Hi Guys, I hope this post is in the right place since it's my first one other than the introduction. I'm trying to decide on a revolver for use while hiking, camping, and on fishing trips. Aside from a .22 revolver if you were going to pick one revolver for all around woods use what would it be? I keep going back and forth between .357 and .44 so I would like to see what you guys would suggest. I would like to hear your choice, reasoning behind the choice, model number, barrel length, and pics are always a plus. Thanks for your time and if this subject has been covered before a hundred times I apologize. I tried the search but didn't find what I was looking for.

Welcome to the forum JMK. There are so many good choices that is hard to strongly recommend a specific model number over another. First it would be a S&W! I would not recommend starting with a 44 mag if you don't have a lot of revolver experience. The lighter 44s marketed for ease of carry are a handful to shoot. I would suggest a K-frame or L-frame .357 mag - most of us find them to be a nice balance. Nothing wrong with an N-frame .357 either, but the steel ones will be a little heavier. Some of the newer alloy N-frames, such as the Model 327PC are great for hiking (see my classified ad for a pic of one!!) The 327PC has been my exclusive hiking gun for several years and I've been really happy with it for that function...not a bad shooter either!

If im not actively hunting and going to be more carry less shooting situation ive been carrying the 329 with220-250 cast at around 1000 fps. The light weight makes is hardly noticable during the day.

My vote would be a 4" L frame .357 loaded with 180 grain bullets. The weight is easy to handle and that big .357 load should hande any 4 footed preditor you might encounter.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Just stick with whatever you have and PRACTICE.

Dave Sinko

I tend to carry something that will shoot a 38 Special in the woods. That could be either a 38 or 357 Magnum.
For a barrel length 4" is a good all round number. Long enough to be fairly accurate, but short enough to not be a pain to carry.
Finish: Blued or Stainless not a real issue.
Sights: Fixed or Adjustable, again not a real big deal.

This would be what I call a buming around gun. This time of year I will have it loaded with 2 shotshells, and the remainder will be my 158 grain reloads. I have copperheads, cottonmouths, and some rattlers where I live. St Peter gives Bonus Points at the Pearly Gates for every poison snake you get rid of. Considering that you live next door you probably have the same snakes to deal with. Then one can run into a grow operation or a meth lab when in the woods hiking. I have ran into Pot Plants 3 times over the years. No incidents, but being armed makes you feel a little better.

GUN LIST: I would look for a 4 Inch Barrel Model 10/64, 13/65, 15/67, 19/66 581/681, or 586/686. Any of these revolvers will work fine. The First number is the Blued Version, the Second Number is the SS Version. The above listed guns have all been Police Service Revolvers at one time. All have a great track record for reliability and accuracy.

You can find other revolvers that will work well. The ones on the list are the Smith & Wesson meat & potatoes revolvers.

If one strays a little a Ruger Security Six, Speed Six, GP100, or SP101 will also work just fine. Ruger also makes a great single action revolver. I have no problems owning and recommending a Ruger, infact I own 4 of them.

Holsters: I normally carry in an open top pancake. When I go buming around in the woods, I will then go with either a holster like a Bianchi #5, or a Pancake with a Thumb Break.
I like a thumb break on a woods holster for positive retention. Lobo also makes a Flap Holster, along with a #5 and a great Pancake. Ray will build it your way for about the same price as a mass produced commercial holster. He also makes a Speed Strip Carrier
Lobo Gun Leather - Home

Spare ammo: Buming around ammo carries nicely in a Speed Strip. Tuff Products sells all sizes. They have them for a 38/357 with round counts of 5, 6, 7, and 8 rounds. I will carry Top Off shotshells, and more solids in either a pocket or a belt pouch made to carry the speed strips when in the woods.

The reason for a 38 Special or 357 Magnum preference would be that a 38 Shotshell is the smallest that works well for snakes. I like my snakes DRT (Dead Right Their) and not getting away more unhappy that they were before we met. I have no confidence in 22 shotshells for snakes. The 38 Special has been getting the job done for 100 years on most things that need a good shooting.
That is about all the wisdom I have for this morning.

