multi purpose handgun suggestions?

[Tororider]

I am thinking about getting a handgun in the next couple of months. 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. I am looking for something inexpensive, even if I have to find a nice used handgun. All suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[nmu98]

My sugestion would be a 357 revolver. Fun to shoot, ammo is not crazy expensive, good hunting power, and fairly safe. You can get a ton of different barrel legnths to fit your needs, and you can find many used.

I would not ise my 40 or 45 hunting for anything but small game. And I could use a 22 mag for that. I would feel safe plugging a deer with my 357 at close range.

If your set on an auto, a 45 would have the most killing umph due to the weight of the bullet, and is less likely to bounce off. I have seen 9mm bullets glance off heads of deer when cops try to put one down after a car accident.

 

[Tororider]

I had thought about a 357, but I was looking to get an semi automatic for capacity ease of carry. Hunting would be last on the list of things necessary for it, I have plenty of guns for that, just thought it would be a different gun to try with deer. So an semi automatic would be preferred.

 

[SnowRidge]

Big game handgun hunting requires long barrels and decent sights; not the sort of thing typically found on something you would want to carry.

 

[Tororider]

Ok, how easy to carry is a 357 with a 4" barrel? That seems to be a gun that would suffice for all the aforementioned jobs.

 

[dooleysm]

I don't think you'll get a gun that you'll be happy with as a carry gun and a hunting gun.

I think you want heavy and long barrel in .357 or .44 for hunting. You want short barrel, light, high capacity for carry. For plinking I think you want .38 or 9mm for cheap ammo and low recoil.

I think some kind of .357 would be your best bet, so you can shoot .38 to plink around with and still get knock down power to hunt or for carry.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Ok, how easy to carry is a 357 with a 4" barrel? That seems to be a gun that would suffice for all the aforementioned jobs.

I have Ruger GP100 to carry and general use gun. 4" for hunting only as a backup, to carry round it can get heavy.

But it is one sweet handgun and in SS it is gonna outlast you and your grandson.

 

[nmu98]

I had thought about a 357, but I was looking to get an semi automatic for capacity ease of carry. Hunting would be last on the list of things necessary for it, I have plenty of guns for that, just thought it would be a different gun to try with deer. So an semi automatic would be preferred.

I would never try to shoot a deer with my 40 or 45. I don't think they have the power. I have a 44 and a 460 smith that I use for hunting deer. I think a 357 would work, but your limited to about 100 yards, and need to be a real good shot. My hunting guns are scoped.

 

[Tororider]

I would never try to shoot a deer with my 40 or 45. I don't think they have the power. I have a 44 and a 460 smith that I use for hunting deer. I think a 357 would work, but your limited to about 100 yards, and need to be a real good shot. My hunting guns are scoped.

Yeah, I am thinking a semi is out for hunting. Where I hunt my longest shot would be around 50 yards so the 357 shouldn't be a problem.

Taurus makes a 627 tracker with a 7 rd capacity in a 357 mag. Anyone shot this gun?

What are thoughts on this working as a hunting weapon, inside 50 yards, as well?
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/29720

 

[L3650]

My next purchase will be a Taurus Judge. Shoots .45 Long Colt or .410 shotshell.

Taurus International Manufacturing Inc

Seems like an interesting combo.