The choice of a hunting revolver, questions. Russian large-caliber revolvers Hunting pistols and revolvers

Big "guns" are very fond of action directors - a hefty nickel-plated Smith & Wesson 44 caliber stainless steel or Desert Eagle is +10 to the hero's lethality and +100 to his charisma. Fascinated by the magic of "Hollywood", the layman also begins to believe in the miraculous possibilities of overgrown pistols. After the release of the film "Dirty Harry" in the early 70s, Americans swept S&W .44 Magnum revolvers off the shelves, and stores bombarded the company with requests for new deliveries.

However, Americans have been partial to large revolvers since the days of the "wild West" and the triumphant march of the "peacemaker Colt". And since the first quarter of the 20th century, hunting with a revolver has even come into fashion in the USA - it is believed that, first of all, powerful cartridges .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and revolvers for them were created for it.

As for military use, the increase in the firepower of pistols due to the growth of the caliber and power of the ammunition has long been recognized as a dead end. If the power of a 9mm pistol is not enough, it is better to switch to another class of weapons - a submachine gun or a compact assault rifle. Their combat effectiveness is in any case higher than that of an overgrown pistol.

In the ranking of the most big revolvers and pistols, we took into account the factors of power of the weapon, the originality of the design, its prevalence and popularity. Excluded from the list working layouts weapons, so left out of the brackets, for example, the revolver of the Pole Ryszard Tobis, who in his workshop made a copy of the "Remington" 1858 on a scale of 3: 1. To date, it is considered the largest shooting revolver in the world: weight 45 kilograms, caliber 28 millimeters, bullet weight - almost 140 grams. In tests, this monster hit the target from a distance of 50 meters.

The army and police do not like pistols that are too big and powerful, but there are exceptions to almost every rule. One of them is the Russian RSh-12 assault revolver chambered for a powerful cartridge of 12.7x55 millimeters. Unusual weapon developed in 2000 by the Tula TsKIB SOO for special forces Federal Service security. The creators of the RSH-12 positioned it as a powerful individual weapon for storming premises. Together with him, the FSB special forces were offered the ASh-12 assault rifle chambered for the same cartridge. The nomenclature of ammunition of both samples includes two-bullet and armor-piercing cartridges.

In addition to its size, the RSH-12 has a futuristic design and an unusual layout. The shot is fired not from the upper chamber of the drum, like most other revolvers, but from the bottom. As conceived by the developers, this should reduce the perceived recoil and toss of the weapon. For greater convenience, the revolver can be equipped with a butt.

Above the RSh-12 barrel there is a reinforced casing with ventilation holes, above and below the barrel there are Picatinny rails for mounting sights, flashlights and other attachments. No information about the tests of the revolver, its introduction into service and use could be found, and therefore - only seventh place.

In sixth place is the Freedom Arms .454 Casull revolver, which appeared in the USA in 1959 and was the most powerful serial revolver in the world for more than half a century. When creating the cartridge, the elongated cartridge case of the .45 Colt cartridge was taken as the basis. Some .454 Casull samples are capable of accelerating a 16-gram bullet to a speed of 600 meters per second, giving it a muzzle energy of up to 2.7 thousand joules - more than that of the AK-47. The revolver was produced in a design reminiscent of the 1873 Colt Army ("Peacemaker"), its main purpose is an expensive (several thousand dollars) toy for wealthy shooters. Revolvers were made in small batches to order.

Fifth place - heavy-duty pistol AMP (Auto Mag Pistol), created as a competitor to hunting revolvers caliber .44 Magnum. For a long time it was believed that automatic pistols, in principle, were unable to "hold" large calibers like the same "magnums" - they say, this is the lot of large revolvers. Designers Harry Stanford and Max Gera decided to refute this postulate, and in the 60s they began work on their own powerful cartridges .357AMR and .44AMR (the latter was based on the .308 Win rifle cartridge) and weapons for it. Ten years later, the first prototypes appeared, and soon the serial production of the new AMR seven-shot pistol began.

Experts noted the excellent quality and high accuracy of the weapon - when shooting from the hands at a distance of 25 meters, the bullets could be placed in a circle with a diameter of 3.5 centimeters. At 1,375 joules, nearly 400 joules more than Dirty Harry's Magnum. But the AMR was very expensive, and it was not easy to get cartridges for it. As a result, AutoMag Corp. itself first went bankrupt, and by 1982 its successors curtailed the production of weapons, having managed to produce about 10 thousand pistols in ten years.

Like many big and scary guns, the AMR managed to light up in Hollywood action movies - in particular, in the movie "Death Wish 3" with Charles Bronson.

In fourth place is perhaps the most powerful serial revolver: a five-shot Smith & Wesson chambered for .500 SW Magnum. First introduced in 2003. It was developed for hunting big game, including grizzly bears. Muzzle energy - up to 3.5 thousand joules (some sources indicate up to 4.1 thousand joules), approximately like the cartridge 7.62x51, which is used in NATO rifles and machine guns. For comparison: one of the most powerful hunting cartridges- 9.3x64 Brenneke, designed specifically for hunting the African "big five" (elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, lion, leopard), has an energy of 4.8-5.8 thousand joules.

The Smith-Wesson barrel is equipped with a muzzle brake compensator - strong recoil can easily knock out a brush from an inexperienced shooter. Weapons forums say that powder gases breaking through the gap between the barrel and the drum are capable of tearing off the shooter's finger, and there were allegedly such cases. The authors of the MythBusters program even conducted a corresponding experiment by making a model of a finger from chicken bone and meat. Experience confirmed: the finger was torn off. Despite this, on YouTube channel there are videos in which ladies fire with one hand from the Smith & Wesson .500 SW Magnum, and they do it very confidently.

In third place is the Desert Eagle pistol (“Desert Eagle”). A fair amount of power and outrageously brutal design made the "Eagle" a favorite of Hollywood and manufacturers of computer "shooters", and all gun channels are sure to dedicate at least one review to this pistol. Due to such popularity, the developer company does not even need to spend money on advertising.

"Eagle" is often called an Israeli pistol, but it was developed by the Americans. In 1970, three enthusiasts from Minnesota set out to create an automatic pistol that could reliably fire powerful .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum revolver cartridges. Under the project, they opened a small company Magnum Research, in the early 80s they received the first patents and released samples, but the final refinement and mass production of the Desert Eagle were already carried out in Israel, based on IMI (Israel Military Industries).

Back to top series production in 1985, the Desert Eagle was the largest and most powerful semi-automatic pistol in the world and was positioned as a weapon for hunting large and medium game, as well as for protection against wild animals. The scheme of its automation (removal of powder gases) is more characteristic of machine guns than pistols.