Bob

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Stainless steel makes sense if you live where it rains and it can be a while between wipe-downs. I'm not sure why you are so quick to dismiss a .22 lr. I chose one as my first handgun and it has served me well as a hiking, camping and trail companion for almost thirty years. It also taught me about trigger control and allowed me to practice a lot because the rounds were so much cheaper than others (.22s = $18/500 rds.; .38 spl = $18/50 rds.; .44 mag. = $36/50 rds.). I think everyone should own a good .22. There is something very confidence inspiring when you can make a spent shotgun shell dance as far as you can throw it.

The heavier and bulkier a handgun, the less likely you'll want to carry it very much; they make better tailgate/range guns. I evolved from a 7.5" .44 down to a 4" and love it.

.22 WMR cost as much as .38s and are inferior, but they flash and bang more than .22 lrs. A good .38 is hard to beat. Clean Break.

Welcome to the forum!

If you are starting out in revolvers, I would suggest going to a local shooting range and renting everything on the shelf and shooting a couple cylinders out of each one. - or at least out of each type, caliber, etc.

IMHO; The snubs take a lot of practice to be good. I'd stick to a 4" starting out. I would also recommend a steel revolver over an alloy one.

+1 on BobR's list above. You just can't go wrong with any he listed. I started with a 686 and ended up with these. They are all steel and either .22, .38 or .357. I've shot .44's but do not prefer them. I also prefer my revolvers to weigh less than 40oz, so I don't have any N frames. My favorites are the K's; 10/64/66. For woods carry I use the 2.5" 66, 4" 64, 4" 686, and either the 3" or 4" 10's you see below. They all work fine for that purpose. But then I'm not a very big guy and, personally, I think the .357 with 180gr hunting loads is adequate for anything.

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But then, what do I know?

Unless you are going into "b'ar country," you can't beat a 4"-6" stainless .357 Magnum for "woods" carry. You can load it with .38's for small game, .38 +P's for most defensive purposes if Magnums have too much recoil, or .357's for serious defense and medium game. K-frames carry easier than just about anything, but L-frames handle the hot 125 grain Magnum defensive ammo better and recoil less with every type of ammo.

For "b'ar country," it's tough to beat a 4 inch .44 Magnum with "b'ar loads," (300 grain JSP or LWFN).

With all that said, I usually carry a 4" S&W Model 10-5 loaded with Speer 135 grain .38 Special +P "Short Barrel" ammo when I walk in the woods.


ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

Hey Guys, Thanks for the replies. I'm familiar with revolvers and own a few, however I cut my teeth so to speak on the 1911 and Glocks. I'm just now starting to really get into revolvers and I currently have a model 19 in 4", 66 in 2 1/2", a Python in 6", 442, Colt D.S., and a model 360 is my constant companion off duty. I prefer a revolver for woods work for a lot of the reasons BobR listed. I suppose the 19 or 66 would work perfectly for what I'm looking for but I want to add another revolver to the stable. What do you think, would a 686 in 4" fill this role perfectly? Is the 44mag too much gun? I don't have a L or N frame in the stable so I may go that route.

Also thought I'd mention what I may encounter in the mountains around here. Aside from the occasional meth head or cooker and marijuana crops there are the Rattlers (some of which are BIG!), Copperheads, Big Cats, and the Black Bears which are the biggest animal I should encounter. The Bears around here are usually good just to run the other way with a few loud claps of the hand but you never know, and I don't want to be lunch for one of them! Lol.

4 or 6" .357 Magnum. The Model 19 you already own is about perfect.

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Geoff. Since 1960.

If I was going camping, hiking, fishing...

hmmm

A shoulder holstered S&W 629 with a 4 inch barrel would be my first choice. Never know what's out there.

My second would be a 4" S&W 686 or Ruger GP100. A little lighter to carry than a 629, not much though.

My 3rd would be a pocket rocket like a J frame or Ruger LCR. For the times I want to go light.

If you keep going in between 357 and 44 just do 10mm or 41 mag

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobR1 GUN LIST: I would look for a 4 Inch Barrel Model 10/64, 13/65, 15/67, 19/66 581/681, or 586/686. Any of these revolvers will work fine. The First number is the Blued Version, the Second Number is the SS Version. The above listed guns have all been Police Service Revolvers at one time. All have a great track record for reliability and accuracy.

