[T-MAIN]

I'm a new member and am looking to purchase a new handgun. I don't know much about handguns and am looking for a little guidance on what would be the best gun for me. I am looking for something good for conceal and cary but that would also serve as a decent handgun out in the feild for hunting. Two handguns I am looking at are a Ruger GP100 357 revolver and a Glock G20 10mm auto. I would like to here some opinions on these two handguns and idea's on others that might fit the bill better. Huge thanks for any input?

[Brian Williams]

Welcome to THR, My love of Revolvers puts my vote for the Ruger, But I would rather have a S&W 19 or 586

[SoCalShooter]

I'm with the mod the .357mag is an awesome weapon caliber and the Ruger an excellent weapon for field.

[SniperStraz]

If you're just starting out I wouldn't go with either. You need to start with a smaller caliber to be able to practice more for less $ (if thats an issue for you) and in order to ward off that ugly habit of flinching. Both the 10mm and the .357 are great for SD, but as far as a first gun, they can ruin your entire shooting experience. If I were to choose for myself for SD I'd go with the 10mm, but that's just me. They're expensive as far as ammo goes, but they pack quite a punch. My .02 and welcome to THR.

[1 old 0311]

Go with the Ruger. You can shoot mild .38's to HOT .357's. Also goes BANG with every trigger pull.

[P0832177]

There are many things to consider here.

First off getting proficent with any firearm requires practice. So, now if you look at the rising costs of ammo these days and over the past year it has gone up 25 percent or so. My heartfelt suggestion for anyone new to handguns is get a 22LR, and I have two suggestions A Ruger MKIII or Browning Buckmark. Why? Because you can get a brick (about 500rds) of 22LR for 10 bucks! That is a lot of trigger time. Now, the next thing is to take an introductory Handgun class to learn the basics. A good solid foundation will aid you down the road. Then practice, practice, and practice. The range time will transcend any handgun in the future.

Then look at your choices. The GP100 would be a good gun due to the verstatility of the 38/357 platform. Now, Ruger's are a stout gun, but I do not think that it would be a comfortable concealed carry gun for the long term. The other upside is that you can value packs of 38 Special ammo at Wally World. Now, your next choice while a potent round the 10mm is just not mainstream. I mean that it is expensive to shoot, and this will probably mean less trigger time, unless you reload your ammo. AGain, the Glock 20 is a large frame, and it might not be a cost effective round to shoot very much. Just observations.

[Kaylee]

and awaaaay we go to General Handguns. :)

For what it's worth, my advice pretty much mirrors that of Mr. Williams, though as you will soon see we all have our favorites. (That, and Glocks feel like pieces of 1x2 in my hand - don't fit at all. But obviously they work for plenty of folks).

Best advice really is to find a range you can rent the models you're interested in and go from there.

[10-Ring]

To me, the epitome of 357 magnum wheelguns is the Colt Python....

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/10-Ring/P1020622.jpg

[lee n. field]

am looking for something good for conceal and cary but that would also serve as a decent handgun out in the feild for hunting.

Hunting what? Your state may limit what you can use for handgun hunting, which would make your two expressed purposes potentially at odds.

Hunting --> physically large revolver in .44 Magnum or .45 Colt.

CCW --> small enough to conceal (the first C in CCW).

I would like to here some opinions on these two handguns and idea's on others that might fit the bill better.

No first hand experience with either.

Question 1) -- what's your budget?

Question 2) -- what's your level of experience? Had any formal instruction?

[RyanM]

Unless you're a very large person, a GP-100 would be pretty difficult to conceal. I'd probably recommend a Ruger SP-101 with the 3" barrel instead. That is, assuming you want to carry a handgun while hunting primarily in case of ninja mutant zombie bears, aggressive snakes, and delivering a coup de grace on wounded and stationary game, not as your primary weapon. Any handgun ideal for actually hunting with would make a lousy CCW.

If you want more than 5 shots, a Glock 20 or 29 wouldn't be a bad choice, but you should go to your local gun store and try one on, first. You need very large hands to comfortably use the large frame Glocks. Alternately, a Glock 17, 19, 22, or 23 wouldn't be a bad choice. Keep a round of snakeshot in the chamber, and a magazine full of heavy, flatnose FMJ.

