Hunting pistols and revolvers are gaining more and more popularity in the US civilian weapons market. Gradually, in other parts of the world, they find a response in the hearts of lovers of small arms, primarily because of their versatility. The first to value pocket shotguns were farmers. This weapon has repeatedly saved them in unexpected encounters with dangerous snakes. In Russia, gunsmiths are also trying to "keep abreast". What is a hunting revolver, what are its pros and cons - will be summarized in this article.
Versatility
Fierce competition among traditional short-range weapons encourages manufacturers to take bold, risky steps. The revolver, capable of causing significant damage, guarantees a successful hit even in the hands of an inexperienced shooter. This is the main idea when developing hunting revolvers designed not only for shooting 410 caliber for smooth-bore guns, but also 45 caliber for rifled. Such "omnivorous" and low price for ammunition immediately conquered a certain group of people. It is necessary to understand: are these products so beautiful, which are described with aspiration by various laudations.
A few notes on caliber 410
The 410th caliber is a low-powered rifle cartridge. The main advantages are small size and weight, moderate return. Here, perhaps, are all its obvious advantages. Many manufacturers produce such a cartridge. The most famous and sought-after of all variety - with a cast spherical bullet (Foster bullet and, of course, the Breneke bullet).
If this option is not "magnum", then such a cartridge questions the success of hunting and self-defense. The charge of a bullet, buckshot, fractions in an ordinary ammunition is small. Therefore, it is more often implemented in the Magnum or Semi-Magnum variant. The size of the sleeve length is 76 mm and 73 mm, while the usual one has only 70 mm.
What happens if you use the 410th Magnum on a hunt? The results will not be overwhelming. If you shoot shots of such a charge over long distances, then nothing good will come of it. Somehow you can get used to the average distance if the shooter is accurate. The card charge is even worse. With only a few buckshots, it is only suitable for short distances.
In a word, such a caliber is very specific.
The best revolver for American judges
There are several companies developing a revolver for a hunting cartridge. The most popular are Taurus, Smith and Wesson, Charter Arms, Magnum Research. Each of them has created quite successful models, but Taurus is the undisputed leader at the moment.
What are the products of this company so loved in the West? Brazilian Taurus got the idea to use a rifle and revolving cartridge in one weapon without changing the barrel. This was embodied in their main brainchild - the 4510 revolver. This marking most fully reflects its versatility (45 Colt and 410 caliber rifle cartridge). Their diameter is the same. He was almost ranked among shotguns. The existing barrel cutting helped, and, to the delight of the creators, he was ranked as a conventional weapon.
The model was immediately positioned as the most optimal means of self-defense. Charges with a fraction dissipate well at a distance of 10-15 meters. You don’t even need to aim. You can also use 45 Colt cartridges, which further increases the distance of its application. The American judges fell in love with this hunting revolver, and its creators had a reason to call it Judge or “Judge”.
The drum allows you to load 5 rounds. The range of application of rifle ammunition is really impressive (spherical bullets, shot, buckshot). But this is not enough. The owners of this miracle equip both rifle and pistol cartridges in a drum. This gives them the opportunity to feel confident in the middle and near range. And most importantly, it is equipped with a safety lock, in case it suddenly falls into the hands of children. Using a screw, the trigger locks into the frame. It can only be screwed in and out using a miniature hex wrench.
Taurus public defender
Another 410 caliber hunting revolver, but lighter and more compact than its older brother. The drum is identical, designed for 5 rounds. Double-action trigger mechanism: self-cocking and manual pre-cocking. The front sight of the Taurus family is not regulated. The branded handle is made in the style of combat.
Another important distinguishing feature of this family is the barrel and its frame are made from one solid milled workpiece. Muzzle energy can exceed the norm twice, but for such revolvers it is not scary.
Smith & Wesson Governor
The overwhelming success of the Judge revolver haunted the monster of American weapons - the Smith & Wesson company. They announced their answer - Governor. Its drum is made of steel, the handle is made of various synthetic materials, and scadium was added to the alloy during the manufacture of the frame. The novelty is light, durable.
But the main emphasis in it is the expansion of the use of various types of ammunition. It also provides for the possibility of combining them when charging. What ammunition can I use? This is the same 410 caliber, 45 Colt and 45 ACP.
Drum capacity - 6 rounds. Its double-action trigger mechanism (fire can be fired either with a self-cocking or with a cocked beforehand). Weight empty 839 grams.
Conclusion
A hunting revolver is prohibited in Russia. This prompted domestic gunsmiths to rather extraordinary actions. As the most striking example of Russian ingenuity is the creation of a gun - the MTs 255 revolver based on the Gnome revolver, which for obvious reasons could not fall into the hands of the civilian population. The mechanics scheme remained unchanged, as in the revolver for official use. They lengthened the barrel, added the butt, made a gas-collecting hole on the forend and some other "buns".
There were supporters and opponents of the idea of revolving guns, which at the moment, due to some design decisions, are still far from perfect.
And in the West, the development of ever more reliable and accurate hunting revolvers continues.