looking to buy new handgun

[D-Rock425]

I'm thinking about buying a handgun that I can use for everyday carry and as a good side arm in the feild any sugestions? 

[Bofire]

4 inch 357 mag revolver. probably the most versatile handgun around.
Carl

[huntnphool]

FN FiveSeven

[carpsniperg2]

i have always been a wheel gun guy all my life i just bought a xdm by springfield in 40 SW 16+1 round 17 180g jhp that's some fire power for sure great accuracy great trigger i bought it to play with but find myself carrying it almost ever day as my main gun take a look at them easy to maintain and a great gun good stopping power if not a semi look at a Taurus 357 mag tracker with a 4 inch barrel 7 shots also very good i have the 7 inch model but its hard to carry concealed so i use it out hunting and fixin fence

[chrisb]

I bought a springfield XD 9mm the first year they hit the market. I LOVE THIS GUN. I have the full size and i carry it with no problems. It is a 9mm though so it doesnt make it out to the woods with me. I would suggest the newer versions in 45 acp. they are great reliable guns and have a higher capacity now than the original versions.

[Rgrady35]

How much money are ya thinking to spend?

[D-Rock425]

money doesn't matter much i would rather spend more and find the right gun that feels good to me. I'm more concerned with finding the right caliber or if i should get an auto or revolver

[Rgrady35]

One gun for CCW and out in the woods. I think that I would look for a Colt Python with a 4" barrel. It should handle about anything in town or the woods. 

[uncoolperson]

I'm pretty happy with my springfield micro compact 1911, nice and small, and 45.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I'll agree that the 4" .357 mag is probably the move virsital. Maybe a 3" SP101, but what really stands out is what you shoot the best. Carry guns are meant to be small. Guns in the field, if even thought of for hunting are usually of larger calibers with longer barrels. Your body size is a factor for CCW if you don't want to display that you're packin concealed. In the field it matters a lot less. I carry a snubbie revolver, sub/1911, or even up to a full sized 1911 for CCW for certain situations but leave the big 44mags home unless I'm going in the woods.

So, First determine whether you prefer a semi-auto or a revolver. Then coupled with that, determine 80% use with what you're most proficient at shooting.

Confused yet?  A hunter / civilian that wants to protect his/her own, most likely needs two hand guns, (preferably more )

Hundreds of us can say what we prefer as a hand gun. You need to shoot all of your friends guns to figure out what you like the best. Don't go by what the guy at the sales counter is trying to sell that day.

I like 1911's for the superb single action trigger, ultimate reliablity of a proven platform for more than 100 years, and the accuracy. But I also like small revolvers for concealability and bigger revolvers that I can hand load to the hilt for hunting.

That said, for a first revolver, a 4" Ruger GP100 or Security Six, (used), is great entry point. If you don't like it, they sell quickly and you move to something different. If you're loaded with money, then Colt and Smith & Wesson also have comparable offerings. Stay away from the junk. -Don't get me wrong, I've owned Taurus and others. I don't now.  

Plastic guns are for kids.  Buy something that's bloody 'metal' and made in the USA. You'll thank yourself down the road.

-Steve

[JackOfAllTrades]

Colt Diamondback 4" barrel. Imho a .357 will do the job in the woods here in Wa.

I own a Colt Diamondback. Nice revolver. But you won't find one in .357mag.  They go up to .38spl. Last produced in 1988, you'll be able to buy two fine Rugers for the price of that Colt and not get a choice to have one in stainless steel.

I see the edit of your post Rgrady35. Now you mean a Colt Python. 

A FINE revolver. One of the best trigger/actions ever produced in North America. Accurate by all standards. But not a beginner gun. Not one for a person with limited budget. Not one for anyone to 'learn' how to clean a revolver on.

-Steve

[snagglepants]

Here's my  :
I have a 4" .357 that I love, but it is way too big for me to conceal as I am pretty short.  I carry a Kel Tec .32 that basically disappears when I wear it.  I would recommend 2 guns as a daily carry piece and a hunting sidearm seem to have 2 distinct functions and limitations.

[Buckmark]

Go to the indoor ranges and rent/shoot a few different ones before you buy.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I'll ad one more thing. If you're not a hand loader... (OK, I love 45acp, .44mag and .357mag) But ammunition is not cheap. .38spl is a little cheaper to buy and can be shot in a .357mag gun for practice.  No viable alternative for the others. 9mm is still relatively cheap, but too weak against a wounded cat or bear in the field. I'm not really a .40S&W fan, but at least it's an improvement over a 9mm.

-Steve

[coop2424]

I personally have the Springfield XD compact 45  and I love it.   It comes with two clips one that is 9 shots I think and another that is 13.  When I am carrying it I use the smaller clip but when out shooting sometime it is nice to have the larger clip.  I can carry it concealed very easy but I am a little bigger than the average person. It is also a very accurate gun.