Handgun Help

[sunjbr]

Im looking for help in selecting a handgun. My wife is insistent that I should get a handgun because I have alot of bears on my hunting ground(they been tearing up trail cams) and she doesn't want me out there without some protection. Mainly when I'm scouting and archery hunting. The bears been around for many years and I had no such problem but she wants me to get a gun so Im not going to pass up this opportunity.

I don't really plan on using it for hunting game animals. I guess Im getting it for personal protection so that I could use it for home defense. I also want something that is fun to shoot at the range.

I am new to the handgun world and looking for some help. Thanks in advance

[halfbakedi420]

to me, bears killers dont come in "fun to shoot at the range" .... I would say at least a 40 cal, i would recommend the smif n wesson 500, it has the power to kill a bear and is heavy enough that it wont throw ya around.
on another note, 15 forty cals will do some damage, so maybe glock22 in 40 cal. gl

[Mr. Deer Hunter]

There is some intelligence missing here on this post.

What kind of bears are you talking about?

If it is black bears, I wouldn't worry, because the bears are usually more scared of you then what you are of them. Saying that your wife is making you do it, only confirms that you are the one that is afraid of the bears.

If it was a Grizzly bear or a Polar Bear - then I would be concerned.

If you watch our five sons Alaska, you will see that most of the people, including all of the guides up there wears side arms.

You do not need a hand cannon to kill a bear. A .357 or a 44 magnum works fine.

[halfbakedi420]

true, i automatically thought big 10 foot 1200lb grizzly, my bad

[country1]

How much experience do you have firing a handgun powerful enough for this purpose? Get proper training. Start your training with NRA Basic Pistol and move up from there. Talk with the NRA Certified Instructors about your question during breaks (chances are they will not discuss it during the class portion). Be aware that you need to match your cartridge/bullet to your use. A revolver chambered in 44 Mag can be used for hunting, and then a 44 Special or 44 Special +P can be used for home defense.

[C. Davis]

sunjbr,
If you are hunting in South Central PA like your location suggest, then any grizzly or polar bears you happen upon are way out of their jurisdiction.

If your wife is suggesting you buy a side arm because she is worried about the black bears, then by all means don't miss the opportunity to add another one to your arsenal.

C. Davis

[nchawkeye]

You are kinda asking a handgun to do 2 different things...Kinda like using a driver in a sandtrap...

It would be hard to beat a Ruger Blackhawk .44 Magnum for hunting large game...It's a very versital and reliable hunting round...

This gun could be used for personal defense, or you could go with a Ruger Redhawk for that purpose...But, something like a Glock 23, which is a .40 caliber with a 12 round clip would be a better chioce for personal protection...

There, I've solved your problem...You need to buy two!!!

The wife wouldn't buy a new dress without buying shoes and a pocketbook to go with it would she???

[Backwoods7]

If it's just litthl Blackbeard I'd get a S&W 357 magnum. Perfect for self defence against two legged and 4 legged varmits. If grizzly I'd getta 44mag at minimum but preferably a 454 casul

[SWThomas]

Springfield XDM in .45 ACP. Plenty of power and high capacity. It's a great pistol to shoot for recreation too.

[Sheridan]

"I am new to the handgun world and looking for some help"


A .38 that shoots .357 mags also.



Practice with the .38's; shoot to kill with the .357 magnums.