I was just reading 120mm's thread, "All-purpose hunting with autoloaders" and I was going to suggest that he research the Wildey pistol.

A couple of comments were made eventually in the thread about this. I was just wondering if anyone on this site actually owns one. I've been drooling over them for years but haven't been able to afford one so far.

I don't mind the blockiness because I have pretty large hands. I was wondering whether the trigger is of a good design and well fitted. The adjustable gas system has always intrigued me and that .475 cartridge looks large enough for anything I'd care to shoot with a handgun.

I swage jacketed bullets, so scrounging for them wouldn't be a big deal. I'd just need a 3 die set of swage dies with a .475 hole poked in them, some lead wire and jackets.

These are pretty pricey guns, kind of on the order of a high-end 1911 with lots of work done on it. I'd be interested to hear from owners or anyone who cares to comment. Thanks.

Paul

I've fired one in .45 Win. Magnum a few years ago (maybe 7 yrs., I'm getting old). Anyway, I do recall NOT liking it because of ergonomics more than anything. I too have large enough hands to handle the pistol. But it didn't seem to balance well, maybe it was the overly long barrel that was hanging off the end of it. I don't recall the length but it was in the 8"-10" range. I do remember that the trigger was pretty good for a production auto pistol. And I'm sure that the .475 will be enough gun for just about anything that you could kill in most of the world. It sounds like a good choice.

I don't own one, nor have shot one. I considered it, but I didn't like the way it felt in my hand. I picked up a 44 Automag instead. It isn't as powerful, but is still lots of fun to shoot and feels great in my hand.

Yeah, the Automag is one cool handgun. I saw one for $1200 in the paper here once but, naturally, didn't have it. It looks a lot more comfortable to grip than the Wildey but its been out of production for so long that if anything broke on it you might have to get the part custom made. There is a good article in the '77 Gun Digest about the Automag. I believe the article has 2 or 3 parts. As far as sharp edges, a die grinder and some judicious filing & polishing would take care of that. My Smith 629 has the 8 3/8" barrel and doesn't seem the least bit muzzle heavy to me but I think the Wildey is a bit heavier. One of the neat things about the Wildey is that you can get different barrel assemblies, somewhat like the Contender. Oh well, maybe I'll be able to handle one at a gun show sometime and draw a better conclusion. Thanks for responding.

Paul

pjh421,

Big bore autoload handgun top choice could be Desert Eagle. the .50 AE is a great round, now with the .500 S&W there is a lot of bullets available in caliber .500/.501.

I know one person who owned a Wildey .475, he has also tried my Desert Eagle .50 AE. He has broken some part of his Wildey, bullet aren't easy to find only Hawk bullets,...

Th Automad is a great gun too but the Desert eagle is a little bit cheaper.

I had a 475 Wildey pistol for about 4 year ago they are good shooter the only thing back then was the bullets now with the 480 Ruger you should have some good bullets to shoot that are a little cheaper. My 475 had a 12" BBL on it. I had about $1600.00 dollars in it with die but it is a well made gun and if your call Moore at Wildey he will help you with any touble you have they are nice people to deal with.