The .22 Pistol in the Backcountry

 

In their 1958 book 'On Your Own in the Wilderness', Col. Townsend Whelen and Bradford Angier wrote: "The most practical answer for a multitude of outdoorsmen is the light, high-grade .22-caliber pistol or revolver. It is conveniently and easily carried at all times, even while hunting with the big-game rifle. Besides furnishing you with pot meat, it will account for varmints including poisonous snakes. It can also be used for securing large fish not protected by law. The .22 Long Rifle cartridge, particularly the highspeed type, has excellent killing effect on birds and small animals. The report is not too loud. The ammunition expense is insignificant... If I were selecting a new handgun for pothunting today, however, I believe I would choose one of the lighter autoloading pistols with a 4 1/2-inch barrel, target sights, and a grip with a thumb-rest." 

In 2000, George Jasper wrote in 'Six Ways In & Twelve Ways Out' - "The weapon of choice for U.S. RSOG cadre... is a heavy barreled, match grade, .22 caliber pistol. Barrel lengths vary from 5-10 inches, the longer the barrel the better. These are not the types of pistols that you buy at a pawnshop or at a farm sale. They are tricked out, highly accurate weapons systems. With or without optical sights the pistols have rifle like accuracy. RUGER and Smith & Wesson make the two most common models carried. The preferred finish on the firearm is stainless or after-market weatherproofed camouflaged coating. Many cadre have red dot scoped sites, which increase the abilities of the firearm. Many will shoot a golf ball at 35 yards easily and quickly... To add to the package a powerful tactical flashlight is mounted under the barrel (Streamlight or Surefire). Why a flashlight? When a red or amber lens cover is added it becomes a nocturnal game-getter." (https://www.usrsog.org/surfire.htm)

There is a significant advantage to having a .22 caliber pistol when in the backcountry. But, that pistol is only truly useful if you can shoot it accurately. Because the pistol will be used to add meat to the camp pot, it is essential to have to the ability to consistently hit golf ball size targets at ranges where you are likely to be able to approach small game (10-35 meters). The advantage of the .22 is that you are able to practice regularly to develop the skill needed to make the pistol a useful tool in the field.