Favorite handgun caliber?

[RobertN]

Check your local ranges. Around here, there is a range that has a selection of pistols you can rent(for use at thier range). You have to buy thier ammo too(prices are fine, they just don't want you to try hot handloads or something in thier rig). I rented a Glock-21 from them one time. I think it was $10 for rental/cleaning fee.

 

[DMF]

There used to be an indoor range/gunshop in the area that would rent any gun they had for you to use/try out on their range.

A local store has "Smith & Wesson" days where the factory rep comes out with a bunch of their firearms and you can try them out in the store's range. They usually offer a pretty good discount for any guns bought during that weekend too. But of course I live 30 minutes away from the thriving metropolis of Springfield, MA where S&W's are made...
/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[slowrev]

22 because it is cheap and fun... just like me!
//

That was my line /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[hobbyfarm]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Want a _____ but I have this small tractor addiction that interrupted my handgun addiction. )</font>

I know what you mean....Theives /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif interrupted my gun collection. Lost about 20 guns, altogether. Now, I've about grown out of it, too many close neighbors. (gotta drive for miles to really be safe while shooting now) Can't shoot right off my deck anymore. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

What gets me are the legislators think that criminals are going to go through the problems of dealing with a true FFL holding dealer. Nope, they'll network through their acquaintinces until they find the ones who just made the burglary score. And they'll take them for pennies on the dollar. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Dargo]

These two are a little difficult to carry, but they pack quite a punch! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Even though the .50 magnum is a larger pistol, without porting like the .454 Casull has, it kills from both ends. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RobertN]

What are the specs for the .50? How does it compare to the .50AE?

I have had opportunity to shoot the .50 Desert Eagle on occasion. It seemed to be a nice round. With the gas action slide on the Eagle, recoil was mild.

 

[Dargo]

My Desert Eagle .50AE is really mild compared to the .454 Casull or the .50 Magnum. I generally do shoot fairly hot factory loads in each, so I can tell you the rated ballistics off of the boxes.

The .50AE with 325 gr Speer Gold Dot shells have a muzzle velocity of 1400 fps, and has 1414 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy. That is fairly considerable, but is relatively weak when compared to the .454 Casull or the .50 S&W Magnum. The .454 Casull in 300 gr Hornady JXTP has a mz of 1650 and 1831 ft. lbs. of ME! Now, the .50 cartridges Hornady 440 gr Hardcast has a mv of 1650 fps, and muzzle energy of 2580 ft. lbs.! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Yes, that has the energy of about one and a quarter tons!! For perspective, my 30.06 180 gr shells have a mv of 2398 fps and 2701 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy. So, the .50 Magnum has nearly the same muzzle energy of a 30.06 rifle!

In case you are wondering, a typical .45ACP round has a muzzle velocity of around 1000 fps, and delivers muzzle energy of 411 ft. lbs. So, the .50 Magnum shell has over 6 times the power of the venerable ole .45. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif So, basically, even the .50AE Desert Eagle is fairly anemic when compared to the .50 Mag, and the .45ACP compares like a bb gun. And, before anyone gets upset, yes, I have a couple dozen .45 pistols. They are just way over rated in their knock down power.

Oh yeah, also for comparison, the .50 BMG rifle round has a muzzle velocity of around 2912 fps., and muzzle energy of 12,081 ft. lbs.!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Yes, over 6 tons of muzzle energy. It is not a round for the mild person. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[JRobyn]

Hudr,

I heartily agree. 9mm is cheap, readily available, and fun to shoot, making it easy to practice a lot. One well-placed 9 HP will do the job, particularly if it's a 147gr HP handload with plenty of velocity. Both my wife and I love our matching Berreta 92s.

I also agree that the .44 mag and 22LR are favorites, each for it's own applications!

 

[hudr]

I think its very nice to be able to plink w/ my main "defensive" weapon. Familiarity is an aid in any "stressful" situation that may arise. I would rather have my 9mm Sig 225 with its single stack clip simply because I am used to it and don't have to "think" about its operation.

Also, the HiPoint 9mm carbine and the Ruger P95DC are absolute BLASTs at the range.

 

[Marlowe]

Years ago a buddy of mine had a nice handgun collection. Guns such as the Luger 9mm, WWII vintage, 45ACP, model 1911, S and W 357 magnum, 45 revolver, 44 magnum, and a 22 auto of some brand. He had others, but these are the ones I remember. We took them all out one afternoon and burned up a bunch of ammo. The 9mm was a smooth shooting gun, and accurate. The 45 ACP was less accurate and had somewhat of a recoil. The 357 snapped your hand back, but was still fairly accurate. Then I moved on to the big guns. The 44 mag spoke with authority and good accuracy to boot. The gun in his bunch that made the biggest impression on me though was the 45 revolver. It was big with a long barrel and felt comfortable in my hand. I'm not sure of ballistics, but it had plenty of power. So much for his collection.

I own only two handguns. A Smith and Wesson 22 cal auto which is my all time favorite, accurate enough for squirrel hunting, and cheap enough to burn up a target. My other gun is a twenty two cal magnum Derringer. Small enough to carry in a pocket and a fairly straight shooter. I traded my Smith and Wesson 357 revolver for a Mossberg 270 rifle. I liked the revolver, but it was heavy to carry, too big for squirrels, and marginal for bigger critters.

Tom