This month's issue of Guns & Ammo has a story on "A Handgunner's Battery", the essential handguns that every pistolero simply must have. They list four "must-have" calibers and give a examples of each. Naturally, I have several of each.
They list:
1. .22 Long Rifle: For me, it's the S&W model 17 (which G&A names) and the Colt Official Police. I have other .22 revolvers and semi-autos, but it's a tossup between the target-model Smith and the Colt trainer for the best one. The Smith has a slight edge, in that the target sights are adjustable and slightly easier to acquire, but the Colt - even with it's topnotch groove fixed rear sight - still shoots better than it has a right to, even in my inelegant hands.
2. 9mm Parabellum. Here it's a pair of double-stacks for me (but that's all I have in 9mm) - the SigSauer P226 and the Browning Hi-Power (named in article). Both have fixed sights; the Sig has a slight edge in capacity (15 vs. 13), the Browning has a not-so-slight edge in that it was designed by JMB (PBUH) himself. No handgun collection is complete without at least one Hi-Power.
3. .357 Magnum. I've already been through my .357 Magnums yesterday with the weighing, and I'll exchange G&A's listed model 27 for my Model 19. The K-frame is smaller and lighter, yet is sufficient to tame even the most powerful .357 Magnum offerings. I can't argue with their #1 choice, the Python - that's pretty much the ne plus ultra of .357 Magnum revolvers, and someday I will hunt one down and make it mine.
4. .45 ACP. G&A lists a stock Colt Government model, and it's hard to argue with this choice. For me, it would be my WWI military issue 1911 and the Gold Cup, both Colts, of course. A Defender would be nice, as would any one of the modern Officer's sized .45s, but for a gunnie's handgun roster to be complete, there's just gotta be at least one 1911 in the pistol safe.
I'd like to add a few more categories if I could (of course you can, Jay, it's your blog!). I'd posit that there are a few more handgun options that, while not absolutely essential, certainly round out a handgunner's armory:
A. .38 Special. It's gotta be a snubbie. Short-barreled revolvers present a unique challenge to handgunners. The short sight radius necessitates precise, clear sight pictures; the small frame and light weight means recoil - and the ensuing flinch - is amplified; even the ejector doesn't fully remove the spent brass. Learn to shoot a snubbie passably and all other handguns will be easier to shoot.
B. Mousegun. Along the same lines of the .38 snubbie, a mousegun - a small caliber, easily concealed handgun, typically in .22LR, .25 ACP, or .32 ACP - is another variety that's harder to master but lends skills to all disciplines of shooting. A Baby Browning or Colt Vest pocket .25, a Seecamp .32, or even a Kel-Tec P3AT that require a precise but firm hand and a discerning eye for the tiny sights are good pieces to have in the armory when you get too cocky...
C. Big Bore. And on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, there's nothing quite like a hand cannon or hogleg for days when you really need some serious recoil therapy. Whether it's Dirty Harry's 6" model 29 in .44 Magnum, a Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull, or a Colt Single Action Army in .45 Long Colt, there's something eminently satisfying about putting up a target and blasting large holes through it. Plus if you have any flinch at all it becomes readily apparent...
So there are my choices - what are yours?
That is all.
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15 comments:
If I had to get rid of all my guns except the essentials, I would keep:
1. My full size 1911
2. STI Ranger II in 9mm
3. Marvel 22LR conversion
4. S&W 657 Mountain Gun.
5. A box of spare parts if I wasn't allowed duplicates, two is one after all...
That gives me a nice training progression for teaching new shooters, as well as flinch mitigation for myself. My shooting never improved so fast as when I started shooting 75% 22 LR through my 1911 conversion.
I live in Alaska, so 41 Magnum is enough gun for anything I need here, as long as I'm handloading at any rate. It would be more practical to keep one of my 629s, but my 657 has an infinitely better trigger, is better balanced, and just feels amazing compared to my "junky" 629s.