+1 what Bob said. There are great deals right now on 10s and 64s.
For example, this is my $210 ex-Ohio prison gun:


There are very few places that I would feel under-gunned carrying it (big bear country excepted, naturally!)

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I go to the woods a lot. If the Black Bear is your biggest game go with a good .44 magnum 4" (I prefer the 5 or 6 inch). It's wayyyyyy better to have too much gun then not enough. Remember if you need to use it on a (charging) bear you may get one shot so make it count. The 629's are six shooters you can carry extra rounds but in a Bear/Cougar situation you won't have time to reload. You may never need it, but it's better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. I use a chest holster, makes it real easy to get too, it's not in the way and carries real well. BTW when I'm in Brown/Grizzly Bear area while fishing.....I carry the SW500 magnum 6.5" with hot 440gr. hard cast bullets. If I shoot I wanna shoot once!!! Well hopefully.

If we had the opportunity, most of us would buy one of each caliber, in several barrel lengths. One thing on which most would agree, however, is that 4" is about right for manageability. Anything longer belongs in a shoulder holster or western or duty type with a drop. If you hunt, some jurisdictions require a 6" barrel, which is another consideration.

West of the Missouri, or in bear country of any color, a .44 Mag is probably the best choice for camping and hiking (or a 45-70 scout carbine). A 4" Mountain Gun weighs about 40 oz, which is heavy enough to manage recoil without lasting pain and light enough for all-day carry in a good pancake holster. It's a bit much for CCW, but OK with .44 special loaded to .45 ACP ballistics. Factory ammo is expensive, but you can reload for the same cost as reloading .45 ACP, and you don't have to sweep up the brass.

That said, I really like .357 magnum, and have a 4" and 3" 686 in that caliber, which weigh about 4 oz less than the corresponding .44 Mag. I don't feel the need for "light" or .38 SPL loads for self defense. I can handle any full load in that caliber with ease, and I don't have to ream carbon out of the cylinders after a session to make the longer cartridges fit again.

I may have tried them all over the last 45+ years and my conclusion is this; a heavy loaded .44 or .45 in bear country and a .357 in fish country. Either will do the job on two legged critters or snakes with the correct load. Try a few if you can and pick the one you shoot the best and carry the most without leaving it at home. I prefer 4" guns of any caliber, and by the way, I usually have a small frame .22 stashed away in my pack somewhere. It is still the best for rabbits and such for filling the dinner pot.

Like Samuel L. Jackson says in "Pulp Fiction" "... that's all you had to say!"

You already have the .38 spl//.357 covered in a few guns, so yeah, get a 4" .44 mag. 629. They are a joy to shoot and practice a lot with in .44 spl and that round is a BIG increase in power over a .38. The longer .44 magnum is a whole 'nuther world-o-fun! Black bears and cougars attack and kill far more people than grizzlies. The inertia, frontal area, penetration and total kinetic energy of a .44 magnum is considerable. A 4" 629 is very packable at 41 oz. I like my Bianchi #111 Cyclone holster because it fits close and is designed to be worn either cross-draw or strong side. When I am carrying a long gun I like to go crossdraw so that the shotgun or rifle stock doesn't get marred up by the revolver's hammer. Clean Break

This or this
27-2 3.5 inch

29-2 4 inch

As you can see JMK572 the short answer to your question about a revolver suggestion is as many as you can get your hands on.
All joking aside though I think the .357 Mag is hard to beat for versatility. Load it up or load it down it has so many options, and the ammo choices are a plenty. Good luck with the search and let us know what you decide.

