Firearm for backup?

[Lbshooter]

Going on my first archery elk hunt next sept in Idaho. Would a side arm be a good choice? 44mag or larger?

Thanks,
Cory

 

[IdahoElk]

Where are you hunting in Idaho?

 

[Lbshooter]

Not sure what unit yet but will be in the Boise area.

 

[coop2424]

I actually carry smaller calibers in the area I hunt in Idaho since my main concerns are wolves and the two legged animals... Last year was 9mm and .45 but really it was more for piece of mind than anything.. Next year may be the 5.7x28 but not sure yet..

 

[n2horns]

G20 10mm loaded with underwood ammo.

 

[Randle]

Like coop said .45 for wolves. I have had a couple encounters with them and a sidearm was just nice to have.

 

[cbeck36]

Ditto the glock 20. Lots of bullets.

 

[Jason Snyder]

What are you wanting backup against? A S&W airlight in .357 is pretty hard to beat for general use.

 

[JP100]

.44 mag minimum for bigfoot.............

 

[Kevin Dill]

.44 Mag is my minimum in grizzly areas. I've hunted in wolf areas a lot and have yet to see one that did anything but run away hard when they saw me. That said, the same may not be true in ID and other lower 48 states where wolves are building their numbers. I wouldn't be totally shocked to hear of a deliberate instance of wolves making a predatory attack on a hunter and killing him.

The Glocks and other SAs carry nice. In a non-grizzly area I would go 10mm. My current gun is a S&W 329PD with LaserGrips and I feed it Buffalo Bore hardcasts with a wide meplat.

 

[5MilesBack]

So if the handgun will be your backup weapon, will your bow be your primary since you're archery hunting?

When I saw the title, I immediately was thinking "well, my LCP in an ankle holster is my backup........to my G20 on my hip". But when I'm archery hunting, I don't take the LCP.

 

[Nick Muche]

You'll be just fine without one.

 

[5MilesBack]

You'll be just fine without one.

Unless he's not.

 

[Lbshooter]

Thanks guys, I have a 9mm that I'm pretty proficient with but I don't want to be throwing spit wads if I need more. No experience with wolves and or bear so just want to be prepaid, Rather have one and not need it than need it and not have one. Many wolves or bears in the Boise area?

 

[JP100]

You'll be just fine without one.

exactly.

 

[Matt W.]

Some people choose to carry all the time. I get the 44 mag arguement, but... I train and carry the Glock platform. My proficiency and muscle memory is built around that. As such I'm much more capable with G20 10mm than I will ever be with a 44 mag wheel gun. My buddy and I train regularly with our G20s and confidently carry them in Alaska's bear country. We utilize aftermarket barrels and sights and hot handloads.

Not the solution for all, I get that. But it works for us...

My one caveat is that IMO there are very few good pistol shooters out there. It's a skill you MUST work on a regular basis. Having a pistol on you and actually pulling said pistol in an intense encounter and putting rounds on target challenges the best of us...

 

[airlocksniffer]

My one caveat is that IMO there are very few good pistol shooters out there. It's a skill you MUST work on a regular basis. Having a pistol on you and actually pulling said pistol in an intense encounter and putting rounds on target challenges the best of us...

Great point. If you aren't going to put the time in to ensure an effective shot under the pressure of an animal attack, just carry bear spray.

 

[NJDiverDan]

Totally agree with the above. What ever side arm you choose to carry and for what ever reason, please practice! Don't forget about practicing drawing the side arm as well.

That said, I carry a S&W 629 pd. It is an air weight 44 mag. If I were in heavy grizzly country, I would carry my S&W 500. For holsters I like the Diamond D guide holster so if I drop my pack, I still have my side arm.

 

[alecvg]

If your not I griz country, I wouldn't bother personally, I carry a .44 on my hip all fall guiding in the Bob, and having that extra weight gets old real quick. Not to mention they are always catching on brush etc. Keep it simple

 

[Lbshooter]

Being proficient and being proficient under pressure is definately different game. Bears spray sounds like a good option also. My piece of mind will be the fact that I know I can outrun my hunting partner. Lol!

Thanks gents,
Cory