[pico]

I am trying to sell a guy a .357 Magnum Colt Trooper 3, and he wanted to know if he could hunt with this handgun. He thinks the minimum barrel length is 4", which is the length of the barrel on this revolver. I have not hunted with a handgun before, and being somewhat new to Iowa know nothing about the laws involving this. If anyone has any info, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

[Freezing Hot]

I didn't know there was a minimum barrel length.
Call your local DNR office to check. I'm not going to tell you anything that your local CO will disagree with!

[nathangdad]

I'm sort of torn on this as I do not generally favor hunting with a handgun as no all that many people are good enough shots to do it. Yet, I will admit I had an uncle (now deceased) who successfully hunted deer for years with a Colt Python 6 inch .357 mag.

So, there you have it.

Best wishes and good luck.

[blaster]

check your state game laws. my opinion after killing 2 small Fla. deer is that a .357 is a little light. you can do it but there are much better pistol calibers to hunt big game with.

[pico]

I am not planning on hunting with the revolver. I was selling one and the question came up. Since I am a bit new to Iowa, I figured I would ask here. The gun has been gone for a bit now, and not sure the guy would hunt with it after all. Thanks for the responses.

[Rambo]

.357 magnum is acceptable for deer and no minimum barrel length is mentioned but feel a 4" would be adequate if you are proficient.