Since 1996, the mark XIX model has appeared under the “drag” cartridge .50 Action Express (12.7x33 RB), designed specifically for the Desert Eagle. Its muzzle energy reaches 2.1 thousand joules - not bad, but almost half that of the Smith & Wesson .500 SW Magnum, so it's not safe to go out against a bear or a rhinoceros with the Desert Eagle.

Video: Platon Zvonkov / YouTube

Weapons experts say they do not know of any use of the Eagle in the army or intelligence agencies. The weapon is too bulky and heavy, the magazine capacity is small, and the recoil, on the contrary, is too great. The sound of a shot in an enclosed area can stun the shooter. In addition, the pistol is sensitive to pollution - army reliability was not required from hunting weapons. The price in the basic configuration exceeds 2-2.5 thousand dollars.

By the way, despite the strong recoil, the famous American shooter Jerry Miculek made a series of five shots from the Desert Eagle mark XIX in 0.84 seconds, accompanying his experiment with the comment “kicks like a horse.”

The absolute leader in power among revolvers can be considered Pfeifer Zeliska. It was made by a small company Pfeifer in 1955 by order and sketches of the Austrian gun lover Adolf Zeliska (Zeliska) under the most powerful cartridge .600 Nitro Express. Ammunition appeared in Britain at the end of the 19th century for hunting elephants and rhinos, hence the nickname - "elephant cartridge" (elephant cartridge). Almost a hundred years.600 Nitro Express remained the most powerful hunting ammunition, its muzzle energy exceeds 10,000 joules.

Handbooks state that one shot is enough to bring down an elephant or stop an attacking lion without difficulty. True, the shooters themselves sometimes get shell shock - after a shot, bleeding from the ears or nose may begin.

Usually expensive single- and double-barreled fittings are loaded with such cartridges, shooting is carried out from a distance of up to 100 meters. The price of one cartridge is about 100 dollars.

The first Zeliska revolvers did not have any recoil reduction devices. It is almost impossible to shoot from it with hands - the arrow throws back. It is known that a number of such revolvers were produced for individual orders. This is the second place.

Now the leader of the rating. In 2004, gunsmith Janos Lakatosh from Utah at the Shot Show presented a single-shot hunting pistol Thunder .50 BMG ("Thunder") chambered for 12.7x99 mm NATO - such ammunition is used in heavy sniper rifles like Barret М82А1 and heavy machine guns like Browning M2. The muzzle energy of a bullet is up to 20 thousand joules. Now there is a pistol under it.

The Thunder .50 BMG is manufactured by Triple Action LCC. The weapon resembles a small space cannon mounted on a pistol grip. "Thunder" could be called not only the most powerful, but also the most useless pistol: there are no practical applications for it. The designer's true purpose was allegedly to draw attention to the recoil compensation system of his own invention. The pistol is equipped with a muzzle brake and a hydraulic barrel recoil system, like on an artillery piece. It is also charged like a cannon: the bolt in the breech leans to the side, a cartridge is inserted into the chamber, the valve closes.

Video: Daniel Abrantes / YouTube

There is a story floating around on the gun forums about a shooter who broke both arms with the recoil of a Thunder .50 BMG. It was not possible to find confirmation of this fact. American amateur gun collectors buy it as the most powerful handgun.

It is noteworthy that in the early 2000s, Time magazine named the small five-shot Smith-Wesson model 60 (38-gauge) America's deadliest pistol in America. With him, according to the American Bureau of Arms (ATF), the largest number of crimes are committed, he died more people than any other handgun.

At first glance, it sounds strange, because we all know our good and well-known double-barreled shotguns or semi-automatic weapons that are now popular.

Our ancestors hunted with such weapons and we hunt, but pistols do not fit in the head at all, because it is simply impossible to shoot accurately from them, and this is very important when hunting.

You can still voice a lot of negative opinions aside hunting pistol, but still there are certain models that were created by man and in some countries are used for hunting.

Let us now consider some models and try to draw a conclusion regarding their suitability as a hunting weapon.

What models are used for hunting pistols?

Almost every gun lover immediately wants to get acquainted with a number of weapons, study the pros and cons, listen to the reviews of the owners and the recommendations of professionals in order to buy a cherished weapon.

Among hunting pistols, there are also certain models that are often little written or spoken about, but their power and amazing efficiency are surprising.

For example, Remington already sells the R1 10 mm Hunter Long Slide pistol, which has a caliber of 10x25 mm.

The barrel of this sample itself reaches a length of 15.2 cm. It is made of stainless steel. The gun has a weight of 1.1 kg, but this is without a magazine. In terms of accuracy, it can be attributed to the group of high-precision weapons.

If we talk about the sighting device, then it has an adjustable rear sight, and an optical insert in the front sight itself.

As for the fuse, there are two of them. One is mechanical and has the shape of a flag, and the other is automatic, which is located on the handle.

The pistol magazine can hold eight rounds. If you will buy, you will receive two magazines in the kit.

A special place in the entire design of the pistol plays trigger. The fact is that it can be adjusted in length and strength of the descent, and this allows you to adapt to any hunter.

In addition, this specific hunting weapon has a place for attaching a laser designator. You can even attach an underbarrel flashlight.

Now I want to get into history a little and think about such a pistol that our hunter could use, and not an American or someone like him.

A very long time ago, a weapon was invented in India, which was called "howdah". At the very beginning of their creation, they were even without sights with smooth trunks, since they often fired from very close range.

Over time, the models improved and reached the calibers that were used during hunting with conventional guns.

Simply put, the “howdah” is a sawn-off double-barreled shotgun with a comfortable pistol grip, equipped with a sight.

In our country, one could come up with something similar, because such a gun would not weigh much, which makes it easier to carry. When shooting at short distances, he would be able to show excellent results.

Few people remember that before the 1917 revolution, weapons were freely sold in hunting shops. Mausers, Nagans, Brownings, Smith-Wessons, and here are the Parabellums. Women's models that fit in a women's handbag. "Velodogs" - revolvers for cyclists, for effective protection against dogs. Without special trouble you could even buy a machine gun "Maxim" of Tula production ...

Let's open, for example, the Easter issue of the Ogonyok magazine, 1914. Peaceful pre-war spring. We read ads. Along with advertisements for "cologne of the marvelous smell of Dralle", photographic cameras "Ferrotipia" and the remedy for hemorrhoids "Anuzol" - advertisements for revolvers, pistols, hunting rifles. And here is our old friend! The same Browning of 1906:

The magazine especially advertises EXACTLY browning. In the classic book by A. Zhuk "Small Arms" the number of this model is 31-6. Production: Belgium, model 1906, caliber 6.35 mm. Weight is only 350 grams, but has 6 rounds. And what ammo! The cartridges were created specifically for this model. Shell bullet, smokeless gunpowder (3 times more powerful than smoky). Such a cartridge was more powerful than a revolver cartridge of the same caliber. Browning's 1906 model was very successful. The dimensions of the pistol were only 11.4 x 5.3 cm and it easily fit in the palm of your hand. What else was needed for a safe trip to the market ??? Market traders were armed before the revolution. It is not surprising that the concept of "racket" in those days was completely absent ...

