This new rimfire pistol from Browning is a great option for small-game hunting with a suppressor, as the 6-inch bull barrel comes with 1/2×28-tpi threading, as well as a thread protector. This blowback-operated pistol also has a Picatinny top rail, a TruGlo/Marble Arms fiber-optic front sight and a white-outlined Pro-Target adjustable rear sight. The Ultragrip FX ambidextrous grip frame and gold single-action trigger really add to the shooting experience.
Another new option from Browning, this upgraded Buck Mark has a steel 5.5-inch barrel with 1/2×28-tpi threading for a suppressor. The alloy barrel sleeve is available with or without distinctive fluting. More features include the Picatinny top rail, fiber-optic front sight and white-outlined adjustable rear sight, as well as the ambidextrous grip frame and single-action trigger. In short, this rimfire has everything you need to bag squirrels and other small critters.
The new Bad Boy from Cimarron is essentially a modernized Colt New Frontier that has been beefed up to harness the power of the .44 Magnum and earn its moniker. It comes with an 8-inch octagonal barrel, a Pre-War-style frame, a Colt 1860 Army grip frame, a ramp front sight and a fully adjustable rear sight. In short, this Bad Boy is ideal for hunting, target shooting and protection from grizzlies while you’re hiking.
Renowned for its .357 Magnum 1911s, Coonan Arms has adapted its design to create a stainless-steel pistol to take the popular 10mm Auto cartridge. It comes with a 5-inch barrel, a unique full-length dust cover, black walnut grips, Novak sights, a skeletonized Commander-style hammer, an extended thumb safety and slide stop, and an 8+1 capacity. The MOT 10 is 8.6 inches long and weighs 39.2 ounces unloaded.
The big stainless-steel “Classic Edition” autoloader used by Dirty Harry is back in .44 AMP, with other versions on the way. Out of production since 1982, this big pistol has a vent-rib, 6.5- or 8.5-inch barrel, an overall length of 11.7 to 13.7 inches and an unloaded weight of 53 to 58 ounces. A hammer-fired semi-auto, it features an adjustable rear sight, a target trigger, textured G10 grips (as well as other options) and an 8+1 capacity.
Made in Germany, Janz revolvers are available with either fixed or interchangeable barrels. The latter allows you to convert one of these custom-made revolvers from a .22 LR to a .454 Casull in a matter of moments. You can also choose various finishes, sights, barrel lengths and embellishment options like engraving. The Type E and EM revolvers cover the mid-sized frame options while the larger-framed Type MA series revolvers are currently available in .460 and .500 S&W.
For 2018, Ruger has added a 10mm option to its Super Redhawk lineup. The Super Redhawk is a double-action, six-shot revolver that ships with three full-moon clips for quick reloading. This 6.5-inch-barreled firearm has an extended frame with extra metal in the topstrap, side walls and barrel mounting to handle big-game loads. The rubber grip has an internal recoil cushion under the web of the hand.
The SR-38 is a .357 Magnum/.38 Special revolver made by Sarsilmaz in Turkey and imported into the U.S. through SAR USA. Sarsilmaz has more than a century of firearms manufacturing experience and is still owned by the same family who founded it in 1880. Classic S&W fans will recognize quite a few similarities with these revolvers, which are available with either black or satin stainless finishes. The cylinder holds six cartridges, and 2.5-, 4- and 6-inch barrels are available.
For 2018, the S&W Performance Center is offering two stainless .357 Magnum L-Frame revolvers: one with a 4-inch barrel and six-shot cylinder, and the other with a 5-inch barrel and seven-shot cylinder that takes moon clips. Both have competition-ready features such as vent-ribbed barrels, unfluted cylinders, chromed teardrop hammer spurs, speed-release thumbpieces, adjustable rear sights, interchangeable orange front sights and Hogue grips.
An exciting addition for 2018, this is a seven-shot, medium-frame .357 Magnum revolver in stainless or matte black that, with a simple cylinder change, can be converted to fire 9mm rounds using Taurus’ Stellar clips. It’s a traditional DA/SA design with a fixed ramp front sight, an adjustable rear sight and a black “Ribber” grip. Taurus offers the revolver with either a 3- or 6.5-inch barrel.
The new Raging Hunter from Taurus is a six-shot .44 Magnum revolver with a striking stainless and blued two-tone finish. It also features an optics-ready Picatinny rail and an angular barrel shroud for more modern touches that help it stand apart from the pack. The unique barrel system incorporates a steel sleeve inserted in an aluminum housing to cut down on the overall weight, making this a well-balanced sidearm for hunting. To help with recoil, the gun has a cushioned rubber grip as well as factory-tuned porting and a gas expansion chamber. These also help reduce muzzle rise for faster follow-up shots. An all-blued model is also available.
The Drifter was developed by Taylor’s & Company Firearms for its Old West enthusiasts. This version is built on a new model Cattleman frame and features a full octagonal barrel in either .357 Magnum or .45 Colt. These barrel options help the Drifter stand apart from the standard Cattleman models, which are high-quality Peacemaker reproductions. To that end, the Drift features a fixed blade front sight, a forged frame and other classic touches customers have come to look for. Taylor Tuning is also available on this model.
Traditions Firearms is now offering six-shot, single-action, Peacemaker-style revolvers made by Pietta. While .22 LR and .45 Colt versions are also available, the .357 Magnum models are suitable for hunting with matte black finishes that are durable and corrosion resistant. These guns also come with transfer bar safety systems, walnut grips and 4.75-, 5.5- or 7.5-inch barrels.
If you’ve ever been hunting, you know how hard it can be to bag game. Using a handgun only makes the task more challenging, but that’s what we’re all about. You have to earn your food. At the same time, you might need protection in the backwoods from other predators of the two- and four-legged variety. Thankfully, the firearms industry has plenty of options to cover every need, and we’ve rounded up some of the best revolvers and semi-autos hitting the market with the power to stop animals, big and small, in their tracks. Check out these hunting handguns.