You're interested in an actual "woods" gun right?
Well...the most versatile of all handguns is anything chambered in .22LR, especially with a long barrel. This will handle about 90% of anything you'll ever encounter. The "other" caliber you choose will be for that remaining 10%. There can be only one choice...the .500 magnum. Yes it IS on the extreme edge, but that edge is the UPPER edge and this is important.
Whatever ANY smaller caliber can do the .500 can do better - with ease. The ONLY thing anyone can claim as a true detractor is weight, yet quite frankly, at 61oz., the 6.5" barrel .500 isn't terribly heavier than a long barreled .44 magnum. the 4" model 500 comes in at 57oz., which is right there with a long-barrel M29 yet capable of power the .44 cannot achieve. It is also capable of being DOWNLOADED though that really isn't needed.
You see, if you find yourself needing a powerful sidearm in the actual woods, the .500 provides absolute OVERKILL and in cases of NEED, there really is no such thing.
Back when I used to go paddling into alligator trails with my Ruger .44 magnum I understood fully the NEED for all the power possible if an alligator suddenly turned the tables on ME. The .500 clearly adds to that with room to spare.
If one is carrying as last ditch backup against attack by dangerous animals such as bear and large cats, or even a pissed-off DEER, the .500 is considerably superior and all of its "overkill" will be desired.
Basically, for ANY situation for which one might carry a hot-loaded .357 magnum (which one really should NEVER carry in the REAL "woods"), the .500 is far superior. Same for the .44 magnum and any other large-bore handgun.
As for all the nonsense about excessive kick and slow follow-up shots...that must be from the pansy appreciating crowd. With a mid-range/.500 special level load the caliber is still more potent than a pumped .44 magnum yet has mild recoil in its platform...meaning someone who is themself "pumped up" on adrenalin in the face of being potential food, will never even remember the kick, just squeezing off the rounds...of which ONE will most likely suffice. Having said that, even the proper loadings aren't nearly as violent to shoot as naysayers would pretend, and the whole issue of compensator blast is also of no import in the actual woods.
Even a mighty bear's skull is no match for the .500....it's just another "egg" on the hunt so to speak.
Humans encountered in the wild....same thing...though actually they can normally be dispatched with nothing more than the .22LR, but certainly the .500 can take ALL the steam out of an overly-aggressive human predator.
The point is really, that as it was with the introduction of each generation of more potent handguns in the last century, it still is with the .500.
If you're carrying a .327 or .357, or souped up .45 ACP or .45 Colt, or .44 magnum and find you "need" something with more potency, you're screwed. On the other hand if you're carrying a .500 you simply will not encounter a "need" situation where you can't struggle by with the NOT-SO-big .500 magnum.
When I was a young man growing up in a part of the world where the "woods" could easily swallow a human to never be seen again, my handgun preference "evolved" rather quickly up the caliber/power spectrum right to the .44 magnum and hot-loaded .45 Colt. We simply did not choose nor carry autopistols because they don't even register on the scale when it comes to dealing with dangerous animals.
The .500 carried in the deep dark woods is CLEARLY along for the ultimate ability to interdict something very bad...up close and personal....NO OTHER handgun can best it on this playing field. It is by no means difficult to "pack" by anyone serious, and can be belt-carried quite easily...it can also be CONCEALED far more easily than many apparently think.

Kilibreaux...all I can say is WOW!

You are in Kentucky, which means that you really don't have to be concerned about Grizzly Bears. So, the only 4 legged Critters you have to be concerned with are the much smaller and much more timid Black Bear, Coyotes, and possibly a VERY rare Cougar or Mountain Lion. In addition you'll also have to be concerned with 2 legged predators and poisonous snakes.

Most would recomend a 357 Magnum for a woods gun but I would recomend a model I normally consider to be nearly useless, the Governor. Oddly enough, while I consider the Governor to be too bulky for a concealed carry gun it's just about the perfect woods carry sidearm for the Eastern US. It's light, handles 410 shot moderately well inside of 15-20 feet, and you can load the final 3 or 4 chambers with a 45LC defense load. End result is you have an excellent snake gun for the first shots followed up by something that's moderate in recoil but powerful enough to provide a fast stop with the types of predators we see east of the Mississippi.

.357 Mag with 4" S&W as mentioned above, or if you find a Dan Wesson or Ruger at a deal, either one will do the job. The big bore guns are fine, IF you need that kind of fire power, but living in Va. right next door I have never encountered anything a .357 won't deal with, (CCI makes some dandy shot shells for snakes) and besides you can shoot .38 specials at the range and save some $$$.

