.460 S&W Magnum Personal Protection Gun

Would the .460 Smith and Wesson Magnum Revolver be a good personal protection gun?

  • Yes

    Votes: 17 20.7%

  • No

    Votes: 65 79.3%
  • Total voters
    82
Status
Not open for further replies.
Just a bit of counterpoint.
Most individuals don't have the luxury of a wide selection of fine ATF products at their disposal when choosing what they need for self-defense. So, if you had only one gun and you needed to use it for self defense, and it happened to be a .460 for whatever hypothetical reason presented itself, it would be a fine choice for self defense.
Would it be ideal? Would there likely be collateral damage? Would you struggle to prepare for a second shot? Might you and those around you have ear and eye problems for some period of time? Who knows. But might you end up alive? Versus using no gun at all?
And I'd likely own one before owning only one .22LR for similar circumstances.
B
 
Original question:

Would the .460 Smith and Wesson Magnum Revolver be a good personal protection gun?
Click to expand...

Counterpoint:

So, if you had only one gun and you needed to use it for self defense, and it happened to be a .460 for whatever hypothetical reason presented itself, it would be a fine choice for self defense.
Click to expand...

So...no. And, yes.

IF I were the victim of a murderous assault and if ALL I had was a flamethrower, I would use it. I might burn down the house, but, if its the only tool I had, I would use it.



On second thought, the flamethrower may be a better choice....

:)
 
Sgt127 said:
IMG_2287.jpg






I usually carry it appendix. Occasionally ankle carry if I'm wearing some old bell bottom jeans.





Don't listen to these lightweights who tell you it's too much gun. Nothing says leave me alone like 300 grain bullets at 2000 FPS. Once you get into about one ton of muzzle energy, you're starting to talk about real stopping power.





5 rounds against 10 adversaries is doable if they cooperate and come at you in close ranks.














um.....not
Click to expand...






nice looking gun. Do you happen to have any pics of it next to a "regular" snubby? I am curious as to size differences
 
I think that it's VERSATILE enough, if you choose the proper configuration. The .460 with a 4 inch barrel is actually quite packable, although serious consideration would have to be given to a cover garment.

Think about it: cartridges in .45 Colt for everyday use, plinking and defensive carry. Even a stout .45 load would be easily tamed by the muzzle brake on the revolver--it would feel like firing .38 HBWC out of a Model 27.

Move up a bit to the .454 Casull, and you have a really good packing gun for the outdoors, especially if you'/re in bear country. Not a game animal in North America that won't fall to the .454.

And in full-snort .460, one hundred yard shots on game animals are entirely possible.
 
nice looking gun. Do you happen to have any pics of it next to a "regular" snubby? I am curious as to size differences
Click to expand...

Thanks for a great idea for a photo shoot. Coming up tomorrow.
 
Sgt127, I have the same model (460es, just the gun found used without the pelican case kit) but with yellow grips, what holster do you actually use with it since it's been hard to find one?

I've never carried it (have a .454 Alaskan that does much of the same thing with less weight) but it'd be nice to have the option "just for kicks"... ;)
 
Seems like you're waxing hyperbolic here:

=============

Counterpoint:

Quote:
So, if you had only one gun and you needed to use it for self defense, and it happened to be a .460 for whatever hypothetical reason presented itself, it would be a fine choice for self defense.
So...no. And, yes.

IF I were the victim of a murderous assault and if ALL I had was a flamethrower, I would use it. I might burn down the house, but, if its the only tool I had, I would use it.



On second thought, the flamethrower may be a better choice....

==============

I maintain that it's a perfectly acceptable if suboptimal weapon for a range of uses including SD. Probably more concealable than a flamethrower too (though I have very limited expertise in that regard) :)

I do accept though that the X-frame Smith's which are one of the very few models that can handle this/these cartridge(s) are almost hysterically huge. The first time I saw them (4" and 6") and my LGS I thought that they were marketing props. Not until I looked more closely and the fellow behind the counter offered one for me to hold and maneuver did I realize they weren't a joke. I can see the use of them as a large hunting or large in the woods self defense device but they are still hysterical.

B
 
Sgt127, I have the same model (460es, just the gun found used without the pelican case kit) but with yellow grips, what holster do you actually use with it since it's been hard to find one?
Click to expand...

I've never carried it except in its blue box to the range. I would just go out to my toy room and make one if there were a need to carry it. I generally make all my own holsters.

I guess I should make one for it. If I do, I'll post a picture.
 
For me, it boils down to being too much gun for me to handle in a defensive situation against human attackers. I'm not scared to admit it.

