Which sidearm would you bring?

verti89 · July 21, 2009, 02:28 PM

My dad and I are going on our 2nd elk hunt the first week of November in southwest Co. Last year I carried a Ruger semi-auto .45 and my sidearm. This year my choices are between a SA-XD .45c that can hold either 10 or 13 rounds, a SA-XD .40sc that can hold either 9 or 12 rounds, or a .357 revolver 5 rounder. I am ruling out the .40 because I don't think it has enough power. So my question is which of the other 2 would you carry as a defensive sidearm?

As a side note the XD is the black finish and while it is a tool, it is a pretty tool (imho) and I would like to keep it in pretty good condition. If I do go with it I obviously am going to do my best to keep it clean and dry but when hiking up a mountain in snow, things happen. Any ideas how it would affect the gun? The revolver is a stainless finish and revolvers are inherently less prone to weather type issues. But obviously I am going to take the best tool for the job.

And on another side note my dad and I are also beginner reloaders so we are capable of loading specific loads for both guns if that makes any difference. And my dad will be packing the .44 mag also.

GeauxTide · July 21, 2009, 02:57 PM

If it's small vermin or human vermin, the 45, else stick with your Dad's 44.

Doodlebugger45 · July 21, 2009, 03:15 PM

I guess any of them will be OK since they probably won't ever get used anyway on an elk hunt. All things considered though if it was me, I'd take the 357. Revolvers just seem more at home when you're hunting big game for some reason.

verti89 · July 21, 2009, 03:35 PM

What we are preparing to defend ourselves against is bear. Obviously using rifles for the elk. But we know there are bears in the area. It sounds like I will be going with the .357 and he obviously bring the big'un

armsmaster270 · July 21, 2009, 04:58 PM

If you are carrying a 5 shot .357 it seems it would be a J frame snub nose and not have the effect of a 4 or 6 inch barrel and not be suitable for your use due to lost velocity. Out of a snub nose your .357 is equal to a warm 38spl. JMO

cgbills · July 21, 2009, 07:08 PM

10mm

jk

If it is full size, the 357 with +P or +P+

hoytinak · July 21, 2009, 07:13 PM

When I go camping/4-wheeling up in the mountains of Colorado I take my GP100 loaded with Double Tap's 180gr Hardcast. I'm sure it'd take care of anything I'd run into.

verti89 · July 21, 2009, 07:46 PM

I am pretty sure the .357 is a 3". It is my dads so Im not positive. So with that in mind is it still better than the .45.

Also, telling me what you use doesn't really help me choose between the 2 options I have.

Not trying to be a jerk but I just get tired of 'answers' that are little more than a person telling their particular preference regardless of what the actual original question stated.

ligonierbill · July 21, 2009, 08:15 PM

When I last hunted Colorado, I took a bear tag. We were never concerned with defending against bear; we were looking for the opportunity to shoot one. Most rifles suitable for elk do well on black bear. If you want to take a handgun, take whatever suits you. We did shoot the alarm clock about the fourth day. A .22 proved inadequate, but a .357 did the job.

hank327 · July 21, 2009, 09:16 PM

I wouldn't bother carrying a sidearm on an elk hunt. It's just extra weight to carry and something else to clean when you get back.

MLeake · July 21, 2009, 09:20 PM

... sometimes the answers given as options aren't good answers.

For small black bear, your .45 might work, and so might a 3" .357 or the .40. You'd want heavy bullets in any of those, as bears can be hard to penetrate, so you want high sectional density.

For a 400lb black bear, I'd be pretty unhappy with either.

For a brown bear, I'd be afraid it would just make him mad.

Since you're carrying a rifle, it's probably not a big deal what handgun you carry. Most folks recommend .44mag as minimum for larger bears, though.

Not sure how a 180gr hardcast would perform out of a 3" .357, but that would probably be the load and the gun I'd use out of the options you have listed.

stevelyn · July 21, 2009, 09:35 PM

If you are going to be actively hunting, use your rifle for bear defense. It's not like you are going to drop it and go to a handgun in the event of a bear encounter.

Now if you are asking about a tent/sleeping bag gun when you are tucked in all snug where you can't manuever a long gun quickly, I would suggest the revolver hands down. I would also suggest keeping it in the sleeping bag with you.

ibdecent · July 21, 2009, 10:35 PM

why not both?

