hummelsander
New member
Best snake defense gun is a shot gun 
But, if all you have is a wheel gun with shot in it then ok then. 
But, if all you have is a wheel gun with shot in it then ok then. 
ADVICE NEEDED in gun purchase for newbie
- Thread starter Scamp
- Start date
All of the above said about "backing away" and "not out to get you," when you have them around the desert homestead and small 2 legged critters (of the good variety) around, best to rid them. Also where I live, they're a big problem for bird hunters and most especially their dogs (even when snake trained, there are those times)--many a good pointer or spaniel lost every year...and so as to not waste (and have quite the unnecessary blast of) a good shotgun shell, a nice .38 shotshell from a side arm comes in very handy and is very effective. (I echo the shotgun comment made though, nothing like that medicine...-and at a more comfortable distance!). As for the rodent comment, the bullsnakes and king snakes seem to handle them (and occasionally the rattlers) just fine without the rattlers' help! (Some folks have thought about importing more of them (bulls and kings) to deal with rodent and snake problems! I certainly don't go out looking for/hunting them, but when I run across them or they enter my camp, and especially dear ones (2 and 4 legged variety) are around, it's bye bye rattler. 
Jack Malloy
New member
My ex girlfriend preferred revolvers for several reasons. Safety, reliabiltiy and the fact that its easier to swing a cylinder out and load, or unload or check a gun than it is to yank back on a 17 pound recoil spring.
(of course, I prefer wheelguns too, LOL).
I think you can't do better for a general service/self defense peice than a three inch .357 magnum.
Smith used to make the Ladysmith K frame which was darn near perfect.
Taurus makes a similar model 65 now that would probably fill the same bill.
Ruger makes fixed sight 3 inch model GP 100 too.
Any would be an excellent choice.
Be wary of gunshop commandoes recommending pricey and often finicky custom combat autos that happen to be trendy. Think practical, not "tactical".
(Tactics are things you do, not things you buy anyway).
(of course, I prefer wheelguns too, LOL).
I think you can't do better for a general service/self defense peice than a three inch .357 magnum.
Smith used to make the Ladysmith K frame which was darn near perfect.
Taurus makes a similar model 65 now that would probably fill the same bill.
Ruger makes fixed sight 3 inch model GP 100 too.
Any would be an excellent choice.
Be wary of gunshop commandoes recommending pricey and often finicky custom combat autos that happen to be trendy. Think practical, not "tactical".
(Tactics are things you do, not things you buy anyway).
threefivesevenmag
New member
Many Choices.
Hey.
My first handgun was a GP-1000 4" .357. I sold it so I could get my Beretta which I love, but do miss the good ole' Ruger.
I agree with many that a revolver is probably the place to start. If you are going to be hiking a lot in that dry NM heat and sun I would suggest something you'll be sure is always on you. I would suggest a Ruger SP101 or a Smith and Wesson Model 60. I would load both with hollowpoint .38 +Ps from any goood, brand name ammo company. I like Remington Golden Saber and Black Hills ammo...it's just a personal thing.
I would practice with it regularly shooting standard practice loads (CCI, Winchester White Box, UMC). With all that land and hills I am sure you won't have trouble finding a place. Bring a friend and have a good time.
Over time, I am sure you will want a few more guns. I wouldn't suggest a single action .45 ACP as a start up gun (Kimber, Colt, Springfield, ParaOrd). They require a lot of practice and time to get good and comfortable with. I would suggest you look at autopistols. I will second the Glocks. I love my Glock 19. Also check out Sig Sauers. They are very sweet and reliable. I would also consider a .22 LR either handgun or rifle, just to have around and for plinking. You never know.
Also, consider what leather you are going to go with. A good holster is sometimes much sweeter a purchase than the gun...only because if you get a crappy holster, carrying the gun won't be any fun at all and you won't enjoy/respect yourself later. Get good gun leather. Haugen, Galco, etc are all great places to look....but there are so many more.
Get books on shooting. Defensive shooting, home defense, outdoor, hunting, read all you can read and talk with as many people as possible. It's good to make friends at the gun shop and on the range. That "stigma" will go away in minutes and you'll realize that there should never have been that stigma in the first place.
I guess this is long winded, but I grew up with no guns around me except on my grandfather's farm. I love my country and the freedoms it allows, even though some disappear from time to time. Owning a gun is a good thing and a responsible thing for yourself and society if any harm should arise. So again, read up, talk with others, practice, pick good leather, and get a gun that fits your hand well!
Good Luck.
Hey.
My first handgun was a GP-1000 4" .357. I sold it so I could get my Beretta which I love, but do miss the good ole' Ruger.
I agree with many that a revolver is probably the place to start. If you are going to be hiking a lot in that dry NM heat and sun I would suggest something you'll be sure is always on you. I would suggest a Ruger SP101 or a Smith and Wesson Model 60. I would load both with hollowpoint .38 +Ps from any goood, brand name ammo company. I like Remington Golden Saber and Black Hills ammo...it's just a personal thing.
I would practice with it regularly shooting standard practice loads (CCI, Winchester White Box, UMC). With all that land and hills I am sure you won't have trouble finding a place. Bring a friend and have a good time.
Over time, I am sure you will want a few more guns. I wouldn't suggest a single action .45 ACP as a start up gun (Kimber, Colt, Springfield, ParaOrd). They require a lot of practice and time to get good and comfortable with. I would suggest you look at autopistols. I will second the Glocks. I love my Glock 19. Also check out Sig Sauers. They are very sweet and reliable. I would also consider a .22 LR either handgun or rifle, just to have around and for plinking. You never know.
