Handgun hunting regs

[craveman85]

I could have swore I saw somewhere that handguns needed at least a 4" barrel to hunt with in NY. Has that changed?  Couldn't find anything about it anywhere. I've got a 7.5" Ruger super Blackhawk 44 at the moment but I think I'm getting a 357 double action. 

[Pygmy]

Could have been years ago, Craveman...I believe now that any centerfire handgun is legal....

[philoshop]

I have a number of law enforcement friends who carry their duty pistols while hunting just for the coup-de-grace if it's necessary. I don't believe any of them have a 4" barrel. The barrel needs to be less than 16", but I haven't seen any mention of a minimum length.

[Pygmy]

Just relying on my musty old memory, which is NOT too reliable,,, but I believe that when handguns were FIRST allowed in the Southern zone, the regs stated that they must be .35 caliber or greater, with a barrel no less than 4".....

However, I do believe the current regs allow ANY centerfire caliber, with no  restriction on barrel length...

[airedale]

1 hour ago, Pygmy said:

Just relying on my musty old memory, which is NOT too reliable,,, but I believe that when handguns were FIRST allowed in the Southern zone, the regs stated that they must be .35 caliber or greater, with a barrel no less than 4".....

However, I do believe the current regs allow ANY centerfire caliber, with no  restriction on barrel length...

Your memory is right on Dan, the old regulations stated at least a 35 cal and a 4 inch barrel minimum length and  16 inches. Current handgun regulations are you just have to use a centerfire  cartridge and the barrel  length has to be 16 inches or less.

Edited February 17, 2019 by airedale

[craveman85]

Now that I think of it the last time I remember seeing it was about the time they let you use any centerfire rifle too. 

[Daveboone]

If you are really using it for hunting, I cant imagine wanting anything less than 4"...the longer the sight radius the better your aiming capability, muzzle velocity, sight radius. 

I had a Ruger .44 SBH, and foolishly traded on something else. I have a 6" Model 28. Although the Smith has a far superior action and sights, for hunting I would rather have that Ruger back in a heartbeat. (Now, if I had a Model 29, that would change the story!). 

I am frequently surprised by guys who never would allow a rifle group of more than an inch at 100 yards, figure a 6" handgun  group at thirty yards is acceptable...just sayin.

Edited February 18, 2019 by Daveboone
poorly written