Any of you stop a charge with a handgun?

[Mark A Ouellette]

Again, I never said or encouraged anyone including myself to use a handgun as their #1 primary first option in stopping a charge, only as a backup in case the rifle malfunctions in some way.

I was asking to see if anyone had stopped a charge with one. The video above of Lynn Thompson stopping a charge from a water buffalo with a 454 Casull shows it can be done in an emergency situation and proves a powerful revolver can be effective if the rifle is compromised.

After 7-pages of kind replies to you, your responses indicate that you are advocating that large handguns are adequate as “stopping weapons”. Now, your responses communicate that you are shifting to better have a stopping handgun just in case one’s rifle fails. In North American bear country, if one is by themselves, that is good advice if hiking or fishing. If, however I was hunting in bear country with @Scott CWO ‘s Colorado Wilderness Outfitters, I’d first ask Scott or his PH’s if a hand cannon was necessary?

I have only been on five different safaris where I shot three buffalo, two lionesses, and a tuskless elephant. I also shot over a dozen head of plains game. At no time did I feel unsafe without a handgun to back up the 4000 to 5000 foot pounds of energy from my .375 or .458. Frankly, for elephant tracking, I carried 18 pounds of rifle, water, ammo, spare socks, moleskin and so on. Why would I possibly want to add another 4 pounds to that load? My very experiance PH Johnny Russell carried his .500 Jeffery. A .458 Win double rifle backed up by an expert with his .500 Jeffery seemed enough gun for me!

Many of the previous responders to your posts have shot ten times the dangerous game as I have. I haven't read on any of those experianced hunters agreeing that a hand cannon was a good idea when one has both a large rifle and a PH with the same or larger.

An honest sincere question here, why would you not want a backup sidearm on you just in case your primary rifle malfunctions? Is it due to weight or you just think handguns regardless of how powerful they are, are just useless?

For me, it is because my rifles are built to be bullet-proof. Operational Availability focused in this case on Reliability is paramount! Mean time between failure (MTBF) is measured in many thousands of rounds.

My Heym is, well it is a Heym, German engineering and production at its finest. It is also a double rifle, i.e. two separate rifles built around each other. My magazine rifles are not “off the shelf”. Even if they were, I’ve commented in older threads what to replace on factory Winchesters and have supplied M98 surplus magazine springs to friends and others. It doesn't take much money to increase the reliability of a M70 or CZ 550.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

After 7-pages of kind replies to you, your responses indicate that you are advocating that large handguns are adequate as “stopping weapons”. Now, your responses communicate that you are shifting to better have a stopping handgun just in case one’s rifle fails.

For me, it is because my rifles are built to be bullet-proof. Operational Availability focused in this case on Reliability is paramount! Mean time between failure (MTBF) is measured in many thousands of rounds.

My Heym is, well it is a Heym, German engineering and production at its finest. It is also a double rifle, i.e. two separate rifles built around each other. My magazine rifles are not “off the shelf”. Even if they were, I’ve commented in older threads what to replace on factory Winchesters and have supplied M98 surplus magazine springs to friends and others. It doesn't take much money to increase the reliability of a M70 or CZ 550.

I never once implied or said from page one to this current page that handguns are the best primary first option to stop a charge. I only asked if anyone has stopped a charge with one.

Yeah, I'll have a handgun on me in a chest holster attached to a lanyard just in case...

I could care less how reliable you think your rifle is, you're not as fast as a wild animal and do not have it's reflexes and the fact you have to rely on others around with you and put your rifle on sticks for you and if you miss those Ph's are there to save you if your rifle fails? If your rifle is bullet proof like you claim, go out there by yourself with your bullet proof rifle. You're only confident with your rifle because you got multiple people there backing you up. Go out there alone and see how tough you are.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

I never once implied or said from page one to this current page that handguns are the best primary first option to stop a charge. I only asked if anyone has stopped a charge with one.

You continue to advocate a handgun is a great backup weapon!
So how many times have you carried your handgun in Africa hunting dangerous game?

I could care less how reliable you think your rifle is, you're not as fast as a wild animal and do not have it's reflexes and the fact you have to rely on others around with you and put your rifle on sticks for you and if you miss those Ph's are there to save you if your rifle fails? If your rifle is bullet proof like you claim, go out there by yourself with your bullet proof rifle. You're only confident with your rifle because you got multiple people there backing you up. Go out there alone and see how tough you are.

