pistol recomendations...

[KillZ 4 Thrilz]

Was looking for some input from all you fellow hunt wa members.  Im looking to purchase a pistol for protection while shed hunting.  After talking all winter about buying one just for this reason, i hit the woods today without one like I usually do. Well, after having my first cat encounter today while hiking, actaully 2 cats at less than 50 yards, i feel the time is now.  What would u guys recomend..not looking to spend over the top..and looking for something compact and easy to carry while hiking??

[Mookie]

Glock 29. Compact, 10mm, and has lots of rounds.

[carpsniperg2]

I really like a 357 mag when I am packing in the woods. I have packed my normal 40 carry guns in the woods more then once but prefer the 357 mag. I have shot a lot of critters with a 357 and 158g xtp bullet. Does the job well 

[JLS]

Look at the Taurus revolvers.  Do you want to be able to carry it concealed at all?  Capacity?  Auto or revolver?

[KillZ 4 Thrilz]

i dont have my concealed permit right now but it is on my to-do list.  And i think i would prefer to go with the auto route, and as far as capacity, more the better

[wraithen]

Stop! Find a bullet you like and decide if you want a revolver or pistol. Once you figure that out find a range that rents guns and try everything you want to think about buying. Once you find one that fits you and you like to shoot, find it in your price range. On a side note, if you get glock knuckle on your finger, you can fix that by using a different backstrap. If that doesn't work you can gently file a bit off the trigger guard. Every major brand owner stands by their product (or else they would be quickly out of business.) Once this happens spend about 400 dollars in ammo getting great at shooting it and then carry. 

[JLS]

Okay, how important is it for this gun to function as a concealed carry gun in the future?  If you don't care about concealed, a Glock 26 in a .40 gives you a lot of firepower in a pretty compact package. 

[jackelope]

Okay, how important is it for this gun to function as a concealed carry gun in the future?  If you don't care about concealed, a Glock 26 in a .40 gives you a lot of firepower in a pretty compact package.

Glock 26 is a compact 9mm with the little 10 round mag.
I carry a Glock 22, thats the full size .40 cal. There's one in the classifieds that got posted today and the price is right. 

[JimmyHoffa]

Revolvers are usually as fail safe as you can get, but limited in capacity.  Autos are typically weaker, but carry twice or more the firepower.  Autos are also getting really reliable these days.
For cats and bears, I'd go with a revolver.  If there are wolves near you, then an auto.

[JLS]

Okay, how important is it for this gun to function as a concealed carry gun in the future?  If you don't care about concealed, a Glock 26 in a .40 gives you a lot of firepower in a pretty compact package.

Glock 26 is a compact 9mm with the little 10 round mag.
I carry a Glock 22, thats the full size .40 cal. There's one in the classifieds that got posted today and the price is right.

Typo, my bad.

[Button Nubbs]

G20 15+1 of 10mm! You've got more rounds and more power than a 357.

[wraithen]

I love the 10 mm but hate paying the price of ammo since I don't reload. I got the g27. The only time I ever saw it not perform flawlessly was my buddy limp wristing it when it was dirty and it stovepiped. He managed to do the same thing with a full sized 1911 too so he needed a bit of learning to deal with recoil. Aside from user induced jams, I'd say the autos are reliable enough that I don't worry about it.

[GoldTip]

Id go with one of the 1911 copies in 45acp if you wanna stay with an auto, maybe the new ruger or the springfield, have heard good things about both of them.  Or go with the Ruger 357mag in a SP101 I believe. 

[KillZ 4 Thrilz]

Price of ammo isn't much of a concern as i really plan on shooting only when needed, aside from getting aquainted with it.  Ive never purchased a pistol so im open to all suggestions and recomendations.  Thanks to all.

[carpsniperg2]

Yeah really if you can, I would see if you can find some place to shoot some different types of handguns and see what you like the best. There is probably a few members in you area that might let you burn some ammo. So stores also allow you to test demo handguns.

[kenzmad]

Okay, how important is it for this gun to function as a concealed carry gun in the future?  If you don't care about concealed, a Glock 26 in a .40 gives you a lot of firepower in a pretty compact package.

