which pistol?

[fish4dinner]

After recently shooting a pig with a 357 I've learned that in the right situation a hog can be taken with a 357 but expierenced hog hunters have consistently told me to buy a 44 mag or bigger if I'm serious about pistol hunting for hogs.
so I'm thinking about stimulating the economy with my tax return at the gun shop because I'm planning on moving to arizona in september and I'm thinking this whole pig hunting expierence isnt going to just be a one night stand so I should probably get the right tool for the job

my question is
which pistol do you like for hunting and why?
single action vs double action?
what cal? 44, 45, 452,480,500 ect
barrel length?
scopes vs red dot vs Iron sights?

 

[sancho]

cool move. i love AZ.

maybe wait until you move? all of my buddies in AZ get the best deals on firearms. those folks are fanatical.

if i was to look for a hunting pistol, i like those single shot remington bolt action pistols.

 

[bpnclark]

For a “regular” pistol I would get a 454 with a 8 inch barrel. With red dot sights.

For a “hunting” pistol I would get a single shot TC. With a 4x or 6x scope. The TC will give you a lot more options and you’ll be able to add more calibers when you start hunting different species. Also the TCs will let you shoot at game from 20 yards to 200 (depending on what your hunting). You really cant do that with a reg 6 shooter.

 

[ltdann]

cool move. i love AZ.

maybe wait until you move? all of my buddies in AZ get the best deals on firearms. those folks are fanatical.

if i was to look for a hunting pistol, i like those single shot remington bolt action pistols.

Concur. My hunting partner's from Phoenix. He laughs when I tell him all the rules I go thru to buy a firearm. Cheaper, wider selection, fewer laws in AZ.

 

[bigworm]

I prefer a Ruger Super Redhawk, in 44 mag w/ 7 1/2" barrel. It is a double action revolver. It can be shot single acting, or double acting. I shoot my first shot with the hammer cocked (single action). This usuall allows for a better placed shot. Then I can shoot it double acting for a fast second shot. Or any time I need to get a shot off real fast.

I picked 44 mag, not only because it is a good round as far as knock down power, but easy to find. Fairly un-expensive to shoot.

I shoot most my hogs very close. Sometimes less than 2 feet away. It has never let me down. Even if you don't have a good shot at vitals. Also shoots well at the 30 to 40 yard range.

I would stay away from scopes. Makes the gun a a lot bigger to carry. And not very useful in the brush. Unless you will be shooting long range. What ever you get shoot it a bunch, yo get used to it. Good luck.

 

[NikolaKangrga]

I would go with the .44 mag or .454 . The .454 sure does kick like a mule though!

 

[LAOutdoorsman]

GLOCK 20 10 MM, probably not the best but im a glock fan.

 

[DADDYGUN08]

S & W 500 with the 7.5" barrell. Talk about stopping power! I agree with no scope on a pistol, old fashioned iron sights rock...

 

[AZ Jim]

Welcome to Arizona. Awesome state. I was born here and one of the reasons I stay here is the outdoors and the minimal restrictions on personal freedoms.

I second Big Worm,

The Ruger Super Red Hawk in .44 mag. Easy to find ammo in multiple bullet wieghts and types. Easily reloaded and with a 7.5 or 9.5-inch barrel easy to point, and control. You can take everything from javelina to elk (close range, high velocity and heavy bullet for elk) with it. As far as the scope goes, well I don't have one on mine, but have considered it. The cool thing about the red hawk is the built in scope mount and it comes with rings.

Arizona is not known for wild hogs although it is rumored we have a few wild feral hog populations that are growing. We do have javelina though. Your .357 will be just fine for those. They only weigh 60 lbs max. Anyway what ever you get, practice, practice, practice.

AZ Jim

 

[TRey]

I don't know Mikey, that Blackhawk you used is pretty cool. I have one myself and haven't been dissapointed with it.
But, that said, the .44 Super Redhawk would be my next handgun, probably in 7 1/2". I've played with the idea of the .460 Ruger or .500 SW but I like to keep it simple. The .44, like the .357, is available in many different loads, especially when you start handloading them, and the ammunition is very available.
Good luck in AZ. I lived there for many years and wish I hadn't left. I bought most of my guns there so wait to buy one until you get there. You'll save money and hassle.

 

[muddy_udders]

I have a Winchester model 94 trapper in 44 mag and shot both my pigs with it. They never knew what hit em. Last year I picked up a used Taurus M44 with 6" ported barrel as a companion to the rifle and it is damn accurate with iron sights. I haven't taken it out because I lost access to the private property I was hunting. That was my plan though
Like others have said 44mag ammo is available at most places in quite a variety.

 

[myfriendis410]

The best of the bunch: the S & W model 629. Quit fooling around with "other" guns. This is the best shooting, best trigger, best D/A pull available. The gun is made in a wide variety of barrel lengths, but the 6 1/2" barrel would be my choice. Stick with iron sights; much better pointability without a big tube on top.

If you are going to go with a single shot, get the T/C Contender. Interchangeable barrels alone make it a better choice than the Remington XP100. But in my opinion, these guns are a far cry from what most would call a handgun.

 

[georgedori]

Hogs

ig-laughing:Colt Anaconda .44 mag for sure, W/ silvertip hollowpoints, be prepared to RUNNNN :skeered: using any caliber handgun though, and remember shot placement is the most important aspect. Good luck and most of all have fun.

 

[norcal-noodler]

I'm not sure the model but I believe there is the .460 from S&W. That is a bad ass gun but kinda pricey. You can shoot .460, .454 casull, and .45 long colts through the thing soo practice ammo is cheap-ish as long as you stay away from plinking the big stuff. I saw that gun at the shop and really liked the look of it but also liked the fact I could shoot those long colts. But in the end I got the girly .357 !!!

I ended up with a Beautiful Colt Python which I love !!!

 

[Speckmisser]

If you're gonna be shooting mostly javelina in AZ, that .357 is gonna be just fine. No need to switch it up.

If you just wanted an excuse to "upgrade" though, my recommendation is the .44. I'm a real fan of the Ruger Super Blackhawk. I've shot the Redhawk a lot, but unless you do a custom job on the action, shooting that thing double-action is about as accurate as throwing a rock over your shoulder.

The .454 and up are good calibers if you're dealing with huge boars or grizzly bears, but they pack an awful lot of punch on BOTH ENDS of the gun.

I've had the "privilege" of shooting the S&W 500, and all I can say is, they can keep it. Like holding a grenade in your bare hand... and the cost per shot is a little tough to handle too. If you need that much gun, you may as well carry a shotgun loaded with slugs... and the bonus is that the shotgun will weigh less!

 

[map]

The Ruger Super Red Hawk in .44 mag, for sure.

 

[sancho]

i dont know about many hogs in AZ.

but they are mecca for javalina.

i would get a remington XP100 or some TC contender in a small rifle caliber. just for hunting javalina or the little deer over there.

 

[Troggy92]

My vote for a revolver is a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44mag if you plan on hunting wild hogs, but I am a big fan of TC's single shot pistols. There are a ton of choices for the Encore or Contender.

 

[Jagermeister]

My vote is for the stainless S&W 629 with the 6.5" barrel. This will last a lifetime - and then some.

Jagermeister