First handgun - The Firearms Forum

jbettin · 08-13-2010, 07:41 AM

Im looking into getting my first hand gun. I would like to get something that would be a good sidearm for the northwest U.S. and possibly even Alaska if I can ever get enough money together for a hunting trip. Most of my hand gun experience so far is with a 1911, Springfield XD and a 9mil. I can handle the .45ACP pretty good but I was more looking at getting a DA revolver in .44 Mag, .454 casull or .460 S&W, that way i can start with a lighter cartridge like the .44 special or .45 LC. and work up. I was also looking at the Ruger Blackhawk convertible in .45ACP and .45LC . Any thoughts, advice or recommendations? Would it be better to ditch the revolver idea and go with a semiautomatic?

Contenderizer · 08-13-2010, 10:57 AM

For hunting or carrying in the field I generally favor a revolver simply because they are less prone to misfire if dirty. And they do get dirty in the field. Also, if you want a gun that can handle several different loads, as you suggest, a revolver is your only choice. Further, revolvers generally give you a better selection of barrel lengths for hunting and they will readily accept a scope if so desired.

A 44 Mag is a good choice as anything larger can be too heavy and a bit hard to handle for most shooters. They work great in a lever action carbine as well.

JLA · 08-13-2010, 11:12 AM

Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan...
http://www.ruger.com/products/superR...kan/index.html

Its a super strong revolver chambered in all the heavy calibers you mentioned (except the .460) and My personal experiences with one are good. They are CANONS, but hold a full 6 shot cylinder and are potent enough to dispatch a stray T rex.

Rick O'Shay · 08-13-2010, 12:47 PM

The Ruger Blackhawk conertible is an excellent choice. If you are buying new you may want to purchase some different grips if you want to shoot the +P loads. You also may need to have the cylinder mouths opened up to .4525 dia.

old semperfi · 08-13-2010, 01:01 PM

smith and taurus both make revolvers in 44 mag that will shoot 44 specials,both of these companys carry some lighter weight guns.if you intend to carry and possibly use for back up gun then weight is an issue. old semperfi

Bushmaster1313 · 08-13-2010, 01:12 PM

Pick your cartridge and then
Buy AMERICAN

The job you save may be your own.

hogger129 · 08-13-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbettin

Im looking into getting my first hand gun. I would like to get something that would be a good sidearm for the northwest U.S. and possibly even Alaska if I can ever get enough money together for a hunting trip. Most of my hand gun experience so far is with a 1911, Springfield XD and a 9mil. I can handle the .45ACP pretty good but I was more looking at getting a DA revolver in .44 Mag, .454 casull or .460 S&W, that way i can start with a lighter cartridge like the .44 special or .45 LC. and work up. I was also looking at the Ruger Blackhawk convertible in .45ACP and .45LC . Any thoughts, advice or recommendations? Would it be better to ditch the revolver idea and go with a semiautomatic?

A .44 Magnum revolver would be a good sidearm for a hunting trip. I would go with a Ruger. I think their .44 Magnum is the Blackhawk... Not entirely sure on that one. Rugers are tough.

GunsForSale.com · 08-13-2010, 03:52 PM

As some of the others have said, the .44 Mag is a great choice for carrying into the field. .44 Special cartridges can be bought or handloaded to be very easy shooters for learning the gun, and then varying powered .44 Mag cartridges for building up your skill, and tailoring to your needs.

Teejay9 · 08-13-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan...
http://www.ruger.com/products/superR...kan/index.html

Its a super strong revolver chambered in all the heavy calibers you mentioned (except the .460) and My personal experiences with one are good. They are CANONS, but hold a full 6 shot cylinder and are potent enough to dispatch a stray T rex.

