Best combat revolver?
- Thread starter Walking Dead
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Because unlike Harry Callahan most people can't recover from the recoil of a 44 magnum quickly for a follow up shot or even to transition to a new target.
.357 mag and .45acp have such a long track record of being great "stopping calibers" that I think you hit the point of diminishing returns with those cartridges. Any advantage you'd get from larger calibers would be negated by the trade-offs you'd have to make to get those gains.
exiledtoIA
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M-197 Vulcan
SharpsDressedMan
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One Shot Stop
I'm pretty sure this might qualify for that "one shot stop" that everyone wants from their handgun, but it IS a bit heavy, and only holds five. I load it down for defensive use, but it hits with a 50% greater smack at 800fps with 420grSWC than a .44 Magnum with a 300gr at 1200fps.
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I'm pretty sure this might qualify for that "one shot stop" that everyone wants from their handgun, but it IS a bit heavy, and only holds five. I load it down for defensive use, but it hits with a 50% greater smack at 800fps with 420grSWC than a .44 Magnum with a 300gr at 1200fps.
Wanderling
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Define combat ?
I don't think there's a "combat" revolver. I honestly think there's really no good definition of a "combat" handgun. The "combat" gun must meet the military specifications of a given armed force(s), and generally be reliable and easy to maintain. Historically this meant a whole lot of very different weapons, even in the relatively recent times - from the small-ish P-64 to 1911. Or from Nagant to Webley.
If I was carrying a revolver as a secondary weapon, say as a back up to an assault rifle, I'd like it to be relatively light and compact. 9mm sounds good. If it was to be my main / only weapon (think pre-WWI officer) I'd want it to have a longer range and more punch.
I don't think there's a "combat" revolver. I honestly think there's really no good definition of a "combat" handgun. The "combat" gun must meet the military specifications of a given armed force(s), and generally be reliable and easy to maintain. Historically this meant a whole lot of very different weapons, even in the relatively recent times - from the small-ish P-64 to 1911. Or from Nagant to Webley.
If I was carrying a revolver as a secondary weapon, say as a back up to an assault rifle, I'd like it to be relatively light and compact. 9mm sounds good. If it was to be my main / only weapon (think pre-WWI officer) I'd want it to have a longer range and more punch.
Look more closely at Harry. He is very, very slow on recovering from recoil with his one handed shooting. But, he hits everything he shoots at. Unless the script calls for him to miss to increase the suspense.
Husker1911
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.44 Special is an entirely worthy cartridge, much akin to the .45ACP. Shot in an N frame with no more than a four inch barrel, it's an worthy combat revolver.
Me? I like the speed of loading/unloading a .45ACP revolver with full-moon clips. FMJs naturally feed smoothly into the chamber while loading. I'm perfectly fine with their performance, too. Big cartridge, slow speed = deadly defense performance. The problem with magnum .44 is the liability of what lies beyond the immediate target.
Me? I like the speed of loading/unloading a .45ACP revolver with full-moon clips. FMJs naturally feed smoothly into the chamber while loading. I'm perfectly fine with their performance, too. Big cartridge, slow speed = deadly defense performance. The problem with magnum .44 is the liability of what lies beyond the immediate target.
shootniron
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No doubt in my mind...if I were chosing, it would be a 4" 686.
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SharpsDressedMan
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If I recall, the Dirty Harry reference to "light Specials" was when he was on the qualification/competition course. Back in the day, many cops shot lighter loads for practice than they carried on the street. It just made sense to me, for what he was doing (competition coure), then we later saw what appeared to be way more recoil than what "Specials" would generate in the fight sequences, suggesting magnum loads. Hey, it Hollywood! Nothing is really real.
David E
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Harry was practicing when the rookies showed up and asked what he loaded it with.
It turns out the line was mis-written, but they can't change it now.
I'm going to extrapolate on my own and conclude that his "light specials" were lighter than full house magnums (240 grain @ 1450 fps) and suggest his "special" loads had the same bullet at 1200 fps. Still pretty potent, still accounts for the kick and makes as much sense as a lone wolf cop using a 6.5" barreled .44 magnum in San Francisco!
It turns out the line was mis-written, but they can't change it now.
I'm going to extrapolate on my own and conclude that his "light specials" were lighter than full house magnums (240 grain @ 1450 fps) and suggest his "special" loads had the same bullet at 1200 fps. Still pretty potent, still accounts for the kick and makes as much sense as a lone wolf cop using a 6.5" barreled .44 magnum in San Francisco!
easyg
Member
I choose the Ruger GP100 with 4" barrel.
Follow up and next target make a lot of sense to go with something with more muzzle control and less flip.
Realistically,I probably would go with a rugged version of a 327, 4" or 5". Couple extra rounds.
But my mind keeps saying, "needs more punch." 629 with a 4".
Realistically,I probably would go with a rugged version of a 327, 4" or 5". Couple extra rounds.
But my mind keeps saying, "needs more punch." 629 with a 4".
Arizonagunrunner
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ccw = Ruger Speed Six 2 3/4 inch barrel 357 magnum
Duty weapon = Ruger GP100 4inch barrel 357 magnum
Woods carry = Ruger Redhawk 5 1/2 357 or 44 mamgnum
side note:
(autos to use)
Ruger LCP 380 = pocket /bug carry
Glock 19 = ccw
Colt series 80 Commander 45 ACP = duty carry
Duty weapon = Ruger GP100 4inch barrel 357 magnum
Woods carry = Ruger Redhawk 5 1/2 357 or 44 mamgnum
side note:
(autos to use)
Ruger LCP 380 = pocket /bug carry
Glock 19 = ccw
Colt series 80 Commander 45 ACP = duty carry
Wanderling
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I know what "combat" means.
How do you define it applicable to a weapon ? What makes a handgun "combat" as opposed to "not combat" ?
Deaf Smith
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Ruger..
Either one of 'em.
Deaf
Either one of 'em.
Deaf
razorback2003
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K frame or L frame Smith and Wesson.
nyresq
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an older 4" 686 with the FP mounted on the hammer, pre lock, pre transfer bar, old school reliability and control... like the one in my safe!!!
My vote would be for a modern double action top break revolver in a non-rimmed caliber, 9mm (+p might not be plausible), 45 apc, or perhaps something replicating a 44spc without the rim, and a 4.5-5" barrel. With an extractor that could pop a full moon clip out as the action was broken open (low pressure because the action is weak also means cases aren't going to be sticking), a fresh clip could be thrown in (just about literally) and the action closed in probably a second or less with practice.
Okiegunner
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Hands down... a 4" SW md. 686
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