What is a good all around pistol?
- Thread starter Mastergunner
- Start date
Mastergunner
New member
Okay thanks
orionengnr
New member
Let me make sure I have this rght....
Really???
Wow.
Debatable.
A little bit of humility goes a long way around here.
You are under aged, can't spell "to" or "cougar", have never owned a pistol, your post is titled "What is a good all around pistol?" and your screen name is "Master Gunner"?
Really???
Wow.
Debatable.
A little bit of humility goes a long way around here.
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In Eastern WA, yeah, I'd say cougars would be my biggest fear too. Bear spray is a good option. Learning their preferred habitats and doing your best to avoid those areas is also recommended. The thing about cougars is that they generally won't jump you if you've made eye contact with them and are aware of their presence. Most of the victims who survived cougar attacks reported they were taken completely by surprise.
In other words, watch your back.
In other words, watch your back.
My choice would be a good .357 Magnum revolver in either 4" or 6" barrel, preferably stainless steel finish.
I'd look for a good quality used S&W Model 66 or 686, or a new or used Ruger GP100. There are often plenty for sale on auction sites like Gunbroker.
Check the gun and hunting laws in your state. This might be a good place to start (you're in Washington state?): http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/
I know that in my state (TN), it is legal for a person 18 years of age or older to possess a handgun and use one for hunting, though they may not buy a handgun. So a handgun loaned to you for hunting purposes by a parent would be legal, if you were using the handgun for hunting and handguns were allowed for the type of game and hunting season.
If your father were to buy a handgun specifically for you and give it to you, then that's considered a "straw purchase" and is a violation of federal laws.
During bow season in TN, hunters of any age are not allowed to carry firearms nor be accompanied by someone carrying a firearm if they are hunting with bows.
If you are that concerned about being attacked by predators when you are only armed with a bow, then your choices would be to either not go into the woods, or carry a bear repellent spray with you.
I'd look for a good quality used S&W Model 66 or 686, or a new or used Ruger GP100. There are often plenty for sale on auction sites like Gunbroker.
Check the gun and hunting laws in your state. This might be a good place to start (you're in Washington state?): http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/
I know that in my state (TN), it is legal for a person 18 years of age or older to possess a handgun and use one for hunting, though they may not buy a handgun. So a handgun loaned to you for hunting purposes by a parent would be legal, if you were using the handgun for hunting and handguns were allowed for the type of game and hunting season.
If your father were to buy a handgun specifically for you and give it to you, then that's considered a "straw purchase" and is a violation of federal laws.
During bow season in TN, hunters of any age are not allowed to carry firearms nor be accompanied by someone carrying a firearm if they are hunting with bows.
If you are that concerned about being attacked by predators when you are only armed with a bow, then your choices would be to either not go into the woods, or carry a bear repellent spray with you.
Mastergunner
New member
orionengnr, really man? Don't you have better things too do? They are simple spelling mistakes.
Grow up, get a life.
I didn't join this forum to be insulted, I joined to learn more about firearms.
Grow up, get a life.
I didn't join this forum to be insulted, I joined to learn more about firearms.
Winchester_73
New member
If you do get the 357, say to accompany you rifle hunting, or for any carrying, here is my recommendation:
Its probably my favorite 357 that I own.
I think a 4in is the best all around length for these purposes. 6in or more makes it more of a range piece. A 4 in is lighter, and easier to draw. For the added barrel length to make a significant difference, the shot would have to be far, IE at 25 yds, its the same difference although a 4 in is always a little harder due to the short sight radius. You do get a slight ballistic advantage with the longer barrel but its not worth the added weight, slower draw, etc, IMO. The 66 is the SS cousin to the 19. Although heavier, a 4in 686 is a good suggestion too. Other good choices are the 4 in 27/28, various Ruger 357s, and maybe a Dan Wesson 15 should be considered as well. I think the majority of the Colt 357s are too expensive for what they offer to justify buying for this purpose.
Its probably my favorite 357 that I own.
I think a 4in is the best all around length for these purposes. 6in or more makes it more of a range piece. A 4 in is lighter, and easier to draw. For the added barrel length to make a significant difference, the shot would have to be far, IE at 25 yds, its the same difference although a 4 in is always a little harder due to the short sight radius. You do get a slight ballistic advantage with the longer barrel but its not worth the added weight, slower draw, etc, IMO. The 66 is the SS cousin to the 19. Although heavier, a 4in 686 is a good suggestion too. Other good choices are the 4 in 27/28, various Ruger 357s, and maybe a Dan Wesson 15 should be considered as well. I think the majority of the Colt 357s are too expensive for what they offer to justify buying for this purpose.
2damnold4this
New member
Can't go wrong with a 4" K frame or Ruger.
