From: "Earl W", [EMAIL PROTECTED]
An amusing story with the mesage of "never bet if
you don't want to loose"
Enjoy
EW
===
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/dynamic.asp?intSectionID=212&intArticleID=1083
Mother's Magnum - March 2001
Five rounds of .44 Magnum ammunition in a Ruger
single-action revolver is an intimidating sight to a youngster.
By Bart Skelton
"She's a bit too punchy for me, boy. I think I'll stick
with my ol' .32-20 Colt, if it's all the same to you." My old
cowhand friend uttered these words somewhat wistfully as he
handed my revolver back to me.
The New Mexico winter was beginning to set in and it
was looking like it might be a tough one. The clouds hung low
on the mountain peaks, heavy with ice particles. The air was
still and a few white flakes were appearing. Our trip to the
high country had been a dual purpose one; looking for cattle
that may have been missed during the recent fall gathering
and to do some shooting with my Ruger Blackhawk .44 flattop. I
had been granted a couple of days off from my regular job and
had decided to head to the mountains for a quick visit.
My friend had been a cowhand all of his life and had
worked ranches throughout New Mexico. He had packed his first
generation Colt for many years, even though .32-20 ammunition
is pretty expensive for someone drawing cowboy wages.
"My cousin, Hunk, he used to have a .44 Mag. He told me
it was the greatest cartridge evere was, but after shootin'
yours, I believe I disagree. Just too much gun," he said as we
ambled back to his old pickup. "I've killed a bunch of game
with my old Colt and she don't kick near as bad."
His response wasn't uncommon. I've known many shooters
who think the same way, though I know a few more who don't
believe the .44 Magnum is quite big enough. The growing
popularity of the .454 Casull has definitely cast a shadow
on the .44's once powerful reputation, and the older cartridge
no longer carries the designation of the most powerful
cartridge in the world. But it's still a fine one.
I, too, am fond of the Freedom Arms .454 Casull, though
I believe I would be more apt to pick a .44 Magnum revolver
for an every day packing gun. My association with the .44
Magnum cartridge started in 1966, when Dad tasked himself
with disproving the negative opinions of those criticizing
the .44 Magnum. A few influential shooters and gunwriters of
the day had instigated a push to discredit the .44 Mag, stating
that the cartridge was much too powerful to safely fire in a
handgun and was too punishing for the average shooter. Dad,
being an adamant fan of the big .44, went to bat for it .
Five rounds of .44 Magnum ammunition in a Ruger
single-action revolver is an intimidating sight to a
youngster-I can attest to that. As I recall, I didn't fire
all five rounds, but shot enough for my dad to take pictures.
It was a proud day for both of us. I shot without complaining
and, predictably, missed the coffee can we had set up about
twenty feet away. The pictures were later published along
with dad's story disputing the claims of those denouncing
the big magnum. As far as I know, those naysayers have
remained silent ever since.
My relationship with the cartridge has remained
special since that day. I am fortunate to own a couple of
good .44 Mags, including Dad's old flattop Ruger and an
outstanding Smith and Wesson Model 629 with custom stocks
built by Bear Hug Grips. I've packed these guns faithfully
for years and have cleanly taken game with both.
I've observed a few good developments in the
cartridge over the years and have seen some great new
production .44 Magnum revolvers become available. Along
with that, I've also seen some unlikely .44 Magnum
shooters evolve.
Some years back, Ruger introduced its excellent
Bisley Model revolvers. These single actions sport grip
frame and hammer shapes that resemble those of the classic
old Colt Bisleys. Dad was lucky enough to get his hands on
one of the first Ruger Bisleys, a 7 1/2 inch .44 Mag. For
reasons unknown to all but her, my mother, Sally, has
always had an affinity for the Colt Bisley, and when the
new Ruger Bisley Model arrived at the house, she took an
immediate liking to it. "I want this gun for my own." she
advised Dad.
Taken aback, since she had rarely shown a great deal
of interest in new guns coming in and out of the house,
Dad replied "What do you want with it?" "I want it for my
purse gun." she said after a short pause.
When his laughter died down, a good bit of pondering
ensued as Dad tried to figure out how to quash what he
considered just a whim on my mother's part. But she
persisted, and at last a deal was struck-a deal that Dad
figured was a sure way to keep her quiet. He posted a
clean target on the 20-yard backstop behind the house,
loaded the Bisley with five rounds of full-house magnums
and told my mother that if she could place all five rounds
in the black, offhand, the gun was hers.
I wasn't present for the firing, but I do know that
there were five .44 caliber holes in the target on the
backstop. Dad walked around shaking his head for days. Even
though my mother doesn't really carry the big .44 around
in her purse, she still keeps it at her bedside and I sure
wouldn't want to be the one attempting an unwelcome entry
into her place at night.
"You know my mother carries a big Ruger .44 Magnum
like this one. Calls it her purse gun." I told my cowhand
friend as we climbed into the pickup. He took a large dip
of Copenhagen and picked up my Ruger, studying it closely.
He expectorated out the window and shook his head. "Women
are takin' over everythin'."
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