multi purpose handgun suggestions?

[L3650]

I think the Box-0-Truth site neglects one thing in his analysis of the buckshot from a Judge. He says it penetrated only 4.5" equivalent of bad guy, but he didn't factor in multiple 000 pellets hitting said bad guy. He also fired it from a farther distance than typical self defense uses.

The Box-O-Truth negleted more than one thing. A .410 with 000 buckshot has only three pellets. Using something with more pellets than the 000 but more mass than the birdshot may have produced some different results. Just like any weapon, finding the right load for the job improves results.

What impressed me when I shot a buddies Judge was using #4 buckshot on water jugs. Shot from about 25 feet the pellets caused the milk jug filled with water to literally explode.

We also had alot of fun shooting clay birds with it, just like the Box-O-Truth test.

 

[Tororider]

So the judge seems very interesting. What kind of results are you guys getting accuracy wise with 45 colt ammo at say 50 yards? If it is something I could realistically hunt with at short yardage I would definitely be interested in this gun. I would love to shoot it first, I will have to see if there are any ranges around here that have them.

 

[bigtiller]

So the judge seems very interesting. What kind of results are you guys getting accuracy wise with 45 colt ammo at say 50 yards? If it is something I could realistically hunt with at short yardage I would definitely be interested in this gun. I would love to shoot it first, I will have to see if there are any ranges around here that have them.

50 yards with a 3 inch barrel is way out there for me and I wouldn't even try it but more practiced people may say it is do-able. 50 feet at a 5x8 target gets me 4 out of 5 hits and that is the furthest I have tried it. Oh, my target is made of 3/16 inch plate steel welded to a hinge and after 40 rounds it is curved like a banana.

 

[Podunkadunk]

Oh, my target is made of 3/16 inch plate steel welded to a hinge and after 40 rounds it is curved like a banana.

Shooting angled steel or pitted steel could get you killed. If it's deforming in ANY way when you shoot it, it's not the right stuff. Get you something that is made for that purpose, either brinell 500 or rockwell >52. Here's link to the guy I use. He's not overpriced and his customer service can't be beaten and even though the targets are heavy, shipping isn't bad at all.

MGM Targets | MGM Products

Original Poster, my vote goes to the .357 also for your multi-tasking.

 

[Skyco]

The Box-O-Truth negleted more than one thing. A .410 with 000 buckshot has only three pellets. Using something with more pellets than the 000 but more mass than the birdshot may have produced some different results. Just like any weapon, finding the right load for the job improves results.

I recently read somewhere that some testing indicated #1 buck may be the optimum bad guy load....enough penetration and a lot more of them. I just happen to have 5 lbs of #1 that arrived last week..
I reload .410 so some experimentation is in order...oh yeah the shipment with the #1 also had 50 ea .410 brass unprimed shells, and I do mean all brass, no paper or plastic, oddly they use large pistol primers rather than shotshell primers.
Another thing with the Judge if you hand load/reload...mine is the Ultralight SS model, and is made for 2.5 inch shells, the 3 inch shell version wasn't available yet in my model. But I found you can cut down a spent/empty 3" shell to just long enough to fit in the cylinder, that will get you a few more pellets in it, and if instead of crimping the end you glue a cardboard wad in you get even more room Sort of a 2 7/8 inch custom shell...

Accuracy with 45 LC...not sure, my one range trip with my new Judge was mostly spent marveling at the shot patterns with various shells, I'll have to try some longer range stuff with ball ammo. They do say the unrifled gap between the bullet and barrel hurts accuracy some.

 

[Sigarms]

Almost double the energy as a 45 with the right ammo..

One reason why I think the 10 is so versitile. You can go with a bullet weight in the low 100's all the way up to the low 200's (Grains).

Hard to beat a semi auto handgun (holding 16 rounds for larger/numerous critters) that has more umph than a .357 mag. With a shoulder holster and the proper jacket/warm insulated shirt, you can't see the gun. Shooting some "heavy loads" in the 10, not much more "snap" (recoil) as shooting a G23 (.40)

EDIT: That's a 6" drop in barrel for hunting, not 5"

Funny, I came across that round (10mm) years ago doing a search asking the same question as the title of this thread.

Perhaps if the FBI didn't have as many women working in the field as they did when they did their field tests, you'd hear more about the 10 instead of the .40 (which really is the "son" of the 10)

 

[johnk]

My model 29 may not be accurate to 50 yards but thats not why I bought it. I like the double spring that really adapts the recoil. Not bad to shoot e3ven without the grip extension. Definitely has a wallop for personal protection.. Hopefully it's never needed...

 

[Doc_Bob]

I am looking for something that can be used for a carry gun, self defense, hunting, and leisure shooting. I am thinking that it would have to be at least .40 caliber if not .45.

Your question makes me think of the guy who wants a tractor that he can use to mow his lawn and pull a 4 bottom plow. Mutually exclusive.

A carry gun that does all of the above? No such weapon exists. Unless you don't mind carrying a really big, heavy and uncomfortable gun.

I carried a 38 Smith and Wesson for years when I lived in Pennsylvania. 5 shot, hammerless pistol. Good for shooting for anything less than 8 feet. I loaded it with +P for a little more punch. Easily concealed.

I have a 44 magnum. A Dan Wesson. 10 inch barrel. I suspect it can knock down a small deer. The 5 shot 38 S&W would stop only the two footed animal, especially if placed against the belly or chest when fired. I could never carry the 44 for protection. Too darn heavy.

I have a .45 1911 Springfield. Good stopping power, but to darn heavy.

I have a .357 Ruger. Too big to carry.

A heavy gun by design makes you never want to carry it concealed. Heavy, bulky and just a pain the rear. And a big gun is hard to conceal.

I carry only stainless. Tolerate sweat, neglect, etc. CCW takes a lot of abuse.


Good luck.

 

[Tororider]

Yeah I figured I was asking for too much. The glock 20, does the 10mm bullet spread enough at impact to actually be used at closer range as a hunting weapon? That seems to be the best option.

Now once I get the gun, I will have to convince my wife she needs to shoot it at least once and know how it operates so that should she ever need to fire it she would be able to figure it out. That might take some convincing, but I will use protecting our family as motivation.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[Sigarms]

The glock 20, does the 10mm bullet spread enough at impact to actually be used at closer range as a hunting weapon?

Honestly not sure. What I can tell you is that both deer were pretty dead when I got up to them

If you go with the G20, you may want to go with a heavier recoil spring if you're going to be shooting some stoudt loads for hunting.

I will have to convince my wife she needs to shoot it at least once and know how it operates so that should she ever need to fire it she would be able to figure it out

A good idea because the Glock is about as easy as it gets to shoot when it's loaded. Pull the trigger, THAT'S IT.

However, keep in mind the the G20 is one of the largest frame sized guns Glock has. For myself, with my small hands, I had to get a grip reduction done so I could handle the gun better. I knew I was going to have this (grip reduction) done before I bought the gun. Your wife may have a "handful" if she has small hands.