Time to buy a pistol

[Band]

I have never owned a pistol but I'm thinking about buying one this year and I would like some advice, please.  The primary purpose will be to have it in the woods as a precautionary measure against whatever threat might come along (cougar, wolf, demented person, etc.).  I really don't know exactly what would suit me best but I absolutely want to make sure it is compact and lightweight.  I know me and I simply would not bother packing a large, heavy gun.

I don't feel the need for a caliber that will absolutely kill with one shot but I want it to have enough fire power to defray a threat and be able to kill with a well-placed shot or with multiple shots.  My best guess is that a 9mm would suit my needs best (if not something even a little smaller) but any suggestions would be welcome.  I'm guessing I would prefer a semi auto to a revolver but I'm not certain.  I would like to have a bullet capacity somewhere in the range of 6-10.  Accuracy is a consideration but I know the kind of pistol I'm looking for will not be terribly accurate except at close range, and that's fine.

I don't need fancy but I want quality and dependability.  Brand/specific model recommendations welcome as well.  Thanks.

[troyspinetar]

Not fancy
Quality
Dependable
Relatively compact...
Glock 26 (9mm)
Glock 27 (.40)           

Good luck and happy shopping!

[DOUBLELUNG]

Hard to go wrong with any of the Springfield XD series.  .40 S&W would be my caliber choice, based on your description an XD subcompact in .40 will give you 10 rounds (9+1) with the compact magazine, 26 oz empty. 

[wildmanoutdoors]

A little thinner than the Glocks, single stackers;
S & W Shield 9mm and Shield 40.

Also, the XDs Springfield.

[h20hunter]

If it was me....S&W M&P in .40, standard size. My brothr in law just picked one up and we shot it for the first time this weekend. It had a nice feel to it, comfortable, shot great, high capacity, easy on the pocket book. Great shooting gun.

[Wazukie]

My preference is a revolver in .357 but if it were to be an auto, I'd go for a 9mm.

[magnanimous_j]

How do you plan on carrying it? If it’s open carry on the hip like a cowboy, weight is a lot less of an issue. If I was carrying it like that, I would get either a S&W 686 or a Ruger GP100, 4” barrel, .357 mag. If it’s some kind of shoulder rig, you can’t go wrong with any of the suggestions made so far, but I’d throw in the CZ 75 compact for consideration.

[jbeaumont21]

I second the Springfield xd or xdm series. I carry a compact 45 acp on my hip when hunting and rarely even notice it is there.  Great reliable gun and you can pick up a used one for about $500 bucks.

[jrebel]

Best value for your buck is Ruger SR9C or SR40C.  Compact, light weight, accurate large mag capacity and new will run you $420-$450 before tax. 

I absolutely love my SR40C.

[6x6in6]

Best value for your buck is Ruger SR9C or SR40C.  Compact, light weight, accurate large mag capacity and new will run you $420-$450 before tax. 

I absolutely love my SR40C.

on my SR40C too!

[Mike450r]

I say get two.   I prefer a wheelgun in .357 in the woods and a semi-auto in .40 s&w in the city

[jackelope]

Ruger LCP in .357 or a Glock 36 if you want something automatic. Single stack bombproof .45acp.

[Bob33]

Revolver for simplicity. Ruger SP101 in 357 Magnum.

[Bean Counter]

You can't eat your cake and have it, too.

There are tradeoffs when weight, round capacity, and accuracy is concerned.  You can shave off weight by making the barrel shorter, but that will affect your accuracy. My BUG is a S&W J frame revolver chambered in .38 Special. I just throw it in my front left pant pocket and I'm good to go. The barrel is less than 2" and hitting anything at a distance is a crap shoot. Contrast that to my primary CCWs (Glock, H&K, etc) that I can hit small steel targets at 75 yards with.

Since you said that this will be a woods gun I would rethink your desire to not carry around a big, heavy gun. Concealability is less important in the woods, IMHO. If I found myself surrounded by a pack of wolves I'd hate to be carrying my little .38 snubby.  If I were you I would consider a S&W 686. It has a barrel length legal to hunt with, as a plus.

[Rob]

Ruger LCP in .357 or a Glock 36 if you want something automatic. Single stack bombproof .45acp.

I know you said you prefer a semi, but I 2nd that comment above.  The LCR is my trail gun.  Will stop any person or animal I might encounter.  5 shots is more than is needed unless I am jumped by a gang of bear.

Inexpensive, compact, 357 Mag power, accurate, and very light weight.  Under 1.5 pounds loaded including a leather holster...

And not to start a war between revolvers and semi's, but generally revolvers are considered less likely to have a fail to fire.