Backpacking/Backcountry Hunting Sidearm

[chukar hunter]

Looking for recommendations on a good pistol for general protection, versatility, weight, and durability while backpacking and archery hunting.  My instinct is to get a revolver over a semi auto as it has less moving parts.  357?
New/used?

[h20hunter]

Long thead on this....lots of good suggestions.

[NRA4LIFE]

I would look at the new Ruger KLCR in .357 or the LCR in .38+P.  The first time I held one of these I was amazed at how light they are.  I don't own one yet, but soon will. 

[Button Nubbs]

I carry a G20, it is a bit heavy but when its loaded with 16 rounds of 10mm I aint scared of nothin.

[timberghost72]

Whatever you can draw and shoot accurately under a fast moving high stress situation.  If you have the time to get off 8+ rounds than IMHO its not really an immediate dangerous situation and you should have another option. Like kicking your partner in the family jewels and running I personally like my .357 Blackhawk

If I am in a more populated area I carry a Kimber just to conceal better. You never know when a group of 10 year olds will come around the corner. 

[BullMagnet76]

The Ruger GP100 .357 mag, 4 inch barrel.  It is easy to carry and has the hogue grips.  I own one and I love it.  You can probably get one for around $500.

[724wd]

The Ruger GP100 .357 mag, 4 inch barrel.  It is easy to carry and has the hogue grips.  I own one and I love it.  You can probably get one for around $500.

   i carry my Rossi .357 4".  never felt undergunned.

[headshot5]

I would probably recommend stainless for backcountry (rainy weather hiking/hunting).  Otherwise it would be best to pack gun oil with you for overnight/extended trips.

Either a Ruger SP-101 (5 shot) or smith model 60 (also 5 shot) to save on weight would be my recommendation.  Both are 357 mags.   

 

[MikeWalking]

S&W 629Classic .44. Period.   Seriously, the most comfortable to hold and shoot revolver I ever picked up.  Liked it better than all 3 of my Ruger's SP.357 GP.357 Redhawk .44

If I had the $$ right now I'd think real hard about a Glock20 10mm with a heavy spring and 16rds of Buffalo Bore.

Can't go wrong with either a .357,  .41 or a  .44

[epq21]

G20, Delta elite or S&W Mountian Guide gun in 41Mag are outstanding firearms for the purposes you propose and very flexible when it comes to defense, hunting or other outdoor needs. These two calibers are also legal hunting rounds with great flexability and capability for the hand loader with numerous options on the open market for factory loads. The ballistics easily exceed a 357 Magnum when desired or can be loaded down to a .40 specification. The only real down side to these two rounds in my humble opinion is the rounds tend to be a little more expensive than the .357.

Any 10mm or .41 caliber firearm is a good choice for the woods and self defense. It is a matter of preference when it comes to revolver or semi-auto. In either case range time is key for both as I am sure you are well aware.

Of coarse if you are worried about something the size of a Grizzly then you may need to consider something larger,,,

 

[johnsc6]

used to pack a S&W .44 629 which I agree is one of the nices shooting revolers ever made.  But older and lazier now. I pack a Taurus Titanium Tracker .41 magnum only 23 oz.! They make it in .44 as well.

[BULLBLASTER]

I have a Taurus tracker titanium in 45 lc and a 6 inch tube. Killed a few grouse with it. It is very light and weather resiliant. Hard to find though... I've never seen another like.it.

[724wd]

These two calibers are also legal hunting rounds with great flexability and capability for the hand loader with numerous options on the open market for factory loads.

in case you're not aware, any centerfire handgun with barrel length of 4 inches or more is now legal in washington... so load up those .25's!   

now, out to 35-ish yards, i'd have no problem taking a shot with my .357.  I can shoot that pistol rather well, and having seen what damage the bullets can do on a bear, well, you do NOT want to get shot with a .357! 

[high country]

Spend the extra on a 329pd......thank me later.

[Jim the Plumber]

Glock 20 10mm.
As stated above, 16 rounds of 10mm and I aint skeered of nuthin.

[WapitiFreak]

Spend the extra on a 329pd......thank me later.

[MikeWalking]

Spend the extra on a 329pd......thank me later.

Until you start shooting really hot "Anti-Bear" loads...    I gotta smile at people so concerned about extra ounces...must be nice not to have stored calories to spare..

[Knocker of rocks]

I have a Taurus tracker titanium in 45 lc and a 6 inch tube. Killed a few grouse with it

Did the grouse vaporize?

[high country]

Spend the extra on a 329pd......thank me later.

I added the x frame grips.....its a normal feeling gun with a bit more muzzle flip with them....but you also have 100 yard accuracy should you choose to hunt with it.

I shoot the crap out of mine, its actually at smother right now getting an overhaul. I have a rather large pool of guns to choose from and I always take that one with me. I guess the good part of having 16 rounds off is you are already deaf and won't hear your bones getting crushed. If 1500 grains didn't do it....I will eat the last one.

Until you start shooting really hot "Anti-Bear" loads...    I gotta smile at people so concerned about extra ounces...must be nice not to have stored calories to spare..

[MikeWalking]

1500 grains?   You can get 180gr for the 10mm 2880 grains 



The 629Classic will always be my favorite and first choice but I'd still like a 10mm.  My only real 4 legged problems in Washington were a lot smaller than bears.

