BoCo

In the next month I'm going to buy my first handgun, but I want to know what I should look for as far as brands, etc. I want something small, like a snubnosed 9mm or 32. If anyone has any suggestions on what I should get then please post them.

Thanks.

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uncle phil

why are you getting one? targets...paranoia...hunting?

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sherpahigh

you should probably look over in tilted weapons

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Giant Hamburger

SKU: 104804
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 7 Rounds +1
Barrel Length: 3-3/4"
Front Sight: White Dot
Rear Sight: Fixed 2-Dot
Firing System: N/A
Grip: Straight Backstrap
Trigger: .305" Combat
Hammer: .260" Bobbed
External Safety: Single Side
Frame: Compact
Finish: Black
Overall length: 7-1/4"
Material: Aluminum Alloy / Carbon Steel
Weight Empty: 29 ounces

BoCo

Paranoia.

In Missouri we have a lot of mountain lions in the Southern section. But recently they've been moving so far north that they're now just about to where I live. There have already been 2 killed within about 15 miles of here. Since I go on bike rides that take me 50 miles into the middle of no where, I think it's about time I take a gun with me in case an animal (mtn. lion, mean dog, etc.) or crazed lunatic fucks with me. We can now get a licence to carry conceiled weapons here, so all I need to do is buy a gun and take a course on gun safety.

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BoCo

Heh, I didn't even know we had a weapon forum...

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hrdwareguy

Is there a particular reason you want a 9mm or 32?

Personally I would go with a 45 with the paranoia of mountain lions. If you are worried about recoil, you can get heavy duty recoil buffers and put in to reduce the recoil.

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BoCo

Recoil isn't a problem with me. I just want to make sure I get something pretty compact, lightweight and under $400.

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bonehed1

I would go with the 9mili but I like glocks and m9's

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Lebell

Hmmm,

If that is your use, I might recommend a Taurus DAO revolver, minimum caliber being 9mm.

Point and shoot.

And new revolvers are made such that you can leave the hammer down on a loaded chamber with no fears.

That is without knowing anything else about you or other uses you may have.

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j8ear

Killing a mountain lion, huh? I wonder if a mountain lion got a jump on you if you could take him with a tucked away pistola?

I propose that preventing an encounter with a mountain lion with something like bells and/or flashing lights is a better solution to that problem. None the less...

I guess if I was going to try and kill one I'd want high capacity, and train with a nine mil like a beretta, Sig, or other. Polymer frames are lighter weight and might be appropriate for a man-pack exercise like a bike ride or hike in the mountains.

On the other hand an m1911 in 45 while holding a max of nine rounds (compared to the 18 or more for the nines), will probably be effective even if your accuracy is a little off.

Riding a bike, legally packing with a CCW, I'd probably opt for the nine. I don't know enough about 40, .380 or some of the other semi-auto handgun calibers. I know, respect, and am effective with the nine. I would definately not hold a revolver of any sort with a revolver strapped to me.

I've got to admit though...Revolvers Rule. Big, heavy, accurate, strong, easily maintained, simply operated, extremely reliable. Brilliantly effective. You can kill elephants with that freaking 500 magnum or whatever that s&w is hawking these days. A 357 will stop just about anything most of us will ever encounter.

You ask a profound question friend. I wish you a steadfast mind in your decision making.

Be wise and be safe.

Maybe that's your answer. A revolver in the paniers on your rig, and a nine strapped to the small of your back.

Only thing missing is a shot gun That's what I would want handy should I encounter a mountain lion bent on my demise.

out,

-bear

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splck

Most cougers jump you from behind or above, so it more than likely won't be a matter of simply pointing and shooting. That said, the likelyhood of being jumped are next to none.

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blockmaan2000

Glock would be my first choice. You can probably find a used 19 for less than $400.

block

Lebell

Problem is, you won't get any of those for under $400, even used.

That's one reason I suggested a revolver.

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j8ear

Forgot about the $400.00 limit

We've got to increase his budget though to more reasonable figures so he can get into this game right, know what i mean ;-)

And i didn't mean to question or second guess your revolver suggestion...great call in fact....

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kel

Glock
Take your pick

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Fire

if recoil aint a problem- go with a thunder 5- .410 revolver- big cat? what big cat- aint nothin left but ears and a tail- BTW- you wouldnt be living in boone county would you boco?

