Is a revolver enough?

[VashHash]

If you can shoot it accurately and consistently it's enough.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Doc many years ago I spoke with an old man who probably passed on by now who claimed to be a modern day gold prospecter. He said he was able to pan out enough gold dust from rivers to pay for his monthly expenses but not get rich.
He said the lever action or bolt action rifle and quality revolver beat all automatic and semiautomatic long guns and pistols no matter the quality. He also trusted carbon steel over stainless steel knives.

SEF, in the old days, as I am sure you know, stainless knife steel wasn't very good. Tool steels were better for knives. That has since changed and stainless steels are generally as good or better than most carbon steels...except K390 . I don't doubt him saying that as I have said it myself many years ago.

As for a rifle, a bolt gun is simple and rugged. It is really a do it all rifle if someone is not planning on holding off a horde of zombies or something. A lever action can get the job done, too, but the internal parts are more delicate, though they are rugged. A Henry or Browning that uses a camming action and can use modern rounds like the 308 or .338 magnum are good. A semi-auto is okay, but there are problems associated with running them and the up keep is more. I vote for a bolt gun, preferably a straight pull or close to it.

The same thing with a handgun. I think a Glock is a good choice as it is really simple. Most semi-autos have many more parts. The Glock is very basic, like a revolver. Revolvers are good choices as they are simple and reliable, as a rule. No handgun is ever perfect, but those two are, in my opinion, worth taking along.

Perfectly stated.
I have heard it said that in the event of zombies a marksman with a bolt action rifle would be mpre effective at head shots than an automatic.

[RugerNurse]

I’ve heard Alaskan guides carry Ruger Blackhawks in strong calibers. Semiautos are great for combat, can carry more rounds but I bet in the wild you’d only get a chance to fire a round or two.

[Doc Dan]

I’ve heard Alaskan guides carry Ruger Blackhawks in strong calibers. Semiautos are great for combat, can carry more rounds but I bet in the wild you’d only get a chance to fire a round or two.

If I were back up there and in a place to worry about moose and bears, a Ruger Bisley in .480 Ruger would be a comforting thing.

[RugerNurse]

I’ve heard Alaskan guides carry Ruger Blackhawks in strong calibers. Semiautos are great for combat, can carry more rounds but I bet in the wild you’d only get a chance to fire a round or two.

If I were back up there and in a place to worry about moose and bears, a Ruger Bisley in .480 Ruger would be a comforting thing.

Does the Bisley handle make a difference with shooting? Never tried one.

[Doc Dan]

I’ve heard Alaskan guides carry Ruger Blackhawks in strong calibers. Semiautos are great for combat, can carry more rounds but I bet in the wild you’d only get a chance to fire a round or two.

If I were back up there and in a place to worry about moose and bears, a Ruger Bisley in .480 Ruger would be a comforting thing.

Does the Bisley handle make a difference with shooting? Never tried one.

It doesn't roll up like a plow handle (regular) will do. That's why a lot of customs for heavy calibers are done on the Bisley frame. https://www.ruger.com/products/newModel ... /0872.html They make it with a longer barrel, too.

[MacLaren]

I'll bet those big Rugers are nice to shoot ; S&W otoh.....
I shot a newer model Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum and that thing tore my hand up, I couldn't get past 4 rounds with it. That grip was so thin and the recoil so violent that it just ate my hand up
Without a doubt the most unpleasant shooting experience I've ever had

[Ankerson]

I'll bet those big Rugers are nice to shoot ; S&W otoh.....
I shot a newer model Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum and that thing tore my hand up, I couldn't get past 4 rounds with it. That grip was so thin and the recoil so violent that it just ate my hand up
Without a doubt the most unpleasant shooting experience I've ever had

They are nice, shot them back in the 90's.

BUT...

The .475 Linebaugh (what I was shooting) is a beast of handgun round, twice the power of a .44 magnum, it's not for the faint of heart believe me.

The .480 Ruger is based of the .475 Linebaugh cut down and with lower pressure, think of it as a .475 Linebaugh Special, like thew .44 magnum and .44 special.

[Doc Dan]

I'll bet those big Rugers are nice to shoot ; S&W otoh.....
I shot a newer model Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum and that thing tore my hand up, I couldn't get past 4 rounds with it. That grip was so thin and the recoil so violent that it just ate my hand up
Without a doubt the most unpleasant shooting experience I've ever had

They are nice, shot them back in the 90's.

BUT...

The .475 Linebaugh (what I was shooting) is a beast of handgun round, twice the power of a .44 magnum, it's not for the faint of heart believe me.

The .480 Ruger is based of the .475 Linebaugh cut down and with lower pressure, think of it as a .475 Linebaugh Special, like thew .44 magnum and .44 special.

