Pistols for stalking HD

[Leupsak]

I think you you just don’t understand simple words like majority.

In post 139 you agree with the sentiment that ‘ I don’t think anyone needs HD a pistol for stalking per sei’. Now you are saying assumptions are being made that because people don’t have one they don’t feel the need. That is not an assumption, that is based on what people are saying on the 10 pages of thread.

Having, needing and wanting are separate issues which you have confused and made assumptions of as demonstrated in your posts

 

[25 Sharps]

I can see the use for carrying one in addition to a rifle if used to dispatch a wounded animal at close quarters, especially in dense undergrowth where a scoped rifle would be difficult to accurately aim at an animal moving and thrashing around for a follow up shot. Over penetration and ricochets at very close range on hard stoney ground is much more likely with a centre fire rifle calibre bullet too.

A lot of police forces are in truth, very reluctant to issue you with the required permission to own a pistol / revolver for HD purposes whether you are legally entitled and can provide good reason or not. It pretty much depends on how your own force views it. The main reason actually appears to be the possibility of the pistol ending up in criminal hands through a burglary etc, although the evidence to back this up doesn’t really hold water and you could say that the same risk applies to any rifle or shotgun.

The recommended route would be a smallish 357magnum / 38 special calibre revolver. These are pretty much limited to a two shot capacity now for this purpose, so the rest of the chambers in the cylinder have to be professionally restricted to limit the capacity to two shots. This again is aimed at the possibility of the pistol getting into criminal hands. A semi auto pistol with a restricted magazine is unlikely to be granted due to the possibility of obtaining unrestricted magazines, which obviously hold far more ammunition.

I have extensive experience shooting my own revolvers and semi auto pistols from the pre 1997 ban pistol shooting days. This was at targets / steel plates etc. The red tape surrounding ownership, especially in my area prohibits me from applying for one though I did consider it at one time.

A thread like this usually ends up with the majority of replies stating that you don’t need one, a 410 single barrelled shotgun is better, pistol calibres are ineffective etc etc.

Many people replying, actually have zero experience with them and seem adverse to anyone owning one.

It is not clear if you are seriously looking to get one or not but if so and can provide a good reason for one, run it by your FEO to sound out the possibility of being granted permission for ownership. You will soon know if it is likely or not.

Not interested in getting one at all as for my stalking I have no need, mostly open pasture or arable land so if an animal needs a second shot the rifle does the job.

 

[25 Sharps]

Having, needing and wanting are separate issues which you have confused and made assumptions of as demonstrated in your posts

Not at all, genuinely take the time to read all of the 10 pages of thread and of the people who have expressed an opinion most have said they do not feel the need for one, that is not assumption, it is backed up by the poll though.

 

[Muir]

Why is people who own pistols love to post pictures of them

I have about 40 of them but I seldom post pictures. Only ones I hunt deer with. ~Muir
(Like this. Note the blood etching on the cylinder and barrel. Handgun hunting is addictive. I'm guessing that most of the people who are offering opinions on this have never owned a handgun)

 

[25 Sharps]

I have about 40 of them but I seldom post pictures. Only ones I hunt deer with. ~Muir
(Like this. Note the blood etching on the cylinder and barrel. Handgun hunting is addictive. I'm guessing that most of the people who are offering opinions on this have never owned a handgun)
View attachment 273739

I was referring to the UK owners of restricted pistols.

Some of us own hand guns for target but they have to have a 12” barrel and arm rest counter balance to give 24” overall length, horrible mutant things but still fun to shoot.

Handgun hunting would be great with a powder burning pistol but simply not allowed here. Would probably be frowned on just as much as shooting deer over 150 yards though!

 

[Selous]

I have about 40 of them but I seldom post pictures. Only ones I hunt deer with. ~Muir
(Like this. Note the blood etching on the cylinder and barrel. Handgun hunting is addictive. I'm guessing that most of the people who are offering opinions on this have never owned a handgun)
View attachment 273739

Now clearly it’s a Ruger… is it a Redhawk in 44 Mag? Nice chunk of iron

 

[Selous]

For those who deny that pistols can be accurate the 5 shot group below was shot by a novice pistol shooter who had only fired a handgun once in their life previously. He is firearms aware and able to follow the principles of marksmanship. The pistol used was a Glock 23 and the ammunition was factory FMJ ammunition in 40S&W so no powderpuff loads. The range was 15 yards.

 

[25 Sharps]

For those who deny that pistols can be accurate the 5 shot group below was shot by a novice pistol shooter who had only fired a handgun once in their life previously. He is firearms aware and able to follow the principles of marksmanship. The pistol used was a Glock 23 and the ammunition was factory FMJ ammunition in 40S&W so no powderpuff loads. The range was 15 yards.

That is a nice group but the person shooting obviously has natural ability, a lot of people won’t be able to do that to start off with.

 

[Sealgair nam fiadh]

My opinion, if you want a handgun for HD fine, if you don't, that's also fine.
As for no need for them, there is no need for a car that can go faster than 70mph but we all have one.

 

[Rake Aboot]

I’m still amazed that some folk still come out with claptrap like “ why do you need a pistol if you can use a knife”
Spoken like people who never go stalking and never kill an animal.

 

[Dickie]

200 posts mostly a P$ssing contest.
Why do the shooting fraternity have to marginalise things because it's not part of their shooting.
Who really cares if someone has a pistol, short barrelled shotgun or whatever for tracking/HD as long as the law is happy then so be it.
Lets move on and talk about something more interesting like non lead ammo

 

[25 Sharps]

200 posts mostly a P$ssing contest.
Why do the shooting fraternity have to marginalise things because it's not part of their shooting.
Who really cares if someone has a pistol, short barrelled shotgun or whatever for tracking/HD as long as the law is happy then so be it.
Lets move on and talk about something more interesting like non lead ammo

Totally agree, but it came out of a post basically saying the law is wrong for saying that owning a deer rifle isn’t cart blanche good reason for owning a pistol which it’s not.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Yes it is.

 

[25 Sharps]

Yes it is.

In my best pantomime voice, “OH NO IT ISN’T”

 

[Rake Aboot]

I could go on ,,

 

[tim@tcs]

I’ve just disposed of my .410 sxs pistol, it was frankly scary to use and no better than a .17Hmr
Despite being an RFD the only path was to hand it in at the local plod shop

 

[Muir]

Now clearly it’s a Ruger… is it a Redhawk in 44 Mag? Nice chunk of iron

It is. This was one of the first blued RH's that came into the shop I was working at many years ago. It has advantages over a S&W M29 in that it has a smoother double action pull and once you get the grips off you can disassemble it without tools. That and general robustness....~Muir

 

[25 Sharps]

I’ve just disposed of my .410 sxs pistol, it was frankly scary to use and no better than a .17Hmr
Despite being an RFD the only path was to hand it in at the local plod shop

I’ve just been looking at one for rats in buildings, RFD has one on the shelf, he advised against it!

 

[User00053]

It is. This was one of the first blued RH's that came into the shop I was working at many years ago. It has advantages over a S&W M29 in that it has a smoother double action pull and once you get the grips off you can disassemble it without tools. That and general robustness....~Muir

What would be the value in your neck of the woods these days?

 

[User00053]

I’ve just been looking at one for rats in buildings, RFD has one on the shelf, he advised against it!

Interesting did he say why, must be a good reason