 357 ammo, on average.



It has been a LONG time since I have bought a box of ammo,and even longer since I bought reloading equipment,but I suspect you can set yourself up to reload 38 Special and 357 Magnum rounds for less than 4 boxes of factory ammo would cost you. The expensive component is the brass case,and you can use them over and over for a long time if you are careful with the loads and measure the cases for expansion.

I used to shoot a LOT of 45ACP loads,and generally speaking always kept a minimum of 500 loaded rounds ready to go,and another 500 or so in one stage or the other of the process of being reloaded. Even with reloading a number that high,I paid less than 100 bucks for the Lee Turret Press I used.

Reloading is simple. The only thing you really need to remember is do NOT get adventurous with your powder loads unless you are a a qualified gunsmith and completely understand  the design and manufacturing of the weapon you are shooting to the point where you know you aren't taking any risks,and do NOT take specific load tips from people you don't know.

If you are even the tiniest bit anal,reloading and bench rest shooting ARE the sports made for you!
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Online sneakypete

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #26 on: April 25, 2018, 02:06:00 pm »
M203 for carry?  Man you must wear some baggy pants:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M203_grenade_launcher

LOL! I don't think he is talking about THAT M203,but there can be very little doubt about it being effective for self-defense.

The 40mm grenades make your pockets bulge,though.
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Offline Bigun

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #27 on: April 25, 2018, 02:08:44 pm »
The little mini-revolvers are neat,but I sure would hate to try to pull one,get a grip on it,and then cock the hammer and fire it in an emergency.

Forget the mini semi-autos. They are all striker-fired,and unsafe to carry with a round in the chamber. Like the mini-revolver,they are also hard to grip and load in an emergency because they are so tiny,and because you would be in panic-mode. Also,I NEVER recommend a semi-auto for someone new to guns because no matter how many times they will lie about it,they are scared of the gun and will refuse to carry it with a round in the chamber. If you need a gun,you need a gun NOW,and "NOW" is not the time to be fumbling with it while trying to pull back the slide and load it.

Revolvers are the original "point and click" devices.

What makes you think a striker fired pistol is unsafe to carry with a round chambered?  I do it all the time.
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Online andy58-in-nh

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #28 on: April 25, 2018, 02:13:09 pm »
What makes you think a striker fired pistol is unsafe to carry with a round chambered?  I do it all the time.

Absolutely - I do, too. My Springfield XD-9 has a grip safety, an articulated trigger and an internal striker block. It is intended to be carried with one up the pipe.   
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Online sneakypete

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #29 on: April 25, 2018, 02:19:27 pm »
What makes you think a striker fired pistol is unsafe to carry with a round chambered?  I do it all the time.

I think that because I am a former gunsmith and have seen the damn things "machine gun" from worn sears. There you are,thinking you are going to load it,and suddenly the damn thing is emptying the magazine. Luckily for me it was the owner that brought it to me for repair that got this surprise,not me.

Like everything else in life,price is an indicator of quality,and expensive striker-fired guns are made from better materials than cheap striker-fired weapons,and there are a LOT more really cheap striker-fired 25 ACP and 32 ACP semi-autos out there than there are quality ones. It doesn't matter to me,I still won't even own one,never mind carry one.

EVERY handgun I own and carry has a hammer. Some don't have safeties,like my DAO autoloaders,but the hard trigger pull is all the safety they need and it has been my experience that when you REALLY need a gun you won't even notice minor things like heavy trigger pulls.
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Online Elderberry

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #30 on: April 25, 2018, 02:23:05 pm »
Say WHAT? You can't shoot 38 Special ammunition in 44 Special revolvers. I thought everybody knew that?

And anybody that buys and carries a 38 Special when they have the option of buying and carrying a 44 Special revolver is a fool.

That was Caleb Giddings words from the article, not mine.

I have always wanted a 44 special.

Offline Bigun

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #31 on: April 25, 2018, 02:30:33 pm »
I think that because I am a former gunsmith and have seen the damn things "machine gun" from worn sears. There you are,thinking you are going to load it,and suddenly the damn thing is emptying the magazine. Luckily for me it was the owner that brought it to me for repair that got this surprise,not me.

Like everything else in life,price is an indicator of quality,and expensive striker-fired guns are made from better materials than cheap striker-fired weapons,and there are a LOT more really cheap striker-fired 25 ACP and 32 ACP semi-autos out there than there are quality ones. It doesn't matter to me,I still won't even own one,never mind carry one.

