What's best handgun for a beginner?

[roadkill]

I'm thinking about hunting deer with a handgun. I don't know much about them, so I would appreciate some info from someone who hunts with them. And also the size of scope for that particular handgun.....

[TLMgamecalls]

i'll start with the standard loadings- 357, 41, 44, 45 LC (and yes you can go much bigger) no contender or encore loads for now

is it a hunting pistol only ?
no barrels shorter then 6"

standard revolvers are good for around a 100yd range (140 if you get real good) also good for thich cover, shorter faster shots
you dont need a scope, but if you get one i would go with a straight 3X, (a 2X is just a little too small)
and if you can afford it a 2 X 7
sighted in at 75 yds

do you reload ? if not i would go with a 357 (practice with cheap 38 spc) if you do the sky is the limit
a 357 is small, but with practice and good shot placement a real good gun, and the least amout of recoil
i've had a 357 still go through a deer at 135yds

i perfer a S&W, but you can get a used ruger black hawk for around $200 any day of the week

if you want to go into encore's and contender's just let me know
todd

[Mobe]

Below are the Kansas regs for handguns straight from their website. Iowa regs are a bit more restrictive on caliber etc. So my first advice would be to determine what states/countries you wish to hunt in and be legal with your purchase. Definitely six inch barrel or longer. The shorter you get the less accurate it is. I would agree a 357 is a good choice to start with for the simple fact of using cheap 38 ammo to learn with.
Get a scope made for a pistol/revolver. They withstand the recoil better and you will be happier with it.
I use a .44 mag and load my own ammo.

KANSAS regs
Legal handgun for deer - centerfire handguns that are not fully automatic, fire a bullet larger than .23 inches in diameter, and use a cartridge case 1.280 inches or more in length, while using only soft point, hollow point, or other expanding bullets.

Legal muzzleloading pistol for deer (early season) – single barrel muzzleloading pistols that have open or peep sights, including fiber optic sights, that do not magnify the target, project visible light, or electronically amplify visible or infrared light, .45 caliber or larger, that have a barrel length of 10 inches or greater and can be loaded only through the front of the barrel with separate components. Only conical lead or saboted bullets weighing 210 grains or greater shall be used with muzzleloading pistols.

[smokeybear]

Of course I'm not talking about to deer hunt with here, but the best handgun for the beginner is a good quality 22 in my opinion. When you get to where you are very accurate and comfortable shooting the 22 then you will be the same with any other handgun that you want to hunt with. Plus it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to practice with a 22.

[Tusker]

I would sure agree with Smoky~ Almost any hand gun shooting should begin with a QUALITY 22 REVOLVER~~ I am old and set in my ways, but I still agree to this. If you cannot shoot a 22, chances are very slim you can hit anything with something bigger. also, if you can't hit it at 15 or 20 yards, you are not going to hit it at 50. An average shot from a tree stand around here is 15 or less yards. Beyond that, looking beyond state regs., it is only what you work best with. A clean kill is what is required, and PLENTY of range time. Just a few thoughts. The below rig will get you started. I have never been fond of a scope on a handgun, for the same reason I wouldn't want one on a brush gun??
A nice S&W K 22 from 1947-- Leather is from EL PASO, grips are old carved Ivory. Hard to beat this rig to start out, or for life.