I have a sweet .357 magnum Ruger with a 6" barrel. With full-power .357 magnum defensive loads, I have utter faith in it's ability to take down anybody on the planet as long as I can make the shot. And guess what? I can. Even with max 125 grain JHP loads from the likes of Buffalo Bore and Double Tap, the big revolver tames recoil to a very manageable level. My accuracy with these hot loads is just as good as the lightest .38 special range fodder, at least for a few cylinders worth of shooting. Follow up shots can be had rapidly as well. I could go on and on.

I won't get into the whole "overpenetration, wasted energy, etc." issue of using huge magnum revolver cartridges for self defense, because I simply don't care. I just hope I'm not behind whatever you're shooting at if you're going to use a .460 in self defense, and that is going to be highly unlikely. But if you can handle it, than I'm not one to preach against someone personal choice.

I do know that for ME the .357 magnum is the perfect balance of power, accuracy, and controlability against almost ANY other handgun round that I've shot, when it's used in a full-sized gun with enough barrel length to do the cartridge justice. It is one sweet pill that I trust my life with each and every day and night. YMMV.
 
I agree with S&W, it would make a very intimidating personal protection gun. It depends on what you are trying to protect yourself from. You can shoot 45LC, 454 Casull, or 460 S&W in it which makes it fairly flexible IF you are willing to carry it.

Would I carry one? Probably not even for protection from dangerous game. I'd have something else like a 475L/480 Ruger for that. For two legged threats... probably not unless I plan on taking 100 yd shots.
 
Ok. Here we go.

A NAA .22 short beside a .460 round.

image_zps1ded2e39.jpg


A 642 with the .460.

image_zpsf59d9fb7.jpg


And just silliness. A NAA .22LR with the .460.

image_zps5df04428.jpg
 
It is such a large gun, I just can't imagine carrying it on the hip for any length of time.
Click to expand...

Even the short barreled X-frames are big guns. I carry my 5-inch barrel .460 in a cross chest holster - not exactly the choice for concealed carry...
 
The .460 XVR is an impressive gun and a blast to shoot outdoors. Whether vaporizing a watermelon or taking game that your father's generation never thought possible with a handgun, it is truly amazing. Is it even remotely ideal as a defense gun?

The .460 XVR definitely shines in dangerous outdoor areas. As a primary weapon, there may be times when you'd rather shoulder-carry a larger revolver than haul a rifle through the brush. It could be used as a back-up but that seems more hunting-specific given the size, weight, and easier big-bore defense choices like the Ruger Alaskan.

That said, don't expect to conceal one. You also shouldn't need this level of power for two-legged predators. Inside the enclosed spaces of a home, things get dicier. Think of it this way. Outside, you get a bright muzzle-flash and a blast-wave you can feel with your whole body. What would that be like in the confined spaces of a home? I don't ever want to find out.
 
The short barreled X-frames are now out of production, and pricey, but I still prefer the .500. You MUST handload, but you have the option of choosing just about any bullet weight, and then downloading to whatever velocity suits you. I currently cast a 420gr. lead semi-wadcuttter, and push it at 700-800 fps. WAY outclasses the .45ACP or ,45LC, and is fairly manageable in the snub guns. Much more "residence-safe" than the .460 with a 250gr @1500-1600fps. Since a home protection gun won't be carried much, the size and weight won't make it a problem, and even make it easier to manage than a 12ga shotgun around the house.
 
Remove the IFS (IF you download, IF you have nothing else), and it remains an idiotic choice for personal defense against anything but large & dangerous game.

When you have to download, you may as well just carry a more workable gun to begin with.
When you own only that gun & plan to use it for personal people defense, you've made a serious judgemental error.
Denis
 
If you feel that you need to carry it for self-defense in the Lower 48, you should also carry it in a Thunderwear holster....just to make the package complete...
 
Okay, this will sound irrational, but that kind of fits in with this topic & discussion anyway.

What if some outfit made -FULL POWER-, full-bore, no-holds-barred, pure nuts, redline running, top-drawer and peak pressure blanks. And you loaded this thing (or an equivalent sized .500 Mag) with these hell-for-stout BLANKS.

Maybe that is a "property safe" and low-penetration threat home defense handgun. Burn down or blow over anything within 15 feet directly in front of it, but not even scuff the family portrait hanging at the end of the hall?! :eek::D:p
 
Ask Jon Erik Hexum if he'd like to see what a .22 Short might have been like.

Could have killed him, maybe.

I'll wait while you ask him.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top