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#66192 - 03/10/10 06:38 PM

Re: You Use a Handgun WHY? [Re: wtroper]

240gr&up
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Registered: 01/07/10
Posts: 144

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I love single action revolvers. I have since I was 12 years old. Maybe its because I seen them as a right of passage into manhood, or my ticket into the higher ranks of fellow hunters, ... even though I feel I haven't harvested enough critters to deserve that elite rank. My father's only handgun was his Ruger Super Blackhawk, it was blued, scoped, and had custom wood grips, and a handmade leather holster. Im not sure how he swindled enough money from his paycheck to aquire these extras? He only got $20. a week from my stepmother! During long car rides with just him & I, hunting was always the topic. And the way he praised that gun, I knew it had to be something special. So when I turned 18 I bought my own.
Handling a fine single action, you notice the weight, and the balance, ... listen to the crisp "clicks" from the cylinder gracefully twirling, the way the thing functions flawlessly. Its just a fine example of a perfectly crafted tool that will withstand the test of time. Like a Zippo lighter.
I love spending time outdoors, away from everything, and having a Ruger Single Action revolver on my hip. This is when I am the happiest, and fits my own definition of FREEDOM!

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#66194 - 03/10/10 07:06 PM

Re: You Use a Handgun WHY? [Re: Whitworth]

vern
journeyman

Registered: 04/03/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Georgia

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WHY do YOU hunt with a handgun?

It all started for me real young. My dad was a coon hunter, it was like a religion at our home. My dad let me shoot a coon out on the dogs when I was 7 years old. From that day on I've been huntin nut and hooked on all guns forever. Though it all started with an old 22 single shot I was really crazy about the SA revolvers when I was a kid. Long story short now that I'm older and can afford what I like its the handguns that rule. Handgunnin introduced me to another fine hobby which is reloading. Hand gun ammo is the easiest to reload and alot more fun to shoot and hunt with. By the way I still got that old 22 single shot.

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#66195 - 03/10/10 07:33 PM

Re: You Use a Handgun WHY? [Re: vern]

Vance in AK.
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Registered: 01/18/04
Posts: 1847
Loc: Kenai, Alaska

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I just flat enjoy playing with/packing handguns.
I also enjoy my Marlin Guide Gun.
I'd like to say it's all about getting close to the game for the challenge, but that's really not true. If it were I'd only use my longbow. I just really like the feel & simplicity of a revolver.

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Vance in AK.

Matthew 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

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#66197 - 03/10/10 09:25 PM

Re: You Use a Handgun WHY? [Re: Gregg Richter]

geojanitor
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Registered: 05/09/09
Posts: 178

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Wow! I think your "history of hunting with handguns" explains it and you are a proven master of the short gun. The "RIGHT" handgun carries easily on a day hike, on a horse, or as a handy arm to keep in the truck. I have carried many fine rifles and shotguns (both owned and borrowed) but a handgun has become a closer companion over the years. You holster a handgun, it stays close, is handy, doesn't hamper your freedom of movement and is there when you need it. Yes, it takes more skill, and I am not at the level of other handgun hunters, but you will carry and use the "RIGHT" handgun more often than any other arm and with familiarity and use come proficiency.

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#66198 - 03/10/10 09:43 PM

Re: You Use a Handgun WHY? [Re: Gregg Richter]

mikefrompa
old hand

Registered: 03/21/08
Posts: 753
Loc: Pennsylvania

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When I was a kid I always liked handguns. When I turned 21 I bought my first handgun to deer hunt with and I never looked back. I have owned a few of them including Contenders but my favorite is the wheel gun. My father kind of gave me a hard time about using a handgun to deer hunt with until I brought home my first one with a handgun. Shot it dead right between the eyes.(no lie) Using a handgun offers a challenge like bow hunting,especially when you load your own. It's more meaningful when you score with it. More pride and more joyful.

