The two that I have now for deer are a 6" gp100, and a accusport. 45colt bisley blackhawk(5.5" barrel). Both have open sights. I have used a .44 mag Lone Eagle w/ scope, and a 6.5" blackhawk with open sights. The deer I have gotten so far with a pistol have been using jacketed bullets, I am deployed on a homeland defense mission right now with my guard unit, so I haven't been able to wring them out too well yet, but I got into casting boolits early last year, and am thinking of using those exclusively from now on rather than just practice loads. I am thinking of getting the 283gr. .45 mold on cast boolits.com for next year, and I like the rnfp 158gr. .358 mold from lee for the gp100, you can't beat them for the cost. I am shifting to all open sights as it fits my hunting style better with a pistol. I also have a mkII slabside gov. comp. model for close groundhogs, and raccoons in the barn and trees. I got my wife a ss 5.5" single six for hunting. These are what works for me.
~~Amos