Thinking about buying a handgun

[summitguy98]

I've had many a gun in my life, but never anything without a long barrel. My dad and grandpa have tons of guns, but never a pistol of any kind. They've always kind of freeked me out, so I've never really learned about them. I would like to get one to take hunting with me. So I need a concealed weapons permit too.

So what is a good size of gun to get started on? What guns are the most reliable? Like I said, I know about rifles and shotguns but pistols are something new. What does it take for a permit?

Thanks

 

[spring snow hero]

what is the intended purpose.....slaying elephants, crooks or pop cans?

 

[ouch]

My first handgun was a Springfield Armory 9mm service. Super nice. Look around and see what kind of ammo you have available to you. Its not a good time to be buying ammo. .22 pistol is very cheap to shoot to practice with. I wouldn't mind having a .357 or .44mag out in the woods... its all personal preference, figure what you like best revolver or pistol.. and good luck, cause its addicting as sledding once you buy one...

 

[summitguy98]

what is the intended purpose.....slaying elephants, crooks or pop cans?

first protection from predators while archery hunting, then pop cans, and possibly crooks if it ever came down to that. As far as I know, Utah law says that you can't have a handgun with you while archery hunting unless you have a permit.

 

[summitguy98]

What are the differences in revolvers and pistols in price?

 

[spring snow hero]

prices are close. a fave backpacking pistol of mne is the smith 329PD. 4" 44mag at a light weight and corrosion resistant as any. a 10mm would be a good woods thump gun.....a glock with the new style grip would be a good choice. both of these would need to be loaded down a good bit for defense in the city for laibility reasons.

a good ol' 45 auto could shoot 45 super in the woods and 45 auto at night. a 40 smith is a reasonable choice for two legged critters, but getting kinda light for long tooths.....there are so many variables, you might as well buy 10 or 15 to be sure you get it right.

 

[Bubba700]

first protection from predators while archery hunting, then pop cans, and possibly crooks if it ever came down to that. As far as I know, Utah law says that you can't have a handgun with you while archery hunting unless you have a permit.

You might want to check into that, thought it was the same in Idaho but they cant restrict you from carrying a side arm for personaly defense from the way that it was explained to me due to the 2nd amendment.
Have a bud that carries a smith snub nose 5 shot in 45colt that has internal hammer for the long tooths. Personally I pack a xd45. If you handload go with a 45 over a 44 mag. The 45 will handle 325 grain bullets where the 44 wont.

 

[cb440]

springfield XD or a glock would be a good choice in either 9mm 40S&W or 45 auto there simpiler that most and easy to learn how to use but then agin a ruger or smith and wesson 357 revolvers are a simple aass ya can get

 

[luvtoride]

Are you looking Semi-auto? Or revolver?

Both have their applications, personally, I'd rather have a big a$$ed revolver, for the simple intimidation factor, and the hunting application. But for a serious self defense pistol, semi-auto would be the way to go.

 

[Blu Du]

you don't need a conceal and carry permit to hunt with pistol

 

[rynokron]

I have a Glock 23. .40 cal. compact. It would be a good choice for your application. Look at the Springfield XD's too. Very similar. I would buy a XD .45 compact if I was buying another handgun.

 

[xc6rider]

As far as Pistols

You can't beat a Springfield XD these days.

Gun and all the extras are priced very reasonably compared to others (glock, sig, etc..)

They are a great gun for carrying for hunting use and or personal protection. VERY user friendly, easy to clean etc...

Aftermarket stuff is becoming alot easier to find for them in the last year or so. (One thing I like about Glock, tons of accessories and way easy to find)


My latest purchase was a Bi-tone 4.5" XDm 40 and as you'd guess, my favorite pistol.

If you are looking for a revolver, their is TONS of options, and with any purchase, just go see what feels comfy in the palm, and compare prices!

 

[prowrench]

S/A XDM 40 by far the best auto out there for the price and reliability.
just my .02

 

[summitguy98]

thanks for all of the good info. Like I said, I am very inexperienced in handguns. I'll have to go to the local sporting goods stores and see how they "feel in the palm."

 

[T-BO]

Handguns..... "Well, it's sort of like having two cocks...if one of your cocks could kill someone!"

Personally I am not a fan of the XD's or Glocks, they just feel bulky and unrefined. Of the guns I have fired I like my Smith 1911 and my brothers Sig P226 the most.

 

[Motley Doo]

I have a T/C contender 16" in 45/70 shooting Hornady Leverevolution 325 grain poly-tips at ~1800 fps that will stop damn near anything in the woods, but you better hold on for dear life and make the first and only shot count!!!!

Honestly, the best woods gun I have ever held, if you can find one, was a S&W 629 light in .44. Fairly light weight, good stopping power, great combo.

I don't know about predator defence, I realize that bullet technology for .45 acp and .40 s&w has improved the rounds effeciveness, but I have been WAY too close to a griz in the woods, and my 7mm rem. mag. felt underpowered! And I usually pack a Para P-16 in .40 as a backup.(BTW- one of the most comfortable pistols I have ever held, full size, double stack 16 rnd clip, even have an 18 rnd for it, but very accurate!!! And the CCU Mechtech Carbine Conversion is a TON of fun!!!!)

If you are archery hunting and it is your one and only line of defence, I would look at a 44 mag, 454 casual, Dan Wesson even built there revolver in .445 super mag(44 case lengthened 3/8", I have one for a T/C, awesome round!!!!). I know they are big and a bit heavier and may kick the crap out of you, but you CAN get reduced pressure loads for plinking and a good holster, it should never trouble you.

Just my opinion, but fire away!(pun not intended)

 

[w8tn4u]

If you can't draw and hit your target accurately every time it doesn't matter what caliber the gun is. Its all about muzzle control and shot placement. put two in the chest, If the there is still a threat put one between the eyes. There are schools out there that teach you how to use your gun. I personally recommend front sight down in Nevada for a training school. Take there four day defensive handgun course.

 

[rynokron]

thanks for all of the good info. Like I said, I am very inexperienced in handguns. I'll have to go to the local sporting goods stores and see how they "feel in the palm."

Go to your local range and rent all the ones you are interested in. Try them out and get the one you like best. Bring lots of ammo and targets.

 

[n8schuelke]

I bought the new XDm in a 40 a few months ago, my brother has the same gun. We both love em. A 40 is really you need unless your worried about grizzlys. A hand gun is more about placement than the caliber, and it's alot freakin harder to hit anything with any handgun. Springfield Armory was runnin a promo if you bought a new handgun you got 2 more clips and another mag holder. And the XDm holds 16 in the clip, I need all the lead flyin in the air I can get.

 

[MPS]

Agreed....I have an XD 40...good all around semi auto. I use it for work and carry it off duty. It is similar to a Glock but better. It has a hand safety as well as the trigger safety, plus a lighter trigger pull than the Glock. If you are going to be in areas where you have a lot of cats, bears, wolves...I would definitely think about a 45, 10mm, or 44mag. Springfield also makes a great 45 XD. I have a Colt 1911 45 all tricked out....sweet gun, but you are gonna pay a good penny for those these days.