New Jovian Thunderbolt: What if?

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

What if?

If the internet had been like it is now, but back in 1985, would the argment have been "Which is better, the 1911 or the Berretta 9mm?" or "Which is better, the S&W Model 10 revolver, or Model 39 semi?" or "Colt Python or Smith Model 19?"

I mean instead of "HK vs Glock vs 1911" like we have today.

What does a 25 year earlier gun internet argue about.

I ask because you don't here from the Beretta folks as much anymore. Or the Colt revolver folks.

12 comments:

James R. Rummel said...: If memory serves, the big disputes back then were over 1911 fans, and those who were packing high capacity 9mm Parabellums.

The old guard sneeringly referred to the new designs as "wondernines", and insisted that there was no way anyone could effectively defend themselves with a 9mm.

In other words, the rabid 1911 fans were just as determined to ruin everyone's fun back then as well!; January 12, 2011 at 8:59 AM
ZerCool said...: Those fancy new plastic guns will never replace my old-reliable S&W Model 10!; January 12, 2011 at 9:03 AM
James R. Rummel said...: Hey, ZerCool! Which general type of gun protected more people in the past 120 years than any other?

It has got to be revolvers chambered for the .38 Special cartridge, like your S&W Model 10.

Considering it was the favorite of police departments all over the country for about 80 years, it might even be the Model 10!; January 12, 2011 at 9:14 AM
New Jovian Thunderbolt said...: Yes, but WHICH wondernine was the shizzle.

I think the big argument may have been "Revovler Vs. Semi" yes, but in the "1911 Vs. 9mm" was there one sort of 9mm that dominated?; January 12, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Tam said...: Well, the contestants for the US .mil pistol trials were all hot topics of conversation: S&W 59, Beretta 92, SIG P-226, Ruger P-85...

Law enforcement still mostly carried revolvers; old-line FTO's didn't think jam-o-matics were appropriate for LE work.

Many big city PD's still didn't issue JHP's...; January 12, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Davidwhitewolf said...: We Beretta folks see no need to stoop to participate in such prattling. The US Army picks the best, quod erat demonstrandum.

(This despite the fact we've switched to Glocks as our defensive sidearms because they fit my wife's hand and are not so heavy. But that doesn't count.); January 12, 2011 at 1:42 PM
SpeakerTweaker said...: I've only ever toted my polymer Beretta. I've also entered zero arguments. I came into gunblogging (and forums, etc.) paying close enough attention to learn that, above all else, If It Fits, It Hits. My Px4 beats everything I've ever shot, with the only possible exception being my brother's XD-9.

I also just realized that my comment here is quickly turning into an off-topic post all its own. Back on topic, I'd wager that it'd be 1911 v M9 all day every day. We wouldn't have to worry about Glocks until they started getting them past Xray machines in airports;)

tweaker; January 12, 2011 at 9:35 PM
Anonymous said...: I would REALLY like to know from you legacy types
doesn't the 9mm have WAY more stopping power than the .38 Special???
And if 38 Special was the LEO standard for 80 years and the 9mm is a better stopper then what's the beef???; January 15, 2011 at 5:32 PM
New Jovian Thunderbolt said...: Who shoots .38 Special out of their .38 revolver? Even back in the 70s.; January 16, 2011 at 12:16 PM
New Jovian Thunderbolt said...: Though, admittedly, .38 +P doesn't get as high as the energy level in a 9mm.; January 16, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Anonymous said...: Wait...
I heard you could shoot .38 special in a .357 mag, but not the other way around... is that what you're referring to?
I have 2 '40's-50's S&W 38 specials and I'd be scared to shoot .357 or +P out of them...
OBTW goddam hippies...; January 17, 2011 at 9:22 PM
New Jovian Thunderbolt said...: I will practice with .38 special, but lately all I use for practice is .38 +P and the occasional box of .357. But my serious revolvers are both .357. I load .357 in the 686 and .38+P in the 640 for any social purposes.

I take that back. I carry .38 special, round nose, in the revolver when I go hunting in case the long gun didn't finish the deer when I come up on it. I've never had to use it, but MBtGE has had to break out the revolver to put the critter out of its misery.

I'd carry .357 in the snubbie if the gun was less painful and more controllable with that round.; January 18, 2011 at 1:47 PM