Do you like heavy guns or light guns ?

[Laketime]

As the title states, even on a carry gun I want a little weight behind it .A small caliber deep concealment mouse gun would of course need to be very light. This can also be asked of long guns.skeet and trap guns,and hunting rifles..Just curious how you guys feel on the subject.

 

[zzzippper]

I once humped the hills of eastern Kentucky with some friends. I was a relative newbie and only had an M1 Garand while they were carrying CAR-15s and Ruger Mini 14s. I quickly learned the merits of a light rifle on a hike.

 

[falcon1]

I prefer a little weight, especially in a handgun.

 

[M29since14]

As you say, it depends on what I use the gun for and how much I plan to shoot it at any given time. I like Commanders to carry and steel 1911s for target practice. Target shotguns need to be somewhere in between. I don't have the upper body strength to use a really heavy gun all day long. Etc, etc. Basically, I like both.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

For shooting I prefer a heavier gun. If I have to carry one all day I prefer a lighter gun.

First example I can think of was back in the 1960's. The Army trained me with the M14 rifle. About 10 lbs, and that 7.62 ammo gets pretty heavy, too. In Vietnam I was issued a M16, about 6 lbs, and the ammo was 1/3 the weight of an equal number of 7.62. If I ever have to place accurate fire on target at 400 yards I'll take the M14 every time, but when I had to hump the boonies for days on end the M16 was my choice (even though I have seen 5.56mm deflected by brush and even grass, which the 7.62mm would have plowed through easily).

I have an old S&W Model 37 Airweight Chief, about 14 oz., very easy to carry. I have a newer Kahr .40, about 16 oz., also easy to carry. I usually carry a full-size 1911, about 34 oz., and I don't mind it at all. Neither one of the smaller guns is much fun at the range, but I can comfortably shoot the .45 all day long (not to mention the obvious increase in terminal performance).

 

[redlevel]

I like 'em sort of medianary.
I prefer K-frame revolvers for the most
part, and all-steel j-frames. I like full-size
1911s for the range, but I carry alloy frame
Commander size pistols, currently a Ruger.

 

[Arik]

Mid range. I don't like mouse guns cause they are hard for me to grip and draw. The grips are too small and I have to readjust my hold. FS is harder to conceal. Something in the 20 - 30 oz is fine

 

[Bill Bates]

In handguns I like calibers that begin with 4 so I appreciate them having a little weight.

I spend most of my Fall hunting "The King" Bonasa umbellus (ruffed grouse) so I like my side by side shotguns in the 6 lbs. range. They still swing well and are easy to carry.

I hunt big game on the high mountains of Utah so I prefer a light rifle. You pack them a lot more than you shoot them; so, even in large calibers when shooting at a deer or elk you never noticed the recoil.

 

[Decker]

For shooting I prefer a heavier gun. If I have to carry one all day I prefer a lighter gun.

That's a nicely succinct way that I'd put it as well.

I bought both a Ltwt. Commander (o4860XSE) and an all stainless Commander (o4091U) with the intent of shooting and training with the stainless and mainly carrying the Ltwt.
I surprised myself because I actually prefer the feel of the heavier Commander at my side. Weird, because the difference in weight between the two is huge.

In the end, though, it's the Ltwt. I carry when I carry a Commander because it did finally sink in that the all stainless really is that much heavier to be not very comfortable when wearing most of a day. I got tired of my belt giving me away by the way it tilted downward toward the gun side.

Anyway, when I carry open around my property with heavier belt and OWB holster, I take the stainless, and often instead grab the all stainless Government.

But for conceal, lighter is always better for me, so depending on how I dress, I'll grab something along the lines of an LCP for front pocket hideaway, a Ltwt. 642, then a Defender, and then the Ltwt. Commander.
These things can get heavy after a while.

 

[Maddog 521]

YES & YES

 

[3dots]

I like a balanced gun and the weight needs to appropriate for the caliber I shot a Ruger American 30-06 a while back, it only weighs 6.5lbs....it was awful!

 

[shouldazagged]

Steel J- and K-frames are about right. I no longer carry (or even own) anything heavier or lighter, though I might eventually pick up a small, very light autoloader for church or rare formal occasions.

 

[Eltioloco]

For big game hunting I like my rifle to weigh around 8 or 9lbs loaded with scope and sling attached. I have tried to use lighter rifles but for me they are too twitchy. I find a long barrel on a rifle is more of an impediment then the weight of the rifle.
For handguns, on my carry permit I have a .45 Colt Ltwt Commander, Ruger SP101 and a Walther PPK. I carry whichever one fits the bill.
When kicking around the desert, it's my 4 5/8 Ruger Blackhawk or one of the .22's
Ken.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Seems like smaller and lighter handguns (relative to the caliber) has been the new frontier for manufactures the last several years.
If I see one more "new" single stack 9mm I think I'll vomit.

That said, I've been bitten by the smaller and lighter bug too. Brought home a Springfield XDs 3.3'' 45 and couldn't be more pleased. Great little gun.

 

[johngalt]

I like my firearms to have some mass, as they are easier to shoot accurately. I don't want them so heavy that I can't shoot them with 1 hand. A 6" 686 is a little on the heavy side for bullseye shooting. A 6" K frame, M41, or steel 1911 is about right.

 

[badge]

The older I get the lighter I seem to gravitate to for my carry weapons. I used to think nothing of toting N Frames all day but I'm ok with air weights and Shields now.

 

[pawngal]

K frame here, just right. Tried a couple of J's, no thanks. But I seldom carry either.

 

[steelslaver]

I mostly carry a CA Bulldog for self defense. Though I just got a alloy 1911 and a 696 so we will see. During hunting season I carry N frames. Coyote hunting for short walks to stand a bull barreled 223 or 6mm. Long walks deer hunting a Mohawk 600. Elk hunting a full sized 338WM. In other words it depends I what I am doing.

 

[rwsmith]

Depends...

I shot guns at the range that were way too light and carried guns through the woods that were way too heavy.

 

[Rick_A]

All my guns are heavy and/or big save for my Airweight 38. It's a joy to shoot. A proper, well fitting set of grips is key. I like it enough I'm entertaining getting another, though I'll likely opt for a cheaper set of grips!

It's used as a pocket or ankle gun, and I wouldn't want anything heavier for such a purpose.

As far as long guns, I don't mind some extra weight. Those are about 10lbs.