I Got Asked About My Selection For A Dual Use Pistol

[Grumpy]

now any time you try to select a handgun for dual use,
you are sure to find that any handgun selected will not be ideal in either area,
, for both hunting and for defensive use,
your sure to have to make several compromises,
and ,
it should be rather obvious that the local or state wildlife or fish & game regulations, must be considered, in making that choice.
I have to point out that the quality of the iron sights and the distance between the front and rear sights on most revolvers suitable for hunting,
are far better suited for precise shot placement at extended ranges.
I would not consider anything less than a 357 mag or 41 mag,
or 10mm semi auto as viable and effective as a tool,
in several states theres a 4" min barrel length,
and generally, a 357 mag is considered minimal in acceptable power.
yes Ive used a 45 acp, and yeah it works ok, on hogs with 230 grain hollow points if you pick your shots carefully
for big game, and you would generally want a 4"-6" max barrel length, for concealment for defensive use.
some states mandate a minimum barrel length in a hunting revolver.
and in anything you carry for hunting and that makes concealed carry for defensive usage a potential problem.
a 44 mag revolver in a 4" barrel model would work in most cases

but its obviously not easy to conceal and the power might be a bit more than many people can easily handle.
some states have a minimum caliber or case length or ft lbs of energy or bullet weight requirement, for handgun hunting, so you need to do the required related research.

now admittedly, anything useful for hunting is going to be less than easily concealed due to the required bulk and barrel length in any pistol that would be reasonably accurate and powerful at the normal and reasonably expected, 25-100 yard ranges encountered during hunting.
Ive had zero issues using a 10mm or 357 mag pistol, but I generally restrict shots to under 60 yards

glock mod 40

S&W l frame 357 mag

dan wesson 10mm

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/846025707

 

[Grumpy]

It’s handgun hunting - there’s no trick to it, a hunter simply needs to understand the limitations of their cartridge and of their own ability to deliver bullets on target at range, in the conditions of the field.

thats rather well put!
I have had several people tell me a 45 acp is to weak to use, for hunting,
and while I fully agree a 8"-10" barrel 357mag or 41mag or 44 mag revolver is preferred
over a 4.5" or 5" semi auto 45 acp,

your potential success is more related to the skill of the hunter,
and his understanding of the limitations each handgun will have,
then in a choice between the previously listed options.
and of course, your fish & game department has a say in what you can legally use.
here in fla, your only limited to a centerfire cartridge using expanding bullet designs
at the typical ranges I handgun hunt (generally well under 30 yards) a 45 will work, but yeah a magnum revolver works better
I consider a 45 acp pistol as being limited similar to archery in the effective range most guys can successfully hunt at.

now keep in mind, the ranges where we hunt in florida seldom exceed 40 yards and 50 yards is a rare long shot,
most shots are taken at under 40 yards , in very thick brush.
you simply can,t see hogs or deer in many areas past about 20-30 yards

 

[T-Test]

They (deer-hogs) are called NO SEE-UMs in FLA. Turkey hunting is a much better sport down there.

 

[Grumpy]

20 ft pythons one reason I generally carry a 44 mag when hunting

while these may not be most peoples choice in hunting handguns I can assure you that in practiced hand's
Ive found both choices are quite effective
the 44 mag silhouette with the adjustable front site and 10 5/8" barrel