Pistol or Revolver?

Whether to choose a pistol or a revolver for the hunting shot is primarily a matter of taste. Revolvers can fire stronger calibers, which is advantageous for the shot on large game.

The most popular revolver calibers for the shot are .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum. These calibers offer good reserves and show good effectiveness even on larger game. The disadvantage of a revolver compared to a pistol lies in the lower cadence (i.e., rate of fire), often higher weight, and lower cylinder capacity, which usually holds 5, 6, or 7 rounds.

Self-loading pistols are currently available in numerous variants on the market. Among the most popular manufacturers are CZ, Glock, Heckler & Koch, and Sig Sauer. Modern pistols are largely made of polymer, making them significantly lighter than revolvers, which are made almost entirely of metal except for the grip panels. Pistols generally have a much higher magazine capacity, and the rate of fire of a pistol is also higher than that of a revolver. However, the technology of a pistol is more complicated and therefore more prone to errors. This also applies to safety; the risk of an accidental discharge from a revolver is nearly zero, especially in models with a single-action trigger.

One of the most popular compromises for a pistol caliber that can be used for hunting is the .40 S&W. It is essentially the middle ground between the 9mm Luger and the .45 Auto. The .40 S&W has a higher E0 than the 9mm Luger and also a higher V0 than the .45 Auto.

An important factor in handguns is barrel length. The shorter the barrel, the shorter the time during which the powder gases can act on the projectile and accelerate it. Therefore, to transfer as much energy as possible to the projectile, the barrel should be as long as possible. However, to ensure that the weapon is maneuverable, the barrel must also be as short as possible.

Typically, the energy and velocity values for handgun ammunition indicated on the packaging are determined from 5" (12.7 cm) or 6" (15.2 cm) barrels. However, many hunters and sport shooters tend to overestimate the influence of barrel length on projectile energy.

For the shot, most hunters prefer hollow-point bullets. However, these respond very quickly, and with large game, the penetration effect is therefore low, which is why they are primarily suitable for small game. For large game, soft-point bullets should be used.

Anyone carrying a handgun for hunting should regularly practice handling it, regardless of whether they have chosen a revolver or a pistol. Due to the open sights, it is significantly more difficult than with a rifle to take an accurate shot. For the choice of shooting range, it is crucial that it is approved for handguns.

Those looking to buy a handgun are best advised online with the platforms eGun, Auctronia, or the VDB weapon market.

More exciting reports

Exciting, interesting, and informative reports on the topic of driven hunting can also be found with our premium partner, the hunting magazine Jagdzeit., for example in the article "SHOT WEAPON - ... and it does turn!"