Consolidation? Giving up on Semi's

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pinetree

New member
I have not found my semi-auto's to be near as trust worthy as my revolvers. I am contemplating consolidating my pistol collection. I'm thinking about going one to "reloading" caliber. I have a 44mag and a 38 spcl. I'm thinking about selling a 45-1911 and either the 38 and buying a 44spcl, or the 44mag and buying a 357 mag. I hate to say it but I like the S&W Mountain Lite in 44spcl. I'm not sure where they stand with the sell out, but then again was what Ruger did any less?. Or, I sell the S&W 44 Mag and get a Taurus Tracker 357. Though not totally legal for hunting, I only use a sidearm for tracking and hope the law would understand....

I hope not to turn this into a political conversation. No one else makes a decent light 44spcl that I'm aware of...
tjg
 
the best all-around revolver ? ? ?

The S&W .44MAG at 40oz. just might be it. Ask anyone who has one if they like it ? Best.....dewey +++ Mine is very accurate as well. +++
 
Don't judge all semi-autos by the 1911!

I have to agree that it's hard to beat a wheelgun, though. If I was to be tortured into selecting only ONE, it would probably be the 357mag. Hmm, but you'll be taking it into the woods, maybe stick with the 44 after-all. I've had my Super Blackhawk for about 16 years. The average age of all my other guns is about 1 :)

Tough choice, maybe just let your collection grow a little. I usually regret selling guns, eventually (except the 1911).
 
Hey pinetree,

I'd trust ALL of my revolvers for defense (matter of fact I do daily), but only a couple of my semi-autos (my Sig and newly aquired Baby Eagle).

Forgot, and my NAA 380 that is always with me (that easy to foget ;) )

Absolutely do not judge semi-autos on a 1911 platform!!!

However, I do believe that every single American should own at least ONE 1911.
 
pinetree,

I wouldn't get rid of any guns if possible. Just get more of what I wanted, and keep the 1911. They are too hard to replace if you want 'em back. I have numerous semi-autos, but love my wheel guns.
 
I Like Your .44 spl. Choice!

Some years ago I found a model 624 in a pawnshop and jumped on it. A four-incher, it has turned out to be a real gem. The Mountain Gun is only slightly beefier and should work well. The only thing I would mention is the lack of lots of ammo choices. If you reload, no problem. When carrying this handgun for defense I really like the Blazer 200 gr. HPs. Good luck!

BTW, I agree with the earlier posts about just keeping the 1911. If you get rid of it you will regret it later and end up buying another one. They just keep getting more expensive.

Just my 2 cents, Jack
 
Good 44 special

Pinetree have you ever looked at the Charter Arms Bulldog. I bought one years ago in SS and have always liked it. Very comfortable to shoot and hides easily. I put some small rubber grips on and it handles quite well.
 

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A 1911 .45 is right up there with Mom, the Flag, and apple pie. Tuck it away in the safe and then go on with your plan.

dfm
 
There are three things....

that every true American should own. A "fun" .22 (like Ruger 10/22), a 44 or 45 revolver, and a 1911.

Now, you might do the two birds/one stone thing with a 45 LC Ruger. Load down and it's a popgun, load up and you can take a grizzly, great to take out to just "fun" shoot, and sometime maybe you can do the SASS if it's your thing. It doesn't cost any more to reload for a 44 Mag or 45 LC than a Special, but it opens more options.

For the LC, you can put a 200 LSWC over a little dusting of AA5 and get about 800 fps. NO recoil and cheap. Load a 255 or 300 over a bunch of W296 and it's way heavy duty.

And remember...you don't sell guns (unless there's a problem)...you expand the collection. "Too many" and "guns" don't fit in the same sentence.
 
Thanks for the replies. I probably should have been more precise in my post.

I own:

S&W 629 4" - 44mag
Kimber Compact 1911 - 45acp
Taurus M85UL - 38spcl
Browning Buckmark - 22spcl

Would probably sell the Kimber and Taurus for a small 44spcl. Or, The Kimber and S&W, but the Smith shoots to good.

