Hunting Sidearm Advice Sought

Somehow I don't see using fifteen rounds of .40 caliber hollow points to finish off a dying whitetail, nor a .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk.

The original premise was for trailing a wounded, and dying, deer, or casual plinking.

Some of the suggested handguns would blow his eyeballs out and separate the rack. I'll stick with a good .22 rimfire. Far better than the flat side of a camp ax.

Bob Wright
 
Be careful with that .22. In some places, that's illegal. For NM, a .32 S&W short LRN would be legal, where a .22 would not. I'm not saying it's illegal there, but it could be. You might want to check.
 
.357 in any DA/SA configuration you shoot well will fill the bill of the parameters in the original post on this thread...

If I am following a wounded black bear into the brush i want a .44 in my hand..
 
4" stainless GP100

Tuff as they come.

Easy to care for .

Fairly easy to carry.

Lots of different ammo.

Priced well for the product ,& the support from the company.

Everyone needs at least 1 4" 357magnum handgun.

NO ,I`m not biased , I like all Rugers !!!!:p
 
I assume you mean deer or other large game. Strictly as a hunting handgun I'd say a minimum of 4" and a 6" barrel would be better. Revolvers in magnum chamberings need long barrels or you are just making noise when you pull the tigger. A 3" SP-101 is a really bad choice mainly because it does not develop enough speed from the short barrel, but also because the shorter sight radius and fixed sights are a major handicap. 357 magnum will work just fine on deer or black bear within reasonable ranges. If hunting larger game consider 41 or 44 mag. 45 Colt is an option, but only if you handload.

As a dual purpose gun, or if you just prefer a semi-auto consider a Glock 20 or other 10mm. With proper ammo it will equal a 357 from a 6" barrel and best a 357 from any barrel shorter than 6". I think you will be at a bit of a dissadvantage in accuracy, but they are still accurate enough. Your range might be limited a bit by the sights, but because it is much lighter, more compact and holds about 3X the ammo is a viable option for SD, hunting, and larger animal protection. That is what I carry for general outdors use, but would pick a long barreled revolver as a pure hunting handgun.
 
Be careful with that .22. In some places, that's illegal.
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That's why I advised the OP to check his state regs first before buying a handgun for the purpose he intended. Finishing off a deer here with a .22 will get the deer taken along with the gun if you get caught. Might even lose your truck of if the deer is/was transported in it. Possibility is you could lose you hunting and fishing rights for a while too. Least that would happen would be a fine and a nasty tongue lashing by the warden.....and for good reason. Same goes for using a .44 mag snubnose. We have minimum barrel length restrictions here....5''. Besides, if the animal is that bad off that it can be walked up to and have a .22 stuck in it's ear, slitting it's throat is just as easy. If it's a trophy and you don't want damage, shoot it in the boiler room with your primary. The little meat lost should be minimal and not a concern.

The flat side of a camp ax?:rolleyes:
 
Sidearm

Carrying a full size handgun while you are hunting is a pain in the butt. It's in the way no matter where you put it and it gets heavy. Generally you don't need it as you are already carrying a far superior weapon. If you do want to carry a handgun I would suggest small and light in a good quality holster. Ruger SP101 with 2-1/4" barrel would be my choice. Don't scimp on the holster.
 
Some really solid choices offered here. I kinda like the 357 Blackhawk myself. Plenty of power but you can keep a few lighty loaded 38 specials on hand for any small game that suits your fancy.

Since you're not looking at it for protection the Single Six is another great choice. I cant say enough good things about my Single Six.

Lately, the gun that's getting the most woods time with me is my Smith and Wesson Model 10. I have an old leather police holster from Smith and Wesson that rides perfectly on my hip. I want to get some Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman loads for it.

So glad this isn't a bear thread. . .
 
Ricky makes a good point too. If I have a rifle in my hands I don't need/want a pistol on my hip. The only possible exception would be the 22 for rabbits and grouse.
 
"A 3" SP-101 is a really bad choice mainly because it does not develop enough speed from the short barrel, but also because the shorter sight radius and fixed sights are a major handicap."

This makes no sense as the handgun was not for hunting and your facts are wrong exept if you think a 180 grain hard cast LFN at 1,300 plus fps is not enough speed. Fixed sights make a whole lot of sense in the field if you are not hunting with the handgun as OP stated.

3 inch S&W J frame
a. Item 19A/20-180gr. Hard cast LFN = 1302 fps
b. Item 19B/20-170gr. JHC (jacketed hollow cavity) = 1299 fps
c. Item 19C/20-158gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 1398 fps
d. Item 19D/20-125gr. Jacketed Hollow Point = 1476 fps

"...consider a Glock 20 or other 10mm. With proper ammo it will equal a 357 from a 6" barrel and best a 357 from any barrel shorter than 6"
A 10mm makes sense but, again, your statement is wrong as has been discussed. The .357 has more "energy" than the 10mm even in "short" 4 inch barrels. I'm not going to print the facts, but a four inch .357 revolver will do 1,375 fps with a 180 grain hard cast LFN. You can get over 800 ft lbs with a
.357 but not with a 10mm. The .357 and 10mm are in the same class but the 10mm has less energy even in "short," 4 inch, barrel .357 revolvers. Hopefully this myth will die and the 10mm will be considered for its own merits, which are many.
 
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I carry a 45c NM BH only 36oz or my 45ACP 1911 29oz. They came in handi a lot of times turkey hunting when I run into hogs! And many when finishing deer.
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I've shot hundreds of whitetails, scores of mulies and elk and never even thought of finishing one with my revolver. Always used the rifle. My dad on the other hand was seen many times chasing wounded deer (yours too if he was quick enough to get between you and the animal) with his Model 10 wildly shooting at them with the revolver all the time waving the rifle around in his weak hand. Transitioning to the handgun may be a problem unless you are real good at shooting stronghand. I have done some hunting with the handgun as my only weapon and I really liked S&W 29s or 629s with a 4 or 6 inch lightweight barrel.
 
I think most that use for finishing shots are like for spine or broke down shoulder shots were the deer is immobile but not dead.
 
Coop, you're right, that's the sort of situation I envisage.

Thanks for all the advice folks, lots to think on.

I wish I could consider a Glock 20 or even a 21 in .45 ACP. I just can't shoot Glocks. Something about that funny bulge on the rear of the back strap makes me heel like crazy. Guess My 226 ruined me!

ATB,

Scrummy
 
Many handguns will suffice for the finishing shot. A 38/357 with 2 1/2" - 4" barrel is plenty enough for your purposes. I like my Blackhawk .45 Colt and carry either it or a S&W K frame .38. Both weight about the same and pack easy.
 
I use a Super red hawk in 454,Use 45 Colt as trail load. The SRH makes the 45 Colt a sweet load to shoot no matter the charge you use.

Also use a Glock 21 for that job, it works too.The 45 ACP works good on hogs better than you might think. Good luck with your choice.;)
 
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