Need suggestions for a good garage pistol

[JoeH]

Lots of good options here. My first choice would be a used Rem 870 or Mossberg 500. If you want something smaller to conceal, I'd go for an inexpensive revolver like a Taurus in 38, 357, 9, 40, 10, 44, or 45.

[Cuda66]

Single shot handi rifle in .223 or .243, or a cheap bolt .22

This.

[Pezhead]

Glock. Hi point maybe if want really cheap. Revolver isn't a bad choice either.

[hirdlej]

No shotguns guys. I'm thinking worst case scenario (god forbid) if a predator got ahold of my dog, I don't want to shoot my dog too. I want something that could accurately place a plate sized shot at 25 feet or so. I have a friend who's a police officer for the city of blaine. I'm going to see if they have any old service pistols that come up for sale. They use glock .40 cals I found while talking to him. I'm going to shoot for a $300 pistol that may have heavy finish use, but not necessarily shot a lot.

[gunforhire]

get a Hi point and don't look back. shoot it, make sure it runs, and toss it whereever you want. if it don't run, it's usually crappy mag related. Adjust the lips on it and you are G2G. if that don't do it, Hi point has the best warranty AFAIK. if you wanna spend more get a police trade in Glock

[Pat Cannon]

No shotguns guys. I'm thinking worst case scenario (god forbid) if a predator got ahold of my dog, I don't want to shoot my dog too. I want something that could accurately place a plate sized shot at 25 feet or so.

That's what slugs are for. I bet you can get a .410 for a hundred bucks.

That's the logical thing, in theory. But I only own handguns myself so who am I to talk.

[thunderoussilence]

Be Proactive know your enemy.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/livingwith_w ... index.html

If ya want I would be happy to come and shoot a few for you, lay some snares, not sure if Mn is still doing a bounty but what the hell.

Good Shootin

Declan

[Drizzle]

I use a G23, but a Ruger 9mm auto would be a good choice also, as long as you're not having to carry it, for long, it being boat anchor heavy.

[gyrfalcon]

Single shot handi rifle in .223 or .243, or a cheap bolt .22

This.

Double on this, maybe a break action thompson contender with .410/.223 barrels/scope. (but that goes out of the cheap range)

[Rem700]

No shotguns guys. I'm thinking worst case scenario (god forbid) if a predator got ahold of my dog, I don't want to shoot my dog too. I want something that could accurately place a plate sized shot at 25 feet or so. I have a friend who's a police officer for the city of blaine. I'm going to see if they have any old service pistols that come up for sale. They use glock .40 cals I found while talking to him. I'm going to shoot for a $300 pistol that may have heavy finish use, but not necessarily shot a lot.

Hope thats not a dinner plate if said predator has your pooch in its jaws.

[Jbotto]

I'm with the idea of a long gun on this one. A good older .30/30 will take care of any coon or coyote that wants to tangle with your dog.

[BemidjiDweller]

I vote for a C9, but if you don't want to go with Hi Point, then you could get a Ruger P95. But if I were you, I would choose the Hi Point C9 or one of their other pistols. Thats my advise.

[photogpat]

IMHO, rethink your pistol at 25 ft for coyotes. For your dog scenario, you're talking about hitting not only a small moving target, but one with an "innocent" target in close proximity. By all means purchase and carry a handgun for self-defense...

...but if you're truly out in the sticks - .30-30 lever action, .410, or a .22 has been the varmint weapon of choice for 100 years (if not more). The single shot handi-rifles from Rossi/NEF/H&R chambered in a nice flat shooting .223 or .243 with a red dot or 4x scope will solve 95% of your varmint problems out beyond 150-200 yds. The accuracy would be nice to have as well if you have your dog in close proximity to said varmint.

[Paul]

No shotguns guys. I'm thinking worst case scenario (god forbid) if a predator got ahold of my dog, I don't want to shoot my dog too. I want something that could accurately place a plate sized shot at 25 feet or so.

I think you are underestimating the accuracy potential of a shotgun with appropriate ammunition, and possibly overestimating your abilities with a pistol.

You should be able to hit a plate size target with a shotgun from 50 yards (150 feet) with slugs and up to 25 yards (75 feet) with quality buckshot... Think Federal Flight Control.

So, my point is that if you can't hit a plate size target at 25 feet (8 yards or so) with a long gun, I think you might have difficulties hitting a small, moving target, at 25 feet with a handgun.

[xd ED]

I'd go with a 22lr for several reasons. If you do get into your worse case scenario you can likely end the attack with a non-immediately lethal shot(s) to the back 1/2 of the predator. That's likely as far from your dog as you'll be able to aim. It's not going to be a static target, and if by chance you did hit your dog, it's got the best chance of survival from any of the rounds previously recomended.