Will be doing some hiking. Looking for a small, powerful and durable handgun (probably a revolver but a Glock 29SF has crossed my mind) for protection. Probably more concerned about 2 legged animals but a coyote or bobcat could be an issue. Not likely to encounter anything bigger than that around here (new england). K or L frame is too big for the niche i am looking to fill. Just want to have something that i will not know is even there but is just in case. Anyone have any suggestions??

I know its a K frame but how about a Model 13? Another possibility is the I frame .32, especially if you handload.

Charlie

like anything else, you pays your money you take your choice. I was out in snake country, so a .38 snubbie with a couple of snake shot and a couple of hardball took care or 2 or no legged snakes. You could expand the variety by going with a .357 version. Light enough to carry.

At the time I had a .45 under my arm and a .38 behind my hip. It gave the folks some confidence when they saw I wasn't anywhere near the .45. Little did they know that my hand was on the .38.

But like anything else times change, once bears, hogs and big cats came into the picture, the .38 got traded in for a .44 mag. Again, not a light weight, but appropriate for the circumstances.

I know there will be some trade off. I am thinking about a 3inch Model 60 .357. The other idea i kicked around was an M&P.357 sig compact. I figure if .357 mag is an apropriate field round the .357 sig might not be that far off. Especially in a small, weather proof package that holds 12 rounds.

I think the 3" 60 would be an excellent choice where you might encounter others on trails and wish to conceal it. That is precisely the situation where I carry mine. If you are in snake country, I would give the nod to the 60 over a 357 sig due to the availability of 38 snake shot. I carry mine with one round of snake shot and the rest 357 hollow points. The gun is surprisingly easy to handle with 357, much more managable than a snubby. When I am out on my own property, I carry an optics equipped 6" 686 loaded with 357 SJSP in a custom tactical drop holster, but the 3" 60 is still on me concealed.

What about the S&W Model 632?

It's a J Frame with a 3" barrel chambered in .327 Magnum. It holds 6 rounds which is a 1 round advantage over 38 and 357 J Frames. You can load the first chamber with a .32 H&R Magnum or .32 S&W Long snake shot and fill the other 5 chambers with spine buster .327 Magnum Speer 115 grain Gold Dots.

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~ S&WCA No.2159 ~

Given your parameters, I'd choose the 3" 60 hands down. I have one, and they are quite managable as has already been pointed out. You can continue to carry it over the 327 when you do go into country that may have bear or cougar, and be adequately covered if you use Buffalo Bore 180's.

This is a link to their site, and the ammo I am referring to-

Heavy 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

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S&WCA #2226

As far as I know, Speer is the only company making shot capsules for revolvers (CCI, a sister company makes loaded snake shotloads for revolvers).

Speer shot capsules are made only for .38/.357, .44 Special/Magnum, and .45 Colt.

CCI manufactures centerfire shot loads for 9mm, .38/.357 magnum, .40 S&W, .44 Special/Magnum, .45 ACP, and .45 Colt.

Since I consider only a centerfire revolver for a field pistol with your concerns, that leaves the above calibers.

For all around use where large game is not intended, the "J" frame .38 Special or .357 is a good choice. I have and use a SS Chiefs Special Target (3" adjustable sights in .38 Special) and can recommend it without reservation. In snake country, the first round up is a .38 shotshell...

FWIW
Dale53

I agree with a model 13 or a model 10

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God save the SOUTH

Based on those parameters, I agree with the 3" Model 60.

However, if you'd consider something other than S&W there's the SP101 or Taurus Judge. I picture a Glock being as large and weighty as a K-Frame.

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Buy locally.