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Request suggestion for special use sidearm
Noggin ^ | 08NOV01 | gnarledmaw

Posted on 11/08/2001 6:58:00 AM PST by gnarledmaw

Please forgive the vanity but I knew this group would have some of the best advice.

I find myself in a situation where I need a special purpose sidearm and Im having difficulty finding one that meets what has apparently become a rather unique need.

As some of you may know, I run a small, rather primitive homestead and use permacultural methods as much as possible. The intent is to grow as much food as possible for my free ranging stock without my intervention. This creates a situation where because of the seasonal over abundance of food, various pests stop by to take advantage of it and of course, where ever there are pests and small stock on the menu, the predators move in. Ive had some degree of success controlling the uninvited guests but because my property lies along various types of habitats that are criss crossed with wildlife corridors I soon find myself with and influx of new immigrants in the form of coyotes, foxes, 'possums, racoons, skunks, etc.

Often while completing my chores for the day Ill run across a beastie that obviously intends to cause problems and Id like to deal with it before it does. Ive attempted to carry a carbine with me but, as youve guessed, it was never nearby when needed. Obviously, I needed a pistol. Something like a .45acp splatters skunks all over the chicken coop (just trust me on that) and something small like the .22lr is useless against moving coyotes in the 30-40yd range (the max range Ill likely be shooting pop up varmints at).


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To: Feckless
Get a donkey.

Get a llama.

AB

41 posted on 11/08/2001 8:05:59 AM PST by ArrogantBustard
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To: Free Vulcan
Oh yeah, 2-4 black lab/german shepherd cross dogs wouldn't hurt. Lab/shepherd/doberman is even better.
42 posted on 11/08/2001 8:06:53 AM PST by Free Vulcan
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To: gnarledmaw
IMHO 9 mm is great for this purpose because it is far easier to shoot than other callibers. The Sig P210 is pricey, but it is the ultimate rifle like pistole out there, which is what you need. If not a 44 magnum wheel gun would be the cheaper and easier alternative, using a 4" barrel and no more. It is a great hunting tool that also handles almost like a rifle.
43 posted on 11/08/2001 8:12:26 AM PST by lavaroise
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To: BallandPowder
chambering five rounds in either (a) any combinationof .45 Long Colt or .410 gauge shotshell or (b) .45-70 caliber!

I guess thats just in case you have a problem with Buffalo comming on your property??

44 posted on 11/08/2001 8:13:30 AM PST by FreeTally
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To: gnarledmaw
Another vote for the 32mag here. Big enough to do the job, but not too big.
45 posted on 11/08/2001 8:14:06 AM PST by ghostcat
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Comment #46 Removed by Moderator

To: ctdonath2
"Have you tried anything intermediate between .45 and .22?"

Yes, those were just some example calibers that I tried. I dont have a lot of handguns (yet) but the ones I have in other calibers are in classes that one would thing of as either derringer/deep concealment or full combat models. The little ones were too inaccurate and flung too tiny of a slug and the combat models generally threw too large of a slug and were a pain in the butt to have to carry while doing manual labor.

Thus, whats a good middle size frame with a good middleish range caliber?

47 posted on 11/08/2001 9:04:21 AM PST by gnarledmaw
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To: ArrogantBustard
"Have you looked at "flap holsters"?"

Yes but only for the full size combat models I have. The flap holster does take care of the dirt collection and subsequent cleaning problems but the full size frame (like my 1911) seemed to always be getting in the way while doing all the shoveling, carrying, chopping, etc. Hopefully I can find a smaller frame...

48 posted on 11/08/2001 9:08:22 AM PST by gnarledmaw
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To: ctdonath2
#20 The problem with persuading skunks is that they can shoot back. ;)
49 posted on 11/08/2001 9:11:12 AM PST by gnarledmaw
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To: spunkets
"What, are you using hollow points?"

No, ball. It generally goes something like this. I head out to the coop and step up into it. Theres is what appears in my peripheral vision a swirl in the shadow that Ive come to identify as skunk swinging its rear around at me. Im now in a @14' showdown with a skunk that has given me his backend as the only target...