Buzzcook · July 21, 2009, 11:25 PM

I carry a Ruger Mk. II when I hunt. Well mostly I leave it at camp in the car.

verti89 · July 22, 2009, 01:30 AM

hmm so several suggestions of not bothering with it at all...interesting

usually when we are hiking up the mountain to our designated spots, our rifles are on our backs in a pack so it wouldn't be a matter of dropping the rifle for the handgun but having the handgun ready while hiking, and easier to get to.

and yes sometimes the options aren't the BEST options, but when they are the only options offering something outside of it is pointless

trooper3385 · July 22, 2009, 01:40 AM

I would say none of the above. It's just going to be extra weight. You have your rifle. I would stick with that. It would be better defense than any pistol your going to take. Especially if your dad is going to carry a pistol. I really wouldn't consider taking another pistol if that's the case. After a few days of hiking in Colorado, you will be glad you have less weight to lug around.

alaskaman94 · July 22, 2009, 03:19 AM

i agree with trooper. stick with the rifle.......

MLeake · July 22, 2009, 07:41 AM

... of buying or borrowing something more tailored to the task at hand.

It's the age of thinking outside the box, remember?

freedom475 · July 22, 2009, 09:04 AM

Out of the options listed the 357 is the Best choice...By all means bring the pistol. You can have the pistol on you at all times......

Never know when a shot opportunitee may present itself. I can't tell you how many times a hunter has leaned his rifle agaisnt a tree, walked a few yards and pulled his pant down...elk, and even ducks, just seem to be called by this one simple act, cause they always seem to run right up on top of you when you have your pants around your ankles.

357mag to the ribs at close range will easily kill elk....even with you pants around your ankles

The bears you speak of have learned that gunfire means food during hunting season. So the pistol is very comforting when you lean your rifle against a tree to gut an animal you just havested.

And besides you can never have too much amorment

cerberus65 · July 22, 2009, 09:05 AM

Another vote for your rifle being your best friend. :-)

But I would take the .357 along too. If your rifle is too difficult to get to quickly then that .357 will give you some peace of mind.

Art Eatman · July 22, 2009, 09:41 AM

If a handgun is needed for some sort of self-defense in the boonies--whether bear or bad guy--I figure that speed and accuracy in use are the most important. I'd therefore go with whatever I knew I could best hit with and do it fast.

If for a bear, offhand I figure I'd rather use hardball that would penetrate than hollow-points that might not. Hardcast lead in a revolver.

Aren't bears tending to den up by elk season? (I dunno.) Maybe the odds are lower about actually seeing one.

wyobohunter · July 22, 2009, 10:19 AM

Bears are usually out and active during most of the Elk season. But...

Quote:

If you are going to be actively hunting, use your rifle for bear defense. It's not like you are going to drop it and go to a handgun in the event of a bear encounter.

Now if you are asking about a tent/sleeping bag gun when you are tucked in all snug where you can't manuever a long gun quickly, I would suggest the revolver hands down. I would also suggest keeping it in the sleeping bag with you.

I agree with all of this. And, I think it's not a bad Idea to have the pistola handy around camp and when backpacking with th rifle slung. Leave said 45 or .357 mag in camp because the rifle will be handy while you are out pokin' around for Elk. At this time the handgun would just be extra weight to lug around.

To the original question, Colorado only has black bears, .357 mag is plenty. But if Dad is already bringing a .44 mag, why not just let him bring the handgun? One camp gun should be plenty for two people.

Fremmer · July 22, 2009, 10:20 AM

Take the .357 loaded with some heavy rounds. If you have to use it, you might as well have the magnum.

MLeake · July 22, 2009, 10:47 AM

... National Park rangers actually recommend bear spray and a big stick over any handgun for dealing with black bears. They swear by a whack on the nose with a hiking stick.

Not sure I'd want to let a bear get that close, personally.

robphillips · July 22, 2009, 02:07 PM

I wanna watch the guy hit that bear on the nose!!

