Handgun Recommendations

[fishunt]

I have rifle hunted for many years, but never owned a handgun. Would like to purchase one to carry while fishing and scouting in the summer but don't know much about them - any recommendations?

[12 gauge watergun]

I would reccomend a .357.  It can shoot .38's for practice and snake shot as well for river rattlers.  Plus being a revolver it's a little more fail safe with the click bang, click bang theory.  Needless to say revolvers are a fun first gun and the .357 has plenty of power.

[jyerxa]

I have carried a Ruger Super Black Hawk (44 Mag) for 30 years out in the woods. Wouldn't leave home without it. 

[dannysdaddy]

Go to the store and start looking at them.  100 people will recommend 100 different guns to you.  it all boils down to what you feel comfotrable with.  I personally like semi autos and carry a springfield xd and looking into a springfield emp.  reliabilty goes hands down to revolvers, I just don't like the grip angles.  If you got some buddies that will let you shoot their guns you could get a feel for what you prefer. 

[krism83]

It all comes down to what price market you want, how much fire power you are looking for, but most importantly it comes down to comfort. If a handgun does fit well in your hand you would be better off throwing rocks at things. I am big into handguns and can recommend some guns for you to go and get a feel for. When it comes to buying a handgun I always go with the philosophy that if it doesn't wow me as soon as I pick it up then it's not the gun for me. You will know when you find the one you want because it will just feel natural in your hand. Shoot me a PM with your price point range, caliber expectations, semi-auto/revolver preference and I can get you a pretty good list to check out. 

[700xcr]

I have carried 357mag. and 44mag. But my now I carry a Springfield XDM 45auto. Springfield has a promo going on right now. Send them a copy of your receipt and the will send you 3 magazines and a magazine pouch.

[Huntbear]

Wheel gun for sure.

Minimum caliber .357 Magnum.

Other calibers to consider  41 magnum or 44 magnum or 45 Long Colt.

[Helix]

You can't get a feel for handguns from pictures, recommendations, or movies.  You need to go handle as many as you can and shoot the ones you like when you handle them. Go to a range that offers guns for rent and try various models. You'll get an idea about what you like before you buy.

[demontang]

Sp101 in 357 is a great gun I've always thought a wheel gun was best for starters, less bells and whistles to worry about and goes bang still. I carry a xd45 or my s&w 44mag every where.

[Button Nubbs]

I'm with helix. Try and go shoot some. I am in the process of finding a new ccw I handled a few different guns and had a pretty good idea that I wanted a glock 26. Didn't like the feel of the xd9c at all. I shot them both plus a few others. The g26 that I was leaning twords only took 3 shots before I went and returned it for another gun. It did not feel good at all. A couple guns later I picked up the xd just for s#its and giggs. Started shooting it and it went to the top of my list. Really liked the way it felt in my hand once it got to barking.

Bottom line go shoot some.

[krism83]

If you like the xD then you might want to try the Smith & Wesson MP9 Pro Series....excellent firearm

[Button Nubbs]

Its a toss up between the two I really liked that one also. Gonna go run a few more mags thru each side by side and make my decision.

[krism83]

I personally don't care for Glocks at all either...the cant angle on the grip is just to severe for my taste. You know what gun you can't go wrong with, a good old fashioned 1911.

[demontang]

  I do love my XD but If I had the cash a kimber raptor ultra carry would be nice

[krism83]

Me and the lady went to the WAC show in Puyallup last weekend and apparently because I didn't go bananas and buy a bunch of guns for chirstmas this year I get my Kimber Eclipse Pro II...If only I could have talked her into the Les Baer Ultimate

[Helix]

I have to agree with the 1911 comment above.  While I can't recommend it for you specifically, I've been very happy with mine and I have experience owning and using a lot of different handguns.  My avatar was my first shot from my Taurus PT 1911AR at 40 ft.  It has been a great vlaue.  At under $800 I think it was $750 or so with the delux case, rosewood grips & spare plastic grips, and 4 mags at cabellas.  It comes with a lot of extras built in that normally you either have to have customized or pay the custom shop at the manufacurer to do, like the beveled mag well, good checkering on the front and back straps, accessory rail, skeletonized hammer and trigger and ambi thumb safety.

I hosted a shooting event for some highschool age boys and while not all of them had good accuracy results with it all of them had 100% flawless function with cheap 230 grain ball ammo.  I expected some of them to stove pipe a few rounds but nobody could make it fail to feed or eject.  Something like 17 shooters and about 500 rounds fired through it that day.