Hunting sidearm

familywgn · September 23, 2007, 02:46 PM

I just recently took up hunting last weekend, however, I find myself worrying about needing a gun for the other critters our there. I live in the desert of Arizona, so my list includes; rattlesnakes, mountain lions & and of course humans.

What would you carry in this case, in addition to a rimfire rifle?

Thanks

dalegribble · September 23, 2007, 03:01 PM

If I were hunting with a rimfire rifle I would opt for a centerfire handgun. If I were hunting with a CF rifle I would probably opt for a rimfire handgun. Unless of course I was hunting for deer or something where there was a posability I could use the handgun instead of the rifle.

john1911 · September 23, 2007, 03:06 PM

Your 686 should perform admirably in that role.

Personally, I carry a revolver (SA or DA) in either .41 mag or .44 mag if I'm in an area where I could expect to deal with large, 4-legged predators. Most of the time when I'm loafing around in the wood, I carry a 1911 in 45acp.

zoomie · September 23, 2007, 03:07 PM

.357

familywgn · September 23, 2007, 03:42 PM

Thanks so far. I was carrying my 686 with me loaded with 2 chambers of shot and 4 of .357, but I wanted to get some other ideas.

keep 'em coming

FirstFreedom · September 23, 2007, 04:13 PM

For deer hunting, I sometimes take along a .22 rimfire revolver for opportunistic squirrel shots or delivering coup de grace to deer. But we don't have many apex predators (mountain lions) here, as you do. So I'd probably have a 4" revolver in .45 colt or .44 mag if I lived out where you do, with me while hunting.

MyXD40 · September 23, 2007, 04:17 PM

I don't hunt but I always carry just my XD service .40sw with a few extra 12rd clips. I don't feel the need to go out and buy a gun just for when I'm in the rocky moutains, when I can just use what I already have

or I sometimes carry my SC XD

zoomie · September 23, 2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

I don't feel the need to go out and buy a gun just for when I'm in the rocky moutains, when I can just use what I already have

That's ok. We'll keep working on you.

Zombie Steve · September 23, 2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

I was carrying my 686 with me loaded with 2 chambers of shot and 4 of .357, but I wanted to get some other ideas.

Sounds like you got it nailed to me...

Fat White Boy · September 23, 2007, 07:03 PM

I come from the hunting philosophy that says just because you see something dangerous, like a snake, it doesn't mean you have to kill it. If it becomes an obvious threat, like a mountain lion near your kids, that's a different matter. But most of the time , if you can go around it without either of you in danger, please do. I am not a PETA type but I do believe in not disturbing things if possible. That being said, I carry a Ruger SS Security Six .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel when I hunt wild boar/pigs...

Feral Cats are a different matter. They do not belong in the wild. Kill them on sight.

tyrajam · September 23, 2007, 09:09 PM

Love the 357. Keep sharp with cheap and easy 38 special loads, and load up to full power when you need it. What more do you want??

Also, how does your birdshot work? My uncle shoots it in his 357, but I always thought you would have to spend hours scrubbing the lead out of the rifling.

FirstFreedom · September 23, 2007, 11:11 PM

Actually, come to think of it, since you mention snakes too, the ultimate in your situation may be "The Judge" from Taurus - with the 2.5" bbl - load the first 4 with .45 colt for mountain lions, then the last 2 with .410 for the snakes (or 3 and 3). Rotate the cylinder before shooting a snake if you have time, or unload the .45s and .410 in rapid succession if you don't.

Scorch · September 24, 2007, 12:26 AM

Your rimfire rifle should be able to handle any threat (2 or 4 legged) that comes your way. It will be more accurate and more effective than any revolver or auto pistol against most threats you are likely to encounter. Your 686 would do a good job if you feel you need something of that sort, but if you feel a need to carry around another 3 lbs out in the desert, perhaps you should think to carry a canteen.

I feel kind of the same way FWB does: if it's no threat to you, why go out of your way to shoot something just because you are intimidated by it?

lockedcj7 · September 24, 2007, 03:28 PM

Be sure to check your local game laws. It is often illegal to carry a rim-fire during big-game seasons or a center-fire during small-game seasons. In addition, it's illegal to carry more than one gun (while hunting) in many states.

joshua · September 24, 2007, 07:39 PM

When I was in southern California and hunted the San Bernandino mountains where rattlesnakes, mountain lions, coyotes and the outlaw 2 legged varmint, I packed my 6" GP100 and like you I had the first 2 chambers loaded with snakeshots then I'm loaded with 158 JSP. There were times when I used the snakeshots but range was a bit far and end up shooting the darn snake with 158 jsp. josh

MosinM38 · September 24, 2007, 10:53 PM

Any handgun will do

Last year I carried a Ruger .44 Blackhawk

This year it is gonna be a S&W .41 Mag.

I mainly am taking it in case I see a 20 yard shot to fill my Doe tag (Or buck if he is dumb enough to be that close).

USNairman · September 25, 2007, 02:30 PM

I carry a CZ 75B in 9mm everywhere I go including the woods.

