i traded around and have a little money to spend, i have $300 max to spend and no more. if i try and save more it would only be about $20 a month so it would be next year before i could get a more expensive gun. i only have a heritage rough rider loaded with 22 mag for defense now when i go walking and hiking, i would like to get a bigger caliber but don't know yet which way to go. i'm leaning to 2 calibers a 357 mag revolver as i'm a revolver guy and they make great woods guns. or a 9mm even though i don't like auto's that well they tend to cost less for people on a budget. also i will have to have my local shop order it as i can't order online and have it shipped to them as they don't do that, but they offer good prices. and the nearest dealer that does is 80 miles away thats 160 round trip so gas would take care of any savings i could get. now i have a 12 gauge for home defense with pistol grip and it wouldn't be bad to hike with but since i have a little money i thought i would try and get another handgun. i'm up for any suggestions on any guns that fit my budget, i know in the long run you get what you pay for, but just need one now to last untill i can get a better one. also how would 38+p be against hog or feral dogs?, i've looked online at alot of revolvers from eaa to taurus as for auto's i don't know much about them. thanks for any help.

For a trail gun a revolver is hard to beat. They are simple, and go bang when you pull the trigger more often than not. Assuming it's a dual action revolver anyways.

Single action ones require you to cock them first.

If you really need to worry about cost, a 9mm is cheaper to shoot than a .357 mag revolver.

Cheap handgun... Hi Point Pistols. They make them in every thing from a .380, 9mm, 40 S&W or .45 acp. If cost is the factor and for home defense, the 9mm will do fine. Hi Point are not a pretty pistol by any means... but they are made in the USA and you pull the trigger and they go Bang!

I have been thinking of getting one of their .380's for Carry and Conceal. The .380 is around $150.00 and the 9mm is around $189.00

I agree with cayugad....I've seen the Hi Point 9mm on sale for $159.00,the 40-45 caliber for $169.99 and they have a Life-time Warranty.I was considering the 9mm for a C&C gun myself.

I have handled them and they are kind of chunky block style built. I thought of going to a .380 Hi Point because they are as small a pistol at they get from that company. Then I was able to watch one being fired on a range on afternoon. It was a .40 S&W. I wish I could have shot it. But that was not the case. The person that was shooting was not a good shot, and actually he should have shot at a closer range. But if the target was a person... they would have been dead. They also make a carbine.

I am not much on hand guns. But look at a Taurus revolver in 357 Mag. I think a 4" - 6" barrel version is around that price range. I have an older double action Taurus, 6" barrel in 357 Mag. that I have shot maybe 500 times over the past 4-5 years. It is accurate, simple and has worked fine for me. I think I paid something l**** $250 +/- at a local gun shop. I figure they ware around $300 now.

For $300 I'd be looking for a used Ruger P series pistol. I don't think you can get much better for the price.

If you want to stay under $200, the Hi Points would be where I looked. The Rugers are a big step up though.

I'd personally stay away from anything Taurus just based on their customer service alone. If you ever do have a problem, don't expect to get it resolved.

I would get a used S&W revolver in 357 magnum.
You can shoot 357 magnum, or 38 special.

JMHO

Keep saving and get a nice gun, even if it is used.

Check out Kal Tec pistols usa made good price small and light 32 to 40 available. I bought a 32 acp for 250 as small as a Ruger LCP