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Old January 2, 2013, 10:45 PM   #1
Bob Wright
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Just my thinking..........

I read and hear a lot about such handguns as the .475 and .500 caliber revolvers, and frankly, they leave me cold. They just don't fit into my parameters of a practical handgun. My parameters define a handgun as one that can be carried comfortably in a belt holster all day, yet can be snatched from the holster and fired with one hand. Notice I say "can be fired with one hand." The fact that one chooses to use both hands is strictly a choice of wisdom.

This means that the guns that most interest me are no larger that a Ruger Super Blackhawk, a Smith & Wesson N-Frame, or the old Colt New Service. These, and smaller, are the ones that get my interest.

Now don't go off on me, I'm not condemming them nor those who choose to admire such artillery. I feel the same way about golf, archery, blackpowder, and bull riding, interesting in a way, but no thanks.

There. I've said my piece.

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Old January 2, 2013, 10:52 PM   #2
Super Sneaky Steve
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I've said a few times on here they should make a 500 special. I'm not sure but if they squeezed it in an N-frame that would be ideal.

I'm thinking a 300 grain bullet going about 1000fps would be great for self defense.
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Old January 3, 2013, 08:59 AM   #3
Magnum Wheel Man
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BOB... my problem with "the big guns" is not the bore size ( as I have a 4" - 500 S&W on my "to buy" list )... it is those long barreled revolvers... don't get me wrong, I shoot alot of Contenders with a 14" barrel, but add a full underlug & a barrel cylinder gap on a high pressure cartridge, & I've already been burned a couple times, just seems natural to me to steady the gun by grabbing that big pipe part way to the muzzle... no problem with a Contender, but not such a good idea with the revolver... I know they have their place with those that specifically want to revolver hunt, but I don't personally like my barrels longer than 6" ( it's actually a Blackhawk with a 7.5" barrel in 30 Carbine that's burned me a couple times with "gap blast"... I have shot a 500 S&W in 4" form with one hand before ( though I prefer to use two ) I also have an Alaskan in 454 Casull, & a long cylinder Dan Wesson in 357 Remington Maximum

SNEAKY... I do have a 500 Special of sorts... I have a Super Blackhawk that has been converted to 50 A.E. & even though it's a boomer in the Desert Eagle, it's quite tame in a revolver... I load mine with heavy cast bullets
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Old January 3, 2013, 09:31 AM   #4
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Once again Bob, I can't really argue with you. Not a fan of hand-rifles, BFR's or scopes handguns for that matter. Once you get so big than you might as well tote a carbine.
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Old January 3, 2013, 11:56 AM   #5
CajunBass
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Once again Bob, I can't really argue with you. Not a fan of hand-rifles, BFR's or scopes handguns for that matter. Once you get so big than you might as well tote a carbine.
This about sums it up for me too. I have a specific vision of what a "handgun" should look like. Those big hand cannon revolvers, and things like Desert Eagles don't fit it.

But I'm grumpy and old fashioned.
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Old January 3, 2013, 12:02 PM   #6
Magnum Wheel Man
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99% of the time I handgun hunt big game, I use a Contender, but I do handgun hunt alot, mostly because I'm not much of a shotgun slug hunter ( yes I know they work great ) I just started out rifle hunting, & now that I do a fair amount of big game hunting in my area ( shotgun or handgun only ) I choose to handgun hunt...

so I can see a real use for those revolving carbines with a pistol grip, that they offer as long barrel hunting revolvers... I just choose not to shoot them
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Old January 3, 2013, 03:33 PM   #7
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I don't disagree with your approach Bob....especially when you put the "carry it all day " on your belt mentality...

But I did invest in a large frame Freedom Arms last spring..in a 4 3/4" octagonal barrel in .357 mag ( and its heavy at 53 oz ...vs a N frame 4" model 27 at about 43 oz )...and of course if you were to go with a 6" barrel in a heavy caliber like .475 Linebaugh ...its probably close to 60oz ....and while I'm little bigger than the average Buffalo at 6'5" and 290 lbs....carrying it in the woods, or whatever...would mean a good pair of suspenders.

But having the one Freedom Arms now ...in .357 mag ( where the recoil is almost non-existent with a gun that heavy ...)....there is a "stupid" side to my personality that would at least like to try another large frame Freedom Arms in a 6" in .475 Linebaugh ....and see how easy it is to shoot. But as to carrying it ....no, I don't think so.

