Handgun for miner?

faithfinder

faithfinder

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Good evening folks
I am a Placer miner out here in B.C. I have my restricted license and was wondering, what would be a good sidearm to wear in case of bear aggression.
I also have a 1922 Savage Super Sporter 30-06. A friend of the family gave it to me before she passed away. Her son lost the original magazine for it and as it is such a well made rifle and so light I wanted to make it useful for my wife. It is a fully functional 30-06 but yet weighs less than five pounds(without mag).Sure would like to source a magazine before we get into the fall season again. Thanks.
 
Unless you've been issued and Authorization to Carry your only choice is a non-restricted firearm. A restricted license only lets you use a restricted firearm at an approved range.
 
Numrich Arms - www dot gunpartscorp dot com may have the magazine you're looking for. The wilderness ATC may be available to you, you'll need to apply, and take a course. A miners license isn't the automatic approval that it used to be, but you have a better chance than most by virtue of your location and your miners license. From what I have been told, they won't approve any semi-automatic pistols and any revolver must be .357 Mag or larger.
 
There are some nice .41cal colt single action antiques for sale in the EE if you wish to side step the ATC and can find ammo, I would be looking at a ruger super red hawk, a GP 100, S&W big bore or any large cal wheel gun that is Nickle or SS finish and of good quality... Have fun keeping sawdust out of the bloody thing if your working a saw while wearing it tho.
 
#1bcshooter said:
The BCCFO will dictate what gun you may carry IF they give you a wilderness carry permit.
You will have several options to choose from
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I would be surprised if that was the case. You must qualify with the gun you wish to carry, and have your range officer write a letter, that will be included with the ATC application, stating that you are a competent marksman with that firearm.

I would look for a gun that can be worn comfortably all day, that is small enough not to be a nuisance while you work, and that is within your recoil limits to shoot effectively. Your choice of holster must include a device for securing the gun so it won't fall out, friction fit holsters are out. Pay attention to the grip size of the gun to ensure you will be able to manage it. Make sure the gun you choose is robust and not prone to damage. If it has adjustable sights with spring weighted windage adjustments, those can fail if the recoil is severe, and I prefer to swap thoise out for sights with opposed screw adjustments like the Rough Coutry sights avaialble from Bowen Classic Arms.

I haver two guns on my ATC, a 4.75" Ruger Vaquero in .44 magnum and a 6" M-27 S&W in .357. I prefer the size and simplicity of the Ruger, but some folks are uncomfortable with the idea of a single action. I think its a better gun for bush work because there is less to break on it, no adjustable sights, no crane, no star extractor.
 
The BC CFO is VERY reluctant to give out the ATC's. I know, I tried to get one as a placer miner a few years back and was denied. The CFO's reasoning? You're better off with a shotgun, no need for a handgun in the bush... What a crock.
 
faithfinder said:
Good evening folks
I am a Placer miner out here in B.C. I have my restricted license and was wondering, what would be a good sidearm to wear in case of bear aggression.
I also have a 1922 Savage Super Sporter 30-06. A friend of the family gave it to me before she passed away. Her son lost the original magazine for it and as it is such a well made rifle and so light I wanted to make it useful for my wife. It is a fully functional 30-06 but yet weighs less than five pounds(without mag).Sure would like to source a magazine before we get into the fall season again. Thanks.
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Have you tried Western Gun Parts Edmonton ?
They might be able to help regarding the magazine...
 
Boomer said:
I would be surprised if that was the case. You must qualify with the gun you wish to carry, and have your range officer write a letter, that will be included with the ATC application, stating that you are a competent marksman with that firearm.

I would look for a gun that can be worn comfortably all day, that is small enough not to be a nuisance while you work, and that is within your recoil limits to shoot effectively. Your choice of holster must include a device for securing the gun so it won't fall out, friction fit holsters are out. Pay attention to the grip size of the gun to ensure you will be able to manage it. Make sure the gun you choose is robust and not prone to damage. If it has adjustable sights with spring weighted windage adjustments, those can fail if the recoil is severe, and I prefer to swap thoise out for sights with opposed screw adjustments like the Rough Coutry sights avaialble from Bowen Classic Arms.

I haver two guns on my ATC, a 4.75" Ruger Vaquero in .44 magnum and a 6" M-27 S&W in .357. I prefer the size and simplicity of the Ruger, but some folks are uncomfortable with the idea of a single action. I think its a better gun for bush work because there is less to break on it, no adjustable sights, no crane, no star extractor.
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Good points. Adjustable sights etc and their being prone to damage were aspects I hadn't given consideration to. In first reading the posts in this forum and if given the opportunity to use or carry a sidearm in the mentioned circumstances, I had the following picked as my two likely choices. A SS 4 5/8" convertable Ruger Blackhawk in 45LC/45ACP, or a 4" S&W 29.

45LCRugerBlackhawkSS.jpg


MrsSmith44MagSW.jpg


I agree with your rationale and choice of a Vaquero. Even though mine in 45LC is an older 5 1/2" model, it would now likely get my nod.

RugerVaquero45LC-1.jpg
 
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troutseeker said:
The BC CFO is VERY reluctant to give out the ATC's. I know, I tried to get one as a placer miner a few years back and was denied. The CFO's reasoning? You're better off with a shotgun, no need for a handgun in the bush... What a crock.
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You tried to get one as a placer miner? Or you were a placer miner and tried to get one?

I do not know of one person, who legitimately works in the field in the mining business (plus a biologist, a couple surveyors, and an archaeologist) who has been turned down by the BC/YT CFO.

As far as the OP, a stainless Vaquero if you can find one in 44 mag, or a 629 will be your best and simplest bet.

If you prefer pistols, a Glock G20 in 10mm. Lighter to carry that either of the above.
 
troutseeker said:
The BC CFO is VERY reluctant to give out the ATC's. I know, I tried to get one as a placer miner a few years back and was denied. The CFO's reasoning? You're better off with a shotgun, no need for a handgun in the bush... What a crock.
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I'd try again, this time list off a dozen reasons why you would be unable to protect yourself with a long gun due to the nature of ther work on your specific claim. Remember to include such things as doing maintenance and repair work to equipment, particularly if you work alone. List any heavy work requiring the use of both hands that precludes the use of a long gun.
 
I have had a ATC for Propecting for years, well since mid 1980,s and before that in the 60,s as well, when I was working the bars on the Fraser River,
Since the 1980,s I recieved a ATC to carry ( two ) revolvers, one or the other , Not Both !! a Ruger Blackhawk .44 Mag. and a ( 12-6 ) Colt Lawman .357. Due to back problems, I didn,t renew for the last 2 years, but phoned the other day to get new renewal forms. These are good for One or Two years The last two times I renewed, you have to take a Proficiency test at the range , by a Range Officer as well, Plus fill out nine ( 9 ) papes of information, questionnaire as to why you feel you should have to carry a hand gun, and where you are going to be propecting, claim numbers etc; etc; I have a small mining company , and hold several claims , Placer and Mineral. -------- not as easy as it once was, with just a FML.
 
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Donster 125 said:
pardon my ignorance, but what is a placer miner?
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A Placer Miner is a person looking, for Placer Gold Depoists, as in nuggets, fine gold , whatever, that is in ground, gravel and above BedRock, not Gold bearing ore, as in Hardrock Mining . Placer claims, leases are good , down to bedrock, then it has to be a Mineral Claim .
 
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