A S&W 19 or a Ruger GP100 are both double action/single action revolvers and of good quality that will serve a life time of use. As far as needing bear or cougar protection you are more likely to to be harmed by pot farmers. I have spent a lot of time in the back county of Eastern Washington (grew up on a sheep ranch) all the Black Bears that I have run in to have just gone the other way. As for cougars you will probably only know they are there when they hit you from behind. Things have changed, when I was 11 or 12 I carried a S&W K22 on my own a lot and got a 357 Ruger when I was 17. This was in the 50s and 60s, I don't know what the laws were then but people were different.
Winchester_73
New member
More expensive and higher quality are sometimes separate entities. The 686 is worth every penny in most cases, but is a python for say $1200 twice as good as a $600 686? Thats what the math would tell you....but is it actually? In my experience, definitely not.
The legality issue is something that needs to be closely examined. Just because you think you know what the law is, does not mean that you really do. Please don't take this the wrong way, gun laws are, unfortunately, often very confusing and difficult to understand and many people have unintentionally become criminals; "ignorance of the law is no excuse".
Something that could potentially be very important is exactly how old you are. "Underage" really tells us nothing more than that you're under 21. According to federal law, you may posess a handgun or buy a handgun from a private individual at 18 years of age but you may not buy a handgun or handgun ammunition from a federally licensed dealer until you're 21. In most (but not all) states, you may transport a lawfully posessed handgun unloaded and locked in a case at age 18, but carrying a loaded gun for self-defense is a stickier situation. In order to carry a loaded gun, most states require you to have a license or permit of some type. These licenses are usually not issued to people under the age of 21 although there are certain exceptions to this (Indiana will issue a license at age 18 and Alaska, Vermont, Arizona, and Wyoming do not require a license). While there may be exception for handgun hunting, simply being in posession of both a hunting tag and a loaded gun usually isn't enough to allow you to carry said gun legally.
As to a choice of handgun, unfortunately there isn't any one single gun that can do everything (or at least not do everything well). As an all-around gun, a .357 Magnum revolver with a 4" barrel is about as good a choice as you can make. The .357 Magnum is an excellent self-defense cartridge and a 4" barrel is long enough to be a practical field gun but short enough to not be overly cumbersome for other purposes. That being said, a .357 Magnum is not an ideal hunting revolver. The cartridge, while a good one, is really only an acceptable choice for game up to the size of a deer (and it's considered marginal for deer-sized game). Likewise, while a 4" barrel is useable for hunting (though it may be to short to be legal for that purpose depending on your state's regulations), a longer barrel is more preferable because it will give you both higher velocity and a longer sight radius while the extra weight will help to dampen recoil.
A larger .41 or .44 Magnum revolver with a 6" or longer barrel would be better suited as a dedicated hunting gun. However, such revolvers are much larger, heavier, and more cumbersome than most .357 Magnums and are too big to be a practical concealment gun for most people. Likewise, the recoil of a .41 or .44 Magnum is quite heavy and is usually only well controlled by an experienced handgunner. Finally, while .357 Magnum ammo isn't cheap, .44 and particularly .41 Magnum ammo is rather expensive and most people who shoot those cartridges in any quantity handload their ammunition.
For a good all-around revolver in .357 Magnum, a S&W Model 19, 66, 586, 686, or 620 would be a good choice as would a Ruger GP100 or Security Six. For a dedicated hunting revolver, a S&W M57, 29, or 629 would be good choices as would a Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawk (there are single-action revolvers that would be good hunting guns as well, but you said you wanted double-action).
Something that could potentially be very important is exactly how old you are. "Underage" really tells us nothing more than that you're under 21. According to federal law, you may posess a handgun or buy a handgun from a private individual at 18 years of age but you may not buy a handgun or handgun ammunition from a federally licensed dealer until you're 21. In most (but not all) states, you may transport a lawfully posessed handgun unloaded and locked in a case at age 18, but carrying a loaded gun for self-defense is a stickier situation. In order to carry a loaded gun, most states require you to have a license or permit of some type. These licenses are usually not issued to people under the age of 21 although there are certain exceptions to this (Indiana will issue a license at age 18 and Alaska, Vermont, Arizona, and Wyoming do not require a license). While there may be exception for handgun hunting, simply being in posession of both a hunting tag and a loaded gun usually isn't enough to allow you to carry said gun legally.
As to a choice of handgun, unfortunately there isn't any one single gun that can do everything (or at least not do everything well). As an all-around gun, a .357 Magnum revolver with a 4" barrel is about as good a choice as you can make. The .357 Magnum is an excellent self-defense cartridge and a 4" barrel is long enough to be a practical field gun but short enough to not be overly cumbersome for other purposes. That being said, a .357 Magnum is not an ideal hunting revolver. The cartridge, while a good one, is really only an acceptable choice for game up to the size of a deer (and it's considered marginal for deer-sized game). Likewise, while a 4" barrel is useable for hunting (though it may be to short to be legal for that purpose depending on your state's regulations), a longer barrel is more preferable because it will give you both higher velocity and a longer sight radius while the extra weight will help to dampen recoil.