I agree with you JLA, but I would opt for a Redhawk with a longer barrel. A .44 mag with a 2 1/2 barrel seems to be a bit much. This is one powerful cartridge, and I never really enjoyed shooting it. Perhaps in a rifle, but a in a pistol it really kicks. TJ

jbettin · 08-13-2010, 05:57 PM

wow thanks for all the great advice, I think I will go with the .44mag. I've got it narrowed down to the S&W model 629 or 29 or the Ruger redhawk. I also saw that the Ruger blackhawk SA can be chambered for .44 mag but I don't know if there is any advantage to that besides cost. I think I'll go to our local indoor range and see if I can rent some of them and see which one I like

Terry_P · 08-13-2010, 06:48 PM

I have a Redhawk with a 4" BBL and it is a fine revolver. It's as accurate as I am and has the best out of the box trigger for any revolver I have owned. I bought it new in the Spring 2009 and have shot 44 Spl and 44 mag loads from easy to full power (all handloads). It is an incredibly rugged revolver and will take whatever you well as a bear gun or even nightstand if you are so inclined. Good luck.

old semperfi · 08-14-2010, 07:16 PM

a shoot a 629 classic hunter unfluted cylinder,i have put thousands of rounds thru it with no ftfs.it is a lighter gun than the ruger and should only use factory standard rounds.the ruger is a little stronger because of heavier build and will take hotter rounds than the smith. i do think the smith will hold value longer than ruger. old semperfi

hogger129 · 08-15-2010, 07:32 AM

629 Classic was the first pistol I shot. Lots of recoil. But if you can handle it, I think it's a great gun for hunting. I would stick by a Ruger if I had the choice though.

noslolo · 08-16-2010, 02:26 AM

As I have said many times before, I don't own one but my Father in law has a S&W 629 Magna ported and it is fantastic. It's hard to go wrong with the S&W in .44 Rem Mag.

Contenderizer · 08-22-2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushmaster1313

Pick your cartridge and then
Buy AMERICAN

The job you save may be your own.

Well said ........

North2Alaska · 09-18-2010, 10:54 AM

I'd look into a Ruger Super Redhawk .44 Mag

Very accurate and dependable. And it's the gun I'd want with me if I had a bear coming at me.

zb338 · 09-18-2010, 12:50 PM

Whatever big magnum pistol you buy, buy a nice little .22 pistol
along with it. Starting out with a big magnum will make any of
us a big time flincher. If that happens you won't be able to hit
anything. Shoot the .22 a lot and then you will be ready to shoot
the big guy.
Zeke

johnlives4christ · 09-19-2010, 12:42 AM

from the way you worded it, you would not be hunting with this handgun, but carrying it as a backup type gun on a hunting trip. if this is the case, it is my opinion that the 1911 in 45acp would be fine for this application.

i have read several magazine articles about hunting with auto loading pistols and know that in the right hands a 1911, using the right loads is a very effective hunting tool. i have heard of people carrying it as bear back up also.

for a pistol that would do both home defense duty, plinking and also hunting the 1911 could work. and since you're familiar with it, it might be a good choice. a 44 magnum would be a better choice for hunting bear obviously. but if it is only going to be a backup, i would go 45.

another option that others have not mentioned would be a 357 magnum. in the hands of a competent marksman 357 magnum has taken most species including brown bear. i dont know if anyone has taken polar bear with it though. while again, a 44 would be better to hunt with, as a backup a 357 could serve.

for my tastes, as a home defense/plinking gun that will be used for hunting backup, the 44 is probably not the best choice.

if the gun is to be used for the primary hunting weapon, i would suggest a ruger blackhawk 44 magnum

lucky-gunner · 09-19-2010, 09:16 PM

Well for a good backpacking revolver the .44 Magnum would be the best choice. I have the S&W 460 and it's a great revolver but the X Frame is heavy and unless you are hunting with it you won't want to carry it around.

jacksonco · 09-23-2010, 10:20 PM

As a back up in Alaska where one may encounter bears of large stature a 1911 would be totally unexceptable. Even a 357 mag does not have the bite needed to put down a charging brown bear. Go with at least a 44 mag and learn to shoot it quickly and accurately. Bears are fast and can close distances very quickly on you. And be sure to go with a DA revolver over a single action. There may not be time or you amy be unable to cock the gun during a bear attack.

Best bet though for back up in Alaska would be a pump shotgun loaded up with slugs.

