Side Arms While In The Field

[beastslayer]

Dang Spectr, you slammed my excuse to quickly replace my lost pistol.

We always camp on Pine Flats.

 

[doccherry]

I never carry a sidearm when I'm out hunting with a rifle because I don't practice with it enough to be any good at distances beyond about 25 feet. I'd probably shoot myself in the foot if things got hairy.

I'm on the Big Island of Hawaii now and the pig hunting, as I've reported, is unreal. I go maybe 2 or 3 times per week, almost all archery hunting, and get at least one shot each week, sometimes more. A few days ago I really wished I had a sidearm. I watched a good sized boar walk into a den, a tunnel beneath several fallen trees that is as dry as a bone even in this wet climate and goes back in about 15 or 18 feet. I sneaked up to the opening and waited silently. Half an hour passes and nothing happens, so I make a bunch of racket and pull back the arrow and wait. Nothing happens. Then I took out my flashlight and got down on my hands and knees and crawled in a couple of feet, shining the light ahead. Nothing. I crawled in another few feet, shining the light and then all hell broke loose. The boar snorted and exploded out a side exit beneath the fallen logs and crashed off into the tall grass.

I knew about the side exit because the same thing has happened several times in the past when I hunt there. The pigs scoot off into the den when I disturb them and wait for me to leave. When I sneak up to the main entrance, they scoot out to the side. When I sneak up to the side exit, they scoot out the main entrance. A sidearm would be perfect here because I could sneak in, lay down on my belly behind one of the logs, and wait for the pig to make its move. A bow is no good in those tight quarters, but my Colt Python or my Ruger Super Red Hawk would be much better. Even better yet would be a pump or auto 12 gauge with a short barrel and pistol grip, loaded with buckshot. That's the ultimate close-in weapon for hogs, in my opinion. Problem is that this is in the suburbs and there are other houses within a couple hundred yards so it's archery only.

 

[dikatry]

If you want a good drop leg, the new blackhawk SERPA works great. I carry it with my M9 in the feild. Lightweight, tough, and now halos to mess with or mess up your fingers. The release is a button right where you trigger finger falls, reals easy to quick draw. Plus, unlike a lot of drop legs, it has two belt attachments. So you want position it wherever you want with access to you pockets. I am very happy with it. I guess you would have to go semi auto only though, no revolvers. They make them for 1911, Glock 20/21/37/39, SIG 220/226/228/229, and Beretta 92/96.

 

[gmarti4006]

Does anyone know what the regs say about ammo allowed to carry in a sidearm? A few people mentioned FMJs in their sidearms, but is this allowed? Regs say you need expanding bullets for handgun hunting, so I would think this would apply to sidearms as well, right? Personally, I carry a 4006 with 180 gr XTPs. Haven't downed any big game yet, but it just about cut a jack in half!!

 

[Speckmisser]

You can carry FMJ ammo in a sidearm as long as you're not using it as your hunting weapon. Used to carry my Browning Hi-Power loaded with ball ammo, but after hunting with a friend who's a cop, he suggested we look it up.

Personally, I'd recommend using something that expands anyway, but you should be covered.