Originally Posted by the chemist

I am sure this is asked a lot and I have read the sticky, which is excellent btw. I am going to the local gun range today to look over various handguns. I am finding it hard to pick what would suit my needs as it is not a common need. I am a photographer by heart and often find myself in the wilderness. I am thinking this will serve best as a last resort protection from dangerous mammels and hopefully nothing else. Basically I know nothing about handguns(read this literally). I am looking at either a Sig or glock but that is not based on any knowledge as i am open to anything. I would like for this to be light/small as the camping gear/climbing/photo gear is enough as is I am also planning on enrolling in some classes(the ones at Sig's sight looked good)? What do you guys recommend for <1000 new or used any brand. I would specifically like to hear from anyone that has the same needs/


edit: forgot to add will need to handle extreme conditions(weather wise) and be easy to clean and VERY safe.

Jonathan

Ok, first off, I will admit I didn't read every response, so if I resay something someone has already stated, I do apologize.

Alright. I am also a photographer, although I have not moved on to really climbing through the wilderness yet. I'd love to do it, but have not yet. I currently carry a Bersa Thunder380 which is small and lightweight. But I don't trust the gun enough to carry it with a round chambered and to carry it anywhere other than my ankle. So this is not a good option.

I want everyone to take note that this is sort of out of character for me. LOL! I am going to reccomend a Glock.

While I am a complete Sig fanatic, I wouldn't take my Sig out into the woods. It isn't that I don't think it could handle the job, but being a metal gun it is slightly heavier (and I assume, if you are like me, you don't need any more weight with a camera bag in tow while wandering on uneven ground) and is prone to surface rust. The Sig Pro, which is a polymer gun, is a good choice to combat that issue, but I have very little experience with them and therefore I cannot reccomend them and feel good about it.

The Glock is polymer, light weight, and you can get a decent caliber in a smaller size. And you can pretty much torture the every living daylights out of one and it will still be good to you. So if you are a camper, you don't really need to worry too much about the rust issue, although it does still have metal parts you'll need to look after. It will gladly hold up against just about anything you toss its way, such as bumping into trees, falling into mud, etc.

So I say rent a Glock at the local firing range. Research various calibers and see what size Glock you can get in it, then go nuts on the gun rental (if gun rental is an option at your local range). If you like it and buy one, I seriously doubt you will regret your choice.

Originally Posted by the chemist

Thanks guys! I need to shoot a revolver next week to get a feel for it. How do these compare to say a .45 caliber semi auto pistol?

Way less chance of jamming. A .357 is a good option, especially in the wilderness. Just be aware of the physics of a small barreled, light weight revolver and recoil.

Thanks sucklead! Great to hear from similar minds. I am a big camper and am really liking the glocks. I will play some more with them next time at the range and research...i can see how this can become an addicting hobby

Originally Posted by SuckLead

Ok, first off, I will admit I didn't read every response,

:smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103

The best fit, IMO, is a Glock 10mm.

Sufficient power, good capacity, light weight and simply shrugs off harsh environments.

I prefer the model 29 for a walking around gun, but the model 20 is easier to shoot fast and maintain good accuracy.

FWIW

Yes, that would probably be the only semi auto to begin to fit the requirements, as I mentioned above - but a 10mm is not a 1st handgun for someone who just got into handguns.

Originally Posted by 9x19

The best fit, IMO, is a Glock 10mm.

Sufficient power, good capacity, light weight and simply shrugs off harsh environments.

I prefer the model 29 for a walking around gun, but the model 20 is easier to shoot fast and maintain good accuracy.

FWIW

How does the 10mm caliber match up to the .40 glocks? Which has more power? I shot the .40 glock and it wasent bad at all?

10mm is more powerful - although, I have read the claims of others recently that states that commerical ammo is not as powerful anymore - for full 10mm power, ya gotta reload, apparently.

If this is for the wilderness I agree with gunut but I would get the S&W 460 in a 4 inch. I bought one for my son to take to Alaska. He wanted to take 45 acp but if you run into a bear i'd rather have two shots with a 460 or 500 mag than 13 rounds of 45acp. The reason I got the 460 is that when I get it back I can reload it for the 454 cas and 45 L Colt also. He is up there for another three weeks. He manly will be shooting with his Nikon.

