Used my government 1911 with Federal 230 Hydrashocks to put down a deer hit by a car near my home.

I was on my way to work, dressed in "business casual," and the poor critter was lying in the middle of the road. Went back to my house and got my 1911 (because its always loaded), and had my wife call the warden.

Should have brought my rifle. The deer got up on two broken legs when I returned, and began to hobble off. Must have had it's nervous system totally maxed with adrenaline, shock and pain. Didn't want to lie down on the ground in my work clothes to make a head shot at 30 yards, so stuck with center mass. Took about 5 rounds in the rib cage to put it on the ground. Took maybe 30 seconds.

There are better calibers for deer.

Took a course with Clint Smith at Thunder Ranch last month. We were practicing transitions from the carbine to the pistol. Clint said, "Think about this. By going to your pistol away from your rifle you have just traded Ken for Barbie."