It was possible to wear Browning discreetly - it even fit in a vest pocket and a ladies' toilet bag. Due to its light weight and weak recoil, women willingly bought it, and the name "ladies' pistol" was firmly stuck to it. The Browning was a popular model among the general public. Russian society long years. Students, high school students, female students, businessmen, diplomats, even officers - even gardeners! - had it at hand. Thanks to the low price, it was available even to schoolchildren, and teachers noted among high school students and students the fashion "to shoot because of unhappy love." Small-caliber pistols were also called "suicide weapons". Large-caliber pistols smashed the head like a pumpkin, and after a shot in the head from a Browning, the dead man looked good in a coffin, which should have led to tears of repentance in an unfaithful traitor ... But Browning was dangerous not only for its owner.

It was an effective weapon of self-defense. A small-caliber shell bullet pierced a layer of muscles and got stuck inside the body, completely giving up its energy to it. The level of medicine in the early twentieth century often did not allow saving a person who was struck in the internal organs. Due to its compact size and its combat qualities, the Browning of the 1906 model was the most popular model. In total, more than 4 MILLION pieces were made! But how did they look at "exceeding the limits of necessary defense" in tsarist times? The term "necessary defense" itself first appeared in the decree of Paul I (whom our citizens often represent almost half-crazy) not what we are all used to. In the 18th century, there was such robbery in Russia - river piracy.

Is it not with brass knuckles in their pockets that journalists and writers went to haunted places?

Gangs of vagabonds attacked and robbed riverboats that sailed along the main rivers. Emperor Paul I adopted a decree on the strict deprivation of the nobility of all nobles who were attacked on the rivers and did not offer armed resistance. The nobles then were, of course, with swords, and if they did not carry out the NECESSARY DEFENSE, they were deprived of this sword, as well as their estates and titles ... Thanks to such a formulation of the question, at the very a short time the robbers were killed or fled and the robbery on the rivers stopped. That is, the necessary defense - it was a NECESSITY for an armed person to DEFEND.

The Velodog pistol was very popular in the 19th century. It was designed for cyclists who were often attacked by dogs.

There were no "limits". In Soviet times, this useful concept was distorted, and if it occurs, it is only in the combination "EXCEEDING THE LIMITS OF NECESSARY DEFENSE". For an armed rebuff to the robbers, a criminal article was introduced, and the weapons themselves were taken from the population. The Bolsheviks seized weapons from the population. For the complete "disarmament of the bourgeoisie" detachments of the Red Guard and the Soviet police did a lot of work, conducting mass searches. However, some irresponsible "fists", as we see, were in no hurry to part with the Brownings until the mid-30s. And I understand them, beautiful and necessary thing...

A pistol from an everyday item has since turned into a symbol of belonging to law enforcement agencies or the highest party elite in the USSR. The caliber of the pistol was inversely proportional to the position in society. (The higher the official, the smaller the caliber of his pistol.) ... This Browning model was so popular that it gradually went out of circulation only with the creation of the Korovin pistol in 1926. Compared to the Browning, it had a reinforced cartridge and a slightly longer barrel, and the magazine capacity increased to 8 rounds. Interestingly, despite the small caliber, he enjoyed great success among the command staff of the Red Army.

And all that is left for an ordinary Russian layman, exhausted from street crime, is to look longingly at the pages of pre-revolutionary magazines: ““ REVOLVER WITH 50 CARTRIDGES. ONLY 2 RUBLES. Safe and true weapon for self-defense, intimidation and alarm. Completely replaces expensive and dangerous revolvers. Hits amazingly hard. Needed by everyone. No permit is required for this revolver. 50 additional cartridges cost 75 kopecks, 100 pieces - 1 p. 40 kopecks, 35 kopecks are counted for cash on delivery, to Siberia - 55 kopecks. When ordering 3 pieces, ONE REVOLVER is included FREE OF CHARGE. Address: Lodz, Partnership "SLAVA" O.»»

In fairness, it must be said that there were some restrictions on the circulation of firearms: 1) the highest opinion of the State Council of June 10, 1900 approved by Nicholas II “On the prohibition of the manufacture and importation of firearms from abroad of samples used in the troops” 2) the highest decree of the emperor "On the sale and storage of firearms, as well as explosives and about the arrangement of shooting ranges. Accordingly, customs restrictions on the import and export of military-style firearms were also tightened. There were also secret circulars of the tsarist government prescribing local authorities seize weapons from disloyal subjects at their own discretion and taking into account the prevailing situation.

Here is what professor of the Imperial Moscow University I.T. Tarasov: “Despite the undoubted danger from the careless, inept and malicious use of weapons, the prohibition to have weapons in no way can be general rule, but only an exception that occurs when:

1. disturbances, indignations or uprisings give good reason to fear that weapons will be used for dangerous criminal purposes;
2. special position or condition of those persons, for example, minors and minors, insane, hostile or warring tribes, etc., which give rise to such fear;
3. past facts of careless or malicious use of weapons, ascertained by a court or otherwise, indicated the expediency of taking weapons from these persons.”

It is safe to say that in the Russian state, then the Russian state, the right to arms was an inalienable right of every law-abiding and mentally healthy citizen; it was naturally subject to some temporal and local restrictions. Over time, this right has undergone changes, meeting the needs of the era. In the XIX - early XX centuries. granting citizens the right to weapons, their acquisition, storage and use can be regarded as a progressive phenomenon, since at that time such a right did not exist in all countries. Legislation in the process of evolution has developed a rather strict procedure for storing, carrying and acquiring firearms by citizens. Since the 17th century, the right to bear arms was granted only to certain categories of persons. At the beginning of the 20th century, they were persons whose weapons were part of their uniforms (for example, police or gendarmerie officials), who needed them for self-defense; some carrying weapons was obligatory by virtue of custom, not prohibited by law; for hunting or sport purposes.

With the development of firearms, legislation began to divide them into types: military - non-military samples; rifled - smoothbore; guns - revolvers, etc. Thus, from 1649 to 1914 in Russian state a coherent legislative system was formed, which avoided the extremes of permissiveness, on the one hand, and total prohibition, on the other.

A.S. Privalov, expert of category III. Legislation on weapons in Russia in the XIX

PURCHASED WEAPONS ALLOWED TO BE CARRIED WHEN UNIFORM

Since the 18th century, commemorative inscriptions have most often been made on donative army weapons: “For courage”, “God is with us!”, “Free Russia Army”. Freedom as a state of society exists as long as the possession of weapons is recognized in it as a natural right. Society ceases to be free when the natural right to own weapons is replaced by a privilege granted by the state. Since the time of the Roman Empire, the main difference between a slave and a free citizen, along with political rights, has been the right to carry and use weapons - from a dagger under a tunic to a Berdanka in a barn or a pistol in a holster. completely armed (as, indeed, the inhabitants of neighboring Europe), until the middle of the 20th century.

