Maybe Off-Topic "Desert Pistol"

[Bile]

Well now, for a year or so I've been trying to replace my "desert roaming pistol" or "cholla gun" - the gun that rides on my hip while tramping among the cactus in search of snakes and gila monsters.

I liked the idea of a New Vaquero or Colt SA clone, but they were either too heavy, restricted to five shots, or expensive. I eventually settled on a Ruger NM Blackhawk in 45 Colt which weighed 34 ounces. But, the fact that they were slow to reload gave me a bit of pause.

You see, the new reality of where I roam is this; the deserts are also filled with people and drug smugglers and gang bangers out shooting their new automatic weapons. Nope, one doesn't stumble upon them often, but I have on occassion been very close and fortunately saw them before they saw me and was able to veer around them. In addition, there still exist cougars, rabid animals, occasional black bears, and lots of unruley just released into the wild - big mean dogs.

So, I decided to go double-action (and may still), but weight and expense once again raised its ugly head - 45 Colts and 44 Magnums, at least with six shots, have either one of these traits.

Where I finally landed was here - I bought a Ruger P90 DC in 45 ACP. It weighs less than 30 ounces, carries 9 rounds, is fast to reload, and if I'm not mistaken carries the same payload as a traditional 45 Colt - in this case a 230 grain FMJ-FP at 950 fps. That load should handle all of the above just as well as the 45 Colt and offer a few extras in the mix - like cheap Wal-Mart ammo.

I do have an old S&W M29-2 with an eight inch barrel that I'm going to chop to 5 inches at some point to also try out, but for now I'm set.

Oh, the downside of the P90 DC is that it is just a tool, not a neat fun to look at and fondle Single-Action, and I know John Wayne would have never carried one.

[alinct]

I've heard that the Ruger auto pistols are good, reliable weapons. No experience here though, maybe one day.

That's a shame that you have to worry about running into scum like that. Stay safe.

Al

[dmize]

I owned a P90DC and I sent a LOT of lead thru that thing,mine ate everything even the little 185 "button" bullets with never a hiccup or snag.
I bought a Kimber Custom Target just because i "had to have a 1911" I shot these pistols side by side with several differnt loads and that Ruger didnt give a thing away to the twice the price Kimber.
The only thing I was paranoid about was the recoil spring,I usually shot 230,s thru it so I kept a close eye on the recoil spring and changed it often,AGAIN this was my thing and really dont know if it was necessary.

[Bile]

I've got a P89 (another orphan I picked up in great condition for cheap) and it shoots anything and everything I put in it. Its reliability and accuracy were the reasons I choose a P90. Incidentally, both are decock only, and completely devoid of manual safeties. I've shot revolvers all my life and a safety to manipulate is foreign to me - and would likely get me killed in an emergency.

[robl]

Bile, while your out in the desert , keep a sharp look out for bATF agents selling guns to the drug cartels...

[Bile]

Mar 4, 2011 16:58:43 GMT -5 robl said:

Bile, while your out in the desert , keep a sharp look out for bATF agents selling guns to the drug cartels...

No kidding. Maybe I'll need to wander around your neck of the woods and stay out of the desert from Tucson down, especially now that feds has jumped in bed with the rest of the vermin.

[Frank V]

Bile, I carried a Ruger P90 several years & it's a very reliable gun. It's accurate too. Massad Ayoob has written about them now & then. I think it's a great choice.
Frank

[jimmarch]

Did anybody else look at the subject line for this thread and briefly try and visualize a "dessert pistol" instead?



Seriously, as a Tucsonian myself, I'd rather go into the desert with a handgun that's capable of "reaching out" some. A 357Mag sixgun with serious sights can do that better than most autoloaders. I think this is one area where effective range can trump firepower in at least some circumstances.

[dmize]

While I love and respect the 45 ACP and any other large caliber handgun. Let me re-quote the best piece of information ever given me...The BEST way to win a gun fight is to AVOID it to begin with. We dont have Mesican cartels in Mo but we have meth labs EVERYWHERE!!!!

[robl]

just don't use bean bags...
and remember any gun is better than what our ICE agents get to carry in Mexico.

[Bile]

Mar 5, 2011 13:22:54 GMT -5 Frank V said:

Bile, I carried a Ruger P90 several years & it's a very reliable gun. It's accurate too. Massad Ayoob has written about them now & then. I think it's a great choice.
Frank

Thanks Frank. The Ayoob articles are what got me seriously considering the P series pistols, and the P90 in particular. I cleaned it up this weekend and hope to shoot it soon.

[Bile]

Mar 5, 2011 20:29:33 GMT -5 dmize said:

Let me re-quote the best piece of information ever given me...The BEST way to win a gun fight is to AVOID it to begin with.

There are huge parts of the city I've already surrendered - mostly because they hold nothing I'm interested in. In addition, there are parts right on the southern border I'll avoid - they also hold no interest. But there are parts of the desert that are interesting and I'm not yet willing to surrender. I will do my best to avoid trouble, but just in case... In other words, advice heard and taken - too some extent.

[dmize]

And i do truly understand where your coming from.
I shot in an archery tournament outside Mesa ONE time!!!!!
I cant deal with the cactus enough to roam the desert.

[steveb]

Here, I watch for meth labs and such, before various critters of various sizes are worried about. Its often quoted, the first rule of gunfighting, have a gun. You got that one nailed. Sooo, my next concern is not which gun, or ammo, but the will, and the skill. The gun, and then the ammo I list further down the line. This might be the place for a 10mm Glock. Reach and capacity. Though you will find me, in rural places with a Ruger S.A. of some flavor somewhere apon my person. My choice. steve b

[Bile]

Mar 9, 2011 11:54:26 GMT -5 steveb said:

This might be the place for a 10mm Glock. Reach and capacity. steve b

Yep, I carry my G20 from time to time, but I kinda like the pre-expanded bullets of the 45. Besides, 10MM ammo is so expensive I often resist killing rocks that need killing, opting to guard my stash of ammo like a miser. On the other hand, ammo for the 45 ACP is cheap and plentiful (and so are components) and therefore fewer rocks will be allowed to live.