Hunting with a Sidearm

[DangerClose]

I usually try to carry a secondary when I am hunting. While a rifle like the grendel is amazing, having a back up is just good practice.

Im usually carrying a judge or my 1911. What do you guys carry?

[VASCAR2]

I usually have my Glock 27 concealed carry pistol or my Glock 22. Occasionally will have my RIA 1911 in 45 ACP but I like how the 40 S&W round has a better trajectory than the 45 ACP.

[RStewart]

Ruger P85 9mm. If I can't shoot it, I can always beat it to death with it.

[WillD]

I've carried side arms while hunting for almost 40 years. I started out with the idea of using it for a cheaper coup de grace but I've killed 18-20 deer over the years with .357 Mag, .44 Mag, and .45 ACP. My most recent being about a 40 yd shot using 230 gr HydroShock in a 3" S&W 625. It broke ribs going in and out the deer was DRT. Most have been "coming over the wire" shots while nodding in the blind LOL!

Cheers, Will

[LRRPF52]

I know guys that have had a lot of success with the Glock 20 in 10mm. I wish Smith & Wesson would make a 10mm M&P, as the wife & I carry M&P's. I have a full-size .40, but I prefer the 9mm. I'll probably get a full-size 9mm some time here.

I used to be a nothing but 1911 .45 ACP guy, with several of them on or around me at any given time. I only own one now, and don't shoot it any, but since Utah just declared the 1911 as the official State Firearm for the Centennial Year of John Moses Browning's famous design, I'm thinking about building a custom one with engraving, but it's not a priority.

[pinzgauer]

I know guys that have had a lot of success with the Glock 20 in 10mm.

Shooting my .45's at 25 & 50 yards on a metallic silhouette range is what moved me to 10mm. Major, major difference in trajectory & knockdown. Not that you can't kill a deer with a .45, just that the velocity drops off very fast, and retained energy is low accordingly.

Stainless Delta Elite's were inexpensive then, and I wish I had bought more than one!

There are some local guys indicating that they shoot .40SW in 10mm's with good results. I've not thought through the actual implications of that, but they are indicating it works great and is a nice source of inexpensive plinking ammo. But I'd not try it without researching more. Extractor holds the round in place even as it's firing even though it's not headspaced on the mouth. Once fired, the pressure keeps it back against the slide face.

[txgunslinger]

springfield XD .45 230 grain golden sabers

[DangerClose]

Ruger P85 9mm. If I can't shoot it, I can always beat it to death with it.

I agree here. The judge I use is great for both bigger game and snakes. I can carry both bird shot and a few 45 LC for bigger things. As you stated, having that weight would club something to death or be an emergency boat anchor

[z06man]

There are some local guys indicating that they shoot .40SW in 10mm's with good results. I've not thought through the actual implications of that, but they are indicating it works great and is a nice source of inexpensive plinking ammo. But I'd not try it without researching more. Extractor holds the round in place even as it's firing even though it's not headspaced on the mouth. Once fired, the pressure keeps it back against the slide face.

You could always get a .40 barrel for it. Then it would be as simple as a quick barrel swap and you'd not have to worry about the headspace issue. It might not feed quite as reliably due to the short round in a long mag, but should be fine for cheaper practice, I would think.

[Wally Bear]

I carry a CZ75 Kadet in .22LR for taking grouse and rabbits.

[pinzgauer]

You could always get a .40 barrel for it. Then it would be as simple as a quick barrel swap and you'd not have to worry about the headspace issue.

I had researched that a while back... then realized I could shoot lot's of 10mm reloads for what I might "save" by buying a $200 barrel! 10mm brass is still fairly cheap & available, so my concerns about losing cases were unfounded.

[LRRPF52]

When I first shot 10mm, I was expecting significant muzzle climb and recoil. There was no such thing. It was a real pussycat, even in a Commander-size 1911. The more I shoot .40 S&W, the more I hate it. Recoil is way too snappy, follow-up shots are extremely difficult to squeeze out, unless shooting an all-steel gun, and ammo is pricy. I've always wanted a 10mm, but haven't gotten around to one yet. I would probably just load for it using Starline brass, and a mix of paper-cutting pills as well as good tissue-blasting projectiles. It would be nice to have an M&P on the .45 frames chambered in 10mm.

[bwaites]

When I first shot 10mm, I was expecting significant muzzle climb and recoil. There was no such thing. It was a real pussycat, even in a Commander-size 1911. The more I shoot .40 S&W, the more I hate it. Recoil is way too snappy, follow-up shots are extremely difficult to squeeze out, unless shooting an all-steel gun, and ammo is pricy. I've always wanted a 10mm, but haven't gotten around to one yet. I would probably just load for it using Starline brass, and a mix of paper-cutting pills as well as good tissue-blasting projectiles. It would be nice to have an M&P on the .45 frames chambered in 10mm.

]

Interesting. I haven't shot a 10mm, but I thought the .40 Short and Weak was the answer to the 10mm's propensity to be difficult to control? I actually think it is snappy, also, and prefer my .45 to my .40, and I like both over 9mm. (But I'd really love a major caliber that shot like my .22 LR P22!).

[GregP42]

Most of the time if I am hunting with a rifle I will carry either my 6" 657 or my 6 1/2" Blackhawk, both are in .41 Mag. I also hunt with them so if it is a close shot I would use them instead.

Greg

[WillD]

I have several 45 autos Colt, Kimber, H&K, but I prefer to hunt with revolvers. IMO a strong single action is best for me. I'll carry my Blackhawk Convertible 4 5/8" 45 Long Colt this year. It wears well in a truck, it's cheap & easy to shoot, and it has all the power I need hunting South/Central TX. Hot loads with heavy bullets up the ante in a hurry if needed.

I got a 6" 357 SIG barrel for my G35 recently and I'd like to see how it performs but probably not until next year. I had a wreck two days before hunting season last year and I just got off the crutches yesterday. I'm still hobbling and I intend to make up for lost time this year!

Cheers, Will