[possum]

The best all around handgun?
is what you shoot best and what feels best for you. but with the two you stated i would say the glock. they are great weapons, and it will serve you well for many many years to come. you cant go wrong with a .357 and some 125gr jhp's. but i just prefer autos especially for my first gun.

the best all around handgun for me is a sa xd all day long!:)



Welcome to THR, My love of Revolvers puts my vote for the Ruger, But I would rather have a S&W 19 or 586

i believe that the model 19 offering from s&w is the greatest revolver ever made. i absolutly love them! i have been trying to get my dad to part with his for many years!:) to bad they don't make them anymore.

[roscoe]

Hard to go wrong with a .357, since you can practice with light .38 special loads to get comfortable and accurate with the thing, then switch to the heavier stuff for stopping dumptrucks and cement mixers.

[SJshooter]

For "best all around handgun", you really can't beat the Ruger GP-100 you mentioned or it's cousin - the nearly identical, but a little more expensive, a little bit better trigger pull, and a little more finished Smith & Wesson 686. Has anyone ever shot one of these and not liked it?

[30 cal slob]

If you're just starting out I wouldn't go with either. You need to start with a smaller caliber to be able to practice more for less $ (if thats an issue for you) and in order to ward off that ugly habit of flinching. Both the 10mm and the .357 are great for SD, but as far as a first gun, they can ruin your entire shooting experience. If I were to choose for myself for SD I'd go with the 10mm, but that's just me. They're expensive as far as ammo goes, but they pack quite a punch. My .02 and welcome to THR.

+1

Don't buy when starting out. Go to a range that rents ... and try every flavor you can get your hands on (revolver, pistol, .22 LR all the way up to .44 magnum). Get some basic instruction too. Over the course of time you'll develop your own preferences and abilities ... avoid taking the plunge into something you might regret later dollarwise.

[TOADMAN]

Glock 19 and S&W Model 10

[beaucoup ammo]

Go with S&W .357 / Model 65-3 / "K" Frame. Look at gun shows and on line, you'll find a good one. Or, a S&W Model 60. Which would be easier to conceal if you are of small frame.

Both are revolvers which, IMO, are a good way to start, and you can go with .38 / .38 +P (more powerful .38 load) and slowly get comfortable with the great stopping power of .357.

Others will argue this, as they should..but, there's my 2 cents.

Enjoy and be safe!

[1858remington]

I personnally like the 1858 style remington. :)

It points well, is well balanced, and has a solid frame construction.

Not to mention, unlike modern style guns, it shoots black powder, and can be converted to shoot modern smokeless. :D

This makes it much more adaptable, and gives you more choices for loadings.

Say your sports store is out of 45colt.... you still can shoot cap & ball. Just try to do that with a S&W 686 or Colt Python.:evil:

[Snagglepuss]

Get both. But get a S&W 686 4" instead of the Ruger. Better also get some reloading equipment as both use pricey ammo, especially the 10mm.

[ronto]

IMHO there is no "all around" handgun for hunting AND CCW. Each requires different criteria. CCW should be easily concealable and hopefully lightweight. For a hunting gun, it depends on what you're hunting...rabbits or bear? I can't think of a hunting gun that would be a good CCW and visa versa...someone else may.

[B.D. Turner]

Your shooting in the field will be a million times more likely than in any SD situation. Check with your local game laws on what is allowed for hunting. Most states have regulations about hunting with a pistol. Most regulate a minimum caliber and barrel length for hunting. For white tail deer the .357 magnum is a minimum caliber of choice. Given good shot placement within a handguns range and it works well. If you wish to hunt black bear or white tail deer you will want to step up to a .44 magnum.

Your question is a good one. Just because a handgun can be used for SD does not mean that it has to be micro mini CCW all the time. I used to carry a S&W .357 with a six inch barrel in a nylon pancake holster over my right hip pocket. The end of the barrrel went down into the back pocket of my Levis. It could be covered with a t-shirt in summer. I could also make center of mass hits everytime on a man size target out to 100 yds. This was something I could never do with a .380 or other pocket gun. Why did I carry such a big revolver? It was all I had at the time so it did a dual role.
If I were in your situation today I would take a look at the Taurus Tracker in .44 magnum or .357 magnum. If you like hunting Marlin makes some fine lever action rifles in .357 and .44 magnum so you only have to buy ammo in one caliber.

[MCgunner]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I personnally like the 1858 style remington.

Well, I enjoy cap and ball shooting, but that's a bit too ol' school for me. LOL!

