If you hade your choice.

Norski · 09-30-2003, 08:14 PM

For Home Protection

To carry outdoors ( WOODS )

All around pistol

Ruger .357

Colt .357

Or

What would be your choice??

Going to buy a new pistol.

Price range $375.00

Thanks RIVER-RAT.

Mello-Yello · 09-30-2003, 11:04 PM

.44 Magnum w/18" barrel and shoulder holster. I have a S&W .357 and a Ruger 9mm, both stainless. Great guns, and certainly all you need, but if I were going to buy another, it would be the .44 mag. As far as protection, you wouldn't even have to pull it out. Just open your coat and reveal it. Very intimidating...

The .357s are nice as you can shoot .38s, which are a lot cheaper. Another consideration, (I'm not sure on the current regs), but last time I looked into it, a .357 isn't legal for big game....i.e. Black Bear, Cougar...they just don't have the energy. .44 mag does.

Would be a shame to see a bruin or cat up close and have to pass up an opportunity (or be lured into violating a game regulation).

Just my $0.02 worth.

M-Y

McBaine · 09-30-2003, 11:46 PM

I too am thinking of getting a handgun, but for hunting primarily and home protection second. So I'm leaning to the .44 mag. Dad on the other hand wants a .357 mag so that mom can shoot .38's out of it. we'll probably both get our respective guns. Just that I've never heard of a .44 mag with an 18" barrel. 6-8 inches should be enough. :grin:

TonTo · 10-01-2003, 01:06 AM

I think I'ld rather have a .454 alitle more kick than the .44 but ya can always shoot .45s

fishstik · 10-01-2003, 04:07 AM

44 mag ruger blackhawk

skein · 10-01-2003, 04:38 AM

In this case you're talking compromise. The .357 is a great home defense weapon; in fact it's the most widely used cartridge and statistically has taken down the most bad guys. The 125gr hollow-point seems to be the bullet of choice for personal defense.

For hunting, the .44 mag is the least you want to use, with muzzle energy numbers similar to a 30/30. I have both, but agree with TonTo, if you're seriously going to go hunting with a handgun, that .454 is a serious piece of work. Not everyone can handle them however, since the noise and recoil are ferocious.

There are many hunting choices outside those, especially in the Thompson Center single shot pistols. Virtually any caliber you could want.

Simple, ain't it. :grin:

Skein

Mr. Fisherman · 10-01-2003, 05:57 AM

What ever your choice, consider using Glaser Safety Slugs for home defense. They are expensive but they offer unsurpassed stopping power while at the same time protecting friends and neighbors as they will not travel through the walls of your house like other bullets. These cost a little more but in my opinion they are deffinately worth it. I have seen footage of what these do to watermellons and water jugs compared to hollow point and super x bullets and shotguns. It left a life long impression on me. The unlucky ill wishing tresspasser entering my house without an invite will not be finding their way out the door on their own feet if you know what I mean. Better than a shotgun and safer.

Here are some supporting articles I found.

Glaser Safety Slug performance case studies

AMMUNITION FOR THE SELF-DEFENSE FIREARM

A good read...Air Martials in Training

Now, as to the price range... Consider used. Gun shows, pawn brokers and private individuals will provide the best values.

More to follow later...

pdxkevin · 10-01-2003, 06:53 AM

The glasiers are interesting rounds. I beleive they were designed for use in aircraft - designed not to penetrate the outer hull.

As far as best pistol... it is the one you use. The one that never gets used is useless. Get one that is "naturally" comfortable in your hand. Some are much easier than others to quickly pull up on target. Some people do not like the 9mm. they think it doesn't get the job done. With the 9mm there is less kick, and less expensive ammo. Less kick gets you a faster target reaquisition. Less expensive ammo means you can practice more. Under a stress situation, your body will drop the high motor skills and go to reflects. If you practice enough to get the moves into muscle memory, you are better off. Chance are that in the stress situation, you won't fire only once. More hits on the treat the better. Since the 9mm doesn't kick as hard, allowing you to reaim faster. You can get a 2nd, 3rd,... shots off much faster.

Brand that I trust and love is Glock. Seriously durable and dependable. Used by law enforecement all over the place. For me, the Glocks fit perfectly in my hand and every one has pulled up right on target out of the holster, every time.

10-01-2003, 07:32 AM

Home, any quality 9mm, 40S&W or 45ACP
In the woods, 44mag or 45 Colt

Flatfish · 10-01-2003, 07:56 AM

If I know they are a coming( and i was not allowed to leave) an HK MP5!

If I did not have advanced warning,

, a Sig .40, or a 1911 .45acp.

Outside?

Ruger Bisley in .45 LC. With reloads, it is a heavy hammer.

In the real world, any gun is better than no gun.

Mark and the dog.

wife&3kids · 10-01-2003, 07:56 AM

Statistically speaking, the 40 caliber is the single most effiecient one shot take down ration for human beings, based on a study done by I believe the FBI. Call me out on this so I actually take the time to find out who did the study from my friend who is in law enforcement.

