Handguns in hunting season?

[toxic111]

I wish I could.. stupid Cdn laws...

[Rapier]

Nice 66s are getting harder to find.
Ed

[petey]

I've killed several deer with revolvers and TC contenders

.357 Dan Wesson Heavy barrel
.44 Ruger Redhawk
30-30 TC Contender 10" barrel
.309 JDJ TC Contender 10" barrel

Do I carry a pistol along with a long rifle? No

I either hunt specifically with a handgun or another weapon of choice. I never carry both. At least now-a-days

[Adam Helmer]

petey,

I am getting a .35 Remington Contender next week.

A funny story made the rounds hereabouts 2 deer seasons ago about a guy who was deer hunting with just his rifle. He was on the Game Lands way over back when a guy came along the cart road on horseback. The horseman stopped and chatted with the deer hunter and asked to look at his nicely scoped Weatherby bolt rifle. The hunter unloaded his rifle and handed it up to the horseman. After looking the rifle over, the horseman asked if the hunter had a handgun on him to which he replied, "No." The horseman turned the horse about and trotted off with the Weatherby!

Ok, it is a good story and may be true. The moral of the story is to answer in the affirmative, "Yep, I got two revolvers under my hunting coat." LOL.

Adam

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Michigan has some really screwy handgun laws in the southernmost part of the state during deer season...I can't give all the details right now, but my .380 Walther is a legal firearm, while my 1911 .38 Super isn't (holds too many rounds).
....but in a word, yes...I usually carry some type of pistol while hunting. Sometimes a Ruger standard model .22 or my Colt .357 magnum or my .38 Super.....it all depends on the season and what game I'm in pursuit of.

What I need to do is find a good stainless steel carry piece....took my S&W M39 on a salmon fishing trip last fall; between the heat, neoprene waders, perspiration, and water, it ended up with a nasty case of RUST!!!!

[Rapier]

That is the reason you see a refrence by a few guys on this site to the 66 Smith. The Combat Magnum is probably the best 357 that Smith ever made, for cary, weight and power. Made in stainless it is the now discontinued Model 66. I went looking for my 66 and was lucky enough to find one, a three inch, in excellent condition for $400. I bought a new barrel and put a four inch on it. In my way of thinking the 4 inch 66 is just a fine gun to wear in a holser for hunting, ranch or farm use. My holster is in an Andrews cross draw rig which I prefer when sitting or carrying a rifle in my strong hand.
Best,
Ed

PS I think the 66 will just keep going up as it is usefull and has never been out done by the L frame guns, especially when weight is a consideration.

[GOLD-PAN]

Since i picked up my Encore pistol i havent left the house without it...

[kt]

definately carrying ever since it became legal. i carry my every day glock, my main concerns arent game animals. i have met far too many not so neighborly flash lights in the pitch black, and despite my towering 5'6 frame i like the back up. a few years back turkey hunting i got snuck up on by two very large mutts that showed a lot of teeth and snarls, being a dog lover i was not anticipating the next move. as it turns out i pulled down my face mask and they both started wagging their tales the one even let me rub its belly, they had collars on so im glad it went like it did, despite my kindness one of them ripped up my hen decoy!

[Pre-64]

I carry a Ruger Redhawk in 44 Mag when Deer and Bear hunting. I have worked out a darn good load with hard cast bullets for it and they hit like thor's hammer. Like one of the posts before, If you carry a rifle leave the handgun at home if you are serious about hunting with one! In my past experiences and with several other hunters I've talked with you will go with the long gun every time. If its just a walk in the woods I have a real nice Dan Wesson model 15 that I can change from a 2 1/2" Stubby to an 8" 357 Mag in about 2 minutes.