do you carry a handgun in the field?

[jdog300]

Hi folks,

I am currently in the process of setting up hunter education courses in person and online. I am reading as much as I can on the internet about how to effectively and ethically hunt.

I went to a shooting range for the first time yesterday and shot my .308... boy that thing kicks. I hope the limbsaver recoil pad I just ordered works   

I shot 10 rounds at 25 yards and another 10 at 50. My plan is to shoot at least 20 rounds each week until the season starts, and trying to increase distance, accuracy, and intention with each shot.

My goal is to hunt black bears as I consume a lot of meat and would like to acquire it myself. What are your thoughts on carrying handguns as an additional safety precaution? I see some deals on parros and will need to check my local stores, but am a bit overwhelmed by all the possible ammo types for handguns (9mm vs .45 ACP vs magnum 44).. also, I am attempting to purchase non-lead ammo if possible and also practicing shooting with it (i don't know how foolhardy this is), so if you know of a non-lead caliber with relatively economic pricing i'd love to hear about it. Do you folks carry handguns in the field? If so, what kind?

I picked up my savage axis fp 110 .308 with a scope, bipod, case and shooting rest for 400$. Glock handguns seem to be 500-1000$! Naively, I would've expected the rifle to be more expensive than the handgun, since it's bigger lol. I was also considering a 20 gauge shotgun to take down grouse. I thought I'd only be getting a single gun, but in just a few weeks i'm now considering 3. I want to be very careful about the guns I purchase, otherwise I will end up with a bunch.

I am aware i may not achieve everything i intend during my first season but nonetheless am excited to try. I am pretty comfortable in the woods as i play another outdoor "middle-of-nowhere" sport, but this is the first time i'll be doing that with weapons.

[pianoman9701]

I'm a bow hunter and I carry a compact 9mm for two legged predators.

[bb76]

I carry a Blackhawk in a Kenai chest holster. Check the used market. Sometimes you can find a good deal on a handgun. As for lead free ammo check online.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[trophyhunt]

.45 in my chest holster, for close encounters and 2 legged creatures.

[Sliverslinger]

When rifle hunting I don’t carry a pistol. When bow hunting I carry a Glock 20 or a 19 depending on where I am. I modified a Gunfighters Inc Ronin to attach to my Marsupial bino harness in a cross draw configuration which was way more comfortable than the holsters that go behind or below the bino enclosure.

[MADMAX]

G20
Diamond d holster

[Bullkllr]

Never felt the need. Why deal with the extra weight when my primary weapon is right there?

That said, yeah; buy more!

[dreadi]

Y'all aren't carrying a cross draw suppressed Glock 40?


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[wadu1]

Most of the time it’s a .22 for grouse but in areas where two legged creatures roam it’s a compact 9.

[ghosthunter]

I carry every day , wherever I go. I have several handguns and switch off depending on what I am doing.

Elk hunting muzzy it’s a 1860 colt army, cap and ball.

Cruising the field in two Bond hand cannons in double shoulder rig.

Grouse only it’s a judge along with SS 410.

Bear is a SVE in 40 SS or same gun in 9 mm with 17 round mag.

[WapitiTalk1]

I only carry my hand cannon when going back to kill site for second and subsequent loads during archery elk season in big bear country.

[jstone]

Always carry pistol in the mountains

[fowl smacker]

I usually only carry my S&W 10mm in a Kenai chest holster when bow hunting.  I do throw it on when rifle hunting after making the first trip to the truck and heading back for another load.

[KNOPHISH]

Go with a 12 gauge for your shot gun, just pick a hand gun and go with it, can get a used one for cheaper.

[EnglishSetter]

When rifle hunting I would carry a small sidearm.  Started with 22 revolver (my first pistol) when I was 14.  Later a .22 mag Derringer.  Now a .22 mag NAA revolver.  This is just for snakes and a coup de grace.    Bird hunting (shotgun) I don't bother, but would throw some a few slugs in my pocket if I was in an area that had pigs.  I suppose same for black bear.