Should I get a 9mm handgun or a .243 win rifle?

Question

This will mostly just be used for target shooting. The rifle will rarely be used for hunting. I am looking at the baby eagle 9mm and the ruger m77 compact. If I buy the baby eagle (compact model) I will save $100+ and can buy some accessories for it. If I buy the rifle I will need a scope and I do not have enough for it right now.

Answer 1

If it's MOSTLY for target shooting, then that means you'd hunt sometimes still. So you'd want the rifle. Chambered for .243 Winchester, your rifle will be a little cheaper to go target shooting with, and still allow you to hunt deer. Oh, and for price consideration, you don't NEED a scope at all. I actually prefer open sights, depending on what kind of area I'm hunting in.

If you actually mean you'd NEVER hunt with it, then figure out which you enjoy shooting more. If all you really want to do is go target shooting, then save your money and buy a rifle OR a handgun chambered for .22LR, depending on which you enjoy more. .22LR is awfully cheap, and plenty fun to shoot.

Now, between those two, if you intend to also use the firearm for defense, the handgun is your better choice. Although I personally would go larger than a 9mm. Any caliber can kill a man, but the 9mm has a tendency to overpenetrate, which tends to mean a smaller wound channel and also that the round will probably exit your target with enough force to hit whatever is behind it as well, which is a safety concern IMO. The .45 ACP by contrast flattens out much bigger and leaves a very large wound channel, as well as not overpenetrating.

Contrary to what the other person stated, a handgun can be a revolver, an autoloader, a flintlock, or any other firearm that is intended to be fired in a single hand. A lot of people think there are diferences between the term handgun and pistol as well, but I assure you, by definition, they both mean a handheld firearm. Some people only use the term pistol to mean an autoloader, and then call revolvers by their name, but by definition, they are the same thing. Revolver and autoloader define the way in which rounds are cycled to be fired. Use a dictionary sometime.

Answer 2

If you ever plan to hunt the rifle would probably be a wiser choice. It may be cheaper for the time being to buy the handgun now, but if you're going to need a rifle to hunt later, you'll end up buying it anyway so you can add the expense of the handgun to the rifle cost.

As an alternative, think on a .22 Hangun. They make several models for competition and target shooting and are nice weapons. It is also MUCH cheaper to fire off rounds from a .22 than from a 9mm. If you don't do your own reloading, the .22 will give you thousands of rounds per hundreds of the 9mm.

Answer 3

For target shooting, decide whether you have more fun with a rifle or with a pistol, then go for it.

As another reader pointed out, .22 ammunition is the least expensive. Moreover, there is far less recoil, so you can hit the target better.

For hunting, I suggest something larger than the .243, unless you are solely interested in nothing much larger than a raccoon. Larger calibers are more humane to the prey (quicker kill=less suffering) and easier on the hunter -- if the wounded animal runs away, you don't have such a chase; if it charges you (as some do -- hogs and javelinas especially!) you don't have to run as fast or as far.

Some people hunt with a pistol. I won't, but that's my preference. (I'm not much of a hunter or fisherman anyway.)

Whatever you decide: shoot wisely, shoot often, always clean your weapon, and have fun!

Answer 4

If you aren't going to hunt very much, I'd get the 9mm pistol; FYI, handguns are revolvers not auto-loaders. If the two would be used for the same purpose (target shooting) you'll save hundreds in ammo costs in the long run with the 9mm over the .243win. Also with the 9mm, you'll get a good home defense weapon as well. If someone breaks in during the night a pistol would suit you much better than a hunting rifle.

Answer 5

Just go to a pawn shop and buy one of each. BTW, once you get to where you can REALLY shoot, you'll wish you hadn't bought the Ruger; their rifles aren't that great for LONG distances.

I also recommend buying a Ruger Mark II .22 pistol to start with. They're damn accurate, and a really good, reliable gun.

P.S.- The baby eagle is really overrated. Get a Sig!

Answer 6

maximum folk can cope with 9mm cringe. until the gun is superb small & great easy, you will desire to have no problem. there would no longer be an regular rifle. Even between non-magnums, cringe intensity varies very much. additionally returned, the rifle itself can advance felt cringe no remember if that's a easy bolt-action. Semi-autos have a tendency to hose down cringe some, b/c most of the gases are diverted to cycle the action. Be risk-free & have relaxing.

Answer 7

The nice thing about the .243 (have a Remington) is that you can buy a 100 grain cartridge for deer size hunting or you can use a 55 grain cartridge for target/varmint shooting.

Answer 8

For target shooting go with the pistol,I do not know what area you are in but I have a few indoor ranges near me and you can only use pistols.With the lack of outdoor ranges you will get to use the pistol more.

Answer 9

I'd opt for the M77 as I already have a 9mm,

I'd prefer it chambered in 270 or 308

Answer 10

243 Caliber of course...> Buy one used and let the other guys pay the new price... I buy all my Firearms used with no regrets... Save your Money$$$$$.... Own 22 Firearms > Rifle, Pistol, Revolver, Shotgun.....