First "Big Bore" Revolver Purchase?

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Just sitting here with nothing but time on my hands, but
I was wondering what was the first "big bore" revolver
that each member may have purchased over the years?

I remember my first "big bore" well; as it was a Colt model
of 1917 .45 caliber. When shooting that baby, you had to
load those "half moon" clips and insert them 3 at a
time into the chamber. It was loads of fun to shoot; but
wasn't accurate worth a hoot. It made for a heck of a CCW
piece, with its 5.5 " barrel (I think ?). Kept that weapon a
long time, then let my best friend of that time beat me out
of it! Heck, that time frame had to be around late '69 or
early '70 I would guess.

It was another couple of years before I moved up to the
Smith & Wesson 4" barrel model 57 .41 magnum. Heck, then
I really thought I was picking in high cotton! And in 1973, I
learned how to reload my own ammunition for that baby.
Boy, life was just too good back in 'em days.

Then, I took a trip to the Woolco store #6237 here in good
ole' Bessemer, AL. And heck, I shouldn't have done it! For
I saw a NIB all steel, Colt Combat Commander in .45 ACP.
That is when I caught the "semi-auto fever". Had to have
it. Whipped out the old Woolco credit card, wiped out a
$132.50, waited 72 hours and was in business.

Even as I was doing well for myself, I was drooling over
a standard, 4" barrel Smith & Wesson model 29 (used)
that I had seen in a pawn shop window in Bombingham.
Price? $225.00, but I was broke! So, I had to let that one
get away.

You see, back then I did not have a hell-a-fide job. Plus
I was a newly wed; still young and wet behind the ears.

I just thought I would share these real enjoyable times
with my THR family. Hope Oleg, Preacherman, Mal H,
Don Gwinn, and Others didn't mind the post?


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life member

 

[sgt127]

1978. Just started working security and got my commision to carry a handgun. I worked in south Dallas and other kinda rough areas. Found a Nickel Mod. 58. Maybe a little used, in the box. The .41 mag was and still is, a great round. Carried it for a few years. Still sitting quietly in my safe. A whole bunch of big bores followed, a couple 29's...a 25-5. Something very reassuring about those over 40 bullets.

Then the Auto thing hit. Carried a Wilson Master Grade 130 built on a Colt Series 70 for many years as a Police Officer. Until we went to issue Glock 35's a couple years ago. The Glock is a perfectly good "tool". But, thats about it. I can't sit quietly in a recliner and work the action of a Glock like a big N frame Smith though.

 

[w1mnk]

A 1955 vintage S&W model 27. I bought it around 1970 or so, and I don't remember how I paid for her. I still have her, she is safe and sound as "The Queen of the Ft Knox"

 

[Atticus]

Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk. I bought it for deer hunting, but never used it ....so traded it off long ago.

 

[tc300mag1]

Hum 1995 i think it was a used very lightly model 29 smith and wesson 44 mag my first and last S&W

I still have it even though it doesnt get shot much was replaced by a super redhawk few years later

 

[ACP230]

It was a $75 1911 .45 ACP.

I could have gotten a nice Springfield 1903 for $90 at the same time, but I didn't have the extra cash.

 

[P95Carry]

My first good revo was my first M27 but that's not really big bore is it. First of those was my Redhawk ... the first 44 mag back in IIRC 1981. Soon after got a repro .45LC.

From then until now .. with odd hiccups ... everything has been a slide downhill towards excess!

 

[Dr.Rob]

My first big bore.. heck my first revolver was a 1917 Colt New Service Army, loads with full moon clips and it shoots better than I do.

My second big bore was a Ruger Vaquero 44 Mag. I purchased that after a fateful day of dragging out a quartered elk to see a wounded cow standing 10 feet from me.. all I was armed with was a .22 cal. pistol.

My third "big bore" was a Cabela's 1860 Army "Outlaw" with fluted a cylinder by Pietta.. nice elegant wheelgun, but it's slow to load.

 

[Marcus]

My first big bore was a 5 1/2" stainless .44mag. Ruger Redhawk. Bought it used for a good price with Pachmayer Presentation grips and factory Express sights. Wish I still had that one.... Marcus

 

[oscar]

Blackhawk in 45 Colt/acp. Didnt keep it all that long and my next bigbore was a 6 inch nickel 57 that I still have.

 

[WheelMan]

Let's see here. I purchased my first big bore revolver way back in... 2003. A ruger vaquero in .44 magnum, stainless 7.5". Since then I've added a S&W646, That must be right on the border of "big bore"

 

[chuckles]

1966 at the George AFB BX. Someone had special ordered a S&W model 28 Highway Patrolman, 4", target hammer and trigger and the "large" grips. I think I paid about $120.00 when the guy wasn't able to buy. Now that I read the thread. , I don't think that Model 28 qualifies as the big bore. I have my 25-5 that I bought used about 2 years ago but it's like new and I've only fired about 50 rounds. There is really something special about that N frame Smith.

