Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Jamieb on July 19, 2012, 10:44:28 AM

Title: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: Jamieb on July 19, 2012, 10:44:28 AM: I drew a second deer tag in Northriver this year. It's an area I know well and I dont think I'll have any trouble getting a close range shot at a doe. I'd sure like to bust a deer in the face with my Kimber crimson custom II 45ACP and this should be the perfect hunt to do it.
I know it's not legal to use laser sites but is it legal to use a pistol with a laser if the laser it turned off, I can even pull the battery?
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: wraithen on July 19, 2012, 11:04:28 AM: If you can't change out the grips I'd say pulling the battery should work if you are approached by someone with common sense. The issue is the wording of the reg. I believe it says the lazer can't be on your weapon, nothing about whether it is functional or not.
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: BULLBLASTER on July 19, 2012, 11:17:21 AM: Regs say it is illegal to hunt with laser sights "capable" of projecting a beam on the animal. Persoanlly I think that without a battery the laser is not capable of projecting a beam... but I'm not a warden. That would be sweet to doubletap a slickhead with the. 45 tho!
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: dad98684 on July 19, 2012, 11:21:27 AM: if memory serves me, if you use a handgun for hunting it has to be a revolver. (excluding TC )
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: h20hunter on July 19, 2012, 11:22:35 AM: Nope...have to take it off. I say that because I have a pin illumintion thing on my bow. Legal in my hone state...not here. I asked the same question and was told removing the battery does not exempt me from a ticket.
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: wraithen on July 19, 2012, 11:23:17 AM: Quote from: dad98684 on July 19, 2012, 11:21:27 AM
if memory serves me, if you use a handgun for hunting it has to be a revolver. (excluding TC )

It doesn't.
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: sirmissalot on July 19, 2012, 11:35:15 AM: Definitely a good question you bring up, sounds like a fun hunt!
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 19, 2012, 12:00:18 PM: The barrel can't be less than 4". There's no requirement for revolver that I can find.

I would absolutely talk to a warden to get the opinion on the laser sight grip, with or without the battery. Take his name and you're covered. Good luck on your hunt.
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: Jamieb on July 19, 2012, 12:29:05 PM: The Kimber Customs have a 5" barrel so their legal. The laser on this pistol is part of the rosewood grips, not just a wrap around and I dont want to buy another pair of grips just so I can shoot a doe with this gun. The 1911 in my avatar is the one I'm talking about.
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 19, 2012, 12:31:52 PM: Yeah, I would definitely ask the local gamie.
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: cwuwildcat on July 19, 2012, 12:39:53 PM: Quote from: BULLBLASTER on July 19, 2012, 11:17:21 AM
Regs say it is illegal to hunt with laser sights "capable" of projecting a beam on the animal. Persoanlly I think that without a battery the laser is not capable of projecting a beam... but I'm not a warden. That would be sweet to doubletap a slickhead with the. 45 tho!

I agree with this. The warden's aren't going to take the time to figure out if you just quickly ditched the battery when you saw them, or truly had it out. You may get lucky and get one that's understanding, but you may get the letter of the law guy just as well.
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: h20hunter on July 19, 2012, 12:41:42 PM: Where has outdoirgaurdian been lately?
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 19, 2012, 12:43:55 PM: Good idea - PM outdoorguardian
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: Jamieb on July 19, 2012, 04:29:04 PM: I called wdfw, Laser grips on the gun while hunting are a no no. I ran down to wholsale sports and bought some black grips just for hunting.
I like the laser grips and I use them shooting bowling pins but they suck in bright light so I do practice some with the sights.
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: ICEMAN on July 19, 2012, 04:31:59 PM: Low odds shot, how about a double lung shot?
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: Jamieb on July 19, 2012, 05:54:45 PM: I'll only take a head shot if the doe is inside of 30 yards and standing there looking at me.
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: Atroxus on July 20, 2012, 07:49:21 AM: Quote from: dad98684 on July 19, 2012, 11:21:27 AM
if memory serves me, if you use a handgun for hunting it has to be a revolver. (excluding TC )

That is only in firearms restricted areas. Anywhere else you just need to meet the min barrel length and caliber restrictions.
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: KFhunter on July 21, 2012, 10:04:00 PM: Quote from: ICEMAN on July 19, 2012, 04:31:59 PM
Low odds shot, how about a double lung shot?

:yeah:

With ICEMAN here, seen too many starving to death deer with jaws blown off - miserable sight to behold

deers brainpan isn't very large, 45 isn't going to penetrate the nasal cavity then continue on through to the neck or spine area so you got a doe with it's nose shattered and it dies a slow painful death.

If you can shoot an egg at 30 yards over and over without missing then I take my words back
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: Firing Pin on July 23, 2012, 08:23:11 AM: When did they change it, in the past the 45ACP was not a legal caliber to hunt with. I just checked the regs and it appears that it is now a legal caliber. :dunno:
Title: Re: laser grips on a pistol
Post by: bobcat on July 23, 2012, 08:38:06 AM: Quote from: Firing Pin on July 23, 2012, 08:23:11 AM
When did they change it, in the past the 45ACP was not a legal caliber to hunt with. I just checked the regs and it appears that it is now a legal caliber. :dunno:

It changed quite a few years ago, when they were in a "simplify the reg's" mode. Now there's pretty much no restrictions on handguns used for hunting. Basically if it's bigger than a 22 rimfire and has a 4 inch or longer barrel, it's legal.