This 686 Deluxe .357 Magnum looks absolutely gorgeous! Nice price, too:

Smith and Wesson 686 DELUXE .357Mag 6" 7Rds Stainless Finish - $640.90 | Slickguns

+1 on that. . . . .I guess he covered it all. Never thought of it, but a .22 and a .500 is the way to go. I plan to sell all my .357's, .44's and .45's as soon as possible. Never realized how outdated they are. I had planned on buying a .454, but heck, why not go all the way.

I don't camp or hike but I do hunt and with Pennsylvania's archery deer seasons starting during warm, early fall weather, creepy-crawly critters have to be considered. Then there's the actual weight of the gun to be carried and its power output. As a lot of posters have said, a .357 is a great choice because of the enormous variety of ammo it can digest.

Fortunately, I have a license that permits me to carry a firearm during the archery seasons and my choice is this 4" 686-4 loaded with three "snake charmer" .38 Special shot loads and either three 125-grain JHP .38 Special rounds or three 158-grain JHP .357 Magnum shells.



Whatever you decide to go with, I feel that portability and flexibility have to be your first concerns. A 4" Model 66 would be lighter while packing the same punch but they are not as easily found as the 686.

Ed

model 60 w/3 inch barrel in 357 that way you can shoot 38 as well.

To stop a bear and other zmbies easily ,maybe I'd prefer a S&W 625 JM in 45 acp with 230 grain Lswc.Good luck!

All sage advice indeed. I would go to Bud's or Robertsons Trading Post and get a Model 10 or 64 and be done with it.

I know many have a disdain against the K-Frame .38 M&Ps (the original kind), but the .38 Special is most likely the best for a woods gun.

The ammo is a subject that can be discussed (and should!) for days and daze.

Suffice it to say that the Speer 135gr GDHP +P (NYPD Load) and the Remington LSWCHP +P (due to the soft lead) are among the top loadings. If you want more juice, the Buffalo Bore or Doubletap make 38-44 type loads for the venerable .38 Spl.

I think Buffalo Bore just came out with a 158gr HCLSW that moves about 1200 fps. Plenty good for anything afield. I can attest that their 158gr LSWCHP-GC +P is plenty strong for anybody.

Don't worry about whether the K-Frames of modern manufacture can handle these high-stepping loads: They Can!

The Model 10/64/15/67 are exceedingly capable guns that one can venture afield with. They are light enough and substantial enough that they are most likely the best choice.

Just my $.02 Good luck!

4-inch S&W or Ruger will get the job done.

Like so many others have already said "you can never have enough gun". However, the N-Frames .44s are just too big for my taste, unless you are actively hunting. If you are looking for an N-Frame, that's pretty much the ticket, though.

I found that I really like the L-Frames and go back and forth as I also love the K-Frame. You have a 4" 19, which pretty well covers the K-Frame area, although I really prefer the fixed sight 65 or 13 in that category (nothing beats the look of blued carbon steel, but for wear and tear/rust & corrosion resistance, SS is really the ticket). If you are thinking about an L-Frame, that is the modern equivalent (at least in SS), then you might consider the excellent, but sadly no longer offered, Model 620. I prefer fixed sight models for rugged use myself, and when I hunt (with rifles), I carry a 619, which was offered (and dropped) by S&W about the same time as the 620. I think it is an outstanding L-Frame. It incorporates some of the very best features of the 65 4" HB in an L-frame. I have always like the balance, accuracy and overall charachteristics of the K-Frame 4" HB models, and although I prefer the square butt, the round butt can easily be converted to any grip style desired. I went through several grip options until I came across the Ahrend's finger-grooved combats, which I had never cared for until I got these; perfect balance and fit (for my hand, at least), recoil with full house loads are no problem. I use this 619 primarily for the forest, to include dispatching wounded boar (German boar are no joke when wounded/angry).

One of the things I love about the revolver is that they are the combo gun of handguns. I hunt with an old German drilling, which means I have a three ammunition capability (i.e., three kinds of game loads) in one weapon, which a revolver can also match in performance. I carry shotshells, .38 Spl, and .357 magnum loads in the cylinder, and can select up whichever I need. An earlier suggestion of the Governor is worth noting, I just don't like barrels under 3", and really prefer 4", which makes the Governor/Taurus a very long handgun. For all that, I really prefer a traditional revolver.