A larger .41 or .44 Magnum revolver with a 6" or longer barrel would be better suited as a dedicated hunting gun. However, such revolvers are much larger, heavier, and more cumbersome than most .357 Magnums and are too big to be a practical concealment gun for most people. Likewise, the recoil of a .41 or .44 Magnum is quite heavy and is usually only well controlled by an experienced handgunner. Finally, while .357 Magnum ammo isn't cheap, .44 and particularly .41 Magnum ammo is rather expensive and most people who shoot those cartridges in any quantity handload their ammunition.
For a good all-around revolver in .357 Magnum, a S&W Model 19, 66, 586, 686, or 620 would be a good choice as would a Ruger GP100 or Security Six. For a dedicated hunting revolver, a S&W M57, 29, or 629 would be good choices as would a Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawk (there are single-action revolvers that would be good hunting guns as well, but you said you wanted double-action).
Mastergunner
New member
hey thanks for the info Webleymkv. 
that did help alot!
ill do some research about washington state hunting reg's
that did help alot!
ill do some research about washington state hunting reg's
The thing about S&W 19s is that...
... they aren't TRUE 357 Magnums.
Yes, they are chambered for 357 Magnum. But if you shoot more than a few 357s through it, it will eat the gun up. S&W itself says they're made "to be carried often and shot seldom" or "practice with 38s, carry 357s."
But, in my experience, practice with a 38 doesn't resemble a 357.
Get a true 357, like a S&W 686, 586, or Ruger GP-100. 4" barrel.
I'm not even pimping my own gun. My 357 is an SP-101. But it seems like the GP-100 would be better in your case. It's simply easier to shoot 357s with, because of the bigger grip and higher mass.
... they aren't TRUE 357 Magnums.
Yes, they are chambered for 357 Magnum. But if you shoot more than a few 357s through it, it will eat the gun up. S&W itself says they're made "to be carried often and shot seldom" or "practice with 38s, carry 357s."
But, in my experience, practice with a 38 doesn't resemble a 357.
Get a true 357, like a S&W 686, 586, or Ruger GP-100. 4" barrel.
I'm not even pimping my own gun. My 357 is an SP-101. But it seems like the GP-100 would be better in your case. It's simply easier to shoot 357s with, because of the bigger grip and higher mass.
TheGoldenState
New member
Get yourself a Revolver in .357/.38
Hot rounds for hunting/defense. .38 for paper punching.
I have the SW 8 shot, can I reccomend it?
Hot rounds for hunting/defense. .38 for paper punching.
I have the SW 8 shot, can I reccomend it?
Carry_24/7
New member
If I had to have only I gun......Commander length 1911
Smaug ... good choice and those CT grips make it about twice as useful...We got 'em for my wife's Smith 637 and that dancing dot told me a lot about my double action trigger pull and grip tendencies. Aside from their obvious use as night, dim light accuracy enhensers (great word..I just made it up) ...they're equally useful as a trigger control training aid.
As to the all around hand gun...I'd vote (at this moment) for a 1911 in .45 ACP...with one of Marvel or Ciener's .22 LR uppers for cheap practice on the same frame. The .45 is adequate for most any situation in the lower 48 that can be solved with a handgun and the .22 allows you to cheaply practice or just take a break from the larger caliber's recoil. As an aside, both of the above .22 units mentioned will hold sub 2" gps at 25 yds from any .45 in my possession...Remington Rand '43, Ruger SR1911, Colt Gold Cup Series 70, Colt Gov't Series 70, and a cute Colt Commander in .45!
Loaded with the right +P bullets, it'd probably help you out with an unwanted bear situation in the lower 48...black bear...but a bigger gun is a better idea if you've got the time!...and the .45's use in two legged threats need not be regurgitated here...been doing it for 100+ years now.
"There's not much in this old world,
That you can't fix
With a $700, a Colt .45, or a .30-06!"
Best Regards...Rodfac
As to the all around hand gun...I'd vote (at this moment) for a 1911 in .45 ACP...with one of Marvel or Ciener's .22 LR uppers for cheap practice on the same frame. The .45 is adequate for most any situation in the lower 48 that can be solved with a handgun and the .22 allows you to cheaply practice or just take a break from the larger caliber's recoil. As an aside, both of the above .22 units mentioned will hold sub 2" gps at 25 yds from any .45 in my possession...Remington Rand '43, Ruger SR1911, Colt Gold Cup Series 70, Colt Gov't Series 70, and a cute Colt Commander in .45!
Loaded with the right +P bullets, it'd probably help you out with an unwanted bear situation in the lower 48...black bear...but a bigger gun is a better idea if you've got the time!...and the .45's use in two legged threats need not be regurgitated here...been doing it for 100+ years now.
"There's not much in this old world,
That you can't fix
With a $700, a Colt .45, or a .30-06!"
Best Regards...Rodfac