Handguns...size. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

DEI37 · 10-22-2003, 07:13 PM

I'm looking to pick up a good handgun or two in the near future, and while I know what one will be, I'm not sure on the other. One will be a .41 so I can take that deer hunting next year. For the other gun, part of me wants a 9mm, but those aren't good for much except home defense (have a 12-ga already), and plinking around (have a .22 for that).

Personally, I think the smart choice is a .357, and shoot .38 Special through it, to save the money on ammo. I want something big, and that's where a .44, .45, or a .454 Casull (sp?) would be fun. I don't care so much about how loud it is, or how much it kicks. It won't get shot as much as the .41, because the .41 will be a hunting gun, and I need to get good and confident with it before I hit the woods. The other gun would be a "just for fun" gun.

As for the type of gun...I'm a big fan of semi-auto's, simply for the ease of shooting, and capacity. I personally think they are easier than a revolver to sight in as well. I'm not against a revolver at all, though, which is good, seeing as how the .41 is a revolver only, if I remember right.

I guess my question is, after reading what I've written here, what would the suggestion of caliber be for the secondary gun, and who do you recommend the manufacturer be? I think I found the S&W .41 Mag, and liked it a lot. That will probably be my choice for that gun, since it's a double action revolver.

I know this has been long, but I appreciate your input here. Thanks a ton!

im2smrt4u · 10-23-2003, 07:06 AM

Why not get a 1911 (.45ACP)?

If you can shoot that accurately, then the .41 shouldn't be any trouble.

hrdwareguy · 10-23-2003, 07:55 AM

The S&W .41 Mag is nice. My father has one.

As for the other calibers, they are won't be much difference between them. Your biggest choice will be a revolver or a semi-auto. Decide on the price you want to spend, then when you go shopping, you can handle different brands to see which one you like the feel of the best.

Moonduck · 10-23-2003, 05:44 PM

I see little point in buying a revolver in .357 magnum if you will have a .41 magnum. There isn't an appreciable enough difference in function or purpose. If it is to be a "fun gun", I would go for a .22LR.

I'm a cheap bastard what happens to like to shoot, really shoot, when possible. I've not done as much in the past few years as I dislike indoor ranges and I'm not in a situation where I can just go out in the woods and shoot in some handy clearing. Still, for purely fun shooting, nothing beats a .22 simply because of cost. 9mm, .38 special, etc all still cost about $0.20 a round or so (very rough guesstimate using local costs for moderate quality ammo). Last time I bought .22LR ammo, it was going for 550 rds for around $8. I like those numbers. I can shoot all day, no worries, at a cent and a half a shot for Federal ammo.

Additionally, the guns used to put .22LR downrange are significanlty less expensive than their big-bore counterparts. I can pick up a Browning Buckmark locally for between $220-250 without looking too hard. Great guns, accurate, reliable, and inexpensive.

Personally, I can have about as much fun with a .22 plinker as I can with some narsty handcannon, so I tend to shoot them more when I am gunning for fun. The centerfire guns come out when I feel the need for skills maintainence (something I desperately need right now, but cannot gracefully afford money or time for).

Good luck on your hunt for handguns!

Fire · 10-24-2003, 01:20 PM

I believe that desert eagle still offers one in .41- as well as .50, .357 , .44, and some others- problem is that its pricey...

TWISTEDBADGER · 10-27-2003, 06:44 AM

What's wrong with a 9? It's a fun size, makes a lot of noise, doesn't abuse you much, lots of choices, cheap ammo, decent mag capacity, etc, etc, etc.