In the tradition of trying to remind the revolver of an option that should really be offered, I must also recommend my 547. I have to say that I absolutely love this revolver, and use it like my 619 often. 9x19 is an underestimated cartridge. It is a performer, it is accurate, and given the right load, can be as deadly as anything out there (and CCI makes shotshells for it, too). It does not suffer from issues that autos have, such as reliability from different bullet types, OALs, and such. It is a great option, but the reality of them is that they are just too expensive; I paid almost twice for my 547 than what I paid for my 619.

Anyway, that's my apples and oranges, and just my opinion. Here's my 619 if you are interested in them, and that you may not have heard of them before. There are some loyal 620 owners out there, perhaps they'll post some pics of theirs and some accuracy claims, which I would beleive.

OK you have a 2-1/2" 66, a 4" 19, a 6" Python, and a 442.

You have most of the 38 bases covered well. 442 for a light carry piece. The 66 is pretty handy and shootable. The 19 is perfect, and the Python 6" for serious accuracy.

Now that I have a handle on what you own. You have the 38/357 caliber guns covered very well. I carry my 2-1/2" 66 and 442 Pro Moonclip the most of all my revolvers at this time.
I carry the 442 Pro in a Lobo Model 1 Pancake. I carry either 1 or 2 reloads in California Competition Works Moon Clip Carrier made for the J Frame 5 shot revolvers. (Available from TK)
I also carry a Speed Strip with 5 shot shells for a snake reload.

My new recomendations would be:

Everyone needs an accurate 22 revolver for practice and plinking. I have both a 617 with 4" barrel as well as a Ruger LCR-22. I was carrying my LCR-22 when bumming around in the woods on the Ranger yesterday evening. Managed to hit an armodillo with it.

For bigger I would recommend first a 4" Model 29 or 629. The 44 is hard to beat for bigger than a 38/357. I have owned several over the years. I like them much better when feeding them my light reloads. Not much fun to plink with with factory ammo.

What I do own that is bigger than 38/357 would be:
2-1/2" Model 310 Night Guard (40 S&W/10mm)
4" Model 610 (40 S&W/10mm)
3" Model 625-3 (45acp, 45AR, 460 Rolland)

Really Bigger List:
7-1/2" Ruger Super Redhawk (480 Ruger)
9" Ruger Super Redhawk w/30mm UltraDot (480 Ruger)

I reload for the 480 and have a good shotshell recipe for it. A little on the large side for carry but it will stop anything in North America. On my wish list would be a 5" version of the above 480 Super Redhawk.

You have the woods gun for your area pretty well covered. Like I said above a 22 is a great addition. If you want something bigger:
29/629 (44 Special/44 Mag)
329 Night Guard (Light weight easy to carry 44 Magnum)
625 (45acp or a 45 Colt)
325 Night Guard (Light weight 45acp not a bad choice at all for a larger caliber carry piece. You can buy 45acp shot shells for it)

Bob

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41642

I'll leave my zip code at the bottom if anyone wants to goggle it but not getting into the guns as you guys have listed everything I could add no better points there but did want to state here back in the late Winter the wife started saying she had seen a large cat run across the little road we live on . It went a couple a months on a Sunday the last snow we had here we was coming home about 1:00 PM & we all saw it run across the road , it was a full grown mountain lion & it had been twenty years since one of our neighbors had talked about seeing one while hunting so yes we have big cats here & more than one or two in my thoughts .
John

If it were me, and given the OP's current stable and desire to get something other than what he has, and further given his location.....not in griz country.....I'd very strongly concur with those who have recommended the 625 in a 4" version. Mine is the PC.



A lot of guns, including some that he already has, would fill the bill. So it mostly just comes down to what appeals most to him.

Well, you already own perfect candidates for your area --- but sounds like you want something bigger -- we understand.

I carry a 44 Mag., this 5" 629-4 Classic, both on foot and on a horse when in Big Bear country. A good gun belt helps a lot. You could load it with good hardcast ammo and a shot shell or two and be ready for about anything you might come across. Recoil wouldn't bother you with this model.