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#66202 - 03/10/10 10:08 PM

Re: You Use a Handgun WHY? [Re: mikefrompa]

muddydog
member

Registered: 08/06/08
Posts: 153
Loc: Central Texas

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I come from a long line of hunters. I am the first in my family to bowhunt and handgun hunt. My best deer is a bowkill. I have more handgun kills than any other method. Im not a handgun purist, I like all weapons. Accurate bolt action rifles, pump shotguns, my trusted recurve bow. I favor revolvers but just recently acquired a Contender in 30-30 my current most accurate weapon by the way. I guess my reason for handgun hunting is I just like to do it! I like hunting the hard way! I dont hunt for the kill. I just love to hunt! I like handguns more than any other weapon.

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#66211 - 03/11/10 12:38 AM

Re: You Use a Handgun WHY? [Re: muddydog]

Bob R
enthusiast

Registered: 03/02/10
Posts: 335
Loc: Missouri Ozarks

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I did not grow up with a hunting father. My dad landed a couple days after the D Day landing. When the war in Europe was over him and one other guy were the only ones out of his entire company who originally landed that were still there. (That is 2 out of around 115 not replaced) If you saw Band of Brothers you know where he was at. He did not hunt or shoot after the war. I guess he shot all he ever wanted to during the war. After he died we found a Bronze Star and 3 Purple Hearts. By the way he did not talk about WWII much at all, I looked most of this up after he died.
My junior year in high school I bought an 1851 Colt replica in 44. My first handgun 1968 or 1969. I shot it so much that by 1973 almost all the internal parts were Colt replacement parts. I bought a Webley in 45 acp as my first real cartridge handgun. When I got out of the Army in 1973 I went to work as a policeman. I bought my first modern handgun a Browning Hi Power. I soon traded it for a S&W Model 28, which was much more accurate, and powerful. I started reloading and casting bullets for this revolver. I guess that Model 28 is what really set me on the path I have followed for almost 40 years. From 1973 till now I have bought sold and traded Colts and Smith & Wessons to the extent that I have no idea what all I have owned. Most of that time I have owned a 29 or 629. I have owned Contenders since around 1993. I have never switched completely over to handgun hunting. I hunt with muzzleloaders, my 1899 Savage 303, my 30-06 some, and handguns.
I started bowhunting seriously in about 1974 with a compound bow. I switched to recurves exclusively about 15 years ago. Traditional Archery and Handguns Hunting are alot alike. You are limiting your range, and increasing the skill required to make the kill. I like to tree stand hunt with my bow, and tree stand hunting works just fine with a handgun. I had not thought about it till now but I started handgun hunting about the same time I switched to traditional archery equipment. The quality of the hunt is more important than the number of animals harvested.

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See You At The Range

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#66213 - 03/11/10 01:02 AM

Re: You Use a Handgun WHY? [Re: Whitworth]

GaryDowdy
newbie

Registered: 11/12/07
Posts: 36
Loc: Rome, GA

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As a bowhunter, I always loved the close range challenge. Handgun hunting brings that challenge into gun season. However, my Contender can push the range on out a lot. It's nice walking to, from, and climbing up into my stand. It's a blast!

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Gary D. Dowdy

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#66218 - 03/11/10 02:53 AM

Re: You Use a Handgun WHY? [Re: GaryDowdy]

DwarvenChef
enthusiast

Registered: 10/26/05
Posts: 211
Loc: Fresnerd, CA IE; Hell

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Bob Mellik was also my first tast of handgun hunting. After years of getting used to modern long guns I started getting bored of them, found the ones I needed and they did what I needed them to do... At the time a pie plate at 800yds was a given and it didn't feel interesting. About that time I split in 2 directions, Handguns and muzzleloaders. I found that even though that first shot was most likely going where it needed to be, you still had to wait that split second longer to MAKE sure it did, you only have this one shot, there is no more...

So I sold most of my long guns and bought contenders and muzzleloaders, I really can't say what one I love more. The Contender gives me the modern firearm feel and ease, while the ML's give me that organic flow I love.

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