Whether you’re hunting deer, chasing a sounder of feral hogs, or scouting, you’ve probably considered whether or not to carry a handgun. It doesn’t really matter if you’re worried about two-legged or four-legged predators; the fact remains that self-defense is always important, and that means carrying a gun. We have a few suggestions for handgun defense against attacks in the woods, and they might surprise you. Check out our top five list of defensive handguns for hunters.
1. Ed Brown LS10 (Long Slide)
There’s a good reason why guns chambered in 10mm are favored by many seasoned handgun hunters and outdoors enthusiasts. Sure, it might sound good to run a 44 Magnum “Dirty Harry” style, but in reality, you need a gun you can control. When the adrenaline is pumping and an angry bear is after you, the last thing you want is a gun with such enormous felt recoil and muzzle rise it doesn’t get back on target fast enough to save your life. That’s where a gun like the Ed Brown LS10 comes in.
Yes, this is a 10mm. This gun has a six-inch barrel which gives you an edge for accuracy while simultaneously mitigating muzzle rise. For a better grip, it has 25 LPI checkering on the forestrap and mainspring housing. It has an 8+1 capacity and weighs 43 ounces, empty. This makes it a sizeable handgun but not an excessively bulky one. If you want an accurate, reliable 1911 chambered in 10mm, this gun is a stellar choice.
2. Smith & Wesson 686
Revolvers are certainly an option for defense while hunting. Yes, this limits the number of rounds at your immediate disposal, so take care to carry and learn to use a speedloader. They are a lot faster than trying to reload one cartridge at a time while the adrenaline floods your system. Because the Smith & Wesson 686 is chambered in 357 Magnum, it remains controllable for most shooters. It’s possible to load it with 38 Special, but if you really want to make use of the gun’s full potential, it’s got to be 357 Magnum. Thanks to the gun’s six-inch barrel and overall heft, felt recoil is negligible, at least in comparison to other magnum cartridges.
You might notice the empty weight of this gun is only one ounce more than the long slide 10mm listed above it. That’s because the 686 isn’t a huge, monstrous gun; this is a reasonably solid, well-made pistol. The 686 has a six-round capacity, so as we mentioned above, learn to use speedloaders. Speed strips are another possibility, but those are slower than the classic cylindrical speedloaders. If revolvers are your thing, the 686 is worth considering as a defensive handgun while hunting.
3. Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0
Maybe you’re not fond of revolvers or thrilled with 1911s and prefer a striker-fired, semi-automatic handgun. The Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 is worth considering. It’s offered in a few different calibers, but for this purpose, we suggest the 40 Smith and Wesson chambering. That’s because you’re not just looking for something effective on two-legged attackers, you want a round capable of dropping four-legged predators. Although 40 Smith and Wesson isn’t the best thing ever for hunting or for self-defense while hunting, it does provide greater ballistic performance than 9mm or 45 ACP.
You don’t have to like it, it’s just true: 40 Smith and Wesson is capable of dropping 300-pound feral hogs with one well-placed shot, so it can be used for self-defense in the woods. The Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 is a reliable pistol offered with a ported 5.0-inch barrel, making it an awesome choice for hunters (or hikers, whatever). This pistol has a 15+1 round capacity which will appeal to a lot of gun owners and has an aggressively textured grip for a better hold even with sweaty hands. With this chambering, it remains manageable and accurate while giving you some added benefits. A 40 for hunters? Why not?
4. Cosaint Arms COS21
Double-stack 1911s are hot, and for good reason. Guns like the Cosaint Arms COS21 offer all the pros of the 1911 platform with a huge plus: more ammo. But perhaps the best thing about guns made by Cosaint Arms is that they’re totally customizable from the start, meaning you literally check boxes letting them know what specific features you want. Then you end up with a gorgeous gun like this one that’s ideal for everything from precision target shooting to self-defense to hunting.
There are multiple guns within the COS21 line, including this DFTTMX (Double Stack Flat Top Tactical Commander MidSize). Customization options include ambidextrous safety, threaded barrel, and optic-ready milled slide with cover plate, among others. Unlike some guns, which are so aggressively textured as to be painful, Cosaint Arms’ guns are textured perfectly for a solid grip without being uncomfortable to shoot at length. The 10mm barreled double stacks are currently offered in either Commander or Government sizes. This gun’s on the higher-end side, but it’s no safe queen. It’s a pistol that should be used at considerable length and enjoyed every step of the way.
5. Smith & Wesson Model 29
Yes, we’re including a 44 Magnum. The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is a stellar revolver for extensive use, especially when the trigger’s been smoothed out by someone like David Fink, the gunsmith at Gunsite Academy. There have been a few variants in the 29 line and which you like best tends to be personal preference. This is a 44 Magnum which means you can run 44 Special through it if you so desire.
The Model 29 is a 44 Magnum with a six-round capacity. Definitely work on your proficiency with speedloaders and plan to carry at least one if you’re using this as your carry gun while hunting or scouting. If you choose to run it with 44 Special loads, just be aware they aren’t identical ballistically to 44 Magnum. They can certainly get the job done, though. This gun is a classic for a reason and whichever variant you end up getting your hands on, enjoy it. It’s a great gun.
A word on carrying while hunting or scouting:
Take care to familiarize yourself with the carry laws in your area. They vary for hunters and it’s a good idea to make sure you know them. Remember, claiming ignorance of the law is never a valid legal defense.
