The 10 Best Handguns for Hunting (And the Right Holster for Each)
Handgun hunting has grown dramatically in recent years, and for good reason. A powerful revolver or semi-auto gives hunters who have put in the practice a compact, versatile tool for everything from whitetail at 50 yards to elk in tight timber.
But choosing the right handgun is only half the equation. The way you carry it in the field shapes everything from comfort on long approaches to your reaction time when an opportunity opens up. Here's our guide to the top hunting handguns — and the chest holster that fits each one perfectly.
Revolvers
Ruger Super Redhawk .44 Mag / .454 Casull The workhorse of serious handgun hunters. Heavy, reliable, and available in barrel lengths from 2.5" to 9.5". For unscoped carry, the standard Denali® fits perfectly. Running a scope? The Denali® HUNTER was built for this exact gun.
Smith & Wesson Model 629 .44 Magnum The classic big-bore hunting revolver. S&W's build quality and the .44 Mag cartridge make this an excellent all-around choice. Fits the standard Denali® chest holster.
Smith & Wesson Model 500 The most powerful production revolver in the world, and the choice of serious bear-country hunters. The 4" and 6.5" barrel versions fit the Denali®; longer barrels with scopes use the Denali® HUNTER.
Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum An excellent entry into handgun hunting, particularly for deer-sized game at moderate range. Rugged, accurate, and reliable. Fits the standard Denali®.
Taurus Raging Hunter .44 Mag / .460 S&W Taurus's purpose-built hunting revolver with a ventilated rib and Picatinny rail. The scoped versions fit the Denali® HUNTER.
Semi-Autos
Glock 20 10mm Auto The most popular semi-auto for bear country carry. 15+1 rounds of serious 10mm in a platform that Glock shooters already know. Fits the standard Denali® chest holster. Running a light or laser? The Denali® LIGHT is the right call.
Glock 40 MOS 10mm The long-slide version of the G20, offering a longer sight radius and more velocity. With an optic mounted, fits the Denali®; with a weapon light, use the Denali® LIGHT.
Sig Sauer P320 X-Five 9mm For hunters who want capacity and a platform they can shoot extremely well. The 9mm isn't ideal for big bears, but for whitetail country or all-around carry it's an excellent choice. Fits the Denali®.
1911 5" .45 ACP The classic hunting semi-auto. Single-stack, accurate, and proven. Fits the standard Denali® chest holster.
Springfield Armory XD-M 10mm Another strong 10mm option for bear country. Higher capacity than most revolvers with a platform many shooters find more intuitive. Fits the Denali®.
How to Choose
For most hunters, the choice comes down to this: if you're hunting in serious bear country or pursuing large game, a big-bore revolver in .44 Mag or larger gives you the stopping power that matters. If you're prioritizing capacity and shooting a platform you already know well, 10mm semi-autos are a serious option.
Whatever you choose, carry it in a holster that was designed for the field — not the range. The Denali® chest holster fits all of the firearms listed above and was tested in exactly the conditions you'll be hunting in.