jakerau
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1:1 in 08 Foaming at the Gills!
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Much thanks to all of those who contributed to my questions about the Rem 870 Exp. I know there is one waiting ot be all mine come Christmas AM. My wife denies it but I accidentally stumbled upon the reciepts in the file cabinet Hehehe.
Next on the list is a hand gun. I had a buddy who owned a 9mm... not sure of the brand, but seemed to be a decent gun and he bought it new for under $300.00. I'll be looking for a good starter gun to tote along on camping/hunting trips. I wanted to ask you guys what you would reccomend.
Thanks.
Jake
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Mojo
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Ruger GP-100 .357 Mag. Simple gun to operate. Safe. Drives tacks. Inexpensive.
Start out with a wheel gun. Autos sling a lot of lead fast, and where there's lead there is danger  . They are expensive to shoot, because they sling a lot of rounds fast. However, the revolver is easy to maintain, reliable, and accurate. I started out with a GP-100, and now have a Ruger P-85 9mm. I wish I had my GP100 back.
Whatever you decide, try to find a buddy with THAT gun, and go shoot his. Maybe there is a gun club that has a pistol range, and you can "try before you buy"? Different guns fit different people. Find what is right for you, and don't buy a hand cannon just because everyone says it's cool... 
There's my 2 cents worth...
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Tony1831
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I agree you should go to a shooting range where there are many choices available to try out. Most places will let you rent them out for an hour and get your own opinion of what feels good and what fits in your hands. The fit and comfort is probably the most important factor, then deciding what caliber you want comes next. Is this going to be for plinking or protection? A good plinker could be as small as a .22 but won't make a good defensive weapon.
A revolver is a good place to start, and like Mojo said, a .357 is a good starting point. It will also shoot .38 rounds if you find the .357 has too much muscle.
I personaly like semi-autos and for that reason have a Ruger P94 .40 SW that I keep around the house for protection. It also goes with me on hunting and fishing trips because you never know what's just around the corner.
If you decide you want to try a semi-auto the best piece of advice I can give is to practice dry firing several times and also run the slide back and forth and watch where the slide will move over your hands as you fire it. The inexperienced shooter will be a victim of "Beretta bite" if his/her hands are improperly positioned when the trigger is pulled and the next round is loaded. The slide will come back to load the next round and if your hands are in the way  it can be quite an ugly result and the gun doesn't feel any remorse.
During my days in the USMC I had a Beretta 92F 9mm that shot well, but was small in my hands. I could have changed the grips to something more comfortable on my personal weapon, but decided to go with the Ruger P94 instead because it fits better in my hands.
No matter what weapon you choose, be sure to register it with the local authorities and add it to your insurance policy.
I hope this helps make your decision a bit easier.
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Dogfish
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I owned a Ruger P-85 for my first auto. It worked well enough for me, then I moved onto a 4006 (.40 S&W) and a 5906 (9mm), both S&W handguns.
My current pistol is an HK USP compact in .40 S&W. It is accurate, and very concealable.
If you are looking for something to shoot for target/plinking, a larger handgun like the P-85 or GP-100 as Mojo had mentioned would be fine. Both of those are pretty large for concealed carry.
Stay safe, and get your carry permit before you carry. Very bad things happen if you don't have the permit, and carry concealed. A training class may also be in order, regardless of how much you think you know.
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"Give me the anger, fish! Give me the anger!"
Be like Big Stick!
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Mojo
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Great advice Andy and Tony. I wasn't thinking concealed carry, because I don't. I carry out where God and Everyone can see. Another weapon (my favorite auto) I though of later is the Colt 1911-A1 in .45 ACP. A tried and true classic, and when you run out of ammo, it is a wonderful club.
Check out his website....
Colt 1911-A1
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chinook
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a good starter gun to tote along on camping/hunting trips
i would get taurus revolver in .357. in the woods where you are liable to run into cats and bears .357 would be the minimum i would carry and for around town or for home defense you can also shoot 38cal in the same weapon. check local laws as in some areas if you are hunting with "primitive" weapons ie; black powder or bow you are not allowed to carry a modern firearm even though you are not hunting with it. a concealed pistol license (cpl) will not get you around this limitation. i would recommend applying for a cpl as it will help you during transport to and from your destinations. be forewarned they do an fbi check and take fingerprints when you apply for a cpl. also if you already have a cpl when you purchase a weapon you can take the weapon with you right then as opposed to the normal 3 day waiting period. some states require you to take some kind of class before they award you a cpl. if your state does not it is still a VERY good idea to take some kind of class from a certified instructor. also remember that if you are doing anything wrong while carrying the penalties will be much more severe. i do not mean to be long winded but a little information can save you allot of trouble.
ps do not over look used weapons most are carried allot and fired little. sometimes you can find a used package that can include holster and speed loaders which if you buy new will add to the total price. also with a used package you could get a weapon with more quality for the same money as a new taurus. rugers are built like a tank although the taurus has a transferable lifetime warranty. i would prefer a shoulder holster for the woods. hope this helps. 
