Thinking about buying a pistol

[Orion_70]

Personally if I'm going to use a handgun for hunting it would be a .41 magnum or larger. Ruger, Smith and Wesson, and Dan Wesson make some great revolvers. If you're going to buy an auto, I would suggest the .45.. What you buy really depends on what you're really going to use it mostly for. If it's mainly a hunting gun or a personal defense weapon would weigh heavily on what you should purchase. Then become very proficient with it.

[johnf]

So then would a 1911 45 cal. be enough for deer?

[ronin]

I like the .41, too. I have a Ruger Redhawk in .41 for hunting.

[ronin]

I know guys that use them on pigs and deer for close range shooting.

[hangunnr]

While a big bore (41, 44, 45) would be best for hunting I wouldn't hesitate to carry a .357 mag with the proper load.

I would suggest a medium frame 4 to 6 inch barrel revolver simply because they are very user friendly and generally accurate.

hangunnr

[ZooBear]

[ QUOTE ]
While a big bore (41, 44, 45) would be best for hunting I wouldn't hesitate to carry a .357 mag with the proper load.

I would suggest a medium frame 4 to 6 inch barrel revolver simply because they are very user friendly and generally accurate.

[/ QUOTE ]


Sounds like good advice to me. I would stay away from the 1911 until you gain a little experence.

[hangunnr]

I wouldn't consider the .40S&W a suitable deer cartridge. The factory ammo out there isn't designed to be used for hunting.

While you may be able to cook up a .40S&W handload with enough on the ball to kill a deer, there are much better caliber choices available.

hangunnr

[WNY_Whitetailer]

I would try to find a used 44mag for handgun hunting. You might want to try and find a used Ruger Super Blackhawk. Not much for concealed carry but an excellent platform for deer hunting.

[WNY_Whitetailer]

Well, you can shoot 44 Specials out of a 44 Mag and the recoil is nice and "soft." You could also look into a 357 Mag for hunting and take some 38's to the range in the same gun...Just some more options for you.

[AJ]

I agree with WNY. I shot my 44 Mag a lot with light loads. I used to reload some very light loads that keep the skills up to par but do not tear the gun and shooter up like full out loads will. I enjoy shooting a 22 lr handgun to keep up the practice.

[coles]

i have a taurus Ti tracker .41 mag. i love it and highly recommend it. i have carried it fishing wading up to my waist for miles and hours and it is soo light i didnt even know it was there. i havent hunted with i just carry it for the bears around here but it would be prefect for hunting nad personal defense. here is the site.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/pr...egory=Revolver
i love the looks of this gun but i must warn you. shooting the loads iwth a bullet over 200 grains will teach you real fast to shoot lighter loads. and also DO NOT shoot this pistol without ear protection. with the porting and short barrel it is very loud. i have always worn ear plugs but my dad shot it without and he regreted it. so just my 2 pennies.
good luck and let us know what you get.
cole

[coles]

ohh yeah my bro and uncle also have one just like mine and my dad has a ruger .41 mag but really wants one like ours

[hangunnr]

Check out GunBroker to get a feeling as to what market value of some different handguns might be.

I would think you ought to be able to find a very nice used S&W .357 or .44 in the price range you have. I wouldn't rule the Taurus guns out either.

hangunnr