Handgun questions

[Hunter Dan]

380 is a point blank under the chin gun and Taurus is good for throwing at someone. Get a ruger 9mm or 40 if you want something good quality for a good price.

[IowaHunter]

Gp100

I love my GP100. If you run empty it's a small anvil to boot!

[tvc184]

first question is a 380 vs 9. Are the 380's like a 22?.....

No it isn't. The .380 with a decent round is a good self defense gun but it certainly isn't the best. The attraction to them is the small size. While it will kill (in the right location quickly) other than needing a tiny handgun to conceal, there are better options. The .380 actually has a good bit of snappiness with most models because of its tiny size. I have taken people to the range to shoot the small and light .380 and they are sometimes surprised. It won't hurt your hand but expecting it to be like a .22 is not realistic. In a full size handgun the .380 would be a very light recoil/snappy round but that is not how or why people buy one. If a person is in need for a tiny handgun for self defense and has a hard time hiding or carrying it, a .380 is a good option. Other than that, I would look elsewhere.

With the very good self defense ammo available on the market, there is little difference in performance between the big 3 self defense rounds, the 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP. The biggest difference is the recoil and capacity.

For non-shooters, a striker fired handgun is almost always best (meaning easiest to learn/function) for a pistol. The trigger pull is typically short and fairly easy. They come in all sizes. The top brands are usually ready to shoot out of the box with no need to tweak then or shoot 500 rounds through it to smooth the ramp and test for function. The most common/popular are the S&W M&P, Springfield xD line and Glock. All now (finally) have everything from smaller single stack versions to full size double stack pistols that carry up to 19 rounds (or more).

The 9mm is probably the most popular round and seems to be gaining in popularity lately. I think the reason is the large capacity in most models, sometimes much less expensive practice ammo, the fairly light recoil compared to the other rounds and at very little, if any, sacrifice in effectiveness.

The revolver is a good option for simplicity. One drawback is the limited number of rounds and harder and slower to reload unless you are a world class shooter. If a person is going to only carry the rounds in the handgun however, that is not an issue. For example if you carry a 6 shot .380 and no backup magazine (and I suspect that most people do not) or a 5/6 round revolver and no backup ammo, it is a moot point. If you aren't going to carry extra ammo then the slower reloading of the revolver is not an issue. The most common self defense round in the revolver by far is the .38Spl but it comes in other popular rounds like the .22, .22 magnum, .32, .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum. I think the .38 is popular because the small rounds like the .22 and .32 will work but start out with a much smaller hole (remembering that you want the person to bleed) and the significant recoil of the .357 and .44 when compared to the .38. If going with a small caliber revolver I might opt for the small .22LR rather than the .32 which might be (along with the .25ACP) the weakest handgun rounds on the market. Any round will work with a perfect shot but it is better the more leeway you give yourself with some rounds that don't need quite so perfect of a hit.... which rarely exist in the real world under stress. I think most "perfect" hits are more a matter of luck than skill. Hitting center mass can be a skill. Hitting the aorta or the center of the heart under stress is more likely just fortunate. That is why self defense is taught to pull the trigger until the attacker goes down. Other drawbacks to the revolver is the size which even in the smallest can be close to twice the width of a small pistol and also the trigger pull. That can be much longer and harder to pull than most pistols.

Another consideration is the intended target. Is it mainly used to dispatch a wounded animal that is not really dangerous (so you can walk up and put a .22 behind the ear) or will it be used as self defense against a human and big animal like a hog?

There you have it...... in my opinion.

There is no perfect world. If I could invent a .45 the size of a small .380 today, has a 20 round capacity and recoils no more than a .22 Short, I would be a millionaire in about five days. That gun does not exist so we have to find what will work for us. Each has advantages and disadvantages in size, power, ease of function, safety, etc. Knowing those advantages and disadvantages of each type might help that choice. They are all good choices for some people in some situations. What another person carries might be meaningless in your situation. What I carry on duty and off duty as a police officer might have absolutely nothing to do with your needs. I have some great guns but they might not fit what you are looking for. It is the same way looking at what other people carry. Hopefully theirs is a perfect setup for them but I wouldn't buy something because another person thinks it is awesome. Each of us is different.

The more you can test drive and then thinking about what each gives or limits you to will probably lead you to what is right for you and your situation. Good luck and good hunting.

[Cull hunter]

380 is a point blank under the chin gun and Taurus is good for throwing at someone. Get a ruger 9mm or 40 if you want something good quality for a good price.

I like that one.

[Cull hunter]

Thanks guys.

[Cull hunter]

Anybody like the Walthers?

[kumathebear]

now that you have had the responses...go to the range and HOLD and FIRE and decide!

We all have our preferences but that obviously has NO bearing on what fits you or your wife. Also, since you mentioned budget and reason to have one in the first place, don't get "hung up" on the brand issue for what you are wanting.