Disclaimer: I know very little about pistols. I've been a long gun guy my whole life for hunting. I did get my cc permit now here in Wisconsin. Now I need to decide what to buy. Note that whatever pistol I get it will be used by both my wife and me for carrying. She has her CC permit as well. Wildlife Protection: Do I just forget about trying to carry to protect ourselves from wolfs and bears? Maybe just carry pepper spray or something instead? This would be for say in spring when you can get between a momma and her cubs? Or perhaps a pack of wolfs getting too close to our dog or kids. Or is there a pistol that provides reasonable protection from 4 legged critters? Human Protection: I will also be CC carrying in public at times. Obviously would like something small and easy to conceal and carry. The goal would be to only buy one pistol (for now) to perform both items. I would say we won't carry very much in public but will carry a fair amount in the woods. I have a feeling the responses are going to forget about carrying a gun for wildlife protection and just worry about public carrying. I think my wife is mostly the one concerned about wildlife protection. I've spent my share of time in wolf/bear country unarmed. Would it be nice to have.... sure. Please spoon feed me. Thanks.
When my wife and I took the class, she hadn't shot nearly as much as I had, but wanted to start. That said, I carry a Sig P226 and she carries a S&W MP9C. Decided to get the same caliber to save on ammo costs, and also a 9mm is about as small as you want to go for personnal protection, just my .02. Wife carries in her purse, I carry IWB.
For hunting, I carry a Gen 2 Glock 22 (full-frame .40 cal) or my Gen 3 Glock 21 (full-frame .45 cal). I take it you've already gotten your WI CCW license. Make sure that card is on you at ALL times or else you're subject to a monetary fine. Also, be careful where you carry, as some parts of the CCW law state where CCW licensee's can carry and where they can't. For example, if you go pick up your kids (if you have any) at the school, you're in violation whereas if you're hunting 1001 feet from the school, you are fine.
Depending on where I am bow hunting, I've carried a 380, 40, 45 or 44 mag Usually it's the 40 S&W When not hunting it's either the 40 or 380 depending on dress. I keep tossing around getting a nice 357 for carrying.
I just went through the same process. While it's not ideal for stopping a big angry bear, I ended up choosing a Dan Wesson Guardian in .45. It's the Commander length and has a bobtail, so it's a bit easier to conceal than a typical 1911, and it's also about the most gun you can reasonably handle in a mid size package. It's not perfect for both situations, but should do well in both until I can get guns specifically for each purpose.
There is a whole world of information about concealed carry weapons, it's a little hard to distill it down. As a practical matter, Smith & Wesson M&P pistols have interchangeable grip panels so that you can customize the grip to your hand size (or your wife's). 9mm is certainly one of the most common, and least expensive calibers to shoot. Stopping power is a little low, so shot placement is key. This is probably not an ideal caliber for protection in the woods (unless you are mostly concerned with 2 legged critters). Another good caliber is .40 S&W. This provides a compromise between 9mm and .45 ACP. More stopping power than 9mm, and you only lose 1-2 rounds in magazine capacity. Still probably a little light for wild animal protection, but a good compromise. If you want real wild animal protection, I would start at 41 magnum (revolver), or 10mm. You would have to think hard about your wife's comfort shooting one of these heavier loads. I would research the issue, read some balistic information and handle a few different guns. Probably best to go to a range that will let you rent firearms and shoot a bunch of different ones.
The 380 is when I am just hunting local, behind the house or down the road. No real bad guy threat, just small critters. The 40 goes most often because it carries easiest, I drive thru some rough areas to get to my normal spot, and it still gives me peace of mind in the woods. The 45 comes along when I'm not climbing a tree, only because I like the gun, but it's not very accomodating to my harness when up a tree. Its a full size 1911, not really made to carry, but I just like the gun. The 44 mag goes along on all fishing trips, and some hunting trips when the landowners have been seeing the bears hanging around in recent days/weeks.
Here is a suggestion. Move out of that cesspool of a place that some call a state. You can have Obama back anytime you want as well.
This year, I will be carrying a Para Ordnance P14-45 .45 caliber pistol. I used to carry a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 magnum, simply because it was the only handgun I had. The Para is a little big for concealed carry, since it is a full size 1911 with a double stack magazine.
I know I don't particularly want him. I suppose he needs to go somewhere - he's doing a heck of a lot of damage where he is. Our governor is bad enough, though. We don't need to re-introduce Obama to the mix!
