Club Obi Wan

Fellow Gearheads,
Really curious for your opinions of what type(s) of make, model & caliber (and finish) handgun that Indy might have in this modern day era?
Yes, I realize Indy is a fictional character and that nowadays archaeologists don't carry guns around with them everywhere;
However, based on factors of reliability, accuracy, stopping power, size/ease of use, and 'modern' features/improvements - I'm very eager to hear opinions and conjectures on this topic (especially from our very knowledgeable pool of COW firearm enthusiasts).

Thanks!

Note:
This may have been discussed previously - if anyone knows the thread - please post.

Does it have to be a revolver?

I would have to say a beretta 92fs 9mm. Bufflehead and I carry that weapon for work. Its a great working gun. Kinda big ( Indy wouldnt carry a little gun) and its easy to take apart, clean and works well in dusty areas. Indy would look good with a 9 on his side. But thats just my opinion.

Pyroxene wrote:Does it have to be a revolver?

Hi Pyroxene,
No, I wanted to keep all options open (that's why I referred to it as "handgun").
Anyway, Indy used a Browning HP also.

I think he would be carrying a later version of a S&W revolver if anything new at all. However he seemed to use older surplus military pistols. (The Browning is an exception however.)

By the time of ROTLA the gun he was carrying was already nearly 20 years old. So he was not carrying anything modern anyway.

Just my opinion.

S&W Model 28 357 Revolver

A modern day Indy would have a lot more choices in handguns and calibers available to him, most of which would serve him well. My own personal choices would be any caliber .40 and above, Smith & Wesson Revolvers, and semi-autos from Sig, H&K, S&W, Ruger, Glock, Colt(or a Colt clone), and Browning. I would have added Berretta to the list, but the examples I've shot have not been terribly accurate. There are other choices, but the ones I've listed are enough for me.

Knowing Indy's resourcefulness, I think he'd carry a 9mm semi auto (since you can find 9 mm ammo anywhere in the world) and possibly a .45 revolver. In essence, I don't think his Raiders setup would be all that different today.

Ken

Peacock's Eye wrote:A modern day Indy would have a lot more choices in handguns and calibers available to him, most of which would serve him well. My own personal choices would be any caliber .40 and above, Smith & Wesson Revolvers, and semi-autos from Sig, H&K, S&W, Ruger, Glock, Colt(or a Colt clone), and Browning. I would have added Berretta to the list, but the examples I've shot have not been terribly accurate. There are other choices, but the ones I've listed are enough for me.

The Berretta that they issued me at work must be a good one, then. I qualify as Master on the qualification course every year. The Master marksmanship category means that my score on the course is between 99-100. It doesn't leave much room for error.

I find that the Berretta is more accurate than the S&W revolver that I was issued before we switched to semi-autos. Maybe I got a bad S&W and a good Berretta.

When I was first issued the S&W, the barrel was not aligned properly and it would shoot around corners since it had a fixed front sight. After our Department Armorer properly aligned the barrel, it no longer shot around corners, but it never shot as tight a group as the Berretta.

(The revolver really didn't shoot curve balls, I was exagerating. Until the front barrel was installed properly, the sights were misaligned.)

You are to be commended for your excellent marksmanship. It is possible that I got hold of a bad couple of Berretta examples. It is also possible that my marksmanship would have improved had I spent more time practicing. Whatever the case, I have found a number of other handguns that I shoot well with less time and effort.

I remember when the Florida Highway Patrol went from Smith model 27's to the Beretta, the reject pistols to accepted in the 92's were probably one bad pistol for every 40 accepted, and the reject was an easy fix. Good stuff back then. Not sure about the U.S. contract 92's, but the original Italian issues were fantastic.

Regards! Michaelson

I am putting Glock on the list. Easier to carry.

Pesonally, I think he'd carry a rubber chicken. It'd distract his foes long enough to get away.

My Beretta was made in the USA. That only makes sense that my department would buy these guns and support a County business. Beretta's USA factory is located in the County that I work for.

Seems like this should mean that I would get a nice discount on buying one for when I retire. I guess not. :evil:

Thanks Guys,
Appreciate your inputs.

Bufflehead Jones wrote: Seems like this should mean that I would get a nice discount on buying one for when I retire. I guess not. :evil:

It's probably because of your record of shooting at kids as they ride their bikes pass your house. And I thought Michaelson was bad!

bink

"Oops... sorry, kid, I was aiming at your tires!"

I keep wanting to borrow the remote controlled road spikes so that I can take care of all the kids riding dirt bikes and atv's in the neighborhood. But, they won't let me, what's the fun in that? :evil:

The retirement thing reminds me of what happened when I was down in Florida in the late 80's....custom was that when a FHP patrolman retired, he was retired with his uniform AND GUN!!! You would NOT believe how many men decided to take early retirement when the Beretta's were brought into the department. They qualified with the 92, turned in their retirement papers....got their pension, uniform AND newly issued Beretta....then sold the gun to a local sheriff deputy...essentially receiving a then $500 perk to leave the force!!

