Need advise on a hand gun

A

Andrew Holley

Well-known member
Currenty own a Bertta .22 that I shoot about every two months, fun and cheap to shoot, but looking for something bigger. I don't have a particular reason/need (well a little tried of some the looks I get for shooting a "kid" gun at the range)

So I caught the Gander Mountin flyer and they have a Smith and Wesson Sigma Series 9mm or 40 cal on sale for $349 ($100 off list price). Went into look at it the guy wanted to up sell me to a Springfield for $200 more.

I know you get what you pay for, but wondering if I really need to spend more to get a decent gun? Mainly going to put holes in paper, home defense??? and will take to Alaska next year as you never know what your going to walk into.

Thoughts/experiences?
 
My opinion if you are going to get a polymer frame gun, get a Glock. Built well and ready for carry/defense right out of the box.
 
You might be better off with more ooomph than a 9mm for Alaska.

I have really enjoyed my S&W Air Lite. It weighs in at 12 oz and is great for plinking with .38spcl.

When I carry in the backcountry or in town, I put in .357 Magnum 158Grn Wadcutters.


It has plenty of punch for most of what we'd run into down in the lower 48.


If you don't really need it for concealed carry, then a Ruger sp101 with a 4 inch barrel might be good too.

revolvers do not smokestack, and are a hell of a lot easier to keep running.
 
Stick with Berreta on the 9mm or better.
I work with another guide in AK who has one. Smooth gun. Just a noise maker though for trouble up there. You'd be better off yelling a lot to let bears know where you are. (Unless you go into some seedy bar in Anchorage, haha, joke.)
12 gauge shotgun the way to go for "bush" protection. (My opinion.)
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I've shot the Smith and Wesson M&P .40 a few times. A nice gun, smooth shooting, and has the knock down power should you need it. You can get them for less than $500, probably around $400.



Nate
 
Newest play gun, big,loud, fun!
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I love my springfield XD in 9mm shot them in 40 and 45 also. Durable
ACCURATE and reliable guns. Keep it loaded with some 9mm +P loads
for the mean streets of Clinton.

I had a nice Kimber in .45 crimson trace grips, tirjicon sights awesome looking
gun by sold it cause I could get 2 XD's and function well as the other
for the intended purpose.
 
I have a friend in Alaska who carries a .22 with him in the backcountry... It won't stop a bear, but then again he plans on shooting his buddy in the leg when the bear charges. All he has to do is outrun his buddy!

Some people say to use pepper spray or wear bells to deter the black & grizzly bears in Alaska. If you aren't sure which kind of bears are native to the area you will be visiting, look for their scat. Just remember black bear scat is brown with berries in it, grizzly bear scat is much larger and has pepper spray bottles and bells in it.

In all seriousness... I would think anything less than a .44 or .50 cal handgun would just piss a grizzly off.
 
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Haven't been in Anchorage, but certainly found the bad side of Fairbanks.

Guys I realize 9mm isn't large enough for bears, 40 maybe, but the couple of times I have been up there, bears weren't the problem, people were.
 
S&W Sigma is a glorified paper wieght. A real piece of crap.

If you are wanting a polymer frame handgun, look at the S&W M&P, Springfield XD, or Glock.
 
The Sigma is indeed a POS,,,I personally don't believe in buying crappy guns of any kind,,,but it sounds like you don't want to do anything but shoot holes in paper at the range with it,,if that is all your interested in doing then go ahead and get it, but if you think you may need a handgun for doing what handguns are for, then don't,,,,If you step up to the $500 price range there is a good variety of pistols to be had that are of decent quality,,,,the Springfield is perfectly good, The M&P Smith and Wesson is very nice, and you can never go wrong with a Glock (my personal favorite),,,,As far as caliber goes,,,,,that is a thorny issue with a lot of opinions,,,my opinion is that if you have a handgun with 15+ rounds it it then 9mm should be perfectly fine,,,,9mm will be the cheapest to play with at the range and you can buy bullets that are really nasty for defense,,,if you don't like 9mm then skip over the 40 and get a 45,,,45 will take care of whatever you may run into,,,,if you really want a bear gun then a 10mm should do the trick,,,,and of course a Ruger redhawk or blackhawk in a large caliber is wonderful and refreshing,,,,
 
If you want something to shoot at the range get a 9mm [cheaper ammo]. If your going to Alaska, go 44 and up. If it's for outback protection, practice alot. You may need to act fast. If you can't practice, go 12ga, short barrel. Fish and game carry 12ga and a sidearm for backup.
Been there and saw alot of bears, 12ga my choice.
 
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[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Mainly going to put holes in paper,,,,,,,,,,,,[/font]
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Kills paper really really dead,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and anything else you hit. :>) :>)

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5026.jpg

Catalog Number: KRH-444 | Model Number: 5026 | Caliber: .44 Mag. Material: Stainless Steel Finish: Satin Stainless Front Sight: Ramp Rear Sight: Adjustable Barrel Length: 4.0" / 4.2" Overall Length: 9.50" Weight: 47.00 oz. Grips: Black Hogue® Monogrip® Twist: 1:20" RH Grooves: 6 MA Approved & Certified: Yes CA Approved: Yes Capacity: 6 Suggested Retail: $949.00
 
Andrew,
I will go against the grain here and recommend an older S&W revolver. Pick what caliber you like and go for it. They aint making them like they used to and the models with out the lock are going up in value each year. You can go mild like an old pre war 38 and have a cool gun for the rang for less than 300 or you can go wild and get a 44 mag or 45 LC and have all the gun you will ever need. And you will have a gun you can get all your money back down the road if you choose.

Revolver drill is a piece of cake and they are a blast to shoot.
Check out the Smith and Wesson forum for more info. Very good Classified section for members.



Bob
 
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica] Andrew,
I will go against the grain here and recommend an older S&W revolver.

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But Bob, it is so much fun to spend somebody's money. :>) :>) You are correct tho, a good used revolver would fit the bill quite nicely.
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And has a Range Cool Factor that no plastic gun has Dave.
I admit to growing up in the shadow of a big time Smith and Wesson guy who was a huge mentor to me.

Not to mention watching Dirty Harry once.....

Bob

If you want to really go nuts get a moon clipped 45 ACP and see just how fast you can get 12 shots down range....
 
Andrew I carry every day and Rutgers is correct if a poly frame is what you are looking for go with the GLOCK. They are tough and hold up well to the elements. I would go for a 45 cal or 357 sig. If your are more prone to taking good care of it a SIG Arms 45 is my choice and is what I carry daily.

As far as cool goes nothing bets a big caliber stainless stell revolver at the range
 
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