Who here carries a pistol while hunting. Here in Ga I usually carry a Customized Super Blackhawk 4 5/8" barell 44 Mag. Typically carry it deer hunting, hog hunting, and whild small game hunting if deer season is in or I might get a shoot at a hog. I have killed several deer and a few hogs with it not to mention some rattle snakes with snake shot. Who else carries while hunting? What do you carry and why?
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Hunting Sidearm
- Thread starter cddogfan1
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I use to carry a worked over S&W model 29 44 mag. It was a great pistol, but to heavy and bulky. I switched to carrying my GLOCK 36 45ACP about 5 years ago.
It is light, and I don't have to worry about it getting wet or banged around.
I is my edc pistol, so I am very familiar with it.
I archery hunt, but carry the pistol more for two legged critters, even though the area we hunt doesn't have very much traffic. Two years ago, they did find a big pot farm in our area, and are sure it was the Mexican cartel. So you never know
It is light, and I don't have to worry about it getting wet or banged around.
I is my edc pistol, so I am very familiar with it.
I archery hunt, but carry the pistol more for two legged critters, even though the area we hunt doesn't have very much traffic. Two years ago, they did find a big pot farm in our area, and are sure it was the Mexican cartel. So you never know
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Are you talking about carrying a handgun as your primary hunting arm, or as an adjunct to a rifle?
If a primary firearm, I would probably go with a .44 magun from S&W or Taurus (Ruger makes fine firearms, but I just like the S&W style better). If I was really serious about hunting with a handgun, I would probably go with a T/C Contender or Encore, though, in a caliber appropriate to the game I was hunting (although I guess some people would not consider a 14" bbl, scoped Contender a "real" handgun).
If I was taking one in addition to my primary long gun, it might depend on the long gun. If I was carrying a rimfire rifle for small game, I might carry the same .44 mganum to have something for hogs or whatever. On the other hand, if I was carrying a centerfire rifle for big game (deer/hog/bear/whatever) I might want to bring along a little j-frame .22 for chance shots at small game.
This is of course assuming overlapping seasons for the relevent critters.
Sorry for the confusion. In addition to your primary firearm. My post was also not intended on being a question asking for advise on what to carry. I have already made that decision myself. I was just intrested in what others carry and why. No real right or wrong here just trying to see how others rationalize there needs.
Are you talking about carrying a handgun as your primary hunting arm, or as an adjunct to a rifle?
If a primary firearm, I would probably go with a .44 magun from S&W or Taurus (Ruger makes fine firearms, but I just like the S&W style better). If I was really serious about hunting with a handgun, I would probably go with a T/C Contender or Encore, though, in a caliber appropriate to the game I was hunting (although I guess some people would not consider a 14" bbl, scoped Contender a "real" handgun).
If I was taking one in addition to my primary long gun, it might depend on the long gun. If I was carrying a rimfire rifle for small game, I might carry the same .44 mganum to have something for hogs or whatever. On the other hand, if I was carrying a centerfire rifle for big game (deer/hog/bear/whatever) I might want to bring along a little j-frame .22 for chance shots at small game.
This is of course assuming overlapping seasons for the relevent critters.
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As a sidearm when in bear or cat country hunting, I usually carry a Glock 29, a Paraord P16 or a Kimber 1911 -- all in 10mm, loaded with Double Tap 200gr XTPs.
I used to carry an S&W 629 Trailboss in .44 RemMag, but I was too slow to recover between shots. When charged by a wild boar, I only was able to get three shots on the boar. With the 10mm's, I can get to slide lock, and the 10mm loads I use are loaded at about .41 magnum levels (slightly less).
If not in bear country, I usually carry an FN FiveseveN in 5.7x28, loaded with Elite Ammunition loads. It can take down, and has taken down, everything up to a wild pig.
I used to carry an S&W 629 Trailboss in .44 RemMag, but I was too slow to recover between shots. When charged by a wild boar, I only was able to get three shots on the boar. With the 10mm's, I can get to slide lock, and the 10mm loads I use are loaded at about .41 magnum levels (slightly less).
If not in bear country, I usually carry an FN FiveseveN in 5.7x28, loaded with Elite Ammunition loads. It can take down, and has taken down, everything up to a wild pig.
high desert
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I usually carry while hunting. Why? cause I can. It's usually a Glock #37 or #17.
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I carry my Grizzly .45 magnum in a shoulder holster and really forget it's there. It makes a great backup for my 7mm mag.
If I'm carrying my Winchester 94 in .44 mag I'll carry either my 4 5/8in Ruger Super Blackhawk or my 10in bull barrel model 29.
If I'm carrying my Winchester 94 in .44 mag I'll carry either my 4 5/8in Ruger Super Blackhawk or my 10in bull barrel model 29.
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Old CW4
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I own revolvers and pistols in every common caliber from 22 through 45-70 and several makes/models of some of them. I've also served with my local Sheriff's Dept for many years and my preferred duty gun is my S&W 41 mag with six inch barrel. Point is, I've gone through all the handgun calibers for 60 plus years and my final selection, my do everything, both duty and hunting handgun is the S&W 41 mag! I fell in love with that caliber a lot of years ago. To date, I've shot probably 20 deer and seven elk with either the S&W 41 or a Ruger Blackhawk in 41 that I bought when I got back from Nam in 71.
