Pistol ?

[predatorpro]

or a desert eagle, they look so intimidating hopefully punks will just run off! hehe but really there are so many different brands and guns out there you really need to get to a gun shop and look alot, see how it feels, i personally really like walthers and cz, i have a cz 52 thats like 40+ years old and i love it, shoot it all the time and have never had a jam or anything, they dont look super cool and only have a 8 round clip but they dont cost $800 either, you can find them for $150 pretty easy most places unless they have gone up

[44 Flattop]

... want some input on what pistol i should get

Perhaps you should do a lot of shooting with different pistols before YOU make a choice? 

What you are asking would be very much like asking for someone to make a decision about a mate for you.   Do you like blondes?  Brunettes?  Redheads?  Tall?  Short?  Fat?  Skinny?  Or guys........

44

[Rob]

S&W 500 mag

  Don't they make anything bigger?   

I think this might be bigger...  not in caliber, but holy cow...
http://www.seattleguns.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=18933

[Rob]

So i had to look...  the shooting times ballistic tables show a 45-70 to have 1640 ft pounds at the barrel...  but a 500 S&W has 2800 ft lbs!!  That is right around the equal of a 30.06 energy wise.

Still a pretty intimidating looking handgun in that link though!

I would go with a hammerless 357 with a 2 inch barrel for CC.  if you want a semi auto, I'd look at a 40 S&W.  I am not a fan of the 9mm or a straight 38 special.  they are fun to shoot, but just don't carry much knock down power.

And of course, it is nice you can shoot 38's out of a 357 when you want to plink

[rasbo]

go with a wheel gun,save your nuts :chuckle:sp101 is a good one

[JackOfAllTrades]

Determine the primary use for any gun, then determine what gun best suits that task.

If all you're looking for is a gun to carry as self defense, then yes, a snubby 38spl, (Taurus85, Ruger LCR),  357mag, (SP101), Glock in various semi-auto cartridges. (I hate Glocks so I'll just say HK, Ruger, Glock, or other plastic/hybrid semi-auto) will do fine.

If you're looking to hunt with pistol, you'll need a bit more fire power, like 44mag (Ruger Redhawk or Super Blackhawk), and above with at least 6" barrel. If you're looking to carry concealed, while just hiking in the woods, then a revolver with say... 4" barrel in at least 357mag would be a fine choice for cats, bears at close range protection and meth heads. (Ruger GP100)

If you've got more money to spend, Kimber, Colt, DanWesson, 1911 in 45acp would be fine.

-Steve

[superdown]

Here are the two that I own and carry. clothing permitting