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SuperMidget

You should be able to pick up a Taurus .357 Mag for slightly less than $300. A new tracker would be a good idea.

However, send Moonduck a PM. He knows almost anything you could want to know about handguns.

MrFuzzy469

I'm a big Beretta fan. I would suggest a 92 (9mm) or 96 (.40) both are great guns. If you want to go "small" I would suggest a Tom Cat (3032) in .32. I think it is one of the best, if not the best "pocket" gun out there.

Moonduck

Personally, take lessons first. Determine what sort of gun suits you. Then buy something approaching that in a calibre more suited to your purposes. In other words, shoot a few different guns and see if you like autos, revolvers, what types, etc. Then choose your gun.

My own (legally carried) trailgun is a S&W M-686 in 7-rd cap and 3" barrel. First chamber is loaded with birdshot (for snakes) and everything thereafter with high grain hunting rounds. With a 3" barrel, it's not a tack-driver, but it will get the job done at close range. 6 rds of 230gr Winchester Gold will drop anything in North America if properly placed., Then again, a rock will drop anything in North AMerica, properly placed, so take it with a grain of salt.

I would stay far away from underpowered things like .32 and 9mm if you are serious about a mountain lion problem .Those are some scary cats. Use enough gun, bro.

MSD

Thunder 5's are also close to his budget, $495 shipped to the local gun store. That's what I was going to reccommend, it's small enough to carry while on a bike, and it will take down any big cat that's threatening you.

thencrow

Go with the Springfield Armory Sub-Compact XD



It comes in 9mm or .40, holds 10+1 and its a pretty sweet gun. The suggested retail is $495.

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Jonnymax

perhaps a compact revolver like the taurus 605 model. get one that does 357 magnum and then you can choose between that round or load it with .38 special (+P if wanted). Its versatile, very small and relatively light.

Boo

My choice is a S&W mod 629, .44 cal, 3-1/2" barrel. I got it used, in mint shape, for $325.

No cats here, just bears everywhere. But the moose, now they will hurt a guy. Stomp, stomp. After last summer I am getting a Mossburg 12-ga with slugs and 00 buckshot. .44 is not enough. Gonna mount it on the front rack of my wheeler in a custom, easy open, waterproof case.

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BoCo

I'm already considering one of those, thanks.

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Damnyankee

Here's a crazy idea, go to the gun store, a good one, and find one that fits you hand well and you feel comfortable with. Don't get anything too powerful because you may have to open it up and rack off 4-5 rounds right away. I wouldn't go with anything bigger than 9mm. Good luck!

Mustis

Heh, I would have to second thencrow's post about a Springfield XD. You can find these for good prices, most of which are around $400-450 depending of course where you get it, and if they are used/new. I prefer the 4" or 5" models, over the Sub-Compact, however they are essentially the same guns.

- M

Mastershredder

I second the Baretta. Like other people have said, it's going to be hard to purchase a pistol for $400 or less. The other problem is that every gun has a different feel and every person has their own preferences. Like I might love a .40 cal and you might love a 9mm, but we might hate the opposite. The best thing to do is find someone with different types of guns so you can take them to a range and get a feel for them.

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MSD

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BoCo-

Seriously, if you want to stop an attack from a large animal or human immediately don't even think about a .32. You need a more powerful caliber. I like the used glock idea and contrary to some reports on this board you can get one for under or around $400. I would not advise paying $500 for a glock clone (Springfield XD) when you can get the real thing for that price. As far as frame size goes glock makes all calibers in 3 sizes, full size, compact, and sub-compact. Depending on the size of your hand I would recommend either compact or sub-compact for your needs. As far as caliber goes I would recommend atleast 9mm. But probably something more powerful if you can deal with the recoil. Honestly, the best thing for you to do would be to go to a local gun range and try out makes and calibers. The most important thing is to find a gun that you feel comfortable with. Good luck and remember, a gun is better than no gun

