Light Small Magnums

G. Green · 10-22-2009, 02:01 PM

Anyone have one of those small lightweight S&W .44 mags? Or one of those .460 or .500's with the short barrel? What do you think of it?

Elvis Is Dead · 10-22-2009, 02:19 PM

owned a Ruger Alaskan .454 Casull with a 2.5 barrel. After 2 trips to the range and less that 50 rounds I realized my ego bought that gun not my common sense. I traded it to a friend for a new in the box Taurus 1911. He probably got the better deal financially but that gun was just murder on the hands and as inaccurate as they come. I'm no marksman but I can keep a 3" to 5" group at 25 yards with my 1911 depending on the day. I was lucky to hit the full sized silhouette target at 7 yards with that gun. Those guns are, in my opinion, just a penis extension gun. I have a .357 snubby I love but it sees more .38's than .357's.

KW Gary M · 10-22-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvis Is Dead

owned a Ruger Alaskan .454 Casull with a 2.5 barrel. After 2 trips to the range and less that 50 rounds I realized my ego bought that gun not my common sense. I traded it to a friend for a new in the box Taurus 1911. He probably got the better deal financially but that gun was just murder on the hands and as inaccurate as they come. I'm no marksman but I can keep a 3" to 5" group at 25 yards with my 1911 depending on the day. I was lucky to hit the full sized silhouette target at 7 yards with that gun. Those guns are, in my opinion, just a penis extension gun. I have a .357 snubby I love but it sees more .38's than .357's.

+ 1 Elvis. I gave some thought to a .454 casull Taurus Snubby then I remembered shooting the 180 grain .357's from my snubby. I can shoot them without much pain but also with no comfort. I normally carry 125 grain Hornady in my Titanium .357 snub. Enough power to do the job well and not hurt the hand. Easy enough to be accurate with too.

dog party · 10-22-2009, 02:46 PM

I had a S&W MoutainGun in .44Mag. Carried it for a while as a partner gun to my .44Mag rifle. Then I decided to spend some time at the range with it.

I sold it shortly after that. Painful. Impossible for me to be accurate with, especially in DA. I'd lose sight of my target due to the gigantic ball of flame. My wife was literally scared of it. She called it the flame-thrower.

.357 Mag snubbie fills that small magnum SA/DA revolver desire in my life.

My next .44Mag partner revolver will be a dedicated SA with a longer barrel and better large-caliber firing ergonomics.

Palladin8 · 10-22-2009, 04:36 PM

I had a Model 60 Smith & Wesson 3" barrel for a short time. I bought it thinking the wife would like it since it was a bit smaller than the 6" .357. Well she didn't care for it and for me the grips were a bit narrow for my hands. The recoil would sting the palm of my hand with full house .357 loads. The barrel was a little to long to try and conceal in a pocket so I went ahead and traded it in on a different pistol(Super Redhawk in .480 Ruger)

Taurus Fan · 10-22-2009, 06:39 PM

Crippling any magnum cartridge with a short snub barrel is a sin.

Midas · 10-22-2009, 06:44 PM

I carry a 3" Taurus 605 .357 Mag, with full house .357 loads there is a nice fireball out the end of the barrel.

Not useful for much more than shooting BG's at close range (within 25 yards)

samuel · 10-22-2009, 08:22 PM

If it goes "BOOM" I like it. ,,,sam.

CoachSuper · 10-22-2009, 09:32 PM

I'm thinkin' snubs are made for .38's, .357 mags max.

Ruger Alaskan's going up against a grizzly, sure.

CS

KW Gary M · 10-22-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoachSuper

I'm thinkin' snubs are made for .38's, .357 mags max.

Ruger Alaskan's going up against a grizzly, sure.

CS

I agree with the Alaskan and Grizly but for a Grizly I'd want a longer barell.

mitchr · 10-22-2009, 09:47 PM

My thinking is, these small light revolvers & auto loaders may serve the purpose as a back-up or pocket gun, but they are not a fun shooting gun or range gun. You shoot them just enough to familiarize yourself with them/break them in & that's it. I have a Kel-Tec PF9 I feel that way about. A 9mm is not known as having a lot of recoil & I think it's just the way the gun fits my hand. I've heard other people say they like it & like to shoot it. But not me. I'm going to get it broke in & then I won't carry it unless forced to by hot weather, etc. or as a back-up & hope I never have to use it.

nathangdad · 10-22-2009, 09:58 PM

Let me start by stating the line that, yes, some people do get good with these type guns. Yet there are few of them.

These guns do have appeal. They are also subject to the laws of physics. The human hand and wrist has levels of impact that cannot be tolerated for very long without permanent damage setting in.

Of course it is unrealistic yet some of these larger caliber handguns should weigh in vicinity of ten pounds to absorb the recoil of larger calibers.

If you really feel you need one just look around as you will find a "used" one with the original box of shells still mostly unfired.

Personally, I feel you would be better off with a steel framed .357 mag and some boxes of .38 special mild target loads. I know I am better off with this combo.

I will admit that years ago I had one of the Ruger .44 single action guns.
I handloaded down in power until I found a sweet spot for me between the .44 special load and the .44 mag load. I will also admit I sold the gun to get the combo mentioned above.

Best wishes and good luck.

