A handgun does no good on a shelf back in camp. But the trouble is, handguns chambered for cartridges appropriate for wilderness protection and/or big-game hunting tend to be a bit heavy. It’s common enough to head into the hunt with good intentions, but after a few exhausting days when even your shoelaces become too heavy, you often find a reason to leave the handgun behind.
A revolver chambered for the 350 Legend, the Model 350 X-Frame is a dream for both handgun hunters and those who live in straight-wall-only states. With a seven-round cylinder, this surprisingly soft shooter is field-ready right out of the box.
No surprise—the AR platform is the most popular rifle in the United States today. Its chamberings cover the gamut from .22 to .50 caliber. Eugene Stoner’s brainchild of 1957 supports an entire cottage industry of aftermarket accessories that range from cheap to opulent.
Every hunter should have a .22 LR handgun. You can shoot small game for the pot, rid the camp of pests and pass the midday doldrums plinking at makeshift targets. The new Smith & Wesson Victory semi-automatic is one of the best guns we've encountered for all these things.