"Clement" and "Bayard", convenient for hidden carry:

People without weapons easily became the prey of robbers on the high roads or nomads on the borders, as well as wild animals. Everyone had weapons - right down to the serfs. While liberal journalism was bile about "wild Asians" and "serf slaves", the "slaves" owned hunting rifles and edged weapons. No licenses or permits were required for this. Weapons were freely carried where it was dictated by local customs not prohibited by law - for example, in the Caucasus or in places where the Cossacks lived, but this mainly concerned cold bladed weapons. By the way, in the Caucasus, not only local "mountain eagles" freely carried weapons - the Russians who came to the Caucasus had weapons with them almost without fail, and not only daggers, but also pistols.

Weapon culture in Russia evolved in a very peculiar way. It had very significant differences by region, there were also differences between the city and the countryside. In the European part of Russia, revolvers and pistols were considered "master's weapons" and absolutely useless for the rural economy. Long-barreled rifled weapons were armed with "risk people" - hunters, Siberian explorers and Cossacks, these passionaries of that time had a rifle or a carbine in every house. Another thing is a gun - a thing useful in all respects. Without a gun, coachmen, especially in the postal service, did not set off. The innkeepers kept him under the counter, with cartridges loaded with coarse salt. Watchmen, keeping the master's good, used it. Traveling doctors were armed with pistols. The right to acquire, store and carry weapons was practically not limited.

In the 17-18 centuries, the first acts began to appear that established the categories of subjects who could own weapons, and the further, the more these categories became. Somewhere since the 19th century, in some regions of the Empire, the acquisition system formally became permissive - the governor-general or the mayor issued permission to mentally healthy and law-abiding residents to purchase "non-combatant" types of firearms (except for hunting, his possession was free). They, in the presence of "emergency circumstances" (unrest, riots, as well as specific facts of careless or malicious use of weapons), could deprive a person of a weapon or introduce a special procedure for selling it, but only for the duration of these circumstances. But in practice, weapons were obtained everyone who applied, because then the state did not yet suspect a Marxist and a People's Will in every student, and a Decembrist in every officer. For violation of the regime of carrying weapons by a set of laws Russian Empire responsibility was established, but the same Code minimized the cases of its application.

In addition, in the villages and rural settlements, where most of the population then lived, there were no gendarmes and officials at all, and every peasant considered it his duty to keep a gun from robbers behind the stove. Such liberalism, by the way, gave rise to a very controversial practice of duels. For hot students, young poets, proud officers and other nobles, it has never been a problem to resolve a male dispute by force of arms. The government did not like this practice, which led to the prohibition of duels and severe punishment for participation in them, but never to the restriction of the right to weapons. Well-known pre-revolutionary Russian lawyers (Koni, Andreevsky, Urusov, Plevako, Aleksandrov) drew attention to the fact that subjects of the Russian Empire very often used manual firearms for self-defence, protecting the right to life, health, family and property. Needless to say, most of the lawyers brought up in the spirit of European freedoms directly supported the right of the Russian people to freely own weapons.

In cities until 1906, Nagant or Browning pistols could be purchased completely freely at an affordable price of 16-20 rubles (minimum monthly salary). More advanced "Parabellum" and "Mauser" cost more than 40 rubles. There were cheap samples, 2-5 rubles each, however, they did not differ in special quality. After the first Russian revolution, the seizure of firearms began. Now only a person who presented a personal certificate (similar to a modern license) issued by the head of the local police had the right to buy a pistol. Only during 1906, tens of thousands of revolvers and pistols were seized, acquired by Russians before the adoption of new rules (in Rostov alone, 1,137 “barrels” were seized). But this campaign also affected only powerful pistols (over 150 J of muzzle energy) and military models. Military-style rifles and carbines, in native Russia, were also confiscated, including from the "gentlemen", except for award and prize copies. For the "civilian public", for hunting in the European part of Russia, rifled single and double-barreled fittings or "tees" were considered permitted. Yes, and on the "outskirts of the Empire" people were still sufficiently armed.

The exceptions were officers of the army and navy, officers of the police and gendarmerie, border guards, as well as government bodies, who had the right to acquire personal property, for official use, of any small arms. These "sovereign" people could and even were obliged to use weapons for personal self-defense or maintaining public order and during off-duty hours. When retiring, these categories of civil servants retained the right to own weapons.

At the beginning of the century, when scientific and technological progress was gaining momentum, residential buildings and hotels were already appearing in Russia in all respects modern, where there was hot water, elevators, telephones and refrigeration units. Electricity illuminated not only apartments, rooms and entrances, but also the territories adjacent to the new houses, where electric city trams ran briskly.

At the same time, a new word was said in the field of self-defense weapons - a semi-automatic (self-loading) pocket pistol that combined the compactness of a small-caliber revolver, or derringer, but the safety and quantity of self-loading ammunition:

Hammerless pistols allowed a potential victim to use such weapons without much preparation. A frail, frightened and confused lady could hit an attacker without even damaging her manicure. However, there were various hybrids that were quite successful and in demand.

1. Hammerless gun "Liège Manufactory" according to the Anson and Deley system. Steel barrels of the "Liège Manufactory" tested with smokeless powder, left choke-boron, guilloched bar, triple bolt with a Griner bolt, a block with cheeks protecting the barrels from loosening, a fuse on the neck of the box, if desired, the drummers can be lowered smoothly without hitting the piston, forearm Perde , small English engraving, caliber 12, 16 and 20. Price 110 rubles2. Cage hammerless gun "Liège Manufactory" according to the Anson and Delay system. Barrels of steel "Liège Manufactory" tested with smokeless powder, both choke-boron, guilloched bar, quadruple "Rational" bolt with a Griner bolt, a block with cheeks protecting the barrels from loosening, a fuse on the neck of the box, if desired, the drummers can be lowered smoothly without hitting the piston , handguard Perde, small English engraving, caliber 12, barrel length 17 inches, weight about 8 pounds. The price is 125 rubles. There were also much cheaper and quite reliable single-barreled and double-barreled guns available to the poor, at a price of 7-10 rubles.

