Humane dispatch pistol

[VSS]

Have used a shotgun before I had a hd, fine if you don’t mind painting the walls of whatever the animal is housed in with small pieces of bone blood and mush. I’ll take a single .22 either by rifle or pistol any day, .38 for bigger beasts.

If you're "painting the walls" then you're clearly doing something wrong. I have killed a lot of fairly large animals (sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, deer and horses) with a .410 shotgun, and have never painted anything. It just makes a neat round hole, with no mess. And there's the added advantage over a pistol that you have a bit of extra reach, should the animal not be too keen on you being up close.

It's noticeable that the knackermen who drive the fallen stock wagons around here all have a shotgun in the vehicle for HD, not a pistol.

The only time I can see a pistol being an advantage is if you're in a situation where it is necessary to carry it with you on your person in addition to your main firearm. But I should say those situations are extremely few and far between.

I have no problem with anyone owning a pistol. I should think they're a lot of fun. But I do question the usefulness of a pistol for HD.

 

[Triggermortis]

No, but I've used a shotgun under those circumstances many, many times and found it perfect for the job. Never felt that the situation would be improved upon by the use of a pistol.

With all due respect I tend to find that most people that do not see the benefits of a pistol (safety, manouverability and versatility wise) haven't used one or have been unable to obtain one, like all tools they have their benefits, a long barrelled gun in a confined space can be like trying to sweep out your car with a broom, it can be done but it’s a lot easier with a hand brush?

 

[VSS]

With all due respect I tend to find that most people that do not see the benefits of a pistol (safety, manouverability and versatility wise) haven't used one or have been unable to obtain one, like all tools they have their benefits, a long barrelled gun in a confined space can be like trying to sweep out your car with a broom, it can be done but it’s a lot easier with a hand brush?

And with equally due respect, I think a lot of people who claim they need a pistol for HD simply want to own a pistol, and see that as their best chance of getting one!

I will confess that I haven't ever used a pistol for HD, but I wouldn't mind betting that I've killed more large animals with a shotgun than the vast majority of members of this site, and in some pretty awkward confined locations, and not once have I ever felt that another tool would have done the job any better.

 

[sauer]

My wife would argue the extra inches could only be a good thing........

 

[Acm]

If you're "painting the walls" then you're clearly doing something wrong. I have killed a lot of fairly large animals (sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, deer and horses) with a .410 shotgun, and have never painted anything. It just makes a neat round hole, with no mess. And there's the added advantage over a pistol that you have a bit of extra reach, should the animal not be too keen on you being up close.

It's noticeable that the knackermen who drive the fallen stock wagons around here all have a shotgun in the vehicle for HD, not a pistol.

The only time I can see a pistol being an advantage is if you're in a situation where it is necessary to carry it with you on your person in addition to your main firearm. But I should say those situations are extremely few and far between.

I have no problem with anyone owning a pistol. I should think they're a lot of fun. But I do question the usefulness of a pistol for HD.

Definitely good to carry on person during night culls and live capture. Not looking to argue over this but genuinely surprised you say that about your knackermen. Ours would always carry a 38 & a .22. One guy still uses a cap bolt and pith rod.
I did ask for a .410 pistol but was denied that. Shame as would have been really useful.

 

[Bowland blades]

I use a short barrel rim fire rifle for sheep dispatch, do about 3 a year at home. Aiming down the side of the barrel isn’t ideal with a moderate on the end but it works for me. I can see something with iron sights and more compact as being helpful.

And plenty Cattle get done with a 12 bore and clay loads close up in a barn !

 

[Bavarianbrit]

So glad not to be troubled by this issue, I have two legally one is a 5 shot .44 Spl bought in the USA when I lived there, the other is a Hammerli Xesse .22lr semi auto. Based now in Germany.

 

[VSS]

Definitely good to carry on person during night culls and live capture. Not looking to argue over this but genuinely surprised you say that about your knackermen. Ours would always carry a 38 & a .22. One guy still uses a cap bolt and pith rod.
I did ask for a .410 pistol but was denied that. Shame as would have been really useful.

A .410 pistol is certainly something that I would give some serious consideration to.
As it is, the .410 I use for HD and home slaughter is very small and light, and I often use it one handed, like a pistol.

 

[Acm]

A .410 pistol is certainly something that I would give some serious consideration to.
As it is, the .410 I use for HD and home slaughter is very small and light, and I often use it one handed, like a pistol.

Surely you must be able to see the irony of speaking positively about how pistol like your shotgun is whilst also saying we don’t need pistols
The .410 pistol would have been the perfect tool.

