What caliber handgun should I get?

[Sevensecondsuv]

So I'm looking to buy my first handgun. I want something for all around use - home defense, plinking, powerful enough to stop a large animal within one cylinder / magazine at close range, and maybe even deer hunting.

Based on the above, I'm looking at 3 different guns:

A semi-auto in .45 ACP (seems the best for home defense, but not sure about stopping a bear with one or hunting...)

A .357 magnum revolver (a little more power than the .45 ACP, but I can get cheap .38 specials for plinking)

A .44 magnum revolver (definitely the most stopping power, but probably not a good idea to use it indoors, and ammo is expensive)

Let's hear some opinions please!

 

[daniel3507]

Seems like it would be hard to find a happy compromise for all those situations. Im interested in hearing what peoples opinions are though since i too am looking to get my first gun

 

[crbnunit]

That is asking a lot from one firearm. I would recommend a 12ga shotgun. That would easily fit the bill for all of the above uses. For up to white tail deer, the 357 would be fine. I'd draw the line at big, dangerous game though. If you are looking for bear, even small, lower 48 blacks, 44 would be the absolute minimum I'd consider. Nice thing about the 44, like the 357/38, you can buy 44 Special rounds for plinking and the full-on wrist breakers for heavier animals.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

I wonder how the .44 specials are for stopping a human at 10 feet? I should go look up some ballistics.

As for the shotgun, my family already has plenty of those. I agree though, the only guns with better stopping power than 00 Buckshot at 20 feet can't be fired from your shoulder. But it's time for a handgun.

 

[crbnunit]

If you handload, you can make the 44 do just about anything. A 44 Special should be much more than good enough to take down a man sized target. Hell, you can do that with a well placed 22. We are kind of fragile creatures.
44spc:
200 gr (13 g) Semi-Wadcutter HP ¹ 870 ft/s (270 m/s) 336 ft·lbf (456 J)
246 gr (15.9 g) LRN ² 755 ft/s (230 m/s) 310 ft·lbf (420 J)
38spc:
110 gr (7.1 g) JHP 980 ft/s (300 m/s) 235 ft·lbf (319 J)
130 gr (8.4 g) FMJ 810 ft/s (250 m/s) 189 ft·lbf (256 J)
148 gr (9.6 g) LWC 690 ft/s (210 m/s) 156 ft·lbf (212 J)
158 gr (10.2 g) LRN 770 ft/s (230 m/s) 208 ft·lbf (282 J
45acp:
165 gr (10.7 g) Federal Premium Low Recoil JHP 1,060 ft/s (320 m/s) 412 ft·lbf (559 J)
185 gr (12.0 g) Corbon DPX 1,075 ft/s (328 m/s) 475 ft·lbf (644 J)
200 gr (13 g) Speer Gold Dot JHP +P 1,080 ft/s (330 m/s) 518 ft·lbf (702 J)
230 gr (15 g) Speer Lawman FMJ 830 ft/s (250 m/s) 352 ft·lbf (477 J)

 

[daniel3507]

a 22. is one of the most dangerous guns to be shot with. It goes in you and doesnt come out. Just bounces around inside.

 

[fordxranger]

magnum research desert eagle

comes in magnum calibers (.50AE!),semi automatic, new gen models have a picatinny rail (instead of the weaver on older ones) on top to mount accessories and you can buy the "component system" which gives you all caliber size barrels and magazines so you can switch from .357 .44 and .50 whenever you choose. plus its just plain badass.

 

[Doom's Day Custom]

 

[skippy]

I am biased as I own both a .45 and a .357,both are good platforms.If you are leaning toward the .45 you can research brands at this forum-

http://forum.m1911.org/

Lots of usefull information.Good luck and happy shooting!

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

kinda funny how u can save your ass from a 9mm or .40 bullet if it doesnt touch vital stuff inside, but u cant be safe with a 22 shot.
thats why we have various calibers
22, 38 special, and .40
depending on target lol

 

[Southern_Trendkill]

A .357 is terrible for home defense. First off, it will punch through a person or wall, so it's going to cause a lot of collateral damage, and you may hit someone on the other side of the wall. Also, if you fire it at night, you will be blind for several minutes. The muzzle flash is terrible. You will also be deaf if you fire it indoors. It is just way too loud. The .45 ACP is the best of the above choices for home defense. Personally, though, I would go with a .38 SPL.

 

[4x4fun]

So I'm looking to buy my first handgun. I want something for all around use - home defense, plinking, powerful enough to stop a large animal within one cylinder / magazine at close range, and maybe even deer hunting.

Based on the above, I'm looking at 3 different guns:

A semi-auto in .45 ACP (seems the best for home defense, but not sure about stopping a bear with one or hunting...)

A .357 magnum revolver (a little more power than the .45 ACP, but I can get cheap .38 specials for plinking)

A .44 magnum revolver (definitely the most stopping power, but probably not a good idea to use it indoors, and ammo is expensive)

Let's hear some opinions please!

can i ask what kind of hand gun experience you have. i pick guns on there performance and how they handel before i pick the caliber.

Iv shot everything from .50 on down 17hmr. As i see it frame size and slide function have been my turn off/on for different types of guns. a frame thats two small can hurt to shoot and have bad accuracy. even when its a .22. also having a large or heavy slide can feel very "funny" to shot. and the slamming forward of a heavy slide can mess up the next shot. when you get good enough with a hand gun that it becomes an extension of your hand caliber wont matter.

you best bet is to try and shoot the three guns you have in mind. try and see what feels best to shoot. then buy.

how i see it:
one well trained guy with a k bar. can take out all 5 guys manning the M198

having said that. you let a 50 bark in your house. and the intruder wont be the only one to shit him self

 

[Ranger Dave (B25)]

Don't ask a handgun to do ALL of the above. Pick two: home defense/animal control and practice.

.40 cal is my sidearm of choice. You can buy frangible rounds for home defense/animal control, and ball ammo for practice/plinking. Plenty of stopping power, without excessive recoil. My S&W .40 Sigma is a nice balanced piece, polymer frame. LMK if you want to look at it.

And yes, a .22 is a very dangerous round.

 

[4x4fun]

BTW, i carry the M60, or the 240 (depending) and i have a m9 on my side. ill drop my 60. and even leave it loaded for you. but ill drop a hell of a lot more people with my m9 then i will with my 60.

 

[02RangerXLT]

Get the .357... can use .38spcl for plinking, and .357 for defensive purposes...

Another caliber that is becoming more popular for woods guns, is the 10mm...

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