Hand Gun Advice

[Muleysam]

I am looking to buy a used hand gun to carry when I go camping. I also would like to go out shooting so the cost of bullets is important and I would rather not get into reloading but it is an option if it pays for itself.

I only own two guns; Merlin 22 and an air rifle (for the pigeons in my yard)

thanks

Sam

 

[rusty_tlc]

What is your goal with the gun when camping?

I like this option

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

I carry a pistol in my daypack for the highcountry (for bears and cats, and not so much, psycho hillbillies from north fork), and when camping, I have my ol mossberg bolt action 12 guage that I take for the same reasons. I think the shotgun in way more practical for my purposes, but just don't want to carry it while hiking. You might try the hunting section regarding best type/caliber of firearm, but my choice would be a 6" barrel peacemaker replica chambered for a 357. The 22 is small and won't "hit" as hard as a larger caliber, and I think the heavy impact might do more to stop an animal attack than a deep burning stinging sensation.

 

[Muleysam]

The goal is to defend my family against animals or people. I don't think it would ever come down to that but it would make me feel better to have it.

The times I have been out at the range with friends I have enjoyed it a lot.

Things I am looking for
Portable not in my pocket but close to it.
Easily secured I have young children.
Again cheap ammo.
Easy to clean easy to shoot.
Good quality.

Also is it worth buying a used gun or should I get a new one. Are the prices that much different?

 

[jb1dsl]

Springfield xd sub-compact 9mm. Easily concealable, easy to pack, fairly cheap to shoot and has knock down power. Also has a trigger and palm safety.

 

[Devilmans Hand]

cheapest thing i can think of is a .357mag and shoot .38 through it at the range. Relatively easy to clean and shoot, unless you have limp wrists.

What kind of animals could you encounter?

If i couldn't bring a long arm, i'd have a .357 or a 10mm Glock for two and four legged animals.

but then again .22lr will kill anything in north america if you get that perfect shot.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

The goal is to defend my family against animals or people. I don't think it would ever come down to that but it would make me feel better to have it.

The times I have been out at the range with friends I have enjoyed it a lot.

Things I am looking for
Portable not in my pocket but close to it.
Easily secured I have young children.
Again cheap ammo.
Easy to clean easy to shoot.
Good quality.

Also is it worth buying a used gun or should I get a new one. Are the prices that much different?

There is no cheap ammo. If you like to shoot a lot, it's going to cost you unless you shoot mostly .22LR.

For pure protection, it's hard to beat a revolver. .357Mag in the lower 48 and .44Mag in Alaska. I shoot the .44Mag a lot, and honestly, it isn't that much fun as it has too much recoil. I go to Alaska every year and it's what I take. Ammo unfortunately, is expensive.

For pure fun, history, heritage, and a great gun you need a 1911 (.45 ACP). You should have one anyway as an American. Colt, Kimber, and many others make fine examples. For a big round the ammo is not too bad. This is my pick and favorite pistol of all time.

For protection from people but not bears, a 9mm is cheaper to buy and shoot. I am not a Glock fan, but they are relatively cheap, reliable by reputation, and 9mm ammo is sort of less expensive, but not cheap.

Now if you are truly paranoid, you are not going to beat a 12ga shotgun. Good for everything from home invading meth heads, to bears, to zombies. A Remington 870 variant would do everything you would ever want. Have one by your bed. I do.

You can't really have too many guns so get them all.

 

[splitshot]

Whatever feels the most comfortable to you and practice, practice, practice.

 

[sbly]

Muleysam,

Just my .02.

Predators
2 Legs = GLOCK 17 (9mm) or GLOCK 21 (.45)
4 Legs = GLOCK 20 (10mm)

GLOCKs are reliable, easy to use and will last forever.

I have had a GLOCK on my tool-belt since 2001. They may not be as sexy as a custom 1911 but at the end of the day they go bang when you pull the trigger.

sbly

 

[2mbb]

I have a kimber 1911 .45 acp that has a conversion barrel that allows shooting .22lr. It's a night and day difference though (cannon vs. pea shooter), and sometimes the .22lr doesn't have enough umph to fully eject, but for plinking it beats paying for the .45 ammo.

I also have a colt peacemaker revolver with cylinders for .22LR and .22magnum. The magnum probably doesn't have enough power to really be menacing.

 

[Du510]

Muleysam,

Just my .02.

Predators
2 Legs = GLOCK 17 (9mm) or GLOCK 21 (.45)
4 Legs = GLOCK 20 (10mm)

GLOCKs are reliable, easy to use and will last forever.

I have had a GLOCK on my tool-belt since 2001. They may not be as sexy as a custom 1911 but at the end of the day they go bang when you pull the trigger.

sbly

A Kimber is what your show your buddies; a Glock is what you show your enemies.

I own, carry, and love both (among others). But that writeup by CruiserDrew was spot on; couldn't agree more. If you get into 1911's though, it's easy to get the mod-bug. Glocks (and other polymers) are simplest to strip down for cleaning, and 9mm and 45ACP are readily available, though 9mm is slightly cheaper.