1911 man · 09-24-2010, 01:21 AM

a ruger super redhawk will fill any job you need it to,and it will last forever

roaddog28 · 09-24-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbettin

Im looking into getting my first hand gun. I would like to get something that would be a good sidearm for the northwest U.S. and possibly even Alaska if I can ever get enough money together for a hunting trip. Most of my hand gun experience so far is with a 1911, Springfield XD and a 9mil. I can handle the .45ACP pretty good but I was more looking at getting a DA revolver in .44 Mag, .454 casull or .460 S&W, that way i can start with a lighter cartridge like the .44 special or .45 LC. and work up. I was also looking at the Ruger Blackhawk convertible in .45ACP and .45LC . Any thoughts, advice or recommendations? Would it be better to ditch the revolver idea and go with a semiautomatic?

Hi,
For hunting in 44 mag a Ruger Redhawk 5 1/2 barrel is a option or in single action a Blackhawk in a 4 5/8 barrel. The Blackhawk convertible is a great option but factory ammo for 45LC is harder to find. Most people I know with the Blackhawk convertible in 45LC and 45ACP reload. Actually if you do reload the Blackhawk convertible is the best option.

Good luck,
Howard

08-13-2010, 07:41 AM	#1
jbettin Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 15	First handgun Im looking into getting my first hand gun. I would like to get something that would be a good sidearm for the northwest U.S. and possibly even Alaska if I can ever get enough money together for a hunting trip. Most of my hand gun experience so far is with a 1911, Springfield XD and a 9mil. I can handle the .45ACP pretty good but I was more looking at getting a DA revolver in .44 Mag, .454 casull or .460 S&W, that way i can start with a lighter cartridge like the .44 special or .45 LC. and work up. I was also looking at the Ruger Blackhawk convertible in .45ACP and .45LC . Any thoughts, advice or recommendations? Would it be better to ditch the revolver idea and go with a semiautomatic? -->

08-13-2010, 10:57 AM	#2
Contenderizer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North-Central Florida, USA Posts: 599	Re: First handgun For hunting or carrying in the field I generally favor a revolver simply because they are less prone to misfire if dirty. And they do get dirty in the field. Also, if you want a gun that can handle several different loads, as you suggest, a revolver is your only choice. Further, revolvers generally give you a better selection of barrel lengths for hunting and they will readily accept a scope if so desired. A 44 Mag is a good choice as anything larger can be too heavy and a bit hard to handle for most shooters. They work great in a lever action carbine as well. __________________ NOTE: The information herein is provided free of charge. In some instances, you may actually be getting your money's worth. Author of: The History and Guns of Simson & Co., Suhl www.cornellpubs.com

08-13-2010, 11:12 AM	#3
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,308	Re: First handgun Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan... http://www.ruger.com/products/superR...kan/index.html Its a super strong revolver chambered in all the heavy calibers you mentioned (except the .460) and My personal experiences with one are good. They are CANONS, but hold a full 6 shot cylinder and are potent enough to dispatch a stray T rex. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

08-13-2010, 12:47 PM	#4
Rick O'Shay V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southwest Michigan Posts: 78	Re: First handgun The Ruger Blackhawk conertible is an excellent choice. If you are buying new you may want to purchase some different grips if you want to shoot the +P loads. You also may need to have the cylinder mouths opened up to .4525 dia.

08-13-2010, 01:01 PM	#5
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: First handgun smith and taurus both make revolvers in 44 mag that will shoot 44 specials,both of these companys carry some lighter weight guns.if you intend to carry and possibly use for back up gun then weight is an issue. old semperfi

08-13-2010, 01:12 PM	#6
Bushmaster1313 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 230	Re: First handgun Pick your cartridge and then Buy AMERICAN The job you save may be your own.

08-13-2010, 03:52 PM	#8
GunsForSale.com Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 13	Re: First handgun As some of the others have said, the .44 Mag is a great choice for carrying into the field. .44 Special cartridges can be bought or handloaded to be very easy shooters for learning the gun, and then varying powered .44 Mag cartridges for building up your skill, and tailoring to your needs. __________________ Firearms For Sale

08-13-2010, 05:57 PM	#10
jbettin Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 15	Re: First handgun wow thanks for all the great advice, I think I will go with the .44mag. I've got it narrowed down to the S&W model 629 or 29 or the Ruger redhawk. I also saw that the Ruger blackhawk SA can be chambered for .44 mag but I don't know if there is any advantage to that besides cost. I think I'll go to our local indoor range and see if I can rent some of them and see which one I like

