Ditto on the rental idea. Check around and see if anyone in your area is teaching the NRA Personal Protection course. This is a good, introductory course. Barring that, see what basic courses are available at the nearest range.

A lot of these courses will allow you to handle and shoot several different types of handguns, in several calibers. Having us tell you on the internet what it is like to shoot a given weapon, when you have no basis for comparison is not that helpful. Getting to shoot several yourself gives you much more useful feedback.

And because a post from me would be imcomplete without pimping my website , you may want to check out some of the DVDs available on the 1911, as well assome of the training titles available at HuntFlix.com.This title about handgunhunting will address some of the caliber suitability questions you have.



Okay, commercial over! Now a word of caution: Cracking off a shot at a coyote from the seat of your four-wheeler is probably in violation of several hunting and shooting regulations. COs get a little testy about shooting from or upon a vehicle, or while on a roadway!

-- FLIX