looking into purchasing a handgun, looking for suggestions...

[zackmioli]

i am looking at buying a handgun sometime in the next couple months to carry with me while i am out hiking/scouting and during bow season this year. just trying to get peoples opinions on which direction i should go. looking to have it for protection against bear/cougar in case i need it mainly.

[Jburke]

If you are mainly looking for bear protection I would suggest a good 44 revolver.  The only drawback is the recoil may be a b*tch depending on the gun/loads/shooter.  Also it may be heavier than what you would prefer as well.  I personally have carried a few different pistols.  I have carried a couple of different 40's, a 357, and a 45.  My 357 isnt ideal with a 6 inch barrel but a 4 inch 357 would be a good choice. I would steer towards a quality revolver though, it's hard to beat the reliability of a good wheel gun.   

[FC]

Try some guns out and find one that you shoot well in at least .40S&W for black bears, next get yourself some good hard-cast loads for it from Buffalo Bore or the like.

How/where do you intend to carry it on your person? Think about how much weight/size you are willing to deal with and what might be banging against it while you are scouting or hunting. In my experience a heavy gun hanging from your belt while you are hiking is a pain in the ass.

[MikeWalking]

I've got my current companion in a holster on my day pack's hip belt and even with 18rds I don't feel it much.  I've carried a 629 .44 in a home made rig on the hip belt of my  Backpack and not felt it.   If the pack you use has a sternum strap you can use something like a cell phone carrier, done that too.   Worked very well with my Glock 30 & SP101...   I'd rather have a little extra weight than not enough gun..

As much as I like the 629 .44 and want another one if I had the $$  I'd also think real hard about a Glock 10mm, add a heavy recoil spring  and pack 15+1 of Buffalo Bore Hard Cast

[Huntbear]

Ruger SP101 in .357 mag.   Will perform flawlessly and is an easy pack gun.   

[MikeWalking]

Ruger SP101 in .357 mag.   Will perform flawlessly and is an easy pack gun.   

Had one of those too...

[zackmioli]

thanks for all the advice so far. ill be looking more into all of these.

[carpsniperg2]

357mag is always great.

[Bofire]

An S& W 357, 4 inch stainless, 6 shot revolver just might be the best all round single handgun there is.
It will do everything well. open carry, somewhat concealed, fairly acurate to about 100 yards, good power, huge bullet and load selection, durable and depenable.
Carl

[Crookedknife]

Back where I grew up in Alaska, .44 magnum is considered the minimum for bears. A few popular models are the S&W 329PD (lightweight, good for hiking but kicks hard) and the 629 Mountain Gun (a good compromise between light weight & manageable recoil, usually for sale at Cabela's).

I've carried .44's before during hikes, and they get too heavy after about a day. My preference is to pack something small, like an SP101 or 642, and a can of bear spray. I'll never go back to lugging around three pounds of steel I probably won't use.

Hardly anybody there prefers automatics for the woods, but some people like 10mm.

[bare.hunter]

not a bear gun but I wont leave home
without my smith 317 lite in 22cal love that little
gun and it shoots great and fun and cheap to shoot
ever time I go out I shoot it great fun

[coyotewallace]

This is and easy one
In the field-for me hands down  Glock G20(15 rounds 10mm)
everywhere else- 357 LCR

[ghosthunter]

Well I carried a lot of different hand guns over the years hunting. Bears in this state do not need much to change their minds. I finally settled on a gun that can serve several purposes. I now carry a Taurus Judge 2 1/2 . I can shoot snakes,bears,grouse and have different loads in it at the same time. PDX1 loads, .410 shot, 45 long colt. I love it. Now S&W has come out with the governor. Check them out. If you live in an apartment it is a great home defense weapon too. I keep mine in my pillow case at home and hunting camp.

[satchel3006]

Ruger gp100. Doesn't everybody need a 4" .357?

[BallisticsNut]

I just had this same conversation with a friend of mine yesterday.  I am a semi auto fan personally, carried a revolver for many years in the Military some time back.  Here is my two cents.

First off, the Glock 23, reliable reliable reliable.  Great compact version for short range.
Second the CZ P07, great accurate reliable .40 cal. 
Third, my favorite the SigSauer P250 compact.  No need to say more.
Lastly, the S&W M&P40c with built in crimson trace laser. 

These all will do you just fine for personal carry and for backup while hunting.  All compact versions, lightweight and designed for concealed carry. 

