The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Mountain/Woods Handgun For My Daughter...Which Caliber?

22-rimfire · March 8, 2012, 11:36 AM

I can't recommend that an inexperienced shooter with a small stature get a 44 mag for woods protection. The amount of recoil is very important. But so is having a firearm that is powerful enough to provide some protection when necessary. I believe she will find the 357 mag uncomfortable to shoot. So I recommended the Ruger GP-100 in either a 3" or 4" configuration as the most powerful handgun caliber that is practical.

I think the "Judge" (Taurus or S&W version) would be a poor choice as would an airweight revolver. But I do suggest a revolver over a semi-auto pistol.

March 8, 2012, 11:36 AM	#26
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	I can't recommend that an inexperienced shooter with a small stature get a 44 mag for woods protection. The amount of recoil is very important. But so is having a firearm that is powerful enough to provide some protection when necessary. I believe she will find the 357 mag uncomfortable to shoot. So I recommended the Ruger GP-100 in either a 3" or 4" configuration as the most powerful handgun caliber that is practical. I think the "Judge" (Taurus or S&W version) would be a poor choice as would an airweight revolver. But I do suggest a revolver over a semi-auto pistol.