Who packs a side arm?

I hunt with my side arm!!!!!

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I carry a sidearm every time I go hunting, even when dove hunting. I had been carrying my Colt 1991A1, then lightened up a bit with a Charter Arms 38. Then put a little more punch back into it with a Ruger SP101 in 357.

Snakes are one good reason to carry a handgun, even if just the first round or two are ratshot.

Another would be animals up close. I wounded a javelina a few years ago and had to poke through some brush to find him. He was about 6 feet away and really PO'd when I finally saw him. I would have hated to get tangled up with him and try to put him down with a 7mm Rem Mag while he's chewing on my pants leg.

Another is walking to and from my deer stand in the dark. You never know what you're going to run into in the dark, whether it be a skunk or something like that, but I know I find it a hell of a lot easier to shoot holding a flashlight and handgun than trying to see through a scope and hold a flashlight with a rifle.

Occasionally we've had some varmints make a home in a deerstand, again I'd rather hold onto the ladder with one hand and shoot a handgun, than try to poke a rifle in there and not fall.

I also think of it as a last ditch weapon and an up close weapon for two legged critters. And if you're bow hunting, you have a gun, and not just a sharp stick.

I'm also waiting for the next time I have a doe tag to fill and she walks out 10 yards from me for that perfect handgun shot.
 
I think anyone reading this has by now figured out that a lot of the posters here have run into problems, or are trying to prevent problems while hunting.

Mick, your story about the pack of yotes is more common than you may think. I have one as well and will only say that me and the ex counted 16 around us, no, no problems with them, they may just have wondered who would be dumb enough to be in almost waist deep snow with a chainsaw, i've wondered about that myself from time to time.

The fact that i had a little 5 shot .38 on me at the time really didn't comfort me much at that moment.

I live in a area that is full of bears, cats, and dopers. I never go any place without a pistol, ... period. A very good light pistol is the chater arms bulldog in .44 special, 240grs and lots of knock down power, if you can't place your first shot, it will allow you the time to place the second.

One last thought, if you carry a pistol, having it in a backpack, or inside your waistband with coveralls on is like have is like having a simiauto with no rd. in the barrel, do you really think the attacker is going to wait while you get ready to do battle? I really don't give a rats [beeep] what anybody thinks about me packing, the bottom line is very simple, ... if i don't win, ... i can't be a grumpy old s.o.b. blue
 
You are right about the need to access the side arm quickly. If it's under clothing, it's basically worthless for it's intended purpose. I started wearing this one after the bear encounter.

Nice going 2Toms. What caliber did you use?

S&W 29, 44 Mag.
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I carry a KelTec 380 with me most of the time. My work attire leaves me few options for a full size gun. The Kel tec fits nicely into my front pants pocket. A 380 in my pocket is better than a 45 in the truck is my theory. I agree with the earlier post, practice with your carry gun as often as possible. Find an IDPA or similar match at your local range and go. It is not for pros only. You can learn more about real life defense from a couple of these matches than you will ever on your own IMO.
 
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I carry a sidearm everywhere. Not just when I am hunting


+1

to many hidden meth labs, etc around here not to. the scariest animals i've found in the woods generally walk on 2 legs and shoot back.
 
I used to carry my Colt Diamondback 22 whenever I was out in the woods but about 20 years ago we had a big outbreak of rabies and I thought a 22 might not be enough gun. That's when I started carrying my S&W 19. It has enough punch to stop any rabid animal. Now I carry my 19 or S&W Chiefs Special in 38 spcl. Never know when it'll come in handy.
 
txdiamond17, that 380 is a very under rated gun, it will do about anything you need to do with the right ammo, and placement, you simply have to do it at closer range. The biggest, baddest pistol in the world still loses to the person who places the first shot correctly. blue
 
I totally agree with you blue. Heck, it's basically a 9mm short. With the bullets I carry for personal defense, I am confident it will stop a threat in close quarters. I really like the KelTec, I know it gets plenty of flack for whatever reason, but I have yet to have a problem. It has never misfired, etc. I don't shoot it like I would a Springfield or Glock, Maybe a clip or two a month to stay proficient. It wasn't designed for thousands and thousands of rounds like a combat pistol.
 
My number one "hide" am saving is my own.

I can chose from a bevy of handguns but my top choices are:

Smith M48 (.22 WMR) for trailing cats.

A Security Six (.357)

And my top choice ..... a Smith 629 MG (.44)

If I am not packing a long gun...... then I heavy up with a long barreled .41 or .44

Regards

Three 44s
 
About the only time I don't carry a handgun is when I am at work or when I am hunting. I never have seen the sense in dropping a perfectly good rifle and/or shotgun to draw a pistol.
 
txdiamond17, kel-tec makes very good fire arms, that includes the one you have. It was made to save your tail when needed, and does that very well.

All the bad mouth iv'e seen about them came from someone buying a used one that had been trashed, or buying a new one and trying to make it do something it wasn't made for, add to that, that they have very good customer service and you have a great value. blue
 
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You are right about the need to access the side arm quickly. If it's under clothing, it's basically worthless for it's intended purpose. I started wearing this one after the bear encounter.

Nice going 2Toms. What caliber did you use?

S&W 29, 44 Mag.

I use a 7mm-08 on big game and a .243 on coyotes.
 
awesome pix 2toms!...i live close to the contender factory in NH...im a handgun hunter also, i use a taurus tracker SS with 2x7 scope in 38/357 and a classic 6 shooter s&w .22 for small game.
 
I usually pack when hunting. Same as above. Lots of questionable characters on those mountain roads. Either my Witness 40S&W or Officer's Model Colt 1911 45acp. Shoulder holster mostly, or if I'm in a real tight stand calling cougar, I'll put it in my lap, in case I get back doored and smell its breath before I hear or see it!
 
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