Glock 27 is the 40cal version of the baby Glock. I carry a G26 in stock configuration. when out in the woods I carry it with the +3 magazine extension. spare mag gives me 26 rounds. I like to have multi use weapons. 9mm may not be the best for stopping power on a bear but 26 holes does make em leak a little

[300rum]

If you want a good and fairly inexpensive starter pistol, I would look for a police trade in Glock 17.  You should be able to find one in the $350 range with a mag or two.  9mm is cheap and sufficient.  I haven’t' checked on it in awhile but GSSF used to allow you to buy a new Glock for around $425?  I would check that out.

[Gutpile]

Id recommend a Glock 20. 15 rounds of 10mm is hard to beat.

 

[Bigluke1981]

I carry a Springfield XD in 45. I have put a lot of rounds through it and never had a problem. As mentioned earlier, I would recommend going to a range that rents pistols and trying a few out.

[fish vacuum]

For a semi-auto, I'm a big fan of the 10mm as a woods gun. Power, capacity, and pretty dang reliable if you go with Glock. 10mm is well above the standard self defense rounds of 9mm, .40, and .45. For revolvers, I'd go .357 or bigger.

[Wazukie]

Price of ammo isn't much of a concern as i really plan on shooting only when needed, aside from getting aquainted with it.  Ive never purchased a pistol so im open to all suggestions and recommendations.  Thanks to all.

Really bad idea here.  Whatever you decide to buy, shoot it A LOT.  Become very familiar with it.  If you are out in the woods or in the hood and need to draw your weapon, it needs to be an instinctive move.  If you have to think about it you might find yourself hurt real bad or worse, dead.  When you become so familiar with the weapon that you don't have to think about it anymore, shoot some more.  For a revolver, Id go with nothing less than a .357 and for an auto, like's been said, the 10mm is hard to beat.

[wraithen]

One thing about the 10mm to be aware of is most of the commercial ammo you encounter for 10mm isn't much better than .40 S&W. They want you to pay more for it though. Find a brand that loads the 10mm to actual 10mm specs and then give it a go. A lot of companies won't load it as hot as it should be due to the snappy recoil that some folks don't like.

[Button Nubbs]

Buffalo bore or double tap for the 10mm

[C-Money]

Kieth Warren shot a bull elk with a glock in .45acp on his show the other night, Crazy!

When I am in the woods, I usually wear a Ruger Blackhawk in .357mag. I somethimes wear a Beretta M9, 15+1 is nice.

[KillZ 4 Thrilz]

You guys are loads of help.  Its been some while since Ive even shot a pistol so a local range wouldnt be a bad idea.  The Glock has always been a favorite of my brothers over the years.  First thing out of my dads mouth was a .357mag.  It seems as if these are also some of the favorites on here.  Im gonna head down to a local dealer and do alittle bsing with him. Again, thanks all.

[Dirty Mike]

glock 29 10mm stop anything

[pianoman9701]

You say you want it only to take shed hunting and protection in the woods. I would say you might also then want something with which you can effectively hunt. The need for compact isn't there unless the difference of a lb or so is going to make that big of a difference. Cost is the only other issue you mentioned.

I would say to keep an eye out for something bigger than compact and a revolver. Go in with the goal of buying a hunting pistol and you've got a much more versatile piece. You don't have to buy new. Start going through classifieds and look into pawn shops. I'd wait until i could afford and nice hunting revolver. A good gun that is versatile and serves multiple functions will give you far more enjoyment. I'd get a .44 mag.

[KillZ 4 Thrilz]

I got a brand new '12 Hoyt hanging on the wall, and a safe full of rifles and muzzys for all my hunting needs.  I have never been the one to be into pistols, thus is why i have never bought one.  I plan on using this pistol strictly for shed hunting or packing while bow hunting when that time comes.  As for cost, of course I don't wanna spend over the top, but i will spend whatever amount necessary to feel protected.

[Bofire]

I think a novice might be better served with a revolver for this use. A 4 inch 357 stainless revolver might be the most versitile combo around. 38 special wadcutters/shot shells/180 grain HP magnum rounds/hardcast, quite a wide range of uses, and easy to shoot well, get adjustable sights. Leave it loaded for 30 years and it'll fire 6 times when you pick it up.
my 2
Carl

[Huntbear]

I would go with a Ruger revolver in either .357 or .44 mag.  Practice a lot.  Find a comfortable holster.