-Dostoevsky

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catchaser

Cougar attacks are nothing to be paranoid about. They're real. See the book Beast in the Garden by David Baron. In that book, there is a story of one shot from .38 dispatching a cougar. I think accessibility and accuracy are what you would need and a .38 snub revolver would be fine. Use +P if you think you need more juice. Cougars attack the head and neck. So a helmet would help if you are biking for more reasons than one. Key is: access to gun. Don't go for a body shot; if you can, brain or spine. If they are on you and you can't get to your gun, jab their eyes. They have habituated to humans so often it's not just an ambush attack but a straight frontal approach. They see us a harmless and defenseless. Popping a few over its head might de-habituate it and preserve a magnificent animal. But if it does not run, plug it. They do kill humans and until they know we are a hard target, they will continue to.

longbough

Haven't you seen Talladega Nights? You have to slow your heart rate and befriend the cougar. (just kidding)

Let's get to the point. A 9mm won't stop a cougar.

We're talking about an animal that is a big fur bag of muscle and bone. A 9mm can barely stop a human. I like .45 for fighting people but I'd rather have a .357 at least against this animal. On another forum I read someone's anecdote about a cougar encounter in Oregon where the animal took 6 rounds of .357 to his body and was still attacking!

So I'd get a .357 or bigger revolver with the heaviest bullets I can find.

Also a semiauto isn't the answer here. The speed of followup shots and reloading magazines is more of an issue if your targets are going to shoot back. Last I checked cougars don't pack heat.

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maninsoca

I would suggest a S & W 357 Mag...Stainless...but as some of the other posters have noted an encounter with a mtn lion is farfetched at best. I would be more concerned with 2 legged predators. In any case a large caliber revolver should discourage a human predator when you STICK IT IN HIS FACE and ask hin WTF he wants

Plan9

Taurus Tracker .357 will be just as good as a S&W and save you a couple hundred $$$.

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Strange Famous

You should always buy something made my IMI

I would suggest a Jericho 941

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MSD

Care to provide any information to back up what appears to be a claim that one manufacturer is more reliable and powerful than all others? It isn't self-evident, otherwise everyone would own IMI guns and everyone else would be out of business.

1010011010

If you're going to be killing large wild animals (i.e. mountain lions), 9mm will probably not do you much good. 10mm or .45 (ACP+P or GAP). Neither of these rounds is as cheap as 9mm, which runs into the problem of price discouraging practice.Last I checked, cougars didn't need a gun to kill you several different ways in a matter of seconds.

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Plan9

Just buy a chrome Desert Eagle XIX in .50! It kills everything in video games!

Easy to conceal, low recoil, plentiful ammo, and tank-stopping power!



...

For smaller animals (large meaning bears, moose) I recommend an appropriate .357 Magnum round such as Federal Hydra Shok, Winchester SXT, or any heavy cast lead bullet.

Just about any double action .357 revolver will do nicely. The seven-shot ported Taurus Tracker Titanium is inexpensive, light, and accurate. Being a revolver, it is also 99% reliable. Just aim and squeeze the trigger. No mags, no feed ramp, no ejection, no slide, no recoil spring. Drop the hammer on a bad round? No sweat, just squeeze the trigger again.

Your ideas and mileage may vary. Bigger isn't always better, but it might make you feel such.

Cougar says: "Generally speaking... I'm more scared of you than you are me... and that shiny thing you have in your hand that makes a loud noise? Yeah, that's pretty friggin' scary too. You don't even have to hit me with the projectiles it produces and I usually get the point that I shouldn't be doing things near you."

Never fired one of these freakish revolvers, but it is really friggin' heavy for what it does and has the same barrel length as my J-frame snubbie.

Hahahah... oh, the truth!

...

Wow, this thread is older than I am.

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Strange Famous

Well, IMI guns are probably more expensive.

Some people prefer to pay less for less.

I mean, you could still shoot someone with something you pick up in a pub for £50.

Doesnt mean its a good recomendation.

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MSD

On the other hand, most discussions you've had in the Weaponry forum have shown that you're heavily biased in favor of IMI, which I suspect is related to your sense of nationalism and support for Israel. I know people in real life and online who own dozens of expensive guns and not a single IMI gun (although the full-auto owners tend to love the UZI,) so saying that they'll pay less for less isn't really valid. I'm willing to accept any hard facts like ballistics or reliability tests you can provide for their superiority, but I see a recurring theme of emotional support rather than empirical evidence.


And just so you all know, the guy who posted the thread hasn't logged in since 2005.