Handgunners?

[smdave]

smdave, so I take it you like handguns... 

Yes maybe a little. 

Dave

[ZEN]

Awsome insight guys.  You know how this goes.  Sometimes the sounding board is the only remedy for discussions like this.  (That initial list is always just a starting point so thanks for diving in on this same old
sh!t).  In hind sight I still feel confused about the smiths.  Not many that get agreed upon.  So many people have a different fave.  That speaks to the depth of their line though.  I lean towards them in my gut.  There will come a time when I'll own a glorious gun like one of those DWs that Dave's got but my life style requires one of those more complex purchases where I have to weigh the cost as heavily as function and fit.  That's just where it's at right now.  The next "K" I drop brings home a 30-06, maybe a souped-up A-Bolt, but not a DW. 

So I lean towards the 629 or it's cousins.  I think 4" or 5"max since I'll carry while hunting.  Still tossing around 44 or 357.  leaning on the 44.  I don't like being undergunned.  In the end I'll have a 22mag rifle, 9mm pistol, a 44 revolver(?), and a 30-06 rifle(another one, should've kept the old one ).  That seems like my perfect set for a while.  Had a bigger set but I've downsized.  I don't want to see any big power gaps in that set. 

[Dakota Dogman]

For a general packing pistol, the S&W 629 Mt. gun would be my first choice, or if you can find one the 629 F-comp.  Problem with the F-comp is 1) the Compensator & 2) 3" barrel so I think it would be to short for "hunting" in WA. 

If your looking for a hunting handgun... well any of them would do... but the S&W 629 with a longer barrel (6"-8") will do you right.  Mostly Rugers need a trigger job out of the box, but then they can handle the higher preasure shells that hurt the hand.

God Bless,

[WAcoyotehunter]

We use a Taurus Titainium .357 with the 6" barrel.  It's LIGHT to pack and shoots good. It's also nice using the .38 bullet for targets.  They're way cheaper.

[MikeWalking]

My 2 bits, again.

If you're going for the 629 take a good long look at the classic with a 5in bbl. For a large frame you will be surprised at how well balanced it is. I also like being able to adjust the trigger weight my self. It just felt better and I shot it better than my Redhawk.

Yes the Redhawk will handle any load made, and then some. But if you're not sleeping in the land of  1000lb grizzlies a step back from the hottest ought to be ok.

[high country]

the 629 backpacker is just heavy enough to tame recoil, yet light enough you will carry it often. there is a special edition alaskan backpacker that has a pretty cool scene on it.

[MikeWalking]

the 629 backpacker is just heavy enough to tame recoil, yet light enough you will carry it often. there is a special edition alaskan backpacker that has a pretty cool scene on it.

Hm? think I'll split for the S&W website....

[Huntbear]

I am a died in the wool Ruger Redhawk fan.  I own 2.  Rugers will handle any abuse you can dish out.   If you need to load up 300 grain bullets for bear, or elk, you can seat the bullets out where they are supposed to be.  S&W has a shorter cylinder, and will not allow this. 

You just can not break a Ruger.  and they are extremely accurate, especially if you handload and play with the loads.  I have a 240 gr. load and a 300 gr. load.  Both shoot to the same point of impact at 75 yds. 

One note, go stainless.  and use Pachmyar grips.  You will not regret it.

[LongTatLaw]

I see at least one post on here that goes against my thoughts but here goes anyway.

I have hunted big game with handguns for years and years.

The two that I found that I really liked were an old old SW 357 then I upgraded to my current hunting hand gun.

Its a Taurus M44 - 9 3/8 inch barrel - nickel plated - ported - with a 4x leupold scope.

I love the Taurus Ive killed dozens of deer and boar with it. It puts em down and because Taurus does a better job than most with the porting...it doesnt feel like ur even shooting a 357. It feels like a 38 or less.

its very accurate and pushes the distance way out there for a pistol

Its a little large with the scope and requires a decent sized holster but I love hunting with it.

[Slider]

+1 what Ditto said!!!

[JJ79]

sorry if this is a dumb question, but for big game such as deer what is the smallest caliber for handgun?  my dad has a 357 i believe it is.  if that gun is legal, which would be better to shoot with, a 357 or 38, since they can both be shot in this gun.  thanks in advance.

[MikeWalking]

Good question.  The answer has changed a lot in my lifetime. I'd check the Rule Book personally if I were you.

IMHO If I were going after Deer  .41 or .44 magnums.  There are some really hot .357 loads and you can make your own. But if I were stalking around the woods all sneaky like for deer, as bears and cougars do, I'd want a .41 mag or better. I'm a big believer in quick humane kills too.

[JJ79]

well thanks for the input.  i will look into it more.

[Dakota Dogman]

For deer, IF you are a good shot, .357 can do the job.  (Do not attempt the .38, as they are just not man enough for the job in less than perfect conditions.)

In .357 you can normally choose between 158 grains & 180 grain bullets.  The first are substantially faster, the later have better penetration (of course depending on bullet shape etc.)  Personally I would say 180 is the better bet as they are more likely to be bullets developed for hunting.

If you are not real familure with handguns... you owe it to yourself & to the animal to 1) take a year to practice & learn your limits, 2) work hard to keep shots real close - then you can use a gun you are comfortable with. 

Then again, as you grow in ability you may find that you can happily handle a little more power (recoil) like a Ruger Super Redhawk in .44 mag. 

The .357 for big game is about like the .410 for wild birds, you can do it, but it often ends up being more of a stunt then a real logical choice.

For the record I am a huge .357 fan.

God Bless,

[ZEN]

Hey MikeWalking.  that classic has an Djustable trigger?  Doesn't mention it on  the site that I can find.  That gun has all of the features I want.  Adj Sights, good weight, 5" bbl, good grips and x6 shots.  Adj trigger puts it over the top.  I think I've found my #1 to try at the range.  I'll probably go with 44mag for cost.  I'll spend the time to master its recoil.  Good lead.  Thanks.