What is a good inexpensive pistol? (not a .22 caliber)?

Question

I am looking for an inexpensive pistol that I can carry when I am hunting. I hunt in an area with lots of bears and just would feel more comfortable with a pistol in tote when I am bow hunting. I doesn't have to be big enough to kill a bear but not a .22 caliber.

Answer 1

You can find used .38 specials for under $100 at pawn shops and gun shows.


.38's are not good for hunting I didn't read that part at first. Still check pawn shops and gun shows.

Answer 2

For a 22, get the one you can fire the most rounds through quickly. A 22 does not have any knock down power so bullet placement is very critical. For about the same money, or perhaps a little more, you can get 32, 380 or better still a 9mm. Academy Sports just ran a Taurus Millennium Pro 9mm for $229. That was a deal. They sell for around $270-300. That particular gun holds 12 rounds and weighs only 19 oz. If you are stuck on a 22, you should be able to find something for about $175-200. Do not buy a 25 cal pistol.

Answer 3

Make sure it is legal in your hunting locality to have a firearm on your person while in bow season. This varies from state-to-state. That being said, you will not find lower-priced quality among semi-autos nearly so regularly as among wheel guns. Revolvers are simpler machines, and therefore can be made better for less money. There are countless good calibers out there, but go with something readily available like .38/.357 mag, .44 special/.44 mag. Pick something you are willing to shoot and practice with, and make it a double-action. The single action revolvers will likely not serve you well in the type situation you might need it. Finally, nothing shorter than a 4" barrel. There's no need to get anything over 6" either, but the longer barrel will make followup shots easier, and this is likely to be necessary if the bears you mention are anything larger than you are. (I say this because a determined man doesn't frequently go down on one, imperfectly placed shot, and a bear is even less likely to be deterred). Try some out, don't buy a gun based solely, or even 50% on price. That's a recipe for failure.

Answer 4

Interesting standard you have. You want something to protect yourself against a bear but it doesn't have to kill it. It is possible to fend off a hungry bear with some loud yelling. A hungry, wounded, pissed off bear will not be so easily dissuaded.

The absolute minimum caliber you can go wiith is a .357 mag. A good used Ruger GP100 is a double action revolver and can probably be picked up used for around $300 to $350. Use at least the magnum 158 gr. hollow points. You are going to need the extra whoomp if you have to use it on a bear.

Answer 5

I like my Springfield Armory XD's
4" Service model V10 ported 9mm
Tactical .45
Both are awesome. I prefer these calibers over .40 cal.
You may not want something to kill a bear but shooting him with anything smaller than a .45 or .357 or .44 mag.

Answer 6

Find yourself a old magnum revolver. I would laugh my face off if I saw someone carrying a 9mm in bear territory, a city gun in the sticks, the two dont mix.

I bought a used but not abused S&W .357 magnum for $175. I wouldnt carry anything less than a .357 magnum, anything less can cost you your life. Your life is worth paying for a decent gun.

You really should have a side arm when bow hunting, believe me a wounded bear is no joke.


Added....
I'd use 180 grain full metal jackets, copper core if you can find em! A hollowpoint will turn to mush on a bears skull, you want something that will penetrate not just crack the skull.

Answer 7

Do not get a 9mm because it is not Lethal enough*... Purchase a 357 Magnum because you can also shoot 38 caliber ammo in it*.. You actually get two(2) guns for the price of one*.. You can buy it used if you want to save $$$$$$$$$$$$$*...

Answer 8

A four-inch .357 with fixed service sights, like a Ruger GP100 Service Model.

Answer 9

good inexpensive is an oxymoron in the firearms world(for the most part)

Ruger has a reletively inexpensive 9mm tho, around 400
u can get hi-point pistols at less the $200 i wouldnt trust it though

Answer 10

Old Fuzz is right...worst case is you wounding a bear and not [now] being able to dispatch it. .357 is a good choice...second only to the rifle that you carry.