Hey all,
Im looking for your opinions on a good reliable lightweight handgun preferably a revolver with at least 32 cal or larger.
I want it for home protection and to carry with me either concealed or in a back pack while bowhunting or hiking. I would prefer to get as inexpensive model as possible while not sacrificing reliability.
Any suggestions? Also, Is it legal to carry such a weapon while bowhunting?

Edited by - mr.d on 01/28/2003 19:30:31

In PA it is not legal. Even with a ccw permit.
You probably can't go wrong with a 357 mag. Can shoot 38's as well. Taurus makes some titanium frame models that are pretty light. If cost is an issue taurus regular line up is pretty reasonably priced. Might want to look into used also. Sometimes you can get a good deal.

Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 Special

I'm gonna agree that you should get a .357mag, I seldom recommend them, just because I like .44mags so much, but since you are new to handgunning, or so it sounds, I guess I'll deign to recomment the smaller diameter round, just because the recoil is much milder for someone to learn with.

I have to make my same recommendation for the gun though, a Ruger, either a Blackhawk or Redhawk, or Super BLackhawk and redhawk if you opt for the .44. If ya really want one for cheap, I know a gun shop that has a month old trade in Blackhawk in .41mag for $235, can you believe it?

I felt a titanium Taurus (not airlite) .38spcl the other day, which is a DA, it'd be great for your protection gun, just not a good hunting revolver cuz it's too short barreled, but then again you didn't say you wanted to hunt it, just to have it hunting.

If handgun recoil doesn't bother you, then get a .44mag, it's a lot more potent as a deer weapon, and the .44s&w spcl option is just as good as the .38 option is in the .357, better in my opinion because I feel more comfortable shooting yotes with .44spcl's than with .38spcls, but that just might be me.

PS, in KS, you can't have a side arm while deer hunting (unless you're like me and are good buds with the rangers in your area and check it out with them first, I carried a .45 acp on hunts where I'd had a couple run ins with cougars last year, and asked the guys if they'd grudge me if I carried it, they didn't care, since they know me enough to know I wouldn't ever shoot that dang thing at a deer, let alone out of season).

Screw the 10 ring, keep them in the zero!!!

Thanks for the info guys.
It seems that the .357 is the way to go, given its versatility of loads.

I agree with the 357, 4" barrel Ruger GP100 should do nicely. The Taurus or the Smith will be a little lighter.

thndrchiken beat me to my own thoughts. i personally have a 6"gp and you cant go wrong

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

If you are not going to be hunting with it look at the 9mm Smith lod 3913 is a good carry gun I have for years. one other one I am looking at is the Glock 9mm mod m26 with a 10 round clip. It is not leagle to carry when bow hunting in IN either and if you are picked up you loose the gun so check out the laws before you do carry while bow hunting.

Man, for concealed carry, there are some outstanding wheelguns out there. I would love to have any of the taurus' s or Smiths super lightwieght jobs. When I lived in a concealed state, I tried carrying the Model 29' s and 13' s but way too heavy to be convienent. Just picked up a Glock27 for carrying when MD possibly will make it legal.

Shot it from the sandbags last weekend. I got 5" groups from 25 yards. For me with a gun like that with a small barrel, I thought that was pretty good. I like the ankle holsters myself.

Taurus Tracker in .357mag. Great gun, not too long of a barrell, reliable, and a lifetime warranty. They also come in various calibers from .22lr through .44mag.