Anatoly Fedorovich Koni Chief Prosecutor of the Criminal Cassation Department of the Governing Senate (highest prosecutorial position), member of the State Council of the Russian Empire "On the Right of Necessary Defense": "Man has a sense of self-preservation. It is inherent in him both as a morally rational being and as the highest creation of an animal kingdom. This feeling is embedded by nature in a person so deeply that it almost never leaves him; a person strives for self-preservation on the one hand, instinctively, and on the other, realizing his right to exist. By virtue of the desire for self-preservation, a person tries to avoid danger and accepts everything measures to its aversion; - he has the right to this and, moreover, the right, which should be considered as innate. Conscious of his right to exist, a person protects this right from any encroachment of others, from any wrong. "The most reliable pistol was still revolver, misfire of one cartridge, did not lead to the withdrawal of the revolver from the bo the left state, since the next time the trigger was pressed, another cartridge was fed. And the drums of small-caliber revolvers of the Velodog type could hold up to 20 rounds:

In addition to hunting rifles, for the purchase of which in Russia, until 1917, no permits were ever required from anyone or from anyone. There were also pistols, which in fact were sawn-off shotguns of single and double-barreled hunting rifles, both the simplest and stylized as antique or combat pistols. This is very formidable weapon(some samples are able to completely smash the attacker’s head), along with hunting rifles, was in demand among those who did not want to burden themselves with going to the police station or, due to the specifics of the work, transferred it, for example, from one watchman to another or from one seller who handed over a shift to another :

Almost all coachmen and car owners had such a pistol under the seat or a cheaper, but no less effective domestic analogue, the abundance of which was provided by various kinds of artels and partnerships, which did not need advertising because of their cheapness. And the State Imperial Tula Arms Plant (ITOZ), in addition to its low price, also provided high quality thanks to ongoing research and testing. ready for use. To surprise the owner of such a weapon is very difficult even for an experienced robber:

The pragmatic Russian peasantry, as a rule, was in the greatest demand for domestic hunting rifles, and in addition to the always necessary practical use, they were also an excellent guarantee against any encroachment by uninvited guests. The ratio of price and quality put the famous state Imperial Tula Arms Plant beyond any competition , on the free Russian market of civilian weapons. Here are such "economy class", but of the highest quality and reliability of the gun, even expensive metropolitan weapons stores offered:

Naturally, with the advent of 1917, the beginning of mass desertion from the front, the weakening of the government, control over the armament of citizens decreased significantly. In addition, soldiers leaving the hated war often returned home with rifles and pistols, and even with something heavier. Thus, the total armament of the Russians during the Civil War contributed not only to bloodshed, but also to the self-defense of the inhabitants of Russia from numerous gangs, as well as, for example, the expulsion of the interventionists and wide guerrilla war against Kolchak in Siberia without any Red Army. An interesting moment - after the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks were able to immediately gain a foothold only in the central provinces of Russia, the population of which was less armed than in the Caucasian and Cossack outskirts. The tough actions of the food detachments did not meet any resistance only in central Russia, from which people most willingly went to the Red Army - the weapon returned a sense of freedom.

Having seized power, the Bolsheviks tried to limit the right to own weapons by introducing a corresponding ban in the Criminal Code. However, the Criminal Code of the RSFSR of 1926 contained a sanction that was completely ridiculous at that time - six months of corrective labor or a fine of up to a thousand rubles with confiscation of weapons. In 1935, imprisonment of up to 5 years was established, when the situation in the world became more complicated, and various terrorists were operating in the country, the "authorities" actually turned a blind eye to the violation of this article. Plus, this did not apply to hunting weapons. Smooth-bore guns, Berdanks, "small things" were sold and stored completely freely, like fishing rods or garden tools. To purchase them, you had to present a hunting license.

It is important to understand here that the Bolsheviks did not ban, but simply transferred the ownership of weapons to another plane. And the "tightening the screws" was offset by the free circulation of hunting weapons and general militarization civil life. In addition, the majority of civilian passionaries of that time were factory managers, party commissars, and everything was politically important people up to the foremen of the collective farms, they had a pistol with them and could open fire on those who seemed to them to be a bandit or a terrorist. In a period of constant tension at the borders, weapons were generally an integral attribute of tens of millions of people who lived in threatened territories. And, for example, “excesses on the ground” during collectivization immediately met with an adequate armed rebuff, which was one of the reasons for adjusting the course and recognizing “dizziness from success." The operational reports of the NKVD departments of that time are full of reports about how the peasants met especially zealous "collectivists" with merciless shooting.

After 1953, there was also a legislative relaxation of the procedure for the circulation of weapons among the population. So citizens were given the right to freely acquire hunting smooth-bore weapons in trading organizations without "troubles" with hunting tickets. At the same time, a group of lawyers from the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR prepared the first draft law on weapons. According to him, "trustworthy citizens" (as in tsarist times, loyal to the regime) were supposed to be allowed to acquire firearms, including short-barreled ones, on the basis of personal property rights. It was supposed to sell to citizens the models of weapons removed from service (except for automatic weapons), as well as trophy and lend-lease weapons (no restrictions were planned on the power of the ammunition used). The law passed the coordination of almost all instances, except for one, the most important - by the end of the 50s, the "nuts" came to their original position.

Everything changed in the late 1960s. The free possession of even hunting weapons was prohibited and the requirements were restored hunting tickets. Since then, no one except the police and the military could freely own weapons. The weapon has become the privilege of policemen and security officers. For an ordinary citizen, even a hunting rifle meant a humiliating "going for information." A campaign began to pass the “hunt minimum”, which resulted in the police permit system. And the number of policemen has grown five times.

vovgun 01-06-2011 21:17

Hello gentlemen and colleagues.

Goals and objectives: first of all, of course, fan-shooting and, to a lesser extent, weapons of last chance on the hunt (wild boar, bear).

Based on this, I decided on the caliber - .44Magnum, also for everyday entertainment. 44 S&W Special.
As I understand it, for a more or less full implementation of the energy of a magnum and comfortable shooting, a special needs a barrel of at least 6 inches in the corresponding weight.

USM, apparently, double action.

For some reason I prefer stainless steel.

Priorities:
- reliability of work, resource
- workmanship (materials, processing, fitting parts)
- convenience (lightness of double trigger, reload speed, balance)

Looked at the following models:
http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedhawkStandard/specSheets/5501.html

Gino 702 01-06-2011 22:37

Well, the 629th is in your hands! Although fan-shooting at 30 euros per box...? Only twist it yourself. Well, more than 50 shots at a time - this is already for advanced masochists ...

vovgun 01-06-2011 22:54

quote: Just spin it yourself.

So it goes without saying. Long-barreled reload - our everything, mastered
And why exactly the 629th, what are the nuances?

PS: Just don’t fall, in Race.308Win (imported) from 2 euros per cartridge in stores
Scooter at the exit is 3 times cheaper.

