Your Preferred Trapline Handgun

[Mr. Mosin]

For those of you that trap fur, what is your preferred handgun of choice for dispatch and general carry on a trapline ? My father has always used an Iver Johnson Cadet in .22 LR, and I used it until I got a Ruger Wrangler. Most trappers I know use either a .22LR, or their carry piece if necessary.

 

[yeongjo]

A very long time ago I used to have an old S&W 22lr revolver. I recently looked up the price of a new S&W 22lr revolver and about fell out of my swivel chair. Wow!!! just wow!!

 

[Mr. Mosin]

A very long time ago I used to have an old S&W 22lr revolver. I recently looked up the price of a new S&W 22lr revolver and about fell out of my swivel chair. Wow!!! just wow!!

Outrageously priced

 

[Bazoo]

I don't trap. I know a trapper though, and he carries a single six 22lr. I may get into it some, and that's what I'll carry too.

 

[Reinz]

When used to trap skunks many years ago I carried a Ruger MK automatic 22.

 

[entropy]

For those of you that trap fur, what is your preferred handgun of choice for dispatch and general carry on a trapline ? My father has always used an Iver Johnson Cadet in .22 LR, and I used it until I got a Ruger Wrangler. Most trappers I know use either a .22LR, or their carry piece if necessary.

My son used my IJ Cadet for his trapline gun, until I traded it towards another gun. He was not happy with me for a while.

 

[yeongjo]

Outrageously priced

Roughly $1,000 for a new S&W Model 17 in 22lr

 

[bannockburn]

A very good friend of mine use to carry an old Ruger Single Six .22LR. He bought it used and has no idea how many rounds have been through it. He gave it to me when he got out of the trapping business and I gave it a good cleaning (it really needed it too), and finally found some NOS factory grips for it and added a .22 Magnum cylinder to complete the set-up.

 

[Armored farmer]

I trapped for most of one season. Probably three dozen raccoons. My sidearm was a .44 Remington 1858. It was a new gun for me at the time. I was really enjoying it.
It was not for dispatch. I didn't have any bullet holes in the fur.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

I trapped for most of one season. Probably three dozen raccoons. My sidearm was a .44 Remington 1858. It was a new gun for me at the time. I was really enjoying it.
It was not for dispatch. I didn't have any bullet holes in the fur.

Seeing as we won’t be dealing in fur, and are mainly doing it as a hobby and for me to get my feet wet personally; bullet holes don’t matter, long as they’re in the head. Decade ago, I carried traps and helped... now, I’m carrying traps and doing it all... mind was blown too... traps have skyrocketed. Dog proof coon trap was ~$5 a decade ago... now they’re $16

 

[Armored farmer]

Seeing as we won’t be dealing in fur, and are mainly doing it as a hobby and for me to get my feet wet personally; bullet holes don’t matter, long as they’re in the head. Decade ago, I carried traps and helped... now, I’m carrying traps and doing it all... mind was blown too... traps have skyrocketed. Dog proof coon trap was ~$5 a decade ago... now they’re $16

Good luck. I dodge 'coons and deer every night coming home late from the field.
It should be a trsppers paradise.

 

[Iggy]

I ran a trap line about 70 years ago and carried a 9 shot H&R revolver.

 

[Risky buisness]

H&R 922. Inexpensive, accurate, durable.
If it got mud, coyote lure scratched wet or lost it wasn't going to make me all broken hearted.
Still have it, still take it. Still works.

 

[lightman]

I've never run a trap line but I would think my stainless Ruger automatic would work fine.

 

[Fyrstyk]

I used to carry a H&R 949 .22 long rifle handgun with a 5" barrel.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Done a little trapping. Carried a Ruger single six in 22mag. Plenty for yote's and beavers and not enough to tear up a 'possum or coon. Mink and the like are tricky to shoot and not damage. Remember, its your duty to put that quarry down as swiftly and humanely as possible.

Yes, traps have gone up, and fur prices have gone down. The Russians dont want any more of our raccoon furs now. Or maybe import/export reasons. Idk. But they were a major importer of American raccoon furs for hats. Traps are best bought right after trapping season and then left outside in the elements till next season. This "seasons" them; gets rid of smells and gives them a nice rusty color to blend in to the ground. I think I paid $12 each for foot holds (duke #2) and $19 for camo dipped DP's about 7 years ago, at the LBS (local fishing BAIT store lol)

I was trapping public land, an hour away so i got tired of it real fast. Especially with very few furs to show for it and a fulltime job. I prefer the dog proof cans over footholds because they are also bird proof. Crows are a trapper's worst enemy! I know a guy who caught a bald eagle; had to call the game warden to release it safely.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I usually carry a Colt Woodsman, but also have a Colt Officers Model Target, a Ruger MKII and an Argentine M1927 (identical to a Model 1911A1) with a Colt Service Ace conversion kit,

 

[Old_Grouch]

I've never run traps but I assume the primary role is to dispatch wounded trapped animals. Any .22 should be as suitable as any other, but that leaves not much in the way of personal protection so I have a different suggestion.
Okay, at this point I'm going to take a few minutes to put my flame suit on so smoke em if you've got em; I'll be right back.........................................
[elevator music playing]
Alright, I'm back. Here goes -
This is an ideal use for a S&W Governor (Or Taurus Judge). Accuracy is a non-issue at contact or near contact distance, so load the first two charge holes that will be fired with .22LR in .410 to .22 adapters such as Short Lane Arms makes.
Load the remaining with a stout .45 Colt load and put a hand full of #4 .410s in your pack. That pretty well covers you for anything, two or four legged, large or small and might let you put some meat in the pot if it's an over-nighter.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

317 prelock 22lr , Shot a Racoon other day. Worked well.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

On occasion I’ll carry the 22lr along with 44spl. Depending where I plan on going. Snake shot in a chamber, Some 60gr SSS 22lr, Few Solid 200gr wadcutters.
Nice to have Options and both guns together still weigh less than a L frame steel 686 4”…. I carry that with 38spl wadcutters /357 mags , on other occasions

 

[gobsauce]

I gotta ask, what do y'all do with the furs? I met a trapper who just quilted them together.

 

[Fyrstyk]

Back when I was doing my trapping, the sale of my furs put me thru college. Tuition s were much cheaper back in the 70's.

 

[nettlle]

A Ruger Mark ll Target in stainless is my favorite. I carried a Remington Nylon 66 for a couple of years. Not a bad trap line rifle. Pistols are better for me as a trap line gun. A lot of hands on taking care of the traps.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

I read where Wolverines are a common problem on traps. I’m sure foxs, wolves, other predators are interested in what you have trapped.
I’d like a short carbine for dispatching at a distance. I guess the “Trapper lever action” certainly was thought of by others also.
I’d probably take my 357mag 16 Jm Marlin if I did a lot of this trapping… and have a 22lr in my pocket

 

[Starter52]

I trapped raccoon back in the 1970's. I dispatched them with a H&R model 999 revolver. One .22 short to the head did the job.