How critical do ya'll feel it is to have one? It seems like it's quite a hassle to bring one along, even more so if all that I can bring is a SA under .45 -- I'd think, if anything, a larger than .45 would be permitted...of course, that would be an excuse to get one of those Beretta Sheriff's models...

In Africa? Why?

quote:

In Africa? Why?

Why not?

I cary a sidearm alot. However when I do, I am planning on defence against 2 legged animals, not hunting. When hunting big game I don't feel the need for one as there is nothing that any sidearm can do that I can't do better with a 30-06, 300 Win, 45-70, 375H&H or 458 Win. The only advantage a handgun has is it is usually atached to you and quickly acesable when your rifle may be in the truck or leaning against a tree when you need it.

I always carry a pistol, if possible. It was possible in South Africa (1911 .45) but wasn't in Tanzania in 2004 (KLM refused to transport one so I didn't even look at Tanzania's laws.) While hunting or in camp my rifle is always within arms reach. Why? I don't rely on anyone else for my security, it's my responsibility and I take it very seriously.

A nice, light-weight .44 magnum like a S&W Mountain revolver would be very close to ideal for Africa. Convenient to carry and 300 grains of hard cast flat point at 1200-1300 fps beats trying to poke them in the eye with your finger any day.

Tom

quote:

The only advantage a handgun has is it is usually atached to you and quickly acesable when your rifle may be in the truck or leaning against a tree when you need it.

Or on the ground being stomped by a buffalo.

quote:

Originally posted by interboat:

quote:

The only advantage a handgun has is it is usually atached to you and quickly acesable when your rifle may be in the truck or leaning against a tree when you need it.

Or on the ground being stomped by a buffalo.

TRUE THAT...

the thing i usually used a sidearm for was to finish off a small animal rather than leave it die slowly. the pistol doesn't blow the sh-t out of it like a rifle

When I was hunting a lion or a leopard, my Zimbabwe PH carried a 44mag in addition to his 470NE. His reason was that if a wounded cat got to him he wouldn't be able to bring his rifle to bear and it was a better option than poking one in the eye or feeding it an arm while I tried to shoot it off him.

This was the only time he carried it.

JPK

If it is legal I will carry a powerful handgun when hunting leopard or lion. One PH I know in Zim was mauled by a lion and had to count on his tracker to shoot it off of him with a 375. The bullet hit the ground with in a few inches of his head. He now always carrys a .45 1911 when hunting cats. His experience affected my decision.

465H&H

If hunting cats in Africa, a good handgun is valuable if one needs to shoot a lion off another member of the party! Far less chance of shooting the guy getting biten, and scratched!

However, the most valuable place for it is in a place like the streets Jo-Berg! They are too much trouble to get in, for my taste!

T_russell: How did you manage a smiaouto in RSA? Was this years before whith different rules?

Next question -- anyone know of a site/other resource for getting information about handgun laws in Zambia -- is it possible to take one on a BA flight???? I tried googling -- and all I got was a bunch of anti-gun nutjob sites.

Aglifter, Try asking Peter Bird AKA BallaBalla from this forum about the Zambia gun laws. As to getting a handgun on a British Airways flight, I don't think so.

I remember Clint Smith, one of my firearms instructors, saying something to the effect, "A pistol is to be used to fight your way to a rifle!" and Jeff Cooper saying something like, "the only advantage to a pistol is that it is more concealable than a rifle". I always keep my rifle at my side in Africa and feel more comfortable with it handy than having a pistol of lesser caliber.

PS: Someone please correct my attempts to quote these two above.

Regards, D. Nelson

For a client don't see the need for one unless one is planning to hunt with a handgun.

I've been to all sorts of places with no firearms at all and still haven't been eaten.

Yet.

Trapper Bob,

I believe the semi-auto restrictions were related to rifles and not pistols. The men in charge of issueing our permits at Jo'burg airport made no objections whatsoever.

D. Nelson, you are right on both accounts. The Colonel never bothered carrying a pistol if he was hunting with a rifle as his rifle is always in arms reach. I practice the same thing, rifle always within arms reach, but still prefer to carry a pistol for some the reasons already stated.

Tom
Tom

quote:

Originally posted by NitroX:
For a client don't see the need for one unless one is planning to hunt with a handgun.

I've been to all sorts of places with no firearms at all and still haven't been eaten.

Yet.

I don't mean to come across in an offensive manner but I see things quite differently. I take care of myself, I don't rely on the guns of others to do that for me. I am not content with the herd mentality that "It will always be someone else who gets eaten." nor do I want the cop or PH to take care of me. If I am armed I part of the solution. If unarmed I am part of the problem.

quote:

Originally posted by T_Russell:
Trapper Bob,

I believe the semi-auto restrictions were related to rifles and not pistols. The men in charge of issueing our permits at Jo'burg airport made no objections whatsoever.

D. Nelson, you are right on both accounts. The Colonel never bothered carrying a pistol if he was hunting with a rifle as his rifle is always in arms reach. I practice the same thing, rifle always within arms reach, but still prefer to carry a pistol for some the reasons already stated.

Tom
Tom

Tom, My undesrtanding is that the semi auto ban INCLUDES pistols. I read where a guy had his Desert Eagle 44 Mag confiscated. I think that part of the problem is the gun laws are subject to interpretation of whoever happens to be working the SAPS office that day.

Tembo,

I was in S.A. 5 years ago, I have no idea what the laws are now except to say they are much more restrive. I didn't mean to give the impression that one could bring a semi-auto into the country now.

regards

Tom

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
How critical do ya'll feel it is to have one? It seems like it's quite a hassle to bring one along, even more so if all that I can bring is a SA under .45 -- I'd think, if anything, a larger than .45 would be permitted...of course, that would be an excuse to get one of those Beretta Sheriff's models...

Kind of a pain in the butt to get into most countries. Not sure if it's worth the effort if it isn't your main hunting firearm.