[jackelope]

I have a Glock 22(.40s&w) and a Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8" 357 mag. I suspect either one of these would suffice. I do tend to lean more towards the Glock because I like to be able to pull the trigger and it goes bang every time without having to cock the hammer. The single action Ruger has the cool factor but it goes against my K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid!) rules because I have to cock the hammer every time I want it to go bang and in a tense moment where I  might need it, I just might screw something up at a most inopportune time.

[7.62Warbird]

Kimber all the way. If its in your price range you won't be dissipointed.

[mossback91]

How do you screw up something as simple as cocking a hammer and pulling the trigger??

Quickdraw?

[Alchase]

i am looking at buying a handgun sometime in the next couple months to carry with me while i am out hiking/scouting and during bow season this year. just trying to get peoples opinions on which direction i should go. looking to have it for protection against bear/cougar in case i need it mainly.

Tons of choices and opinions about brand of guns, you can narrow that down by deciding a couple quickies,
Do you prefer a revolver or a Semiautomatic
(Will also determine how many rounds you have before reload)?
 
The answer will impact your caliber choices.
Since there are no Grizzlies in Washington   
 
Revolver - .454 Casull, .44 mag, .41 mag, .357 mag.
(personally would not go lower myself)
Semiautomatic - 10mm, .45, .40, .357 sig
(personally  would not go lower myself)
 
Do you also want to carry every day?
If you want to carry, size is a factor:
Revolver - 6 in, 4 in, snubby, lol
Semiautomatic - 5 in, 4 in, compact, subcompact
 
Now, once all that is determined, you will have to sort out all the opinions on here on which brand to go with, which of course is a personnel choice (like Ford or Chevy) after wading through all the wrong answers, you come to the only real and obvious choice......Springfield XD in .40 cal, PDX1 loads, 4 in,  Service...lol
 
Just kidding, many, many good hand guns out there to choose from, and if I could I would have one of each.
I would suggest you hit-up one of the locale ranges and spend the day shooting different types of guns. Anything else is someone else's opinion, which can work out fine, but you won't know what you are missing and believe me, all the brands feel different in your hand.
 

[jackelope]

How do you screw up something as simple as cocking a hammer and pulling the trigger??

Quickdraw?

I guess when a bear is trying to eat my face I'd rather not have to worry about that extra step. It's probably a non-issue, I'm totally comfortable with the gun and the workings of the gun, but it is 1 extra step that could get screwed up by me or anything else partaking in the equation.
And there's the quickdraw aspect of it too. That looks a lot cooler with the wheelgun. I would leave the Glock at home for the quickdraw shooting.

[BurleyDog]

My experience with pistols is limited however I will give you this advice. If you can shoot the gun (or same model) before you buy it that will really help.

This sounds like stupid advice - I'm not trying to be derogatory its just that I bought a pistol once and figured out that I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it... some pistols I shoot well others not..
I can't explain it.  But in the end bullet placement is what really matters.

[Arrowhead]

Well I know this post will probably raise a few hairs!  But here goes.
For me there is a BIG difference in what I carry daily for personal protection, and what I will carry out in the field for the "bear" factor.  Being in the military, I have gotten to use quite a few weapons, and my personal usage has varied across many brands and calibers.
But when it comes to hunting and backpacking across the wetside jungle, I dont really want to take my expensive, customized, daily carries with me.  I dont want them to stay wet for 2 weeks, get dirt grime and everything else in them so that they need a parade rest cleaning on a daily basis, and god forbid - I dont want to lose one of them out in the sticks, or crossing a river/stream.  I am very fond of my weapons and try to take good care of them.
So my choice for a pack gun, one that I can throw around in the Jeep, get dirty/scratched/pitted/or worst case scenario LOST is a Hi-point.  A very cheap weapon, that for the price, gets the job done.  And if I lose it, oh well, by another one.  If I break something or screw it up to bad, oh well, send it back to the Factory and get another one.  For a "cheap-throw a way" gun to pack around, I dont think you can beat them.  I personally take the 45 caliber.
A new pistol for less than 200 is a steal.  I still prefer Ruger, Glock and S & W though.

[MikeWalking]

My experience with pistols is limited however I will give you this advice. If you can shoot the gun (or same model) before you buy it that will really help.

