Minimum Caliber Handgun To Use As Backup On A Hunt

[Bedrockk]

I'm new to firearms & so far only have my 9mm 9c & a 15-22. I also recently got into archery & am looking to go on my first bowhunting or bowfishng outing.

I was at a local shop looking for a thigh holster for my 9c & when I got into why I was buying it (see above) he scoffed at me & laughed at my firearm. He went into a whole dialogue on how "a 9mm won't tickle a bear" & basically suggested in so many words that my 9c was useless to have on me as a form of backup while out in the woods on a hunt.

What's the minimum caliber (or what kind of handgun) do you guys suggest to have handy while out on a hunt?

 

[keith44spl]

I personally use a caliber startin with .4 and a handgun platform I can shoot well under duress.


Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[H Richard]

If you are archery hunting and?or fishing, check the state laws as many states will not allow any handgun in your possession while archery hunting.

The caliber depends on what part of the country you may be hunting in, and what animals exist there. If it is Bear, you need something that starts with a "4", and ends with "Mag".

You need t read up on the relative stopping power of different calibers. 9mm is sufficient for only humans, and often not even then.

 

[M29since14]

A long time ago, I remember reading that a guide in Alaska carried a LW Commander in .38 Super. His idea was that all he cared about was penetration and minimum weight. He thought that was his best bet, but of course that was long before more modern alternatives like the Glock 10mm automatic and the lightweight revolvers like the 329PD.

Personally, I think you are better off with any weapon you can use accurately than nothing at all. If you are looking for an excuse to buy a new gun, there are lots of good choices. How about a .357 Magnum (or larger) revolver?

HRichard has a good point about checking your game regulations. In archery or primitive season, it could be a no-no.

 

[Bedrockk]

Cheers for the feedback!

No, I'm definitely not looking for an excuse to buy another gun, especially one just for bowhunting. Like you guys said, it may be moot regardless.

 

[David LaPell]

.357 Magnum with good cast bullets of 15 BHN and up behind a good dose of 2400. (Or an equally potent .38-44 loading in .38 Special +P brass for the N-frames only).

 

[Erno86]

I like my Ruger Super Redhawk in 45 Colt/454 Casull. If I were going to Alaska, I would consider the Ruger Alaskan in 454 Casull/45 Colt.

 

[GLV]

Depends

If I am rabbit hunting, a model 34 S@W, but if I am hunting something that can eat me, a S&W 450.

More than 50 years ago, while hunting on the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, it was a .38SP--because it was all I had. My partner had a 45 Colt Revolver.

Never used either--his .308, or my .270 took care of business.

I do believe one needs to carefully match equipment to the intended job.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I would suggest you do your own research on the available 9MM loads. There is a lot of unfounded blowhard info regarding the 9MM. The whole bear situation has been thoroughly debated here; bottom line-no handgun is a good idea for dangerous bears-spray has much better statistics. Look at the history of the 9-who developed it-who has and is using it, and for what, then make your own judgments, based on your needs. Go safely. Flapjack.

 

[Duke426]

I don't have any problem the 9mm as a personal protection round used against another human being. However, if you are going to be hunting where the critters are large and fight/bite back I wouldn't choose anything smaller than a .44 Magnum. Lots of practice is also a must. JMHO

 

[Alpo]

Backup? For/from what?

The only time I ever carried anything large, pistol-wise, in the woods was once where I knew there was a pack of feral dogs. Carried a 1911 and 4 spare magazines. Here puppy puppy puppy. Aside from that I either had a 38 loaded with wadcutters or a 22. If I didn't see a deer, maybe I could shoot a squirrel out of a tree. If the deer wasn't dead, I could finish it off without destroying meat or head, like a highpower rifle at three inches would.

 

[feralmerril]

To start with I doubt I would ask some know it all kid salesman in a sporting good store for advice. I see you are in florida. I know nothing about florida but do know it isnt like alaska. On those reality shows I see they use a lowly .22 rifle to give gators the coup de gras.
Are we talking backup for rifle hunting or just bow hunting? For rifle hunting you really dont need any backup unless you want to put a downed wounded animal out of its misery and for no reason I can think of, but dont want to use your rifle for the job. I used a knife for that job.
Now if we are talking bow hunting, what animals are we visualiseing on useing a backup on? Bears, cougars or what? In that case I would want a .44 special up to a .44 mag or .45 colt.

