spartan88

For a gun you would be using for a trail gun and target gun would you prefer a .45ACP
.45 Colt
.357 (.38 spl for targets .357 for trail)
.44 mag

Also DA or SA? (I don't like DAO)

Why?

And DON'T suggest a Taurus Judge. I have looked at them and they would not fit the target gun part of the question.

I am personally leaning towards a .357 Ruger or S&W

Four Knives

357/38 here for relative cost, availability and versatility

frenchy

357 for versatility of power, 357/38, accuracy, target, home defense, concealed carry, trail, hunt.did I forget something? gotta be a Ruger k? haha good luck in your gun quest and may the velocity be with you(there is a hint there).

220combat

357

Rockhanger

.357 is the best all around IMHO

Bagheera

Go with the Ruger GP100. .357 Much versatility. Built like Sherman Tank. 4" or 6" you can't go wrong. Does everything you need it to do, and will never complain about having to do it.

You just can't do wrong, by doing right..

gunguru

357/9mm Single action Convertible Blackhawk, then you have the option of 357,38 or 9mm..

mavracer

Best is always a very subjective question. Do you reload? if not I would lean toward the 357 either GP100 or Blackhawk or a .45acp.however if your hiking where large predators are I'd opt for .44 or heavily loaded .45Colt.
If you do reload the 44s and 45s aren't so rough on the pocket book and a midrange .44mag with a 240 LSWC 1000fps makes a great trail load same with a 45Colt. a big plus is those big bullet at subsonic velocitys still pack a wallup without the blast of a .357.
One of my new favorite guns is my Lipsey 44 special flattop loaded with 240 SWC @ 900-1000fps it will easily stay on a pie plate at 100yards and take care of most anything that needs taken care of.
BTW is there a option for all the above?

spartan88

I do not reload. Have limited money. Will be in Florida majority of time if everything goes to plan after graduation.




It also appears that every one is suggesting a DA over a SA

spartan88

And all of them is only an option if people want to donate them to me

JohnD13

.38/.357 is my choice for everyday or trail use. For hunting, a .41 magnum is my pick.

LAGun

.357/.38 gets my vote DA as far as weapon because you can always shoot it in SA as long as it has a spur...

mavracer

then .357mag is probably your best option.
If your going to use it for SD then I'd definitly recommend a DA but for just targets and trail a Blackhawk would be a great choice.
NO

DArBad

Like the majority of responders, I would opt for the .38 special/.357 magnum, double action revolver, 4 or 6 inch barrel length.
For sheer hard-use durability--- its the Ruger GP 100. For more " refined " use ---if ever there is such a thing----a prelock Smith and Wesson 4 inch 686.

I also like the 1911s .45 acp esp. the Kimbers, Springfield Armory brand. Also the Ruger P90 blued version and--- the Glock 21. All are .45 acps of course

Doug Cook

I'll also chime in for the .357/.38 for a slightly different reason - the different sized handguns that can use it. From a 2 shot Bond Arms derringer to an 8 shot S&W 627, there's a size for everyone. In fact, S&W has 4 different frame sizes that can handle the round. Personally, I'd use a 4" GP100 for a trail gun.

tomgartin

I have a feeling this would get very different answers in the rifles section

For handguns I would echo the 357/38. Relatively cheap, easy to reload, and the sp101 can shoot any load you want to shoot. Don't forget that there are rifles that can shoot this caliber, which is something you don't get with 45 acp or 9mm (to my knowledge).

spartan88

Thanks guys!

frankiestoys

357 is a all around good cal ,38's for target

spartan88

are you sure?

38-55

41 Magnum with handloads tailored to the gun and situation in a NMBH or a S&W 57

mavracer

let me check










still no

el gavilan

Not reloading is only a temporary condition. Best all around HG caliber has to be 44. Don't get me wrong, I like .357 but you live in the great state of Michigan. .357 can't compete with the 44 in muzzle energy. Just my opinion. Like tomgartin said "this would get very different answers in the rifles section."

spartan88

I am only in Michigan temporarily, grew up here, family all moved down to FL. So when I finish college next semester I am going to look for a job down there with Fish and Game. Then once I am settled I will buy my revolver.

Trifle

I voted with my dollars for a .357, have two, a S&W 686-6 and a Ruger SP101 for CC. Both fine handguns.

bogus bill

For now go with the .357 DA. The best reason besides the power is simply you can find and buy the ammo fairly cheap in comparison to the .44s and .45s. Once you get more experience behind you might find you like a bigger caliber better. Nothing wrong at all with the .357 and .38 special for what you want.

mjbike

If I could only have one caliber my vote would be the .357.
Hot .357 loads down to mild .38. I am looking for a used .357 rifle single shot also, have yet to find one but that will add even more versatility.

el gavilan

Gotcha. Well done! Congrats on your graduation and good luck on the job hunt in Florida. If you're thinking about F&G LE, my guess is they use pistols. Probably polymer and striker fired.

knuckles

45acp... 10mm... 44spl/44mag... 45lc... 357mag/38spl +p all good stuff.

