Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Product sources Handgun recommendations

But Kelly, they make a .48! (I got one)

I have 2 suggestions. For a simple, safe, very accurate and cheap to shoot handgun the Ruger Single Six .22 is hard to beat. It is my choice for thinning the turtle population. If you are looking for something with a little more punch at a very good price take a look at the Bersa Thunder 380. A police officer recommended this gun to me and I was hesitant to purchase it because I did not know much about the gun and it was very inexpensive(check Academy Sports). I looked at the reviews online, which were very good and decided to take a chance. I love the size, not too big and not too small, very accurate and after shooting around 150 rounds thru the gun, it has become one of my favorites.

Ken, I think that if you invested 10K in good guns back in the '60's you'd have outpaced the majority of stocks and bonds.

TJ, get your butt in the vehicle and make an 8 hr roat trip East. I'll make a few phone calls and you can be shooting just about any type/style/caliber of handgun you want.

Is this small enough for ya? It shoots bullets larger than .22 LR tho.....

Ruger 22/45 bull barel workes well for me.

We have a colt marksmen in the family that is basically a dolled up woodsman for target shooting,super accurate,great balance and fun to shoot............. but yeah prices of them these days are insane.

The link I posted earlier was for the new Ruger single 9,based on the 6 it's 9 shots in Winchester 22 mag and stainless. http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelSingleSixSingleNine/models.html

Another option would be the ruger convertible that will shoot 22 lr and 22 mag.

I could't agree more on a single action Ruger being a simple safe and reliable gun.Although I am a little biased as I own a few

I'm loving this thread. Now, if we can get TJ to ask how to remove critters at 200 yards, that would be interesting stuff.

Why the 200yd limit?

.308 that I was taking for a test drive. 800 yds.


Same gun, 1,000 yds. I think barrel heat and the subsequent mirage didn't help the group size, but then again I was shooting factory ammo.


It shot consistently 1/2 moa out to 800 yds. FN SPR with Leupold Vari-X III 3-10x40 scope. Bipod and rear bag.

esshup, I'm having a man crush on you right now.

Oops, did I say that or think that?

Ha!

All I did was squeeze the trigger. I had a good spotter that could read wind/mirage very well and called out the proper dope.

Okay, scott, now we have to compare Ghillie suits.......

1/2 MOA at 800 is very respectable, did you build it?

TJ, handguns are like everything else, it does all depend. Your hand size, your experience, your enthusiasm, your reaction to the recoil and report, things you like and things you don't. Are you the type to clean your firearm every time you shoot it? Are you the type to repair it yourself? Do you only want one sidearm to do everything, or do you want to get a few for different needs?

If you look at a firearm as a tool, define your requirements and then try as many firearms as possible to see how they would work for you to do the job you define.

To teach your wife or children, the 22LR is one of the best rounds to use. It is cheep and widely available. There are firearms from virtually every manufacture to fit every need and hand size.

For my children, I have both open sight and optics on several different firearms and I try to teach them that the firearm you use depends on the task at hand.

As for me, I carry a 40 cal, a 357 or a 45ACP when out on the farm depending on the day and weather. My 357 is still my favorite, but then again, it was my first! But you have to remember, I have feral hogs once in a while, so a 22 is just not going to do it for me on my farm.

I realize this post is not a sexy, but I thought it should be said. But 1/2 MOA at 800, that is very nice I remember those days!!

Brian:

Nope, didn't build it. Box stock FN Herstal Special Police Rifle in .308. 26" 1:12 barrel, factory trigger set at 4# 9 oz., H-S Precision stock, action not "bedded". Leupold 3-10x40 Long Range Scope, shooting Factory Federal Gold Medal Match 168g bullets. The downside is that it's based on a Pre '64 Model 70 design, which is a controlled feed - have to load the gun from the magazine, I can't just feed them one at a time. There's the potential for bullet tip deformation when they chamber that way.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I am leaning towards the Walther P22, Ruger SR 22. Any thoughts on these?

So esshup, did you buy it? I'm partial to the Savage 11/111 models myself. I tend to get locked in on brands I like.

And let's not start Ghillie suit talk. I would look like a sweaty camo grape.

TJ, either are fine guns. Maybe you can find a gun store with a shooting range, and see which one feels better.

TJ, they are about the same. I don't know what trigger is on the Ruger, the Walther is DA/SA, both have adjustable sights and the Walther has interchangeable backstraps to fit your hand better. Price is a wash.

Try both in your hand before purchasing.

FireIsHot, I haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning towards buying it. I called Savage yesterday as I was leaning towards a Model 12 BR, but my cost would be more for the new gun, and Savage said they shoot 1 MOA. Who knows what this one would shoot like with reloads, but I'm still waffling because of the CRF issue. This a.m. my FFL said the last Model 12 BR was almost impossible to get, but it was chambered in 6.5 x .284 Norma

I could probably get this as a package deal too.

TJ, I would vote Ruger, but your vote is all that matters. The Walthers tend to have feed issues.

Both are going to be wider than the Mark III Rugers

I'd go with S&W 500.. Slightly overkill but it'll stop a coon in it's tracks (even if you miss)..

I am kinda partial to The Judge b/c you can shoot .410 shells out of it or .45 Long Colt.

Yeah those judges are pretty sweet.. But a 500 will drop a charging elephant I'd be worried about ricochet with my .410

As far as charging elephants go,I feel i would be just fine with my ruger super black hawk .44mag It has proven itself on a charging brown bear and I know all 6 shots are going REALLY close to where I want to put them

TJ...Have you forgotten the accuracy of this Ultrastar .40? PVC Muskrat control pistol It is a chinese knockoff of a S&W Tactical and fits a hand beautifully....

Oh boy! For any newbies who don't know our really good friend Rex (Rainman) -- cover your computer screens NOW!

I'm one of many who has stood next to Rex (Rainman) when he has had a gun in his hand with projectiles coming out the end of it.

Just remember, guns don't kill muskrats ... they kill PVC drainpipes! Protect you mailboxes too! And, even if it is a sunny day and snow is not predicted on a beautiful early autumn day, make sure you have a road grader available when Rex arrives. He does deliver good fish ...

Rex -- I know things have changed a little, but we sure hope you are gonna be at the conference this year! We love ya dood!

Cathy and I will be there Ken!!

I have way too many pistols but I never shoot any of them. Some are expensive and some are more "utility".

The Ruger single six is about all anybody needs if they want a dang short gun. Buy something you don't mind scratching up. I consider pistols of all kinds useless for home protection. Only semi auto shotguns really work for that.

For most things, I'm like Ken. Gimme a rifle anytime.