Dec 30, 2009

Wheelguns

There is something satisfying about revolvers. Don't get me wrong, I like autos. I've got three autos, of three different makes, and they're all decent guns. I like 1911s best of the autos I've shot (although the Steyr that Marko had at the NE GBS was a HELL of a nice 9mm), and honestly, I do shoot an auto better than a double-action revolver... but that's a matter of practice, which I can find time to do.

I just picked up my new carry gun on Monday, and took a few pictures yesterday. Here's the newest member of the family:

SW 049

Five shots of .38+P in a 15-ounce package. It's definitely snappy (and I have the scab on my thumb to prove it), but entirely controllable and really not unpleasant to shoot. I'll be working on accuracy in the next few weeks, I hope.


Size-wise, it's really not much smaller than the Thunder .380 I've been carrying:
SW 051

What it doesn't have, though, is an exposed hammer, or a beavertail to make a conspicuous, pointy lump in my cover garment. In addition, the round butt and the round of the cylinder should blend into the belt line a little bit better, and the shorter, narrower barrel won't be as obvious. Or at least that's the theory. I'm sacrificing three shots (7+1 in the Bersa, 5 in the S&W) and quick reloads, but also losing about 10oz of weight. It's an acceptable trade-off.

Somehow, along the way, I've developed a taste for S&W wheelies. Don't get me wrong - Colt, Ruger, etc, all make some nice guns. I've shot an SP101 that was a joy, and the Super Alaskan in .454 Casull was just spiffy. I'd love a SAA .45LC at some point. So far, though, S&W has been my focus... evidenced by the fact that better than half my pistol collection says "Springfield, MA" on it.

A quick family portrait:
SW 061

Top: S&W 647 .17HMR
Right: S&W 21-4 .44Spl
Left: S&W 28-2 .357Mag
Bottom: S&W 642-1 .38Spl +P

3 comments:

Atom Smasher said...

That's my current carry gun, I went with the shrouded hammer. I'm rotating in a Taurus PT145 I got last year, but need more range time with the .45 before I make it my primary.

I've read that +Ps in this short of a barrel aren't really worth it, but carry 'em anyway for now.

I really like this little gun, I think you will too.

-smasher

elmo iscariot said...

I'm jealous. As much as I love my 1911, I'm strongly tempted to make a switch in the long run to .38/.357 and 9mm (with modern ammo they're essentially as effective as .45, and it would make my guns ammo-compatible with Danielle's). In that plan, I really, really want one of these lightweight "hammerless" S&W snubbies for carry. They look like very _comforting_ guns to have at hand.

Old NFO said...

Nothing in the world wrong with wheel guns! They WORK!