[cals400ex]

I'm looking for a small handgun (probably a .38 caliber) for around $300. It will not be used much but I want to carry something small when I'm walking through the woods hunting in case any stray animal comes up on me. I'm looking for good reliability and something that won't kick excessively hard. Any suggestions?

 

[orangello]

Bersa Thunder .380 will fit in a larger pocket, doesn't kick that much, and holds 7 or 9 rounds. They sell for around $300, sometimes a bit less depending on the finish chosen.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...1/Bersa+Thunder+380+.380acp+Duo+Tone,+7+round
I prefer the model with the nice flat nickel finish on the slide.


I will say that, if i was expecting to have to deal with an animal much larger than a big dog, i would probably want something in a 9mm or better.

 

[rhyno13]

I say get a .380 or 9mm. You can find some great deals one those two calibers.

 

[TX45]

EAA Witness 9mm on Bud's

EAA SAR B6 9mm on Davidson's

 

[BeyondTheBox]

Animals in woods - rifle or shotgun with slug.

Unless you're just wanting a gun for warning shot, in that case the Bersa Thunder 380 would be perfect! Truly best bang for buck out there.

 

[danf_fl]

There are good used revolvers out there for less than $300.

I believe that I've seen 4".357 S&Ws for about $269.

 

[lbwar15]

Rossi has a .357mag and a .44mag for under $300. I know you said you won't something that dose not have much recoil. But I would consider this if there is a chance you could run in to hogs while hunting. A .380 is just going to piss it off. Plus you can use .38 in the .357 and .44spl in the .44 mag.

 

[cals400ex]

There will not be any hogs. The largest we should see will be a dog. I would like it to fire off a warning shot, but I would like it to stop a dog if the warning shot doesn't scare the dog off.

 

[lbwar15]

There will not be any hogs. The largest we should see will be a dog. I would like it to fire off a warning shot, but I would like it to stop a dog if the warning shot doesn't scare the dog off.

If the dog is attacking a warning shot will probably not have any affect. If a person heard a warning shot they know what it is so there is a chance they will go the other way. To a dog it's just a loud noise. Even if your opinion isn't the same as mine. Remember you might not have time to squeeze off another shot.

 

[orangello]

IIRC, didn't a certain governor of TX cap a coyote with a lil pocket .380 of some sort?

I think .380 would be enough for dogs and such, and the Bersa Thunder is one of the larger framed .380's (relatively, some .380's are teeeny concealment pieces) to reduce the recoil and fit the hand better.

 

[danf_fl]

An acquaintance had to shoot a dog in a residential area that was attacking his dog.

He was glad he had a 9mm, but decided to carry a .45 after that.

 

[lbwar15]

A lot of people might thank its BS. But that's ok. I would not believe it if I was not there.

The people that lived next to my min had a huge white lab. The dog went across the street and had my friends step dads brother held up in a corner. My friends step dad shot the dog in the head from 4' with a 9mm. I dont know what kind of ammo it was but it bounced off his head and came out his back. It never hit any vitals or anything. The dog walked away and lived another 3 years.

Some dogs just have hard a$$ heads.

 

[Colby]

IIRC, didn't a certain governor of TX cap a coyote with a lil pocket .380 of some sort?

I think .380 would be enough for dogs and such, and the Bersa Thunder is one of the larger framed .380's (relatively, some .380's are teeeny concealment pieces) to reduce the recoil and fit the hand better.

Yup... A Ruger LCP 380.

I have an LCP and carry it a lot.. it conceals so well. But it does have a pretty stiff recoil due to it's light weight. It's not a good range gun at all due to that. But for a few quick shots, it is good.

I also have a Ruger LC9 9mm. It's recoil is much softer. But it is a larger gun and harder to conceal - so I rarely carry it - over the LCP. Don't get me wrong - the LC9 is not large - it's just larger than the LCP. The LCP is a perfect back pocket holster gun. The LC9 - not.
I also have a S&W Airweight 38 Special - it is not as easy to conceal as the LCP and it also kicks a good bit due to it's light weight.
It's hard to find the perfect gun. It's a trade-off ... size and weight vs concealability.
But you may not be concerned so much about conceal. Woods carry - a lot more forgiving ... That would open you up to a lot more guns - larger ones. A 9 mm is tough to criticize.

But the Rick Perry coyote thing is interesting. He was out jogging - and a coyote jumped his dog. And he was carrying the Ruger LCP as part of his jogging routine. That is what is interesting. That he actually had the gun - when he needed it. And that type situation is often because the gun was small enough that he actually did carry it often. --- Which gets back to the old thing of - Ya gotta be actually carrying the gun in order for it to be useful. If it is too large - and you leave it home - -- then, Opps! - you don't have it!

 

[bartwatkins]

A lot of people might thank its BS. But that's ok. I would not believe it if I was not there.

The people that lived next to my min had a huge white lab. The dog went across the street and had my friends step dads brother held up in a corner. My friends step dad shot the dog in the head from 4' with a 9mm. I dont know what kind of ammo it was but it bounced off his head and came out his back. It never hit any vitals or anything. The dog walked away and lived another 3 years.

Some dogs just have hard a$$ heads.

Don't take my question to mean that I do not believe the story - I am not saying that...
But I do have a question on this sentence:
"I dont know what kind of ammo it was but it bounced off his head and came out his back."

To say that the round came out the dog's back would imply that the bullet entered the dog's body somewhere. Yet you also state that the same bullet bounced off the dog's head which does not imply bullet entry into the dog's body - but simply bouncing off/riccocheting away.
I am just puzzled by this statement. Did the bullet bounce off the head and riccochet away or did it enter the dog's head and exit the dog's back?
Just curious.
Thanks...

 

[silverado113]

Ruger LCP .380 is under $300

*edit* I should have read a couple of posts up ^^^^^what he said.

 

[John_Deer]

Rock Island Armory bought the patent for the Colt Detective. This revolver is good deal larger than other guns that have been suggested but it has a real 4" barrel and decent accuracy. Rock Island Model 200 .38 Special is a solid 25 yard shooter. For pests and home defense it is very hard to beat. The RIA 200 can be an EDC but it is no pocket pistol.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...00+.38+Special+Four+Inch+Barrel+Blue+Finish+S

 

[John_Deer]

There are good used revolvers out there for less than $300.

I believe that I've seen 4".357 S&Ws for about $269.

Where have you seen the S&W? I am very interested with cash in hand.

 

[oli700]

If I only had 300 and wanted a Small gun, reliable track record, 9x18, 10% more powerful than a 380…..here, and 100 bucks left for ammo and a holster
http://www.jgsales.com/cz-82-czech-...ery-good-condition,-one-mag.-c-r.-p-3050.html

 

[AdamSean]

I just picked up a Diamondback DB380 today for $300. However, if you are worried about dangerous 4-legged animals, go with the saying 4-legged/.40 caliber or larger.

 

[FullautoUSA]

Try hipoint