In sum, 45 ACP will do whatever I need against two legged predators, and 41 Magnum will handle anything I care to shoot with four legs. Sometimes less is more, and I occasionally find it a pain in the ass to have nine different handgun chamberings to worry about.
Now, the question is... why do I have 15 handguns again?
I agree that a smaller pistol is a good idea. My smallest handguns are my Kahr P9, STI Ranger (4" barrel, even shorter than officer frame), and Colt Detective Special. They're all roughly the same size, and while highly concealable, they're way too big for pocket carry, at least in my pants.
A Kahr MK9 would probably be perfect for me, since I already own a Kahr P9 and two other 9mms, but I tried out a Sig P238 the other day and fell in love. So in a few months, I'll be adding 380 ACP to my ammo bin.
But do I really need it? Nope. I just want something that I can conceal in a speedo, so to speak, even if I never wear less than shorts with a gunbelt and a t-shirt in real life, under which I can conceal a full size 1911 any day of the week, much less my little guns.
Incidentally Jay, as a fellow rider, I'm curious how you carry on your motorcycle? The only way I've found moderately satisfactory is the Kahr P9 in my left breast pocket of my riding jacket, with a 550 cord zipper pull so I can actually open the pocket with gloves on. I can have it out in about 3 seconds. It's not ideal but at least it keeps the gun on me and accessible, not under my gear or off my body in the tank bag or similar.
I'd just open carry but the only way to do that comfortably is with a drop leg rig, and that's just a little too Tactical-Tommy for me.
I ride in Carhartt double front pants with armor underneath, so I've considered sewing an extra pocket onto my left thigh that I can velcro a holster into, to carry my Detective Special or Kahr. I mean, you never know when I'll need to shoot down hordes of zombies on my way out of town on the bike, and it's not like I can take my right hand off the throttle in that case...
...Try number six at commenting. I'm guessing it doesn't like my wordpress account. It wouldn't let me comment a few times recently either.
- Weambulance
That list you list? That's a pretty good list. But for me, personally, I'm not in a hurry to crowd up the safe with any 9mm. Well, 9mm NATO. I have that one oddball 9mm short, or Kurz, or .380.
Have all but a 9mm; never could think of a good reason to get one, what with the other calibers.
.22 - Colt Woodsman. Perfect way to introduce beginners to semi-autos.
9mm - Acceptable only when fired from JMB's Hi-Power.
.38 special - S&@ Model 10 (or 64 if you live in a humid place.)
.357 - Colt Python. Fired one many years ago. My trigger finger still remembers.
.45acp - 1911s first and foremost. Then S&W or Colt 1917s, S&W M25, SIG 220.
Big Bore - SAA or Ruger New Vaquero. Ya, I have a Stetson, wear Lucchese boots, a brown duster and can quote long stretches from John Wayne's movies. Damn 21st Century.
Weambulance,
That's a pretty good list right there, I have to say.
As for 15 handguns, well... Let's just say that I have 7 .22LR handguns alone... :)
(I ought to get a group shot for a Friday pic...)
On the bike, I pocket carry the P3AT as a general rule, although I'll change that for the S&W model 38 if I'm going to *be* anywhere. The odds of me being able to successfully access any sidearm anywhere about my person while actively on the motorcycle are pretty slim. It's not something I practice, because, quite honestly, I have no desire to pick an 800 lb. motorcycle up off the floor of the garage... :)
Haven't heard of any other issues with comments; although it has been kinda wonky lately.
I might have to take Linoge up on his offer sometime soon...
T-bolt,
I've got two 9mms, the Sig and the Hi-Power, and I'm hoping to pick up a third (Kahr PM9) in the near future. 9mm is still fairly affordable (local WalMart has 50 rounds for $9.50, a far cry from 4-5 years ago when you could get a 100 round WWB for $11, but still far better than anything else).
There's a pretty good reason to own a 9mm - if you don't reload, it is the cheapest centerfire round you can shoot. .45 ACP is generally running about double the price, and 38 Special/.357 Magnum is about the same - if you can even find it.