Texpete

Just my $0.02, I would consider a Blackhawk in 45 LC with spare 45 ACP cylinder with a 5.5" barrel (Bisley or Standard grip frame your choice). Carrying in the field with 45LC loads ranging from mild cowboy to heavy cast boolit . Target shooting with the 45 ACP. I was in your shoes some twenty years ago. Bet you can guess where I am now.

Steve

.357 mag

I think 454 casul. You can have the cylinder cut for moon clips and shoot 45 acp. So you have 454, 45 colt, and 45 acp. Best of all worlds. I say ruger alaskin.

frenchy

Haha just came back from the gunstore and somebody was looking at the 44mag desert eagle, i asked to handle it and felt like it was as heavy as 2 GP100s (my unit of standard). It holds 9+1 rounds of 357 mag though....sexy..Would NEVER buy it AND would LOVE to shoot it lol!

JBinTX

.38/.357 definitely the best all around target/trail caliber for me. I would get a GP101 with a 4" barrel. It's not too heavy on the trail, long enough barrel for target, adjustable sights...

Rifleman336

Hard to say. You got a great list of calibers. None of them being a bad pick.

One could make a argument that .45 ACP might be a little lite for Bear and large hog, but one can get .45 Super ammo if one modifies certain semi-autos, but I still wouldn't want a handgun of any caliber, in hand in Grizzly territory.

But .357 Magnum GP-100 is my choice and I hope to add a 5" barreled one to the stable soon. It'll take care of all comers in OH, short of anything that escapes from the zoo or the circus!! Being that it can fire several other .38 based cartridges helps also.

But their are good arguments for big bore .44 Mag / .45 LC +P in their heavy loads and .44 Specials or standard pressure .45 LC for HD.

I prefer DA revolvers for their quicker loading and no additional steps (no safety, or cocking of a hammer) to fire the weapon when suprised.

Rifleman 336

Rugerismisticness

Why are you dead set on a revolver?

My favorite revolvers that fit your specs; Taurus 627 (a 7shot .357 thats ported-cheap too), a GP100, a Taurus Tracker .44mag (same as the 627, but a really good bear gun), and a Ruger Blackhawk .45colt.

Have a go at the autos too, Sigs and CZs are both DA/SA, avaliable in .45ACP, build very well, accurate, fun, reliable as a revolver (don't have to worry about timing), and last a good long time. I'd recommend (these are all .45ACP); the Ruger P345 or P90, the Sig 220, the G21SF, CZ97BD, any 1911, the Taurus 24/7OSS 5inch, and the new XDM.45 and XD45. Ruger is rumored to be making a 1911 soon, wait.

Sonnytoo

So you're going to get out of E. Lansing, huh? I spend most of my life in Michigan and much of it in Lansing, and have retired to Florida so I guess you're on the right track. Go luck with the job hunt.

As far as double-action vs. single-action: The single-actions are the "cowboy guns" and usually are a bit lighter, but they are slower to reload. Purists often go for the single-action. Double-action guns allow you to fire the gun by just pulling the trigger, or you can cock it first if desired and then fire by pulling the trigger. Just pulling the trigger doesn't accomplish anything on a single-action design.
I like 'em both. For woods bumming, a single-action is nice, as you don't expect to reload much or very fast. For plinking at targets, you can reload MUCH faster with the double-action design.
BOTH ARE GOOD. Different strokes.

For a gun you would be using for a trail gun and target gun would you prefer a .45ACP
.45 Colt
.357 (.38 spl for targets .357 for trail)
.44 mag
All these are good calibers. .45 Colt and .44 mag for versatility and large game...deer and up.
.357 for deer and down.
.45 ACP for self-defense (semi-autos) and Bullseye target work.
Sonnytoo

bigweatherby

If you are not specifically planning on taking the gun hunting alot, I would say a 357.

Single or double is your choice but the double is better for defense. I prefer a single for just roaming and occasional plinking. Usually the triiger is better on a tuned single action. I have a 4" GP100 and a 4 5/8" Blackhawk, both stainless and either one would do the trick for me.

spartan88

How is the recoil in a 45LC? Sounds like it may be better to go with because of more stopping power. Yet less kick than a 44 mag

101VooDoo

Another vote for a .45 Colt/ACP convertible. You can load the Colt stout if you want, and you've got the ACP widely available and comparatively cheap for factory loads.

Of course you can't go wrong with a .44, I've got just one convertible, but 4x.44s.

Silent Sam

I wouldn't go DA unless the primary use is SD. 357 50th Anniversary or 45 convertible BH are both very good choices.

Blaze

Definitely a .357/.38 revolver - with one of my .357 rifles!!