Hunting with Handguns

[.38 Special]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but I was thinking about this the other day. I have recently been shooting a couple of .357s a lot. One is SA/DA and the other is DAO. Anyway, as I was working the triggers and thinking about the accuracy needed for hunting, I wondered how you guys carry your revolvers. Hammer down and deal with the long pull, or hammer back, ready to go?

Unless I have misunderstood your post, I think the answer will universally be "hammer down". Carrying a cocked revolver in a holster is an act of a lunatic.

I hunted almost exclusively with single actions. The few occasions I used a double action for hunting, I always fired it single action.

 

[mokin]

@.38 Special, you got the gist of my question perfectly. My conversations with guys who hunt with handguns is very limited. Most of them get within archery ranges when they make a shot. I was thinking at that distance cocking a hammer would be quite alarming to your prey.

 

[Choctaw]

I only have killed 4 hogs, 21 deer, and one pronghorn plus one steinbok with handguns. I do it as a diversion or as a challenge but mostly hunt with rifles.

Rookie.

My heart has never been into rifle hunting. I shoot pigs with an AR out of expediency but don't really consider that hunting. Rather it's a chore that has to be done. But if I'm actually hunting I will be creeping through the sticks with a revolver. Although a SAA fan, I have recently gotten back into DA revolvers. I haven't carried a DA handgun since I was a young policeman so I have now come full circle. I love the challenge.

 

[.38 Special]

@.38 Special, you got the gist of my question perfectly. My conversations with guys who hunt with handguns is very limited. Most of them get within archery ranges when they make a shot. I was thinking at that distance cocking a hammer would be quite alarming to your prey.

Ah, I see. That actually is very good thinking. The two times I felt that I would be able to get within stone throwing range, I had my gun in my hand and cocked it before the final stalk. Holding the trigger back while cocking can make things a bit quieter, depending on the gun.

Then, of course, I had to be very careful to manage the gun. And both times I completely blew the final approach and ended up as a noisy moron, alone in the woods, with a cocked gun in my hand.

 

[Sneakshot92]

Ah, I see. That actually is very good thinking. The two times I felt that I would be able to get within stone throwing range, I had my gun in my hand and cocked it before the final stalk. Holding the trigger back while cocking can make things a bit quieter, depending on the gun.

Then, of course, I had to be very careful to manage the gun. And both times I completely blew the final approach and ended up as a noisy moron, alone in the woods, with a cocked gun in my hand.

Been there.

 

[adcoch1]

I am about 50/50 on game animals with handgun/rifle. I hunt where we only get one deer a year, and I still seem to kill about every other one with my 44 redhawk. Taken plenty of small game with 22s both revolver and ruger mk1 and 2, also popped a few rabbits with 9mm. I like rifle hunting, but packing a compact weapon like a revolver always makes a hunt enjoyable. I even go elk hunting with just my revolver occasionally.

 

[whm1974]

Unless I have misunderstood your post, I think the answer will universally be "hammer down". Carrying a cocked revolver in a holster is an act of a lunatic.

I hunted almost exclusively with single actions. The few occasions I used a double action for hunting, I always fired it single action.

What damn fool will carry a revolver with it's hammer cocked in a holster?