Pistol for minor protection
 

What size pistol do you guys recommend for proteection from small pigs, coyotes and occasional bobcat? I am a bowhunter so I do not have a rifle or anything for when i'm looking for my kill, which is primarilly pigs and them suckers arent always dead when ya find em so I think a pistol would be easiest method? any suggestions?:boxing:

357 revolver, preferably a double action. A S&W 686 or Ruger GP100 if you have a fairly high budget (usually around $650-800 with the S&W being more expensive) or a Rossi if you have a low budget (usually around $350).

What about a .380 or .38 and what are differences between these two?

Those are two different rounds. The 380 ACP is commonly found in small semi auto "pocket pistols". It is not suitable for protection against animals.

A .38 Special can be safety fired in a 357 magnum firearm. It is just a shorter, less powerful round. It's fine for target practice because it's cheaper but for carrying in the woods you'll want to load it with 357's.

This picture should give you an idea of what the rounds look like.
http://www.sff.net/people/sanders/ammo.jpg

Oh wow thanks, I hope i'm not seeming ignorant but what about a .32 is that bigger or smaller of a gun?

Smaller. 357/38/9mm/380 are all 35 caliber.

Ok, all i see for .38 pistols is revolvers. do they make pistols?

No, if your looking for a semi auto that would be a 380,9mm. You could also go with a .40 or 357sig and dont forget the best of all 45acp. I would use nothing smaller that a 9mm

.45 auto if your looking for a semi auto. or .44 mag if your looking for a revolver. if you plan on doing much shooting at the range .357Mag for when your hunting and .38spc for at the range. but if your not planning on shooting much at the range i would just go for the .44 mag.

I would have to go with WD the 357 is the best of all the choices so far buy a box of good .357 rounds for porotection but practice with the .38 rounds just remember that you can shoot .38's in a .357 but not 357's in a 38 so personally I would get the .357 over a .38