was considering buying a 22 hand gun for coon hunting, but never here of anyone using one for coon hunting. any input for a good hand gun to purchase or why not to use one at all.

Join the forum today and remove this ad!

Nothing wrong with a pistol for hunting and at times more conveniat to pack around. I often carry a Walther P-22 with a laser sight. Lots of good pistol choices out there.

my dad totes a ruger single six with a 4 5/8 in barrell with interchangeable cylinders so its a 22 or 22mag great coon gun if you can shoot a pistol worth a damn im 27 been shooting it since i was 5 lot a coon dont make it i tote a ruger 10/22 carbine also good coon gun short light and easy to handle!!! but yes a good 22 pistol with shorts is an awsome setup just learn to shoot it right!!

_________________
SPRATLEY'S KENNELS

WAYNE SPRATLEY
ASHLEY SPRATLEY
Greene, NY 13778
607-843-7356
607-316-3737
607-316-4078

spratleyswindyhillkennels@yahoo.com

KEEP' EM TREE' D
THE MORE PEOPLE I MEET THE MORE I LIKE MY DOGS!!!!!!!!!!

THANKS guys really appreciate the input

I have a Browning Buckmark pistol that I use, and I'm about to experiment with a red dot sight for it. The guy that said learn to shoot it right hit the nail on the head- my observation is that pistols shoot alot different than rifles, but once you get it down and get used to having a pistol on your belt and not a rifle on your back you won't look back. I also noticed that the pistol is alot louder than the rifle,and won't shoot shorts, so you may be like me and have to switch up which spots you use the pistol in and when to use the rifle.

_________________
Try to learn from mistakes- preferrably, someone else's.

I'm a firm believer in a walther p-22 with the laser its a little loud but it will shoot cb long you just have to cycle it each time i train alot of dogs for people and its a heep easier to tote it on a shoulder holster and lead 2 to 3 dogs than a rifle on your back going thru laurel thickets try one take time to sight it in right with what your going to hunt with the pistols are more sensitive to ammo change than a rifle good luck and good hunting.Brad Holloway HOLLOWAYHOUNDS TRAINING.

Thanks again for the info. I will check for the Walter P-22.

I highly suggest using something other than the P-22. The Browning Buckmark as Coleman mentioned in his post above will be more accurate, and if you really want something good look for an old Ruger MKII slabside 6 7/8" barrel (discontinued, replace by the MKIII) or if you want one new you'll have to get the Ruger MKIII which is ok, but has a mag disaconnect, the loaded chamber indicator, and the Ruger warning stamped on the barrel. Besides that, the MKIII's will shoot just as well as the MKII's.


Here's a Ruger MKII w/ the 6 7/8" barrel set up with optics. With good ammo you can headshot coons all night.

_________________
Southern born and Southern bred, when I die I'll be Southern dead.

gunsmith & hunter

I carry an old Heritage Rough Rider, open sights, and have absolutely no prob shooting a coon out of a tree. Cheap gun that can be baught new for $125.00. No scope to get knocked off or broken. My sights arent even adjustable but out to 40yds I can hit the bottom of a pop can every shot.

_________________
Shut up and let your dog speak for itself!

handguns are great. But for sure I would put a laser grip on it. You will love it.

i can't say if it is any better or worse than the other suggestions but i own a beretta neos and have no complaints about it - handles well and have shot many rounds with no issues - overall the neos seems to have good reviews

I tote a Ruger Mark II 22 cal. pistol every time i go in the woods and if you practice with it you should have no problem hittin a coon at the top of any tree.

I have carried a rifle many miles in the woods then bought a
ruger mkIII 22/45 hunter and put red dot on it....Ill
never carry a rifle in the woods again.

_________________
When seconds count cops are minutes away.

If your not armed your a victim.

they are wonderful pistols. i use one hunting. very accurate guns.you cant go wrong with a heritage

I use the same gun. Never really had any issues and alot less weight.