SpongeBob 01-06-2011 23:35

quote: hunting weapon of last chance

You have selected really hunting revolvers. Those. which are the main hunting weapon. Powerful cartridge, long barrel - range, accuracy, lethality.
But a weapon of last chance on a hunt is a completely different matter. To carry such a huge, heavy gun as a backup - then you yourself will not.
In a critical situation - such a "long-length" is more difficult to get quickly. The power of the ammunition must be chosen "according to your hand" i.e. when you can slam a relatively fast series into the target with acceptable accuracy.
IMHO, a Smith 3 "barrel would suit you, starting from .357 Magnum. Surprisingly accurate machines.

vovgun 02-06-2011 12:13

quote: ... are the main weapons of hunting ... But the weapon of last chance on the hunt is a completely different matter.

Hmm... Most likely you are right.
On long transitions, every 500 grams is strained.
But to use even such a cartridge as the main weapon for the indicated objects, to put it mildly, is not ready
Perhaps, in the goals and objectives, the second paragraph should have indicated something like "protection of a wife picking raspberries from furry competitors"

So I'll probably leave the input parameters of the revolver the same for now.

Gino 702 02-06-2011 12:17

quote: And why exactly the 629th, what are the nuances?

Purely subjective. Although I must say that I'm starting to like the Ruger handle more and more.

quote: starting from .357 Magnum. Surprisingly accurate machines.

Even in the hands of a mediocre shooter like me.

filin 02-06-2011 02:08

quote: in Race.308Win (imported) from 2 euros per cartridge in stores

The first partisan from 40 rubles per patron. You need to know the places!

DIDI 02-06-2011 02:38

For self-defense while hunting, a 4" barrel is enough for a revolver. It is inconvenient to carry a revolver with a 6" barrel.
I would go for the Ruger Redhawk 4" in .44 magnum.

Karl1 02-06-2011 10:03

quote: Originally posted by DIDI:

For self-defense hunting, a 4" barrel is enough

Wouldn't a shorter barrel fit?
Ruger Alaskan
v.454 Casull

http://www.teraasekeskus.com/tuotteet.asp?osasto=pistoolit&pageOffset=30&ID=1962
And you can indulge in cartridges.45 colt

Gino 702 03-06-2011 03:13

quote: I've been eyeing this for a long time.
click to enlarge 541 X 700 76.5 Kb picture

For hunting? In our country, on both sides of the Alps, it is unlikely that you will meet anything larger than a wild boar. Although, if the wild boar tramples, it is better to first go to the nearest tree ...

DIDI 03-06-2011 03:32

quote: Originally posted by Karl1:

Wouldn't a shorter barrel fit?
Ruger Alaskan
v.454 Casull
And it’s easier to wear and the caliber is more serious.
http://www.teraasekeskus.com/tuotteet.asp?osasto=pistoolit&pageOffset=30&ID=1962
And you can indulge in cartridges.45 colt

Less than 4 inches is usually too much big losses for shooting at big game. On the same boar, for its confident stop at a distance of 15 m or less, a bullet weighing at least 180-200 grains with an energy of at least 800 Joules is needed, and then, of course, without a guarantee, the beast is tenacious and strong on the wound. With my own eyes I saw how they finished off a hefty pig from a revolver with a 6-inch barrel, into which two 12-caliber bullets from a double-barreled shotgun had already been put into it, and one of them broke his back knee joint. It took three shots with a 357Mag half-shell bullet weighing 147 Grain (I don’t know the energy).

zav.hoz 03-06-2011 03:35

The handle of the Raging Bull is also very comfortable, but it was created for caliber .454 Casull and v.44, and even with a long barrel - it will be heavy. Based on the tasks of the TS, I would take Redhawk, like DIDI or Smith, but in 4".

DIDI 03-06-2011 03:38

By the way, 44Mag reload is much cheaper than 454 Casull

vovgun 03-06-2011 16:35

Of the large revolvers, he held in his hands only Colt SAA in a gift version with a 7.5 inch barrel.
It didn't seem too heavy to me. A little clumsy - yes.
That's why I thought about 6"

What is the difference in speed between 4 and 6 inches, other things being equal?

However, I drive the quick load myself, I'll see.

DIDI 04-06-2011 05:03

Now the numbers are not at hand, as practice shows for a revolver with a 4 inch barrel, the difference is not so great with a 6 inch barrel, apparently, the gunpowder mostly manages to burn out, but the difference between 2 and 4 inch can be about thirty percent.

xwing 04-06-2011 07:57

For example, in Russia someday it will be possible to choose a hunting revolver.

This thread is fucking spherical Mu-mu in a vacuum.

vovgun 17-06-2011 12:57

Based on quick estimates, between a 4 and 6 inch barrel, there is a difference in speed of about 10%, and energy, respectively, about 20%.

There is something to think about.
But apparently we must first compare the devices in the hand, live.

old fart 17-06-2011 02:37

For example, in Russia someday it will be possible to choose a hunting revolver.
What other brands to look out for?

It seems to me that no one will be able to predict which brands will survive on the market by the time the choice of a hunting revolver appears in Russia. Fuck brands! Will hunters with animals survive by then?

Vasik_NJ 17-06-2011 08:18

By the way, in which states in America you can hunt with a gun?
More interested in neighboring Pennsylvania.
PS In my state, even with a rifled long barrel, if I'm not mistaken, hunting is prohibited ..

Vasik_NJ 17-06-2011 08:29

already found something in Pennsylvania:

141.22. small game.
(a) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt small game, except woodchucks with the following devices:
(1) A manually operated rifle or handgun. The firearm must be .23 caliber or less, that projects single-projectile ammunition.
(3) A muzzleloading rifle or handgun. The firearm must be .40 caliber or less, that projects single-projectile ammunition.

141.43. Deer.
(1) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt deer during the flintlock muzzleloading deer season with a flintlock muzzleloading firearm. The firearm must be an original or similar reproduction of muzzleloading firearm manufactured prior to 1800. The firearm's ignition mechanism must consist of a hammer containing a naturally occurring stone that is spring propelled onto an iron or steel frizzen which, in turn, creates sparks The firearm must have open sights and be a .44 caliber or larger single-barrel long gun or a .50 caliber or larger single-barrel handgun that propels single-projectile ammunition.

141.44. bear.
(i) A manually operated, centerfire firearm. (a revolver seems to fall into this category)
(iv) A muzzleloading firearm. The firearm's ignition mechanism must consist of a percussion cap, primer or flintlock fired design. The firearm must be a .44 caliber or larger single-barrel long gun or a .50 caliber or larger single-barrel handgun that propels single-projectile ammunition.

141.47. Elk.
(a) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt elk during the elk season with any of the following devices:

(1) A manually operated, centerfire rifle or handgun. The firearm must be a .27 caliber or larger firearm that propels single-projectile ammunition 130 grains or larger.

ag111 17-06-2011 08:39

Why a revolver and not a pistol?

vovgun 17-06-2011 22:27

quote: Originally posted by ag111:
Why a revolver and not a pistol?

