ah yes, perfect packing pistol

by bj , Friday, May 06, 2016, 20:53 (3061 days ago) @ MR

I've read about various searches for this and I've thought about them a lot.

There are a lot of answers to this question and you have some good ones already. But part of the fun is talking about it.

1. I don't know the percentages but there were some of the old model blackhawks made with 4 5/8" barrels. If you don't mind the smallbore cartridge, those would be a good choice for PPP. More recently Ruger has made the Montado with a short barrel and I think it would be a good PPP. Depending on your taste it might be even better with a birdshead grip. And I think it would be great with a J-frame rear sight and a new front sight blade.

2. The 629, even 4", is a little wide and heavy. The mountain gun version is a bit lighter but not light and just as wide. I think it is wise to carry a gun that is equal to the task that it might need to tackle, and the 629 could be considered necessary for some locations, no matter the weight, so in those situations it might be the PPP. There are lighter and/or smaller- the S&W Scandium 329 is no smaller but a lot lighter. It would be great for carry but not so perfect because we would want to spend some time shooting the thing. More recently S&W made the model 69 L-frame .44 magnum. It is a good compromise for a PPP because it is a little smaller and a little lighter, but not too light to enjoy shooting with substantial loads.

3. Having mentioned "up to the task" I recall the story of Sundles wanting a small but capable big bore handgun as backup in places where a substantial cartridge is required, and he chose a Freedom Arms 97 in .45 Colt so he could carry it with Ruger-class loads. I have experienced big loads in a Ruger .45 Colt and I'm not sure I want to shoot many of them through a short barrel FA 97.

4. And not to forget the 1911- I've often thought an accurized 1911 with adjustable sights would make a good field gun. Well I'm thinking field gun but then I realize that's just another term for PPP. For field carry a lightweight frame would be better, and I like the Commander length barrel/slide. However I haven't found anyone making a Commander length with lightweight frame and adjustable sights.