Any ideas on my first handgun. (help)

[mooresauce34]

Hi I'm 19 grew up in California with strict gun laws. I will be moving to Alaska,and would like to purchase a handgun for protection from animals and intruders  I would like it to be comfortable enough to holster regularly. Any ideas on caliber and model? Thanks

[ellis4538]

Might help to know a little more about you and your shooting experience.

Richard

[Pathfinder]

Congratulations on the impending move. You will learn what true (almost) liberty feels like. Don't let it go to your head tho.

First, what ellis said.

Caliber and model are the least important topics, and easily resolved. Got to a store, handle a bunch, find the ones that fit your hands. Then off to a range and rent those you like - and some you don't - and shoot them to find which ones fits you the best.

Caliber depends on what you're shooting. If you expect to encounter bears, I would go with a S&W .500 caliber something. Bad guys coming through the front door?  Something a tad lighter would be acceptable.

Get training, and since you'll be in a new state, check with a lawyer with experience in firearms cases.

Then worry about brand/model and caliber.

[jaybet]

If you have no experience, I suggest that you consider two handguns. An inexpensive 4" barrel .357 would be nice to start because you could shoot .38 specials from it, a relatively low recoil round for practice. It would be an ok home defense weapon, escpecially loaded with .357.
For bear encounters you need 44 mag or greater, like Path suggests. Get the range time in with the .38 rounds and have the cannon for carry and animal protection.

Just my 2 cents.

[Hazcat]

If you have no experience, I suggest that you consider two handguns. An inexpensive 4" barrel .357 would be nice to start because you could shoot .38 specials from it, a relatively low recoil round for practice. It would be an ok home defense weapon, escpecially loaded with .357.
For bear encounters you need 44 mag or greater, like Path suggests. Get the range time in with the .38 rounds and have the cannon for carry and animal protection.

Just my 2 cents.

I wuz thunkin' the same thing, Jaybet.  'septin I wuz thunkin' .22 and .44 mag (or maybe .454 so ya could shoot .45 colt as well).

One fer practice the other loaded as appropriate fer either 2 legged or four legged varmints.  

And I would definitely go with a revolver in any case.

Also if ya stick with the .357, 44 mag, 45 colt or even the 454 if ya want to later ya can buy a lever gun in the same caliber.

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

First off, I don't think you can buy a handgun until you're 21.

Until then, I'd suggest a 12 ga pump shotgun for close quarters critter defense and it would suffice for home use as well.  Or, as suggested by others, a lever gun in .44 or .454 which would compliment a future purchase of a big bore revolver in the same caliber.

Get some training in the operation, safety and do's and don'ts of firearms use and have fun!

[Hazcat]

First off, I don't think you can buy a handgun until you're 21.

Until then, I'd suggest a 12 ga pump shotgun for close quarters critter defense and it would suffice for home use as well.  Or, as suggested by others, a lever gun in .44 or .454 which would compliment a future purchase of a big bore revolver in the same caliber.

Get some training in the operation, safety and do's and don'ts of firearms use and have fun!

I was thinking the same thing but I thought maybe it would be a gift.  He can own one (at least here in FL) at 18.  I am not completely familiar with carry laws in AK other than no permit required and open carry allowed but I do not know the age limit (or even if there is one).

[mooresauce34]

I have a lot of experience in shooting a tarus 45, and a nine millimeter star and a smith and wesson 40. Family guns. I can't stand the 40 its a short barrel and i can't hit anything with it. I have no experience with revolvers

[Timothy]

I have a lot of experience in shooting a tarus 45, and a nine millimeter star and a smith and wesson 40. Family guns. I can't stand the 40 its a short barrel and i can't hit anything with it. I have no experience with revolvers

Revolvers in general are simple, accurate, easy to maintain and will go bang when you need them to!  Simple is better when you're staring at a critter that can make a quick lunch of you.  Most anywhere else in the lower 48 I'd be comfy with a 4" revolver in .357 and a shotgun but for some of the western states and Alaska a big bore revolver and lever gun would be better.

If you do some research on folks that hunt with a handgun I think you'll find that 99.9% are using a revolver and probably one with a longer barrel to maximize velocity and energy of the chosen caliber.

I'm sure you'll find a wealth of knowledge from the locals you encounter when you get there.  That's the advice that matters most!

[jaybet]

I have a lot of experience in shooting a tarus 45, and a nine millimeter star and a smith and wesson 40. Family guns. I can't stand the 40 its a short barrel and i can't hit anything with it. I have no experience with revolvers

Hell, in that case go out and get a 6: barrel 44 mag and call it a day!