[Huntbear]

Spend the extra on a 329pd......thank me later.

Until you start shooting really hot "Anti-Bear" loads...    I gotta smile at people so concerned about extra ounces...must be nice not to have stored calories to spare..

 

[superdown]

This is what i will be carrying when in the woods this year. I picked some of the buffalo bore ammo for it 158 gr. J.H.C. (1,475fps/M.E. 763 ft. lbs.) 

[JackOfAllTrades]

When I'm not packin one of my 44mags, (7 1/2" RSBH Bisley or 5" SS RRH -300gn Sierra SP pushed by 21gns of win296), a SS Kimber in 45acp (Home/Hard lead cast 265gn TC pushed by a whopping amount of Win231),  I'm packing a SS 2" Ruger SP101 in 357mag with Black Tallons.

-Steve

[high country]

I like my 329 enough that its often my primary weapon.

 

[Huntbear]

When I'm not packin one of my 44mags, (7 1/2" RSBH Bisley or 5" SS RRH -300gn Sierra SP pushed by 21gns of win296), a SS Kimber in 45acp (Home/Hard lead cast 265gn TC pushed by a whopping amount of Win231),  I'm packing a SS 2" Ruger SP101 in 357mag with Black Tallons.

-Steve

Steve, I like your style!   

[BULLBLASTER]

I have a Taurus tracker titanium in 45 lc and a 6 inch tube. Killed a few grouse with it

Did the grouse vaporize?

I try and aim for the neck or head area... but they do get a bit prechewed if I hit the breast. 

[high country]

Just hit them where the head bolts on.

 

[JuryRig]

G20 is what I settled on.  Over the counter 10mm ammo can be pathetic, not any better than 40 S&W.  I handload to where it is supposed to be, 180gr XTPs at 1300-1350 fps.

[MikeWalking]

G20 is what I settled on.  Over the counter 10mm ammo can be pathetic, not any better than 40 S&W.  I handload to where it is supposed to be, 180gr XTPs at 1300-1350 fps.

some neat stuff here too.

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=24

[Knocker of rocks]

Looks like a suicide

[scottfrick]

smith and wesson 629 .44 classic!!! Awesome gun

[MikeWalking]

smith and wesson 629 .44 classic!!! Awesome gun

I'll never forgive myself for selling mine, they're about $300 more now.

[high country]

I got my 629 as a hs graduation gift......back in 93'. I still have and shoot it, but its way too heavy for backpack hunting....it weighs almost as much as my rifle.

[UptheCreek]

Same on the G20.  Can't beat 16 rounds at that caliber.  Try the compensated.

[high country]

I strongly advise AGAINST any compensated or ported gun for backcountry protection. You greatest odds of a bad encounter are in the dark of bad light. If you get flashed by your gun......you just lost the option of using the remaining ammo in your gun.

[UptheCreek]

Never thought of that high country.  Good point.

[JackOfAllTrades]

When I'm not packin one of my 44mags, (7 1/2" RSBH Bisley or 5" SS RRH -300gn Sierra SP pushed by 21gns of win296), a SS Kimber in 45acp (Home/Hard lead cast 265gn TC pushed by a whopping amount of Win231),  I'm packing a SS 2" Ruger SP101 in 357mag with Black Tallons.

-Steve

Steve, I like your style!   

Go deadly.  Or don't go at all! 

-Steve

[JLS]

Kahr CW40.  If I'm overly worried about bears, I'll also carry spray.

[fillthefreezer]

329 became my wifes everyday carry gun once i bought her one kinda hurts the hand with the 305gr though

[MikeWalking]

I strongly advise AGAINST any compensated or ported gun for backcountry protection. You greatest odds of a bad encounter are in the dark of bad light. If you get flashed by your gun......you just lost the option of using the remaining ammo in your gun.

My first serious trail gun, bought about 1994 was a Ported .357  A Taurus 608. Large frame, 4in bbl, 8rds.  It will be the first, last and only Ported pistol I will ever own.  (unless I buy one strictly for range use)  I bought it for trail use so the first time I shot it, no ear plugs, after all I don't hike with ear plugs in...  The first round hurt so bad I was afraid I was going to feel some kind of fluid running down my cheek.  Like a fool I shot the whole 50rd box.  The ringing didn't stop for 2+hours..

The flash at night was pretty cool, but I couldn't see worth crap after..

[follow maggie]

HK .45 for me

[high country]

329 became my wifes everyday carry gun once i bought her one kinda hurts the hand with the 305gr though

X frame grips are the answer.

[44 Flattop]

Ruger Flattops in .44.  For a couple decades now

44

[Shoffy]

S&W 686 .357 stainless w/4" barrel

[Cascade_fisher]

I carry a revolver - either 629 or a 686PP.  They weigh as much as a rifle but still allow you to move through the blacktail jungle quite well.  You can shoot far enough that there is really no disadvantage in the brush.   

[WAcoyotehunter]

I have a Taurus tracker titanium in 45 lc and a 6 inch tube. Killed a few grouse with it. It is very light and weather resiliant. Hard to find though... I've never seen another like.it.

I have one in .357 and love it.  Lightweight and corrosion resisitant + reliable.