A Revolver Story....

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Mr. Mosin

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In light of other recent revolver stories.... I wish to share mine. I first learned the nigh lost art of The Revolver on an ancient Iver Johnson Cadet in .22LR. After a few years, I stepped up to that impeccable S&W M&P Victory I spoke of sometime back. My cousin bought a Taurus () 608, and I shot it.... and I’ve been hooked since the beginning. I’ve always appreciated the manly heft of a hunk of steel that launches fireball spitting, earth shattering .357 Magnums, powered by the ghost of Elmer Keith. Sure, 20 9mm might stop a man, but .357 Magnum will shatter every bone in Joe Bob Bad Guy’s upper body.
 
All handgun rounds are statistically poor 1-shot stoppers unless the central nervous system is hit. That said, yes, Id rather hit 'em with a .357 than a 9mm.

My first handgun was a M681, and the L-frame is still my favorite.

I entirely agree, though I have many fine automatic pistols few are as asthetically or viscerally satisfying as my revolvers. Possible exceptions would be the 1911 and the Luger.:D
 
I am a revolver fan, particularly. 357 revolvers......but I challenge anyone to shoot one 125lb whitetail with it.
Then tell me what a great stopper it is.
I've killed hogs and deer with the .357, it CAN do the job... BUT I notice a dramatic difference when using a 250 grain .44 or .45 slug doesn't even need to be loaded past 1000 fps before the change occurs. It just kills "better"
 
All handgun rounds are statistically poor 1-shot stoppers unless the central nervous system is hit. That said, yes, Id rather hit 'em with a .357 than a 9mm.

My first handgun was a M681, and the L-frame is still my favorite.

I entirely agree, though I have many fine automatic pistols few are as asthetically or viscerally satisfying as my revolvers. Possible exceptions would be the 1911 and the Luger.:D
Most duty calibers yes. The magnums are hardly ever included when that's qouted (who is running around shooting people with .454 casull?) I do believe however the magnum class is quite better than the typical 9mm, .40 cal, and .45s out there. After all how much money was spent to engineer the bullets of the 9mm (and by extension the .40 and .45) to make it duplicate a .357? All the plus p and plus p plus loads and right projectile just to duplicate what the old six gun could do in damn 1930s
 
Most duty calibers yes. The magnums are hardly ever included when that's qouted (who is running around shooting people with .454 casull?) I do believe however the magnum class is quite better than the typical 9mm, .40 cal, and .45s out there. After all how much money was spent to engineer the bullets of the 9mm (and by extension the .40 and .45) to make it duplicate a .357? All the plus p and plus p plus loads and right projectile just to duplicate what the old six gun could do in damn 1930s


Exactly. My ex-Navy buddy is pro 9mm, but the thing is.... .357 can do a heck of a lot more than 9x19, w/o beating up the gun by firing higher pressure loads the gun was never meant to fire (9mm +P+).
 
Exactly. My ex-Navy buddy is pro 9mm, but the thing is.... .357 can do a heck of a lot more than 9x19, w/o beating up the gun by firing higher pressure loads the gun was never meant to fire (9mm +P+).
9mm is just fine for those who choose it but it's not my first choice. If something bumps in the night my wife has her shield and a few mags loaded. My HD rig has my .45 Colt Redhawk but even then the first gun reached for is a 12 ga shotgun.
 
9mm is just fine for those who choose it but it's not my first choice. If something bumps in the night my wife has her shield and a few mags loaded. My HD rig has my .45 Colt Redhawk but even then the first gun reached for is a 12 ga shotgun.

I’ll buy that. Ya carry a handgun because ya can’t shove a Remington 870 down your pants (easily). Even the big bore Magnums pale in comparison to shotguns and rifles (of a goodly caliber) for incapacitations and one shot stops (G. Ellifritz ballistics study).
 
In light of other recent revolver stories.... I wish to share mine. I first learned the nigh lost art of The Revolver on an ancient Iver Johnson Cadet in .22LR. After a few years, I stepped up to that impeccable S&W M&P Victory I spoke of sometime back. My cousin bought a Taurus () 608, and I shot it.... and I’ve been hooked since the beginning. I’ve always appreciated the manly heft of a hunk of steel that launches fireball spitting, earth shattering .357 Magnums, powered by the ghost of Elmer Keith. Sure, 20 9mm might stop a man, but .357 Magnum will shatter every bone in Joe Bob Bad Guy’s upper body.
The last outside range I was at, had a guy there waiting outside while the range was opening he had a chest holster with a taurus 608 in it, I had my 629.(same one from my story) on my hip and the range officer carried a .45 Blackhawk in a western rig. Some one commented "you boys heading to the OK corral?" And laughed. I answered with a serious look and lit cigarette "sure, I'm your huckleberry" we all had a good laugh... I love that range.
 
I am a revolver fan, particularly. 357 revolvers......but I challenge anyone to shoot one 125lb whitetail with it.
Then tell me what a great stopper it is.

I've never shot a deer with a 357, but I've shot a number of them, about that very size, with a 12 gauge, loaded with 3" magnum, Number 1 buckshot. I've never had one go down to stay, with less than two shots.

Those deer will surprise you with what they can soak up. :what: S
 
I've never shot a deer with a 357, but I've shot a number of them, about that very size, with a 12 gauge, loaded with 3" magnum, Number 1 buckshot. I've never had one go down to stay, with less than two shots.

Those deer will surprise you with what they can soak up. :what: S
I've often wondered when listening to one stop shots or sudden stops. Ive seen deer hit with rifles keep running for a while. It definitely makes you respect shot placement.
 
I've often wondered when listening to one stop shots or sudden stops. Ive seen deer hit with rifles keep running for a while. It definitely makes you respect shot placement.
When hunting it will also make you appreciate diameter, sectional density, and projectile weight. Everyone touts "shot placement" (as they should) but never wonder about the differences in terminal ballistics inside the body if the organism was shot with a higher caliber weapon.
 
