I'm looking for a handgun to be used for hiking and backpacking, and leaning toward a revolver. IMO: The durability and cartridge selection outweigh the lack of capacity when covering the spectrum from small game to black bears to bad humans. Probably something with a 2.5-4" barrel in .357 or .44 mag. Top contenders would be S&W 66/686, 629, or Ruger GP100, SP101.

What are your criteria or favorite models for such a firearm?

Nothing much here in mid-SC to worry about while I'm out stumping about. I used to carry a 4" 29-2 then a 357. Now its just my FN 509 or G19... sometimes a 1911.

Lighter more rounds and less expensive guns.

629 S/W 8 inch in desantis shoulder holster for last decade or so

My 5" S&W 29 is always with me when in the woods.



Jim

If you don't have large animal concerns (bear, cougar) the H&R 22LR has always been a practical camp/trail revolver. It's easy to carry a good supply of ammo and very reliable.

For bigger critter areas it's usually a 1911 or a S&W 44.

I mostly just stomp around on my own land. But for the occasional hog or coyote....I’ll have a 4” GP100 on my hip and my matching caliber Marlin across my back.

Smith & Wesson 629 Mountain Gun. And yes I'm still pissed I couldn't bring it through Canada when I moved up here.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:
Probably something... in .357 or .44 mag.

What are your criteria or favorite models for such a firearm?

Versatility = Desert Eagle.

I have a 3" Manurhin MR73 with rubber grips that I'll take out. It's been Metalifed and a surplus gun so don't much worry about it.

If carrying a rifle, a Ruger Single 10.

If the revolver is the main weapon, then a Ruger Redhawk 5.5"

I just bought a 3 inch GP 100 in 44 special for that role.

While the 686 and GP100's are great guns, I think a "woods gun" needs to have a "4" in the caliber.

Mine is S&W 625 Mountain Gun in .45 ACP. Pre-lock, by the way.




DSCN0667 by Dave Steier, on Flickr

Gold bead front site:


DSCN0668 by Dave Steier, on Flickr



DSCN0669 by Dave Steier, on Flickr

I frequently carry a 3” LCRX .38 as a holster gun. Not so heavy it pulls my britches down.

3” SP101 in 357 Mag. Smaller framed compact 5 shot goodness
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The most practical "woods" revolver I have is a .41 magnum redhawk. My favorite revolver for that purpose, however, is an older, three-screw .41 magnum Blackhawk.

The reality is that I'm far more likely to take either a .357 Sig Glock, or a 10mm Glock than a revolver, for the weight, capacity, and the fact that it's a lot easier to keep the ammunition stored and clean, and they're lighter. For that role, I'm enamored with the G41 that I picked up this year. It's sort of a low-end .41 and for most of the places I might go it's enough.

quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
3” SP101 in 357 Mag. Smaller framed compact 5 shot goodness

I carried a 3" SP-101 in .357 Magnum for a few years, everywhere I went. I still have it, occasionally shoot it; it may be one of the last handguns I'll ever let go. It's heavy for a 5-shot (a good thing with .357), and the trigger isn't great (just not an issue for its intended use). It soaks recoil well, and it's easy to fire fairly quickly, and it's accurate. I love it.

Revolvers for the Yoop:
4 inch Ruger Super Blackhawk Stainless in .44 Mag.
4 inch Ruger Blackhawk in .357
4 inch Ruger GP100 in .357
All loaded with Underwood ammo. And the only thing I dislike about the .44 is the added weight.

Although not really ideal for small game hunting (or large game, for that matter), I still favor my 4" S&W model 629 “Mountain Gun” in 44 Magnum for that specific role.

I always carry a S&W 686 no dash that I have had forever. Use a DeSantis shoulder holster left over from when these were duty guns.

For backpacking and hiking, S&W 329PD worked well for me.

Sadly, I no longer participate in those activities, just sold mine a couple of weeks ago.

Like several others above, I have a 3" SP101 in .357Mag. It's a great balance of size, weight, and power. It carries well, whether on long hikes or seated in a car, packs a punch, and is heavy enough to be very shootable even with stout magnum loads. IMO, it's the perfect gun for hiking in the east.

My wife and I have been discussing a multi-day backpacking trip to climb Cloud Peak in Wyoming next summer. We've been out to the area a few times, but have not done this hike before. We're still in the preliminary planning stages, but I know the critters are a lot bigger out there. I have a 4 5/8" Blackhawk in .45 Colt that I am considering taking along instead of the .357...I'm just trying to decide if the extra punch is worth the added weight and bulk.