Reasons for selling:
Less reloading changes
Kimber less then 100% reliable
Kimber a little big for CCW
Kimber I don't keep it Cocked and Locked when in the truck or nightstand, it would take longer to get into action.
Taurus is great, but I like bigger bullets

tjg
 
629 is a great platform for .44 specials. Huge flexibility in loads they like. In the 4" version, quite carryable.

If you already load for the .38special, no sweat doin it for .357mag.

Hence recommendation for 2½" Model 19 round butt. Six rounds of .357mag in a very concealable package and a joy to shoot.

Sam
 
While I prefer the semi-auto's for self defense situations,
I love to shoot revolver's as well. With that said, I think
a good .38 Special, .357 magnum, and a .44 magnum are
a must for serious handguners. The launch platform
can and probably will vary; but these calibers are set in
stone for the majority of the shooting public.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Oh great!, Ala Dan. Now I have to go out and get yet ANOTHER handgun, this time in .44 Mag. Well, since it's meant to be, I might as well get a 629 w/5" bbl.
DAL ;)
 
I agree with everyone here who says to keep the 1911. It is a classic. However, if you aren't into autos and don't really want to keep it around just for fun AND you need the money then go ahead and sell it.

I disagree with the majority who seem to say go with the .44s. Keep the .38 and get a nice midsized .357. It is just more versatile. The little .38 snub is a much better CCW size than any .44 mag or spl. You live in a carry state and it sounds like CCW is an issue, a .38 snub simply fits better in your pocket than a 2" .44 spl with a much bigger frame. A K-frame or L-frame .357 can be fairly concealable as well. Also, a K-frame can occasionally and an L-frame can easily take high powered .357 hunting loads for trail use. A good .38 defensive round can stop a BG and a good .357 hunting round can stop any wild animal on the east coast (if I was in Grizzly country instead of black bear country I probably would want a .44 over a .357). Even if you are a reloader you may find yourself in a situation where you need to buy ammo and .38 and .357 is much cheaper than .44mag and .44spl and much easier to find than .44spl as well.

Better yet, keep both the .44mag and the .38spl and get a .44spl and a .357mag and have all your bases filled.
 
BTW, pinetree, although I've not found my semi-autos to be unworthy of trust, I just don't seem to have the affinity for them that I have for revolvers, especially my Python. That's not to put down semis, but I just prefer (good) revolvers.

I can understand your wanting to reload for only one caliber and, if you can do it, it will probably simplify your reloading life greatly. I may do that someday, but I'm not sure when.

My advice would be to keep the 1911 and let it collect dust; you never know when you might get a hankering to fire it again.

Have you looked at the S&W 296 .44 Spl.? It's a lightweight, concealed hammer affair that you might like.
DAL
 
I have had my Glock 17 for two years now with over 10,000 rounds through it and never had one problem with it. It is a 110% gun in my eyes. Some might say its Fugly as hell but I like the looks. I would never trade it for anything. I agree that you should keep the 1911. Everyone that I have talked to that sold theirs wishes they had not. Keep it and just use it at the range. I also have a new Tracker and that thing is also a great gun. I posted a few range reports in here a few weeks ago if you want to take a look using the search.
 
I'll keep my current inventory as is. I might pick-up a 44snubby since the wife has claimed the Taurus. I've owned 6 semi's. The only one not to jam was my Glock 17, which I traded for a NITB S&W 629 in 1997. The the 44mag is about the only legal 4" handgun to carry in the woods hunting in GA. A HOT 6" 357 will just barely make it.

The Kimber is fun and I've already bought 5 extra mags, dies, brass and a bulk of bullets.

tjg
 
Trade in those autopistols for single action revolvers. Buy a Winchester M92 saddle gun and then get a 12 gauge coach gun.

Then join SASS :)
 
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