I am rather partial to the .357 magnum.
I have a hard to find Automag, chambered for the .357. It was not as popular as the Automag in .44 Mag (made popular by one Inspector Harry Calahan in the one of his later movies). It is a bit easier to holster and carry in comparison to the .44 mag version.
My other .357 is a wheel gun, a Colt Trooper Mark III (I have a mark IV, but it just sits in the nightstand, just in case, so it kinda doesn't count here). The Mark III is magna-ported, and has custom grips to fit my hands, and I had a nice quick draw convertable hoster made for it (converts to a shoulder harness).
The .357 has perfect knockdown power. When loaded with semi-wadcutter slugs, can knock over a 270 lbs dummy (one made for ballistic testing) almost every shot form 50 ft away. It is one of the few rounds outside of the Russian 12 mm pistol round that can penetrate the skull of a grizzly bear. The .454 casul round could not even enter the griz skull.
As I often find myself in grizzly bear areas, and have had a few previous face offs with the buggers (major butt-pucker factor there), I want a pistol that can give me a chance if said bruin decides he wants to try and eat me for lunch.
For just quick fire support, give me a simple glock, with extra mags. The glocks can maintain a higher amount of continous and sustained firing than other pistols, without melting down or having a component break. Shame we cannot say the same about the ammo itself. So many manufacturers, not enough consistency, especially the russian remanufactured ammo (mil surplus that is de-powdered and reloaded with non-military powder). The glock is a great platform to spray 9mm slugs about just for the effect of lots of rounds.
The ultimate pistol is the Russian made 12mm. Mine is currently in hiding to evade sale or seizure (FUCK YOU IRS> YOU FUCKING BASTARDS!!!!).
Anyway, the 12 mm can put a hole the diameter of an average dildo completely through a telephone pole (and yes, I did shoot the pole myself, but am guessing on the diameter of a dildo). It is without a doubt, a two handed weapon, and not meant to fire more than a clip or two before geting both the weapon and the user overworked. The Tokarev folk made them custom for Soviet Army Officers, who were in turn related to Party Officials.
I obtained mine from a Russian defector (there were several actually, and this is where I also obtained my Aks and the Dragunov), seeking asylum in the west, as payment for getting them into West Germany. The officer is in fact now living in Texas, and is a good friend of mine, and is attending my family reunion next week with my parents.
But, i digress, and must now go, as a truck with a few tons of topsoil is sitting out front waiting to dump on my lawn. Oh the joys of having a home and having to do all the frikin' upkeep! On the plus side I now ave a 60 ft long patio that I can have great BBQs and just general beer drinkin evenings on.
Edit:
Its Winchester gun show weekend, I do not have to go to the field for a while, I have money the IRS cannot touch, and a real gunpower chubby.
Later........................................................... I am off to buy sell and trade guns...yummy!
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