Bear in mind, effectiveness is as much about shot placement as it is caliber. A well placed .22 can do more damage than a poorly placed HP45.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Used guns are absolutely a viable option. I personally go used over new primarily, and find the best deals in pawn shops. Specifically, both Pawn Worlds in Kingman. Also, J&G in Prescott is worth a look and they have their inventory available on the www for extra convenience.

 

[VanGo]

For pure fun, history, heritage, and a great gun you need a 1911 (.45 ACP). You should have one anyway as an American.
For protection from people but not bears, a 9mm is cheaper to buy and shoot. I am not a Glock fan, but they are relatively cheap, reliable by reputation, and 9mm ammo is sort of less expensive, but not cheap.

Now if you are truly paranoid, you are not going to beat a 12ga shotgun. Good for everything from home invading meth heads, to bears, to zombies. A Remington 870 variant would do everything you would ever want. Have one by your bed. I do.

You can't really have too many guns so get them all.

2X- all of it, especially the opening line!

 

[Bogo]

The goal is to defend my family against animals or people. I don't think it would ever come down to that but it would make me feel better to have it.

Get the hand gun for fun and against two legged critters. For the 4 legged critters get a can of bear spray with holster. Much more effective and statistically much more likely to allow you to get away unhurt. Roughly 50% of the people who shoot a charging bear with a gun get mauled or killed by the bear. Less than 5% of the people who use bear spray on a charging bear get mauled or killed. There is also evidence that bear spray works well on wolves, but the numbers of incidents aren't large enough for good statistics yet. Same goes for the big cats.

Another thing to note, IN THE PACK IS USELESS!!! Most animal attacks happen so fast you don't have time to pull a weapon out of a pack. Wear your weapon of choice in a holster for immediate draw, either knife, gun or bear spray. What you can legally put in a holster where you are may well determine which one you have on hand. Be familiar with drawing the weapon, and it's use.

 

[CO_Hunter]

Get the hand gun for fun and against two legged critters. For the 4 legged critters get a can of bear spray with holster. Much more effective and statistically much more likely to allow you to get away unhurt. Roughly 50% of the people who shoot a charging bear with a gun get mauled or killed by the bear. Less than 5% of the people who use bear spray on a charging bear get mauled or killed. There is also evidence that bear spray works well on wolves, but the numbers of incidents aren't large enough for good statistics yet. Same goes for the big cats.

Another thing to note, IN THE PACK IS USELESS!!! Most animal attacks happen so fast you don't have time to pull a weapon out of a pack. Wear your weapon of choice in a holster for immediate draw, either knife, gun or bear spray. What you can legally put in a holster where you are may well determine which one you have on hand. Be familiar with drawing the weapon, and it's use.

I agree, Bogo is spot on, especially the bear spray, though I can't comment on the exact statistics. It would be nice to have a source for the numbers. I carry bear spray for 4 legged critters, though black bears don't really concern me too much. Now that said, I do carry a Glock 23 (in .40 ) for 2 legged intruders, depending on where I am going to be camping. The more remote, the less my concern for bears and people; less chance for bad bears and bad people.

 

[rusty_tlc]

....

Now if you are truly paranoid, you are not going to beat a 12ga shotgun. Good for everything from home invading meth heads, to bears, to zombies. A Remington 870 variant would do everything you would ever want. Have one by your bed. I do.

You can't really have too many guns so get them all.

Would you include the Mossberg 500 Cruiser 6 shot I posted a picture of as a 870 variant?

 

[informationjunky]

IMHO look for one of the S&W 64X series revolvers in .357. If you havn't shot alot I think a revolver would be the way to go. Like others have said you can shoot 38's in it and the 64X series with either a concealed hammer or covered hammer would work well for hiking.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Prior to purchasing a gun, you may consider taking a self defense shooting course. This will help understand the unique issues/laws of concealed carry, weapon choice (caliber, semi-auto vs revolver), ammunition selection, grip/trigger control/stance/cover/concealment/basic tactics and then finally, if shooting a human being or animal is something that is possible. I'm not suggesting this is the case, but it's not uncommon for someone to draw a gun, whether civilian, law enforcement or military, and not be able pull the trigger resulting in a real problem...

Good luck...be safe.

 

[Muleysam]

Thank you all

Looks like Glock 9mm

I also plan on taking a class.
I think it would be good to know the laws too.

Sam

 

[CO_Hunter]

Thank you all


I think it would be good to know the laws too.

Sam

That's an understatement. I lived in AZ in the early 90's and knew a guy had a pistol in his car when he was pulled over for a traffic violation. At the time I believe AZ had a plain sight law. He had it under the seat and got in a boat load of trouble. Moral of the story, know your local laws and the laws where you will be traveling with firearms.

Best of luck, you should be happy with your purchase.