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Old 07-12-2018, 09:38 PM
mikem mikem is offline
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Default What is a "field gun?"

The following was posted in another thread here. But I don't know what the poster was referring to.
Quote:
"The most over looked type of handguns are field guns."
What differentiates a "field gun" from other handguns? I've been shooting for more than 50 years and never heard the expression.

Mods, I asked this question in that same thread thread, but the thread is on an entirely different topic and I know it's never going to get answered there. Please don't give me points for this.

Thank you.

Last edited by mikem; 07-12-2018 at 10:32 PM.
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Old 07-12-2018, 09:44 PM
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Hmmm, I am interested as well. Never heard that in reference to a handgun. Obviously, used regarding scatterguns. Let's see what we learn !
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Old 07-12-2018, 09:48 PM
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I always thought a field gun was an artillery piece.

I need to get out more.
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Old 07-12-2018, 09:51 PM
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Search reveals the definition of Field Pistol is it shoots a proprietary cartridge.

For example:

7,5 FK Field Pistol Promotion - YouTube

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Old 07-12-2018, 09:52 PM
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In shotguns the term is used to denote basic hunting grade fit and finish. Prefectly fine, but not fancy wood with all the extras.
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Old 07-12-2018, 10:01 PM
mikem mikem is offline
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Okay, let's look at what he said again.

Quote:
"The most over looked type of handguns are field guns."
He's using plurals here: "handguns" and "field guns."

He is designating "field guns" as a category of "handguns."

So, the question remains. What specifically is a "field gun," and what specifically designates a handgun as a "field gun?"

Last edited by mikem; 07-12-2018 at 10:05 PM.
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Old 07-12-2018, 10:15 PM
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Off hand the only pistol part I recall manufactures naming Field was the Model 41's light 5" Field Barrel. They lowered the weight and length of S&W's most expensive bullseye pistol for plinking or hunting. I'll opine that if a pistol's designer prioritized those two uses over formal match shooting or self defense then the pistol was designed to be a field pistol.
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Old 07-12-2018, 10:21 PM
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Holy cow!

I'm more confused now than when I posted the question.

If a Mod. feels like deleting or closing this thread, I won't object.

I'm getting a wicked headache.

Last edited by mikem; 07-12-2018 at 10:23 PM.
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Old 07-12-2018, 10:26 PM
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There are safe queens, range guns and field guns.

I assume field guns are guns used as they were intended: as tools. Carried, shot, dinged up, imperfect finish: shooters.
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Old 07-12-2018, 10:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rpg View Post
There are safe quemens, range guns and field guns.

I assume field guns are guns used as they were intended: as tools. Carried, shot, dinged up, imperfect finish: shooters.
This is probably the best answer we're going to get. At least it makes sense.

Maybe it's as simple as Rpg stated.

Thanks, Rpg. My headache is going away.

But I still wonder why the guy used such a phrase to describe regular old hand guns and why they are "overlooked?" It makes no sense.

Quote:
"The most over looked type of handguns are field guns."

Last edited by mikem; 07-12-2018 at 10:36 PM.
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Old 07-12-2018, 10:40 PM
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A couple of questions:

Would that be left field, right field or center?

What caliber would you use if you were shooting a bear in a field, as opposed to one in the trees?

I think that we have to establish some kind of protocol here.
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Old 07-12-2018, 10:54 PM
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A gun which with sufficient ammo will clear a field of wheat. See MG-42.
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Old 07-12-2018, 10:59 PM
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I consider a “field gun” (handgun) is the type of sidearm that might be preferred by an outdoorsman, probably depending on where he lives and what activity he is pursuing at the time, as opposed to a target/competition gun or a weapon that is mainly useful for personal protection. Of course there is bound to be overlap, depending on who is making the judgment. A 6-inch Model 19 is an excellent field gun, to me, whereas a 2-1/2” gun of the same type is definitely not. I’m sure others will disagree on that.
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Old 07-12-2018, 11:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ExcitableBoy View Post
A couple of questions:

Would that be left field, right field or center?

What caliber would you use if you were shooting a bear in a field, as opposed to one in the trees?

I think that we have to establish some kind of protocol here.
Zevon would have used a team of lawyers to sue the bear whether it was in the infield or outfield.

If they lost the case, he'd use Rem. Mod. 700 for a brain shot on the bear.

If he missed the shot, he'd pay the bear off with enough money to fill a swimming pool with honey.

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Old 07-12-2018, 11:23 PM
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We can close the case on this one.

