by Royce Jordan
The Texas Hill Country can be an absolute beauty to behold in the April, Spring green-up. The wildflowers are busting out, the foliage is developing across the trees and bushes, and critters are abound. That includes the magnificent Rio Grande wild turkey. Having those loud blast of gobbles echo down a draw or canyon can perk up any turkey hunter’s delight.
I sounded a bird in a mesquite flat that ran alongside the Colorado River. There was a thick carpet of grass running between the trees, and I was able to camouflage myself fairly well against one of the trees. I waited a bit, then began my calling tactics. The bird’s response was typical, and as it moved away from my location, I moved to circle him as he walked away from the river. I came into some very thick brush that impeded my plans. I maneuvered through the limbs and vines, took another off-balance step, and there it was.
First you say it… then you just about do it…
I was too busy to be worrying about a rattlesnake, especially one that had me dead to rights in an awkward position. My turkey gun was slung on my shoulder, and was too out of position to swing and point. I could only do what any person in my immediate situation would have done; I gathered up my thoughts, pulled my trusty Hawes Marshall .22 magnum 6-shot single-action revolver and popped him right in the noggin. Problem solved.
I didn’t get that turkey, but did manage a neat snake skin and rattle for display.
This brings me to the point of the story…no matter what your assignment of the moment; hunting, working the field, cutting wood, fishing, cleaning out whatever…having a trusty sidearm, or ‘sidekick’ may be just what the doctor ordered to get your hind end out of a jam.
I think about that Hawes and use it fairly regular. It is designed after the Colt Peacemaker, though much smaller, and always performed properly. I find myself loading more .22 mag shot shells these days as these tiny rounds pack quite a punch, and critters I would use them on wouldn’t argue. All of the .22 single-action manufacturers from Ruger, H&R, Iver Johnson, Heritage, Diamondback, to the German gun makers make reliable, fun and inexpensive to shoot revolvers. These are great handguns to introduce folks to plinking.
Speaking of H&R revolvers, I have come across some of the hardiest double-action .22 revolvers I believe you could come up with. H&R handgun manufacturing has been long gone, but the products they put together, though not near as refined as a S&W, Colt or Ruger firearm, are as accurate as you could hope for, and extremely well AMERICAN MADE. The 900 thru Sportsman 999 series double actions serve quite well. I’ve used my 999 revolver as a primary squirrel hunt gun, and shorter barrel models are a hoot while you mow the pasture and a field rat takes to running. Your mowing rows might get a little crooked.
Now, keeping in mind sometimes a .22 just does not feel substantial. Step up to the unbelievable makes and models of 38/357 mag, and 9mm configurations. Sidekick firearms are utility in nature, and don’t require overly expensive models, unless you want it to. When I hunt deer and hog size animals, I usually carry one of the larger caliber examples. My primary sidekick is a very inexpensive Taurus G2C 9mm pistol. It always goes BANG, and hits where I aim it. Small and lightweight while fully loaded, It’s cleaned the plow of one coyote and two pigs.
My second choice of sidekick is my 5-shot S&W short barrel 357magnum. I normally stoke it with 38 special “+P’s” as the felt recoil is controlled better. A good Taurus or Rossi 5-shot would suffice, especially in bad weather. The gun-maker’s manufacture of smaller framed pistols and revolvers has added an appreciable amount of comfort for whatever your sidekick selection or every day carry needs are.
Would you ever feel the need to step up to a heavier caliber handgun as a sidekick? Let’s consider this…do you anticipate ever hunting a critter that’s hunting you while you’re hunting it? If bears or mountain lions ever entered your bucket list, I’d say a .41mag, ,45 LC, or .44 Magnum would be of some service. Grant you, these are considerably heavier firearms, and will weigh down your britches. I like the cross the chest holster rigs for the heavier gun, and I use mine for my 6-inch Ruger.
Awesome pistols that they are, Glocks and the other polymer frame guns, as well as 1911’s in 40S&W, .45 ACP and 10mm will put down anything the State of Texas has to offer, two or four legged. If you Hunt or work down in deep South Texas, a good sidekick in these calibers would be as important as good pair of clean underwear and socks.
The questions always come up why not just use your rifle or shotgun if you need to. I gave a fairly good example talking about my rattlesnake encounter above. I find myself side-kicking practically every day, no matter what I’m doing. A good little pocket pistol like a Keltec or a Ruger LCP in .32 acp or .380 fits just as right as a pocket knife. No matter if I’m bird hunting, deer and hogs, varmints, archery, yard work, working out, visiting…or if I’m alone or with somebody, I’m armed with a sidekick. If you hit a bad lick on a wildlife resource, ethically dispatch it with your sidekick. If you come across someone who has the intent to do you harm, you ain’t no scratch pole for anybody, help them understand you ain’t alone, you got a sidekick.
