[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Taz's Master

Exactly. I don't disagree with Odd Job, nor do I think that money spent on custom work is wasted. I just think that if you want to shoot your .357 better, instead of taking your spoon to a gunsmith and writing a check, it might be more economical to buy a used Single Six and shoot a couple thousand rounds. Likewise, spending on a 22/45 and trying to shoot it to death is probably going to pay better dividends than tricking out your 1911.

Of course that's pretty much the same as saying that shooting .22's in the backyard is fine, but the "Combat Wombat" shoots will be better prep for a life or death situation.

The only 2 pieces of advice I feel qualified to give about carrying a weapon are: Purchase a firearm you will actually carry, and shoot a lot.

If you aren't comfortable carrying the spoon, then you probably won't have it when you need it.

The way to improve your marksmanship is to shoot. Shooting a bolt rifle 100yds off of sandbags isn't really a hunting situation, but when all the mechanical elements are second nature, even bench rest practice pays dividends when shooting offhand at moving game. Rimfires offhand in the backyard is fun, a great way to spend time with the kids, and a super way to tighten those groups.

My only piece to add is make sure that it is reliable. If you need it to go "bang", it better go "bang"!