July 21, 2009, 02:28 PM	#1
verti89 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Posts: 157	Which sidearm would you bring? My dad and I are going on our 2nd elk hunt the first week of November in southwest Co. Last year I carried a Ruger semi-auto .45 and my sidearm. This year my choices are between a SA-XD .45c that can hold either 10 or 13 rounds, a SA-XD .40sc that can hold either 9 or 12 rounds, or a .357 revolver 5 rounder. I am ruling out the .40 because I don't think it has enough power. So my question is which of the other 2 would you carry as a defensive sidearm? As a side note the XD is the black finish and while it is a tool, it is a pretty tool (imho) and I would like to keep it in pretty good condition. If I do go with it I obviously am going to do my best to keep it clean and dry but when hiking up a mountain in snow, things happen. Any ideas how it would affect the gun? The revolver is a stainless finish and revolvers are inherently less prone to weather type issues. But obviously I am going to take the best tool for the job. And on another side note my dad and I are also beginner reloaders so we are capable of loading specific loads for both guns if that makes any difference. And my dad will be packing the .44 mag also.

July 21, 2009, 02:57 PM	#2
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	Neither on an Elk Hunt If it's small vermin or human vermin, the 45, else stick with your Dad's 44.

July 21, 2009, 04:58 PM	#5
armsmaster270 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,951	If you are carrying a 5 shot .357 it seems it would be a J frame snub nose and not have the effect of a 4 or 6 inch barrel and not be suitable for your use due to lost velocity. Out of a snub nose your .357 is equal to a warm 38spl. JMO __________________ http://www.armsmaster.net-a.googlepages.com http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/f...aster270/Guns/ Retired LE, M.P., Sr. M.P. Investigator F.B.I. Trained Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor & Armorer, Presently Forensic Document Examiner for D.H.S.

July 21, 2009, 07:08 PM	#6
cgbills Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2006 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 274	10mm jk If it is full size, the 357 with +P or +P+ __________________ "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke

July 21, 2009, 09:20 PM	#11
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	Problem is... ... sometimes the answers given as options aren't good answers. For small black bear, your .45 might work, and so might a 3" .357 or the .40. You'd want heavy bullets in any of those, as bears can be hard to penetrate, so you want high sectional density. For a 400lb black bear, I'd be pretty unhappy with either. For a brown bear, I'd be afraid it would just make him mad. Since you're carrying a rifle, it's probably not a big deal what handgun you carry. Most folks recommend .44mag as minimum for larger bears, though. Not sure how a 180gr hardcast would perform out of a 3" .357, but that would probably be the load and the gun I'd use out of the options you have listed.

July 21, 2009, 03:15 PM	#3
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	I guess any of them will be OK since they probably won't ever get used anyway on an elk hunt. All things considered though if it was me, I'd take the 357. Revolvers just seem more at home when you're hunting big game for some reason.

July 21, 2009, 03:35 PM	#4
verti89 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Posts: 157	What we are preparing to defend ourselves against is bear. Obviously using rifles for the elk. But we know there are bears in the area. It sounds like I will be going with the .357 and he obviously bring the big'un

July 21, 2009, 07:13 PM	#7
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	When I go camping/4-wheeling up in the mountains of Colorado I take my GP100 loaded with Double Tap's 180gr Hardcast. I'm sure it'd take care of anything I'd run into.

July 21, 2009, 07:46 PM	#8
verti89 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Posts: 157	I am pretty sure the .357 is a 3". It is my dads so Im not positive. So with that in mind is it still better than the .45. Also, telling me what you use doesn't really help me choose between the 2 options I have. Not trying to be a jerk but I just get tired of 'answers' that are little more than a person telling their particular preference regardless of what the actual original question stated.

July 21, 2009, 08:15 PM	#9
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	When I last hunted Colorado, I took a bear tag. We were never concerned with defending against bear; we were looking for the opportunity to shoot one. Most rifles suitable for elk do well on black bear. If you want to take a handgun, take whatever suits you. We did shoot the alarm clock about the fourth day. A .22 proved inadequate, but a .357 did the job.

July 21, 2009, 09:16 PM	#10
hank327 Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 106	I wouldn't bother carrying a sidearm on an elk hunt. It's just extra weight to carry and something else to clean when you get back.

