First Pistol

[theboyscout]

I’m looking to buy my First pistol, i go hunting a lot and two guys were just attacked by a bear and all they had was a .223 rifle that they were hunting with (no one died but its still nerve racking). I want to get a pistol but don’t have too much money to spend, (i have been pistol shooting before) i like the 45 ACP the most. I live in Deltona Florida where can i go to get a cheap enough pistol that is dependable (around $200 no more than $300)

 

[Shadow 7D]

Hi-Point......it fits ALL of your bill.

you want?
In 45
not used
at that price point....


OK
um, you want a hunting pistol in .45 (btw, NOT a legal cal in most states as far as I know)

you need focus, not emotion
right now, emotion, frankly, while a M4gery isn't the 'Ideal' rifle for their situation, it's better than 99% of the pistols, and well, you really concerned about bears, get a bantam stocked Mossy with a 18" barrel.


So, here is some advice
figure out what you want, in what caliber
go to the gun store/range
TRY abunch of guns
then comeback if you haven't bought anything and have questions

you have a wide open world, it's hard to help, when anything fits.

 

[Dr_2_B]

NOT a legal cal in most states as far as I know

To clarify, Shadow is saying the 45 isn't a legal hunting cartridge in many places. And it's true, it's not a great hunting cartridge.

Unfortunately a bear simply isn't something that can readily be defeated by common firearms during an attack... and certainly not by a handgun. If I had to pick a firearm for defense against a bear (i.e. up close, life threatening, and chaotic), I'd probably want a 12 ga. Not for hunting, mind you... but for defense against a bear.

 

[theboyscout]

I was researching and someone said 357 or a new gun (FN Five-seven, trademarked as the Five-seveN) but i don’t know? The 357 is nice and it’s a big bullet i have no problem shooting i am a strait shot i have shot most pistols cartridges (.22, .22 short, .32, .45, 357, 9mm, 380, 38 spec.)

 

[Shadow 7D]

So...
once again
WHY are going to go get a gun
in you don't know, you will be disapointed
now I support you getting a gun, as a matter of fact I support just about everybody getting a gun

but getting a gun cause your buddy was beat up by a bear.....
well, there are issues with that,
and no gun you get will stop a bear that already beat your buddies up.

So, I would suggest you figure out WHAT you expect the gun to do, and find one that can do that.

Oh, and the 5-7
that is MOST DEFIANTLY NOT a bear, gun, sure it'll kill one, but not till after you are dead
If you are truly scared of a bear, I would suggest bear spray, it's easier to use than a gun, and when you mess up, it's JUST a painful lesson, with a much gentler learning curve.

 

[Nickel Plated]

Why so fixated on pistol?
A 12ga shotgun loaded with slugs will do nicely for bear. And is probably your best choice in your price range.

As for pistols...I don't know if $300 will really get you much of anything that could be considered suitable for bear defense. A .44 mag is good for bear but those are pricy. Maybe a used Taurus Raging Bull could be in your price range.

For .45ACP A Hi-Point is a great gun for under $300. Not pretty or ergonomic but definitely reliable and rugged.

 

[Ehtereon11B]

If you are going to carry a handgun as a backup to a rifle for bear hunting, find something that has magnum after the cartridge. 327 at the smallest, 357, 44. The report of the gun will do more to deter the bear than actually shooting it. Unless the cub(s) are threatened then you are up a bad smelling creek.

Not many pistols around in .45 in the 200-300 range. Most new firearms in that price range are pocket sized pistols in either .380 or 9. Used pistols you have a few more options. I have picked up a few revolvers and medium sized semi autos for around the 300 mark. Most important thing to remember when shopping used is inspect, inspect, inspect. And bring a flashlight.

 

[Nico Testosteros]

If you are hunting, just carry a caliber of rifle that will kill a bear.

 

[Kiln]

Let me just point out the obvious, you're not going to find a handgun in your price range that will take down a bear. I can't think of a single pistol under $300 that will fit the bill.

The best thing for a bear is bear spray, which is basically just a big can of heavy duty mace. It will run a bear off more effectively than a very wide range of handgun calibers and doesn't require much precision to do so. Even with a powerful pistol round like the .44 MAG, a single shot had better be very well placed if you don't want to get killed by that bear before it crawls off and dies.

 

[Solo]

Best advice I can give is to practice your sprinting.

 

[MedWheeler]

If you want a .45 (again, not a good choice for bear) that you'll be able to do more with and still not break the bank, you'll have to up your price point a little. Four hundred, or maybe even a little less, can find you a used Rock Island Armory 1911 in that caliber. Were I in a situation that had me out and about in bear country carrying only a handgun (as far as firearms go), I'd have a .357 on my hip with a barrel length of not less than four inches, and loaded with a 180-grain solid load. But, I'd also have some spray with me as well.
The Hi-Point is, as was said, heavy, bulky, butt-ugly, and solidly reliable. Not a bad gun to have, and many have cut their "handgun teeth" on them. But, you say you already have handgun experience; you'll probably appreciate something a little more versatile that can also be safely and easily carried. I'd lean toward the .357 Magnum revolver. Used Taurus and Ruger models are available for the top point of your price range, and the EAA Windicator comes in new for about that as well.


Solo writes:

Best advice I can give is to practice your sprinting.

This is good advice, too. Remember, you don't have to be faster than the bear; you only need to be faster than your friend.

 

[theboyscout]

I do believe in the 12 gauge, that’s my choice of gun when hunting, but when small game season comes the rangers like to bust you butt a little if you carrying slugs (even thou you need a slug to kill hogs). so if i only have bird shot I’m looking at what can i have that will hold its own, and the 45acp is not a definite it’s just my favorite but whatever will keep that bear off if i happen to run into one is what I’m looking for, i just don’t want to carry some huge contraption on my hip walking through the woods, you know?

 

[ferges99]

Take a buddy hunting that you can out run. A bear will not be a problem for you.

 

[ronto]

I can't imagine that enough 223's pumped into a bear would not stop it.