Hey gang, I've got a couple questions on pistols if anyone could help me.
I've been researching some information regarding different calibers and applications. The application I'm trying to match up with are hunting and residential safety. I have a couple requirements for each of these:
1) Be reliable and easy to handle for my wife in the event that I'm not availible
2) Have the ability to shoot a reduced power load (I live in a residentail neighborhood, and I don't want to put my neighbors in danger)
3) Have at least a 6" barrel (State limits hunting pistols to anything OVER 5" from the firing pin)
Ideally, my favorite caliber is the .40Auto. It has the ability to meet all my requirements with the exception of a 6" barrel, I can't find an auto with a barrel larger than 4", and an auto is not my first choice in a hunting weapon.
That leaves the wheel guns, a personal favorite from a young age. I've looked at both the .357mag and the .44mag. The .357 offers the most reasonble recoil energy for a magnum load, is inexpensive to shoot with .38Sp, and has a maximum range of approximately 50yrd (the most I'd be looking to attempt with a handgun hunting) on a medium frame. The downsides are lack of penetration unless I go to a cast round of at least 180gr, and really the bare minimum in terms of a hunting cartrige. The .44mag has penetration out the wazzoo, with recoil to match - even shooting .44Sp, it's still just shy of the .357 in terms of recoil energy. .44's are large frame and offer extended distance with barrel options in excess of my minimum length. I've looked at the .41mag, but the manufacturer choices are slim and the ammunition choices are even more bleak - a shame as it would fit the bill as a wonderful halfway point.
I've had the wife out shooting with me, and she can easily handle a 9mm, .40auto, .45acp (actually shot better than me with that one!) and did manage to hit the target 6/10 times with a DE.44mag - but you could tell she was done with that one. Her individual favorite was the .40auto - which doesn't help my decision at all.
I've considered a Contender, but that would be a hunting only pistol and open a lot of other cartridge possibilities.
So! For those that have owned the .357 and/or .44, I would appreciate your insight and experiences with both - including any other opinions or options you may suggest!
I've been researching some information regarding different calibers and applications. The application I'm trying to match up with are hunting and residential safety. I have a couple requirements for each of these:
1) Be reliable and easy to handle for my wife in the event that I'm not availible
2) Have the ability to shoot a reduced power load (I live in a residentail neighborhood, and I don't want to put my neighbors in danger)
3) Have at least a 6" barrel (State limits hunting pistols to anything OVER 5" from the firing pin)
Ideally, my favorite caliber is the .40Auto. It has the ability to meet all my requirements with the exception of a 6" barrel, I can't find an auto with a barrel larger than 4", and an auto is not my first choice in a hunting weapon.
That leaves the wheel guns, a personal favorite from a young age. I've looked at both the .357mag and the .44mag. The .357 offers the most reasonble recoil energy for a magnum load, is inexpensive to shoot with .38Sp, and has a maximum range of approximately 50yrd (the most I'd be looking to attempt with a handgun hunting) on a medium frame. The downsides are lack of penetration unless I go to a cast round of at least 180gr, and really the bare minimum in terms of a hunting cartrige. The .44mag has penetration out the wazzoo, with recoil to match - even shooting .44Sp, it's still just shy of the .357 in terms of recoil energy. .44's are large frame and offer extended distance with barrel options in excess of my minimum length. I've looked at the .41mag, but the manufacturer choices are slim and the ammunition choices are even more bleak - a shame as it would fit the bill as a wonderful halfway point.
I've had the wife out shooting with me, and she can easily handle a 9mm, .40auto, .45acp (actually shot better than me with that one!) and did manage to hit the target 6/10 times with a DE.44mag - but you could tell she was done with that one. Her individual favorite was the .40auto - which doesn't help my decision at all.
I've considered a Contender, but that would be a hunting only pistol and open a lot of other cartridge possibilities.
So! For those that have owned the .357 and/or .44, I would appreciate your insight and experiences with both - including any other opinions or options you may suggest!