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Sometimes bigger is better.
When this is the case, true
large-frame revolvers such as
the Taurus Raging Bull and the
Smith & Wesson Models 460
and 500 spring to mind. If a
hunter can handle them, there
are not many big game animals
on earth that cannot be taken
with these revolvers.
Classically styled singleaction
revolvers are also an
all-time favourite of the
hunting community. e
Ruger Blackhawk and Super
Blackhawk series immediately
spring to mind. Available in
barrel lengths up to 7.5 inches
and chambered for cartridges
up to .480 Ruger, these singleaction
revolvers leave little to be
desired.
SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOLS
With the exception of smallgame
hunting with rim re
cartridges, very few semiautomatic
pistols are properly
suited for hunting, typically
lacking the necessary punch,
proper sights or often even
both. Nonetheless, some of the
more powerful semi-automatic
handguns can be suitable
to hunt big game animals,
particularly those chambered for
cartridges such as 10mm Auto,
.44 Magnum and .50 Action
Express. ey do come few
and far between though, since
most semi-automatic pistols are
designed for target shooting and
self-defence, not hunting.
e Sig Sauer P220 Hunter
in 10mm Auto is an example of
a hunting semi-automatic pistol
featuring a stainless-steel slide
and frame and a 5in barrel. is
gun is nished in the Kryptek
camou age pattern and sports
adjustable sights.
Glock meanwhile also has
a 10mm Auto pistol that
could appeal to the hunting
community. e Glock 40
has a 6in barrel and o ers the
possibility to mount a red dot
sight. ere is also a whole host
of 1911 models from various
manufacturers chambered for
potent cartridges such as the
10mm Auto that the handgun
hunter can choose from.
SINGLE-SHOT HANDGUNS
Single-shot handguns give you
only one round, which is their
biggest drawback compared to
revolvers and semi-automatic
pistols. anks to their longer
barrels, they do o er more
velocity, even from the same
cartridges than revolvers and
semi-automatic pistols. is is
not even mentioning the fact a
lot of single-shot handguns are
available chambered for ri e
cartridges.
Moreover, optics can be easily
added to single shot pistols.
Given the barrel length and
therefore the weight of these
handguns, you need to shoot o
some sort of rest, especially when
using a scope, which adds even
more weight to your setup.
e ompson-Center
Contender is one of the most
popular single-shot hunting
handguns in the United States.
e big advantage of the
Contender is its modularity.
Within a few minutes’ time,
you can swap for a new barrel
of a di erent length and even a
di erent calibre altogether.
BOLT-ACTION HANDGUNS
Apart from o ering additional
ammo capacity, bolt-action
handguns have the same
pros and cons as single-shot
handguns. ese are actually
relatively short-barrelled
(compared to a ri e) guns
based on the same bolt-action
normally found on ri es, yet
sporting a pistol grip. e
recently introduced Remington
700 CP is a prime example.
is Chassis Pistol (CP) is built
around the new Remington 700
Chassis system. e short action
Model 700 CP comes with a
10 round magazine and will be
initially o ered in 300 Blackout,
.223 Remington and .308
Winchester.
PICKING THE RIGHT ONE
As we have seen, there are lots
of great hunting handguns out
there. When choosing the right
handgun to go out hunting,
carefully consider the conditions
you will be using it in. A hunting
handgun that’s t for making a
100m shot on deer might not
work nearly as well when you
need to make a point-blank shot
when after a wild boar in the
brush. It’s only logical you need
to pick the right tool for the job
at hand.
What is universally true about
hunting handguns though, is
that they are far more compact
and convenient than ri es,
while o ering an added layer of
challenge to your hunt.
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