Post by: zackmioli on June 16, 2011, 01:04:53 AM
Post by: Jburke on June 16, 2011, 01:20:49 AM
Post by: FC on June 16, 2011, 01:56:39 AM
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.
Post by: MikeWalking on June 16, 2011, 10:24:52 AM
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
Post by: Huntbear on June 16, 2011, 10:27:01 AM
Post by: MikeWalking on June 16, 2011, 10:53:49 AM
Ruger SP101 in .357 mag. Will perform flawlessly and is an easy pack gun. :tup:
Had one of those too... :chuckle:
Post by: zackmioli on June 16, 2011, 07:12:41 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 16, 2011, 07:32:15 PM
Post by: Bofire on June 16, 2011, 08:58:47 PM
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
Post by: Crookedknife on June 16, 2011, 09:32:11 PM
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.
Post by: bare.hunter on June 16, 2011, 09:32:47 PM
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
Post by: coyotewallace on June 16, 2011, 09:34:56 PM
In the field-for me hands down Glock G20(15 rounds 10mm)
everywhere else- 357 LCR
Post by: ghosthunter on June 16, 2011, 10:06:42 PM
Post by: satchel3006 on June 17, 2011, 10:18:56 AM
Post by: BallisticsNut on June 17, 2011, 10:28:32 AM
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.
Post by: jackelope on June 17, 2011, 11:07:23 AM
Post by: 7.62Warbird on June 17, 2011, 12:27:02 PM
Post by: mossback91 on June 17, 2011, 12:31:48 PM
Quickdraw?
Post by: Alchase on June 17, 2011, 12:43:59 PM
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 :chuckle:
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.
Post by: jackelope on June 17, 2011, 12:54:46 PM
How do you screw up something as simple as cocking a hammer and pulling the trigger?? :dunno: :chuckle:
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.
Post by: BurleyDog on June 17, 2011, 01:22:12 PM
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. :twocents:
Post by: Arrowhead on June 17, 2011, 01:42:58 PM
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. :twocents: :twocents:
A new pistol for less than 200 is a steal. I still prefer Ruger, Glock and S & W though.
Post by: MikeWalking on June 17, 2011, 02:36:10 PM
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. :twocents:
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.. :chuckle:
Post by: 44 Flattop on June 17, 2011, 09:15:40 PM
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.
Post by: 300rum on June 17, 2011, 10:04:45 PM
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.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on June 17, 2011, 10:23:20 PM
This is and easy one :chuckle:
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.
Post by: coyotewallace on June 17, 2011, 10:28:05 PM
Post by: True Sportsman on June 17, 2011, 10:39:51 PM
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...
Post by: rtspring on June 17, 2011, 10:46:03 PM
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........ :chuckle: :chuckle:
Shoot alot of pistols and find the one that you can shoot well and be comfortable with.
Post by: zackmioli on June 17, 2011, 10:54:25 PM
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 :sas:)
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!
Post by: Alchase on June 20, 2011, 01:14:59 PM
Still I love the 10mm.
Post by: MikeWalking on June 20, 2011, 04:50:26 PM
Post by: addicted on June 21, 2011, 10:39:27 AM
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.
Post by: bradslam on June 21, 2011, 10:42:38 AM
Post by: TheHunt on June 21, 2011, 10:49:26 AM
I am actually looking for a Glock 21 which is a high cap 45.
Post by: CP on June 21, 2011, 10:53:47 AM
Post by: yakimarcher on June 21, 2011, 11:49:13 AM
Post by: Alchase on June 21, 2011, 12:33:05 PM
Recoil? :yike: Practice, practice, practice... ;) I wonder how much shooting the average FBI Agent did prior to hire?
That is probably more accurate then you realize :chuckle: ,
The sad facts are "most" people do not shoot enough to be proficient with their handguns, including law enforcement officers, regardless of caliber.
Post by: Jburke on June 21, 2011, 12:57:50 PM
:yeah:Recoil? :yike: Practice, practice, practice... ;) I wonder how much shooting the average FBI Agent did prior to hire?
That is probably more accurate then you realize :chuckle: ,
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.
Post by: Bean Counter on June 22, 2011, 10:23:35 AM
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.
Post by: Bean Counter on June 22, 2011, 10:25:48 AM
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.
Post by: 44 Flattop on June 22, 2011, 03:44:23 PM
[quote author=MikeWalking link=topic=78015.msg964231#msg964231I 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... ;)
The sad facts are "most" people do not shoot enough to be proficient with their handguns, including law enforcement officers, regardless of caliber.
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.