I'm deadly with either and if Mr. Deer or Mr. Elk is within 100 yards (my personal max range for large animals with a handgun), he's mine! I've let many of both species move on when they were farther off and, no, I'm not a saint, I just don't like tracking wounded animals. My goal is to anchor the animal with the first shot, wait for several minutes, then creep (stalk) up and put the second round in the back of the head. I do this even though the animal is down, eyes are glazed, and no evidence of breathing. You never can tell and I had one hell of a close call with a mule deer I thought was destroyed with a 7mm mag 170 grainer through the heart. I stepped on an antler, tilted his head up to cut his throat, and he threw my 220 lbs for an aerial somersault, then got up and came for me spraying blood all over the place. Fortunately, I had a sidearm, a Colt Python 357, and I broke the retainer strap getting it out of the holster and emptied it in the buck. He went down again and I shakily reloaded, walked around in back of him, and proceeded to blow his head (in the words of Clint Eastwood) 'clean off' with six more rounds.
However, with the 41, I handload 220 grain bullets with a book max charge of H110 or 2400 which chrono better than 1650 fps. I had two elk out of the seven I've shot with a 41 who were down but still breathing. I went behind and very carefully put another into the back of the head. The other five were dead with chest/boiler room single shots, none more than 60 yards or so in those dense Colorado and NM thickets but, still, I now always take the second 'insurance' shot. Anyway, don't overlook the 41 mag. IMO, one of the finest 'powerful' handgun rounds extant, not the energy of a 44 which I also love, but about 250 fps more velocity and thus flatter shooting and more penetration.
As mentioned at the start of this diatribe, I also have handguns in 45-70, a pair of BFR five shot revolvers with ten inch barrels. My pet load for these is 405 grain half jacket bullets and 51 grains of IMR 4320. I don't think there's anything walking on the planet one of them wouldn't take down. The energy math for these loads, BTW, figures out at 3.7 times a 44 mag with a 240 grain bullet. The BFRs do kick on both ends and will literally blow a coyote or feral dog in two. I have also used one of them a time or two to put down a badly injured horse or cow hit on local highways. But, for some dumb reason, I haven't yet hunted with them, but now you've got me thinking.
I'm deadly with either and if Mr. Deer or Mr. Elk is within 100 yards (my personal max range for large animals with a handgun), he's mine! I've let many of both species move on when they were farther off and, no, I'm not a saint, I just don't like tracking wounded animals. My goal is to anchor the animal with the first shot, wait for several minutes, then creep (stalk) up and put the second round in the back of the head. I do this even though the animal is down, eyes are glazed, and no evidence of breathing. You never can tell and I had one hell of a close call with a mule deer I thought was destroyed with a 7mm mag 170 grainer through the heart. I stepped on an antler, tilted his head up to cut his throat, and he threw my 220 lbs for an aerial somersault, then got up and came for me spraying blood all over the place. Fortunately, I had a sidearm, a Colt Python 357, and I broke the retainer strap getting it out of the holster and emptied it in the buck. He went down again and I shakily reloaded, walked around in back of him, and proceeded to blow his head (in the words of Clint Eastwood) 'clean off' with six more rounds.
However, with the 41, I handload 220 grain bullets with a book max charge of H110 or 2400 which chrono better than 1650 fps. I had two elk out of the seven I've shot with a 41 who were down but still breathing. I went behind and very carefully put another into the back of the head. The other five were dead with chest/boiler room single shots, none more than 60 yards or so in those dense Colorado and NM thickets but, still, I now always take the second 'insurance' shot. Anyway, don't overlook the 41 mag. IMO, one of the finest 'powerful' handgun rounds extant, not the energy of a 44 which I also love, but about 250 fps more velocity and thus flatter shooting and more penetration.
As mentioned at the start of this diatribe, I also have handguns in 45-70, a pair of BFR five shot revolvers with ten inch barrels. My pet load for these is 405 grain half jacket bullets and 51 grains of IMR 4320. I don't think there's anything walking on the planet one of them wouldn't take down. The energy math for these loads, BTW, figures out at 3.7 times a 44 mag with a 240 grain bullet. The BFRs do kick on both ends and will literally blow a coyote or feral dog in two. I have also used one of them a time or two to put down a badly injured horse or cow hit on local highways. But, for some dumb reason, I haven't yet hunted with them, but now you've got me thinking.
I have been thinking about picking up a Glock 29. I like the 10mm round and in the compact G29 seem like a good package. Do you carry the G29 conceled any. How does it do at that.
Primary hunting handgun is a Bowen Custom SA Blackhawk in .45LC...extremly powerful/accurate weapon. As a secondary weapon/sidearm coupled with a long gun for hunting, Ive carried a Bowen Custom Ruger 4" Redhawk for several years. Damned fine revolver after he polished it up for me...loaded with Buff Bore 270gr./1450+fps it is handful. It does tend to be rather beefy, however...so I shifted to a Glock 20 for most purposes. Hot 10MM is generally enough for my purposes.
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Yes, I do. I usually carry it in a Bladetech paddle, and it sits high and tight. The slide and frame are a tad thicker than my 1911, but the butt seems to ride closer to the body, so it all works out.
I have had the grip refinished by Robar, which gives it the same grip angle as the 1911s. I also find it easier to hold on to than the original grip finish during recoil.
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I guess I'm the odd guy out in a way. I carry a 10MM Kimber as my EDC, however when elk hunting I don't carry a sidearm. It didn't start off that way. My first elk trip I was equiped like a combination boy scout and army ranger. I learned pretty quickly that weight is critical when hiking above 10,000' especially for a non-altitude adjusted flatlander. One of the first things to get the heave-ho was my 7.5" S&W 629 big ol' hunk of steel.
For most other hunting, where I'm not oxygen starved, I'll carry my Kimber 10.
For most other hunting, where I'm not oxygen starved, I'll carry my Kimber 10.
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I usually bowhunt. But I carry an XD45 for the wooly buggers. Have a serious mountain lion problem where I hunt. 2 cubs never left home and are a real PITA. So we Now have momma cat a cub and two 3 year olds that travel together and never left. Those two and are seen way to often for my comfort.
