Best sidearm for bow/muzz hunting?

[Dansk]

I was on the fence until I read the proposed regs - now I'm definitely going to carry a sidearm while hunting.  Esp when I bowhunt or muzzleload.

Any recommendations?  I'm a function over fashion guy.. so revolver, auto, I'm not that particular.  More interested in quality, reliability, price, and weight.  Can I get anything decent for 200-250?

Recommendations?

[bobcat]

I'd probably go with a 357 Mag. with a 6 inch barrel, and a double action. Rugers are a pretty good value for the money. In your price range you'd have to find a used one, but that shouldn't be hard.

[Pathfinder101]

I bought a crappy Hipoint .380.  Something that lives under the front seat of the pickup just in case God answers my prayers and someone ever tries to carjack me
I'll carry it bowhunting cause it's light and low maintenace.  Picked it up at a gun show for $160.  Cougars and a$$holes are the only thing that make me nervous.  I figure a .380 will do the job.  (If I get eaten by a grizzly, I'll rethink all this...)

[MHWASH]

I'll second what Bobcat said.  I look for a Stainless steel GP-100 or Security Six.

[12Gauge]

I carry a 1911 in .38Super with 3 magazines.  One in the gun and two spare, that's 27 rounds pushing 1360fps in case I run into a meth head or something else.

[woodswalker]

Most of my woods bumming is done with a Ruger Blackhawk in either 45 Long Colt, with a 255 grain cast bullet running ~1200 FPS or a Ruger Blackhawk in .44 Special with a 245 grain running ~1150 FPS with a handfull of the same load in the pocket.  usu carry about 25 rounds total.

If I cant solve it with that and E&E..I'm in serious trouble.

I'll carry the 45 Long Colt most likely as a companion for muzzleloading...

[superdown]

used Clock 20 would be economical powerfull and as reliable as you could ask for in a auto .

[HawkenBob]

Just got mine last week. Ruger SP101 in 357. Shot it this weekend, wow what a mini cannon.

Most anything will be effective for human defense. But for bear and cougs Ill take the magnum.

If Cougers made me nervous, I would not carry a .380. 

You can always put yourself out of misery though...Lol. Just kidding,

[CP]

I’m thinking about carrying a Ruger single six, for protection against grouse.

[Coasthunterjay]

not for 250 ...but if you add another 100, you might be able to get a reliable weapon at a pawn for that or from the internet or friend....either way i dont think i would trust anything less than that....cheep pistol is a cheep pistol....and not reliable...

[Intruder]

I'd probably go with a 357 Mag. with a 6 inch barrel, and a double action. Rugers are a pretty good value for the money. In your price range you'd have to find a used one, but that shouldn't be hard.

Pretty sound advice.... a 4" may pack a little better.  S/W has a light frame model but new it's going to be over the price you stated.

[CP]

I agree with the other recommending a .357 mag. but I don’t think you can find a decent one for $250. 

Every now and then you can find a S&W model 19 for $300 if the bluing is less than perfect.  I like a model 66 but stainless does run more.  A 4” to 6” barrel S&W .357 is an easy to pack sidearm and is formidable protection against anything you might encounter.

[luvtohnt]

I bought a Rossi (same frame as the S&W) in .357 mag 4" barrel a few years ago. Awesome little gun shoots very well. I got it for $150 bucks, slightly used, but it looked brand new if you ask me. The only drawback for a short barrel .357 is noise.

Brandon

[WDFW-SUX]

I have a S&W airlite 329 PD 44mag.........It weighs 26oz sucks to shoot but is a pleasure to carry

If you shop around you can something for your price range.  The most dangerous thing in the woods around here is other people. I have never carried a sidearm in washington for fear of critters

[mossback91]

I got a ruger blackhawk 6 inch 357 mag......very nice gun and I dont fear reliability with it.

Be sure to look aorund alot in that price range...