Bob,
See above. If you reload, it's much less of an issue, but for me it's a matter of cost. I can still afford to shoot my 9mms. I have to ration my .45 ACP shooting these days...
Yeah I don't foresee myself getting in any gun battles on my motorcycle. I'm a little better off with my 450 pound BMW F650, but I'd much rather make use of my speed and maneuverability and get away if I'm actually on the bike. I'm more concerned about carrying such that I don't need to transfer the gun from jacket or tank bag to holster, because as cool as AK is we still have our share of people who are ignorant and panic at the sight of a pistol.
I don't own any pure 22 LR pistols. :( I do have a dedicated frame for my Marvel conversion though, I guess that counts. But I don't have a single round of 22LR in my place right now... shame on me! My dad is talking about selling his Ruger Single Six 22LR / 22 Mag, so maybe I'll pick that up if he is serious.
It would be nice if I could get a steel 4" N-frame 22LR... but I'll probably end up getting a 627 and shooting 38 Special for cheap(er) practice with my N-frames. Even reloading I'm in something like 45-50 cents a round for my 41 and 44 magnums.
Regarding ammo prices... I paid $30 / 100 for 9mm WWB the other day. 1000 primers go for $40 here, and 8 pound kegs of powder are $180-200. Internet ordering isn't an option, thanks to Canada. Just so y'all feel better. :)
Do you get hammer bite with your BHP? My BHP feels awesome, and the trigger is great (after removing the magazine disconnect, ahem), but I can't shoot more than 50 rounds before I start bleeding. If the C&S no-bite hammer doesn't work out, it will be sold, because I can't justify the custom beavertail (and stippling, and night sights...) and refinishing for at least 5-6 years.
- Weambulance
22LR - In a Colt Woodsman Match Target, Hi-Standard, or similar. Accurate 22s make me smile like nothing else. That being said, I don't own one, yet.
38 Special - In a 4" heavy barreled, round-butt, model 10 and some sort of small-frame: Colt Dick Special, S&W 36, Taurus 85, whatever. One rule with the 38, steel please, no alloy.
40 S&W - In a Beretta 96 w/ 13-round Mec-Gar mags. Easy to carry, easy to shoot, accurate, and packs a punch. Substitute a GLOCK 22 if I can only use factory mags; Beretta's 11-rd mags make me sad.
9x17mm - For use in a true deep concealment piece. While I don't really care for this caliber, it is just too practical not to have.
357 Magnum - In a Ruger GP-100, Speed Six, Blackhawk, or S&W Ladysmith. I still lack a 357, but not for long. Go ahead and laugh, but the Ladysmith line makes me drool.
I would not lose too much sleep over substiting 9mm parabellum out of a Beretta 92FS or a S&W 6904 for the 40 S&W. The Europellet is a fine cartridge.
How about a Hi Standard .22 rf pistol (with an S&W m41 as a backup)
A BHP in .40 S&W - - no 9mm for me.
A custom built 1911 (built by me) in .45 acp
A Kimber Compact Stainless II, Officers frame & commander barrel / slide.
A S&W 686
Three J frames and a K 14 .38s
A Ruger old model Vaquero Bisley in the venerable .45 Colt
And a Seecamp .32 acp for the back pocket.
Pretty well covers any percieved need.
My armory is growing as time and money allow.
.22 LR - Beretta Model 21, also known as the New Sable. Occasionally I get a failure to feed. This will eventually be upgraded to a revolver of S&W manufacture or a Browning Buckmark.
9mm - If I ever purchased a 9mm my family would disown me. Don't own one, never will. Can we change this category to .40 S&W?
.357 Magnum - My S&W 686-4 w/ a 4" barrel. She's a beauty, can't say much more.
.45 ACP - My daily carry is a Springfield XD45 Compact. Love it! Must buy a 1911 someday when the funds allow.
As for the other calibers:
.38 Special - I'm currently saving for a snubbie. I'm looking for an S&W J-frame with the old bodyguard frame, the hump back. Can be fired from inside a pocket while still allowing for single action if desired.