September 23, 2007, 02:46 PM	#1
familywgn Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2005 Posts: 136	Hunting sidearm I just recently took up hunting last weekend, however, I find myself worrying about needing a gun for the other critters our there. I live in the desert of Arizona, so my list includes; rattlesnakes, mountain lions & and of course humans. What would you carry in this case, in addition to a rimfire rifle? Thanks __________________ S&W .357 NAA Mini .22 Ruger LCP Beretta Neos .22

September 23, 2007, 03:06 PM	#3
john1911 Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2006 Location: The relatively sane part of IL Posts: 383	Your 686 should perform admirably in that role. Personally, I carry a revolver (SA or DA) in either .41 mag or .44 mag if I'm in an area where I could expect to deal with large, 4-legged predators. Most of the time when I'm loafing around in the wood, I carry a 1911 in 45acp. __________________ Almost any problem can be solved by a liberal dose of .45 230 gr JHPs.

September 23, 2007, 03:42 PM	#5
familywgn Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2005 Posts: 136	Thanks so far. I was carrying my 686 with me loaded with 2 chambers of shot and 4 of .357, but I wanted to get some other ideas. keep 'em coming __________________ S&W .357 NAA Mini .22 Ruger LCP Beretta Neos .22

September 23, 2007, 04:17 PM	#7
MyXD40 Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2007 Posts: 541	I don't hunt but I always carry just my XD service .40sw with a few extra 12rd clips. I don't feel the need to go out and buy a gun just for when I'm in the rocky moutains, when I can just use what I already have or I sometimes carry my SC XD __________________ $49.99

September 24, 2007, 12:26 AM	#13
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Your rimfire rifle should be able to handle any threat (2 or 4 legged) that comes your way. It will be more accurate and more effective than any revolver or auto pistol against most threats you are likely to encounter. Your 686 would do a good job if you feel you need something of that sort, but if you feel a need to carry around another 3 lbs out in the desert, perhaps you should think to carry a canteen. I feel kind of the same way FWB does: if it's no threat to you, why go out of your way to shoot something just because you are intimidated by it? __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 23, 2007, 03:01 PM	#2
dalegribble Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2007 Posts: 861	If I were hunting with a rimfire rifle I would opt for a centerfire handgun. If I were hunting with a CF rifle I would probably opt for a rimfire handgun. Unless of course I was hunting for deer or something where there was a posability I could use the handgun instead of the rifle.

September 23, 2007, 03:07 PM	#4
zoomie Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: GA Posts: 1,864	.357

September 23, 2007, 04:13 PM	#6
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	For deer hunting, I sometimes take along a .22 rimfire revolver for opportunistic squirrel shots or delivering coup de grace to deer. But we don't have many apex predators (mountain lions) here, as you do. So I'd probably have a 4" revolver in .45 colt or .44 mag if I lived out where you do, with me while hunting.

September 23, 2007, 07:03 PM	#10
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	I come from the hunting philosophy that says just because you see something dangerous, like a snake, it doesn't mean you have to kill it. If it becomes an obvious threat, like a mountain lion near your kids, that's a different matter. But most of the time , if you can go around it without either of you in danger, please do. I am not a PETA type but I do believe in not disturbing things if possible. That being said, I carry a Ruger SS Security Six .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel when I hunt wild boar/pigs... Feral Cats are a different matter. They do not belong in the wild. Kill them on sight.

September 23, 2007, 09:09 PM	#11
tyrajam Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2007 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 467	Love the 357. Keep sharp with cheap and easy 38 special loads, and load up to full power when you need it. What more do you want?? Also, how does your birdshot work? My uncle shoots it in his 357, but I always thought you would have to spend hours scrubbing the lead out of the rifling.

September 23, 2007, 11:11 PM	#12
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Actually, come to think of it, since you mention snakes too, the ultimate in your situation may be "The Judge" from Taurus - with the 2.5" bbl - load the first 4 with .45 colt for mountain lions, then the last 2 with .410 for the snakes (or 3 and 3). Rotate the cylinder before shooting a snake if you have time, or unload the .45s and .410 in rapid succession if you don't.

September 24, 2007, 03:28 PM	#14
lockedcj7 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2007 Posts: 1,215	Be sure to check your local game laws. It is often illegal to carry a rim-fire during big-game seasons or a center-fire during small-game seasons. In addition, it's illegal to carry more than one gun (while hunting) in many states. __________________ To a much greater extent than most mechanical devices, firearms are terribly unforgiving of any overconfidence, complacency or negligence.

September 24, 2007, 07:39 PM	#15
joshua Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2004 Location: norCal Posts: 2,161	When I was in southern California and hunted the San Bernandino mountains where rattlesnakes, mountain lions, coyotes and the outlaw 2 legged varmint, I packed my 6" GP100 and like you I had the first 2 chambers loaded with snakeshots then I'm loaded with 158 JSP. There were times when I used the snakeshots but range was a bit far and end up shooting the darn snake with 158 jsp. josh

September 24, 2007, 10:53 PM	#16
MosinM38 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2007 Posts: 1,030	Any handgun will do Last year I carried a Ruger .44 Blackhawk This year it is gonna be a S&W .41 Mag. I mainly am taking it in case I see a 20 yard shot to fill my Doe tag (Or buck if he is dumb enough to be that close).

September 25, 2007, 02:30 PM	#17
USNairman Junior member Join Date: March 2, 2006 Posts: 421	I carry a CZ 75B in 9mm everywhere I go including the woods.