1) Because it is more reliable:
- you can vary the charge and there will be the next shot
- you can charge different bullets (shot) and there will be the next shot
- you can load another cartridge (smaller length) and there will be the next shot
- you can hammer a cartridge of a larger caliber with a hammer and there will be the next shot
- you can throw in a cartridge of a smaller caliber, so long as the rim does not fail and the next shot will be
- can be charged with wad, newspaper, chewing gum, etc. and there will be another shot
- you can push a stub of a cartridge case with a primer, pour gunpowder into the drum and plug it with a bullet according to the principle of muzzle loading and there will be the next shot
- ...
2) Because it is faster than a pistol with an equal number of shots and reloads
3) Because it is potentially more powerful with equal mass
4) Because!

shOOter59 18-06-2011 12:33

Originally posted by vovgun:
[B]

For example, in Russia someday it will be possible to choose a hunting revolver.
Some strange fantasy
Over the past hundred years, there was only one in Russia who carried such a device for hunting - someone Brezhnev L.I.
He had SAA (45 COLT), gift.

capercaillie 19-06-2011 22:44

Hunting in Russia will be when the short barrel is allowed.

shOOter59 19-06-2011 23:54

quote: when the short barrel is allowed.

I.e. never. Amen.

Michael HORNET 28-06-2011 22:08

the taurus has many models.
4 inches for just in case and for fun is enough and is MUCH easier to carry

Strelezz 10-07-2011 02:07

If only I were a sultan,
I would have three wives!
And triple beauty
I'd be armed...

green bars 26-07-2011 15:15

How about a v.450 revolver?

vovgun 26-07-2011 19:59

vovgun 26-07-2011 20:02

quote: Originally posted by Michael HORNET:
I will express this opinion - do not take a 6 charger on the H-frame, it is too large and turns the revolver into a monster.
Take a 5-loader 44 magnum - it is made on a K-frame!
the taurus has many models.
4 inches for just in case and for fun is enough and is MUCH easier to carry

A very interesting remark. Thank you!

green bars 27-07-2011 15:54

quote: Originally posted by vovgun:

What particular cartridge? There are about a dozen of them...

Marlin, or .45-70

vovgun 27-07-2011 21:36

Uh-uh...

Second question: Have you tried to shoot from a sawn-off shotgun with these cartridges weighing 1.4 kg?
And another question: what is so cardinal with equal energy can a .45 bullet, unlike a .44 bullet?

green bars 27-07-2011 23:22

quote: Originally posted by vovgun:

Could you tell me the models of revolvers for these cartridges?

A .357 magnum with a 3- or 4-inch barrel is more than adequate for hunting, in my opinion.

vovgun 28-07-2011 09:26

Indeed, there are such monsters. I didn't know.

quote: A .357 magnum with a 3- or 4-inch barrel is more than adequate for hunting, in my opinion.

Maybe I won’t argue, because. no experience.

v3n 31-08-2011 22:15

quote: Given the current situation, I doubt that anyone who is discussing this topic now will live to see the moment when a hunting revolver can be purchased in Russia.

The grandchildren of our grandchildren will probably live, but for now we will use what and where we find.

Smith and Wesson - something magical emanates from this phrase, the favorite weapon of the police and militants, the famous victorious revolver of the times of the legendary Russian-Turkish ... A whole stage in the life of our Fatherland is associated with this wonderful system. But the Smith & Wesson is famous not only for its combat past, the pages of its history as a hunting weapon have been forgotten. And not anywhere in the world, namely in the expanses of the Russian Empire.

First, let's talk about how this revolver came to Russia. Even the legend of his appearance is associated with hunting. Namely, with the grand ducal buffalo hunt in Nebraska. At the very end of 1871, a prominent guest arrived in the United States - an officer of the navy of the Russian Empire, the fourth son of Emperor Alexander II, Grand Duke Alexei.

At the end of January 1872, a grandiose buffalo hunt was organized for Alexei Alexandrovich. It was attended by truly legendary personalities: the hunter William Cody, known as Buffalo Bill, the winner of the Indians, General George Custer, the hero of the American civil war General Philip Sheridan, several leaders of the Sioux tribe, among whom, according to some references, was Sitting Bull, who later defeated his hunting comrade General Custer.

During this event, the new revolver of the Smith and Wesson system was actively used. As the legend says, thanks to the remarkable characteristics of the revolver and its highest quality of workmanship, shown on this hunt, and most importantly, under the pressure of the opinion of the Grand Duke, he was put into service.

The legend is beautiful, but, in fact, it is a historical fiction. We will not analyze the Grand Duke's hunt, in fact it was the senseless killing of hundreds of buffalo to amuse the distinguished guest. As a shooter, Alexei did not show himself very well. Based on the well-known descriptions of this hunt, the prince smeared the bulls, and the situation improved only when Buffalo Bill handed over his rifle to Alexei; the very first shot from it, according to the same historical descriptions, hit the leader of the herd. This hunt and, perhaps, some positive impressions of the Grand Duke from the revolver of the Smith and Wesson system had absolutely no effect on his appearance in the Russian Empire.

The "road to life" in Russia was given to this excellent weapon by the remarkable Russian weapons specialist, General A.P. Gorlov, it was he who delivered in 1870 to St. Petersburg an improved version of the Smith and Wesson revolver, which had just received the highest rating in the USA in St. Louis.

Having tested the brought "Smith and Wesson", the members of the Armory Commission recognized it as meeting all the requirements military weapons. The Imperial command was immediately requested to accept this revolver in the cavalry instead of the long-obsolete muzzle-loading pistols and to order 20,000 revolvers with cartridges in the USA from the Smith and Wesson company. And in 1871, the Smith and Wesson revolver of 4.2 line caliber (10.67 mm, American designation .44 Russian) was adopted by the Russian army.

May 1, 1871 with Russian government The first contract for the production of 20,000 revolvers was signed. In our Empire, the revolver was called the 4.2-linear revolver of the 1871 model, later this revolver was called the "first model". Such a weapon was called at that time a double-action revolver, since two operations had to be carried out in order to fire a shot - a manual cocking of the trigger and the subsequent descent.

During the manufacture of the "first sample" revolver in the United States, at the request of Russian representatives, changes were made to its design. Moreover, changes were made already during the execution of the contract. Russian officers - General Gorlov, Captain Ordinets were finalizing this revolver. The "first sample" was followed by the "second" and "third". It is these latest samples that can rightly be called the Casaverius Ordinets system, he rethought the American design and, on its basis, created a virtually new revolver. The American company "Smith and Wesson" launched the production of these models not only for the "Russian order", but ... and for their own commercial purposes, moreover, the Americans entered into an agreement for the supply of "Russian samples" to our enemies - the Turks and the Japanese.

