I've been studying the effectiveness of personal defense handguns for a long, long time. I'm pretty much convinced that in the right hands a .45 ACP 1911 is hard to beat. However since I've been writing on this forum and reading the thoughts of others here and elsewhere on the net. I've come to the conclusion that in a one on one or two on one defense scenario, in which an individual has to suddenly produce a deadly weapon to protect their life. That a nickel plated 3.5 inch N-frame .357 is the most visually intimidating and psychologically shocking when fired handgun in the history of man.
Now before everyone goes off defending their favorite handgun, of which there are many great ones let me explain.
First of all a blue 3.5 inch Model of 1950 or Model 27 is scary enough, but nickel makes it look even bigger. Now you might say I don't care if my assailant is frightened by my pistols appearance, I only care about its effectiveness. Well, it is effective also and in more ways than one. First the noise, the .357 is notoriously loud, second with the right powder, it produces a very long flame and last, but not least, it fires a very effective projectile.
Here is the scenario, some one is threatening you with bodily harm, you produce a wicked looking nickel plated large frame handgun, that is enough to instill fear in most people, if they are still a threat you fire, the noise is deafening and a flame ten or fifteen feet long exits the barrel right behind a 125 grain projectile traveling at close to 1500 feet per second, at a range of 2 or 3 yards it would probably exit out their back at close to 60 caliber.
Now if this(and it would have to be) monstrous, insane psychopath is still on their feet you shoot them again.
If some on knows of something better and scarier, that can be easily carried, lets see it.
Now before everyone goes off defending their favorite handgun, of which there are many great ones let me explain.
First of all a blue 3.5 inch Model of 1950 or Model 27 is scary enough, but nickel makes it look even bigger. Now you might say I don't care if my assailant is frightened by my pistols appearance, I only care about its effectiveness. Well, it is effective also and in more ways than one. First the noise, the .357 is notoriously loud, second with the right powder, it produces a very long flame and last, but not least, it fires a very effective projectile.
Here is the scenario, some one is threatening you with bodily harm, you produce a wicked looking nickel plated large frame handgun, that is enough to instill fear in most people, if they are still a threat you fire, the noise is deafening and a flame ten or fifteen feet long exits the barrel right behind a 125 grain projectile traveling at close to 1500 feet per second, at a range of 2 or 3 yards it would probably exit out their back at close to 60 caliber.
Now if this(and it would have to be) monstrous, insane psychopath is still on their feet you shoot them again.
If some on knows of something better and scarier, that can be easily carried, lets see it.