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Trouthead
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Anybody know of a used .41 mag revolver for sale?
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Trouthead
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Tony1831
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Quote:
chinook said:
check local laws as in some areas if you are hunting with "primitive" weapons ie; black powder or bow you are not allowed to carry a modern firearm even though you are not hunting with it.
In Oregon you can carry a firearm even if you are bowhunting.
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chinook
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good to hear tony as in wa you cannot. i guess too many Washingtonians were shooting prey with their carry weapons instead of the "primitive" weapons.
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Freedom isn't free
I'm for equal rights not special rights
Plan for tomorrow but live for today
Team Jackson Baldwin
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BobK
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Well, the best advice I can offer is to try BOTH revolvers and auto pistols to see which matches you best. And here, I mean accuracy.
For me, it's an auto, and I love M1911A1s, and especially with the arched mainspring housing, (One of the 5 changes to make it an A1). Today, MOST of 'em sold new have the straight mainspring housings (like the old 1911s).
I also love .22s in the same configuration for cheap practice. For some reason, I just shoot autos better. I recently fired a .22 Walther auto, and LOVED that gun! I probably will own one after I move south.
Anyway, try 'em both. And I am not a fan of "double action" shooting - I just like to place the shots in the black. So cocking a revolver, or a M1911A1-type auto works fine for me!
BobK
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workin4fishin
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Bob? You're moving?
Jake, consider taking a few courses to familiarize yourself with firearms safety, local legislation, advanced training, etc.
NRA Certified Training Courses by location
Oh, and practice a LOT before you even think of carrying. It's fun, and some ranges have rentals so you can compare. Until it's in your hand and under your control, everything else is just opinion.
HINT: Bob's opinion carries a bucketload of credibility. He carried the 1911 when it was first issued.
<Uh Oh - Runawayyyyyyyy ducking and running>
My newbie experiences:
When I moved down here from the soviet, I took courses and tagged along with other members of the 'unofficial gun club' of my employer. I tried as many different weapons as I could (addicting hobby; don't think I'll ever stop looking) We even used to have a Tuesday night league (and I didn't finish dead last - whohoo!)
I discovered that the weapons i liked before I tried em may not be the ideal piece for me for consistent shooting, ease of carry, price etc.
I'm still learning how to shoot, and there are embarrasing differences in how well I can consistently control different weapons, even after a bit of practice. Need more practice. LOTS more practice
Just my lame opinion, not much experience, not much knowledge.
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Musicman
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Wear that distinction with honor Bob...I sure honor you for it....love that gun, just never bought one.
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JD
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scud
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Jake, I've learned the hard way. You get what you pay for.
I've bought firearms that were inexpensive and basically fell apart in my hand. Like the jennings 9mm .Garbage.
I picked up a Ruger gp100 357 6" for around $400. Fired thousands of rounds through it never any problems. Great revolver. 38 ammo is cheap and having the power of the 357 when you need it is nice. You really cant go wrong with Ruger or S&W.
Hope this helps.
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BobK
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Yeah, I did carry one in the early '50s, I was in the Marines, and carried it in a shoulder holster. I also "found" a "grease gun" M3A1 that I quickly took posession of....
The M1911A1 was an old friend!
BobK
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Tony1831
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"you were"  
we still are Bob :insert_eagle_globe_anchor:
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archy99
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All great advice, folks...kudos! I've always been a fan of the smaller frames, S&W J-frames to be exact, due to my carry habits and uses. One of my favorites is the hammerless 940's (5 shot, full moon clips)...which they now offer in .357...very compact and easy to pull from concealed with minimal snagging. As a bonus, the 940 is in 9mm so I can move ammo as needed with my others...and is more economical than some of the larger bores for practice, though it may be underpowered depending on the end use you have in mind.
Happy shopping...tis the season!
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Beyond this, where there is no memory, the countryside lies vacant. -Indra Kagis McEwan
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jakerau
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1:1 in 08 Foaming at the Gills!
