22-rimfire
Member
Change that to S&W and you have my approval.
Is there a military suprlus handgun that fite THIS Bill?: Doesn't overpenetrate like 7.62x25, has more stopping power than 9x18 Makarov, accurate, reliable, 300 dollars at most?
It's effective. There are numerous mass graves containing many thousands sculls with hole in back to prove the point. This along with Walther PPK was used by NKVD execution squads.
"A Nagant would be better than nothing for self defense, but not by much."
That's an exaggeration to the extreme. A Nagant is far more revolver than nothing, is more powerful than any pocket pistol caliber like 32acp or 380. It has more power than the bulk of revolvers made by S&W or others in 1900. I agree, a S&W Model 10 in 38 Special is better, but not in power. A Nagant in 32H&R has as much power as many 38 Special loads and more power than the once champ 38S&W. It is as or more powerful than the official combat handgun rounds of France, Britain, or Japan in WWII and is superior to the 9mm Makarov or the 32acp - the chosen police round of Europe for almost a century and beats the 38 Colt used by US forces before changing to the 45acp. Who is undergunned by 7 rounds of 38 Special-equivalent ammo? At self-defense distances, a Nagant is fully potent and capable with proper ammo. The revolvers are light, slim, and pretty idiot-proof to boot.
Now, there are many features not ideal with a Nagant. The double action is heavy, clunky, and likely to make you pull your shot. Not a problem in a room or at self-defense distances, but certainly if the baddie is far enough away, single-action is preferable. 7 rounds beats 6 rounds, but reloading a Nagant makes keeping a second one handy a better notion. If 7 rounds don't work, you're screwed with a Nagant. Of course, 6 rounds in a S&W Model 10 aren't going to reload like magic, so if the baddie is the room with you, you're screwed one way or the other. Yet many folks carry snub 38's with 5 rounds that provide no greater power and two fewer rounds than a Nagant and many here recommend some of those revolvers.
The S&W Model 10, especially a good used one, makes a better revolver for many reasons (and price can be very nice). I agree 100% with that. It will have a vastly better trigger, equal or better sights, and has a very solid reputation. Yet, there is nothing weak about the Nagant round. Those who claim otherwise are comparing weak target loads. Considering the Nagant safely fires 32H&R Mag rounds, as a revolver it can be just as powerful as many currently used self-defense rounds, more powerful than many others.
What might I say about how worthless a 12ga shotgun is if I only load it with skeet rounds?
Even so, I would never personally recommend a Nagant revolver for self-defense. Way too many really good 38 Special revolvers are around to recommend a Nagant. The revolver itself has many issues that make it less-than-ideal and frankly I'd say get one of those police-trade in Taurus revolvers, they are the same price but better in most ways than the Nagant. But if the Nagant is to be lambasted because it is weak, then the Mak, Walther PP, or even a S&W Model 10 in 38 S&W are even worse.
Even so, I would never personally recommend a Nagant revolver for self-defense. Way too many really good 38 Special revolvers are around to recommend a Nagant.
for any practical use you'd be far better off with an S&W Model 10.
I would not spend >$75 on one.I have so many better things to throw $150 at.
7 rounds of ammo as powerful as many 38 Special rounds
The surplus seems to vary based on bullet weight. I've seen two different loads from the surplus. 82gr at 1200-1300fps, and 105-106gr at 800-900fps. The old Fiocchi seems hotter than the new batches as well, but I haven't chrono'd it. Prvi Partisan isn't too peppy either.The Russian surplus from J&G I chronographed through one of my Nagants last year averaged 919 FPS.
Fiocchi wasn't much different.
The gun remains a poor choice for SD.
FMJ only, horrendible trigger, indifferent accuracy, extremely awkward & slow reloading process.
I wouldn't count on one to drop a horse with one shot unless the muzzle was resting on its forehead.
Denis
A .22 with subsonic solid is much better choice.I'd like to add....as far as I know, the Nagant revolver is the only revolver that can be suppressed. Cylinder seals to barrel. Makes it a great assassination weapon, because it also doesn't throw brass.