Carrying a Hand Cannon (bring enough gun)

[MrNobody]

So this last weekend I went to the Gun Rights Policy Conference hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation and quite a few other pro gun organizations. It was great to learn about our rights being defended ALL across these United States. Needless to say almost 98% of the people there were packing (myself included) and some were packing BIG, .44 mags, .460 and the big nasty .500! Arizona (where it was held) is an open carry state. I talked to a few of the guys and most were carrying for show and said that would never be there go to for self defense but quite a few guys said they carried there 44 magnum everyday.

What do you guys think about this? Do you know anyone that carries that big or bigger? Responsible, Irresponsible? Hypothetical: If you shot someone with a S&W .500 would you be tried different? Would they paint you as a crazy? I would love to hear stories and opinions on carrying hand cannons.

[I_Like_Pie]

Does .45 count :-)

.44 special is a great sd cartridge....pressure low enough for small revolvers while still punching a big hole.

[Punisher84]

I don't know anyone off the top of my head that carries a .44 or larger. You'd always hope a good shoot would be a good shoot, but using a .500 might raise a DA's eyebrow, even more so a jury. Just a thought and a bit of Old Massad Ayoob conversations in that.

Edited September 30, 2008 by Punisher84

[Magiccarpetrides]

I would think if you missed with a hand cannon like that you would be pretty screwed since the recoil would make it hard to get back on target quickly...however if you did hit someone...geez. I have a morbid fascination with what a 500 or 460 would do to a human body.

[DavidD]

I'd have to say it is all in what a person feels comfortable with in both size of the weapon and caliber/recoil. I have a friend who is an excellent shot with his 4" .44 magnum but he is much more familiar and used to revolvers than I. He very rarely carries it though and usually elects to conceal carry a semi auto .40. I have a S&W 4" .357 and would not be able to effectively conceal carry it but if I were "Open Carrying for show" as in your example, that would be the gun I'd choose.

[Guest 2HOW]

You can go big in different parts of the country. I wouldnt carry that big in the city, unless I could shoot like Harry Calahan.

[R1100R]

My Father in Law carries a .44 Special Charter Arms snub everyday. It not that

big.

[Guest hrminer92]

Was anyone carrying a Walker Colt replica?

[Guest waffenldr]

I would think if you missed with a hand cannon like that you would be pretty screwed since the recoil would make it hard to get back on target quickly...however if you did hit someone...geez. I have a morbid fascination with what a 500 or 460 would do to a human body.

I have shot plenty of pumpkins and watermelons with my Smith 500. It's an awesome sight. I shot a paper target at 8 feet and the barrel blast alone put a 6 inch hole in the target.

[Guest JLowe]

The biggest round I personally know of a person carrying is a 460 Rowland. I really believe that any issues regarding a shoot with a 500 would be determined by the area in which it occurred. If its a good shoot, then you should have no problem. A shoot with a 500 would be on par with a 20 ga slug or a mid powered rifle. If you missed and hit the wrong person, I really believe that the media would jump all over it, "paranoid man/woman fires worlds most powerful handgun and kills wrong person/s" I hate the liberal media just as much as the rest of us and I prefer not to give them ammo to use what so ever.

[Angus]

I would think if you missed with a hand cannon like that you would be pretty screwed since the recoil would make it hard to get back on target quickly...however if you did hit someone...geez. I have a morbid fascination with what a 500 or 460 would do to a human body.

Ditto..heh

[Guest tedbo]

I have carried my 41 Mag a time or two if that counts. Never left the holster.

[DaveTN]

I don’t think it’s as much a question of carrying a large caliber as it is of carrying concealed vs. open. We have beaten that to death here.

Certainly I would rather have my .45ACP 1911 or a 15 round M&P .40 rather than my J-frame .38; but that is not always possible do to when and where I may be carrying.

There is no perfect gun, you need several.

If you find yourself in a courtroom the justification of the use of deadly force has been brought into question. The way you carry your firearm, the model, or the type of ammo you used can’t get you there.

