here is the scenerio......


my fiancea ( spelling ) where disgussing on about our moove to maine in the up and coming year.
i told her what i am looking to get when i move to s state that treats law abiding citizens like the way you are supposed to be treated. now i do not own any handguns nor do i own any types of rifles that could hold more than 10 rounds in my states laws right now.

now when i move up to maine i was thinking of either a M-14 the one that is smaller in length or a handgun. something that can be used for carry when bow hunting in the woods ( self defense just in case i run in between a sow and her cubs ) have seen some while scouting in the spring time.

what would you all do if you where me?? i always wanted a M-14/M-1A

First check to see if it's legal to carry a firearm while bowhunting. In most states it's not legal. If it's legal, then buy a 44mag revolver. You'll probably never need it but ...

If you really want a M14/M1A then buy it. They have a great reputation. IMO carrying a Rifle and a Bow into the woods is a bit much

If it's legal i'd opt for a handgun and i agree the 44 mag revolver would be the ticket.

I think you are just looking for an excuss to buy a semi-auto pistol/firearm? If that is what you want go buy one.
I carry a 40-S&W Springfield Armory XD-Tactical for personal protection from people.
I carry a Ruger 44-mag or Counter Assault Bear Spray for bears & cougars. I have seen the results of the bear spray in use on a video. I never though much of bear spray until I watched the video, boy does that stuff work. The person sprayed a bear in the face, the bear spun around & ran away bawling like a baby the whole time. I carry the bear spray with me 90% of the time when I bow hunt & leave the 44 back at camp.
If I were going to pick a pistol for personal protection from black bears? I would buy a 44-mag. Smaller caliber just don't have the power needed. Anything larger than the 44 is just to big for me to handle.
What ever pistol you decide on, buy ammunition that is loaded with hard cast bullets. Hard cast bullets will give you maximum penatration. Even Federal Premium self defense loads are not made for shooting bears. COR BON, Garrett or Black Hills Ammo will have a load that is just right for you.

As others have said above, carring a rifle while bowhunting isn't practical and many states won't allow you to carry any firearm while bowhunting. Pepper spray is all you'll need. I've killed bears with my bow and also had sow/cub run ins, and I've never even needed pepper spray.

Hi Quilly,

If you are allowed to carry a firearm during bowhunting......a 4" .44 Magnum is hard to beat.....especially for Black Bears or even Moose. (Just use a bullet that will stay together and penetrate.)

If you just want to buy an M1A.......that's a good enough reason. Both the Bush Model and the Scout Squad Model are shorter than the standard model. Very nice rifles.....a great rifle for any gun owner to have! But I personally think you would find it too cumbersome to carry around with a bow simultaneously!

Best wishes on your move.....and your decision. By the way....the M1A makes a great camp gun, ranch protection....(as in isolated location homestead), and where legal...a better than average hunting rifle. They are tough rifles, built and meant to take hard use!

Dave

P.S. If every gun owner owned one of those.....with a couple cases of ammuntion.....it'd go a long way to insure our continued 2nd Amendment Rights....are not infringed!

P.S.S. And if you're serious about wanting one.....better do it soon!

You can legally carry a pistol in Maine during archery season if you have a firearms hunting license also. You cannot dispatch a deer with a firearm during archery season.

NAAAAH, forget that little 44mag. S&W is coming out with a 3" ported barrel 500 S&W.[][]

For black bear protection a .357 magnum with hard cast bullets like Corbons 200 grain hard cast at 1200 fps would be a good choice and not weigh as much and be as cumbersome as a 44 mag and allow quicker follow up shots too.

A 44 mag is also a great choice but you have added weight and a lot more recoil when you don't need or want that recoil for faster shots. Especialy when you are shooting full house hunting loads to dispach a bear.

I love my 44 mags but they get heavy. A tarus 696 in 357 mag is light and make a good defense weapon you can plink with 38 specials or hunt with heavy mag ammo. The revolver never jams and the tarus is a good buy for the money........and get that M1A also.

wolfkiller hit it right on the head.

i would not carry a rifle when bow hunting. but i believe in maine you are able to carry a handgun with you if you are bow hunting as long as you don't use it to dispacth the animal you are hunting.
i would like to have a handgun for ocassions if it ever comes i have that handgun instead of a bow.
what about the 41 rem mag?