After decades of experience shooting and customizing guns so they can withstand the rigors of Fast Draw and other competitive shooting sports like CAS, Bob Munden has a lot to say.

Enjoy this edition of In His Own Words and read previous articles in the archive section below. Check back every month for more of Bob's straight talk!

TOPIC:
Choosing a Caliber


Q: When buying a single action, how do I decide what caliber to buy?

Bob Munden: There have been countless books written on this subject. Very briefly, it very much depends on what you are shooting at and the results you want.  Do you want to shoot at paper targets?  Do you want to compete in Cowboy Action Shooting?  Do you want to shoot Cowboy Mounted Shooting?  Do you want to compete in Cowboy Fast Draw?  Do you want a gun for self defense -- or maybe competition and self defense?

If you are shooting in competition that requires blank loads only to break balloon targets, then you would want .45LC caliber handguns.  The larger the brass casings loaded with black powder, the more unburned black powder can be expelled to break the balloons.  I would suggest .45LC caliber for Cowboy Mounted Shooting.

If you want to target shoot, remember the single-action revolver is not really a precision target gun. The Freedom Arms revolver is the most accurate single action there is.   The caliber you would choose could be a .22, .38 special, .44 special or 45LC.  The .22’s or .38 calibers are a lot less expensive.

If you plan on hunting with your single-action revolver, I would suggest the .44 magnum caliber or larger for bigger game such as deer, elk and bear. The bigger the caliber, the hotter the recoil, so base your decision on how efficiently you can handle the recoil.  The .22 up to the .45LC would be enough for smaller game.

If you plan to carry a revolver for self defense while hunting or exploring the out doors, I would suggest you carry a double action as apposed to the single-action revolver because in a big hurry, like if you’re facing a charging bear, it is much easier to just pull the trigger instead of trying to cock the hammer first.  For self defense from attacking animals, the .44 mag is good.  Some would suggest the .50 caliber for grizzly bears.  That caliber definitely would put one down -- but can you honestly handle the heavy recoil for successive accurate shots if needed?

Remember, the larger the caliber of a revolver, the lighter it is.  The barrel has less steel to accommodate the larger bullet and all six chambers of the cylinder have less steel for the same reason, hence, a lighter gun. But keep the recoil in mind when making your decision.

f you want to carry a revolver for human self defense, then again I would consider the double-action revolver for the reasons stated above, or the a automatic pistol.  I personally carry a 1911 .45 auto cocked and locked. (It has two safeties.)  I wouldn’t carry anything less than the .44 special.  A.38 or 9mm might deter an attacker.  The .44 or .45 ACP would disable any would-be assailant. Remember, any gun you choose for self defense requires repetitive practice for efficiency.  That means you must plan on going to the range and refreshing yourself at least twice a year.  Your life could depend on it.

If you are planning on purchasing two revolvers to compete in Cowboy Action Shooting, then listen up.  If it was up to me, which it is not, I would require all men to shoot nothing less than .38-40 caliber full charge.  The cowboys and gun fighters did not have access to .32 calibers in punched out .22 revolvers or .38 calibers.  The cartridges available in the Old West, generally speaking, were .38-40, .44 special, 44-40, or .45.  But since I am not in charge, and I’m sure some say this is good, you can buy yourself a .38 (.357), .44 special, .44-40 or .45 LC.  It is up to you.  Shooting fast and winning with super light calibers or just super light loads proves nothing.  I call this shooting with no honor!  Most women and young competitors do very well with .38s or .357s with .38 loads. I work on all calibers, but many of my customers who prefer the traditional .45s are coming to me with light calibers because they say other shooters using small guns, light loads and short strokes are forcing them to.

The most important things are to consider how you plan to use the gun, practice, be safe and enjoy whichever single action revolvers you decide to buy in whatever caliber you decide upon.  Also, do not forget to send that revolver to me at Munden Enterprises for my action, trigger, and timing job for longer wear and smooth shooting. -- Bob Munden

WARNING: DO NOT EVER FAST DRAW WITH LIVE AMMUNITION. NOT EVEN ONCE. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

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Do you have questions about Bob Munden's Six-Gun Magic gunsmith work on single actions, Marlin Lever-Action Rifles, Stoeger (or IGA) Double-Barrel Shotguns, Smith & Wesson Double-Action Revolvers, the Bond Derringer and other guns? Call Munden Enterprises at (406) 494-2833 (8am- 8pm MST), or visit our contact page.

ARCHIVE:
Click on any topic below to access previous In His Own Words articles.

• Stock Guns - 05/05

• Grips  - 07/05

• Efficiently Cocking the Single Action & Primer Recommendations for Light Actions - 09/05

• Bob Munden -- The Collector's Edition DVD - 11/05

• Choosing a Barrel Length - 01/06

• Choosing a Caliber - 06/06

• Fast Draw and the World Fast Draw Association (WFDA) - 11/06

• Misfires - 02/07

• Remembering Jeff Cooper - 05/07

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