Correct, I am old and slow but as Wyatt Earp advised on gunfighting, I take my time in a hurry.
While usually modest about such things, I have some level of marksmanship skills with both long and short weapons.

Chances are that with a rifle in a close quarters situation, I will hit my target more accurately than most who profess to be able to shoot a hangun.

PS: The big round white medals are for President's 100 with the service pistol.

 

[Daisy]

There is a good bit of data on grizzly bear and handguns. Most show caliber is not as important as accurate and fast shooting.

I doubt a pistol would work in Africa. But i always feel better when I have a sidearm when hunting.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Something my dad said when I was helping him build our family home in Montana clued me in early re prepping for what ifs. We were cleaning the dried mud out of the basement a week after the Flood of 1964 hit. Remember, this was just after the Cuban Missile Crisis at the height of the Cold War. I asked Dad if we would be building a bomb shelter in the basement. His reply: "No. If there's a nuclear war, there won't be any reason to stay alive. The world won't be livable." The moral of the story: Look at the bigger picture when prepping for survival. Is the cost worth it? Dad could have wasted money building a useless bomb shelter to save us from Armagedon. Or he could use the money to take me and my brother on our first deer hunting trip. Dad was a wise man.

I still own a 357 Highway Patrolman but it stayed with my brother in Montana when I moved to Canada. It was bear medicine when I had a pack string (horses). Sometimes I wore it when fishing but usually it stayed in the saddlebag. I never wore it elk hunting. Dad's K22 was always along but in my daypack, not on my belt. That pistol killed a ton of grouse over the years. Here we cannot carry a handgun or hunt with one so I left them behind. Target shooting only here and it's not my thing. Anyway, the way I hunt excess baggage like a heavy handgun can be more than a handicap. It can be lethal. More lethal than any tinfoil hat bear attack. I know. I have been over the edge and back re death from hypothermia. I learned the hard way to reserve precious cargo space for food and clothing layers.

I have shot 44 mag revolvers a couple of times. They are an extension of one's arm alright, but still rather unwieldy ... for me anyway. Heavy to handle and hard to hang onto when fired. Close quarters in self defense I think one can easily have too much gun to be effective. In any event, bringing a handgun into play in a charge situation would be easier said than done. The rifle is my primary weapon. Even in the event of mechanical failure, my instinct would always be to try and make it work ... even as a club if needed. I just don't see myself instinctively throwing it away and trying to unholster a backup handgun. Also, if pursuing wounded dangerous game I would never have a handgun out in hand. And do what with the rifle? Carry it in the other hand? PH would call it a day at that point.

On my last safari the new PH assigned to me said something worth repeating here: "I knew from looking at you that this guy knows what he's doing in the bush." I asked him what gave him that impression. "Your boots and gun. Both are well worn and functional." You can go to Africa wearing designer clothes and with a big hogleg handgun and a bunch of other gear paraphernalia draped all over your person, then see what message that sends to your PH. "Man, I better keep an eye on this dude!"

 

[Carnivore hunter]

You continue to advocate a handgun is a great backup weapon!
So how many times have you carried your handgun in Africa hunting dangerous game?



Correct, I am old and slow but as Wyatt Earp advised on gunfighting, I take my time in a hurry.
I have do some experiance shooting both rifles and pistols. While usually modest about such things, I have some level of marksmanship skills with both long and short weapons.
View attachment 719082
Chances are that with a rifle in a close quarters situation, I will hit my target more accurately than most who profess to be able to shoot a hangun.

PS: The big round white medals are for President's 100 with the service pistol.

I thank you for your honorable service, much appreciated. I always try to shake a veterans hand in person and I would be honored to shake yours. Your bravery and sacrifice is why I have the freedom I have to type here. Thank you.

Even if I was still 25 years old, I have the humility to admit I am not as fast as those animals and no matter how much I practice shooting I'm not out maneuvering the fast cats. I just want a handgun on me attached to a lanyard in case those animals are on top of me.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

It is my understanding that most PHs have shotguns along for backup when pursuing wounded leopard. A pump action with 00 buckshot would be my choice. The client might not like the extra holes in the hide but screw him if he can't hit the cat properly with first shot. My choice for leopard backup gun would be Model 12 Winchester twelve gauge. Just hang onto the trigger and it will shoot as fast it's pumped. I've NEVER had Model 12 jam or fail to cycle. 870 Remington is much less reliable.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

I just want a handgun on me attached to a lanyard in case those animals are on top of me.