EVERY handgun I own and carry has a hammer. Some don't have safeties,like my DAO autoloaders,but the hard trigger pull is all the safety they need and it has been my experience that when you REALLY need a gun you won't even notice minor things like heavy trigger pulls.

My every day carry gun is a Springfield XDS which is striker fired and I have no worries at all about anything like that ever happening with that fine weapon.
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
- J. R. R. Tolkien

Online sneakypete

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #32 on: April 25, 2018, 02:32:45 pm »
That was Caleb Giddings words from the article, not mine.

I have always wanted a 44 special.

And if you ever buy one,you will discover why you always wanted one. I had bad luck with a early Charter Arms lightweight,but I understand they are much better made these days. The one I had was a first year production,and it shot "loose" after just a couple of hundred rounds. No big deal if you buy a gun to carry,but I also liked to shoot them back then.

My "go to" gun now when going to town is either my stainless steel 44 Special Taurus single action only with no rear sight and 3 inch barrels,or one of the custom 1911's I built for my own amusement and use. I have a old steel combat commander I rebuilt for my special handloads that functions perfectly with them,but won't even cycle far enough to jam shooing GI Ball ammo. Shoot that ammo in a stock 1911,and you can actually HEAR the slide hit the stops when it cycles. It recoils no more than a standard 1911,and is scary accurate. This is the one I carry when going to some towns/cities.
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Online Elderberry

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #33 on: April 25, 2018, 02:36:18 pm »

Forget the mini semi-autos. They are all striker-fired,and unsafe to carry with a round in the chamber.


How tiny does it need to be to be called a mini?  There are several small hammer fired guns. My son has a small 9mm Sig. I was totally impressed how accurate it is with that short sight radius.

Online Elderberry

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #34 on: April 25, 2018, 03:05:23 pm »
It has been a LONG time since I have bought a box of ammo,and even longer since I bought reloading equipment,but I suspect you can set yourself up to reload 38 Special and 357 Magnum rounds for less than 4 boxes of factory ammo would cost you. The expensive component is the brass case,and you can use them over and over for a long time if you are careful with the loads and measure the cases for expansion.

I used to shoot a LOT of 45ACP loads,and generally speaking always kept a minimum of 500 loaded rounds ready to go,and another 500 or so in one stage or the other of the process of being reloaded. Even with reloading a number that high,I paid less than 100 bucks for the Lee Turret Press I used.

Reloading is simple. The only thing you really need to remember is do NOT get adventurous with your powder loads unless you are a a qualified gunsmith and completely understand  the design and manufacturing of the weapon you are shooting to the point where you know you aren't taking any risks,and do NOT take specific load tips from people you don't know.

If you are even the tiniest bit anal,reloading and bench rest shooting ARE the sports made for you!

When I served on the Lex out of Pensacola, I would try to shoot my 38 around a box a week. I had an RCBS Jr. press and a Knee Mount for it. I had an undersize(no swaging needed) bullet mold 154 gr Keith style. I picked up a RCBS Lil Dandy powder dropper and one rotor(3.2gr Bullseye). After every shoot at one of the many sand pits, I'd collect as many bullets I could, that the rain brings to the surface. I'd cast them up and lube them, cookie cutter style. My most expensive component was primers, I was buying 1,000 a pop. I was loading for cheaper than you could buy 22 shells back in the 70's.

The Lex pulled into Houston for liberty once. My mom was going to sell the house, so I loaded all my remaining reloading supplies into my bunk. I also had my grandfather's blackjack and knuckles in my bunk. Well on the way back to Pensacola, we had a bunk inspection. Master Chief saw what was in my rack and just shook his head and told me to get it all off the ship. Whew!


Offline XenaLee

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #35 on: April 25, 2018, 03:49:15 pm »
@XenaLee

If you want semi auto...Sig has a new pistol out you should look at...the P365.

Ok, thanks.  I'm looking for something lighter (weight wise) but just as powerful (9mm).  I'll check it out.
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Offline Bigun

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #36 on: April 25, 2018, 03:57:54 pm »
Ok, thanks.  I'm looking for something lighter (weight wise) but just as powerful (9mm).  I'll check it out.