My vote would be for a K frame 4" .357 magnum revolver IF you want to actually CARRY the gun. The GP100 is a hefty piece and you'll notice it early on IWB. A K frame 4" gun will carry much better. The trade off is durability, but my medium framed guns, a Security Six, a M19 S&W, a Rossi M971, and the two Taurus M66s I own now, have held up well with a mild diet of HOT loads and a normal diet of +P and wadcutter .38s. For me, the trade off in totability (is that a word?) is worth it 'cause the K frames are a lot more durable than some seem to think. Their rep for wearing early came from constant use with magnum loads by police departments. I doubt I'd ever wear one out in my lifetime (probably not that many years left, I'll admit) the way I use one.

Anyway, whatever the GP100 could do afield, my Taurus 4" M66 can do or a Smith and Wesson M19 or a Ruger Security Six could do. I would go with adjustable sights for the hunting and field use even though they're not that desirable for carry. That's another trade off that's worth it to me.

I've killed 3 Texas whitetails with the .357, okay, 2 were with a 6.5" Blackhawk and 1 was with a carbine (don't count here). But, the .357 is adequate for deer hunting. With a 4", I'd limit my shots to 50 yards max. I have a Contender I prefer for hunting. I cheat. :D I own more'n one gun, but I think for a knock about outdoor gun/self defense combo. the 4" K frame can't be beat. I'll always own at least one. I hope I can find another affordable used Smith M19 or maybe another Ruger Security Six sometime. I traded both of 'em off. Actually, I really liked that little Rossi, too, and traded it off. :banghead: I'm going to quit doing that, dangit. That M19 was a classic with a smooth Smith trigger and that Ruger was a rugged, reliable stainless firearm with a trigger job to die for. I liked the Rossi for its smaller, lighter frame size, sort of half K, half J frame. It was only 30 ounces, great carry gun. I did limit the hot stuff in it, though. It was deadly accurate with a 140 grain JHP Speer handload. Took a javelina with it, once. :D

[Jeff Timm]

If you must go with one gun and use it for all purposes the Ruger is the better of your choices.

There are smaller revolvers of equal quality.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14804&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=50978&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=265&category=Revolver

Geoff
Who has an old 4" Ruger Security Six Heavy Barrel, but I don't carry it concealed. :D

[Jkwas]

Glock 19 and S&W Model 10

I second that emotion. If you're gonna go glock, go g19. I don't have one, but if I did get a glock, that's what I'd get. And I still may.

I do enjoy my Model 10 however. What a gun!

[461]

The GP-100's picture should be in the dictionary under perfect all around handgun as far as I'm concerned. After owning a gun for the first time, most folks buy more specialized guns for different roles. The GP can handle all roles well until you choose your areas of specialization and it'll still be there filling the other roles well into your grandchildrens golden years.

[Baba Louie]

All around handgun for both CCW and Hunting COULD be a Dan Wesson 15-2 pistol pack (or at least a 2" with an extra 6" or 8" barrell/shroud), but they're no longer made (new) and when you CAN find the pistol pack, they ain't as cheap as they once were...
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976734832.htm

The 10mm intrigues me greatly. Plenty of Glock 20 and 29 owners seem to love them and I have no problems shooting my 21 or 30 in .45acp (size comparison only)... but why introduce another cartridge into my ammunition equation... so it'll just have to simmer on the back burner and let my .44 magnum do any handgun hunting (my son took over the G30 for carry anyway) and a S&W 60 handle CCW.

But newbies to the world of handgunning COULD (and should?) use a good .22 for training, plinking and some small game hunting... and while I don't think anyone in their right mind would want to be shot with 10 rds of .22, most people who need to be shot are not in their right mind at the time (or maybe they are and just don't care/think about such things). Ammo is cheap. It IS fun! Good practice too.

But, like golf, where I have different clubs for different lies, I feel handguns (and long guns) are somewhat similar. This way I can easily justify 30 or 40 if need be. :D

So I say... get both. If you can afford to shoot a lot of .357 or 10mm you
can certainly afford to buy both a GP-100-6" AND a G29.

Problem solved. ;)

[DWARREN123]

I do not believe that you can get a CCW and a hunting handgun in the same package. There are conflicts in what the firearm would have to do, such as easy to carry against heft and long barrel for accuracy.
I like the Ruger SP-101 for carry but would go for a 6" barrel revolver of 357 mag or larger caliber, more like a 44 mag.

[S&Wfan]

Welcome to the wonderful, wonderful world of handgun ownership!

Either gun on your list will be a great first gun. However, I would opt for the revolver as a first gun.

They are so simple to use.

They can be safely unloaded much easier, and it it easy to confirm that there is not a round in the "chamber," since you can open the cylinder to make sure.

There's virtually no chance of it normally jamming.

