What's YOUR Pick for a Woods Gun?? Play Along Please...

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Nalapombu

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Hey all,

Me and a couple of buddies got into a mini-debate the other day and I'd like to get you all in on it. Play along if you don't care....

Lets say you just landed a cool job where you are required to be in the woods. No camping or recreational stuff going on and you are mostly on foot. For a better storyline lets say you work for the Fish and Game Dept. and you have to set up and check trail cameras every day to see what's going on. Sometimes you'll be a few miles from your truck.
With me so far?

OK, lets say the area has mountain lion, black bear, elk, moose, deer, LOTS of BIG wild hogs and of course Grizzly Bear. Quite a collection of critters.

Now your boss has said, well lets say he/she has mandated that you are to be armed at all times when you are out of your truck and checking the trail cams. You can have any sidearm you want. For this discussion lets say long guns are not allowed. That can be a separate thread if you want. Also NO CUSTOM stuff.

I have been thinking what I would choose and it's a tough choice as there are so many that would be perfect. Here's my choices:

1. 629 Mountain Gun
2. 686 3 inch 7 shot
3. Glock M20 10mm
4. S&W 500 mag 4 inch
5. Bisley Blackhawk in 45LC
6. S&W M696 (couldn't leave it off the list)

OK, that's my list.

I can't wait to see what you all come up with and why.

Would your choice be any different if the GRIZZLY was REMOVED from the list?

What's your thoughts and choices? Thanks for playing....;)

Nalajr
 
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Out in grizzly country like that, miles away from your vehicle, it would be a .500 for me. I am curious though, why would they want to prevent you from carrying a long gun?
 
629, but NOT a Mountain Gun. Recoils too much, even with good grips. That's the same reason I wouldn't choose a .500 - probably too slow on the second shot. The 10mm Glock might be a good choice for some, but it wouldn't fit my hand. S&W 1026 would be OK for me.
 
The 629 Mountain gun would be right up there, but I have a 5 inch 629 DX that would be on the list too. A bit heavier than the mountain gun and would probably be all the weight id want to carry all day in the woods.
 
I'll go along with the 5" 629 Classic DX. But if big bears weren't on the list, I'd pack a 4" 686. With either gun, I would load it with a shot load for the first shot or two in case any creepy-crawlers are around and magnums for the rest.

Ed
 
.357 mag min for black bear and .44 mag min for grizzly. Shoot for first shot kill. You would be lucky to get in a shot, very lucky if you get off two shots.
 
Woods Gun

Glock 20 all the way. 15 rounds of hot 10mm (doubletap or Hornady 155gr) in a weather proof package.
 
I would have a 4 inch S&W Model 29-2 in grizzly country and a 3.5 inch 27-2 in non grizzly country. As a hunter I know that weight becomes a factor on long days in the woods so that's why I could carry a shorter barrel.
 
I've had a 629MG - I now have a regular production 4" 629. Just 2 oz more, yet larger hammer & trigger; OR front, blk rear sight; more mass out front - and sporting .500 Magnum Hogues. May as well choose something I own. If no brown bears, I'd rather have my 2 5/8" PC627 UDR - I even have a good holster for it.

Stainz
 
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When I go to Maine hiking , I take my 4 inch M629 with some pretty stout loads. I figure if I come across a bear, I should hopefully be ok.....
 
I would carry the 629 Mountain gun, with cast bullets. In Ga. we have some big cats, bear , wild hogs, coyotes, & sometimes two legged predators. I carry a #36-1 3"HB, with cast bullets, for short close to home hikes & woods walks. If I am camping, or hiking longer distances, I carry my #65 4"HB with cast bullets & in summer also a couple of snake shot.
 
You have to drag this thing around with you all day long, so you want to be light and compact. For me, that means nothing longer than a 4" barrel, and preferably a 2.5"...and the lighter the better! In black bear only country, my hiking/backpacking gun is the .44 mag S&W 329NG, at 29 oz. If you want a 4" instead, then the 329PD is even a few ounces lighter at a mere 25 oz.

Add grizzlies and really big game like a moose in rut to the equation, and you need to step it up to the .454, minimum. Here, I like the Ruger Alaskan, but if I were in really big bear country all day long, the 4" S&W .500 might be worth the extra size and weight.

In any case, one will want to pick their load very very carefully!
 
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The reason I mentioned NO LONG GUNS was because I figured nearly everyone would pick one over a handgun. I wanted to see what HANDGUN people would choose if they were put in a position like that. I know I'd opt for a shotgun loaded to the hilt, but I can't in this make believe situation. I chose 4 or 5 because I like them all, but don't own any of them right now. Hopefully I can start adding some BIG BORE wheel guns to my collection soon.

Interesting choices so far. Keep 'em coming. I'd like to see several pages of responses.

Thanks everyone.

nalajr
 
This, 629-1, because it is more than enough for my neck of the woods.

629204.jpg
 
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