My two Eurocents from this side of the pond...
I like what Pine just said
Pine wrote on 07/23/13 at 07:28:06:Just my .02 worth...
The best gun is a loaded and functional gun. Where a mag fed gun must by nature of design have the mag spring under constant tension ( that then "cold works' the spring making it less effective over time... a revolver that is loaded but other wise not cocked is fully "at rest". None of the springs are under tension. A loaded revo, can be put in an sock drawer and left for decades and still be expected to fire as good as the day it was stored.
I have purchased a .357 ( which also shoots .38s) for each member of my family. They have also been sent to an expert to receive training, not only on HOW to shoot... but when to shoot... ie how to protect themselves. Also We belong to a gun club, and I reload. This means they ( and I) can practice anytime...
I have owned and carried a long time in my life.
I still own, but stopped carrying for legal reasons.
Far too many ...
crooks ? Yes, but not in the streets, rather in Courthouses, and most unfortunately they sit in very tall chairs and expect you to call them "
Your Honor"...
Of the many guns I felt most comfortable with, #1 was my former puny little
Beretta mod. 20 in 22LR, DA semiauto so small it fits in a box of cigarettes.
However, thanks to its fully open slide, blowback action and flip-up barrel, IT WILL NOT JAM !
Of course, you need to pull the slide or pull the hammer (I never carried in Condition_1, cocked and locked, not if you're carrying concealed anyway) but it's stone cold reliable.
If you're concerned with the magazine spring "getting tired", simply buy extra magazines and rotate them once every week or so.
The other gun was my very rare (in Italy, that is)
Charter Arms Bulldog in .44Sp. Why did I choose Charter Arms over S&W?
1. Charter Arms gave me 5 shots of .44 vs. 6 shots of .38
2. Read below, it's a matter of engineering.
What a baby !!! She only held 5 rounds of .44 in the lightweight barrel, and I never had to fire it...
...but the one time I had someone pull a knife on me (two guys, actually, during a discussion over double parking...
)
I drew, and the Bulldog looks nothing like your dime-a-dozen saturday Night Special!
I mean... that muzzle simply GAPES open jawed at you !