Originally Posted by spacedoggy

If this is for the wilderness I agree with gunut but I would get the S&W 460 in a 4 inch. I bought one for my son to take to Alaska. He wanted to take 45 acp but if you run into a bear i'd rather have two shots with a 460 or 500 mag than 13 rounds of 45acp. The reason I got the 460 is that when I get it back I can reload it for the 454 cas and 45 L Colt also. He is up there for another three weeks. He manly will be shooting with his Nikon.

Thanks! Sounds like a fun shoot with the nikon. Ahh more to research and ponder

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

:smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103

Oh, like you do! LOL!

Originally Posted by the chemist

Thanks! Sounds like a fun shoot with the nikon. Ahh more to research and ponder

If you go for a 460 or 500, do shoot it first. They are two of those guns our range makes people sign a seperate waver for before shooting. I was actually thinking of those guns myself when I wrote my original response, but I was guessing you had very little to no experience shooting. Those two aren't a first gun, either. I love the 500, personally, but definetly shoot them before buying.

Originally Posted by SuckLead

Oh, like you do! LOL!

Actually, I pretty much do - as an admin, I try to.

But, if I am replying in a thread, I definetly do

Originally Posted by SuckLead

If you go for a 460 or 500, do shoot it first. They are two of those guns our range makes people sign a seperate waver for before shooting. I was actually thinking of those guns myself when I wrote my original response, but I was guessing you had very little to no experience shooting. Those two aren't a first gun, either. I love the 500, personally, but definetly shoot them before buying.

i most certianly will! I plan on shooting a 10mm and a revolver next week. your assumption was correct. Last week was the first time shooting at the range. Heck I am having a lot of fun and might opt for 2 guns. One for the original intent and one to shoot at the range

The 500 is a load of fun and a real good stress relief! LOL! But for revolvers, especially first ones that you plan to carry, I would say try out the various barrel sizes of the S&W 686 and the Ruger GP-101, and also try a Ruger SP101.

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

Actually, I pretty much do - as an admin, I try to.

But, if I am replying in a thread, I definetly do

I admit, I usually read all the responses too, mostly because they are entertaining. But I get lazy or pressed for time some nights and will skip a few.

I'm not to sure about first handguns but I spotted one of these at the local gun shop the other day and is on my list of to get guns for backpacking and biking in the mountains.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firear...=5303&return=Y
I was looking at a .454 though.

I don't think a 454 is a good FIRST handgun

Any revolver over 357 is gonna be too much for him to begin with

Originally Posted by the chemist

Heck I am having a lot of fun and might opt for 2 guns. One for the original intent and one to shoot at the range

How innocently the addiction begins ...

WM

Originally Posted by Wandering Man

How innocently the addiction begins ...

WM

U ain't kiddin'

Some have suggested the .357 mag revolver types...what about this

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...-1&isFirearm=Y

a smith and wesson M&P .357 Sig. Is this going to have the same power as a .357 mag? Or am I confused? Also let me know if you think it would be too much for me.
thanks

357 sig is not the same as a 357 magnum. The .357 sig is a new round. I'm not into it, personally. It is more powerful than a 40 cal.

But, its not the same thing.

My first gun was a S&W 686-6 Plus 4" .357. I liked it but alot of people on the S&W forum complained about newer S&Ws with the Internal Locks. From what I've read on the forums I visit, a older model used S&W or new Ruger revolver is the way to go.

I can hardly believe I am reading recommendations for 10mm Glocks, scandium .44 Magnums, and .460/.500 revolvers for a novice handgun shooter! Jonathan, I can pretty much guarantee if you start with guns like these, you will never become a good handgun shooter. These are guns for very experienced shooters and really no one else. I can scarcely imagine a worse first gun than a .500 revolver.

If you seriously need a firearm for bear defense, save yourself a whole lot of trouble and buy a Marlin Guide Gun. It's a lever-action .45-70 carbine that you can find for under $500 new. Yeah, it's not as cool and romantic as a handgun, but it's still pretty slick and easy to carry on a sling, very simple to operate, and a whole lot easier to shoot well than a hard-kicking big-bore handgun. A shotgun stoked with Brenneke slugs is second choice, but bulkier and harder to shoot well versus a Guide Gun.