In the gun world, revolvers are considered idiot proof.  They will always go bang when the trigger is pulled.  No worries about jams or twigs or a leaf....

[MikeWalking]

If I had the $ I'd buy and tune a Glock in 10mm.  I'd also like my S&W629classic .44 back too.

[Oldguy]

i dont have my concealed permit right now but it is on my to-do list.  And i think i would prefer to go with the auto route, and as far as capacity, more the better

Do some checking instead of taking my word, but in Washington State you can carry concealed without a permit when engaged in sporting activities.

[MikeWalking]

Get the CPL  ASAP.  The only best way to transport a handgun is have it firmly attached to your body

[JLS]

i dont have my concealed permit right now but it is on my to-do list.  And i think i would prefer to go with the auto route, and as far as capacity, more the better

Do some checking instead of taking my word, but in Washington State you can carry concealed without a permit when engaged in sporting activities.

Yes, you can and the list of activities is rather extensive and broad.  Why not just cover ALL of the your bases with a CPL though?  Then you have reciprocity in some neighboring states if you travel.

[Hyde]

Everyone needs at least one 1911.  100 years of service says it all.  But I mainly agree that you should try them all.  Go to the range with a pocket full of cash and shoot them all.  Then go get your 1911

[Mookie]

Everyone needs at least one 1911.  100 years of service says it all.  But I mainly agree that you should try them all.  Go to the range with a pocket full of cash and shoot them all.  Then go get your 1911

If they made a 1911 that was double action, 10mm and held 15 rounds, yep, I agree, everyone needs one 

In the first post he mentions compact, that is why I mentioned the G29 and not the G20, aint nothing compact about the 20. Plus the 29 takes the 20 mags.

[muzzlebuck]

...

[Cascade_fisher]

PM sent to invite you to shoot these and some semi's.

Unless you reload or are loaded to buy personal defense rounds for range shooting the 10mm is over-rated.

[Snopczynski]

Glock 23. The .40 is a good balance of stopping power and high mag capacity for carry.

I also like the M&P .40 as well. I have a full sized desert vtac model that shoots awesome and carries a ton of mag capacity.

[Harp444]

I just bought the springfield xdm compact 45 and it is a great gun. It comes with a 9 round flush magazine and a 13 round mag with an extention. I love this gun and think it is a perfect gun and is exactly what you said you were looking for.

[jackelope]

Personally  I think the ideal carry gun for the woods would be the Smith and Wesson 329pd and I'd roll it in .44 mag if I could handle the recoil. I've heard it has an obnoxious kick... High Country??

Thats a $900 pistol though so you've got to have the budget for that rig.

[ribka]

If you're not familiar with handguns get a revolver in 38 or 357. take a handgun safety course and hunters safety if have not yet.

I see a lot of guys out there carrying semi autos with very poor gun safety practices.

[700xcr]

I carry a Springfield XDM 4.5" 45acp  13+1loaded with 230gr. bullet. Have 2 spare magazines in mag. hold on opposite side of gun.

[Cascade_fisher]

Get the .357 and get the best of both. You can practice with .38 special ammo which is less expensive and Hot load some Elmer Keith bullets and you can hunt with it to about 100 yards.

Check out seattleguns.net or waguns.org for some nice revolvers.

If you're not familiar with handguns get a revolver in 38 or 357. take a handgun safety course and hunters safety if have not yet.

I see a lot of guys out there carrying semi autos with very poor gun safety practices.

[700xcr]

Here is a video with a guy killing an elk with a Glock 45acp. It as at the end of the video. Heres the link.
http://keithwarren.net/?p=1512

[sled]

Here is a video with a guy killing an elk with a Glock 45acp. It as at the end of the video. Heres the link.
http://keithwarren.net/?p=1512

  thats pretty sweet for us glock lovers, but it wouldnt be my first choice for elk.

[Mookie]

Get the .357 and get the best of both. You can practice with .38 special ammo which is less expensive and Hot load some Elmer Keith bullets and you can hunt with it to about 100 yards

You can use 40 S&W to practice with on the 10mm, cheaper than 38. If you reload 10mm you can match base 41 mag power, which is what the 10 should run anyway.