# Do you own a handgun ? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 26, 2010, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452 "2010-10-26T23:04:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/81 "2010-10-28T22:31:21Z")
I own a .22 rifle as an american. I would like a handgun, but consider them toys, albeit possibly very high functioning toys. I can’t afford a $600 toy that I want. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/82 "2010-10-29T00:32:30Z")
> [@Box\_A\_Rox](#): > > Many Americans think it’s perfectly legal to shoot under those circumstances. That is ignorance of the law, Americanittis. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/83 "2010-10-29T01:30:37Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Absolutely not. I take great pride in never having touched a gun. I take great pride in not fearing inanimate objects. > [@Alessan](#): > > Don’t own a handgun - never fired one, in fact. > > If I need one, I’ll get one, but as my life stands now it isn’t worth the hassle. no offense, but waiting until after you “need one” is probably going to be too late. insert obligatory “Waiting period?!? But I’m angry _now!_” joke. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/84 "2010-10-29T01:32:43Z")
> [@Box\_A\_Rox](#): > > I’m an American and own a .380 automatic, that was my dads. Rumor has it that if you were to shoot someone with that, you would just annoy them. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/85 "2010-10-29T02:29:43Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > I have a handgun; I bought it and use it mostly for as protection from bears when I’m in the woods. I do keep it by my bed so I guess you could say for personal protection but rarely think about it in that way. I have hunted with it as a matter of convenience. +1 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/86 "2010-10-29T02:34:07Z")
What caliber pistol will stop a bear? The guys who recovered [Timothy Treadwell’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Treadwell) remains took out a Grizzly with a pistol and two shotguns. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/87 "2010-10-29T02:40:10Z")
.454 Casull will do it. Just to skew the numbers (and fuck with certain people’s heads) how would you count those of us Merkins who own multiple dozens of guns, hand and otherwise? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/88 "2010-10-29T02:44:23Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > .454 Casull will do it. > > Just to skew the numbers (and fuck with certain people’s heads) how would you count those of us Merkins who own multiple dozens of guns, hand and otherwise? If you are asking me, I don’t have a problem with that. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/89 "2010-10-29T02:46:37Z")
Man, I’d much rather face a Grizzly with a shotgun and No. 3 buckshot than one of [those.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.454_Casull) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/90 "2010-10-29T02:49:28Z")
No shit. When I lived in Alaska, my hiking gun was a Model 95 Marlin in .45-70. I wanted something with some stopping power, and that gun would drop a moose in its tracks, or really give a bear pause to reconsider entering my tent. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/91 "2010-10-29T02:52:32Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Man, I’d much rather face a Grizzly with a shotgun and No. 3 buckshot than one of [those.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.454_Casull) But if you’re hiking in the backcountry, would you really carry a shotgun in your hand at all times? If the .454 isn’t enough, how about the [.460](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.460_S%26W_Magnum)/[.500 S&W](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.500_S%26W_Magnum)? ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/92 "2010-10-29T02:52:32Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Same. Haven’t since the boating accident in late 2008. Might try again in early 2013. Mine too. ☹ I won’t name the next fishing boat “Titanic”, that’s for sure. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/93 "2010-10-29T02:53:28Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > …or really give a bear pause to reconsider entering my tent. Apparently that is the best you can do with one firearm. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/94 "2010-10-29T02:58:43Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > But if you’re hiking in the backcountry, would you really carry a shotgun in your hand at all times? If I were in Grizzly territory, damn right. They ATE Treadwell and his girlfriend. Buried the literal remains. Three rangers had to kill two bears with two shotguns and a large caliber automatic pistol. I don’t fuck around with things like that. It might be a rabbit running through the bushes, but it is going to meet as many #3’s as I can get off. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/95 "2010-10-29T03:06:23Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > But if you’re hiking in the backcountry, would you really carry a shotgun in your hand at all times? > > If the .454 isn’t enough, how about the [.460](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.460_S%26W_Magnum)/[.500 S&W](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.500_S%26W_Magnum)? If that’s not enough, how about the .600 Nitro Express pistol? For only [$16,000+ for the gun and $40 a shot](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pfeifer_Zeliska_.600_Nitro_Express_revolver) it can be yours. Bargain at twice the price, I tell you. [Good luck carrying it](http://www.pfeifer-waffen.at/cms/html/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=15), though. Your holster will be the size of a backpack. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/96 "2010-10-29T03:08:19Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > But if you’re hiking in the backcountry, would you really carry a shotgun in your hand at all times? Come to think of it, I’ve seen slings for 12 Gauges at WalMart. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/97 "2010-10-29T03:15:06Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > If I were in Grizzly territory, damn right. > They ATE Treadwell and his girlfriend. Buried the literal remains. Three rangers had to kill two bears with two shotguns and a large caliber automatic pistol. > I don’t fuck around with things like that. It might be a rabbit running through the bushes, but it is going to meet as many #3’s as I can get off. 🙂 Then why not slugs instead of pellets? Quick look at ammo, chosen at random 12 ga. shotgun 1,400 fps-1.25 oz of pellets(600 grains) Appx 2600 ft-lbs kinetic energy .460 S&W 360 grain lead flat nose 1,900 fps Appx 2900 ft-lbs kinetic energy Seems to be about equal with carrying a pistol being easier while getting better penetration with the pistol and you should be able to fire about as fast. At bear threat range, you won’t get much spread. Note: I don’t hike or hunt. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/98 "2010-10-29T03:21:39Z")
The shotguns took out the Treadwell bears, not the handgun. I’m not going to screw around with a sure thing. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cowgirl\_Jules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@Cowgirl\_Jules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowgirl_Jules)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/99 "2010-10-29T03:42:21Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > What caliber pistol will stop a bear? The guys who recovered [Timothy Treadwell’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Treadwell) remains took out a Grizzly with a pistol and two shotguns. We hunt Black Bear, which are considerably smaller than Grizzlies. My husband and I both carry .45 ACP right now. A buddy carries a .44 and sometimes a .40. That same buddy backed me up on my last bear with my .357. They’ll all do. The larger calibers are just fun. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452/100 "2010-10-29T03:45:15Z")
> [@Cowgirl\_Jules](#): > > We hunt Black Bear, which are considerably smaller than Grizzlies. My husband and I both carry .45 ACP right now. A buddy carries a .44 and sometimes a .40. That same buddy backed me up on my last bear with my .357. They’ll all do. The larger calibers are just fun. But like I said, I don’t want to screw around. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-handgun/558452.md?page=6)