I PMed the guy and here is what he said:

"I use the term Field Gun for practical cal
and design handguns. The cartridge shou­ld
be 20 to 32 cal, fl­at shooting built on guns
with adjustable sig­ht. These are to sho­ot
game & varmits with­out big bore damage.
They are for CCW, big game, ect. 32/20 is
this type cartridge. It seems most new
developements are the cannons 460-500
and hundreds of CCW gut busters. Cartri­dge
like the 5.7 FN wou­ld be a excellent ch­oice
in semi auto with 6". barrel & adj. sig­hts."

I guess it's kind of his own definition.

Last edited by mikem; 07-12-2018 at 11:24 PM.
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Old 07-12-2018, 11:41 PM
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To me a "Field Gun" is usually a super reliable, capable gun that will handle multiple situations while afield. A gun that you are not worried about getting a minor scratch in, not overly concerned about a sudden thunder storm, and not afraid to bump into a tree or something. In other words a practical no frills gun that you can always count on to get what ever you need done and is comfortable and not so heavy that it hinders your mobility.
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Old 07-13-2018, 10:39 AM
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I would think the same thing as what we designate as a Woods Walking gun. A handy mid range caliber .38 to .45 (or possibly a .22) that you feel comfortable with when walking in the woods. Caliber would vary based on the location and wildlife there.
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Old 07-13-2018, 11:29 AM
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My personal favorite "Field Gun" in Black Bear Country is an 1980's vintage Model 65 with a 3" bbl. I carry Buffalo Bore (#19A) Hard Cast 180 Grain .357 Magnums (LSWC) that are the most powerful I know of and should easily take down a Black Bear if the situation every came up and I do my part (hopefully it never will but there are many in the woods where I hike & hunt). It will do an honest 1,320 fps (my actual average chronograph results from said 3" K Frame) which is approximately 750 foot pounds of energy. While the best .357 is no real challenge to a 44 Magnum, I can easily carry the M65 all day long which would no be the case with a M29! I'd always opt for the M65 on my hip rather than the M29 I left at home.....

When Pheasant Hunting on private land, I carry a M63 Revolver .22 LR "Field Gun" for the Squirrel Bother's when we happen upon one. No challenge in using a 12 gauge Shotgun on them ya know!

So what a "Field Gun" is depends on the situation at hand.
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Old 07-13-2018, 11:41 AM
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Well there are standard grips and many "Target Grips" made for matches.

However I really think that term came into being with the type of stock
made for a shotgun.

Many styles of butts were made for a proper fit in order that the shooter
would line up on the target correctly, for a better pattern percentage.

The Browning BT and a O/U are usually gone over with a fine tooted comb
by the shooter that is into trap meets.
In the old days the Winchester model 12 was King of the hill,
with super stocks, bent and tweaked barrels, you name it.
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Old 07-13-2018, 12:02 PM
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Ok. Field gun vs. woods gun.

Go!
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Old 07-13-2018, 12:04 PM
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To me, a field gun is the same as a ranch gun. A Remington Express shotgun is a good example - dependable, yet gets no special treatment or handling at all. A Colt (Walther) 22 fits the bill for my pistol. There's no way I'd ever treat a S&W the way I treat my workers.
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Old 07-13-2018, 12:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikem View Post
We can close the case on this one.

I PMed the guy and here is what he said:

"I use the term Field Gun for practical cal
and design handguns. The cartridge shou­ld
be 20 to 32 cal, fl­at shooting built on guns
with adjustable sig­ht. These are to sho­ot
game & varmits with­out big bore damage.
They are for CCW, big game, ect. 32/20 is
this type cartridge. It seems most new
developements are the cannons 460-500
and hundreds of CCW gut busters. Cartri­dge
like the 5.7 FN wou­ld be a excellent ch­oice
in semi auto with 6". barrel & adj. sig­hts."

I guess it's kind of his own definition.
Am I the only one who doesn’t understand what he’s saying?
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Old 07-13-2018, 12:19 PM
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I thought a "field gun" was a line of sight crew served weapon that was sufficiently mobile to accompany infantry on the march. Civil War 6 and 12 pound Napoleons being the purest examples of the type.
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Old 07-13-2018, 12:29 PM
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As the name states, a gun that will be carried in the field. May be used for hunting or not, be it handgun, rifle, shotgun. Nothing too fancy or expensive but TEHO. PROBLY not real big or heavy, for me anyway. In a military context.
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Old 07-13-2018, 12:45 PM
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Equivalent to a "field grade" rifle or shotgun. One which is somewhat plain, unadorned, made for use in outdoor activities, and the lowest priced of that particular type. A good example would be a Mossberg 500 pump gun or a Marlin 336 rifle.
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Old 07-13-2018, 12:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nevada Ed View Post
Well there are standard grips and many "Target Grips" made for matches.

