To be proficient with a handgun from a machine rest, it takes:

1) A bit of practice to get used to how the pistol moves on the supports

2) A rear sand bag with a "rider" under the grip to support the rear of the pistol

3) A well fit front bag on the rest to ensure consistent support under the forend

Adding a small flat sandbag to one of the MTM pistol rests, I've had much greater success than trying to use a rifle machine rest. I drag this thing out a lot more often than I do my Eagle or Sinclair rests for handguns. You'll RARELY hear me give credit to such sloppy, cheap, plastic equipment, but for hunting handguns, this thing DOES work, and is much more easily implemented than even a Caldwell Rock BR (which I also own).



Given time to get used to it, and a bit of dedication to get the bags figured out, you'll shoot MUCH better from a machine rest than you will from a pack.

Also, for your field shooting, take a look at the Bog-Gear PSR. Again, you'll need to add a small flat rear sandbag, and your choice of support (monopod, tripod, bipod, etc), but it's incredibly handy for a specialty pistol hunter.