Many on here have done more hunting than me but for 40+ years I have only used a revolver to hunt big game. In my experience 44 and up do a good job. I use to limit the range to 100 yards, now the limit is 75 and 50 better yet. Most of the time the game never goes over a few yards. Placement is everything.
 
I am a revolver fan, particularly. 357 revolvers......but I challenge anyone to shoot one 125lb whitetail with it.
Then tell me what a great stopper it is.

Its great!
I've been hunting Indiana Whitetail for many years with a 6.5in Blackhawk and a Marlin 1894, both in 357 mag.
180grn XTP's loaded with 14.3grns of VV n110.
Many well over 200lbs.
As with most legal calibers....if you put it where it counts, it will get the job done.
 
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Most duty calibers yes. The magnums are hardly ever included when that's qouted (who is running around shooting people with .454 casull?) I do believe however the magnum class is quite better than the typical 9mm, .40 cal, and .45s out there. After all how much money was spent to engineer the bullets of the 9mm (and by extension the .40 and .45) to make it duplicate a .357? All the plus p and plus p plus loads and right projectile just to duplicate what the old six gun could do in damn 1930s
And the crazy thing is that prior to the 1930's the Walker Colt was the king of the power handgun hill I do believe. I handled one, never got to shoot one.
 
Exactly. My ex-Navy buddy is pro 9mm, but the thing is.... .357 can do a heck of a lot more than 9x19, w/o beating up the gun by firing higher pressure loads the gun was never meant to fire (9mm +P+).
I was a probie LEO back in the days when most of the guys carried semi's and a few carried wheelguns. Another probie was ragging me about my six shooter .357. He was touting the advantage of more than 10 rounds, and then went on to say how fast it was to reload. I just looked at him with my best Dirty Harry glare and said "You have to reload?'. Granted I wasn't carrying a Smith .44, but the Python was pretty dang impressive looking.
 
I was a probie LEO back in the days when most of the guys carried semi's and a few carried wheelguns. Another probie was ragging me about my six shooter .357. He was touting the advantage of more than 10 rounds, and then went on to say how fast it was to reload. I just looked at him with my best Dirty Harry glare and said "You have to reload?'. Granted I wasn't carrying a Smith .44, but the Python was pretty dang impressive looking.
I believe that everyone should carry a reload, mag or speedloader, or speed strips. I readily acknowledge that autos have some advantages over the Sixgun however I choose to keep the advantages of the Sixgun over the auto.
 
Its great!
I've been hunting Indiana Whitetail for many years with a 6.5in Blackhawk and a Marlin 1894, both in 357 mag.
180grn XTP's loaded with 14.3grns of VV n110.
Many well over 200lbs.
As with most legal calibers....if you put it where it counts, it will get the job done.
You're right. It always got the job done for me too. It also proved that I wanted a .45 for hunting and sd.
That's just me....not trying to convince anyone else.
 
I carry a 9 mm when I get outside the house, because I shoot it better. We were at the range with a friend that was shooting a 40 cal. As a little training/fun exercise, I put up a bad guy target and we were to shoot 2 shots center mass as quickly and possible. There were 3 of us, my wife, myself, both over 70 yrs old, and the friend that was 48 at the time. My wife went first, 2 shots with her .38, not very fast, but in dead center mass, I followed with the 9, a little faster, dead center. Last our friend, 2 shots, so fast they almost sounded like one, but both missed, one at the bottom and one at the top of the target.

I would much rather carry a weapon that I can shoot rather than the .45 I have but can't hit a barn with it.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
 
I've killed hogs and deer with the .357, it CAN do the job... BUT I notice a dramatic difference when using a 250 grain .44 or .45 slug doesn't even need to be loaded past 1000 fps before the change occurs. It just kills "better"

That's probably as well as it can be stated. I personally hunt hogs with a .357 but limit shot to the 50 yard range give or take a few. With the right load, the .357 is plenty of gun to stop a hog as long as the shooter can place the shot in the right place. You can't judge any caliber by the fact that it is a one stop drop and kill. I've hunted deer all my life and I've personally shot them with way more gun than needed and had them run off with the heart blown apart or both lungs destroyed. How? I don't know but I've seen it happen. I've also seen deer hit with what I'd call a questionable hit and drop in their tracks and lay there suffering until they were put out of their misery. To me handgun hunting is all about making sure you have the right bullet for the animal you are hunting and the ability to put the bullet in the right place. I've seen too many hunters hit the woods with a .44 mag and depend on the "power of the bullet" to try and make a kill. they also believer a hollow point bullet is the answer to every occasion. I've seen 44 mag hollow points not penetrate a big hog enough to do the job. Use the right ammo and spend a little time at the range and handgun hunting can be rewarding and fun. It is a challenge but you got to do your preparation.
 
I carry a 9 mm when I get outside the house, because I shoot it better. We were at the range with a friend that was shooting a 40 cal. As a little training/fun exercise, I put up a bad guy target and we were to shoot 2 shots center mass as quickly and possible. There were 3 of us, my wife, myself, both over 70 yrs old, and the friend that was 48 at the time. My wife went first, 2 shots with her .38, not very fast, but in dead center mass, I followed with the 9, a little faster, dead center. Last our friend, 2 shots, so fast they almost sounded like one, but both missed, one at the bottom and one at the top of the target.

I would much rather carry a weapon that I can shoot rather than the .45 I have but can't hit a barn with it.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
I can't shoot 9mm mean as good as .44 mag or .45 ACP. I don't know what it is, but I'm not the same maybe it's a training thing as I don't typically train with 9mm maybe it's just me. I don't know.
 
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