Joy-Stick · 10-27-2003, 06:12 PM

It all depends on what "fun" your looking for

if you want to just plink then like moonduck said go for a 22 (although i think you said you had one alsready) however if your looking for that BLAMO and making trees fall down type of power then there is no pistol that can beat a desert eagle. however you want to be careful cause from what i hear they can jam if you press with any force on the clip cause of the free floating clip. however they do come in anything from a 357 mag to a .50AE

now if you were looking for more of a self defence weapon i would suggest a 45 however i beleive the good ol 1911 is a lil outclasses by the hk counterparts. the simple fact that the usp can cary 12 rds makes it imho a better firearm. that of corse is considering that they will go off every time just like the 1911 and if im currect is a little more accurate. however i dont know about extended durribility whereas the 1911 has been proven to stand the test of time and then some.

oh yeah and the only thing really wrong with a 9 is that they lack stoping power. great for a large plinker or small self defence but i dont think i would like to bet my life one. sorry but i prefer to be able to take someone down in one shot not three and have them still shooting.

Moonduck · 10-28-2003, 11:40 AM

Actually, if you want power, ignoring oddball custom guns, .500 S&W Magnum is the way to go. The Desert Eagle doesn't handle anything remotely powerful compared to the real big boys in the production world (.454 Casull is another major power handgun round).

Bowlcut · 10-29-2003, 04:04 PM

for semi's in large calabers, you are pretty much stuck with the desert eagle. which isnt an easy shooting gun by any means. ive shot the .44mag version and while its controlable, even as big as i am my hands arent big enough.

for large calaber you are stuck with a .45acp(or lord help us a .45gap) on the way of semi's. while there are others out there not many are plentiful or reliable. the cartagres you mention are more known for revolvers.

Id really recomend a 1911 style gun, they are super reliable and tons of them out there. Maybe a .357sig shooting gun but ammo isnt cheap. i shoot .40S&W and its ok. but i enjoy 9x19 the most as its cheap, dirt cheap.

if you are stuck on not getting a revolover go for a 1911, or maybe a browning hipower in various calabers.

wait....1911 style frame in 10mm...yea thats perfect. 10mm is uber cool

blockmaan2000 · 11-14-2003, 06:33 AM

I wouldn't pick something oddball like a .41 Mag anyway. The .44 Mag is sooooo similar it shouldn't make a difference and you can shoot .44 Special rounds for practice or just for less recoil. Not to rain on your parade, but just my opinion. They are very similar calibers, but the .44 is much more popular and ammo is easier to find (or make

). For another fun gun, get one of those Marlin lever action rifles which takes .44 Mags. Two guns, one ammo. Plus lever actions are just downright FUN.

block

bainatl · 11-14-2003, 01:13 PM

1911 is great but for the money, my Ruger P90 .45 ACP is awesome.

SSJwrestler · 11-16-2003, 10:11 AM

the Colt Compact is a wondeful 45 caliber pistol, similar to the 1911, but much more user friendly

MilleniumClock · 11-17-2003, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DEI37
I'm looking to pick up a good handgun or two in the near future, and while I know what one will be, I'm not sure on the other. One will be a .41 so I can take that deer hunting next year. For the other gun, part of me wants a 9mm, but those aren't good for much except home defense (have a 12-ga already), and plinking around (have a .22 for that).

Personally, I think the smart choice is a .357, and shoot .38 Special through it, to save the money on ammo. I want something big, and that's where a .44, .45, or a .454 Casull (sp?) would be fun. I don't care so much about how loud it is, or how much it kicks. It won't get shot as much as the .41, because the .41 will be a hunting gun, and I need to get good and confident with it before I hit the woods. The other gun would be a "just for fun" gun.

As for the type of gun...I'm a big fan of semi-auto's, simply for the ease of shooting, and capacity. I personally think they are easier than a revolver to sight in as well. I'm not against a revolver at all, though, which is good, seeing as how the .41 is a revolver only, if I remember right.

I guess my question is, after reading what I've written here, what would the suggestion of caliber be for the secondary gun, and who do you recommend the manufacturer be? I think I found the S&W .41 Mag, and liked it a lot. That will probably be my choice for that gun, since it's a double action revolver.