I'd rather carry the N frame 4" over the 4 3/4" Freedom arms I have now ...the extra 10 oz on a belt, is a lot.
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Old January 3, 2013, 09:44 PM   #8
Super Sneaky Steve
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Magnum wheel man, you need to make a video if your .50 cal revolver. I'd love to see it. Who did the work on your gun?
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Old January 3, 2013, 11:22 PM   #9
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I don't really like long barrels (too unhandy), octagon barrels (they spoil the nice symmetry of the round cylinder and round barrel), blued revolvers (exept single action Colts), calibers smaller than .36 (except for 22s), revolvers that fire shotgun shells, rubber grips (except on the Ruger Alaskan...), and I really don't understand why everybody else doesn't agree with me...
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Old January 4, 2013, 01:51 AM   #10
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I agree 44 mag with the right bullet selection is big enough for any kind of handgun hunting in the world. I still want a 500 smith just because I think they are fun. I don't need a lot of the guns I have but I enjoy em all.
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Old January 4, 2013, 06:45 AM   #11
Magnum Wheel Man
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SNEAKY... it was made by my buddy, retired tool & die guy, got pics but no videos





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Old January 4, 2013, 07:07 AM   #12
youngunz4life
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I was trying to admire the 500 and other very large revolvers last month and I just came back down to earth that they were too big for me to purchase. they are great firearms, but I just don't need one. that being said, we are all creatures of habit. some people have trouble making the jump from 38 to 357 or from 357 to 44 once they get comfortable....
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Old January 4, 2013, 11:12 AM   #13
Nanuk
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Bob,
I agree with you. Anything larger than a SBH or an N frame Smith and I will use a rifle.
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Old January 4, 2013, 11:37 AM   #14
bird_dog
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Once again Bob, I can't really argue with you. Not a fan of hand-rifles, BFR's or scopes handguns for that matter. Once you get so big than you might as well tote a carbine.
Here in northwestern NY state, it's not an option. It's very flat land where I live, and we can hunt the regular deer season with shotgun, muzzleloader, or handgun.

For the last several years, I've taken my gun-season deer with a scoped revolver. I'd rather hunt any day with one of my scoped .44mags than a shotgun.

I had a Contender once in 30-30. I hated it, couldn't shoot well with it, and it was a bear to tote around. The revolvers fit well in a nice bandolier holster, and the 44 brings plenty of punch to the game even in my moderate handloads.
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Old January 4, 2013, 11:49 AM   #15
Magnum Wheel Man
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BIRD... you are certainly allowed your opinion, but I actually went the other way... ( used to have several scoped revolvers ) I now only have one on my 6" barreled Dan Wesson 357 Max... & I'm happy with a single shot... I started out with a 14" with a 2-7X scoped Contender in 45-70, & that worked well for me, all those years, when I was hunting in rifle zones ( up north ) when I started hunting locally ( shotgun only ) I've been hunting private land surrounded by public ground on 3 sides... I switched to a 10" 30-30, with a 2-7X scope..., but found the deer moving too much, & the cover too thick, to use a scope, I picked up a dedicated 10" 45 Colt barrel that I added fiber optic sights to... I developed a +P 45 Colt load with XTP's that shot very well... seems like the perfect deer hunting gun for me... the 10" barrel Contender measures up about the same size as a 6" revolver, so it holsters on my belt well ( or still fits in the bandolier holsters )

the MAX keeps the 4 X Luepold, as it was my FIL's before he died, he was able to shoot a deer in WI, at about 150 yards... so I keep it as it was out of respect for him, & for something to aspire towards... ( I'm only good with a handgun to around 100 yards consistantly )

BTW... though I don't use one of the "long revolvers" I still see their viability ( see my post #6 )
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Old January 4, 2013, 03:24 PM   #16
bird_dog
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Magnum,

Yep, it's just one of those things that didn't work for me. I desperately want to love every gun I get, but the Contender just proved too much trouble -- though I know people like yourself who love it. I just never felt totally comfortable with it.

Maybe I'll revisit it someday in a different caliber. For now, I'm enjoying the revolvers.

Cheers.
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Old January 4, 2013, 03:29 PM   #17
Magnum Wheel Man
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well at least with the Contender... picking another caliber is not a problem... also if you didn't get a good grip fit, there are tons of grip & forend styles out there... I like my wood grips for target shooting, but the finger groove rubber grips always seem to find their way on before hunting season...

the pic of my rear sight on my Contender doesn't show the fiber optics well, so here is a pic of the rear sight style on another gun



this is how it usually looks when heading to the woods...