Keep that in mind as you select your safari(s). I know South Africa allows "hunting handguns", i.e. 1911 probably no, a 1911 with an optic, probably okay. I use AH sponsor Rifle Permits dot com to sort out the paperwork. They and similar expeditor companies are worth every penny!

FYI, this link is for an AH member and friend who shot a buffalo with a handgun at AH sponsor @Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS

C

Post in thread 'Buffalo rifle show and tell'

Jul 16, 2025

Here is my most recent and biggest buffalo. Maybe not for everyone, but it took 1 shot, ran 50 yards and died. 41 1/2" Thompson Contender, 375 JDJ, 270 Fail Safe bullet. Easier to carry than a rifle too.

• Clifford Johnson

• 

As for other countries, I have no knowledge. Ask the operator/PH about handgun hunting in their country and verify before you make a down payment.

 

[WAB]

You continue to advocate a handgun is a great backup weapon!
So how many times have you carried your handgun in Africa hunting dangerous game?



Correct, I am old and slow but as Wyatt Earp advised on gunfighting, I take my time in a hurry.
While usually modest about such things, I have some level of marksmanship skills with both long and short weapons.
View attachment 719082
Chances are that with a rifle in a close quarters situation, I will hit my target more accurately than most who profess to be able to shoot a hangun.

PS: The big round white medals are for President's 100 with the service pistol.

One thing this thread has clearly established is that I don’t want you shooting at me Mark!

And I totally agree with you, I have spent a fair bit of time hunting dangerous game. I see no point in carrying a handgun on these hunts. I do have my rifles set up with QD mounts and I am quite fast and accurate with the ghost rings when the scope is removed. I lived and hunted in Alaska for a number of years. I carried a handgun in a chest rig while fishing, never while hunting, and yes I have been charged. I can’t imagine dropping a .375 to grab a .44! Like you, I make sure my rifles are bombproof before I hunt with them.

The one hunt I do carry a handgun is Coues deer along the AZ/MX border. I’m not packing it for charging deer!

 

[Red Leg]

One thing this thread has clearly established is that I don’t want you shooting at me Mark!

And I totally agree with you, I have spent a fair bit of time hunting dangerous game. I see no point in carrying a handgun on these hunts. I do have my rifles set up with QD mounts and I am quite fast and accurate with the ghost rings when the scope is removed. I lived and hunted in Alaska for a number of years. I carried a handgun in a chest rig while fishing, never while hunting, and yes I have been charged. I can’t imagine dropping a .375 to grab a .44! Like you, I make sure my rifles are bombproof before I hunt with them.

The one hunt I do carry a handgun is Coues deer along the AZ/MX border. I’m not packing it for charging deer!

I keep a handgun (.357 Mountain Light) on me whenever working our place here in Texas. It is adequate with rat shot on rattlesnakes too near the house. A shotgun would be preferable, but there isn't a lot of room on the tractor or 4 wheeler. My "things that go bump in the night" preference is my DD MP4. Like a .375 or .404, it is infinitely superior to any handgun.

 

[318AE]

It’s with some trepidation I enter this fray, given the vastly different levels of experience within the dialogue so far.

It’s highly unlikely we are talking about an unprovoked charge. All charges are rare and unprovoked charges much more so. In that case, it’s quite literally whatever is in your hand at that moment, and for me that is a rifle, since I am hunting. I don’t think I’d have time to drop the rifle and draw a pistol in the time it takes and animal to charge, and it would be categorically stupid to do so.

It’s most likely we’re taking about a follow up to a first, poor shot on a buffalo. I suspect quite a few more buffalo are taken than all other African dangerous game combined. It generally runs off to the thickest stuff it can find. If you’re not 100% confident in your rifle, don’t go on the follow up. Your PH will be there. He won’t have a handgun.

I can see how one might convince themselves sitting on their couch and reading stuff that there is a place for this handgun on a follow up to dangerous game in Africa. There is not. As Mark mentioned, if you want more reliability, that is why a double rifle was two barrels, two sears, two triggers etc. It’s been the proven successful recipe for over 100 years.