08-13-2010, 06:48 PM	#11
Terry_P Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NH Posts: 2,513	Re: First handgun I have a Redhawk with a 4" BBL and it is a fine revolver. It's as accurate as I am and has the best out of the box trigger for any revolver I have owned. I bought it new in the Spring 2009 and have shot 44 Spl and 44 mag loads from easy to full power (all handloads). It is an incredibly rugged revolver and will take whatever you well as a bear gun or even nightstand if you are so inclined. Good luck. __________________ NRA and NAHC Life "Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms." -Aristotle

08-14-2010, 07:16 PM	#12
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: First handgun a shoot a 629 classic hunter unfluted cylinder,i have put thousands of rounds thru it with no ftfs.it is a lighter gun than the ruger and should only use factory standard rounds.the ruger is a little stronger because of heavier build and will take hotter rounds than the smith. i do think the smith will hold value longer than ruger. old semperfi

08-15-2010, 07:32 AM	#13
hogger129 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,064	Re: First handgun 629 Classic was the first pistol I shot. Lots of recoil. But if you can handle it, I think it's a great gun for hunting. I would stick by a Ruger if I had the choice though. __________________ Samuel Adams once said, "among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life, secondly to liberty, thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can."

08-16-2010, 02:26 AM	#14
noslolo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Johnstown PA Posts: 1,558	Re: First handgun As I have said many times before, I don't own one but my Father in law has a S&W 629 Magna ported and it is fantastic. It's hard to go wrong with the S&W in .44 Rem Mag. __________________ I'm a heck of a "obesito illegitimo"

09-18-2010, 10:54 AM	#16
North2Alaska Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2	Re: First handgun I'd look into a Ruger Super Redhawk .44 Mag Very accurate and dependable. And it's the gun I'd want with me if I had a bear coming at me.

09-18-2010, 12:50 PM	#17
zb338 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Recently moved to Pennsylvania. Posts: 286	Re: First handgun Whatever big magnum pistol you buy, buy a nice little .22 pistol along with it. Starting out with a big magnum will make any of us a big time flincher. If that happens you won't be able to hit anything. Shoot the .22 a lot and then you will be ready to shoot the big guy. Zeke

09-19-2010, 12:42 AM	#18
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: First handgun from the way you worded it, you would not be hunting with this handgun, but carrying it as a backup type gun on a hunting trip. if this is the case, it is my opinion that the 1911 in 45acp would be fine for this application. i have read several magazine articles about hunting with auto loading pistols and know that in the right hands a 1911, using the right loads is a very effective hunting tool. i have heard of people carrying it as bear back up also. for a pistol that would do both home defense duty, plinking and also hunting the 1911 could work. and since you're familiar with it, it might be a good choice. a 44 magnum would be a better choice for hunting bear obviously. but if it is only going to be a backup, i would go 45. another option that others have not mentioned would be a 357 magnum. in the hands of a competent marksman 357 magnum has taken most species including brown bear. i dont know if anyone has taken polar bear with it though. while again, a 44 would be better to hunt with, as a backup a 357 could serve. for my tastes, as a home defense/plinking gun that will be used for hunting backup, the 44 is probably not the best choice. if the gun is to be used for the primary hunting weapon, i would suggest a ruger blackhawk 44 magnum

09-19-2010, 09:16 PM	#19
lucky-gunner V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 63	Re: First handgun Well for a good backpacking revolver the .44 Magnum would be the best choice. I have the S&W 460 and it's a great revolver but the X Frame is heavy and unless you are hunting with it you won't want to carry it around. __________________ 45 ACP Ammo

09-23-2010, 10:20 PM	#20
jacksonco Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jackson County West Virginia Posts: 2,237	Re: First handgun As a back up in Alaska where one may encounter bears of large stature a 1911 would be totally unexceptable. Even a 357 mag does not have the bite needed to put down a charging brown bear. Go with at least a 44 mag and learn to shoot it quickly and accurately. Bears are fast and can close distances very quickly on you. And be sure to go with a DA revolver over a single action. There may not be time or you amy be unable to cock the gun during a bear attack. Best bet though for back up in Alaska would be a pump shotgun loaded up with slugs.

09-24-2010, 01:21 AM	#21
1911 man V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 64	Re: First handgun a ruger super redhawk will fill any job you need it to,and it will last forever