As far as in the woods, I would go up to a 45 personally if I could have two guns, but sinced you asked for one gun and I am supposed to answer that question , it would be a GLOCK 22 (45 Cal)

It is a large hard to conceal gun, but is easy to handle for the wife if someone creeps into our house.

wife&3kids · 10-01-2003, 07:59 AM

OOPs, my Glock 22 is a 40 Caliber, sorry

KingFisher85 · 10-01-2003, 08:05 AM

I've been wanting a Ruger 44 mag...Don't know what one but I'm gonna get me one of them. I also want a WW2 Colt 1911 45ACP..Oh yea, lets not forget the Super 14 inch 30-30 barrel for my T/C Contender :grin:

Grantspastor · 10-01-2003, 08:30 AM

Because I'm a Pastor, I get asked "would you shoot someone in self-defense?". Answer is I've never had to worry about it...but for the sake of theory...if it were my life in danger, I might think about it...if it were my wife or daughters lives in danger...I wouldn't hesitate a nanosecond. My choice for home .45 ACP. For self-defense against Alaskan Brown bears on my float trips? It doesn't matter because no handgun is adequate. I carry a .357 in a shoulder holster under my fishing vest...but rely on a short-barrreled 12 guage loaded with 3" slugs. Another idea would be to carry a small caliber pistol and instead of shooting the bear, you could wing your buddy in the foot so he can't run as fast as you.

skein · 10-01-2003, 08:44 AM

Wife&3kids,

My stats were from the private citizen, home protection standpoint, and did not include law enforcement. It's also an old number and may not be correct any more, but even if its not, it's a close second. Any cartridge in that category will suffice though, and be pretty reassuring in a home- or self-defense situation.

Flatfish,

Your quote about "any gun is better than no gun" is right on. Or as they say, "I'd rather have a gun and not need it than need one and not have it."

Grantspastor,

Your idea of the shotgun with slugs for bear protection is the real solution. Especially up in Canada where you can't carry a handgun.

Skein

10-01-2003, 10:11 AM

GP,
You reminded me of the old Alaskan habit of filing off the front sight of a pistol to be used for bear protection

If one does use a shotgun w/slugs use hard slugs or the hourglass shaped copper saboted slugs. One of my friends in Ketchikan was the area biologest with the ADF&G. He shot a large black bear 3 times with slugs and they only penitrated 3" and flattened out like silver dollars. We had to track this bear for over a mile in HEAVY SE Alaska brush before putting it down with my 18" barreled 375 H&H.

Grantspastor · 10-01-2003, 10:22 AM

Keta...that's good information. My "fearsome" 3" lead slugs will never look the same again. I do know that on occasion bears can be hard to kill. I also know that when you're standing 10' from a 1000 pound brown bear...NO weapon seems adequate.

Killertraylor · 10-01-2003, 10:26 AM

On my nightstand you'll find (at least until my 7 month old son is old enough to reach it) a Smith and Wesson model 60 .357. It's a J frame stainless revolver with adjustable sights and 3 inch barrel. I added the crimson trace laser grips and it's an excellent 5 shot home defense gun. The laser really lights up the room at night if you ever hear a noise and makes it a lot easier if you ever had to shoot a perp in the dark. It's light for carrying and packs plenty of punch. It's also enjoyable to shoot with .38 rounds. It's very accurate, unlike some 2" snubby revolvers. I think they go for about $350 new.

My second pick would be any glock.

TheRogue · 10-01-2003, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Killertraylor:
On my nightstand you'll find (at least until my 7 month old son is old enough to reach it) a Smith and Wesson model 60 .357.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Trust me, he can reach it now, don't care how high your nightstand is!!!! by the time my daughter was 7 months old, she was getting into everything she wasn't supposed to be into, up high or not. For the sake of your kids safety, put a trigger lock on it, and keep the key right there, so it's still very accessible for use.

My .02

TR

Dr Strangelove · 10-03-2003, 12:33 AM

I'm gonna be different here. One gun for all purposes. Weather proof. Indestructable. Accurate. Packs a MF of a punch coming close to the 44mag and exceeding the 357mag and 41mag. 3 pre ban mags with + 2 extensions on them equals 51 + 1 rounds at your disposal. Yes. The Glock 20 with hot 10mm loads. Add luminous nite sites/laser, Haarts mercury guide rod recoil reducer, and a grip reduction job from Robar or ARS to reduce the grip index and stipple the finish.

If the budget is under $500 however, I'd go with a S&W M66 357mag or 629 Mountain Gun 44mag(or 45LC). Have fun. Get a really comfortable padded nylon gunbelt with a flap holster if you get the 44 since it weighs a bit. See http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976389228.htm
Ruger has nice revolvers too.

I don't recommend a J-frame 5shot snubbie in 357. It is a brutal recoil and not really controllable in repeat rapid fire. N or K frame is the smallest I'd go for serious power revolvers.

[ 10-04-2003, 07:23 PM: Message edited by: Dr Strangelove ]

StickFish · 10-06-2003, 06:32 PM

NO weapon seems adequate. [/QB][/QUOTE]

Well one that is crew served and has a lanyard for a trigger might ease the pucker factor a little