50 posted on 11/08/2001 9:19:38 AM PST by gnarledmaw
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To: gnarledmaw
You might want to look at the .357 Mag revolvers from Taurus or Ruger. The Tauruses tend to be slimmer and lighter. Remember that all engineering involves trade-off. A smaller, lighter pistol will get in the way less, but hitting those 40 yd coyotes will be more difficult. Anyway, a flap holster for a medium size .357 revolver won't get in the way as much as one for a 1911.

AB

51 posted on 11/08/2001 9:21:44 AM PST by ArrogantBustard
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To: Morgan's Raider
"If you can hit a moving coyote at 40 yards with ANY handgun, you've got my respect!"

LOL, well, Im not claiming to be good at it.

52 posted on 11/08/2001 9:29:21 AM PST by gnarledmaw
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To: gnarledmaw
The 22 mag is a great weapon. I had a clymer sic four pit bulls on me. As they tried to swim over a small river/large stream. One shot/dog at about 30 yards, shattered their spines, and that was it! I used standard 22 mag hollow points with my old Ruger 22 mag. Any coyote hit in a vital area with a 22 mag hollow point is or will be part of the food chain!

The Taurus 22 mag Titanium would be a great and light weight weapon with minimal problems from rain and moisture!

I have the Ruger 357 with the 6 inch barrel, and it is too heavy to lug around all day! It is an awesome weapon but is too heavy to lug around all day. I will probably go to the Taurus 22 mag Titanium for my fly fishing ventures into the back country!

53 posted on 11/08/2001 9:41:34 AM PST by Grampa Dave
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To: gnarledmaw
Here's my two cents worth ....the 22mag is a good recommendation... My personal, Carl Malden "don't leave home without it" is a S&W 357, 6", 158gr .... I don't even notice it under my arm after all day carrying and it does have the punch needed for coyotte. Good luck Oh yea, and 38cal is an option for the smaller targets.
54 posted on 11/08/2001 9:47:47 AM PST by Marobe
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To: gnarledmaw
9mm is kinda middlish; that's why I suggested a long-barreled Glock (medium power, good accuracy). A .357 revolver (IIRC) gives you the option of stop-nearly-anything AND accpets lower-powered .38 rounds, so you could keep the low-power round ready to go first, with high-power followup rounds if that doesn't work. (I ususally wouldn't recommend mixed rounds like that, but your application is very specific.)

Do go ask around at The Firing Line - you'll get much better answers there.

55 posted on 11/08/2001 9:57:32 AM PST by ctdonath2
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To: gnarledmaw
I always dive and duck in that sit. I had a skunk living under my house for about a year and a half. Made sure I talked to it everytime I came out of the house, or arrived. That way he shuffled off to give me some space. I was only tempted to shoot him once when he took over my deer one Nov. evening. I didn't 'cause I remembered he would spray, and it was my fault for forgetting he was there.

To keep the critters out of the henhouse I surrounded the yard with chickenwire, and placed 2 strands of electric fencing around the top in a way to keep the critters from going over. A battery driven device ran the wire. A little higher up I strung barbed wire to keep the coyotes from jumping in. There's a gate to let them in and out, and also provisions for them to fly over the chickenwire in and out, in the morning and night, when I'm not there. The only problem was the 'coons learned to ambush them when they came out in the morning. The coyotes wouldn't do that 'cause I snuck up on them when they were waiting, and that put enough of a scare in them they stayed away. LOL!

56 posted on 11/08/2001 10:17:49 AM PST by spunkets
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To: gnarledmaw
"Im now in a @14' showdown with a skunk that has given me his backend as the only target..."

When people ask, "how do you get rid of a skunk?", a funny I sometimes consider is...Sneak up behind him and shoot him in the head.

Did he let loose?

57 posted on 11/08/2001 10:22:03 AM PST by spunkets
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To: FreeTally
I guess thats just in case you have a problem with Buffalo comming on your property??

Or Grizzly bear, feral hog or terrorist raghead...

58 posted on 11/08/2001 11:16:33 AM PST by BallandPowder
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