@XenaLee

The little Sig I linked to up thread IS a 9mm and weighs 1 pound unloaded.
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

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Offline XenaLee

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #37 on: April 25, 2018, 04:15:34 pm »
If you changed to a 38 Special Air-Weight revolver, the drop in weight would be considerable. There would be some loss in energy.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/9mm%20vs%2038%20Special.htm

I already have a nice 38 that was my dad's.  I use it for home defense, along with the Judge.   I was really looking to get another 9mm....a lighter one to carry when out of the house.... and possibly then sell my PT-111 if or when I do find a lighter one.   I like the idea of having more than 6 rounds available, if needed.  I know, I know....if it ever happens that I need to use it, it probably won't matter that I have 4+ more rounds.... but it's a comfort to know it's there anyway.
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Offline XenaLee

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #38 on: April 25, 2018, 04:16:29 pm »
@XenaLee

The little Sig I linked to up thread IS a 9mm and weighs 1 pound unloaded.

I know, Bigun.... and I am going to check that out.   Thanks!
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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #39 on: April 25, 2018, 04:44:25 pm »
I know, Bigun.... and I am going to check that out.   Thanks!

6 ozs lighter than your PT111.
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

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Offline XenaLee

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #40 on: April 25, 2018, 04:55:44 pm »
6 ozs lighter than your PT111.

Super.   That damn PT111 is getting heavier and heavier, it seems.  lolol
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Offline Bigun

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #41 on: April 25, 2018, 05:47:54 pm »
Super.   That damn PT111 is getting heavier and heavier, it seems.  lolol

You will give up some mag capacity and that will make it even lighter when fully loaded.
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
- J. R. R. Tolkien

Offline txradioguy

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #42 on: April 25, 2018, 05:51:55 pm »
Ok, thanks.  I'm looking for something lighter (weight wise) but just as powerful (9mm).  I'll check it out.

The 365 is new.  Same dimensions as a Glock 43 but gives you the option of carrying 10+1 or 12+1.  Comes stock with night sights too.
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Offline XenaLee

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #43 on: April 25, 2018, 05:56:07 pm »
The 365 is new.  Same dimensions as a Glock 43 but gives you the option of carrying 10+1 or 12+1.  Comes stock with night sights too.

Super....although I doubt that I would need the night sights...lol.   

Thanks!!!
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Offline INVAR

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #44 on: April 25, 2018, 06:04:21 pm »
I'm partial to this one:



Will get me to my combat rifle quicker by making a nice path in front of me.
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Online sneakypete

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #45 on: April 25, 2018, 08:37:00 pm »
How tiny does it need to be to be called a mini?  There are several small hammer fired guns. My son has a small 9mm Sig. I was totally impressed how accurate it is with that short sight radius.

I am unfamiliar with that particular SIG,but given their reputation for engineering and quality,I am inclined to give it a pass.
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Online sneakypete

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #46 on: April 25, 2018, 08:41:16 pm »
When I served on the Lex out of Pensacola, I would try to shoot my 38 around a box a week. I had an RCBS Jr. press and a Knee Mount for it. I had an undersize(no swaging needed) bullet mold 154 gr Keith style. I picked up a RCBS Lil Dandy powder dropper and one rotor(3.2gr Bullseye). After every shoot at one of the many sand pits, I'd collect as many bullets I could, that the rain brings to the surface. I'd cast them up and lube them, cookie cutter style. My most expensive component was primers, I was buying 1,000 a pop. I was loading for cheaper than you could buy 22 shells back in the 70's.

The Lex pulled into Houston for liberty once. My mom was going to sell the house, so I loaded all my remaining reloading supplies into my bunk. I also had my grandfather's blackjack and knuckles in my bunk. Well on the way back to Pensacola, we had a bunk inspection. Master Chief saw what was in my rack and just shook his head and told me to get it all off the ship. Whew!

You can load quality ammo as well with the inexpensive equipment you were using as you can with the most expensive units made. I have never heard of anyone having problems with RCBS equipment. Being cheap,I tend to buy Lee dies,but I also have a bunch of RCBS dies. One of my old gun shop habits was to pick up cheap used die sets at gunshops. Especially for the obscure calibers. You can buy them so cheap it really doesn't matter if you ever use them or not.
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Online Elderberry

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Re: How to Choose Your Modern Defensive Revolver
« Reply #47 on: April 26, 2018, 06:19:34 pm »
I use Wilson in-line dies for my Grendel and Lapua. I still use  my RCBS  JR for all my others, except for what my son can run on his Dillon. I was given a RCBS Rockchucker, but I gave it to my son. I still use the JR.