thoughts on selecting handis

[tinbender]

Howdy folks,

Like others have written here we have started to downsize our stuff. Most of my firearms went to family and I had to explain that there wasn't anything wrong with me it just made more sense than waiting till I passed (some day) and having someone else give my stuff out at the worst time. It was like a once in a lifetime Christmas and nothing I remember was more enjoyable

 I enjoy most hunting and like to shoot enough to have adequate skills. Archery and handgun in Ariz. has been how I have always hunted. My eyes aren't what they used to be and archery takes allot of time and dedication. Have reloaded (pistol) for years and will continue in a streamlined version. Don't mean to be long winded so here is my list:

1- .357 max as companion to a .357 Dan Wesson with multiple barrel lengths...good general hunting defense combo IMHO.

2- 12ga. would prefer 28" vent rib...everybody needs one

3- .50cal M/L just because!

4- .308 because I'd feel naked without something in 30

5- .45-70 because I read that this is a rule and I don't want to be a rule breaker....thats my story

Been trying to come up with the most sensible kit when done that can be moved/stored easily in our old 5th wheel and sailboat in the coming years...or sooner if the economy does something real bad.

Thinking 2 frames SB2 since if there is an advantage to SB1 It's gone over my head   Possible third if the BC goes in, don't need one just feeling that urge again...feel free to talk me out of it. The combos save a bit of money but the list is pretty specific and none of them seem to help. I'd be happy to hear anyones opinion of the best way to achieve this assortment. 

My wife says this Whole thing was just so I could get new stuff...could she be right?....NAHHHH

Thanks for listening  Dave

[OldSchoolRanger]

Your wife is right  , it's just an excuse to get some new stuff. 

At least that's a better line than me telling the wife, "No, your wrong honey, I've had this gun for years" 

If your looking for a couple of suggestions, I would definitely recommend at least one .22LR, and a 20 gauge (easier for the wife to handle).  You can always use the line;"but honey, I bought it for you!".

[tinbender]

That's helpful Ranger,

It's been long enough since I used all those lines perhaps time for a rerun? 

[bikerbeans]

tin,

Having stored guns in campers and boats my only suggestion is ones that don't rust.   Don't ask me how I know this.     If I had to do it again I would buy stainless steel and/or electroless nickel plated guns & probably fit them with synthetic stocks.

BB

[petemi]

Dave, myself and a lot of others here got tired of switching barrels and the often negative effect on accuracy, so we put each barrel on its own dedicated frame.  I can't argue with your selection of calibers/ga.  My shortie .357 Maxi is my go to rifle and companion to my .357 Blackhawk.  I have about a thousand .38 sp. brass so I load and shoot a lot of it.  It's fun and economical.

Pete

[tinbender]

Yea BB,the humidity is so low here I keep forgetting about rust being a problem other places. Not a huge stainless fan though ...will have to think on that one...thanks for bringing it up.

Pete,  thought I had read every meaningful post on these rifles but missed the accuracy issues with changing barrels...thanks for pointing it out I'll do some more reading.

Mostly loaded for pistols and a bit for 30-30 and 243 so the reloading section is a great place to check my knowledge before something bad happens and  my toys get put up   

My father of 80 asked if I was entering my second childhood? No sir I tell him....never left the first

Thanks Dave

[tinbender]

Hey guys,

Haven't had much success searching for barrel swap accuracy but what I've read so far makes me wonder if the center fire barrels were fit to there own receiver and used a barrel specific forearm and that receiver only swapped a M/L or Shotgun barrel would this cure anything? or is it the variable of forearm pressure after the swap that puts a sticky in the wicket?

[Catshooter45]

tinknocker,

When you dismount a barrel and then either re-install it or put it on a different frame, it may or may not return to exactly the postition it was in when you last shot it.  Odds aren't good, but every firearm is a rule unto itself.

If I dismount my 22 inch .45-70 when I re-hang it it shoots low and left, every time.

My combo set like what you're talking about is:

.225 Winchester (used to be a .223) for flat shooting and no recoil.

.30-30, because it's a rule.  The .30-30 really wakes up nicely in the Handi.

20 gauge for a shotgun.

.58 muzzleloader for the Holy Black, of course.

The mighty .45-70.  I have a 16.5 inch, and 22 and a 32 incher that I'll probably cut to about 26.  You are correct, it is a rule (actually it's the rule.  Some thing that just one isn't enough, and I agree.  I cast, so the .45-70 is incredibly versitle.  Hundred and forty five grain round balls to 550 grainers that hit like the hammer of Thor.

For rust, I'm either going to paint or Armalloy mine.  I haven't deceided yet.  I'm waiting for my .45-70 to come back from the stockmaker.


Cat

[gcrank1]

Oh sure, it's a great idea; I've done it 8 or 10 times myself.........
22LR
357Mag or Max
45-70
20ga. Shotgun
I swear, I'm gonna do it right this next time......

[oldsoldja]

I have one of those bright orange 'just in case' tubes from mossberg and it started a good idea i have for storing handis, just use pvc pipe with screw on caps.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gunpundit.com/2007/mossberg_jic_52340.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gunpundit.com/135.php&usg=__2-CvUPGmq2c4s2mGRy6KeFG82_s=&h=637&w=1500&sz=80&hl=en&start=3&zoom=1&tbnid=59sAVdBUOdwPBM:&tbnh=64&tbnw=150&ei=kujmTaLJAur10gGwm8CnCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Djust%2Bin%2Bcase%2Bshotgun%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D872%26bih%3D358%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1

[tinbender]

gcrank you made me chuckle. Seriously though in the past I would look in the gun locker and wonder what possessed me to bring some of them home. This time it would be nice to have some sort of plan to keep the impulse buys to a minimum...new line to give my wife anyway  think she'll buy it?

oldsoldja that's a good idea. Works for welding rod why not a gun? Might be a good idea so if your boat sinks at least you still have your rifle...no then my wife would shoot me for whatever I did to sink the boat

[Sourdough]

I too have been looking at down sizing.  I have two sons, that makes it simple.  I'm sending half to my son in Oregon, and keeping half here for me to use.  When I am gone, or no longer able to use them, the half here goes to the youngest that is still living at home.

The wife is wanting to go see the Grandkids this fall so I will probably take them down then to Oregon.