What Guns Do You Keep On Hand?

[Raptor Chicken]

Hopefully this site isn't overly liberal.

So the question for us folks that live more rural is what guns you keep on hand to thwart potential predators?

Me? I keep a cheap but accurate 22lr on standby and a 12g shotgun with slugs when our birds are free ranging. And of course I always have my EDC on my hip.

We get everything from feral cats to bears and everything in between around here. Although the only thing I've personally seen on our property was a bobcat that our dog almost got into a tangle with.

The dog is the deterrent/ first line of defense, I'm the final say.

So, what arms do you folks in various areas of the country keep on hand for predators?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Double action Revolver. Reliable. Simple. Easy to maintain. Big enough to put down any local predator (except our boars and small black bears - but they can have the damned bird if that the case). Not so big that its a significant risk to my neighbors 1/4 - 1/2 mile distant through moderate forest, or the infrequently travelled roadway 400-600 foot distant (through more woods). Far more portable than a shotgun.

Also very practical for putting down goats for butchering.

 

[Raptor Chicken]

Double action Revolver. Reliable. Simple. Easy to maintain. Big enough to put down any local predator (except our boars and small black bears - but they can have the damned bird if that the case). Not so big that its a significant risk to my neighbors 1/4 - 1/2 mile distant through moderate forest, or the infrequently travelled roadway 400-600 foot distant (through more woods). Far more portable than a shotgun.

Also very practical for putting down goats for butchering.

Honestly if a bear got on our property I'd be more worried about our dog of 11yrs than the chickens.

I don't do social media (outside of forums) but my wife has shown pictures of black bear within 2 miles of our property.

Thus the 12g...

 

[U_Stormcrow]

To have a reasonable chance at dropping a hog or one of our black bear in a single hit, I'd need to carry either a .44 or a long barrel .357. The .44 makes you walk with a limp, while a 6" barrel .357 isn't that much better - and has a greater chance the round will finish its trajectory on a neighbor's property if I should miss, owing to the higher muzzle velocities.

So I chose something that balances competing concerns.

Though I admit deer hunting with a ruger super redhawk has a lot to recommend it under local conditions.

 

[AGeese]

Just a 410 bolt action. If they weren't so expensive I'd have a nice Marlin or Henry brush rifle.

 

[Brooke_WI]

We have others too but mainly use a 22 mag, 5.56, or a 16 gauge.

 

[mowin]

Seeing I live in NY......
All of my firearms were lost in a canoeing accident.

 

[Isadora]

Seeing I live in NY......
All of my firearms were lost in a canoeing accident.

I had a similar incident when I was a New York resident.

 

[Brooke_WI]

Lol I was a former NY resident as well! The boating is much safer out here in WI. No more accidents!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Don't say that too loudly, or the fine folks in Albany will outlaw firearms transport in watercraft, just as they do in automotives and upon your person... The FAA has already covered aircraft, of course.