What sidearm to purchase while afield?

[pianoman9701]

lol

[wildmanoutdoors]

I carry this Ruger Super Alaskan cause Im big enough to pack it around and those lightweight 44's cant handle the +P+ loads I like to run.

[iRem]

Thanks guys for all the input, now it's time to go in and find that right sidearm for this guy. Great ideas and great input and now how to pack it with a pack on with a bow in hand, great new problems at every turn!

[Axle]

The Keltec PMR 30.
There - I said it. Somebody needed to say it. Try buying one now-a-days though. Oh ya - you can't get one at your local dealer, but they can be had for the price of your right arm and left testicle if you go to an auction site.
And please - no applause!

[Wilderness Addict]

I carry a S&W Model 60 with 5 inch barrel. It's a 357. I pulled off the wood grips and put on a pair of Pachmyar(sp?). It's weight loaded is 31 oz. I carry it in a cross draw holster to keep it out of the way. The holster can be put on my belt, backpack belt or fanny pack belt. Remember a gun is only good, if it is with you. Make it comfortable to carry. My wife has a Ruger GP100 and I find it bulky,heavy,and in the way. Good luck.

[Simcoe hunter]

I remember reading a pro and con debate in a hunting magazine a couple years ago over this same thing.  It was an interesting debate, with good points from both sides.  One argued for revolver, the other for semi auto.  Here are some thoughts that are both mine and theirs.  It's hard to separate them sometimes, so I won't try.
 guy in favor of the revolver made the point that if you were about to be, or were being mauled and were able to get your pistol out that you might be firing with the muzzle right against the varmints fur/hide.  This could lead to a jam if the slide were to get hair or hide between it and the frame.  That would be the biggest reason not to carry an autoloader.  With a revolver you can pretty much be sure that pulling the trigger will result in firing a round.

But having served Uncle Sam I find it hard to think that with all the abuse a semi auto takes in combat, and still works, that they wouldn't function.  The 1911 is truly hard to beat.  But I think a Glock in 10 mm would be a great defense tool.

But here is the sad reality of the situation.  You should carry whatever makes you feel good, whether it be revolver, semi auto or bear spray.  And here is why I say this.  One of our linemen came from a utility in Alaska.  They had to go through bear training.  Basically they had to get X amount of lead into a moving, charging target in X amount of time.  He said something like 3/4 of the guys would have been at least mauled.  And these were guys who grew up there and we're used to being prepared for bears.

I'd carry a pistol if I had one.  But am thinking more and more about bear spray after the hunting accident in Montana, near the Idaho border.  The one where the guy accidentally shot a griz instead of a blackie.  The griz ended up killing the partner who yelled at the bear to save the shooter.  I read in one of the outdoor mags that the autopsy showed the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest.  So the moral is that if i'm hunting with you and you are attacked by a bear maybe I should spray it rather than risk hitting you with an errant round.

But I'm still looking for the right handgun

[NW-GSP]

Simcoe hunter you bring up a very good point. You said it best when you said for people to carry what they are comfortable with.

[sirmissalot]

I carry this Ruger Super Alaskan cause Im big enough to pack it around and those lightweight 44's cant handle the +P+ loads I like to run.

The guns or the guys shooting them can't handle it? Because I load mine as hot as the primers can handle, which is pretty dang hot...

[wildmanoutdoors]

I carry this Ruger Super Alaskan cause Im big enough to pack it around and those lightweight 44's cant handle the +P+ loads I like to run.

The guns or the guys shooting them can't handle it? Because I load mine as hot as the primers can handle, which is pretty dang hot...

Im just going off Buffalo Bores warning right on there ammo!

.44 Mag.: Use only in Ruger Redhawk/Blackhawk, Colt Anaconda, Freedom Arms and Dan Wesson Revolvers. Use in all S&W revolvers made since 1989. Use in T/C, Winchester 1894 and Marlin 1894.

.44 Remington Magnum +P+: Use only in Ruger Super Blackhawk, Vaquero, Redhawk, or Super Redhawk models, Freedom Arms model 83, Taurus Raging Bull & Dan Wesson revolvers, Thompson/Center Encore, Winchester 1894 and Marlin 1894 rifles, the H&R Handirifle and any rifle with a falling block action.

[MADMAX]

4" barrel Ruger Blackhawk in .41 mag
Nice no frills carry gun for hunting, accurate and plenty of stopping power, hardly know your carrying it.
Throw on a Hogue grip and your golden.

[sakoshooter]

4" barrel Ruger Blackhawk in .41 mag
Nice no frills carry gun for hunting, accurate and plenty of stopping power, hardly know your carrying it.
Throw on a Hogue grip and your golden.

4 5/8"
Sorry. Had to. Carry one myself in .357.