During the Russian-Turkish war (1877-1878), the Americans acted extremely dishonorably. Due to the lack of the necessary drums for the "Turkish order" in the company's warehouses, in connection with the demands of the Turks for the speediest delivery of products for 5000 revolvers, they installed drums from the "third sample" of the "Russian revolver". Further, we placed contracts for the production of Smiths and Wessons in Germany at the Ludwig Loewe plant in Berlin, but all relations with the Americans were terminated.

"RUSSIAN PATRON". The Smith and Wesson cartridge consisted of a solid brass sleeve with a primer, a charge of brown gunpowder weighing 1.42 g, a lead bullet 1.5 caliber long and weighing 14.9 g. The weight of the cartridge assembly was 21.33 g. Initial bullet speed was about 198 m/s. The caliber of the revolver is officially referred to as 4.2-linear (10.67 mm). Today in the world very often this caliber is called ".44 Russian". This name is accepted in the USA, despite the fact that in reality the meanings of ".44 Russian" differ from ".44 American", which are often confused with each other. Initially, the "American" cartridge was named .44/100. After the signing of the first contract with Russia, the designation of the cartridges was divided into ".44/100 russian" and ".44/100 regular", which after 1872 became known as ".44 american".

Since 1886, the production of the "third sample" was established at the Imperial Tula Arms Plant, 15 years after the Smith and Wessons were put into service and 12 years after the development of the third sample. In the history of domestic weapons, such delays with the start of their own production are uncharacteristic. This indicates, most likely, the difficulties that arose in the organization of mass production in Russia.

It was more profitable to buy revolvers abroad than to establish our own production at the expense of the production of the main small arms - a 4.2-linear rifle of the 1870 model. The production of revolvers in the Russian Empire continued until 1897. Since 1898, the arms factory there has begun production of a new 3-linear revolver of the 1895 model (Nagant system).

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

Regarding the accuracy of shooting from the “Russian Smith and Wesson”, it was noted that a “efficient shooter” can hit a person from it at 100 steps, and a horse at 200 steps. In those days, it was believed that the nominal distances of revolver fire were 15-25-40 steps, while the elevation angle of the barrel with direct aiming corresponded to large ranges.

For shooting at close range, it was necessary to raise the front sight, for this a special device was proposed that increases the height of the front sight by 1/10 English inch. By the way, interestingly, in the process of using revolvers from friction, the front sight decreased in height, and wear was allowed no more than 1/3 of the original height.

During operation, cases of using a revolver were summarized, including aimed night firing. There was a technique for using it when shooting offhand, in difficult conditions. The revolver in skillful hands showed itself very well.

As for the durability of the revolver, the memoirs of the Russian officer V. Goncharov can be cited as an example. In 1876, he purchased a revolver of the "third model", used it throughout the Russian-Turkish war, where he spent a third of the nights in the open air. From 1878 to 1886 the revolver was constantly in summer camps and marching movements, in autumn and winter it was used for hunting in any weather and, according to the owner, "was in the most unfavorable environment."

By 1886, the revolver had fired well over 4,000 rounds and had never been in a gunsmith's shop or had even minor repairs. In 1886, the revolver was carefully examined and shot together with unused revolvers. Of the faults, a cracked drum delay was found, which was replaced. The accuracy of the revolver matched the new ones. V. Goncharov expressed his rather curious opinion that such a good condition of the revolver is due to the fact that it was American made, and revolvers made in Germany are of lower quality.

REVOLVER ON THE HUNTING

During the Russian-Turkish war, Russian revolvers were tested in battles, their reliability was confirmed in practice. And the practice showed a very interesting result. In particular, it was found that at a distance of 50-70 steps the stopping effect and damaging effect of a revolver bullet is superior to a rifle one. And rifles at that time from the hunter's point of view were great. In Russia, this was the 10.67-mm Berdan No. 2 system, which at the end of the 19th century. has already become a classic hunting weapon.

The hunters described that a wound at close range from a rifle of the Berdan No. 2 system (initial velocity of an all-lead 24-gram unsheathed rifle bullet 437 m / s) did not cause significant harm even to wild chamois, which after being wounded often went a considerable distance, although with buckshot or even It was not difficult to kill a chamois with a large shot from a smoothbore gun.

"HUNTING NAGAN". Today, the revolver of the Nagant system of the 1895 model, which replaced the Smith and Wesson, is becoming more and more popular every day. This is due to the sale of a large number of "Naganov", converted into noise guns, using the "zhevelo" primer as "ammunition". Along with popularity, this revolver is overgrown with a mass of legends that are already beginning to be perceived as an indisputable truth. One of these legends is associated with the border Nagant. Long-barreled "Nagans" are known, in which the handle is "turned" into a butt. Someone once came up with the crazy idea that this was a carbine designed for the Separate Corps of the Border Guard. Why the border guards needed this weak weapon with a long, unprotected barrel, which is easy to bend under operating conditions, the author does not mention. In fact, these long-barreled "Nagans" were made in the workshop of hunting weapons at the Imperial Tula Arms Plant on private orders of hunters.

The revolver of the Smith and Wesson system was used by our hunters to hunt wild boar and even bear. Moreover, a positive result was known. From hitting a revolver bullet, even in a non-lethal place, a seriously wounded boar fell. Of course, the distance of the shot should not exceed 100 steps (71 m).

The already mentioned V. Goncharov, based on the results of his hunts, came to interesting conclusions. He believed that a rifle bullet, due to its higher initial velocity, “penetrates an object without producing a strong blow and concussion, breaks the covers a little”; a revolver bullet, “thrown out by a smaller relative charge and, therefore, received a smaller initial speed, in terms of impact force it approaches a smooth-walled gun, more seriously wounded than a rifled Berdanka.

It makes no sense to challenge the opinion of the practitioner, since his experience of hunting large animals with a revolver shows the effectiveness of these conclusions. You can not even mention hunting for animals that are weaker to the wound.

That is, the very fact of hunting with revolvers in Russia did not just take place, moreover, the features of their conduct were discussed even on the pages of the national periodicals end of the 19th century

The reader may ask a legitimate question, but where did the traditions of "revolver hunting" go in Imperial Russia? Have they really disappeared at that time? Well, they didn't get off. Even with the advent of a new revolver of the 1895 model (Nagant system) of 7.62 mm caliber under a very weak cartridge, fans of revolver hunting did not disappear. Hunting "Nagans" are known, produced in the workshop of hunting weapons at the Imperial Tula Arms Plant, with an elongated barrel and butt, erroneously referred to in our time as "border".

Most likely, such hunting ceased in the 1920s. in connection with the general tightening of weapons legislation. Although large-caliber revolvers are still being seized from poachers in remote corners of the country, and, no matter how strange it may seem, these “hunters” fully shared the opinion of V. Goncharov, expressed more than 100 years ago, regarding the lethality of a revolver bullet.