Hey everyone, my name is Francisco (call me Franco). I just found this site surfing the web for info. Just wanna tell ya a little bit about myself.

I live in SW Ohio and am a avid hunter. I started hunting for serious last year. Currently I hunt with a Quad 400 and a Mossberg 500. The shotgun I got towards end of last season on sale so I haven't gotten to use it yet. I really only hunt for deer but REALLY want to try Bear and Board hunts.

So, to put it simply, I love handguns. I love my 9mm...lol What I am looking for is a nice beginner's hunting handgun. Issue is I know NOTHING about hunting with handguns, or selecting one for that matter. I've surfed the web, and got even more confused. I've seen TONS of guns for prices up to and over $1,000. I don
t know the pricing, but I don't have that much money. I'm looking for a usable gun for around $250 - $450 used. I would rather have a new one, but for that price I can learn on used then upgrade later.

Well, that's it for now. Glad to of found this forum. Look forward to being a member.

Fran, Welcome....you have found the only web site thats dedicated
to handgun hunting only.The members are the finest sportspeople in the world.As for used handguns I would say you have a much better chance of finding a hunting handgun in great shape with todays market.I`am sure you can find a used Ruger SuperBlackhawk
in 44mag with a 7 1/2" barrel for that $450 limit. Good luck and good hunting, James

Welcome Franco..........I would agree with James a good SuperBlackhawk, maybe a nice SuperRedHawk in 44 mag will do just fine. IF you think you will like handgun hunting and wont convert over to the DARKSIDE you could get a TC Encore and there are always different barrels around at a good price.

JUST MY TWO CENTS!!!

Franco...unplug your computer and just throw it out in the yard!! Take one of those shotguns and blast it! This site alone will make you want more than you plan to spend. I took these guys advice and got me a 44 mag. Then got a reloading press, then a bunch of dies. Wait, then a few more handguns so now when hunting comes around I am competely baffled on which to use. And ton of brass and bullets to go with all that. For some reason I have developed a kinda twitchn' tingle on my trigger finger. I still need more!

Oh, get the SBH!

....and that's comin' from a guy that owns a S&W Performance Center gun!!

I own 'bout a half dozen single action Ruger handguns...love them all.

BTW........welcome!!

He was looking to save on the moola! Nothing against either of them though!

Oh, I agree with Jeremy, RUN! I owned 1 44. mag when I found this site. Now if you ask my wife I'm out of control. I can think of a lot worse ways to spend money.

I agree with the SBH .44. A great gun at a resonable price. .44 mag ammo can be purchased almost every where that sells ammo. Good luck and welcome.

If you really wanna expand the possibilities with the Ruger...look for a Hunter model Super Blackhawk. Those are SUPER simple to mount a scope and...at least for me...greatly improve confidence levels.

Welcome to HHM Franciscoj!!!

Good bunch here!

These fellas will tell you that I'm with the .44 caliber crowd. I am completely biased and think that you can find a used Ruger single action, be it Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum caliber for the money you are looking to spend. Now, please consider the holster that you buy just as important as the revolver itself. Don't cheap out and figure you can "get bye" with something. If that big gun is not comfortable and practical to carry, you'll think that its too heavy. Nonsense! Buy the revolver, then bring it with you (unloaded of course!) to try
different holster set ups. Wear the clothing that you intend to hunt in. Most fellas at least start out(and indeed most likely end up with) with some variation of hip holster when carrying single action revolvers.
Did I mention Ruger single action .44 Magnum revolvers?

Renster

As all have said I sure wish I found this site prior to my first purchase. I started with a taurus 44 mag double action and thought was good, killed me a few deer. Then I cought the encore bug and got a nice one with a 500sw barrel, now i have a 308 barrel and am itching for a 45/410 barrel before squirell season starts (in one month) and would love a muzzleloader barrel for it as well. Then i got the superblackhawk bug from reading all these guys posts and found a used one at local gun store and "visited" it a few times over couple months and it was still ther!! So sad looking I had to rescue it. So now thats on layaway awaiting its home arrival in a week or so i hope. So run for that superblackhawk in 44mag and youll be so happy!!

+1 on the Super Blackhawk in .44 mag. I picked up a used one for 375 the other day for backup for my BFR in .475 Linebaugh. I'm gonna use this combo for moose/black bear in a couple of weeks, woohoo!
Steve

Welcome aboard there is years of knowledge on this site so don't be afraid to ask, this site will save you alot of trial and error time. It doesn't have to be on handgun hunting or shooting only I have recieved great support from the members since I have fallen on bad times. It's nice when someone you have never meet takes time to let you know to hang in there and things will work out.

A good handgun to start with would be a Taurus Ragging Bull in 44 Mag. This has to be the most comfortable 44 Mag. to shoot. Like everyone is telling you that once you start handgun hunting you will be hooked.

Hey now thats an idea 454 RAGING BULL........I loved mine!!! Take little step up from the 44 mag. :?)

I too started with a SBH. Next I bought a Contender from a friend and later picked up a few barrels. Then wanted something bigger and bought an Encore and bought some other barrels later on. Yes it is addictive, but it sure is fun!

50th Anniversay New Model Super Blackhawk


I found a new one for a REALLY good price. Would this be the one everyone is talking about? I imagine I would need to get a mount like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Scope-mount-Redhawk-...3286.m20.l1116. Is it expensive to get the gun tapped for this use?

If you like revolvers then a .41 Magnum would be a great choice. Start small and work up to a gun with more recoil.

Franco,
Welcome aboard. Great advice from Gary. The 41 Magnum does not have the recoil of some other handguns and will do the job as well if not a little better than most. If you do your part it will finish the job on deer, bear and boars. If you reload there is not a problem. Off the shelf ammo will be harder to come by.
Good luck in the search.
Rick

welcom home. get a single six and shoot the stuffing out of it. then start looking for the super blackhawk. also look at one ragged hole for the sights. new grips, better holster than the one you just bought (again) new grips. dies, reloading equ, new grips, electronic scale, maybe a flap holster, one more gun, new dies, ect.

p.s. did i happen to say new grips?

It is a simple DIY project. The Weigand base uses the existing rear sight hole to set in position and then you just drill and tap the front two holes. You can buy the D&T for around 10-15 bucks or I can loan you mine, you supply the T-handle.

I would not trust the clamp on "no drill" bases on anything magnum.

I have to agree with these guys that the 44 Mag is a good place to start. It can be shot from mild to wild.

I have to disagree with the blackhawk from a personal standpoint. I like the double action grips over the single actions. So if it's possible handle or shoot both before you buy.

Been there done that! I tried one on a 357 mag. and she cracked the scope on the 5th shot. I would recommend a drill and tap mount over the clamp rig.

I agree with Dale here, but for another option, the Ruger Bisley grip frame. I never liked SA's for the grips until I held a Bisley, now I have 4 SA's. I also like the SRH/GP DA grip, it is similar in size and angle to the Bisley.

The 41 Mag does have less felt recoil than the 44, but the ammo is less available. To get the best out of a 41 Mag you need to reload. I like the 45 cal myself, but again you need to reload it as well to get the most potential. Just my 2 cents worth!

Buy a RUGER redhawk or blackhawk which ever feels the best to you in 44mag caliber and throw your computer in the yard and shoot that pistol until it falls apart(which it won't)and you'll do just fine.If you keep your computer that won't be your last purchase I guarentee that!And welcome!!

I would have to say go fondle a few to see which fits your hand the best. For me the S&W Classic and Ruger Super Redhawk are the best. I think anything in a .41 or .44 Mag would be just about right. Just my opinion...