Yeah, it will chamber in a .475 Linebaugh and the 480 Ruger is as much more powerful than a .44mag as a .44mag is a .44 Special. It has enough umph for me. I don't want to shoot a .475 or even a .454 Casull.

[Ankerson]

I'll bet those big Rugers are nice to shoot ; S&W otoh.....
I shot a newer model Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum and that thing tore my hand up, I couldn't get past 4 rounds with it. That grip was so thin and the recoil so violent that it just ate my hand up
Without a doubt the most unpleasant shooting experience I've ever had

They are nice, shot them back in the 90's.

BUT...

The .475 Linebaugh (what I was shooting) is a beast of handgun round, twice the power of a .44 magnum, it's not for the faint of heart believe me.

The .480 Ruger is based of the .475 Linebaugh cut down and with lower pressure, think of it as a .475 Linebaugh Special, like thew .44 magnum and .44 special.

Yeah, it will chamber in a .475 Linebaugh and the 480 Ruger is as much more powerful than a .44mag as a .44mag is a .44 Special. It has enough umph for me. I don't want to shoot a .475 or even a .454 Casull.

I hear you, they ARE brutal to shoot with full power loads and heavy bullets.

I wouldn't shoot them today either, I don't have the tolerance at my age that I used too.

If I was going to get one, it would be a .475 Linebaugh though, shooting reduced loads with light bullets wouldn't be that bad. Handloading would be a must here, recoil would be around .44 mag or slightly less, like a .45 Colt with hot loads.

The .475 Linebaugh will with the right loads take any game on the planet.

[Bennzzzo]

Revolver is enough, hope you never need use for CCW, as if your not charged criminally, and are 110% justified. Your chances of being civilly sued is good, and will cost you money to defend yourself

Late to the thread, but for anyone that does carry, I HIGHLY suggest getting CCW insurance. I personally use CCW Safe, but there are others out there. I would recommend comparing them, and choosing what best fits your needs.

For anyone thinks that it’s unnecessary, I personally know someone that beat a murder (though self defense) case because they had CCW insurance.

*For anyone wondering, they use a different insurance company then I do. (I didn’t want anyone to think I was trying to push a certain company).

[Doc Dan]

I'll bet those big Rugers are nice to shoot ; S&W otoh.....
I shot a newer model Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum and that thing tore my hand up, I couldn't get past 4 rounds with it. That grip was so thin and the recoil so violent that it just ate my hand up
Without a doubt the most unpleasant shooting experience I've ever had

They are nice, shot them back in the 90's.

BUT...

The .475 Linebaugh (what I was shooting) is a beast of handgun round, twice the power of a .44 magnum, it's not for the faint of heart believe me.

The .480 Ruger is based of the .475 Linebaugh cut down and with lower pressure, think of it as a .475 Linebaugh Special, like thew .44 magnum and .44 special.

Yeah, it will chamber in a .475 Linebaugh and the 480 Ruger is as much more powerful than a .44mag as a .44mag is a .44 Special. It has enough umph for me. I don't want to shoot a .475 or even a .454 Casull.

I hear you, they ARE brutal to shoot with full power loads and heavy bullets.

I wouldn't shoot them today either, I don't have the tolerance at my age that I used too.

If I was going to get one, it would be a .475 Linebaugh though, shooting reduced loads with light bullets wouldn't be that bad. Handloading would be a must here, recoil would be around .44 mag or slightly less, like a .45 Colt with hot loads.

The .475 Linebaugh will with the right loads take any game on the planet.

If you got a pistol in .475 Linebaugh, you could shoot .480 Ruger in it, which is a reduced .475 load, so that would not be a bad choice.

[Ankerson]

They are nice, shot them back in the 90's.

BUT...

The .475 Linebaugh (what I was shooting) is a beast of handgun round, twice the power of a .44 magnum, it's not for the faint of heart believe me.

The .480 Ruger is based of the .475 Linebaugh cut down and with lower pressure, think of it as a .475 Linebaugh Special, like thew .44 magnum and .44 special.

Yeah, it will chamber in a .475 Linebaugh and the 480 Ruger is as much more powerful than a .44mag as a .44mag is a .44 Special. It has enough umph for me. I don't want to shoot a .475 or even a .454 Casull.

I hear you, they ARE brutal to shoot with full power loads and heavy bullets.

I wouldn't shoot them today either, I don't have the tolerance at my age that I used too.

If I was going to get one, it would be a .475 Linebaugh though, shooting reduced loads with light bullets wouldn't be that bad. Handloading would be a must here, recoil would be around .44 mag or slightly less, like a .45 Colt with hot loads.

The .475 Linebaugh will with the right loads take any game on the planet.

If you got a pistol in .475 Linebaugh, you could shoot .480 Ruger in it, which is a reduced .475 load, so that would not be a bad choice.

You could if you could find the factory ammo.

