Handgun hunting

[High Tower]

There are some great pictures here!

So here's a question for youse guys who have way more experience with this....is a 4" 629 going to give me far less performance on deer? The reason I ask is that I have a 3" and a 7.5" and I kinda need some extra cash to fund another AR build. I like the 3" for outdoor stuff like hiking, canoeing, etc and I use the 7.5" for hunting. Will a 4" 629 do me wrong on deer or is it not as big a concern as I tend to think?

[Watrdawg]

What are your states game laws concerning barrel length? Here in NC minimum length is 5.5". If I remember right this is due to a hundgun cartridge being at least a min caliber and obtain at least a certain MZ velocity. That is how they came up with the min barrel length.

As far as performance I would think that the shorter length will decrease max effective range and accuracy.

[Detmongo]

High Tower,
i don't think you are going to lose to much going to a 4" for most deer hunts. i've taken six deer over the years with a Glock 21 and the longest shot was about 60 yds.. most of them didn't go to far one or two were recovered with in 25 yards or so from the first shot. hope this helps.

[High Tower]

High Tower,
i don't think you are going to lose to much going to a 4" for most deer hunts. i've taken six deer over the years with a Glock 21 and the longest shot was about 60 yds.. most of them didn't go to far one or two were recovered with in 25 yards or so from the first shot. hope this helps.

Yes it does - thanks! By my figuring, it should work just fine, but I thought I would check to see what others had experienced.

Watrdawg - MI does not restrict barrel length. It just has to be at least .35, a straight wall cartridge, and cannot have more than 9 rounds total. Good point though - when I lived in WI, they had a law about that.

[Watrdawg]

I remember that for MI now. I'm from the UP and I was astounded when my uncle came to deer camp with a short barreled .357.

[SIGFORALL]

Rugers work for me, 44's and 45 colt!!

[RWK]

What are your states game laws concerning barrel length? Here in NC minimum length is 5.5". If I remember right this is due to a hundgun cartridge being at least a min caliber and obtain at least a certain MZ velocity. That is how they came up with the min barrel length.

I'm a bit late to the party but...

The minimum barrel length requirements were removed quite some time ago.

[Nightvisionary]

I tried elk hunting a couple times using a 44 magnum Ruger Blackhawk and Garrett hard cast bullets. Never filled a tag though

[glockeyed]

i'd like more info on THIS!

did it survive a fire, and a new lower half put on?

[Raven Armament]

Watrdawg - MI does not restrict barrel length. It just has to be at least .35, a straight wall cartridge, and cannot have more than 9 rounds total

Those restrictions only apply to the Shotgun Zone. If you're in Rifle Zone then any cartridge with any caliber greater than .22 rimfire (.44 rimfire is legal) and any barrel length is legal. No capacity restriction.

See page 28 right hand column.