$600 for a pistol

[David E]

My brother,asked me for my advice on a new pistol, so I ask what is it you're looking for? He said he doesn't know, but something he can hunt with yet carry, but no revolvers...

Whenever someone says they don't know what they want, then provide fairly opposing goals as to what the gun will be required to do is asking for a gun that is beyond their skill level. That's because they simply dont' understand that some guns are better for one task than another.

A 4" .357 would suffice, but he doesn't want a revolver. A Glock 20 10mm would suffice, but it'll kick too much for his skill level, providing it fit his hand in the first place. He probably wouldn't want to carry either one.

He has to define his true need/desire better. Does he want a carry gun? Or does he want a gun for hunting? If for hunting, then for what game animal?

If he still says he doesn't know, I'd let him choose one himself. If YOU suggest it, it'll be wrong, no matter what it is.

 

[hso]

something he can hunt with yet carry

The characteristics of a hunting handgun are usually very different from a carry handgun.

Hunting handguns fire heavy high energy ammunition that is effective over longer distances. This usually requires them to be large framed and long barreled with larger sights. That means heavy also.

Carry guns are intended to be light enough to comfortably carry all the time and compact enough to conceal even in summer clothing. They are short range defensive weapons with sights that are intended to be acquired quickly. This can limit caliber or capacity.

Unless your brother is a very big guy AND he wears jackets all the time he won't be able to carry a handgun that is suitable for hunting.

If he wants to carry a 10mm semiauto in an IWB holster then he might work it all out if he has a long slide/barrel that will be used for hunting and a short slide/barrel for carry. Then he can switch upper halves for the application.

 

[ugaarguy]

A Dan Wesson Razorback RZ-10 or Pointman PM-10, both in 10mm, would be excellent choices. Both would work well for hunting, and will conceal as easily as any other full size 1911. The problem is that neither is available at $600.

In a similar size gun, he could start searching for the discontinued S&W 1006 10mm, which would be closer to his budget.

Last, he could up his budget a little, and get a S&W 610 if he's willing to own another revolver. Of course, a 4" bbl S&W 686 or Ruger GP-100 in .357 Mag would both work just as well for hunting, and carry much more easily.

 

[Mike J]

He said he didn't want a revolver. My first thought was a used Dan Wesson 15-2 with interchangeable barrels. About the only other thing I could think of would be the Glock 20.

 

[04JRB]

XD(m)? some adjustability to fit your hand, availible in multiple calibers. I paid around $6xx for mine. I really like this gun, ergonomics, points well, very accurate (more than my skills are), comes with some "accessories".

Just a suggestion, and it is a cc for me too. Yes its on the big end, but I am more skillful with this than my smaller ones.

 

[ichiban]

Fnp-357.

 

[gearchecker]

XDm in .40 S&W.
Light to carry, enough power to "hunt"
Does he really want to use it for a hunting pistol or does he want it for a protection carry weapon while hunting? If he really want's a handgun to hunt with it needs to be a magnum revolver, caliber dependant on what he is hunting.
Ask a Texan about hunting deer or wild hogs with a .357 or .44 magnum. they do it all the time. It is rare you will hear one say he uses anything other than a magnum load.
they also carry them for personal protection from the wild animals at the same time while hunting. I've heard horrific stories about wild hogs charging out of the bush toward the guys hunting them. The story almost ends with "and I shot it with my XX magnum just in time".

I carry a 4" .357 magnum revolver as my daily carry piece. K frames are easy to carry and conceal.
Tell him to buck up and make his decision. He is the one that's going to be carrying it. All you can do is give recommendations like the rest of us. Sounds to me like he is using you to give himself an excuse to blame you if he makes the wrong decision. I'd never let even my wife who knows me better than I do myself, make that type of decision.
His life may very well be dependant at some time on the decision he needs to make. Don't let him put his lifes choices in your hands.