Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 3 Handguns that can do it all

February is the most boring month of the year, so I thought I would share with you 3 handguns and their loads that I believe are some of the most versatile handguns that can be had. There are plenty of other handguns that are just as versatile but these are my choices.

I want my handguns to do three things for me:

1. Defense against two-legged varmints. This means that I must be able to comfortably conceal and carry them all day.

2. Be able to kill big game up to and including black bears and mountain lions.

3. Be effective against snakes. Boy, do I hate snakes.

The three that I use are a Colt 1911 in 45 ACP, Ruger SP101 3" in 357 Magunm, and a Smith and Wesson 629 Mountain gun 44 Magnum.

First, let me tell you about the 1911. When loaded with hollow-point defensive ammo, it is a proven tool for two-legged varmints. Everyone knows that. What you may not have realized, is that it can also be an effective outdoors gun as well. When loaded with a 230 grain LBT LFN hard cast bullet, it offers deeper penetration than a 45 ACP is allowed to have while still producing a wide wound channel. This load feeds perfectly and is far superior to ball ammo.

For snakes, I prefer to use birdshot loads. Factory versions don't always cycle automatics, so they are out of the question. I have found that seating a .452 roundball on top of #9 shot, on top of bullseye powder cycles fine and the roundball shoots to point of aim.





Next is the SP 101. Most of us are familiar with the versatility of the 357 Magunm. When combined with the 3" SP 101 it is very easy to carry. It has just enough weight to be able to handle Buffalo Bore loads without too much pain. 38 specials are pure joy.



Finally the 629 Mountain Gun 44 Magnum. Whe all know what a great gun this is for woods use, but it may surprise some how easy it is to carry concealed. I'm 6' tall and 160lbs, but with a pancake holster and a loose button up shirt this thing disappears. At 40 oz., it weighs the same as the 1911.



My preferred load is a 265 LBT WFN at 1,000 fps. This load is light enough to shoot double-action, but it still hits very hard. For snakes, I have found that CCI shotshell capsules will jump crimp if one is shooting magnum loads and has one of these in the cylinder. I fixed that by running a .452 round ball through a .430 sizing die and seating that on top of the shot charge, just like I do in the 45. This works very well, and it is fun to try to take a snake's head off with the roundball while the shot paralyzes its body.




These are three of my choices for all-around handguns. I know there are others. Three is not enough and I would be interested if anyone else uses a handgun for multiple uses.