Metronome · 10-23-2009, 12:15 AM

My first handgun purchase (on my 21st B'day) was a 3" S&W model 60, and I sold it because it hurt so much to shoot the rascal! Of course that was because I was younger and not as worldly as I am now, and for some reason not a single .38 Special cartridge ever entered it's chamber...

I do think that the cartridge should match the gun, and tossing full throttle loads from shortened tubes it a practice in diminishing returns.

Now that Ruger Alaskan Super Redhawk with .45 Colt shells would be fun!

10-22-2009, 02:01 PM	#1
G. Green Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NE OK Posts: 1,056	Light Small Magnums Anyone have one of those small lightweight S&W .44 mags? Or one of those .460 or .500's with the short barrel? What do you think of it?

10-22-2009, 02:19 PM	#2
Elvis Is Dead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 494	owned a Ruger Alaskan .454 Casull with a 2.5 barrel. After 2 trips to the range and less that 50 rounds I realized my ego bought that gun not my common sense. I traded it to a friend for a new in the box Taurus 1911. He probably got the better deal financially but that gun was just murder on the hands and as inaccurate as they come. I'm no marksman but I can keep a 3" to 5" group at 25 yards with my 1911 depending on the day. I was lucky to hit the full sized silhouette target at 7 yards with that gun. Those guns are, in my opinion, just a penis extension gun. I have a .357 snubby I love but it sees more .38's than .357's. __________________ Inferior Firepower Can Result in Death or Serious Injury.

10-22-2009, 06:44 PM	#7
Midas Chief Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 3,820 Blog Entries: 6	I carry a 3" Taurus 605 .357 Mag, with full house .357 loads there is a nice fireball out the end of the barrel. Not useful for much more than shooting BG's at close range (within 25 yards) __________________ NRA Life Member 10mm Auto-The ultimate trail gun

10-22-2009, 09:58 PM	#12
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 6,053	O.k. Let me start by stating the line that, yes, some people do get good with these type guns. Yet there are few of them. These guns do have appeal. They are also subject to the laws of physics. The human hand and wrist has levels of impact that cannot be tolerated for very long without permanent damage setting in. Of course it is unrealistic yet some of these larger caliber handguns should weigh in vicinity of ten pounds to absorb the recoil of larger calibers. If you really feel you need one just look around as you will find a "used" one with the original box of shells still mostly unfired. Personally, I feel you would be better off with a steel framed .357 mag and some boxes of .38 special mild target loads. I know I am better off with this combo. I will admit that years ago I had one of the Ruger .44 single action guns. I handloaded down in power until I found a sweet spot for me between the .44 special load and the .44 mag load. I will also admit I sold the gun to get the combo mentioned above. Best wishes and good luck.

10-23-2009, 12:15 AM	#13
Metronome Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 981	My first handgun purchase (on my 21st B'day) was a 3" S&W model 60, and I sold it because it hurt so much to shoot the rascal! Of course that was because I was younger and not as worldly as I am now, and for some reason not a single .38 Special cartridge ever entered it's chamber... I do think that the cartridge should match the gun, and tossing full throttle loads from shortened tubes it a practice in diminishing returns. Now that Ruger Alaskan Super Redhawk with .45 Colt shells would be fun! __________________ I take my coffee how I take my women: bitter and overbearing.

10-22-2009, 02:46 PM	#4
dog party Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 410	I had a S&W MoutainGun in .44Mag. Carried it for a while as a partner gun to my .44Mag rifle. Then I decided to spend some time at the range with it. I sold it shortly after that. Painful. Impossible for me to be accurate with, especially in DA. I'd lose sight of my target due to the gigantic ball of flame. My wife was literally scared of it. She called it the flame-thrower. .357 Mag snubbie fills that small magnum SA/DA revolver desire in my life. My next .44Mag partner revolver will be a dedicated SA with a longer barrel and better large-caliber firing ergonomics.

10-22-2009, 04:36 PM	#5
Palladin8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,535	I had a Model 60 Smith & Wesson 3" barrel for a short time. I bought it thinking the wife would like it since it was a bit smaller than the 6" .357. Well she didn't care for it and for me the grips were a bit narrow for my hands. The recoil would sting the palm of my hand with full house .357 loads. The barrel was a little to long to try and conceal in a pocket so I went ahead and traded it in on a different pistol(Super Redhawk in .480 Ruger)

10-22-2009, 06:39 PM	#6
Taurus Fan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: COBRA COMMAND HEADQUARTERS Posts: 1,630	Crippling any magnum cartridge with a short snub barrel is a sin.

10-22-2009, 08:22 PM	#8
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 12,431	If it goes "BOOM" I like it. ,,,sam.

10-22-2009, 09:32 PM	#9
CoachSuper Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Harlingen, Texas Posts: 133	I'm thinkin' snubs are made for .38's, .357 mags max. Ruger Alaskan's going up against a grizzly, sure. CS

10-22-2009, 09:47 PM	#11
mitchr Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 387	My thinking is, these small light revolvers & auto loaders may serve the purpose as a back-up or pocket gun, but they are not a fun shooting gun or range gun. You shoot them just enough to familiarize yourself with them/break them in & that's it. I have a Kel-Tec PF9 I feel that way about. A 9mm is not known as having a lot of recoil & I think it's just the way the gun fits my hand. I've heard other people say they like it & like to shoot it. But not me. I'm going to get it broke in & then I won't carry it unless forced to by hot weather, etc. or as a back-up & hope I never have to use it.