They are very accurate.

Of the two, the GP-100 is your safest, easiest to learn with choice! An auto opens a lot of extra things to worry about.


WARNING . . . once you get "bitten" by the bug, you'll always want more handguns!

So, once you've mastered your revolver you'll have plenty more guns to lust for . . . maybe even that big grip Glock 10mm!

T.

PS: Just like an adjustable wrench in a tool box can do a lot of jobs but is not the best for any, neither of these two guns is "perfect" for both CCW and hunting . . . though I guess either could do both tasks somewhat.

Later you can add a .44 magnum for a hunting revolver, and a small and light auto or wheelgun for concealed carry. Until you can add these two, the GP-100 will serve you well to fill in all the tasks!

In either event, you'll STILL not part with the GP-100. You'll find it an excellent gun to carry exposed in a holster, your first choice if someone is breaking in the house (vs. a small, concealed gun), and first on your list to take target shooting with.

[Ala Dan]

the S&W model 10~!:D

Kind'a like the 1911, its been around a long-long time; and it ain't about
too go away any time soon~!;) :cool:

[jad0110]

Unless you plan on getting into reloading anytime soon, I'd stay away from 10mm anything. Around here, the ammo is tough to find and when you do, it will empty your wallet faster than a teenie bopper at the mall.

Do rent before you buy, if possible. In addition to the GP100, try out a 586/686. Like me, you may find it balances in your hand more to your liking. But as nice as the L Frame Smith (I do love my 686) and GP100 are, I wouldn't want to tote either of those pigs around CCW for long. Like others said, it won't be long before you buy more toys for your collection :D .

For a do everything well gun, I'd also keep my eyes open for a nice used K Frame Smith. If you are going to CCW and hunt with the same gun, a 3" K Frame may be a good compromise. With 357 ammo, stick to 158 grain stuff and higher to avoid cracking the forcing cone, the only weakness of the K Frame. Check you state's regs on handgun hunting however. A 3" Ruger SP101 would also be a top pick.

Then there are the used Rugers like the Security Six. Every bit as tough as the newer GP100, but not as bulky. To me anyway, it is superior when compared to the GP, but that's just my opinion.

Enjoy your search, and welcome to THR! Your gonna like it here.

[tango3065]

I have several handguns and really like my brand new glock the best but if I could only have one it would be my 642 because when the door rings in the middle of the night I can just toss it my lounge pants pocket, when going out I can do the same and its so light I forget its there, if I was to get a bad round just pull again, wife can use it but can't pull the slide on any of my autos, and I just like it.



http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q249/mastinson/642.jpg

[depicts]

I'd go with the Ruger GP100. I have one, and it's rugged and accurate with a 4" barrel and adjustable sights.

I'm small, but carry the Ruger concealed quite well in a Strong (brand) pancake holster (Other top quality pancake OWB hollsters will do the job) and a good gunbelt.

I've hunted with mine and feel comfortable with up to Deer size animals, but only shoot as far as you can hit a pie plate in the center every time.

The GP100 has great neoprene grips that absorb recoil for practice with .357, and you can shoot cheaper .38 caliber for LOTS of practice.

One final note, I think you can learn the fundamentals of shooting far better with a .22 revolver than a .357. I made my first pistol a Ruger Single Six, and taught myself to shoot, and as soon as I could afford it, I added the GP100. I have a couple of them now, and love them. It's what I use whan I want to teach someone to fire centerfire handguns.

[.38 Special]

IMO a double action .357 revolver is the closest thing there is to a "best all around handgun" -- be it Ruger, Smith, Dan Wesson, Taurus, or whatever. (Certain cheap foreign pieces of crap excepted, of course.)

Compared to those, any semi-auto -- especially one in 10mm -- is a specialized and limited-purpose handgun, again IMO.

HTH!

[Wedge]

T-Main, your requirements sound VERY similar to mine when I bought my first handgun. Unfortunately I learned that what makes a good hunting piece makes for a poor CCW. I ended up getting a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt (5.5" barrel) and it makes for an AWESOME hunting sidearm but poor for CCW.

The 4" Ruger GP-100 is one of the guns that I wished I had bought instead of the .45 Colt. Probably the closest to a do it all gun you can get. However, I would base your firearm decision on what you plan to do with the gun 99% of the time. If it is hunting then get a hunting gun. If it is CCW get a great CCW.

Any odd caliber makes for a poor first gun. I learned that the hard way and ended up having to get a reloading set up to afford shooting my .45 Colt. 10mm Auto will be the same way.

