Hunting Side Arm

[180ls1]

ya i forgot to bring up two legged animals, i kind of ruled the 357 out because the 10mm is more or less equal in power but the g20 carries another 10 rounds that a revolver wont so there is a clear advantage there in my opinion.

[Timberwolf]

Been known to carry a Ruger Vaquero in 45 LC

[Full Clip]

When out in the middle of nowhere (hunting or just target shooting), I'm more worried about goblins than anything else. My XD45 is the best I've got, so it's on my side. With hot Speer 230grn Gold Dots.

[MasterYong]

First Thread! sorry if this subject is beat.

What do you all like for a side arm when hunting? In bear/lion/boar...whatever country. I have heard a lot of guys say they like a glock 20 in 10mm because it is hard to beat 15 rounds of hot 10mm loads and a clip to spare incase you need another 15.
I have also heard that you just want a big revolver like a 41 or 44+ in size because you will never get 15 shots of at something attacking you anyways and six much bigger rounds will do a better job.

Both ideas make sence lets hear what you got to say.

/someone had to.

[Fjold]

I don't carry a sidearm, it's just extra weight. I'll carry 5 extra rounds of rifle ammo if I need it.

[k1dude]

I don't carry a sidearm, it's just extra weight. I'll carry 5 extra rounds of rifle ammo if I need it.

Normally I would agree, but not in bear, cougar, or bad guy country.

I remember reading about a bear mauling where the hunter, while dressing his kill, set his rifle down 5 feet away. Knowing he was in bear country, he would look up every couple minutes to scan. He still didn't spot the bear until it was too late. The bear charged the hunter from about 15 yards away. Before he could reach his rifle the bear got him. He survived and said even 5 feet was too far. The bear was that quick. His only recommendation was to always carry a sidearm. If he had one he would have been able to fire off several shots during the mauling. His friends saved him from being killed with their rifles. Lucky they were nearby.

Same with cougar mauling survivors. Several have successfully used a pocket knife to save themselves, but all say a handgun would have been far better.

Same with combat tales from most wars. Handguns save people when the rifle isn't close enough. We might not be in combat, but pot farmers and other bad guys act similar.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

It all depends where I am, and what I am hunting. Most of the time I just have a rifle with me. Normally a full magazine, and possibly enough rounds to top it off if need be. If I run into something that can digest 8-12 rounds of soft-nosed hunting ammuntion, a few more pistol bullets won't help.

Now, if I am out hiking, camping or doing other, non-hunting activities in the boonies, and there is a chance I might run into the odd rabbit, or toothsome critter, or even your garden-variety psychopath, I will carry something with me. Normally a .32 H&R mag is my minimum, as it can slap the snot out of rabbits out to 25 yards with the open sights, and would probably do a number on the two-legged critters as well. If I am heading up into the hills/mountains here in San Diego, I take something a bit bigger, as the number of rabbits goes down, but the number of weirdos seems to go up. My choices then tend to run towards whatever I have been practicing with lately. .380s, 7.62x25, 9mm, .357, .38 super, .40 S&W, .400 Corbon, .44 special, .45 colt, .45 ACP... Whatever happens to ammuse me. Lately it has been the .44 Special, as the little charter arms bulldog is accurate enough to head shoot a rabbit out to about 15-20 yards, and it is a nice, totable size.

[tEN wOLVES fIVE sHOOTER]

Ruger 44 mag. Blackhawk flat top, nuff said.

tEN wOLVES

[aceventura]

When I go hunting I take my Glock 22 in 40S&W. But lately if been thinking about My S&W 629 44 Mag Mountian Gun with 44 specials. Yeah I know I'm a wuss thinking 44 specials.

[locosway]

It depends what you're hunting, what type of area you're in, and what your main firearm is.

Personally, I'd take my 10mm with some hot 230gr hardcast rounds from Double Tap. You can hunt large game with the handgun alone, so it's good insurance if you need to put something down quickly.

[180ls1]

Well i hunt all over, San Diego mountains, Arizona, Utah, Central California.... I am thinking the 10mm is going to be hard to beat because it will be a good home defense round also.

[THT]

+1 for the G20 loaded with hot rounds

[IrishPirate]

first off, you can't have more than 10 rounds. Those lucky glock 20 guys must not live in the PRK or they had them before the ban. I carry a Taurus Millenium .45 as a side arm because it's the biggest gun i own that will fit on my hip. One thing that people seem to forget is that when hunting, they're usually holding something bigger than what's on their hip, AND THAT should be used before your side arm. If you're hunting with a 30-06 and you see a bear coming at you, dont drop the 06 and reach for your side arm, unload the rifle at the thing first and if it's still coming at you, THEN (you suck at shooting ) reach for your side arm. Plan on using what's already in your hands before you plan on reaching for something else.
Of course, that something else needs to be capable of ending the attack too, so I would say for bear/ML/boar...nothing smaller than .45
and if you have to fire 30 times to end the attack....it wasn't really attacking you the first time.

[trautert]

Ruger Alaskan in .44 Rem Mag.

[locosway]

first off, you can't have more than 10 rounds. Those lucky glock 20 guys must not live in the PRK or they had them before the ban. I carry a Taurus Millenium .45 as a side arm because it's the biggest gun i own that will fit on my hip. One thing that people seem to forget is that when hunting, they're usually holding something bigger than what's on their hip, AND THAT should be used before your side arm. If you're hunting with a 30-06 and you see a bear coming at you, dont drop the 06 and reach for your side arm, unload the rifle at the thing first and if it's still coming at you, THEN (you suck at shooting ) reach for your side arm. Plan on using what's already in your hands before you plan on reaching for something else.
Of course, that something else needs to be capable of ending the attack too, so I would say for bear/ML/boar...nothing smaller than .45
and if you have to fire 30 times to end the attack....it wasn't really attacking you the first time.

People hunt all over, not just in CA. 15 rounds is the standard for the Glock 20, and can be used in most other states, especially the ones surrounding CA.

Also, if a bear is charging you, I don't think you're going to wait and line up your scope with your 3 round rifle. You can easily drop to a knee and put 15 hot rounds into the bear, reload, and be able to put 15 more into him if needed.

Also, what if your rifle malfunctions, or you just took your last shot and now you need to reload?

I agree that you should use your primary firearm, but only if it's possible. If you're hunting with a scope, there's no way in hell you're dropping a charging animal.