 

[Acm]

And plenty Cattle get done with a 12 bore and clay loads close up in a barn !

Here we go again

 

[VSS]

Surely you must be able to see the irony of speaking positively about how pistol like your shotgun is whilst also saying we don’t need pistols
The .410 pistol would have been the perfect tool.

Yes, I see that irony. But it also makes my point in that I'm not compromised by the fact that it's not a pistol. And I can think of plenty of occasions when I was glad to have that extra bit of reach.

 

[Saracen666]

I think I am talking sense, I’ve shot about 30 animals the last year with my hd pistol and yes I have seen the length of the barrel. It’s just under 2 inches. The idea is you’re using it at point blank range.

Have used a shotgun before I had a hd, fine if you don’t mind painting the walls of whatever the animal is housed in with small pieces of bone blood and mush. I’ll take a single .22 either by rifle or pistol any day, .38 for bigger beasts.

Makes sense.

 

[MarinePMI]

And with equally due respect, I think a lot of people who claim they need a pistol for HD simply want to own a pistol, and see that as their best chance of getting one!

I will confess that I haven't ever used a pistol for HD, but I wouldn't mind betting that I've killed more large animals with a shotgun than the vast majority of members of this site, and in some pretty awkward confined locations, and not once have I ever felt that another tool would have done the job any better.

Well, that doesn't exactly bolster your argument. Arguing/disagreeing from a point of ignorance (not pejoratively, rather a literal lack of knowledge) is not a winning, or convincing argument.

There's a reason many/most in the US use a pistol for humane dispatch, when they have access to all forms of firearms. They are just well suited to it.

 

[75]

Anyone painting the walls with a shotgun has been watching too many Hollywood films.

Very neat hole, no exit.

 

[75]

And the only time I’d prefer pistol to shotgun is on a horse where I can hold the lead rope with one hand and get the angle right with the other (to shoot down the spinal column). Can be awkward with a longer barrel shotgun on a big horse.

 

[VSS]

Well, that doesn't exactly bolster your argument. Arguing/disagreeing from a point of ignorance (not pejoratively, rather a literal lack of knowledge) is not a winning, or convincing argument.

There's a reason many/most in the US use a pistol for humane dispatch, when they have access to all forms of firearms. They are just well suited to it.

My position of ignorance is no different to those who haven't previously killed large animals with a shotgun, yet claim a pistol is better suited to HD.

 

[Acm]

I don’t know how much plainer I could put this, I’ve shot hundreds of sheep cattle pigs, deer foxes etc with a shotgun, a .30-06, a .243 .22 rifle and a .38 revolver and a .22 handgun, the best weapon by far that I’ve used for putting down wounded sick or problem animals at very short range is a .22 handgun. The bigger is only necessary for larger cattle.

Admittedly, my shotgun experience is limited to a 12 gauge but it blew the sheep I used it on to bits, so much so I wouldn’t want to do it again. When used on caged foxes it blows them to bits too.
I will also add that whilst I was fortunate enough not to witness the event or the aftermath but having had a distant family member suffering from ptsd take his own life with a shotgun , his wife who found him in the milking parlour would certainly disagree with the notion of it being “one clean entry hole”

I’ve never owned a .410, perhaps I’m missing something, but I don’t think I am.

 

[VSS]

I’ve never owned a .410, perhaps I’m missing something, but I don’t think I am.

You should give it a try sometime. It's certainly much more effective than .22 and not significantly messier. You might be pleasantly surprised.
(I've used a .22 rifle in the past for home slaughter, but would never now use one in preference to a .410).

Small bore shotgun is what's recommended by the Humane Slaughter Association.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Again why a rifle is a better option.

Yeh , it isn’t though eh ?.

 

[Triggermortis]

You should give it a try sometime. It's certainly much more effective than .22 and not significantly messier. You might be pleasantly surprised.
(I've used a .22 rifle in the past for home slaughter, but would never now use one in preference to a .410).

Small bore shotgun is what's recommended by the Humane Slaughter Association.

A small bore (.410g shotgun) is what I use, it’s got a 6” barrel, uses from an 8g reduced load to a solid slug, it’s a shotgun yes but is still a pistol.
A mate applied to get the same one to cover dispatch on the same 400 strong beef heard as me and was turned down by Kent Police until it was pointed out that a .410g pistol is the weapon of choice recommended by the then government advisor from I believe Bristol university on HD.
However they would not allow him slugs, shotshell only, why that is I still fail to understand.