This sounds like stupid advice - I'm not trying to be derogatory its just that I bought a pistol once and figured out that I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it... some pistols I shoot well others not..
I can't explain it.  But in the end bullet placement is what really matters.

Had that problem too, both Rugers, even from a rest...  Go to a Range and rent whatever you can...or buy lunch and after shoot'em up beers for a guy(s) that have lots to try..

[44 Flattop]

40 years of packing a pistol brought me full circle, starting out with a Ruger Flattop, then on to dozens and dozens of Smiths, 1911's, Colts, Freedom Arms, many that I've forgotten and then back to a Ruger Flattop. 

It is tough, really tough, to go wrong with a .44 Flattop whether an old 3 screw model or the new .44 specials.  My family ate thousands of pounds of deer and elk steaks brought home with my old Flattops.

[300rum]

If I where you I would look for a police trade in Glock.  Call around a few gunshops or pawn shops and see if they have anything.  If you aren't really into pistols you won't go wrong here.  The only thing I would do is change the mag springs.  You should be able to find one for $350 or so.   

Shoot the crap out of it, learn to keep your eyes open, watch the front sight lift, call your shots and don't worry about the caliber.  Myself, it is sometimes a Smith and Wesson 686 4" or maybe the 6" but most of the time a Commander .45 in a Yaqui holster with 8 rounds of ball.

[CAMPMEAT]

This is and easy one
In the field-for me hands down  Glock G20(15 rounds 10mm)
everywhere else- 357 LCR

That's exactly what I was gonna say, but a model 29 compact 10mm. That's what I'm looking at.

[coyotewallace]

I like the 29 but shoot the G20 better, and if I want I can add up to a  6" barrel  for hunting.

[True Sportsman]

40 years of packing a pistol brought me full circle, starting out with a Ruger Flattop, then on to dozens and dozens of Smiths, 1911's, Colts, Freedom Arms, many that I've forgotten and then back to a Ruger Flattop. 

It is tough, really tough, to go wrong with a .44 Flattop whether an old 3 screw model or the new .44 specials.  My family ate thousands of pounds of deer and elk steaks brought home with my old Flattops.

Now that is really cool.

I carry a Glock 20 almost everyday in a guide holster. I have 30 rounds (2 mags) of 200gr Hornandy XTP on me when im in the woods. I love the Glock because the metal is coated and it own't rust. I am not easy on this gun, and it perfect for me. Recoil isn't bad either, but if you had any hesitation go with a .45 or .40. Good luck...

[rtspring]

I carry a 9mm ruger almost every day, whether I am in the field or around town. I have carried this same gun since 1997 and can shoot it really well. This is key, you must be able to shoot whatever pistiol you want to carry...I truly believe that I can atleast stop any animal or human for that matter from attacking me.

Now a year ago I puchased a .500 Smith and Wesson and packed it around elk hunting. Holy chit that thing gets heavy. But the benefit to packing it is if i get in some thick stuff I shoulder the rifle and use the pistol... I'm thinking the 550 grain bullets should be enough for anything........

Shoot alot of pistols and find the one that you can shoot well and be comfortable with.

[zackmioli]

wow thanks a ton for all the info! i really appreciate it. i have been searching the guns suggested to me so far. i will keep everyone updated on which way im leaning as i look more into each one.

i like the ability to pull the trigger and have it go bang each time without cocking like jackelope mentioned, also the option of having more than 6 rounds is appealing. (im sure my mom would appreciate that as well  )

so far i like the looks and reviews ive read on the .357s for a revolver. i just started looking at the 10mm's and .40s as a semiauto.

i dont plan to use it as an everyday carry for protection, only when out hiking/scouting/hunting so i want something fairly light and comfortable to pack. i plan to do a lot more hiking and over night camping alone this year so i figure the smart thing to do is get something i can bring along for protection.

thanks again for all opinions/suggestions so far!

[Alchase]

I will not say anything bad about the 10mm, that is my favorite caliber. Having said that I would point out that the FBI found a majority of the 10mm handgun shooters were intimidated by the recoil, and that radically effected the followup shots put on target down range. The .40 cal is not quite but close to the 10mm in stopping power, and allot easier to shoot "for the average person" to put rounds down range on target. And the .40 is allot cheaper and more widely available ammo then the 10mm.
 
Still I love the 10mm.

[MikeWalking]

Recoil?      Practice, practice, practice...    I wonder how much shooting the average FBI Agent did prior to hire?