However I really think that term came into being with the type of stock
made for a shotgun.

Many styles of butts were made for a proper fit in order that the shooter
would line up on the target correctly, for a better pattern percentage.

The Browning BT and a O/U are usually gone over with a fine tooted comb
by the shooter that is into trap meets.
In the old days the Winchester model 12 was King of the hill,
with super stocks, bent and tweaked barrels, you name it.
I refer to field guns a hunting shotguns with lower comb dimensions, similar to skeet stocks. Trap stocks usually have higher combs, and are more concerned with length of pull, palm swells and cast on or off. If you shoot trap at a local club for fun, proper fit is not all that concerning, however if you shoot trap competition seriously, and you do not have your stock made or modified by a proper stockmaker to fit you, you are handicapped from the first shot. In golf, par is usually 72. In trap par is 100 in a 100 target event, and 200 in a 200 target event. in class A, AA,or AAA, you need to break em all. 99 in a 100 target event is " thanks for coming"
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Old 07-13-2018, 12:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by k22fan View Post
Off hand the only pistol part I recall manufactures naming Field was the Model 41's light 5" Field Barrel. They lowered the weight and length of S&W's most expensive bullseye pistol for plinking or hunting. I'll opine that if a pistol's designer prioritized those two uses over formal match shooting or self defense then the pistol was designed to be a field pistol.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I had one of those once....Squirrel killin son of a gun.


*
Now using a S&W revolver re-worked for my kinda everyday use.

22 Super Jet



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Old 07-13-2018, 01:51 PM
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Might be related to a "Camp Gun"!
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Old 07-13-2018, 02:02 PM
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What we have here is failure to communicate.

In the world of guns there are a lot of terms. Many are used incorrectly and many more are made up on the spot. Some derive from what grandpa and uncle Joe used and are unique to their perspective. Such is the case here.
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Old 07-13-2018, 02:04 PM
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Browning rates their shotguns and rifles as Field 1, 2, 3, & 4.
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Old 07-13-2018, 02:58 PM
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I have often seen the type holster I show below as a "field holster".
Therefore, I assume that the gun I carry in this type holster, in this
case a model 10 with 4" barrel, would be a field gun. I think of both
being a rig to carry when out tromping around in the boondocks for
defense. But not in big bear country. Would want something a little
more peppy for that kind of tromping. But then you know what happens
when I assume?

By the way, the holster and cartridge belt are by George Lawrence.
The knife is a Solingen blade with pick handle grip by crazyphil.
And of course my boondocks hat.
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Old 07-13-2018, 03:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Telecaster View Post
Ok. Field gun vs. woods gun.

Go!
A field gun has grass seeds wedged in its cracks and crevices. A woods gun has fir or yew needles. Your trees may vary. We now have an even more annoying acronym: YTMV.

Field gun versus beach gun. Go!

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Old 07-13-2018, 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by k22fan View Post
Field gun versus beach gun. Go!
A lot of Florida CCW people do carry guns at the beach. The requirements have to do with concealability in swimwear (don't mention Speedos...), and resistance to salt water. Some put them in ziploc bags to keep them dry.
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Old 07-13-2018, 04:45 PM
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Does a field gun have stocks or grips?
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Old 07-13-2018, 04:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M29since14 View Post
I consider a “field gun” (handgun) is the type of sidearm that might be preferred by an outdoorsman, probably depending on where he lives and what activity he is pursuing at the time, as opposed to a target/competition gun or a weapon that is mainly useful for personal protection. Of course there is bound to be overlap, depending on who is making the judgment. A 6-inch Model 19 is an excellent field gun, to me, whereas a 2-1/2” gun of the same type is definitely not. I’m sure others will disagree on that.
Well, Jeff Cooper didn't disagree! He felt the six-inch M-19 was a fine "trail gun" by which he meant an outdoorsman's gun. Not as heavy as a M-27, but with full six-inch .357 ballistics.

A field or trail gun is just an outdoorsman's pistol, as opposed to target guns and concealable defense guns.

Hi-Standard made a .22 called the Field King. It was a fine gun in that role, for rabbits and such. My father had one.

I think Cooper meant a trail gun to be a backpacker's pistol.

