Need a new pistol

[Noah3683]

I'm thinking about getting a compact/subcompact pistol mainly for plinking, but also for taking on hiking trips. I'm not a huge fan of Glock, but I won't deny their reliability so they have to go in the mix. I held a G30SF and the fit was actually better than I thought. Everything I have now is in 9mm, but I would rather have something punchier in the one and a million chance I encounter a bear or mountain lion. Let's ignore the roster because I don't intend to be limited by it. What say you?

[georound1]

I'm a semi auto guy, but have always wanted either a 44 mag revolver (Ruger or S&W). 4 inch or less barrel. Smith&Wesson has some nice lightweight revolvers. A 357mag lets you shoot 38 for plinking...some have up to 7 rounds. I have a 1911 Commander length with aluminum frame that's not heavy and you can load it with 10+1 45acp (not good for a bear though).

Just saw this in another post: http://www.coonaninc.com/products.ph...c7ef3488a6d200

1911 in 357mag

[Noah3683]

I'm a semi auto guy, but have always wanted either a 44 mag revolver (Ruger or S&W). 4 inch or less barrel. Smith&Wesson has some nice lightweight revolvers. A 357mag lets you shoot 38 for plinking...some have up to 7 rounds. I have a 1911 Commander length with aluminum frame that's not heavy and you can load it with 10+1 45acp (not good for a bear though).

Just saw this in another post: http://www.coonaninc.com/products.ph...c7ef3488a6d200

1911 in 357mag

Oh that .357 is nice, but a little heavy on the long hikes. I highly doubt I will ever encounter a bear so I'm not against smaller than .45, but I have come across a mountain lion and a few bobcats, and .40 is the bare minimum I would like in that situation again. I'm not really a revolver fan either.

[sirgiles]

once you mentioned bears and subcompact, all i can think of is a glock 29. 9mm, 40s&w and 45acp ain't gonna cut it based on testimonies of bear encounters.

[Noah3683]

once you mentioned bears and subcompact, all i can think of is a glock 29. 9mm, 40s&w and 45acp ain't gonna cut it based on testimonies of bear encounters.

Lol that is precisely what I thought. I guess "bears" was more of an excuse to throw 10mm into the mix. Love the 10mm round, I just don't want to pay to shoot it frequently

[incredablehefey]

i do love me them Berettas,
tiny gun with 3" of barrel and 10 .40" shots,

[shooterdude]

I'm thinking about getting a compact/subcompact pistol mainly for plinking, but also for taking on hiking trips. I'm not a huge fan of Glock, but I won't deny their reliability so they have to go in the mix. I held a G30SF and the fit was actually better than I thought. Everything I have now is in 9mm, but I would rather have something punchier in the one and a million chance I encounter a bear or mountain lion. Let's ignore the roster because I don't intend to be limited by it. What say you?

File the front sight off the gun so you'll be prepared for the bear encounter.