Recent content by Lou22

I have a P3AT, PM9 and S&W 642 snubbie that I pocket carry. I've reached the same conclusions as other posters: the 642 is 100% reliable and fits in all my slacks front pockets, and the PM9 at the range is 100% reliable but I prefer a revolver for carry. The P3AT is somewhat less reliable than...

Here's a link to a good S&W 29 article: http://www.sixguns.com/range/SmithWesson44Mag.htm Gives lots of history and differences between the versions. Lou

"The powder itself contains all the ingredients it needs to combust. " Now that I think about it, I guess that's why guns can be fired underwater. Lou

"Just how much "Firing" would there be with no oxygen for combustion?" Interesting question - does smokeless powder contain oxygen for combustion, or does it need air? If the latter, does that mean ammo is weaker at higher altitudes because of thinner air? If a case is jammed full of...

I got a Windicator in .357 with the 2 inch barrel. Dfariswheel has it right: reliable but no terribly accurate. Makes a great truck gun as you don't care what happens to the finish, but it's tough enough and will do the job. Definitely not a range gun. Heavy enough to handle full loads with no...

I had a S&W 296 for a while, which I believe was about 18oz. I had bought it for CC but found it a bit large for pocket carry. Also it came with lovely rosewood grips, but boy those things hurt my hands when I shot 200gr Blazer in it (like Stainz noted). I'm pretty recoil tolerant, comfortable...

I used to load 110gr .357s with a max load of a slow-burning powder like 2400. Great big balls of fire plainly visible at the outdoor range. Lots of fun for showing off. I bet they would make a excellent varmint load. Lou

Many large heavy autoloaders in 9mm or 45 auto are typically soft shooters. I owned Ruger P89 9mm and P90 45 autos - both were very easy shooting. Most of your smaller caliber handguns (380, .32, etc.) use a blowback design that allows more apparent recoil, while the larger calibers are...

I owned two Ruger P series, a P89 and a P90, that would eat anything. But of course those two models are large, so I guess there's plenty of room to design in reliability. Lou

I own a 2 inch Windicator .357 and have never had any trouble with it. Bought it new for about $200 a couple years ago. I keep it as my nightstand gun. Heavy enough to comfortably handle full-powered loads. If you want it for the range I'd get the 4 inch barrel. Lou

I bought my 642 a couple years ago for pocket carry. I went through a lot of sub-compact autos and snubs looking for the best combination of carry convenience, power, accuracy and reliability. I finally settled on the 642 and a Kahr PM9 auto. I particularly liked both guns as I found them to be...

EAA Windicator I bought a new Windicator .357 snub a couple years ago for about $200. They're made by a German company. Mine appears to be reasonably well-made, never malfunctioned. Heavy enough (28oz) to make shooting full-powered loads painless. What little I've heard about them is good. You...

I own both and used to carry the PM9 all the time. The PM45 is a bit larger and requires a larger pocket to carry. These days I carry a S&W 642 snub, as I have come to prefer revolvers for carry. But if you want a reliable auto, either Kahr ought to work for you. The PM9 was 100% reliable...

When I used to carry an Undercover .38 I had +P in it. Practiced with standard ammo. The Undercover is a shoot little carry a lot gun - occasional use of +P is fine - shooting a lot of it will shake the gun loose over time. Lou

I pocket carry with either a PM9 or a Smith 642 J-frame. They are very much alike to carry. I've been favoring the 642 recently because I believe revolvers are inherently more reliable, even though the PM9 has been fine. Lou