what handgun to get

[ridgefire]

i am going to be buying a handgun and not sure what to buy. i want something for carry and home but possibly big enough to carry in the woods as well. is there one gun that will do this or am i looking at a couple different guns. was looking at the .40, .357 and the .45. what would you recommend. thanks

[Rick]

I'd go .357

If you're going to carry it in the woods,you can get much better loads for cougar or bear in .357

[MP123]

I'd go .357

If you're going to carry it in the woods,you can get much better loads for cougar or bear in .357

 

That does pretty much mean a wheel gun rather than a semi auto.  How do you feel about that?

[Hyde]

....is there one gun that will do this or am i looking at a couple different guns?

Hard to cover concealed carry, home defense, and woods backup gun in one package.  Not impossible, but not ideal.  I say get many.   

If I could only have one though, it would be something like this:  http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/pistols/supercarry/supercarry_pro/

[FC]

I'd go .357

If you're going to carry it in the woods,you can get much better loads for cougar or bear in .357

 

That does pretty much mean a wheel gun rather than a semi auto.  How do you feel about that?

There is always .357 Sig.

[MP123]

I'd go .357

If you're going to carry it in the woods,you can get much better loads for cougar or bear in .357

 

That does pretty much mean a wheel gun rather than a semi auto.  How do you feel about that?

There is always .357 Sig.

Yeah, you're right.  Or I think you can get a Desert Eagle in regular .357 too.

Still most .357s will be revolvers and the .40 and .45s will tend to be semi auto although there's probably exceptions there too...

[Rick]

There is always .357 Sig.

The beauty of the .357 is that you can buy (or load) hardcast ammo made for hunting. If you're going to be using it on animals,you aren't going to want light weight HPs. You need something to penetrate and break bone. Thats what hard cast ammo does.

I haven't looked,but I can't imagine you can find anything but either ball or HPs for a .357 Sig.

In reality,he'd be far better off with two different guns.

Something light weight and concealable for in town carry,and something like a Ruger Blackhawk for woods carry.

[Whitelightning]

I just bought a Springfield Armory XDM 3.8 in 40 S&W. I really like it so far.

[FC]

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=124

"Item 25B utilizes a 124gr. FMJ flat nose bullet at 1,425 fps. This bullet will smash through typical stick frame walls, car doors and a bears skull or shoulder bones. It is designed for those who need deep penetration. It should penetrate 24+ inches in human tissue."

[Jburke]

I would go with a 4 inch .357.  Shouldn't be that hard to conceal and with the 4 inch barrel still legal for hunting purposes.

[carpsniperg2]

If you want a revolver go 357 4" is a little easier to conceal unless you are a bigger frame guy like me and a full size 357 with a 6" barrel can be concealed with looser cloths.something like a ruger gp or taurus. if you want a auto go with the 40 or 45 springfield xdm. The only semi auto that i have shot that i will trust my life to every day. I have over 1000 rounds threw mine now, without 1 malfunction of any kind. I have switched to using it as my full time carry gun. from my 357 mag's. Because i have learned to trust the gun.

[Tony 270]

I think you may want to narrow it down to the gun first. Don't have a whole lot of handgun experience, but most 45s I've shot were larger/wider than a 40. Also as Hyde said it may be hard to find one that covers everything well.

[ridgefire]

im thinking i might get a .40 for carry and home and a .357 or a .45 for hunting. i think i might look into the sw xd or xdm first.

[jackelope]

I bought a .40 cal Glock 22 a few months ago and soon after Christmas will be the proud new owner of a Ruger Blackhawk .357...Best of both worlds. I figured the G22 would do either or well enough at the time.
 

[Jason]

I would look at the Taurus Tracker 44mag w/4" barrel, only weighs 34oz and has plenty of knock down power.