What sidearm to purchase while afield?

[sled]

Glock 20

It's not going to "gunk up" or have issues in the brush if properly holstered.   It'll gunk up less than a revolver with less open areas for gunk to work its way in.

You got a lot more rounds than a revolver and your faster on target and faster between shots with an auto vs revolver.


You will need to modify the Glock some to gain the most from it with heavy hard cast full power ammunition, but it's very easy to do.

As a side benefit you can also modify it to shoot different calibur ammunition just as easy.

[jackelope]

I carry a glock 22. May not be the most powerful hand cannon in the world but I can ventilate something 15 times if needed. One of them ought to do the trick. And it will run in the mud. I always have it hunting. Archery, rifle, whatever. My excuse for having it rifle hunting is that I hunt with a single shot rifle.

[Bob33]

Since you can legally hunt cougar and bear with a handgun, I'd say it'd be legal to shoot one while bowhunting deer/elk with your legal handgun. If questioned: You could just say you were hunting bear with your handgun but were carrying your bow for backup.

whaaaaat?

no


You cannot use your hand gun on big game where you have an archery only tag.
Deer, Elk.

Bear you could dispatch with a handgun (and cougar) as you do not need to specify what weapon you are using.

98% sure I got that right 

No one said anysthing about an 'archery only' tag.
I was refuting the post that said you coudn't shoot anything unless it was for self defense.

You can shoot small game, bear or cougar with a legal handgun carried during bow season for protection in areas open to bear and cougar hunting while your'e deer or elk hunting.

"Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during an archery, big game hunting season."

Bear and cougar are big game.

[sirmissalot]

 I pack a S&W 329pd Alaska Backpacker. Light, compact and powerful. Handles hot 300 grain solids surprisingly well.

[jackelope]

I pack a S&W 329pd Alaska Backpacker. Light, compact and powerful. Handles hot 300 grain solids surprisingly well.

If I had one if those, that's what I'd be packing as well. Nice rig.

[demontang]

I carry 45acp anyday in this state. I have no doubt it would work on any animal in this state. I do carry my 44mag if I think I can shoot a bear with my pistol during bear season.

[StuckoYota99]

Is there a reason the .44 Is favored over other cartridges like the .357? I'm in the same boat looking for a revolver.

[demontang]

Power talks to most. A 357mag is no slouch and id carry one for bear in this state too. It realy boils down to what you can handle and shoot accurately. A 500smith is as good as a sharp stick if you cant handle it

[KFhunter]

Since you can legally hunt cougar and bear with a handgun, I'd say it'd be legal to shoot one while bowhunting deer/elk with your legal handgun. If questioned: You could just say you were hunting bear with your handgun but were carrying your bow for backup.

whaaaaat?

no


You cannot use your hand gun on big game where you have an archery only tag.
Deer, Elk.

Bear you could dispatch with a handgun (and cougar) as you do not need to specify what weapon you are using.

98% sure I got that right 

No one said anysthing about an 'archery only' tag.
I was refuting the post that said you coudn't shoot anything unless it was for self defense.

You can shoot small game, bear or cougar with a legal handgun carried during bow season for protection in areas open to bear and cougar hunting while your'e deer or elk hunting.

"Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during an archery, big game hunting season."

Bear and cougar are big game.

yes - but the tags don't specify what type of weapon for bear/cougar.  So you could dispatch a bear with a legal sidearm after having been shot with archery at any time of the year other than deer/elk archery only season.   At least that's my take

goofy laws seesh

[JLS]

Since you can legally hunt cougar and bear with a handgun, I'd say it'd be legal to shoot one while bowhunting deer/elk with your legal handgun. If questioned: You could just say you were hunting bear with your handgun but were carrying your bow for backup.

whaaaaat?

no


You cannot use your hand gun on big game where you have an archery only tag.
Deer, Elk.

Bear you could dispatch with a handgun (and cougar) as you do not need to specify what weapon you are using.

98% sure I got that right 

No one said anysthing about an 'archery only' tag.
I was refuting the post that said you coudn't shoot anything unless it was for self defense.

You can shoot small game, bear or cougar with a legal handgun carried during bow season for protection in areas open to bear and cougar hunting while your'e deer or elk hunting.

"Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during an archery, big game hunting season."

Bear and cougar are big game.

yes - but the tags don't specify what type of weapon for bear/cougar.  So you could dispatch a bear with a legal sidearm after having been shot with archery at any time of the year other than deer/elk archery only season.   At least that's my take

goofy laws seesh

You are correct.  As long as it is an any weapon season for bear/cougar you could legally use the handgun.

[jackelope]

Is there a reason the .44 Is favored over other cartridges like the .357? I'm in the same boat looking for a revolver.

Because bigger is better.

At least I suspect that's most of the reason.

[sakoshooter]

Since you can legally hunt cougar and bear with a handgun, I'd say it'd be legal to shoot one while bowhunting deer/elk with your legal handgun. If questioned: You could just say you were hunting bear with your handgun but were carrying your bow for backup.

whaaaaat?

no


You cannot use your hand gun on big game where you have an archery only tag.
Deer, Elk.

Bear you could dispatch with a handgun (and cougar) as you do not need to specify what weapon you are using.

98% sure I got that right 

No one said anysthing about an 'archery only' tag.
I was refuting the post that said you coudn't shoot anything unless it was for self defense.

You can shoot small game, bear or cougar with a legal handgun carried during bow season for protection in areas open to bear and cougar hunting while your'e deer or elk hunting.

"Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during an archery, big game hunting season."

Bear and cougar are big game.

yes - but the tags don't specify what type of weapon for bear/cougar.  So you could dispatch a bear with a legal sidearm after having been shot with archery at any time of the year other than deer/elk archery only season.   At least that's my take

goofy laws seesh

You are correct.  As long as it is an any weapon season for bear/cougar you could legally use the handgun.

Glad youi guys got it. That's all I was trying to say.

[33 Winchester]

During deer season, I sometimes carry a S&W model 57 in a shoulder holster.  Very nice handgun and caliber, again available as a "classic" from the factory. 

However, I often use a K-22 in a shoulder holster when scouting in the fall and it is hare or grouse season and I sometimes carry a J frame 22 kit gun on my belt in the fall, though I can't shoot the thing worth beans and small game usually make their escape.

[pianoman9701]

IMO the magnums are what is needed for BC carry.  38s dont have enough density or oomph for bears, same with 45acp. Run with 357 mag on up. Trying to find a rev with an acceptable wt to pain to pack ratio is the problem. I settled on a 41. 28oz empty.  Its ok. The lcr in 357 is 17oz i believe. That s&w 329 pd is real nice, spendy, but nice.

Washelk is a bit of a puss, so he carries the smaller guns! I know, I've seen his pistol. I carry a .45 because I'm more manly.

[whitey]

IMO the magnums are what is needed for BC carry.  38s dont have enough density or oomph for bears, same with 45acp. Run with 357 mag on up. Trying to find a rev with an acceptable wt to pain to pack ratio is the problem. I settled on a 41. 28oz empty.  Its ok. The lcr in 357 is 17oz i believe. That s&w 329 pd is real nice, spendy, but nice.

Washelk is a bit of a puss, so he carries the smaller guns! I know, I've seen his pistol. I carry a .45 because I'm more manly.

And I carry a S&W 500 mag. Because I can..