Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I have had a 9mm for a very long time and I really do love it for a home protection weapon.

However, with me venturing into hunting I am wanting to get something with a little more knock down power.

I'm really not thinking of getting a sidearm for hunting (at least not now) just something that I could use if I happen to run into a bear or something.

So I was curious as to recommendations for caliber. So far I'm looking into a .44, .45 or even a .50. Cost will be a factor but leaving that aside, what would everyone recommend and why.

Thank you.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I would recomend the .45 I have shot 1911 models and other ACP pistols. It has the knockdown power that you need, and it is a large bullet with plenty of mass. 9mm are great, but a charging wounded bear or large deer would require more. You can get some nice pistols in .45 ACP for a reasonable price. Kimber arms makes some great pistols in .45
"If you cant get it done with a .45...you cant get it done" Check these out. I have shot some of these, and they are great.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

Different states have different requirements for handgun hunting. If you think you may want to use your sidearm for that purpose you need to look into bbl length and caliber requirements. For instance, here in Maryland a .44 Mag w a six inch bbl is the minimum caliber & bbl that is legal for hunting deer. These restrictions would rule out most semi autos. Besides, wheel guns rock!

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I'm fairly positive that I dont' want it for hunting but rather for protection but then again I suppose if a buck were to pop out of some thick brush right in front of me I would want to be able to draw and get it so I probably should check into requirements for handgun hunting here. Thanks for the tip I hadn't thought of that.

Anyone else have anything to share about calibers for this?

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I have 3,
1. H&K USP 40 semi
2. S&W Sigma 40 semi
3. S&W 422 22 cal (the plinker)

If I had any intensions of shooting a deer I'd go with a 44mag with a 6-8 inch barrel. I sot a deer in the 1st handgun season Illinois ever had and used a Ruger GP100 357. I killed a deer at 15 yardsbutthe 357was undersized as far as my opinion. Illinois has done away with the "handgun" season and now calls it the late firearm season where you can use handgun, shotgun, or black powder.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

if you're concerned about stopping something in it's tracks, the bigger the better. but to quote my dad, he said something to the effect of "the .45 ain't no sniper weapon. it's meant to drop somebody on their face at close range as a last resort. if that chunk of lead hits you, you're going down." he was referring to the army's use of it.

i personally just take a browning buckmark 22 lr. this is just incase i have to finish off a dying deer and can get a close range shot behind the ear so i won't to use another expensive rifle round. i've never had to do this and hopefully never do, but just in case... plus it's fun to hunt small game with.

but, then again, there are no bear here or any other animal that would really attack aside from an aggro dog. the only dangers i really face in the woods are idiot hunters so my money would be better put in a bullet proof vest :D

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

.44 Mag

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I'm with the Hog onthis one - 44 mag would be the easiest deal to me w/o question.

You can practice (and even use) 44 special ammo to save some $ andthere is an endless choice of 44 mag ammo offerings to meet any needs.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I like the .45 ACP 1911 (and their copies/variants). They are legendary, accurate, well balanced, and are available everywhere. Some are excellent, some are good, and some are not that good and prone to jamming with anything except 230gr "ball" (i.e. lesser known foreign copies).

The .45ACP 1911 is also incredibly easy to disassemble for cleaning. Heck, even I can do it! :D No tools required! I can totally break down my Para Ordnance P13 (Colt Commander copy 1911) into 5 pieces in a matter of seconds.

The other thing about the .45ACP.... What ever you hit with it, will go down and will stay down. The stopping power is legendary and the recoil is not bad at all.

Butch A.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

.45 cal. Knockem' down!!!

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

The Kimbers are nice. Especially if you dont want to pay the money for the finest ACP pistols ( Colt, Springfield, HK)

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I'd go with the .45 ACP over the .44 Mag. Not only is it generally easier and more enjoyable to shoot and master, but ammo can be had for a lot less money. Plus a full-sized magnum revolver canreally start weighing you down during long walks or hikes.

