Posted on 11/10/2008 2:10:22 PM PST by wintertime
My husband and I will soon be purchasing a handgun. The handgun needs to do the following:
1) Stop a human intent on harming us. ( When we travel we sometime sleep in the minivan at rest stops and in remote campsites of various sorts.)
2) Be able to discourage a bear. ( We hike where there are bears, moose, and cougars.)
3) Be reasonably light enough that I can carry it. ( I am 5'7" and weight 132 lbs.)
4) I am also interested in learning how to compete in target shooting.
We went to the firing range last Saturday, took the concealed firearm permit course, and had an opportunity to fire a semi-automatic and a revolver. I am partial to the semi-automatic since it had less recoil or "kick" and holds more bullets. A disadvantage with the revolver is that is has more recoil or "kick" when I simply pull the trigger and I didn't have the strength in my hands to pull the trigger back with only one thumb. I shot a .38 and I could manage that.
What caliber is needed to accomplish the above goals?
So?....Any suggestions?
Why would you need to buy a handgun when Obama is going to protect us from all evil in the universe?
I don’t own a firearm, nor have I had an encounter with a bear, but there’s no discouraging one, unless you have bear spray. There’s only avoiding areas with bears, or having to shoot one to save your life.
My Wife likes her Glock 17
My Wife likes her Glock 17 (9mm)
Either a semi auto 9mm with hot loads (+P) or a semi-auto .40 caliber. You get less bullets in a clip with the .40 in a smaller gun, but you also may need less.
A 4" .357 magnum revolver would be a compromise for all you specs, but it's probably about the best you're going to do.
You really need two guns for what you want: A .44 Magnum revolver and a 9-mm Glock or similar.
1. .45 (pick a make and model)
2. Nothing discourages a bear, you’ll only make them angry...;-)
3. Pick a polymer framed pistol...And see suggestion #1
4. IDPA is a whole lot of fun...It is easy to find by typing those letters into the brouser and see if there is a league near you...
Prepare for a zillion opinions from our "experts" here.
Few handguns will stop a bear — maybe 44 magnum or 50 caliber. The spray may be a better option for bear control. Go with a 9mm Glock or Beretta 92 for intruders not wearing kevlar.
You want to discourage dangerous animals?
You need to come to terms with a .44 Mag or similar revolver. Nothing less is really enough handgun to
guarantee stopping your bear or cougar. If its human
preds you are concerned with then there are many choices.
2. Nothing discourages a bear, you’ll only make them angry...;-)
JoMa
For a bear, use what I use: Taurus .410 pistol. It also fires long .45, but since you don’t like recoil, just use the .410’s. They won’t kill a bear, but they WILL blind one, AND will take care of any pesky humans as well.
By the way, make sure you learn about carry permits in parks.
A SW Lady Smith or any .38 snubbie with Federal 150 grain soft nose bullets will hit anybody hard enough to stop, will not go through exterior walls, will not jam, you can handle it with one hand and you do not have to remember anything but point and click.
As for the bear, a .38 would only piss him off.
And while I understand your preference for a semi-automatic handgun, I don't recommend them as a first handgun.
Therefore I would recommend that you look at used .357 magnum revolvers. Revolvers chambered for this cartridge will also fire .38 Spl ammunition.
One essentially gets two guns for the price of one.
Revolvers are much easier to learn to use, less prone to jamming, and are far less picky about the type of ammunition one can feed them.
They're also (usually) a good deal less expensive.
If you want to shoot competitively, the revolver is a good choice. IDPA has a "stock revolver" class for just that purpose.
Put the difference in price between the used revolver and the autoloader into ammunition, a good training class, and range time.
Just my two cents.
L
A double-action revolver is better than a semi-automatic. All you have to do is point and shoot. No need to pull a slide back in a panic. I have a S&W .357 hammerless with a 2 1/8” barrel. It is a close range gun designed to fire in a coat pocket. You can keep .38 downloads in it which are more than adequate fire power. Practice shooting at a range until you are comfortable with its performance.
As for the bear, they will not attack unless you go near their cubs or startle them.
The type of handgun that will kill a full grown bear in one or two shoots is likely to be WAY more handgun than you ever want to shoot. Let alone to fire off a great deal of rounds through it for target practice.
I don't think one handgun only can meet all your requirements. I know a guy who took 5 shots all over his body in a bar fight from a 38, and pulled out a knife and cut the shooter to shreds.
I'd strongly suggest asking more questions about your needs from someone more expert than you in firearm capabilities.
Check out an autoloader in .357 Sig. It will just about match the ballistics of a .357 magnum revolver, carry more rounds, and still has comparatively mild recoil. It would be about the absolute minimum I'd think of in black bear country. An auto in 10mm might also fill the bill but they're not very popular and may be hard to come by, as would the ammo.
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