Personally I would just handload for it, work up like 3 different loads, light (target, low recoil), medium (Like a .480 Ruger Load) and heavy dangerous game load.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Ankerson, is it true that some of the more powerful revolvers have such powerful recoil that if the user is not prepared or gripping it right it can literally break or damage their hand and knock them down just as much as some powerful long guns can?

[Ankerson]

Ankerson, is it true that some of the more powerful revolvers have such powerful recoil that if the user is not prepared or gripping it right it can literally break or damage their hand and knock them down just as much as some powerful long guns can?

Ah, no, not knock them down.

I have seen them jump out of people's hands, slam into a person's forehead, sprain hands, and or wrists, put a lot of strain on elbows and shoulders. Just have to be prepared, ideally used to say .44 magnum with heavy loads BEFORE even trying something like a .475 Linebaugh with heavy loads. Guns like this are no joke and you really want to wear a shooting glove believe me.

Compared to something like say a .460 or .378 Weatherby they are nothing.

[Doc Dan]

Back when I was young and bull strong I used to shoot my Browning A5 12 gauge with one hand without issue or loss of control. It was fun. However, I don't like those high pressure big bore handgun cartridges, even with two hands. It isn't that they kick more, it is the recoil impulse and the huge muzzle blast that I don't like.

[MacLaren]

I'll bet those big Rugers are nice to shoot ; S&W otoh.....
I shot a newer model Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum and that thing tore my hand up, I couldn't get past 4 rounds with it. That grip was so thin and the recoil so violent that it just ate my hand up
Without a doubt the most unpleasant shooting experience I've ever had

They are nice, shot them back in the 90's.

BUT...

The .475 Linebaugh (what I was shooting) is a beast of handgun round, twice the power of a .44 magnum, it's not for the faint of heart believe me.

The .480 Ruger is based of the .475 Linebaugh cut down and with lower pressure, think of it as a .475 Linebaugh Special, like thew .44 magnum and .44 special.

Yeah, it will chamber in a .475 Linebaugh and the 480 Ruger is as much more powerful than a .44mag as a .44mag is a .44 Special. It has enough umph for me. I don't want to shoot a .475 or even a .454 Casull.

Good gracious, Jim..I hadn't even heard of that one. That's really interesting & thanks for mentioning it.
But, I'll probably never have a real interest in shooting anything more than a .44 mag

[MacLaren]

Switching gears a bit (if I can even call it that) but, I've come to the conclusion that I cannot shoot isoceles better than I can the weaver -or maybe modified weaver in my case
I just can't get comfy shooting isoceles!
I like the Weaver much better and get better targets shooting the weaver
The only reason I tried to convert to isoceles was that's what my dad shot - but heck, he told me to shoot whatever felt more natural-
I just never could get the feel for isoceles
Which do you fellas use?

[RustyIron]

I just never could get the feel for isoceles
Which do you fellas use?

For the most part, I use sort of a modified Weaver. In my mind, every shot I take is a for a fight, even if I'm shooting at empty beer cans. Playing is training. Isosceles is not a very sturdy stance, in my opinion.

As an experiment, imagine yourself in an isosceles, ready to fire. I can push you from the front and knock you back. I can push you from the back and knock you forward. The weaver stance will make you more stable and able to withstand varied attacks.

[Ankerson]

I'll bet those big Rugers are nice to shoot ; S&W otoh.....
I shot a newer model Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum and that thing tore my hand up, I couldn't get past 4 rounds with it. That grip was so thin and the recoil so violent that it just ate my hand up
Without a doubt the most unpleasant shooting experience I've ever had

They are nice, shot them back in the 90's.

BUT...

The .475 Linebaugh (what I was shooting) is a beast of handgun round, twice the power of a .44 magnum, it's not for the faint of heart believe me.

The .480 Ruger is based of the .475 Linebaugh cut down and with lower pressure, think of it as a .475 Linebaugh Special, like thew .44 magnum and .44 special.

Yeah, it will chamber in a .475 Linebaugh and the 480 Ruger is as much more powerful than a .44mag as a .44mag is a .44 Special. It has enough umph for me. I don't want to shoot a .475 or even a .454 Casull.

Good gracious, Jim..I hadn't even heard of that one. That's really interesting & thanks for mentioning it.
But, I'll probably never have a real interest in shooting anything more than a .44 mag

I got to shoot and work with a lot of big stuff back in the day when I was helping out my Gunsmith get guys ready for Safari In Africa every year.

The .475 Linebaugh is a monster, that and the .500 Linebaugh (didn't shoot that one).

The thing about them is they are going to recoil a lot and there will be a massive muzzle blast.

Best thing to do is just let the gun recoil, have a firm grip and let it do it's thing.

DO NOT lock your elbows or you will be very sorry.

I used to shoot .44's and .41's a a lot back in the day, had both so shooting hundreds of heavy rounds a day was nothing.

So I was pretty numb to the recoil.