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Old 07-13-2018, 04:59 PM
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Talking THEY MAY INCLUDE TRUCK GUNS, BUT IN NO WAY BEAR GUNS.

AS USUAL we are ALL in complete agreement. What was the OP's question again? Carry what you feel like, (or 2) NO WRONG ANSWERS as long as they go bang. There are trails, & then there are TRAILS!!! NO not the ones Rusty is familiar with.

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Old 07-13-2018, 05:03 PM
M29since14 M29since14 is offline
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Well, Jeff Cooper didn't disagree! He felt the six-inch M-19 was a fine "trail gun" by which he meant an outdoorsman's gun. Not as heavy as a M-27, but with full six-inch .357 ballistics.
Exactly. Since you mentioned Mr. Cooper, do you remember the Ruger Standard Auto he wrote up that he knicknamed “Chicken Delight”? I had a hard time figuring out that one, but privately he agreed with my thought that the .38 Super Commander also made a “nifty trail gun”.

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Old 07-13-2018, 09:01 PM
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Old 07-13-2018, 09:12 PM
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Does a field gun have stocks or grips?
All depends on the color of your boots!
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Old 07-14-2018, 09:13 AM
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Exactly. Since you mentioned Mr. Cooper, do you remember the Ruger Standard Auto he wrote up that he knicknamed “Chicken Delight”? I had a hard time figuring out that one, but privately he agreed with my thought that the .38 Super Commander also made a “nifty trail gun”.
Well, Jeff had a .38 Super. He killed a marmot with it in the Rockies and said it made a good meal. A marmot is sort of like a woodchuck. His Super was full length, not a Commander, and may have been a prewar gun.

An accurate 9mm makes a good trail gun because the ammo is so light and compact.
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Old 07-14-2018, 09:16 AM
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Exactly. Since you mentioned Mr. Cooper, do you remember the Ruger Standard Auto he wrote up that he knicknamed “Chicken Delight”? I had a hard time figuring out that one, but privately he agreed with my thought that the .38 Super Commander also made a “nifty trail gun”.
No, I missed that one. I read most of his stuff from 1958 until his death, but a few articles or book contributions must have slipped past me.

How did Chicken Delight get its name? Surely, he didn't go around shooting domestic chickens?
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Old 07-14-2018, 10:08 AM
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I haven’t to the best of my recollection heard the term “field guns,” but I have heard and used the term “woods-walking gun,” meaning an all-round grown up “kit gun.” That would be something not optimized for concealed carry, home defense, target shooting, or hunting, although it may be pressed into service for self-defense from critters/people, plinking and informal target practice, or small game hunting.


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Old 07-14-2018, 11:22 AM
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A lot of Florida CCW people do carry guns at the beach. The requirements have to do with concealability in swimwear (don't mention Speedos...), and resistance to salt water. Some put them in ziploc bags to keep them dry.
Seecamp .25, very small, stainless, no sights or other sharp edges... How you carry is up to you.
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Old 07-14-2018, 04:23 PM
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...How did Chicken Delight get its name? Surely, he didn't go around shooting domestic chickens?
No, nothing like that. The gun was a tapered-barrel Ruger Standard Auto that he mounted a low-power telescope on, and had a leather flap holster made for, which I believe was worn like a “tanker” rig. I think the holster also incorporated pockets for a box of 50 cartridges, and maybe a spare magazine. It was his effort towards a dedicated camping/boondocking rig suitable for collecting meal-size animals.

I can’t be sure anymore but I believe the “chicken” part of the Chicken Delight name may have come from the emblem Ruger used in the grips of the pistol. (The red or silver “screaming chicken”.) Mr. Cooper often had a slightly obscure sense of humor. Sometimes it took me a while to “decode” his intentions.
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Old 07-16-2018, 01:37 PM
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Seecamp .25, very small, stainless, no sights or other sharp edges... How you carry is up to you.
That "no sights or other sharp edges" sorta makes me cringe.

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Old 07-16-2018, 09:03 PM
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Obviously, referring to a High Standard Field King.
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Old 07-16-2018, 09:51 PM
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When I try to picture a handgun I'd call a field gun, I keep thinking of my model 18 Smith and Wesson.
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Old 07-16-2018, 09:55 PM
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The Field Gun, also called a Fieldsman's Piece, was a pistol carried in the field typically in a rural or wilderness setting. Uses are for hunting or self defense, even plinking or target shooting.
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Old 07-18-2018, 04:48 PM
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A BIG cannon?
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