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Wow. Great advice. Thanks to all.
My primary use of a handgun would be for protection out in the bushes. We've plenty of cats around here and we frequently visit eastern ID - and there I've run into too many wild animals (Moose, bears, bull elk, wolf, etc) to not have at least some form of protection. Now, I'm not sure I want to go straight for an option that will drop a pissed sow in one or two shots, but I feel the need to have something that might aid me in detering a defensive animals attack or unwanted presence. I've handled a .22 revolver and enjoyed it, but my buddies 9mm was more to my liking. I've never used a 357 but many of you mentioned it, so there is an option I'll be sure to look into when the time comes. Again, thanks for the info and keep it comming.
Jake
p.s. Workin4fishin, Kagda vy priyekhali suda iz Rossiya?
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cupo
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Any handgun big enough for moose and bears probably will not be a good gun for an inexperienced shooter.
If you don't consider yourself a gun guy, a revolver is probably best because of the simple design. The small J-frame revolvers are nice for carry, but in a magnum caliber they kick like mules, which probably isn't a good idea for the inexperienced. My J-frame .38 is a breeze to shoot. My sister shoots it like it's nothing. Shooting an 11oz scandium framed .357 is painful.
If you want a semi-auto, but still don't think of yourself as a gun person, take a look at some of the double action only models. They are a little more simple to operate.
Find some guns in .38/9mm or bigger that interest you and try them out.
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This can't be healthy. All this fishing is really messing with my head.
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Mojo
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Jake if you want to "deter" anything bigger than a large dog or a skinny crack-head, you better drop 9mm from your thought process. It'll take a few solid hits with a 9mm to stop bigger animals. On a bear, moose, or wolf a .357 is minimum, and a .41 Mag and above are where I'd look. A .44 Mag is probably your best bet in that case. As stated, go with a heavier gun, so it doesn't kill you with recoil. Autos kick less than a revolver too.
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Mojo
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BobK
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Don't forget - a .44 Mag can be used for larger hairy, toothy critters with claws, but it can ALSO use .44 Special loads for some comfortable practice shooting without the kick and noise! It's not that bad of a "combo" gun!
Just like its little brother, the .357, where you can also use .38 Special loads for comfort shooting practice.
These make ideal combo guns that, depending on circumstance, can be used for "the task at hand".
BobK
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workin4fishin
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Jake, wrong soviet.I meant the soviet of Canada
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southforkcowboy
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Quote:
Mojo said:
Jake if you want to "deter" anything bigger than a large dog or a skinny crack-head, you better drop 9mm from your thought process. It'll take a few solid hits with a 9mm to stop bigger animals. On a bear, moose, or wolf a .357 is minimum, and a .41 Mag and above are where I'd look. A .44 Mag is probably your best bet in that case. As stated, go with a heavier gun, so it doesn't kill you with recoil. Autos kick less than a revolver too.
LMFAO! "skinny crack head", too funny.Gotta go with Mojo 100% . I would personaly take a Redhawk over a GP-100 any day.More nock down & less recoil(& noise) I packed a Redhawk horseback for years. The 5 1/2" model worked well for me. The only down side is the weight.
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God, family,country.(ropin',huntin'& fishin' too)The diffrence between a roper & a pizza- a pizza will feed a family of five.
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Mojo
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SFC, I had a .41 mag Redhawk for a few years. I liked it, and carried it while cowboying. The GP-100 was the gun I shot in LE competition (the 1911-A1 was the weapon I shot in Military competition). All great weapons, and all the more argument for getting together with some guys and burning some powder to see which one you like best! Hell, I've never seen a handgun I didn't like. Some I just liked better than others.
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
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Dogfish
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Shoot some Corbon 180 grain loads out of my Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 Special and you'll find a gun you don't like.
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"Give me the anger, fish! Give me the anger!"
Be like Big Stick!
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Mojo
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No thanks Andy, I'll take your word for it...
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Tight Lines,
Mojo
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workin4fishin
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Dan Wesson .357 w/ interchangeable barrel systems, and new grips maes a nice target plinker. Very low maintenance, simple and reliable and very consistent. With the right loads and a 4" barrel would be good for carry in 'non-urban' environments. You'd have to be considerable taller/larger than me so be able to use it for an urban carry choice.
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cupo
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Quote:
Dogfish said:
Shoot some Corbon 180 grain loads out of my Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 Special and you'll find a gun you don't like.
I've thought about buying one of those.
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This can't be healthy. All this fishing is really messing with my head.
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Dogfish
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