Reply #30: There is no doubt that a Model 29 .44 mag using full power ammo ... [View All]

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is not the best choice for a beginner.

But an N frame S&W revolver is also a poor choice for an experienced smaller framed shooter as a self defense weapon, as it is hard for a person with small hands to shoot double action. Many such shooters use it as a target handgun by cocking the hammer and shooting single action. This slows the rate of fire considerably and a better choice for this single action style of defensive shooting for shooters with smaller hands, in my opinion, would be a single action Ruger Super Blackhawk with a short barrel. Women often have smaller hands than men, which is one reason why I question Sharron Angle's choice of a Model 29 for concealed carry. To be honest, I can't find any info about Sharron Angles's height. If she is tall with large hands, she may well be able to handle a S&W .44 mag in double action.



Recoil from the Ruger Super Blackhawk can be handled by letting the weapon roll back in the hand. I have watched some very experienced shooters cock the hammer as the weapon rolled back and they were able to fire follow up rounds almost as quickly as I could shoot an S&W Model 29 double action.

Reloading a revolver is usually slower than a semi-auto pistol which uses a magazine, and reloading a single action revolver such as the Ruger Super Blackhawk is even slower. Since most defensive encounters statistically end with less than six rounds fired, this MIGHT not be a major problem.

Still for self defense use, since I have small hands, I prefer to use a smaller revolver such as a S&W J, K, or L frame. I find the smallest S&W revolvers (the J frame series) fit my hands perfectly, but I can still fire the slightly larger S&W K and L frame revolvers in double action mode without major problems. If I try to shoot double action using the large N frame series of S&W revolvers, I have to shift my grip a good deal for my finger to reach the trigger. This makes accurate double action shooting more difficult. While single action shooting can work for self defense, double action shooting is to me the better choice.

I have no problem shooting a full sized 1911 style .45 acp pistol with a single stack magazine. Large caliber pistols with a double stack magazine present the same problems as a large revolver. (I personally prefer a revolver for self defense because of the KISS factor.) I guess I'm old and set in my ways.

Basically, a self defense firearm should fit the hands of the user.

I may have lost most of the people who might not understand handguns or shooting along the way. Shooting a handgun is far more difficult than it looks in the movies. I believe most experienced handgun shooters will understand what I have said and I welcome comments.