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Old January 4, 2013, 03:30 PM   #18
Strafer Gott
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I used to think my S&W model 58 was a big revolver. Then I acquired a SRH in .454 Casull. My model 58 is positively a comfort gun now! Unfortunately, I've fallen in love with a '72 opentop in .44 colt in the meantime. Funny, I don't feel like a daisy.
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Old January 4, 2013, 03:33 PM   #19
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Thanks Bob

Articulated my feelings, exactly. As I get older, my Bisley 45 and 44 Special get the most holster time.
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Old January 4, 2013, 05:06 PM   #20
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For those that love big recoil, those calibres are probably a good bit of fun.

I'm just not one of those guys.

For me the 44 Magnum and 45 Colt are plenty enough for me. Don't really load big bad rip snortin loads in either caliber. I've been trying out Goex and Trail Boss in my 44 Maggie LOL. The Goex loads are a bunch of fun!! ... and the near max Trail Boss loads are real cream puffs for nice relaxed shooting.

Bob , you and I seem to have very similar tastes in sixguns.

I tend to like revovlers that are a packable size.

Got my eye on a 44 Mag 5 1/2" Redhawk. That is prob about the upper limits of "packable" for me. Can't quite seem to talk myself into it though. Diggin' the single actions more latley, but the RH is a bit of an eye catcher with it's factory wood stocks.

... plus for me, it's just very practical to load cartidges that have very available componants. I load mostly 38/357, 44 Mag, and 45 Colt. I don't ever see lead or brass for those big calibers around these parts.
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Old January 4, 2013, 05:22 PM   #21
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Mr Wright, well I agree with you on a many occasion. But I do not see anything wrong with the large behemoth calibers.

I personally own a X-frame 460 S&W Mag with an 8 3/8 inch barrel. It is scary accurate too. I carry it in a Simply Rugged holster and their chest carry system. The chest carry is easier than lugging a carbine on ur shoulder IMHO. The large X-frame weighs 4.5 lbs.

I know my .44 Redhawks are more than capable hunting handguns. Every large animal in N. America has been taken with a .44 Mag. But, throwing a 300 grain slug at 1900 fps is nice. Think a hot 450 Marlin in a handgun.

The recoil is not as bad as most think. It is also very versatile. You can load cowboy cat fart loads to full house loads.

The large revolvers have their place. Besides, this is America and our beloved 2nd Amendment says we can have them (who knows how much longer).

And besides, the large revolvers are a absolute hoot to shoot. A 500 S&W Mag is next on my list.

Sorry for the typos sent from my iPhone.
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Old January 4, 2013, 06:03 PM   #22
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I like the hunting handguns as well. I have a T/C Contender and a Encore pistol, which you would really hate because it is in .308 Winchester. I just find that hunting with a handgun that gives clean humane kills fascinating. I also like benchrest shooting the single shots and loading my own to get the most out of the pistols. Just my 2 cents.
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Old January 4, 2013, 06:06 PM   #23
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I guess I have to agree for the most part. Imo, a handgun should be, well, handy. I detest scopes on handguns unless you're using a scoped set-up for hunting purposes. I also rue the day when optics became legitimate for Bullseye shooting. At the age of 69, I still compete in Bullseye matches with irons-true, though, that I don't win very much anymore .
I do see the place for lights on "tactical" self-defense pistols and such and I harbor no animosity for those that might disagree with me. Plenty of room in the ark for all of us.
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Old January 4, 2013, 07:17 PM   #24
Bob Wright
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Mr Wright, well I agree with you on a many occasion. But I do not see anything wrong with the large behemoth calibers.

I personally own a X-frame 460 S&W Mag with an 8 3/8 inch barrel. It is scary accurate too. I carry it in a Simply Rugged holster and their chest carry system. The chest carry is easier than lugging a carbine on ur shoulder IMHO. The large X-frame weighs 4.5 lbs.

I know my .44 Redhawks are more than capable hunting handguns. Every large animal in N. America has been taken with a .44 Mag. But, throwing a 300 grain slug at 1900 fps is nice. Think a hot 450 Marlin in a handgun.

The recoil is not as bad as most think. It is also very versatile. You can load cowboy cat fart loads to full house loads.

The large revolvers have their place. Besides, this is America and our beloved 2nd Amendment says we can have them (who knows how much longer).

And besides, the large revolvers are a absolute hoot to shoot. A 500 S&W Mag is next on my list.

Sorry for the typos sent from my iPhone.

As I said in my qualifying opening, I don't condemn them (the guns) nor those who admire the artillery.

I've shot many of these guns, time and again, and enjoyed doing so, just not my cup of coffee.

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Old January 5, 2013, 06:43 PM   #25
codefour
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Mr. Wright,

I hope you did not take my post as disrespectful. I do not want to be known as one of those boisterous members that has a hard time controlling their flame throwing.

So, shoot straight and often.

-codefour
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