Firearms for Preparedness and Survival Part 3:The centerfire handgun

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I would go to the local gunrange and rent one or borrow one first. i was disillusioned with the lack of accuracy in the 45lc. The 410 was GTG as far as i was concerned, it is what it is but the inability to hit targets with the pistol round defeated the purpose of the gun

[Briar Wabbit]

I have a .410 revolver ... they stopped making them ... I cant even remember what it is called ..
... Right now, it is hidden behind a box on top of one of my Canon Gun Safes (in case someone tries to force me to open it) ... Wicked devestating, at close range, with #3 buck ! ... Impossible to miss.

The pattern, for a 3" shell, is 14", at my feet (and as far in front of me!).

... But ... That is why I *DO* recommend a .410 derringer, as a "get off me" gun ... It is flat and can fit behind the pad in yer BoB ... when my hands are on my hips ? ... it takes a split second to deploy.

Like I said ... for close-up work ... any assault where someone is getting right up in yer grill? ... end of story.

A derringer chambered for WMR? ... can be hidden ANYwhere.

=Elmer= (BANG!)

[Spock]

judge is a good hiking gun for snakes. just last week twice in 3 days i came upon a snake on the property i live on fortunatly neither were venoumus (a king snake which gave me fright in the dark till i identifited it as not a coral snake, and some sort of large greenish water snake) a few months ago I did read of a car jacking victim who sent their attacker to Allah (the perp was a muzz) with a judge at close contact distance. Federal and Winchester now make defensive loads in .410 due to the populartiy of the Judge.

[Klayton]

Sgl21-61 what is your thoughts of a .22 revolver loaded with snake shot (shotshell)? When I worked at the gunstore in MD, everybody that bought theJudge had nothing but BAD things to say about it the next time they came in...

[Spock]

i've shot a rat with a winchester .22 shot shell.

the stuff is useless. i tried numerous times to kill a rodent with it and succeded once. past about 6-7 feet its useless. the shot size is #12 so its like a tiny charge of sand. the one rodent I did manage to drop was a juvinele rat or large field mouse and it went down instantly. all others ran off.

you'd be way better off with a shotgun or a larger bore revolver with snake loads.

[baldsith]

Pistols are great equalizers and a great defensive tool...I think caliber and make is what you are comfortable with...remember if you cant shoot well or handle it well it does you no good...also remember that the pistol was originally a secondary go to gun with the rifle being the primary weapon to use...the pistol was a in close weapon and a 2nd when they got to close...having said that I carry one for a living...I chose the 9mm glock 17..I like having a lot of BB's on my hip!..also its easily controlled and ammo is cheap!

[shooter]

I have recently purchased a Smith and Wesson Govner for the wife to carry around the ranch. Unlike the Judge the S&W comes with severl full moon. half moon and 2 shot 45ACP "clips". The revolver is badged for 45 Colt, 45ACP and 410. This revolver shoots the winchester cowbay loads EXTREAMLY WELL, the groups I got out of Winchester 185 Silver tips was outstanding as well, the moon clips allow you to Mix and Match loads in the revolver as you see fit like 5 of the 45 ACP with a 410 bird shot as the first up hole, or 4 ACP and 2 of the 410's and of course any combanation you want with 410 and 45 Colts.

The ladys at my house all liked the 45acp loads and shot them well. The Federal self defence 410 loads worked well on 1 inch plywood as a test surface. Now the bird shot is useless past 6 to 7 feet (the spread at 7 feet was more than 2 feet wide) The Governer is a 2and 1/2 inch only gun with the 410 loads and costs about $100 more than the Judge but the ability to use moon clips was worth the extra cost to me and any of the 45 ACP or 45 Colt loads I tested at 25 yards held very tight groups as in under 2 inches off a sand bag rest. I am saveing for a second unit, this one worked so well.

[gunfreak]

I now have the capability to cast my own bullets. That makes me less likely to run out of things in preparedness.