Needless to say, the FHP armorer was screaming bloody murder!!

Not sure if they're still doing that or not.

Regards! Michaelson

As of a few years ago, when we retired, we were able to buy our issued weapon to keep it. The price was really low and I would love to be able to do that.

Now, things have changed. Since the gun has the department's initials stamped on it, they don't want any of these guns to be stolen or sold and then used in crimes. We are NOT allowed to buy the gun, and it is simply turned into scrap metal. Sad really, as the one I have shoots so well.

Well, there was no 'purchase' involved when I was there. It was just part and parcel of the retirement package.

Regards! Michaelson

What about one of those big 'Colt detectives'!

They're not that big. Regards! Michaelson

No, but you can hide them in the inside pocket of a wested!

The real Henry wrote:No, but you can hide them in the inside pocket of a wested!

Hummm. Good point. Regards! Michaelson

I think Indy chose the weapons he did based on what ammunition was predominant at the time, and would do the same today. .45 and 9mm were very common in the 30s, and would have been easy to acquire. I think today he'd go with a .357, a 9mm, or a .40.

For auto versus revolver, I think he would have have the same configuration. Revolvers are still around because they still have advantages over automatics, particularly as a defensive weapon. Misfire? No problem! Just pull the trigger again. A revolver would have to be dropped, dragged in the mud, and beat with a hammer to ever jam, and usually if you need more than 6 rounds to do the job you are probably in over your head! The obvious advantage to automatics is the capacity and the ability to reload quickly. A lot of the advantages of the new autos were not available in Indy's time, like decocking levers and even molded grips. I love my Commander, but the lack of a decocking lever or a safety that can be engaged even when the weapon is not chambered can get awkward.

I've always loved the Beretta, having spanned the conversion in the Marine Corps between the 1911s and the M-9s. I've never qualified anything but expert with the Berettas, but the 1911s had so many rounds put through them that the things rattled like an old car. Nostalgic, but I'd hate to have to depend on them!

OK, so to the meat of the subject. I think Indy would carry a .357 revolver, probably an S&W, with a 9mm Beretta or an S&W .40 backup (with laser grips).

Buffle I too shot master. You trained me well

Michaelson wrote:Well, there was no 'purchase' involved when I was there. It was just part and parcel of the retirement package.

Regards! Michaelson

Every department makes it's own regulations and policies. Our department changed ours, I wish they would change it again before the end of the year so that I could buy mine. I doubt that they will, though.

Personally I hate the Beretta 92F 9mm. I own one myself which I keep around only because it's an old Italian made one and you can't get those anymore. I shoot it once in a while, but I can't hit anything with it. Maybe it's just me, but my Webley revolvers are more accurate (in my hands...) than the 9mm. Also, the 9mm is, in my opinion, a whimpy caliber. I spend a lot of time in the woods. I want a gun that is reliable, light weight so I can carry it all day, and can kill an elephant with one shot. (just in case... ) So I carry a Taurus model 444 Ultralight titanium in .44mag. It weighs 28 ounces, is a 6 shot revolver made of titanium. It is very accurate and reliable. You can carry it all day long without even noticing it's there really. The only drawback is the recoil is HUGEMONGEOUS!!!! I used to own a Desert Eagle .50AE and the recoil you felt from that was much lighter than this thing. You have to have a stout wrist and be used to big bore handguns. Since it's so light, all the recoil goes into you. But I can fire about 30 rounds through it one handed before it really starts to bug me. But let's face it.... If you have to fire 30 rounds of .44 magnum in a gunfight, you're having a really bad day anyway! I mean, how many .44mag bullets does it take to get to the center of a tootsie-roll pop? The world will never know....

FN Five seveN, that way he could go through a whole Raven Bar scene without reloading or changing pistol. Might find it a tad difficult to find ammunition at your local bazaar however...

Nearadyn wrote: So I carry a Taurus model 444 Ultralight titanium in .44mag. It weighs 28 ounces, is a 6 shot revolver made of titanium. It is very accurate and reliable. You can carry it all day long without even noticing it's there really. The only drawback is the recoil is HUGEMONGEOUS!!!! ....

GOOD HEAVENS!!! I'd hate to be standing behind you when THAT monster went off! The recoil would take BOTH of us down!!! I LOVE 44's, but that's just a bit to light for even ME!! MERCY!!!!

High regards! Michaelson

Nearadyn wrote:Personally I hate the Beretta 92F 9mm. Also, the 9mm is, in my opinion, a whimpy caliber.

While that may be true, it is kind of hard to duck 16 rounds in 2 seconds.