I know this has been long, but I appreciate your input here. Thanks a ton!

how about a Heckler & Koch USP .45 ACP

I must recommend, I own, and i <3 it!

basmoq · 11-19-2003, 06:03 PM

Personally, I'm going with the Kel Tec 32ACP, low on power, but highest you get on portability and concealment

MrFuzzy469 · 12-08-2003, 09:32 PM

I would suggest that you find a friend or someone that has the guns and/or calibers that you are thinking about and go shoot it. Then decide what you like. Most gun guys are willing to share there guns.

10-22-2003, 07:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	Handguns...size. I'm looking to pick up a good handgun or two in the near future, and while I know what one will be, I'm not sure on the other. One will be a .41 so I can take that deer hunting next year. For the other gun, part of me wants a 9mm, but those aren't good for much except home defense (have a 12-ga already), and plinking around (have a .22 for that). Personally, I think the smart choice is a .357, and shoot .38 Special through it, to save the money on ammo. I want something big, and that's where a .44, .45, or a .454 Casull (sp?) would be fun. I don't care so much about how loud it is, or how much it kicks. It won't get shot as much as the .41, because the .41 will be a hunting gun, and I need to get good and confident with it before I hit the woods. The other gun would be a "just for fun" gun. As for the type of gun...I'm a big fan of semi-auto's, simply for the ease of shooting, and capacity. I personally think they are easier than a revolver to sight in as well. I'm not against a revolver at all, though, which is good, seeing as how the .41 is a revolver only, if I remember right. I guess my question is, after reading what I've written here, what would the suggestion of caliber be for the secondary gun, and who do you recommend the manufacturer be? I think I found the S&W .41 Mag, and liked it a lot. That will probably be my choice for that gun, since it's a double action revolver. I know this has been long, but I appreciate your input here. Thanks a ton! __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

10-23-2003, 07:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
im2smrt4u Beer Aficionado Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA	Why not get a 1911 (.45ACP)? If you can shoot that accurately, then the .41 shouldn't be any trouble. __________________ Starkizzer Fan Club - President & Founder

10-23-2003, 07:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
hrdwareguy "Officer, I was in fear for my life" Location: Oklahoma City	The S&W .41 Mag is nice. My father has one. As for the other calibers, they are won't be much difference between them. Your biggest choice will be a revolver or a semi-auto. Decide on the price you want to spend, then when you go shopping, you can handle different brands to see which one you like the feel of the best. __________________ Gun Control is hitting what you aim at Aim for the TFP, Donate Today

10-24-2003, 01:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Fire Warrior Smith Location: missouri	I believe that desert eagle still offers one in .41- as well as .50, .357 , .44, and some others- problem is that its pricey... __________________ Thought the harder, Heart the bolder, Mood the more as our might lessens

10-27-2003, 06:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
Joy-Stick Upright Location: Eugene, Oregon	It all depends on what "fun" your looking for if you want to just plink then like moonduck said go for a 22 (although i think you said you had one alsready) however if your looking for that BLAMO and making trees fall down type of power then there is no pistol that can beat a desert eagle. however you want to be careful cause from what i hear they can jam if you press with any force on the clip cause of the free floating clip. however they do come in anything from a 357 mag to a .50AE now if you were looking for more of a self defence weapon i would suggest a 45 however i beleive the good ol 1911 is a lil outclasses by the hk counterparts. the simple fact that the usp can cary 12 rds makes it imho a better firearm. that of corse is considering that they will go off every time just like the 1911 and if im currect is a little more accurate. however i dont know about extended durribility whereas the 1911 has been proven to stand the test of time and then some. oh yeah and the only thing really wrong with a 9 is that they lack stoping power. great for a large plinker or small self defence but i dont think i would like to bet my life one. sorry but i prefer to be able to take someone down in one shot not three and have them still shooting. __________________ Can god microwave a burrito so hot not even he could eat it? Last edited by Joy-Stick; 10-27-2003 at 06:14 PM..