So I guess I would vote 4" .357.

[Jeff Timm]

The best feature of the .357 GP-100 is the ability to shoot loads from the 148 gr low velocity wadcutter target round, up to the heavy 180gr .357 Magnum hunting round.

More common ammo is inexpensive. Winchester White Box 130 gr jacketed range ammo at Walmart is about $13 per 100 round box (local pricing applies) to FEDERAL 357 MAGNUM 158 GR. JACKETED SOFT POINT HIGH VELOCITY $189 per 500 rounds from http://www.ammoman.com/ and can take anything on the North American Continent you would use a handgun to hunt.

Geoff
Who is not a hunter.

[saspic]

Well, the best all around handgun is the GLOCK 19, but hunting is where the G19 meets its limitations.

.357 Magnum and 10mm were the first two calibers to come to my mind as well, but you should also consider a .44. You might use .44 Magnum for hunting and .44 Special for self defense. S&W model 29 and 629 are great choices.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=51407&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15706&isFirearm=Y

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14782&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15706&isFirearm=Y

If you are leaning towards a semi auto, don't forget a simple barrel change is all that's needed to shoot .40 S&W in your GLOCK 20. That's helpful if ammo price and availability is a concern. 10x25 ammo itself runs the gamut from .40 power level to moderate .41 Magnum power.

[420Stainless]

I have a strong dislike for polymers and don't own any, but if you put those two choices on the table and said I could only use one of them for all my carry needs I would have to give the Glock a try. I am one to compromise weight for other qualities when it comes to carrying. Would prefer the option of having a concealment piece and a field piece, but if limited to one I'd swallow my chaw and give the Glock a try.

[jlh26oo]

b/t the gp100 and g20, g20 easy. Especially considering you plan to carry it.

[jad0110]

Winchester White Box 130 gr jacketed range ammo at Walmart is about $13 per 100 round box (local pricing applies)

:what:

Dang, WWB 130 gr at Walley World in my area sell for $19.98 per 100! :cuss: :banghead: 9 mm WWB sells for $12.98.

[treeprof]

I own both, and for all around use I prefer the G-20 because with a 40 S&W conversion bbl and the Advantage Arms .22 conversion kit the Glock will do pretty much everything I want from a non-hunting sidearm (for which I prefer my scoped 7.5" Super Redhawk). However, a G-20 with some decent sights, a conversion bbl (so you can shoot cheaper ammo if cost is a concern) and a .22 kit (for plinkin and really cheap practice) costs some serious coin - close to a grand - whereas you can be in a GP100 for the mid-$400's. Size-wise the G-20 is closer to my 2.5" S&W 686 than it is my the 4" GP100. I'm pretty fair-sized (6'3", 210 lbs) and the G-20 conceals well enough for me, but the GP is more difficult to conceal (esp. here in the hot South) and is used strictly as a field gun.

[MachIVshooter]

While one simply cannot do everything with only one handgun, there are some that are useful across a much broader spectrum than others.

If I could only keep one pistol, it would be my S&W 1006. A bit large for CCW and also at the low end power-wise for a hunting handgun, it is about as versatile as a handgun can be, IMO. It truly is a full size combat pistol, but could succesfully fill most any handgun role. For CCW, one would have to wear more clothing than may be comfortable in warm weather. As a hunting handgun, the 10mm should be used with top loads at relativley close range (<100yards) on larger game (I don't think I'd go bigger than mule deer with it). But a lesser cartridge cannot be considered adequate for medium/large game, and a bigger handgun would make CC a real PITA.

Fortunately, we live in the good old US of A, where we don't have to choose so carefully. ;)

[Maximum1]

The one you carry all the time :rolleyes:

[Maximum1]

Best advice I can give you is to go to a local gun shop or even better a local (large) gun show and handle a lot of guns....guns are like baseball gloves they fit most but not all fit well. That's why I recommend folks first handle different styles of guns to see which feels better in their hands....I also recommend you stay with a medium caliber to start: 9mm or .38.

You'll like find one that fits you oh so like that nice fitting glove then with some luck maybe your local gun range will have one for rent so you can try first before buying. One last point, stay with NAME BRAND MANUFACTURERS but stay far away from "Saturday Night Special" i.e. cheap crappie guns.

In closing, I'm actually surprised by those of you who suggested a 357 as a first gun :banghead: In my opinion too much pistol for a beginner it can give one all sorts of bad habits as a result of its weight and recoil.

[Arcticfox]

Get a 686 4 inch and call it a day! :cool: