Handgun for multiple use

[Bezoar]

Im trying to figure out what handgun and caliber would be good at the following things:
-concealed protection from sociopaths
-protection from wild animals, coyote or feral dog (im in the "country")
-possible hunting of deer

Personally i doubt the wonder 9s would fit the bill, and doubt a semi auto would, but as im not a current handgun shooter I ask the experienced shooters here for some input.

 

[ugaarguy]

Concealed carry and a hunting backup call for a compromise. The compromise is a 4" barrell .357 Mag wheel gun. 6" is ideal for hunting with the longer sight radius, but you wouldn't wanna carry that. 2" to 3" is ideal for carry, but you don't wanna hunt with a snubby. The 4" is the ideal compromise. A S&W 686 or Ruger GP100 would be ideal.

On the other end 10mm Auto performs as well as hot 357 Mag. Your options there are a Glock 20, EAA Witness 10mm, or a 1911 in 10mm like a Dan Wesson RZ10 Razorback.

 

[Marko Kloos]

For a "one size fits most" handgun, it's hard to beat a revolver in .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel, like a S&W 686 or the like.

It can be loaded with mild .38 Specials for target practice and teaching new shooters, you can load .38 Special +P for home defense, or stuff the cylinder with .full-power .357 Magnum loads for when you need a punch. A revolver like that could serve all the functions you describe...it can be carried concealed, it offers protection from two- and four-legged predators, and you could in a pinch drop a deer with one.

 

[Geronimo45]

I think the 10mm would fit all that... but I don't see hunting deer with any handgun. However, if it's legal and you want to do it, go right ahead.

Denmark give the folks patrolling Greenland Glocks in 10mm, along with bolt guns (not sure of its caliber), for use on bears - it ought to take down most anything you're likely to meet.
The .357 magnum's a teriffic round, too, though - 4" barreled model, like other posters mentioned, would be a great choice for everything... with the possible exception of dealing with deer. I'm no hunter, so I wouldn't know for sure about that.
I'd say that 9mm could probably do plenty well against things other than deer... but most hunters don't believe in a caliber that doesn't have 'magnum' at the end of it - unless it's in a rifle.

 

[highlander 5]

357 mag you'll always be able to find ammo

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'll add my vote for a 3" or 4" .357 Magnum.

One of the problems with your criteria is, it's hard to conceal a gun that would do an adequate job of hunting Deer. Most hunting guns come in the 6" + barrel range and those don't hide well.

 

[CWL]

Whilst I agree with my compadre's that .357 magnum will fit your needs, I am of the opinion that 6" barrel would be optimal. That extra 2" will give you the added velocity needed to actually hunt. I also do not think that the extra 2" is really a problem in terms of carry since the gun is typically carried vertically and it is the grip that causes printing, not barrel.

If you were to remove deer hunting from your list, then any decent 9mm semiauto would fit your requirements.

 

[Croyance]

K-frame S&W can be more easily concealed than the larger medium framed guns.
A Colt Python would fit the bill too, but that is $$$.
Each are .357 Magnums. Keep the barrel 3" or 4"
The five shot S&W's and Ruger would fit too, maybe with a longer barrel than normal - say 3".

A semi-auto in .45 ACP or 10 mm should fit. A 1911 is single stack, which aids concelment. I don't know if it meets the legal requirements for hunting, but I have known people who could take deer at 75 yards with 9x19. Because of the feral animal concern, I'd go with the larger calibers.

 

[obxned]

If it is legal in your state to hunt with a .45, then that is what I would want. If not, the 4" .357 is the way to go. Both are good choices but I just prefer the .45 for everything.

 

[ARTiger]

Interesting question. . . .need a 4" tube but not a lot of weight in a .357 I feel. Normally I would look to Smith or Ruger, but they're too heavy IMO . . . (too bad S&W doesn't have a scandium gun in 4"). This Taurus titanium seems like a good comprimise of barrel length and carry weight (24 oz.)
This would do fine for hunting (although I'd like to see how it handles a Buffalo Bore 180 grainer). It's light enough for carry and even though it has a 7 shot cylinder, it's fairly thin at 1.5". Revolvers conceal well and thickness is a bigger factor than barrel length.

In fact, I kinda like this gun . . .may have to go get one.

 

[universal]

I agree that a 4 inch .357 Magnum would be a great choice.

 

[Arcticfox]

Check this one out.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...d=10001&productId=43926&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

BTW, I know a guy who haws taken several deer with a .357, and beyond 100 yards!

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Out of availble guns out there, a 4" 357 would be great as mentioned above. If you are a shell shucker type, then 10mm would be a great choice.

But, IF it were made by a mainstream company and readily had, a 4 inch 41 magnum, in my opinion would be the cats meow. Ruger, smith & wesson, are you listening?........chirp, chirp, chirp Nope just crickets.

 

[mndfusion]

4 in .357 fits that bill -- you can go from 160 ft lb. .38 wad cutters up to 800 ft.lbs buffalo bore ammo (factory made ammo.)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Ben Shepherd,
Here is your S&W 4" .41 Magnum and it's in a very light frame too!!
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15706&isFirearm=Y

 

[Don Lu]

If it is legal in your state to hunt with a .45, then that is what I would want.

Just a question. From what I think I understand, the .45 is a fairly slow round..will it penetrate deep enough in a big deer to rely on it for hunting ?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I agree that a 4 inch .357 Magnum would be a great choice.

10mm could be another choice as mentioned. However, I like that you can put .38's in the .357 to take small game and practice.

 

[LoneCoon]

Dan Wesson to the Rescue!

What you need here is a Dan Wesson .357. Get one, then get the 8" barrel for hunting, the 2" barrel for concealment, and the 4" for walking in the woods.

You'll be happy you did.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

ArchAngel: I'm webfiltered at work. But you have my attention. Could you post a description?

I believe it would be appropriate for this thread, given the diversity of the 41 magnum.

 

[10-Ring]

For a 'country' gun, I'd give a serious look at the 357 magnum, 41 magnum or in a semi, 10mm

 

[mndfusion]

Dan wessons m-15 is maybe the best I ever shot.

 

[slow944]

I heard that Ruger is coming out with the Red Hawk in a 4" barrel in 44mag. I've got the 5.5"barrel and with even shooting the 44 Special it doesn't kick as much as my Colt Trooper 357. Granted it is a little heavy but get a good holster and its not that bad.