I got several interesting pistols from my father. Among them - BFR 30/30, S&W 460V and a Taurus Raging Hornet. These are large pistols and lots of fun to shoot. The BFR is not bad for shooting a rifle cartridge out of a pistol. I want to start hunting deer with it. The 460 can shoot 45 LC, 454 Casull and the 460 S&W. It is compensated so that tames it some plus quite a large frame. I find these are more fun than shooting the run of the mill 9mm. The 460 is expensive though at $3-4 a shot. So running one cylinder is a $20 bill. Need to reload this.
Also I got several cowboy style revolvers in 45LC, 44 WCF, among others.
I’m a sucker for the ruger vaquero. Have one in .357 and is my go to side arm for any hunt / camping trip. It’s a pleasure to shoot, fairly easy to carry on the hip or chest, and is super accurate. Plus you have the added benefit of loading .38 special if you want to shoot cheaper ammo and less recoil when plinking. .357 is probably not the best choice as a primary hunting caliber, but it will get the job done if you need it to.
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Not a pistol guy myself, but that’s so funny because I’ve wondered the same re: shotguns.
I only own a couple of handguns: 9mm S&W M&P Sheild plus for EDC, Walther PPQ (I think it’s called) for plinking and fun–especially fun with a suppressor. Been thinking about finding a nice 357 revolver that might even be fun to take hunting in the woods; I have a lever rifle in 357 that is super fun, but still have to learn more about what’s out there for revolvers. I just don’t know what to look for yet, or what makes one so much more expensive than another (like I have noticed the Taurus stuff is always more affordable than S&W and Ruger models but is there a reason other than brand name?). Then I know there are different “frame sizes” but I haven’t tried holding or firing any of them yet so I just don’t know what I’ll find comfortable or best for me yet. I think there are some “try before you buy” places like an hour and half’s drive from me, where they have a range. Planning to go try some out sometime. Open to any tips/recommendations though!
I personally prefer ruger, at least for anything single action. On the other hand, Smith and Wesson seems to be the gold standard for revolvers.
I think an important thing to consider in a revolver is if you want to go single action or double action. Sure the double action is nice cause you can just pull the trigger without working the hammer. However, I have found more times than not the internal mechanisms for a double action to work makes for a poor experience in terms of trigger pull and I just can’t seem to shoot them as accurately. The extra effort to work the trigger tends to shift my point of aim. Further, with a little practice you can get pretty quick with a single action. At the end of the day though it’s up to personal preference.
I think .357 is a great choice as a side arm when rifle hunting. A few of my buddies who hunt in Alaska swear by a 10mm semi auto.
If you are going hunting with a pistol only that likely comes with a whole lot of other considerations, especially when factoring in effective range. Something I’ve never really fully considered. I’d rather bow hunt personally. But to each their own.
singles and doubles each have their place and charm. Watch some cowboy action on youtube and be amazed at how fast they can empty a revolver and lever action rifle. I also got a nice group of S&W’s from father including 44 and 41 mag. And Rugers in 32 H&R and 30 carbine among other normal cartridges.
And I bow hunt - the pistol hunting would be something new. The BFR in 30/30 has effective range at least 75 yds. Have not chrono’ed it yet so I can do ballistics.
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Sounds like you’ve got a lot of fun in your future. Quite the collection!
I’ll try anything once!
I actually started my firerarms life as a fairly dedicated handgunner. I was focused more on self-defense. Coming up when I did, the 1911 was king and still one of my favorites, though now my EDC is a Glock 26. I also have a soft spot for wheelguns. I got my dad’s Colt Diamondback when he passed. He bought it new in '67. I also have a Ruger SP101. Probably because of my dad, I like Colt revolvers and I definitely will get a new Python at some point. I carry a Glock 20 10mm as a sidearm when I hunt. I don’t plan on getting into handgun hunting any time soon, so while the big bore stuff would be fun, I can’t justify buying them as “toys”. Maybe someday, but not until I round out my rifle inventory a little more.
I inheritted a Dan Wesson not sure which model, but 357 Mag. Box it came in says D11 but it looks more like the model 15. It was the only nice gun my dad had. Biggest handgun I have ever shot, way harder to handle than a 45ACP. I have never shot a 44 mag so…
This was my dad’s edc for as long I can remember. 60 yrs? Lots of miles on that pistol. Not exactly a small handgun. But in AZ and ID with open carry, hiding was not a big requirement - particularly in days gone by. Does not show well in pic but nickel plated 45 with his custom carved grips.
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I hunt javelina with a handgun. It’s probably my favorite hunt.
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I just sold my Raging Hornet thru guns .com and got $ 800 for it Ammo is getting difficult to find for the Hornet. The Raging Hornet a little heavy for my liking
Strangely large pistol for 22 hornet. And certainly need to be able to reload for it. But that is the case for many types of ammo. I can have a full time job reloading for all the odd ball calibers I now have. Plus the cost of some far exceed the cost of materials such as for then S&W 460. With brass not all that expensive to reload compared to off the shelf.