Looking to buy a hand gun.....

[Theinespines3]

So its soon to be my B-day and in Wi its 21 years old to buy a hand gun.....Well i want one as a back up for huntin. I plan to bear hunt with a bow and deer hunt, but i want my back up pistol.

I am definatly broke cause of college, but i want a nice gun.

Yall have any ideas of what caliber, manufacturer or any other ideas please let me know!

Thanks
Theinespines

[RedAllison]

By bears do you mean blackies? If so then any 4" .357 will be fine for backup (check your laws, most states forbid firearms on you during archery only seasons!). Likewise a good .45 auto will perform much the same.If you are talking about grizz/browns then your budget means a .44mag. I would prefer a 454 or 460 but you aren't gonna find them very cheap. Look around pawnshops or good gunshops and you can usually find a .44mag lyin around. In either calibersS&W (which you'll pay more for) or something more reasonable like a Ruger or Taurus wheel gun can be had for a hundred or two cheaper than new.

Good luck,
RA

[James B]

Its illegal in our state to have a gun in your posession while bow hunting. If I were to carry a backup for bear hunting though, it would be a 41 or 44 Magnum.

[Wolf killer]

Taurus & Rugermake affordable pistols. I would jump on a good used one if you find one.

[bigmatty65]

well if you want a back up gun it should be something that can be fired fairly fast so i would pick a .357 revolver or a 1911 in 45 auto.

P.S you cant really carry a pistol in Canada at all, think about that.

[TScottW99]

In Virginia if you have a concealed permit you can carry during archery season.

As to a handgun for backup on bear. I would choose a double action revolver in at least .41mag for blackies and .454 for griz's. I would want a short barrel and practice, practice, practice.

If you get jumped by a bear there is a mighty big chance he will end up on you. In that situation when you are pushing the gun into the bear/cougar/rabbid possum there is a chance a semi-auto would not fire. You could put a revolver's barrel into the ribcage as hard as you want and it will go off.