If so, you'll love this. I just went down to the not-so-local emporium and traded my HK P7M8 for every S&W Mod 15 they had in the place. Here's why.
I got to thinking a while back about handguns in general and how the trends come and go. I have a decent library of older gun mags from the seventies and eighties, and every once in a while like to dig some out and go through them.
This retro reading is actually educational because you can see how the mindset changes through the years. Back then it was a lot more about hitting than capacity, more about tactics than firepower. It got me thinking...
Then a little while ago the wife finally decided to get her carry permit and went to the clases and all. We tried a few different guns and she settled on an old Colt detective special, one of the ones with the exposed ejector rod. It fit her hand and she shoots it well. I figured it was better than a .22, so WTH.
The epiphany started when I shot it. Informally at 50 yards or so, just playing, I could hit damn near anything I shot at. Huh? This while I'm working hard with my Glocks and my HK's and Sigs just to keep groups? I had to figure this out. Another range session with more formal targets proved it. WTF?
Then I started doing some more reading. The best .38 spl loads have about a 80% one shot stop on the street, and the 9mm loads that I used had about the same percentage. The thing was, betewwn the crappy crunch/tick triggers and all the reciprocating mass, I shoot better with revolvers. Single action at distance produces wonderful groups, and in close double action is quick, consistent, and almost foolproof. Jams? Please.
I got another detective special and carried it for a while after shooting it and reinforcing my findings. Jeez, it carries nice, it's light, grip feels good, hey, I can live with this.
I played with the .357 mag for a while a few years back and came to the conclusion that I am a wimp when it comes to recoil. I wore out a 2 1/2 inch mod 66 with full power loads and then swore off magnums. The .38 spl is an ACCURATE bugger, I had all but forgotten that it was THE competition caliber for the longest time.
So, here I am. I've dumped all my semi autos and now have quite a pile of revolvers in varying calibers, frames, and barrel lengths. As I'm writing this, a 2" model 15 is sitting close to hand. I like the feel of the 15 better than the 66 I used to have, the balance seems different. Accurate? Oh yeah.
Yesterday I went to the range and outshot a guy with a 2500 dollar .45 using a 4" mod 15. Yup, I could get used to this. No more autos for me, I'm done with 'em. Caliber? I'm satisfied with it. 158 gr plus P is all I'll ever need. Firepower? I'm not a kid anymore, I'm not blowing off a bunch of rounds just to make noise. Accuracy? Definitely. One shot, one hit. Repeat as necessary.
I never thought I'd be the one saying this, but from here out I guess I'm a wheelgun man. Who would have thought it...
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The M-16 is a damn fine weapon, but your best, your most lethal and effective weapon is between your ears. Ssgt Brown, Parris Island, 3rd Bn, H co. 1984.
I got to thinking a while back about handguns in general and how the trends come and go. I have a decent library of older gun mags from the seventies and eighties, and every once in a while like to dig some out and go through them.
This retro reading is actually educational because you can see how the mindset changes through the years. Back then it was a lot more about hitting than capacity, more about tactics than firepower. It got me thinking...
Then a little while ago the wife finally decided to get her carry permit and went to the clases and all. We tried a few different guns and she settled on an old Colt detective special, one of the ones with the exposed ejector rod. It fit her hand and she shoots it well. I figured it was better than a .22, so WTH.
The epiphany started when I shot it. Informally at 50 yards or so, just playing, I could hit damn near anything I shot at. Huh? This while I'm working hard with my Glocks and my HK's and Sigs just to keep groups? I had to figure this out. Another range session with more formal targets proved it. WTF?
Then I started doing some more reading. The best .38 spl loads have about a 80% one shot stop on the street, and the 9mm loads that I used had about the same percentage. The thing was, betewwn the crappy crunch/tick triggers and all the reciprocating mass, I shoot better with revolvers. Single action at distance produces wonderful groups, and in close double action is quick, consistent, and almost foolproof. Jams? Please.
I got another detective special and carried it for a while after shooting it and reinforcing my findings. Jeez, it carries nice, it's light, grip feels good, hey, I can live with this.
I played with the .357 mag for a while a few years back and came to the conclusion that I am a wimp when it comes to recoil. I wore out a 2 1/2 inch mod 66 with full power loads and then swore off magnums. The .38 spl is an ACCURATE bugger, I had all but forgotten that it was THE competition caliber for the longest time.
So, here I am. I've dumped all my semi autos and now have quite a pile of revolvers in varying calibers, frames, and barrel lengths. As I'm writing this, a 2" model 15 is sitting close to hand. I like the feel of the 15 better than the 66 I used to have, the balance seems different. Accurate? Oh yeah.
Yesterday I went to the range and outshot a guy with a 2500 dollar .45 using a 4" mod 15. Yup, I could get used to this. No more autos for me, I'm done with 'em. Caliber? I'm satisfied with it. 158 gr plus P is all I'll ever need. Firepower? I'm not a kid anymore, I'm not blowing off a bunch of rounds just to make noise. Accuracy? Definitely. One shot, one hit. Repeat as necessary.
I never thought I'd be the one saying this, but from here out I guess I'm a wheelgun man. Who would have thought it...
------------------
The M-16 is a damn fine weapon, but your best, your most lethal and effective weapon is between your ears. Ssgt Brown, Parris Island, 3rd Bn, H co. 1984.