 

[Majic]

In the late 70's (1970's for those wondering ) I bought a Colt Govt. Model in .45acp because everybody was suppose to have one. Then a few years later I found my Bisley in .41mag. By then the hook was sunk deep into me as the majority of my handguns today are big bores.
Four .45 acp, three .45 Colt, three .41 mag, two .44 special, and one .44 mag.

 

[FPrice]

My first big bore (bigger than a .38/.357) was a 5 1/2" SS Ruger Vacquero in .44 Magnum. A pussycat with .44 Specials it is a great firearm. I got a Marlin Model 1894 to go with it. Still have both, maybe one day I'll get to play Cowboy games with them.

 

[stans]

First big bore revolver came from my step-grandfather after his death in 1991. It was a Colt 1917 U.S. Army, parkerized, with a WWII holster. Also got a 1911-A1 with holster. I used full moon clips and shot it a few times, but the cylinder release just nailed my thumb with every shot.

Next big bore came in 2002 in the form of a Ruger Super Redhawk in 44 Magnum. Big, heavy, accurate, capable of handling any sane 44 Magnum load. Near the end of 2002 I nabbed a S&W model 29-3, nickel plated, 6 inch barrel, outstanding condition and for only $375. This revolver has a sweet trigger, both double and single action.

Been thinking about a 4 inch N-frame lately. A model 29 would be nice, but I expect the recoil would be a bit much. Maybe a model 28, but I have so many other 357's. A model 57 would be nice, but hard to find and that would be another caliber I would have to set up for reloading. So, I just don't know what to do!

 

[Stainz]

My first big-bore revolver was a Ruger SS 'Old Army' cap & ball. My next was a Ruger BH convertible in .45ACP & .45 Colt. My first DA revolver was a Ruger SRH in .454. My wife shocked me later, while on vacation, with my first S&W - a new 625 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt.

Stainz

 

[w1mnk]

I'm going to start a thread in the general section on the definition of "big bore". Comments welcome. Thanks.

 

[Steve F]

Model 29-3 with non-fluted cylinder,6" barrel and adjustable 4 position sights up front as well adjustable standard rear sights Very Pretty

 

[BigG]

I bought a nickel plated .429 Smith & Wesson 6 1/2" back about 1970 or 71. Brand spanking new in presentation case. Wish I hadn't sold it.

Thanks for asking, Ala Dan!

 

[Hutch]

A Smif 1917 for $75. I had visions of making what Dean Grennell called a ".45 Combat Masterpiece" by bobbing the barrel and having adjustable sights installed. I then found out it was cheaper to by an M25-2. Sold the old Smif for $90, and have regretted it ever since.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My first was a Colt M1917. I don't remember what it cost, but if I could afford it in 1960, it must have been peanuts! I couldn't find (or afford) half moon clips, but mine had the shoulders in the chambers so the case would headspace on the mouth (some of the early Colts didn't), and shot just fine -- although you had to shake the empties out. I left it with an old friend who I've lost contact with.

While an adviser on my first tour in Viet Nam, I had a thing about leaving weapons behind, and somehow came into possession of two M1911A1s -- both of which I later traded off.

Right now, I have 3 M1911s -- a Fed Ord "kit-built," an Argentine M1927, and a Kimber Classic Custom. The latter is my carry gun, the other two wear .22 coniversion kits -- a Ciener and a Colt Ace, respectively.

I also have a Colt New Service (made in 1906) in .45 Colt with a 7 1/2" barrel -- it had been refinished and shot a foot high at 25 yards, so I didn't consider it desecration to put on a new front sight, and widen the rear notch.

And finally, I have a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. That's my real big-bore -- with the case full of Hodgdon's Li'l Gun and a 255 grain Lee flatnose, it makes a fire deer gun.

 

[popbang]

Started with a blued Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt and got rid of it. Bought a case-color finished Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt which began to rust, so got rid of it. Purchased a Stainless Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt and stuck with it. Then purchased another case-color finished Ruger Vaquero and when I had problems with it sent it back to Ruger to have the entire gun blued. I guess I am hooked on single action Rugers.

 

[foghornl]

Hmmmmm

.357 Blackhawk 6-1/2" stolen

.41Mag Blackhawk Then-wife "Loaned" it to a friend.... never came back

.44Mag square trigger guard Super Blackhawk....Sold to be able to eat.

Now have a .357 Vaquero only "big bore" revo, if not counting the repro 1851 Navy Colt BP

 

[cratz2]

I started shooting 1911s. The first handgun I ever shot was a 1911. First big bore handgun I ever bought was a 1911. First big bore revolver I ever bought was a 44 Magnum Super Blackhawk that I sold pretty quickly. Later bought a 45 Colt Blackhawk and later still a big ole used Super Blackhawk with Magna Porting and a Leupold scope.

Passed on a 4.5" blued Super Blackhawk that had been converted to 41 Magnum and had a slicked up action job and a bull barrel. $350 but it was in kinda rough condition. I sure wish I woulda picked that up when I had the chance.

 

[JohnK]

First big bore revolver purchase was a 7.5" 45 Colt Blackhawk. I still have that one, it's not my favorite but being my first 45 Colt it's a keeper.