[yarddog]

That one came from Jeff Cooper, a truly brilliant and knowledgeable man. Like most people, Cooper was capable of being wrong and I agree with you that the statement is not entirely correct.

I think Col. Cooper began to mellow a bit in his later years. Even tho he was often quoted as making fun of mouse guns, he admitted that he often stuck a .22 auto in his pocket while walking around the ranch.

I think he said “It doesn’t hit hard but it hits hard enough for most purposes”, maybe not an exact quote but close.

[Goldsborough]

That one came from Jeff Cooper, a truly brilliant and knowledgeable man. Like most people, Cooper was capable of being wrong and I agree with you that the statement is not entirely correct.

As cited, the quote in question is the work of Clint Smith. As far as it goes, I agree with the saying on a battlefield. As the larger world is not a battlefield, saying "A pistol is only good for fighting your way to the rifle you should have never put down," is a seriously "tool-ish" personal policy stance.

There couldn't be two more different Marines regarding the utility of handguns than Cooper and Smith. As Col. Cooper had enormous respect for the M1911A1, begrudging respect for the CZ-75, and practical respect for the J-Frame S&W wheelgun, I would never attribute Mr. Smith's narrow view of the handgun to him.