Whistlebritches wrote:True but these lightweights weren't meant to be shot a lot,they were meant to be carried a lot.I have a 642 that's had exactly 5 rounds thru it,I verified it shot center mass at 12 feet with +P ammo about 15 years ago.It's been loaded with that same ammo since but not fired.I like it because it requires no holster...…..I usually carry it in my jacket pocket or right rear hip pocket.It gives you 5 quick rounds for up close and personal business.I have seen a few of these with swollen cylinders but they saw heavy range use...…….they will just not stand up to it.But used as intended one will last multiple lifetimes.
In that context, absolutely. But you're the functional target market and can already shoot. Most of those get sold to some gal in Gander mountain that picks it up and thinks "Oh, that's super light, I like that!" and then goes out to learn how to shoot it. Then it's their only gun.
I've tossed at least a dozen of those off the firing line at NRA basic pistol classes we've taught. Give them a loaner .22lr, get them dialed in and let them go from there.
I had a 350 lb dude show up with a Kimber Ultra Carry in .45acp. Gun disappeared in that dudes mitts. I was fondling the thing as it was the first one I'd actually got to handle. His first shot was center mass, I was impressed as hell. Until his next shot and all the rest went in the mud. That thing bit the crap out of him. Flinch isn't the right word. LOL.
We put that back in it's case, gave him a Ruger MKI and he did fine after. We told him to take that back to gander mountain, get his money back and get a more user friendly gun.