However… once you are there all those things plus things like; how you dress, how you talk, your haircut and your demeanor in court will all come into play.

[Guest B J Elliott]

Having lived in Az and knowing exactly what you are talking about, I feel it is an EGO thing. Really dumb for concealed carry of course. Overkill to say the least. Just my 2 cents. BJ

[alwayspackin]

I have seen a few guys carry big hand cannons. They look really cool and intimidating. But I believe in the eyes of a jury you would really have to put up a good fight to justify why you carried it. The S&W 500 is a nice looking gun. I wish I had one.

[Guest bazookazilla]

If you missed and hit the wrong person, I really believe that the media would jump all over it, "paranoid man/woman fires worlds most powerful handgun and kills wrong person/s" I hate the liberal media just as much as the rest of us and I prefer not to give them ammo to use what so ever.

Here, here! That's the last thing that law abiding firearm carriers need. There are still enough people who think we are crazy for having the audacity to want to defend ourselves.

[Guest grimel]

Just to pick a nit, but, nothing mentioned is a hand cannon. Those are Contenders in big bores.

Oh, and the 500 S&W has never been the world's most powerful handgun.

There area a few people who carry the S&W Mt Guns.

[Guest strelcevina]

it would be easier to explain to the judge why you had to use a gun for self protection.

i was exercising my right to Open Carry, and bad guy/s attacked me knowing that i have a gun on me.

[Guest nraforlife]

And try sticking it in your Smartcarry. Is that a 500 S&W in your pants or are you just happy to see me?

[GIJake]

I understand the argument that you should carry big enough to put someone down with 1 or 2 rounds. As a veteran, I've been indoctrinated into the school of "One shot, one kill." I can't help

but feel, though, that given the unpredictable nature of violent crime, I'd rather carry a weapon that I can easily control. If I need to engage a target at more that 15', I want to be able to put

at least 5 rounds on target in 5 seconds reliably. Maybe I'm just inexperienced, but I don't think I could pull that off with anything much bigger than a .40. For this reason, I carry an XD 9mm

Sub. In my opinion, an accurate volume of fire is more critical that raw power.

Edited October 10, 2008 by GIJake
Spacing

[Guest EDWSRTN]

I look at it this way. No matter what cal you carry is ok. For if you put the round in the right spot there done. Also keep in mine where the round wines up you are responsible. Just a though...

[towerclimber37]

I know quite a few folks that carry .45's..aren't they big enough?? LOL

In all seriousness, I wouldn't care WHAT other folks carried..as long as they carried.

If every woman carried a firearm, violence against women would be virtually non existent!

[towerclimber37]

I understand the argument that you should carry big enough to put someone down with 1 or 2 rounds. As a veteran, I've been indoctrinated into the school of "One shot, one kill." I can't help

but feel, though, that given the unpredictable nature of violent crime, I'd rather carry a weapon that I can easily control. If I need to engage a target at more that 15', I want to be able to put

at least 5 rounds on target in 5 seconds reliably. Maybe I'm just inexperienced, but I don't think I could pull that off with anything much bigger than a .40. For this reason, I carry an XD 9mm

Sub. In my opinion, an accurate volume of fire is more critical that raw power.

I agree, Jake. I carry all sorts of calibers..but usually it's either a 9mm Mak or a 9mm luger.

[Volzfan]

I carry a 40 cal Sig P226 Elite or an XD-40 compact

40 cal seems to be enough for me without going overboard.

I think that everyone should carry what they are comfortable with.

[deerslayer]

As a veteran, I've been indoctrinated into the school of "One shot, one kill."

Yeah, but you were probably using a rifle.

If I need to engage a target at more that 15', I want to be able to put

at least 5 rounds on target in 5 seconds reliably. Maybe I'm just inexperienced, but I don't think I could pull that off with anything much bigger than a .40. For this reason, I carry an XD 9mm Sub

This is not nearly as difficult as it sounds--I bet you could do it.