Any of you stop a charge with a handgun?

[Carnivore hunter]

I've seen many videos online of hunters in Africa using rifles to stop charges from dangerous game but, what about using handguns being used to stop charges from dangerous game (Lion, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Hyena) ? Have any of you seen or been part of having to use a handgun to stop a charge?

Is the Smith & Wesson 460 and 500 x-frames allowed in Africa as it's a Double-Action, or are only Single Action revolvers allowed?

For handgun ammo, is it best to use mono-metal brass and copper solid or can you use hard cast lead LBT for head-on shots against a charging cape buffalo?

 

[Red Leg]

There was an angry opossum that didn’t want to let me in the front door several years ago …..

I am rather certain trying to stop an inbound lion, buff, or elephant with a handgun would be close to abject futility.

 

[JimP]

I shot a sabertooth pack rat wa 357

 

[Carnivore hunter]

There was an angry opossum that didn’t want to let me in the front door several years ago …..

I am rather certain trying to stop an inbound lion, buff, or elephant with a handgun would be close to abject futility.

What I mean was, for those who have hunted in Africa with handguns, what happens when the animal charges after you shoot it and you have the handgun in your hand and not a rifle? I was wondering about those dangerous situations where things don't go perfectly as planned.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

Hunting Deadly Cape Buffalo with a Pistol!

Here's a female hunting a cape buffalo with a handgun...

 

[Flbt]

I've seen many videos online of hunters in Africa using rifles to stop charges from dangerous game but, what about using handguns being used to stop charges from dangerous game (Lion, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Hyena) ? Have any of you seen or been part of having to use a handgun to stop a charge?

Is the Smith & Wesson 460 and 500 x-frames allowed in Africa as it's a Double-Action, or are only Single Action revolvers allowed?

For handgun ammo, is it best to use mono-metal brass and copper solid or can you use hard cast lead LBT for head-on shots against a charging cape buffalo?

African game no.
Hogs , coyotes/dog
Cow/bull
44 mag
And 45 acp
And 44 c&b

9 mm bolw 115gr +p +
45 acp
All so can save your butt

 

[Hunter-Habib]

The gentleman who authored the foreword to my autobiography (Alaskan Master Guide Mr. Phil Shoemaker) used a 9x19mm Parabellum Smith & Wesson semi automatic (one of the earlier stainless steel framed pistols) to stop a charging Kodiak bear which had attacked one of his clients. I believe the ammunition used, was Buffalo Bore. I have seen the photograph of the incident. But I can ask him for more details.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

The gentleman who authored the foreword to my autobiography (Alaskan Master Guide Mr. Phil Shoemaker) used a 9x19mm Parabellum Smith & Wesson semi automatic (one of the earlier stainless steel framed pistols) to stop a charging Kodiak bear which had attacked one of his clients. I believe the ammunition used, was Buffalo Bore. I have seen the photograph of the incident. But I can ask him for more details.

I saw a couple of interviews of that from Phil Shoemaker himself. To be more specific according to him it was a broadside shot...

The bear was standing on top of his clients and Phil was roughly around 20 or so feet away and shot the bear behind the shoulder broadside. The bear did not charge Phil head on...

@ 6:30 in the video below...

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Indeed I have.

He was behind the counter with a smug look on his face, my Mastercard in his hands. I yelled at him to stop, but he only looked at me, malice in his eyes, and started to run it anyway... Fortunately my S&W was on my belt.

Sorry... couldn't resist.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I saw a couple of interviews of that from Phil Shoemaker himself. To be more specific according to him it was a broadside shot...

The bear was standing on top of his clients and Phil was roughly around 20 or so feet away and shot the bear behind the shoulder broadside. The bear did not charge Phil head on...

@ 6:30 in the video below...

Now it all makes sense. Personally speaking, I would prefer at least a .44 Magnum caliber handgun for stopping dangerous game.

 

[JimP]

What I mean was, for those who have hunted in Africa with handguns, what happens when the animal charges after you shoot it and you have the handgun in your hand and not a rifle? I was wondering about those dangerous situations where things don't go perfectly as planned.

I think that by the time that happened your PH would of stepped in and finished the animal.

 

[275r7x57]

 

[Sarg]

That was one of our guys, my old apprentice was doing that hunt, I did ask him after “why is our client stopping his own charge ?”
Nothing else to say on that, other than Lynn might not be best Spear thrower but IS a magnificent pistol shot on a lot of game !

I stopped a wounded Hyena that came for me & a wounded Big Male Baboon, dragging part of his intestines, screaming (both of us near) multiple Wild Pig & Warthogs, all the African animals with Browning Hi Power 9mm using Winchester 127gr +P+ worked well but does loose jacket.

In Aussie .44 Mag S&W M29 with 300gr Hornady & later Ruger Red Hawk .454 Casull, I preferred the S&W as carrying more than stopping anything.

 

[Flewis]

If a rabid dog counts, yes.

 

[Uncompahgre]

I stopped a wounded mountain lion with a 44 Mag S&W M29 with 240 gr HP. The cat died at my feet.

 

[Safari Dave]

I stopped a rabid fox with a .38 Special in 2023.

I put a couple of "insurance" shot in it, just in case.

 

[Red Leg]

Hunting Deadly Cape Buffalo with a Pistol!

Here's a female hunting a cape buffalo with a handgun...

I am aware that people do all sorts of stunts to prove things to themselves or others with all sorts of weapons. Not the fat spear chucker above.

Your question, as I read it, was with regard to a charge. I do not believe any handgun capable of being reasonably carried is much of a choice for stopping any of the DG species.

While a handgun might actually stop a leopard, good luck hitting him.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

I am aware that people do all sorts of stunts to prove things to themselves or others with all sorts of weapons. Not the fat spear chucker above.

Your question, as I read it, was with regard to a charge. I do not believe any handgun capable of being reasonably carried is much of a choice for stopping any of the DG species.

While a handgun might actually stop a leopard, good luck hitting him.

Could a monolithic solid brass or copper flat point bullet from S&W 500 or 500 Linebaugh shot into a cape buffalo's head/between the eyes be able to stop him? If the shooter was lucky enough to pull off the shot of course?

 

[Sarg]

I am aware that people do all sorts of stunts to prove things to themselves or others with all sorts of weapons. Not the fat spear chucker above.

Your question, as I read it, was with regard to a charge. I do not believe any handgun capable of being reasonably carried is much of a choice for stopping any of the DG species.

While a handgun might actually stop a leopard, good luck hitting him.

When you know Lynn & get past the facade he is a really good bloke !

Not many general handguns are big enough to stop the Pachyderms or Bovines, some are close & better than a stick.

I have “stopped” lots of “Trophy” animals for my Hand Gun & Bow Hunters from “escaping , that later went on to gain high ranking in record books, so in reality no true accounts were made .

Howdha Pistols were made to stop charges of Dangerous Game up to at least Tiger - Lion size & up to .73 caliber/12bores .

 

[Hunter4752001]

Africa is a large continent made up of several countries, each of which has their own firearm laws. As such there is no answer to the question as to what firearms are allowed in "Africa". If however you mean are double action revolvers allowed in South Africa, then the answer is YES - providing they are designed for hunting as disctinct from self defense. The S&W X Frames would most likely be OK but hire one of the firearm permit services to confirm. For every other country you'll have to research individually. Your outfitter may be able to advise.

I use a 454 Casull and I don't think I'd like to face a charge with it, but I know it'd be better than a pointy stick.