July 21, 2009, 09:35 PM	#12
stevelyn Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Fairbanksan in exile to Aleutian Hell Posts: 2,655	If you are going to be actively hunting, use your rifle for bear defense. It's not like you are going to drop it and go to a handgun in the event of a bear encounter. Now if you are asking about a tent/sleeping bag gun when you are tucked in all snug where you can't manuever a long gun quickly, I would suggest the revolver hands down. I would also suggest keeping it in the sleeping bag with you. __________________ Stop Allowing Our Schools To Be Soft Targets! http://fastersaveslives.org/ East Moose. Wear Wolf.

July 21, 2009, 10:35 PM	#13
ibdecent Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Location: Brainerd MN Posts: 82	why not both? __________________ There's no substitution for caliber GLOBAL WARMING? What temperature is it supposed to be? Machinists do it with precision

July 21, 2009, 11:25 PM	#14
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	I carry a Ruger Mk. II when I hunt. Well mostly I leave it at camp in the car.

July 22, 2009, 01:30 AM	#15
verti89 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Posts: 157	hmm so several suggestions of not bothering with it at all...interesting usually when we are hiking up the mountain to our designated spots, our rifles are on our backs in a pack so it wouldn't be a matter of dropping the rifle for the handgun but having the handgun ready while hiking, and easier to get to. and yes sometimes the options aren't the BEST options, but when they are the only options offering something outside of it is pointless

July 22, 2009, 01:40 AM	#16
trooper3385 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2005 Location: South Texas Posts: 814	I would say none of the above. It's just going to be extra weight. You have your rifle. I would stick with that. It would be better defense than any pistol your going to take. Especially if your dad is going to carry a pistol. I really wouldn't consider taking another pistol if that's the case. After a few days of hiking in Colorado, you will be glad you have less weight to lug around.

July 22, 2009, 03:19 AM	#17
alaskaman94 Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Location: wasilla alaska Posts: 196	i agree with trooper. stick with the rifle.......

July 22, 2009, 07:41 AM	#18
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	There are also the options... ... of buying or borrowing something more tailored to the task at hand. It's the age of thinking outside the box, remember?

July 22, 2009, 09:04 AM	#19
freedom475 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2008 Location: Rocky Mountains of Montana Posts: 292	Out of the options listed the 357 is the Best choice...By all means bring the pistol. You can have the pistol on you at all times...... Never know when a shot opportunitee may present itself. I can't tell you how many times a hunter has leaned his rifle agaisnt a tree, walked a few yards and pulled his pant down...elk, and even ducks, just seem to be called by this one simple act, cause they always seem to run right up on top of you when you have your pants around your ankles. 357mag to the ribs at close range will easily kill elk....even with you pants around your ankles The bears you speak of have learned that gunfire means food during hunting season. So the pistol is very comforting when you lean your rifle against a tree to gut an animal you just havested. And besides you can never have too much amorment __________________ Maker of Horse Tack and Cowboy Gear. www.7xleather.com Mister, why do you carry a 45? "Cause Sam Colt don't make a 46."

July 22, 2009, 09:05 AM	#20
cerberus65 Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2008 Posts: 384	Another vote for your rifle being your best friend. :-) But I would take the .357 along too. If your rifle is too difficult to get to quickly then that .357 will give you some peace of mind.

July 22, 2009, 09:41 AM	#21
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	If a handgun is needed for some sort of self-defense in the boonies--whether bear or bad guy--I figure that speed and accuracy in use are the most important. I'd therefore go with whatever I knew I could best hit with and do it fast. If for a bear, offhand I figure I'd rather use hardball that would penetrate than hollow-points that might not. Hardcast lead in a revolver. Aren't bears tending to den up by elk season? (I dunno.) Maybe the odds are lower about actually seeing one.

July 22, 2009, 10:20 AM	#23
Fremmer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 3,482	Take the .357 loaded with some heavy rounds. If you have to use it, you might as well have the magnum.

July 22, 2009, 10:47 AM	#24
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	In the Blue Ridge... ... National Park rangers actually recommend bear spray and a big stick over any handgun for dealing with black bears. They swear by a whack on the nose with a hiking stick. Not sure I'd want to let a bear get that close, personally.

July 22, 2009, 02:07 PM	#25
robphillips Member Join Date: July 19, 2009 Posts: 16	I wanna watch the guy hit that bear on the nose!!