 

[Flbt]

It’s with some trepidation I enter this fray, given the vastly different levels of experience within the dialogue so far.

It’s highly unlikely we are talking about an unprovoked charge. All charges are rare and unprovoked charges much more so. In that case, it’s quite literally whatever is in your hand at that moment, and for me that is a rifle, since I am hunting. I don’t think I’d have time to drop the rifle and draw a pistol in the time it takes and animal to charge, and it would be categorically stupid to do so.

It’s most likely we’re taking about a follow up to a first, poor shot on a buffalo. I suspect quite a few more buffalo are taken than all other African dangerous game combined. It generally runs off to the thickest stuff it can find. If you’re not 100% confident in your rifle, don’t go on the follow up. Your PH will be there. He won’t have a handgun.

I can see how one might convince themselves sitting on their couch and reading stuff that there is a place for this handgun on a follow up to dangerous game in Africa. There is not. As Mark mentioned, if you want more reliability, that is why a double rifle was two barrels, two sears, two triggers etc. It’s been the proven successful recipe for over 100 years.

I like a handgun for a back up plan.
I have carried one legal since age 19 and sometimes more than one.
I like have one.
Not in Africa but having one has saved me quite a few times.

And no matter how reliable you think your ride is it’s man made and can fail.
True a dubble is less likely because it’s 2 off everything
Except sight and stocks. And I have seen a SxS shotgun brake a stock in the field and a docent one a old Ithaca.

No there no way I would take a handgun over a good rifle for any of the big 5
Or even bear or water buff
But if allowed where I was at. I would gladly have the little extra weight of the 44 blackhalk
Not saying it’s a stopping but if hit or down or in a outhouse the hand gun can all ways be there.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

Here's a video of a brown bear charge in Alaska. The shooter was very good with a bolt-action rifle during a charge...

 

[WAB]

Here's a video of a brown bear charge in Alaska. The shooter was very good with a bolt-action rifle during a charge...

That’s actually one of my best friends and his son. We’ve had quite a few adventures together. Generally when he starts shooting, stuff starts dying!

As an aside, I am quite certain that he is the most successful dall sheep hunter living. His advice is worth listening to.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

That’s actually one of my best friends and his son. We’ve had quite a few adventures together. Generally when he starts shooting, stuff starts dying!

As an aside, I am quite certain that he is the most successful dall sheep hunter living. His advice is worth listening to.

Yeah, I could tell they were both very experienced and the father has lots of years under his belt out there.

Do you know what caliber and ammo of bullet he shot that grizzly with in the video above?

 

[WAB]

Yeah, I could tell they were both very experienced and the father has lots of years under his belt out there.

Do you know what caliber and ammo of bullet he shot that grizzly with in the video above?

He’s got two LH SS rifles, a .270 and a .338. That is almost certainly the .338. No clue on the ammo.

 

[Tradmark]

Once an animal charges, you stand a much better chance of surviving with one well aimed shot from a rifle than you would by spraying several shots with a revolver. Otherwise the PH's would carry them.

BTW, I think you can still csrry.one in Zimbabwe. I took one in 1983. It was fine but the Port Authority cops in New York tried to throw me in jail when I came back into the US. I showed them the paper work from US Customs, and permits from S.A. and Zim. There answer was thank there was a mandatory one year jail sentence for bringing a handgun into New York City. I thought about it and pointed out to them that I didn't have the gun. They did. So I told them that they could just hold on to my gun case while I made the flight arrangement to California, then we could all walk across the aisle and give it to the nice lady at the counter, and I would not ever have had possession of the handgun in their city. They looked disappointed when they had to admit that it could work that way. So if you take a handgun, don't travel through New Yawk!

This i find interesting. Not sure i ever thought we implied spraying bullets was what we do with revolvers.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

This i find interesting. Not sure i ever thought we implied spraying bullets was what we do with revolvers.

Tradmark, with your experience with different revolvers and calibers on large game over the years, if your primary weapon (rifle) had some malfunction and you needed to rely on a powerful revolver, do you think you could stop a charge or thwart the animal just enough with 500 S&W or 500 Linebaugh caliber to save your life?