|
Post by wordweaver3 on Feb 27, 2016 6:37:21 GMT
Here's another interesting find I made. A 50s-60s era Colt Cobra .38 Special. It was the hammer shroud that caught my eye but the weight of the pistol shocked me when I handled it. For such an old gun the little aluminum framed snubby is easily on par with any of today's lightweight offerings. The gun was in decent condition except for a few goobered up screws and scratches on the finish. The mechanisms were solid and it was still likely a reliable shooter, but the price of 550 was a bit steep for me. Interestingly it was a Cobra in this exact configuration that Jack Ruby used to murder Lee Harvey Oswald.
|
|
|
Post by Horsie on Feb 27, 2016 13:02:46 GMT
Is that a hammer spur poking out of the shroud? I'm used to shrouds completely covering the hammer.
|
|
|
Post by wordweaver3 on Feb 27, 2016 20:00:13 GMT
Yeah, the shroud gives you just enough access that you can still use it in single action but covers it enough that it's unlikely to snag.
|
|
|
Post by Horsie on Feb 27, 2016 23:48:34 GMT
That's something that I like, I don't care for the ones that completely shroud the hammer and effectively render the pistol an SA only.
|
|
|
Post by wordweaver3 on Feb 28, 2016 14:04:28 GMT
S&W and Taurus make similar snubs with a shrouded hammer that's built into the design instead of an aftermarket add on. Though Taurus only offers it in .38 while S&W has it in .38 and .357 mag.
|
|
|
Post by Horsie on Feb 28, 2016 18:19:16 GMT
All the same, I do prefer full-sized pistols, especially when dealing with revolvers. I found an S&W 586 a few years ago with a 8-3/8" barrel; I didn't have the money at the time, otherwise I'd have bought it in a heartbeat.
|
|
|
Post by wordweaver3 on Feb 28, 2016 18:51:26 GMT
Yeah, I'd dig something like that. I'm having a hell of a time finding a .357 with a barrel longer than 4 inches. I'd like something in the 8 inch range for hunting but there isn't much demand for that. Most hunting revolvers are .44 mag or greater. I don't have much interest in a .500 S&W, that's too much gun.
I guess I could break down and buy a .44, but I have all this .357 ammo.
|
|
|
Post by Horsie on Feb 28, 2016 20:49:55 GMT
That's the downside of there being a large market for compact revolvers, like how the demand for carbine ARs means there aren't many options if you want to buy a complete rifle-length AR.
My next revolver might be a .44mag, unless I find a good deal on something really cool.
|
|
|
Post by wordweaver3 on Feb 28, 2016 21:35:29 GMT
Yeah, hunters make up an increasingly shrinking part of the market in the US, the vast majority of the market being self defense minded. The .357 Mag is considered the pinnacle of self defense ammunition in a handgun, so it's no surprise that 90% of the offerings in that caliber are compact. Though personally I'd like to see some small frame .357s with long barrels. I think the Ruger SP101 with a 6 or 7 inch barrel would be a great lightweight hunting companion.
|
|
|
Post by Horsie on Feb 28, 2016 22:56:53 GMT
Yeah, I'd like to be able to carry a revolver for defence from animals when I'm out hiking, it'd be nice for rabbit hunting too if I run into a bear or something else that a .22cal won't be much use against.
Can't do that here, pistols are only allowed to be used on ranges. Of course between that and our minimum barrel length laws that seems to mean that dealers here mostly carry pistols with longer barrels, although I suspect that might be part of the reason why the prices are higher.
|
|
|
Post by wordweaver3 on Feb 29, 2016 5:52:26 GMT
I can see a small frame revolver with a long barrel being a boon for hikers since weight is always a consideration for them. Some of the large frame revolvers are so heavy you may as well take a rifle for protection and the snub nose revolvers are typically insufficient for bear or cougars. Even against two legged predators in the wilderness a snub my be insufficient since it's likely your engagement range will be much longer than a typical urban environment.
|
|
|
Post by Horsie on Feb 29, 2016 22:02:09 GMT
I think I'd be okay carrying a medium frame revolver, or even something like a 686. My Taurus M66 is about the same weight as my CZ75 or M1911, and a 686 is about 150g more. Lord knows I've carried several pounds of camera gear for 10 straight hours of hiking a few times.
|
|
|
Post by demonnachos on Feb 29, 2016 22:16:23 GMT
Why not just use a spear? It doubles as a walking stick, a throwing weapon, and a melee weapon (yes, it doubles as a triple use implement). Plus if any bandits set upon you quickly you don't have to worry about pulling it out, ensuring a round is in the chamber, aiming, and then pulling the trigger. The spear is already ready, plus you have something to poke any bodies you find to ensure they are indeed corpses or any other poking that needs to be done (just don't poke bears, they don't like being poked).
Spear Master Race.
|
|
|
Post by Horsie on Feb 29, 2016 23:34:25 GMT
As long as you have every chamber loaded then a revolver always has a chambered round
|
|
|
Post by demonnachos on Feb 29, 2016 23:45:04 GMT
Yes, but only a fool would carry one that way in the Wild West. Twas a good way to have a misfire and a new hole in something you don't want to have holes.
|
|