Hey TFL,
I've been thinking a lot about what handgun would be best for a backup when I go hunting, or to defend myself (should the need arise) when I go backpacking. This purchase is far-off, but I'd like to try and get an idea of what would be best.
I live in Georgia and do all of my hunting here. I do, however, hike more in the Carolinas than anything. I've been trying to decide between a .45 acp 1911, or a .357 revolver. Where I am from, the main concerns are hogs, coyotes, panthers and "two-legged critters". I live in south Georgia on my own 40 acres of wooded land and know that panthers and the occasional pack of coyotes are in my woods, and that druggies from the nearby trailer park have been known to come onto my land (a problem my family and I are working on with local PD). Anyway, I can't decide which handgun would be my best option. My primary concerns about the guns are the effectiveness of .45 acp on big cats and possibly black bears I may encounter, and the defensive capability of a revolver should an unavoidable confrontation with bad people occur.
I've shot both and love both. I'm tempted closer to the 1911 simply because I know I will inherit a .357 or two from my uncle one day. But I also like the idea of a 4" .357 of my own. I try to stay very aware of where I am and what I might be around to avoid having to shoot an animal I'd rather leave-be, and I don't care to get into a gunfight. That being said, I want to be well-equipped for either should the need arise.
Thanks in advance.
Disclaimer: I've spent a fair amount of time researching this topic because I know many have asked it, but I never found anything that answered the question for my situation. Sorry for any redundancies.
I've been thinking a lot about what handgun would be best for a backup when I go hunting, or to defend myself (should the need arise) when I go backpacking. This purchase is far-off, but I'd like to try and get an idea of what would be best.
I live in Georgia and do all of my hunting here. I do, however, hike more in the Carolinas than anything. I've been trying to decide between a .45 acp 1911, or a .357 revolver. Where I am from, the main concerns are hogs, coyotes, panthers and "two-legged critters". I live in south Georgia on my own 40 acres of wooded land and know that panthers and the occasional pack of coyotes are in my woods, and that druggies from the nearby trailer park have been known to come onto my land (a problem my family and I are working on with local PD). Anyway, I can't decide which handgun would be my best option. My primary concerns about the guns are the effectiveness of .45 acp on big cats and possibly black bears I may encounter, and the defensive capability of a revolver should an unavoidable confrontation with bad people occur.
I've shot both and love both. I'm tempted closer to the 1911 simply because I know I will inherit a .357 or two from my uncle one day. But I also like the idea of a 4" .357 of my own. I try to stay very aware of where I am and what I might be around to avoid having to shoot an animal I'd rather leave-be, and I don't care to get into a gunfight. That being said, I want to be well-equipped for either should the need arise.
Thanks in advance.
Disclaimer: I've spent a fair amount of time researching this topic because I know many have asked it, but I never found anything that answered the question for my situation. Sorry for any redundancies.