Hunting Sidearm

[E.K.Tryon]

TC Encore SS barrel (the unmounted one) in 7mm-08 with Bushnell Elite 3200 2-6x32mm scope, EABCo KeyLock base and triple rings. ProHunter Encore frame with Pachmayr Decelerator grip and forend. This will be my rig this September when I head to Alaska to hunt Caribou with my son. The mounted barrel is a ProHunter SS fluted barrel in .17HMR, Leupold Rifleman base and rings holding a BSA 2x scope

 

[Warriorsociologist]

After carrying a number of different guns/calibers, I have settled on either a 4" 686-5 or a Glock 29sf as my woods sidearm. The G29 gets carried unless I'm deer hunting (we have a 5.5" min legal bbl length here in WI...and the cylinder counts as part of it).

 

[timcsaw]

When I'm in the woods and field, I carry my Ruger SP-101 loaded with the heaviest 357 Mag. loads I have (I'm literally loaded for bear). I also carry my glock 19. I don't expect to try to actually hunt with either, as I see them as for defensive use only. I've used the glock twice on nasty critters (once a rabid coon, the other a rabid coyote). Also killed a couple skunks just because I don't like skunks around. (sorry skunk lovers).

 

[Warriorsociologist]

Should have also mentioned my 3" SP-101. How could I forget that one! The trouble is, there is some confusion here as to if we get CCW will we be able to carry a handgun that's not legal hunting length while engaged in hunting (it's my understanding that currently we cannot -- even if it's for "defensive purposes")...

 

[WA Martin]

Usually have my Ruger KGP-141, occaisionally the KGP-161. (.357 mags)

Don't know why I don't take my Bearcat or Taurus 941 along... humm...

 

[redwing10]

If I am out in the wood a S&W 329 240 wt bullet RNFP lead. Kicks hard but not like you can not shoot the next shot and hit the target.

Redwing10

 

[Mack]

LAR Grizzly .45 WinMag

S&W Model 29 Customized by George Matthews.

 

[DennisStrickland]

45 win. mag is the gun, thanks for showing.---dennis

 

[whetrock]

I think the ideal hunting sidearm for medium/big game would have to be the Glock model 20 10MM it's not the most powerful cartridge on the face of the earth but I feel this weapon offers a good ratio between magazine capacity and power, however if I was going after anything larger than a black bear I would probably reconsider my sidearm choice and go with at least a 44 mag.

 

[Dago Red]

I usually carry a Ruger blackhawk in 45LC, 4 5/8 barrel. I also carry it whenever in the mountains in camp. Like others said, the rifle is for game, the pistol for "varmints". Although loaded up with hot defense loads I'm sure in a pinch I could take a deer or bear. I used to load it up with one snake shot then defense rounds. I say "used to" because of course now we have the lead free rule here and I have yet to get lead free ammo for it so will just have the rifle on me this year.

Red

 

[Mack]

45 win. mag is the gun, thanks for showing.---dennis

You're welcome. One day I'll have to bring it with me to Texas and you can try it on a hog or two.

 

[DennisStrickland]

hunters using dogs usually get by with light calibers like the 357 or even 9mm . good dogs make hogs easier to take since dogs prevent hog charges in most cases. do'nt know what it is with dogs but hogs & pumas advoid them if the pack is chasing. without the dogs close brush favors buckshot in 12 ga. a cool man with a 44 or 45 can stop any hog with a head shot. i do'nt consider myself super steady since a big rabbit rustling in the brush makes me jump.----dennis last year i pulled a 4 ft. gar up next to the boat & my 6'5" companion almost went over the opposite side hollering "it's got teeth". this fellow has 7 years krav maga & fought in the ring many times but that toothy flooper had him freaked. once i laughed at a buddy whom got excited about a mouse running thru his feet, later when a mouse fan out of closet close to myself i jumped also as everyone laughed so it goes.

 

[firemedic1343]

WOW! Look at all the 10mm love! There are a lot of great woods choices on ammo imho if you go to Buffalo Bore, Swamp Fox, Reed's or Double Tap. Practice ammo I have gotten at Georgia Arms.

If you are carrying IWB, a revolver may not be as comfortable or quick to draw as a Glock 20 or 29. If it's an animal big enough to warrant a bigger caliber then you may want to consider a .45-70 long gun as your "side arm"

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 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.

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.

I carry a Glock G20 as my hunting side arm. Double Tap 200 grain Wide Flat Nose gas checked bullets. Serpa blackhawk holster.

Another 10mm fan going to have to give that round a try.

Right now its either a Smith 629 44mag or a Glock 21 SF
21 is my duty gun so im comfortable with it

next woods gun will be a G20

these are for protection vs pigs/ bear / people..

i love my 629 but i have been carrying the 21 ALOT lately..

I think the ideal hunting sidearm for medium/big game would have to be the Glock model 20 10MM it's not the most powerful cartridge on the face of the earth but I feel this weapon offers a good ratio between magazine capacity and power, however if I was going after anything larger than a black bear I would probably reconsider my sidearm choice and go with at least a 44 mag.

 

[DennisStrickland]

many 10mm fans may not be aware that the 10 has ballistics about the same as as a hot 44 special. i've used a taurus 44special for years & the 180 gr. at 1000 feet is a good stopper. being an old timer i like wheel guns better in the sticks & find maintenance simple even after falling in the river.dennis

 

[WA Martin]

Thought I'd add those Rugers of mine are usually full of 180 gr hard-cast flatnose bullets.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I carry this Ruger 44 Special FlatTop around the farm. It's generally loaded with 255 grain handloads.

 

[Jose Wales]

I carry my Encore while deer hunting.

 

[hung-solo]

I carry this Ruger 44 Special FlatTop around the farm. It's generally loaded with 255 grain handloads.

6 inch barrel? how does that thing shoot? sore wrists? i am thinking of getting a 44 or at least a 357 in that same gun. just never shot one like that. worth it?

dunno i have answered. when i bow hunt i take either my G19 with hardball ammo or my .380 Ruger LCP hard ball ammo for self defense. we have had some rabies cases here lately. i shot one coon a few years back with a .45 that i no longer own. so i am armed in the woods no doubt, legal or not.

 

[Larry from Bend]

Sorry ---- Double Post.

 

[Larry from Bend]

6 inch barrel? how does that thing shoot? sore wrists? i am thinking of getting a 44 or at least a 357 in that same gun. just never shot one like that. worth it?

dunno i have answered. when i bow hunt i take either my G19 with hardball ammo or my .380 Ruger LCP hard ball ammo for self defense. we have had some rabies cases here lately. i shot one coon a few years back with a .45 that i no longer own. so i am armed in the woods no doubt, legal or not.

It's a 4 5/8" barrel. It will group under 1" @ 25 yards with 200, 240 and 255 grain bullets. The 44 Special is a handloader's caliber. Factory loads, designed for old break-top revolvers, are very anemic. I'm shooting these 255s @ 1050 fps. Factory loads would be around 750 fps. A company called Buffalo Bore DOES make heavily-loaded rounds --- they are very expensive. I also handload CCI shot capsules for Rattlesnakes. I should mention it weighs (empty) 41 oz --- It requires a heavy, stiff gun belt to carry comfortably. Recoil is "Snappy" with heavily-loaded rounds and meek with factory rounds.

All that said, I've REALLY enjoyed it so far. I was shocked at how accurate it was. Other owners report similiar results.