Mousegun - The other thing I'm currently saving for. The new S&W Bodyguard 380 has become my must have.
Big Bore - When I'm in the need of some heavy recoil therapy I reach for my Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk in .44 Mag. KA-BOOM!
And I forgot the NAA Mini...
I'd get a .357 snubbie instead of a .38 if I was shopping today. And I'd swap my .38 full size revolvers for .357 also. Why? For the duality of the ammo. If I lived in the Rockies or Alaska, I'd carry a .44 Magnum revolver in the woods, but put .44 Special in it for "going to town" occasions. I'd also stick with one Brand (i.e., S+W, Ruger, et.al.) just for the same "feel" and similar manual of operations. But the wife still wants her Glock, and what the Lady wants...And no, got nothing against Glock, just trying to K.I.S.S. my arms battery.
If I was on a deserted island and could only have what I could carry I would keep my:
1> Ruger 10/22 in .22LR
2> Sig P229 in 9mm
3> RobArms XCR in 6.5
and
4> Remington 870 12G
With those four I could deal with most ...issues
If I was in my basement fighting off the zomvie horde, well, I would just load up every mag I've got and last as long as I could :)
I humbly present:
.22 Browning Buckmark UDX, lazer-stippled rosewood grips, green "hi-viz" front sight, high polished 5-1/2" bbl.
9mm. Glock 17, inherited from Dad.
.357. S&W M-28-2, S&W M-60, 3" lugged bbl. Same inheritence for the '60.
.45 ACP. Colt 1991 A1 Commander, Auto Ordnance Commander size, Series 70 pattern.
Prefered motorcycle gun. Browning BDA .380. Modest size. Ambidexterous safety, allowing for left-hand operation while still controlling bike & throttle with right hand. 13+1 capacity allows +/- 1/2 mag dump as needed, with reasonable capacity on hand for follow ups.
Yes, I carried mine into MA on three seperate Gold Wing trips in the '90s. Times Square, too.
But the only time I ever had to pull it on the road was between Austin and San Antonio, TX, Southbound on I-35.
Punk in the tailgating/chasing pickup took the next exit as soon as I pulled the Browning out of the seat-back pouch (with holster velcroed in).
That half-mag dump would have gone to the radiator, and then all I'd have to do is stay ahead for about a mile while he roasted his engine.
BTW, the radiator is a great target for any automotible situation (other than VW beetle or Porche 911?) Large target, legally canny insofar as "aiming to stop the threat", hella lot easier to hit than tires.
No, it won't stop a car in it's tracks, but it will stop it within minutes. Even if the offenders bail and run, the car is a great place for the police to start their search for the wanna-be-bike-killers.
Of course, if you're not on the bike, and can brace-up into a proper Weaver stance, then by all means, aim for the loose nut behind the steering wheel.
But for me, car > handgun, and I'll just try for all the seperation from the 2 ton projectile as I can manage.
Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
Let's see,
.22LR:
No .22 pistols yet. Looking at SIG mosquito, Beretta 21a and Beretta 87.
9mm.
Beretta 92fs, soon to follow with SIG P228.
.357 Mag
I'm drooling over my dad's rare 5" GP100.
.45 ACP
None, but I wouldn't mind a P220.
Mousegun.
The closest I've got is a Bersa Thunder380. Great pistol.
Big bore.
I have no practical application for such a handgun, so I guess I'd go for a Desert Eagle.
I also wonder why so many people dislike 9mm. It's really just a .38 +p to +p+ for autos.
I'm perfectly happy with my S&W Model 28 with 4" barrel, thank you very much.
N-Frame, so I can shoot any .38 spl or .357 magnum load in it I want, and the recoil is non-existent to very manageable.
Now, I need to shoot it a lot more so I'm more comfortable with it. Right now, I am pretty comfortable in SA at ~7 yds. I need to extend the range, and I really want to practice more in DA, so I can control my trigger pull better.
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