Favorite Deer Hunting Side Arm

[lobo9er]

My favorite has been a 3 inch sp101... But let a sibling hang on to it for awhile so this year I am putting a 4 inch security six into service. Same as before loaded with 357 with 38's in my pocket if I have to put a wounded deer down up close. What's yours...?

 

[mnhntr]

none if I am rifle hunting. My 1911 when bow hunting.

 

[Mark in GA]

Never leave my 4" 629 at home. Keep it loaded with medium loads (240 SWC or 250 WFN at 1050 FPS).

Mark in GA

 

[TIMC]

Ruger Vaquero (Old style) in .45 Colt.

 

[Upstater]

Ruger New Vaquero in .357 158 gr round nose.

 

[bmnloader]

4" S&W 19-6 just in case I see a hog going to or from my blind.

 

[MCgunner]

For actually hunting with a handgun...my .30-30 12" Contender.

I take a .22 revolver when rifle hunting, little Rossi M511, or sometimes my Ruger SR22 to the blind. I've taken small game from the blind. I didn't have a .22 on me once last season except for my always gun, a 1 5/8" mini revolver and a rabbit hopped up within 20 yards of me. I popped him with that mini revolver. That is not its first rabbit or other small animal, either. Hey, if I see a hog, I DO have a rifle.

 

[bannockburn]

I use to carry either a Rossi Model 88 .38 Special revolver or a Beretta Model 70S .22 auto.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Same as yours, OP.

2 rounds of snake shot and then 158gr. Hydra-Shoks.

 

[Agsalaska]

None.

 

[*Kemosabe*]

Deer Hunting: I hunt in a very productive densely wooded area, so I keep a 12 gauge Remington 870 at the ready in case I jump a deer in route to my tree stand. Once in the stand I take my scoped, 14” bbl. TC Contender out of my Uncle Mike’s “shoulder” holster and hunker down waiting for prey. It’s been a great combo for me and I have no reason to change.

Bird Hunting: Along with the appropriate shotgun, I keep a S&W Model 41, ,22lr pistol in a flapped holster in the event I see a squirrel in the hardwoods surrounding the fields. Squirrel and quail/dove/snipe make for a nice evening meal.

 

[damienph]

I like to carry a .22 for the occasional rabbit or squirrel that may cross my path after I've taken my deer. One of three; Ruger MkII Target, S&W K22, or Colt Officers Model Target.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I've been wanting to shoot a deer with a pistol for a while now so I carry a gun I can do that with. It's a 7.5" Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt loaded with 17 grains of 2400 and 255 grain SWC bullets that I cast.

During bow season, I just carry my CC pistol since it wouldn't be legal to take game with a modern handgun.

 

[blindhari]

357 Ruger SP101 in a chest holster from Simply Rugged

blindhari

 

[WestKentucky]

Depends upon my primary...if I'm carrying a field gun I carry a revolver that I can hit with out to 50 yards or so just in case I get a close encounter, but if I'm carrying a woods gun I carry my m9

 

[Gunnerboy]

Guess ill be the first cool kid on the block... My Ruger Blackhawk 6.5" 41 Rem mag With a light load of 210 xtps and 21grs H110

 

[Carolina Kalash]

I never have, there's not alot of dangerous animals to look out for in upstate SC other than yotes and even then, I've never had a run in with any. I'm looking into getting some sort of pistol as a sidearm (after I get a new rifle of course) for the chance I run into a rabid dog or coyote or something like that, or God forbid a deranged serial killer that broke out of prison. Considering a 1911 and using hollow points for such a role.

 

[gspn]

None.

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Old beat to hell S&W model 34 in 22lr.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I carry a S&W 617 in 4" in the event that I see any small game that the 30-06 would make a mess of.

 

[PapaG]

If it is for hunting deer, any of the following: super blackhawk, blackhawk 45, or my 45 Colt contender. If it is just to have along, 4" Security Six, Kimber pro carry, colt woodsman, or any of a bunch of others.

 

[huntershooter]

For dedicated handgun hunting of deer/hogs in timber:

625-6 M. G. (.45 Colt)


629-4 M. G. (.44 Magnum)


657-4 M. G. (.41 Magnum)


...or a 4", taper barreled, FO sight, "N" frame S&W in caliber .4X.
Short, light, quick and powerful.

 

[Sunray]

If you have to put a wounded deer down, you need to work on your rifle shooting. Or use a better bullet. If you cannot hit a 9" pie plate every time, off hand, at 100 yards, you are not ready to hunt.
"...2 rounds of snake shot..." Shot shells out of rifled barrels have great big holes in the pattern. Kaa will get you.
You really think a 1024 x 732 pixel picture is needed?

 

[Sav .250]

One weapon is good enough for me.....................

 

[CraigC]

I cheat a little bit and carry my Open Top .44Colt when blackpowder hunting. Which is what I'll typically use through much of general gun season as well.