 

[A10]

IMHO, the guy at the gun counter was either trying to sell you something or was trying to prove what an expert animal hunter he is. I know bear hunters who carry a small caliber handgun for backup/coup de gras. It's a lot more about bullet placement than about caliber, and you need to shoot whatever you are comfortable with. That being said, I usually carry a .357 or .45 Colt when I'm in the woods, I've put a lot of lead down range with both and am quite comfortable with them.

 

[Faulkner]

I would suggest what you carry as a backup depends a great deal on what and where you are hunting. For hunting purposes in my area I almost exclusively carry a .22 LR handgun as "backup". Whether it's black bear, elk, wild boar, whitetail deer, or small game I'm carrying a rifle or shotgun for hunting.

 

[mc5aw]

Now if we are talking bow hunting, what animals are we visualizing on using a backup on? Bears, cougars or what? In that case I would want a .44 special up to a .44 mag or .45 colt.

Winnah!

What are you looking to hunt and have back-up for?

One possibility, depending on your needs, might be a good Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 pump mixed with 12 gauge slugs and buck. The trusted 12 gauge will dispatch most predators that lurk about, including mid-large range mammals and reptilians, as well as the bipedal BGs.

 

[Class III]

12 gauge, nuff said.

Seriously, I carry a BUG while bow or muzzle loader hunting as a method of dispatching wounded game I or a hunt party member has not properly ventilated. USUALLY it's a 442, 642 or 37, sometimes a 34-1. Keeps the weight down and packs enough punch to finish the job.

In Tennessee it's legal to carry a personal defense firearm if you have a handgun permit. It's not legal to use it during the archery/muzzle loader season on anything with more than two legs.

I've been checked a couple of times while tagging in deer and asked by the GW what that extra hole was at the base of the skull. I always tell the GW "It was the humane thing to do". Never had a problem. But, then again the GW for the area my farm is in is a good friend of mine. YMMV.

Class III

 

[chud333]

Good advise from the guys on here so far.
As ole Dave said: Something that starts with a 4 will not let you down
if you can shoot it well. Practise, Practise, Practise.............
If i knew i was going into harms way i would personally have a .44 or .357 mag minimum on my hip and a .12 gauge over my shoulder.
But thats just me.

Chuck

 

[brucev]

Given that you live in Florida, your potential to encounter dangerous animals while hiking/camping is not great. The 9mm that you own will be fine. In fact, load it with any good quality high performance SD/HD type ammunition and you will be well set to handle any problem you might encounter... be it wild animal or otherwise.

If you should need to shoot something like an alligator, remember that the brain is small. A hit in the heart/lungs will kill, but not immediately. Take a look at a skull and also learn where the brain is located and then aim accordingly. As to snakes, obviously head shots are in order.

 

[Rangerpat]

I have been hunting in Florida for over 35 years, you cannot carry any firearm while archery hunting on public lands. I have always had a handgun on my hip over the years, starting with a .22, .38, .357, now a .44 mag. I have dispatched two wounded deer with the .38 over the years, one wild hog with the .357 and a handfull of water moccasins with all of the above. I like revolvers because I carry two CCI shotshells as my first two rounds for poisonous snakes, and then four hollowpoints.
My handgun caliber progression was my learning curve and money availability over the years. I hunt on private timber land in North Florida now and it is an area where the black bear population has grown to a health population because they are protected species and cannot be hunted. That is why I carry my 329NG, but would only use it to shoot a bear that has attacked me. FWC would be sure to check me out for claw and bite marks if I ever had to shoot a black bear. Last year I walked up to within 20 yards of a large bear that was in thick cover, luckly he got up and just walked away.
If you plan to hunt in South Florida you may encounter pythons and other "two-legged" snakes that could do you harm.