Also, consider what leather you are going to go with. A good holster is sometimes much sweeter a purchase than the gun...only because if you get a crappy holster, carrying the gun won't be any fun at all and you won't enjoy/respect yourself later. Get good gun leather. Haugen, Galco, etc are all great places to look....but there are so many more.
Get books on shooting. Defensive shooting, home defense, outdoor, hunting, read all you can read and talk with as many people as possible. It's good to make friends at the gun shop and on the range. That "stigma" will go away in minutes and you'll realize that there should never have been that stigma in the first place.
I guess this is long winded, but I grew up with no guns around me except on my grandfather's farm. I love my country and the freedoms it allows, even though some disappear from time to time. Owning a gun is a good thing and a responsible thing for yourself and society if any harm should arise. So again, read up, talk with others, practice, pick good leather, and get a gun that fits your hand well!
Good Luck.
Jack Malloy
New member
Unless you are hardcore, I also suggest stainless steel as a finish.....
Blue is great for enthusiasts, but the average person sees a gun as a tool, not something to lavish care over.
For hiking around in dirty or sandy places, I would definitely pack a revolver over an auto.
Look into the online auction site called gunbroker too. I have bought a couple of guns there over the past two years and have been very pleased. Pick out a model you are interested in and type it into their search engine.
Where I live, the gunshops just don't have a good selection, and the prices tend to be on the high side. An online auction site can hook you up with something you are after used, at a good price. Money saved can be spent on ammo, holsters, or another gun later on down the line if you get bitten by the shooting bug.
And the selection up for bids each week is nothing short of astounding...
For example, I have never walked into a gunshop and seen the Ladysmith model 65 (or 3913 for that matter, the 9mm auto they produced) but they both pop up fairly often on gunbroker. My old model 65 ladysmith is probably the most useful, practical gun I have ever owned and in my day, I have pretty much owned one of everything. ....My ex girlfriend used to lust over the thing, LOL....
I have a Kimber compact with a 4 inch barrell. Its a fine gun, but the recoil spring is stiff and it takes a LOT to ram that slide back, unlike a full size .45, and I know people who have trouble with the full size .45.
Mine is all steel so it 'feels' heavier than my full size 1911. Its not really, but to be honest, in small .45s, I prefer the Springfield Armoury Mil Spec ultra compact to the Kimber. Barrell is shorter and the peice is better balanced and lighter in all steel. However the UCs have a rep online for being finicky about functioning and reliability.
If you are comfortable packing a .45 auto with the hammer at full cock and the thumb safety engaged, then it could be the gun for you. I know military vets who refuse to carry "cocked and locked" and prefer revolvers though.
Many women prefer teh Browning Hi Power over the 1911. Its a bit longer than the compact .45s, but its flatter and lighter and often feels better in most folks hands. Its the most compact full size service auto out there.
>>Hi. Please tell me more about this gun. Haven't heard of them yet. Any pictures of it? <<
Blue is great for enthusiasts, but the average person sees a gun as a tool, not something to lavish care over.
For hiking around in dirty or sandy places, I would definitely pack a revolver over an auto.
Look into the online auction site called gunbroker too. I have bought a couple of guns there over the past two years and have been very pleased. Pick out a model you are interested in and type it into their search engine.
Where I live, the gunshops just don't have a good selection, and the prices tend to be on the high side. An online auction site can hook you up with something you are after used, at a good price. Money saved can be spent on ammo, holsters, or another gun later on down the line if you get bitten by the shooting bug.
And the selection up for bids each week is nothing short of astounding...
For example, I have never walked into a gunshop and seen the Ladysmith model 65 (or 3913 for that matter, the 9mm auto they produced) but they both pop up fairly often on gunbroker. My old model 65 ladysmith is probably the most useful, practical gun I have ever owned and in my day, I have pretty much owned one of everything. ....My ex girlfriend used to lust over the thing, LOL....
I have a Kimber compact with a 4 inch barrell. Its a fine gun, but the recoil spring is stiff and it takes a LOT to ram that slide back, unlike a full size .45, and I know people who have trouble with the full size .45.
Mine is all steel so it 'feels' heavier than my full size 1911. Its not really, but to be honest, in small .45s, I prefer the Springfield Armoury Mil Spec ultra compact to the Kimber. Barrell is shorter and the peice is better balanced and lighter in all steel. However the UCs have a rep online for being finicky about functioning and reliability.
If you are comfortable packing a .45 auto with the hammer at full cock and the thumb safety engaged, then it could be the gun for you. I know military vets who refuse to carry "cocked and locked" and prefer revolvers though.
Many women prefer teh Browning Hi Power over the 1911. Its a bit longer than the compact .45s, but its flatter and lighter and often feels better in most folks hands. Its the most compact full size service auto out there.
>>Hi. Please tell me more about this gun. Haven't heard of them yet. Any pictures of it? <<
Ruger GP-100
After playing around with several of my 357's this weekend. (I have 5 different types) I got out my old Gp-100 which I hadn't shot for a long time. It is the 4 inch adjustable sight version. I forgot how accurate it really was. The upshot of my shooting session with it was i'm going to sell my Dan Wesson since it will never be the gun my Ruger is. Nothing against the Dan Wesson but the Ruger is just way easier for me to hit with. The bad thing about too many guns is you forget how special your favorites truly are because you fool around with so many guns.
After playing around with several of my 357's this weekend. (I have 5 different types) I got out my old Gp-100 which I hadn't shot for a long time. It is the 4 inch adjustable sight version. I forgot how accurate it really was. The upshot of my shooting session with it was i'm going to sell my Dan Wesson since it will never be the gun my Ruger is. Nothing against the Dan Wesson but the Ruger is just way easier for me to hit with. The bad thing about too many guns is you forget how special your favorites truly are because you fool around with so many guns.