I carry an HK P2000 .40 S&W as my primary in and out of the woods. Around here the animals tend not to be very large, and the bad guys are pretty much the same size everywhere.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

4 or 6" wheel gun in 357 magnumitis... or the same in 44 magnumitis... the L frame S&W (686+) fits me perfectly so that is what i holster... 45 Colt isn't a bad choice either... on a ruger blackhawk, super blackhawk or redhawk platform that'll take what that round can TRULY deliver... and if you really need to be the "big cheese" there's always the 454 casull the 480 ruger, 460 S&W, 500 S&W, 475 Linebaugh, 500 Linebaugh, and so on and so forth....

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

.45 here too.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

Get a .40 S&W, it's a great cartridge, and it's got plenty of power, and recoil that's very easy to manage. 10 shots too, it'll be the perfect gun in case a bear charges, 'cause I'm not sure anyone would have the nerve to aim at a bear with a revolver. Just My 2 Cents.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I would recommend the .44 Magnum or Special, but, the .45 ACP is also an excellent self defense cartridge.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I have both .44mag and Kimber 45acp. I have shot hogs with both but i had to use 3 rounds out of the kimber to drop my first hog and to top it off it was charging me not a good feeling. The last hog i got i had my .44 one shot at 30yard and the hog was down. There is no better feeling than that.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I would suggest 44 mag.To me the most important thing to think about is to use the gun you are most comfortable with.Another thing to consider, if your state has a concealed carry law you have to be licensed to carry a side arm or carry it on the outside of your clothing.

My 2 cents

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

A nice 44 revolver will be your most versatile.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I think this requires a better definition of what he wants the handgun for"

If the threat is mostly human I agree with a autoloading pistol in 45 or 40 cal would be my choice. This would offer good close range protection against dogs or coyotes as well. An accurate 45 can alsobust rabbits pretty well and hardball ammo isn't to bad a "finisher" for deer. However a 45 auto is poor choice for hunting deer and an even worse "stopping" pistol for bear.

If he wants a pistol where Bear defense is a primary purpose I think a 44 magwould be a good choice (if the bears are black bears) if the bears areGriz then other larger handguns or even better,long arms are called for.

If black bear is a side concern but not impossible and he reloads I might suggest a 4 5/8 blackhawk in 45 colt or 41 mag. A little lighter than most 44mag revolvers and the shortguns is easy to carry.Many of us find that the single actions point very well. He can load and shoot lots of cast bullets cheap, and stiff handloads loads from a 41 or 45 Blackhack are good deer medicine and should be effective bear deterents (at least as effective as most folks would want to shoot from a 40 ounce pistol with much frequency) a longer barrel would extend the accurate range for most shooters but decrease the ease of carry..its a tough choice.

Another choice might be a 357 mag revolver. Its obviosly less effective against a bear and IMHO a marginal deer gun unless you are a good marksman who will really pick his target. But its a very flexible cartridge. Loaded hot a deer is not out of the questionand mild loads or 38 specials you can shoot all day.

One other note is the revolver is different from what he has and something different might be a little fun.

As for me I carry a 4 5/8 blackhawk in 45 loaded with 250 SWC at 1000fps when deer or bear would notbe legal. If bear or deer is in season then its my7 1/2 SBH with a 240 XTP in a fairly warm load.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

Youll shoot your eye out!!

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

What's with the guys who can't read? Never did Pastor Steve mention intrest in getting another gun for defense against humans - just "a bear or something" or a deer jumping "out of the brush".

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

First I would check the local laws concerning handgun hunting. If the law prohibits auto's that just made your decision. Now imo, you really want the reliability of a revolver when faced with a hinky situation. I carry a 357 loaded with 180 gr protected points, but depending on your area a 44 mag would be a better choice.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

the 45 is no better than a 9mm, the 460 is too big and clumsya 357-38 is ok....what I have carried for the last 5 years is my .44 mag. You have agreat side arm as well as self defense of predators including bear as well as shooting coyotes or what not. The .44 Mag is one of the best all around side arms on the market.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I have shot many different sidearms in my life and this is what I think would be best for you. If you are not interested in hunting with the weapon go with a .357 or a .44 They are both big enough to knock an animal around if the need arises. If you want something where you can get alot of shots off in a hurry, go with the S&W 40 cal. The 40 has power and you can get a 10, 15, 17 round magazine. I personally carry a .357 or a 40.

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

I use a .380 (Its the only handgun I got....for now!) :D

RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
 

i carry my glock 40. it's all i have.