10-23-2003, 05:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	I see little point in buying a revolver in .357 magnum if you will have a .41 magnum. There isn't an appreciable enough difference in function or purpose. If it is to be a "fun gun", I would go for a .22LR. I'm a cheap bastard what happens to like to shoot, really shoot, when possible. I've not done as much in the past few years as I dislike indoor ranges and I'm not in a situation where I can just go out in the woods and shoot in some handy clearing. Still, for purely fun shooting, nothing beats a .22 simply because of cost. 9mm, .38 special, etc all still cost about $0.20 a round or so (very rough guesstimate using local costs for moderate quality ammo). Last time I bought .22LR ammo, it was going for 550 rds for around $8. I like those numbers. I can shoot all day, no worries, at a cent and a half a shot for Federal ammo. Additionally, the guns used to put .22LR downrange are significanlty less expensive than their big-bore counterparts. I can pick up a Browning Buckmark locally for between $220-250 without looking too hard. Great guns, accurate, reliable, and inexpensive. Personally, I can have about as much fun with a .22 plinker as I can with some narsty handcannon, so I tend to shoot them more when I am gunning for fun. The centerfire guns come out when I feel the need for skills maintainence (something I desperately need right now, but cannot gracefully afford money or time for). Good luck on your hunt for handguns!

10-27-2003, 06:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
TWISTEDBADGER Tilted	What's wrong with a 9? It's a fun size, makes a lot of noise, doesn't abuse you much, lots of choices, cheap ammo, decent mag capacity, etc, etc, etc.

10-28-2003, 11:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	Actually, if you want power, ignoring oddball custom guns, .500 S&W Magnum is the way to go. The Desert Eagle doesn't handle anything remotely powerful compared to the real big boys in the production world (.454 Casull is another major power handgun round).

10-29-2003, 04:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bowlcut Tilted Location: Nashville, TN USA	for semi's in large calabers, you are pretty much stuck with the desert eagle. which isnt an easy shooting gun by any means. ive shot the .44mag version and while its controlable, even as big as i am my hands arent big enough. for large calaber you are stuck with a .45acp(or lord help us a .45gap) on the way of semi's. while there are others out there not many are plentiful or reliable. the cartagres you mention are more known for revolvers. Id really recomend a 1911 style gun, they are super reliable and tons of them out there. Maybe a .357sig shooting gun but ammo isnt cheap. i shoot .40S&W and its ok. but i enjoy 9x19 the most as its cheap, dirt cheap. if you are stuck on not getting a revolover go for a 1911, or maybe a browning hipower in various calabers. wait....1911 style frame in 10mm...yea thats perfect. 10mm is uber cool __________________ Remember, my opinion is as irrelevant as yours.....

11-14-2003, 06:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
blockmaan2000 Crazy	I wouldn't pick something oddball like a .41 Mag anyway. The .44 Mag is sooooo similar it shouldn't make a difference and you can shoot .44 Special rounds for practice or just for less recoil. Not to rain on your parade, but just my opinion. They are very similar calibers, but the .44 is much more popular and ammo is easier to find (or make ). For another fun gun, get one of those Marlin lever action rifles which takes .44 Mags. Two guns, one ammo. Plus lever actions are just downright FUN. block

11-14-2003, 01:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
bainatl Upright Location: The Conch Republic	1911 is great but for the money, my Ruger P90 .45 ACP is awesome. __________________ I was just supposed to go down to Buckhead and get a paper, next thing I knew, I was on I-75, headed for Florida!

11-16-2003, 10:11 AM	#12 (permalink)
SSJwrestler Banned Location: Davidson, NC/ Manassas, VA	the Colt Compact is a wondeful 45 caliber pistol, similar to the 1911, but much more user friendly

11-19-2003, 06:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
basmoq It's a girly girl! Location: OH, USA	Personally, I'm going with the Kel Tec 32ACP, low on power, but highest you get on portability and concealment

12-08-2003, 09:32 PM	#15 (permalink)
MrFuzzy469 Banned	I would suggest that you find a friend or someone that has the guns and/or calibers that you are thinking about and go shoot it. Then decide what you like. Most gun guys are willing to share there guns.