A 12 ga. does wonders.... Regards! Michaelson

Yeah, I have one of those, too. 18 inch barrel and extended magazine.

Only thing better would be a granade. (grins) Regards! Michaelson

They don't let me bring those home.

Yep...you told me about your retirement plan. Man, that's a shame too.... Regards! Michaelson

Don't forget the S&W Model 25. Its the modern day decendant of the Hand Ejector.

Hello all, my pick for a modern day Indy gun would be the reintroduced S & W model 21 .44 special!!! Check it out->http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... m=40575850

I think S & W once again stopped making this one. They offered it in a Thunder Ranch model, which only meant a gold Thunder ranch symbol on the side, and one without the symbol. If it had to be brand new I would go this route. As for the semi auto, of course a Browning HP!!!


Take care,
RGF

I think Indy would use two glocks.

I glock 17 in his holster and a glock 26 as backup.

9mm provides a good mix of stopping power and capacity.

The magazines are also interchangable (well the 26 can use the 17's mags), so he would not have to carry anything that the other pistol couldnt use in a jam.

Well I am in the Harry Callahan (as in Dirty Harry) camp:

Model 460 XVR Revolver





We all grew up hearing the phrase, “Faster than a speeding bullet...,” but not when it is fired from Smith & Wesson’s new Model 460XVR, with the highest muzzle velocity of any production revolver on earth. The Model 460XVR is so revolutionary that it required an entirely new designation...XVR, X-treme Velocity Revolver.

Starting with their Extra Large Frame, the Smith & Wesson engineers worked to deliver maximum velocity - over 2,300 feet per second - to reach the target faster than ever before. The 460XVR has interchangeable compensators to accommodate every load and includes a HI-VIZ® front sight for accurate target acquisition. Plus, its “gain-twist” rifled barrel means superb long-range accuracy (beyond 200 yards) with every shot! Only Smith & Wesson could deliver this much power, this much velocity and this much accuracy in a precision, production revolver.

* Removable, Interchangeable Compensator

* The Highest Velocity Revolver in the World - 2330 FPS/200 Grain!

* The Most Powerful .45 Caliber Revolver In the World - 2400 lbs/ft!

* If You Zero its Sights at 200 Yards You Will Bag Your Buck with a Center Hold 0-250 Yards with No Hold Over! Just Center It and Fire. The 460XVR Will Do The Rest

* Gain Twist Rifled Barrel for Superb Accuracy

* Lighter Loads That The 460 Will Also Fire Include .45 Colt and .454 Casull

* Incredibly Low Perceived Recoil For All Loads

* Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price: $1313.00 (and worth every penny)

Ah heck, you guys can have all of your fancy modern technolongy. The good ol' S&W 45 Colt mountain gun or a .44mag Ruger Redhawk/ S&W Model 29 is all you need in a handgun. In all praticality, if you can't get enough power out of a 45 Colt or .44mag then you should be carrying a rifle. Enter the Marin 450 Guide Gun....

A revolver is great for one on one, but as Indy found out in the Raiders bar fight, sometimes you need the extra ammo that an automatic can spit.

Masterfulks wrote:A revolver is great for one on one, but as Indy found out in the Raiders bar fight, sometimes you need the extra ammo that an automatic can spit.

True! Thats where the Browning comes in. I swear those Glocks have to be the ugliest handguns ever made.

Yeah the Glock 17 is ugly.

I kind of like the looks of my 26 and the 19....

They do have my favorite trigger pull. Nice smooth and easy. They don't feel like they have a "spot" like a lot of other pistols do.

I can't speak for auto's, but the smoothest action I've seen in a revolver is the Colt Anaconda. It has a smooth double action pull and LIGHT single action pull.

Pyroxene wrote:I am putting Glock on the list. Easier to carry.

I agree, but not so much for the ease of carry as the unbelievable reliability Glocks have (as long as you only feed it factory ammo). It would likely be in 9mm for the reasons JerseyJones mentioned. Good thread, BTW...

Sergei wrote:Well I am in the Harry Callahan (as in Dirty Harry) camp:

Since we are talking big guns...I like my Desert Eagle. It is fun to shoot.

My favorite modern gun has to be a Witness 9mm or .40 cal. They are good tactical guns, but the 9mm shoots a lot easier than does the .40. I have both. For a revolver, I'm guessing a short Colt of S&W similar to the movie version. :junior:

Good luck if you plan to purchase anything.

Pyroxene wrote:

Sergei wrote:Well I am in the Harry Callahan (as in Dirty Harry) camp:

Since we are talking big guns...I like my Desert Eagle. It is fun to shoot.

I love the look of them, Pyro, but could never get used to the feel. Felt like trying to hold onto a 2 x 4. I have big hands, just due to long fingers. Not enough 'meat' to hold on to one of these artillery pieces!

Regards! Michaelson