Cougars, panthers, mountain lions, whatever the large cat is called, reside in just about every state in this USA.
Way back in 1984, we had a big cat cross the road in front of us in the darkness of an early January light snowfall.

Nobody ever believed what I had described, until some 10 years later; ie, a co-worker who had befriended a State Game Warden, posed my sighting to the man.

The Game Officer responded with a resounding YES, there are a number of wild Cougars in that area where I had witnessed the big cat's crossing.
My sighting btw, was in New York State, near the "dredge" on route #83, just south of Cherry Creek Township.

To keep this post in line with the thread, I'd recommend carrying a 12 gauge shotgun, loaded with 00 buck and deer slugs, alternately loaded.
That firearm will surely kill a large predator, plus the shotgun instills confidence to the shooter.
If only a handgun will do, then perhaps I'd carry the largest, potent caliber handgun, that could be quickly and accurately fired, should the Cougar attack.

Incidentally, those big cats are all over the place in SW Florida, where I now reside.

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It is....what it is!

JMK,

You have a lot of reading up there ^ ...whew!

Your original post seemed to be between a 357 and a 44, so I will stay within your limitations....if I was to choose a caliber for woods carry like you described, it would be the 357. You can trot off to any walmart or local sporting goods store wherever you may be and find some kind of ammo should you run low....and the sheer diversity of loadings can stagger the imagination. I would imagine that a well placed shot of stout 357 will do the same job as a 44 mag round.

The idea of having snake shot is important in the woods. While I won't kill every poisonous snake that I see while hiking (they are a valuable species), they don't stand a chance around my home and pastures. While out in the woods, I would not kill a snake unless it was a danger to myself or fellow hikers. There are shot shells readily available in both of your calibers.

I would imagine that you would be very well served by any 357 revolver, and unless you are spending several days out and about, a blued model will hold up just as well as a stainless (as long as you clean it up when you get home).

If I was choosing one for myself, I would gravitate towards a 3" K/L frame or, if you can find one, a 686+ mountain gun. The MG gives you one extra round (total of 7) with the lighter barrel profile, round butt, and a 4" barrel.

Good luck in your search, and unless you expect to encounter rabid mutant zombie grizzly bears, you should be just fine with either 357 or 44.

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On the Oak Savannah

Just get a 4" 629, or a 5" if it's not too large for you. That's efficient enough for anything in North America and just might even be overkill. Really, a 686 4" would be fine as well, but there isn't much size/weight difference in the two, so might as well go with the 629.

As far as mountain lions and bears are concerned, in my neck of the woods (NE Alabama), the state will not recognize there are bears in this area and also say their are no mountain lions at all. Locally, a bear was seen in my hometown on someones porch and another about 15 miles away on the same day last weekend. A mountain lion was hit last year in a nearby town, and a buddy of mine shot one on his farm, called the fish and wildlife folks, they came and picked it up and told him there are no mountain lions in Alabama and did note cite him. I get calls about mountain lion sightings at my work all the time. Sounds like they do not want to admit a) they are here and have to spend big $ on conservation, or b) they have been released by the state to get top predators going back in the state with the deer population problem.

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686, 629, 15-22 MOE FDE

I have already voted my opinion once on this subject and I agree that the .357 is a very good choice, but I want to offer two other options. Both are of the S&W Mountain Gun variety. First is the 625 Mtn. Gun in .45 Colt and the second is the 629 Mtn. Gun in .44 mag. I have both and they are wonderful guns to carry and with the proper loads they are pleasant to shoot. The .45 Colt can be loaded wild to mild and I usually load mild, but there are a number of loads to choose from. The .44 mag can be scary in the Mountain Gun format, but I have made mine a .44 special only and it is a sweetheart.

If you want bigger bullets without the recoil try either of these guns. They are easy to carry and very versatile.

[QUOTE=Kilibreaux;136534722]You're interested in an actual "woods" gun right?
Whatever ANY smaller caliber can do the .500 can do better - with ease.

I would disagree, if your time in the woods includes watching cows that are calving and from time to time shooting a coyote, a 10" contender in .223 is a better tool than the .500. Flatter trajectory makes range estimation less critical. The OP calls for a revolver so I would be tempted to look at the "Raging Hornet" in that case.