With a single shot pistol in some remote areas I was curious if you guys use a back-up pistol and if so what do you carry?

When I hunt with my Encore, I carry my .50AE Desert Eagle or 45/70 BFR revolver just in case something bad happens to the Encore (or to me!)

Glock 20 in a Bianchi X-15 leather shoulder holster. It has Meprolight Adjustable Night Sights, Target Trigger Group, and is stoked with 15 Double Tap 180gr Golden Sabers.

Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil for I am the baddest...... You know the rest...

The Double Tap Ammo can be found at www.doubletapammo.com
Ballistics : 180gr. @ 1330fps/ 707 ft/lbs- Glock 20

This stuff is more powerful than the old nuclear loads from Norma but well within SAAMI spec. Mike McNett (owner of Double Tap) is famous for producing safe but very wild ammo and I can't even come close to reproducing it on my Dillon 650.

$bob$

Don't carry a back-up weapon with me. Will usually have an extra hunting handgun with me , but not on me.

Enforcer, I carry a Smith & Wesson Model 29 44 mag in a Bianchi (sp?) shoulder holster for extremly close shots, 50 yds and under, for big game. Predator hunting I like my Ruger Mark II (.22), also in a shoulder holster.

I always carry an open sighted short barreled Ruger Blackhawk in either .357 Mag, .41 Mag, or .45LC. Each is stoked with a heavy for caliber bullet and lots of H110. Each fits in a cheapo Hunter belt holster. Really want to upgrade that...after reading the Holster Article in the new Handgun Hunter Magazine I think I have a few ideas on what to buy.

I carry my custom Ruger Blackhawk 44 mag in a cross draw holster.

I have the perfect back up pistol. It's the D&W 329PD 44 mag. I stoke it with Hornady 240 gr XTPs. I carry it in a Uncle Mike's canvas holster(leather would be too heavy). You don't even know it's there til you need it.

I don't carry one. I do have an extra one in the truck or back at camp just in case something happens to the one I'm carrying.

usuly i dont but when i get bored an want to take one i pack a tracker 357 in a mikes holster an belt

I already carry way too much other stuff in my backpack and on my person, to even think about adding a back up handgun. We usually walk about an hour just getting to our stands, so the weight of what you wear and carry becomes very important. If you get soaked in sweat on the way to the stand, and then stand out in the PA. cold, it can make for a pretty miserable day in the woods. I have thought of going back to carrying a revolver in place of the Contender. but the extra power of the rifle cartirdges in the Contender gives it a bit of an edge. However, the S&W 500 has really got me thinking. I just want to wait till it is available in a 6" barrel, and I want to shoot one so I know for myself if I am capable of handling that much recoil and power. So for right now, one gun is enough for me.

Here in AK, backup is avisable in brown bear country. I carry a Ruger Blackhawk in .45LC with 345 gr. hardcast. Have not had to use it yet, and hope I don't have to.

Yep, I will carry my Springfield Armory XD-40 or SBH 44.

I don't carry a "backup" while hunting, but I usually have both one of my Contenders, & my 8&3/8 mod 29 with a red dot sight in the truck or camp & take the one that fits where I'm hunting at the moment best. When carrying the Contender I always carry a can of UDAP bear spray. Too many brownies in my neck of the woods to feel comfortable with one shot, even with the .444 Marlin barrel . Same when I'm bowhunting.

I appreciate your responses. I hunt in an area of Maine that is very remote. I usually carry a 9mm S&W model 39 in a mike's hip holster, and that was rifle hunting. A few years ago one of my buddies was attacked when he unknowingly got between Mom and her cub. With Black bear all over the place you never know.

I actually had a heart pounding experience with a Moose this last year. While posting at the top of the mountain, 5 Moose came over the ridge and they wanted to pass through right where I was sitting. There were 3 bulls ( One trophy size and 2 younger fella's ) Mom and her calf. They came within 20 yards, I started waving my arms and vest to push them off but the big boss was not backing off and was certainly not intimidated with my presence. He started waving his antlers at me like he was telling me to get out of his way. He evenually turned and walked away, but the experience has me thinking one shot my not enough ( at least in those woods). I'm a good shot but..... in any case I was thinking that the 9mm may not be enough. I also wish I had a camera to capture the experience.

Back-up? Who needs one. This year in Colorado I carried my Encore 338-06 on a sling and my S&W .500 in a Bianchi shoulder rig, and a S&W M629 'Trail Boss' on my side. The .500 was for under 100yards, 338-06 was for anything over 100yds, and the 629 was for sleeping with in tent, and carrying while packing meat on the frame. S&W .44;I never leave home without one!!
Ya know, if I just carried a stinking rifle I could eliminate about 9lbs every time I leave camp!! WAAAAAAAA!!

I carry a Ruger SBH Predator .44 stuffed with 300gr.LBT's, if I'm hunting with a single shot.

Rugerman