[addicted]

I will not say anything bad about the 10mm, that is my favorite caliber. Having said that I would point out that the FBI found a majority of the 10mm handgun shooters were intimidated by the recoil, and that radically effected the followup shots put on target down range. The .40 cal is not quite but close to the 10mm in stopping power, and allot easier to shoot "for the average person" to put rounds down range on target. And the .40 is allot cheaper and more widely available ammo then the 10mm.
 
Still I love the 10mm.

i wish they made a roni for the glock 10mm.... it's like a match made  in heaven.

[bradslam]

As someone who spent 14 years in Alaska and has been around hundreds of grizzlies and black bears, I completely agree with Crookedknife.  Pepper spray and a S&W J-frame .38 revolver.  Be realistic.  Most people can't shoot a handgun very well to begin with, let alone trying to hit a grapefruit-sized target that is coming at you at 30mph while bouncing up and down.  You are more likely to wound the bear and piss it off than anything else.  A can of pepper spray will be far more effective in deterring a bear attack.  Plus, it weighs next to nothing, meaning you will be more likely to carry it.  If you are carrying a weapon for bear protection it really should be a 12ga with slugs.  Now, for the .38 I mentioned.  I think it is much more likely that you would have a dangerous encounter with an animal of the two-legged variety than anything else.  Could be thieves at a trailhead or pot-growers on Forest Service land or even a morel picker that is overzealous in protecting his spot.  A nice lightweight revolver is something that you won't mind packing along and will be ultra-reliable.  It would also be effective against cougars, which I worry about way more than bears.

[TheHunt]

I have a 44 Mag and it gets heavy at the end of the day. 

I am actually looking for a Glock 21 which is a high cap 45. 

[CP]

I mostly carry a Glock 26.  It’s so light that I forget that I have it, holds 11 rounds, 16 if I want to carry the weight of the high cap mag.  With the right ammo the ballistics are near .357 mag levels.

[yakimarcher]

smith and wesson 686.

[Alchase]

Recoil?      Practice, practice, practice...    I wonder how much shooting the average FBI Agent did prior to hire?

That is probably more accurate then you realize  ,
 
The sad facts are "most" people do not shoot enough to be proficient with their handguns, including law enforcement officers, regardless of caliber.
 
 
 

[Jburke]

Recoil?      Practice, practice, practice...    I wonder how much shooting the average FBI Agent did prior to hire?

That is probably more accurate then you realize  ,
 
The sad facts are "most" people do not shoot enough to be proficient with their handguns, including law enforcement officers, regardless of caliber.

Sad but true.  I will be the first to admit that I don't get to shoot as much as I'd like to and this year I'm trying to change that.

[Bean Counter]

The sad facts are "most" people do not shoot enough to be proficient with their handguns, including law enforcement officers, regardless of caliber.

Ironically, this has actually been studied by the FBI. Its in a red softcover report entitled "Violent Encounters." Most hardcore thugs and gang bangers shoot their guns more times per month than LEOs. Also, bad guys tended to hit their LEO targets 33% of the time, compared to 20% vice versa. That statistic, however, may be skewed by the fact that LEOs usually carry more ammo than BGs and are free to get trigger happy once it hits the fan.

[Bean Counter]

You specifically mentioned protection in the back country. Against humans, a .380 in your pocket is better than a .45ACP in the safe.  In the backwoods, with a spooked 400lb black bear, its better to be over gunned than under gunned.

I wouldn't go less than a .41 mag revolver. If you must go semi, then I would stick with a 10mm or a .45ACP.

Let us know what you decide.

[44 Flattop]

[quote author=MikeWalking link=topic=78015.msg964231#msg964231
 The sad facts are "most" people do not shoot enough to be proficient with their handguns, including law enforcement officers, regardless of caliber.

I couldn't agree more.  That is why I am a firm believer that a serious handgun shooter should be a reloader and preferably a bullet caster also.  Back when I shot 50 rounds per week, I shot alright.  When I shot 100 rounds per week I saw definate improvements.  When I went up to 50 rounds per day, even more improvements.  It sure didn't take long to figure out the more a feller shoots the better shot he becomes...

On the flip side it is a bummer to find that when one lays off shooting handguns it takes very little time to lose hard won gains, similiar to losing strength in weight training.  Luckily as in weight training it takes little time if shooting enough to regain lost abilities.