Posted: 5/5/2010 8:14:05 AM EDT
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I am thinking about getting an semi auto pistol to be a jack of all trades for me - plinking, defense, and possibly taking down a hog if need be.
9mm is too small, so it guess it's between .40 and .45. What caliber and brand do you boys suggest? |
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Quoted:
I am thinking about getting an semi auto pistol to be a jack of all trades for me - plinking, defense, and possibly taking down a hog if need be. 9mm is too small, so it guess it's between .40 and .45. What caliber and brand do you boys suggest? Given just the choice of the .40 S+W or the .45 ACP. I really don't think it matters that much caliber wise between the 2. With either one I'd load up with FMJ or hard cast lead for hogs to get the best penetration possible. I'd probably get the .45 ACP just because I like the caliber. But neither one would be my first choice as a hog back up gun. Think about when you need a backup gun, it's going to be because something is wrong with your primary, either out of ammo or a mechanical failure. Or it could be because you dropped your gun and ran up a tree to get away from a hog. Those just aren't times you want a minimum caliber. You really want something that starts around the .41 magnum and goes up from there. In a Semi Auto the 10MM is creeping into .41 mag territory. But it's not a good plinker unless you have real deep pockets, it will work for self defense but is awful large to carry concealed. The problem with a Jack of all trades is that they are a master of none. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I am thinking about getting an semi auto pistol to be a jack of all trades for me - plinking, defense, and possibly taking down a hog if need be. 9mm is too small, so it guess it's between .40 and .45. What caliber and brand do you boys suggest? Given just the choice of the .40 S+W or the .45 ACP. I really don't think it matters that much caliber wise between the 2. With either one I'd load up with FMJ or hard cast lead for hogs to get the best penetration possible. I'd probably get the .45 ACP just because I like the caliber. But neither one would be my first choice as a hog back up gun. Think about when you need a backup gun, it's going to be because something is wrong with your primary, either out of ammo or a mechanical failure. Or it could be because you dropped your gun and ran up a tree to get away from a hog. Those just aren't times you want a minimum caliber. You really want something that starts around the .41 magnum and goes up from there. In a Semi Auto the 10MM is creeping into .41 mag territory. But it's not a good plinker unless you have real deep pockets, it will work for self defense but is awful large to carry concealed. The problem with a Jack of all trades is that they are a master of none. This right here is the truth. Unless you're going to shoot a BIG caliber then it's really not going to make much of a difference. That being said, I carry either a Glock 23 or a 1911 and thankfully I've never need either one yet. The times we've had something go wrong I was able to use the AK. |
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I carry an old S&W .357 magnum revolver. Even with that, I wished it was bigger on one occasion. On that day I had it loaded with 158 gr hollow points. I had a 280 lb boar in a trap. Shot him three times in the head. Waited till he stopped moving, opened the trap door, went inside and grabbed his hind legs to tie a rope on and drag him out.
HE EXPLODED!! Came up squealing, slinging his head and doing his dangdest to slice me open with them cutters! I fell back out the door, yelling at my buddy to shut the door. Thankfully he didn't panic. He was grabbing at the door as I rolled out. Hands shaking, heart pounding, deep breath, change drawers, thank God I'm still in one piece......... Hog was back on the ground by now, hurt bad, but still breathing. One more round from the .357 right below and right behind the ear finished him off. That's the last time I ever shot a big one anywhere in the skull. It's just too thick. The most vulnerable spot is right behind and below the ear hole. Takes out the spine, and they are DRT. My advice, carry all you can afford and comfortably wag around. |
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I'm thinking a Glock 20.
A G20 is not that large to carry. I carry a G34 behind my strong side hip. I'm kind of tall/slim build. You can carry FBI spec loads (equal to 40 S&W) for personal defense & the Double Tap 200 or 230 hard casts for hog back up. You can also get conversion barrels to 40 S&W so you can practice w/ all that cheap 40 ammo that is at every walmart. A G20 is about the only normal sized auto that fits the bill w/o getting into a big heavy ca 50 oz 44mag model 29 or Desert eagle, 45 wildey etc. |
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Glock 20 + Double Tap 180gr Controlled Expansion FTW! http://i1012.photobucket.com/albums/af249/6dot8mmspc/Glock20_pig.jpg Same round, but in the G29 for me. |
| I usually carry a sig p220 (.45 acp) whenever I go hog hunting. I usually carry a sig mosquito with rat shot in it just in case I have to shoot a dang copperhead. Never both but always one or the other. I hunt with 30 round mag in my ar. I hope I never have to reach for a back up sidearm. |