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

[celticfisherman]

Where serious big game was an issue I'd carry my 4" 25-5 with some hot and heavy metal in them.

Here in GA where I roam. I just carry my 4" 19. It's proven more than enough for hogs and deer who want to wander too close during the fall season... Plus a good 357 will take care of any social problems I might have as well.

 

[6pack]

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

First off....if I'm LEO, as in this situation, and my job requires me to carry a sidearm, then I'll opt to carry two!!!!

Were I pressed into service right this moment and was required to choose two amoung my meager arsenal then I'd chose these two:

M57 MG & M442:

Were I allowed a budget to purchase new guns I'd give a strong look to the G20. The rights loads make this a potent piece and the 15round magazine with 2 spares is a formidable package. I'd still want a spare ultralight wheelgun. I like the 442, 640 or if money was no option then the PC snub 8 round Scandium framed model .357. Then I'd feel very comfortable.

Also a G29 would make a sweet back-up and use the same magazines.

I've owned a G20 in the past and found it to be a highly reliable gun. It never failed to fire regardless of the load or rate of fire. I used factory 15round magazines and never, ever had reason to not like it other than an inablity to find ammo locally. I was made a sweet offer and sold it to a guy in my hunting club. I do miss that gun at times, as I've found DoubleTap ammo to be a great and fast shipping supplier for super loads for this gun.

 

[Dave500]

The m500 first pick m29 second and m57 third would not opt for smaller than 41 mag,,,,I like the comment on shot caps I too carry them for the creapy crawleys.

 

[Seanote]

I'd have to take my Draco

 

[iLikeOldGunsIlikeNewGuns]

According to your hypothetical situation I'm going to answer based on what I actually own at the moment vs if I could choose anything:

i own a 7.5" Super Blackhawk that is currently for sale, but I would rather carry my 629-2 mountain revolver (original 1989) because it is easier to carry and draw with its 4" bbl, and if my life depends on a matter of seconds, I might just need that double action. Up until a few days ago I owned a Wildey, which would drop just about anything, but I wouldn't want to rely on a semi auto unless it's a 1911, and I wouldn't want to trust a .45acp vs a bear! I do also own a 6" gp100, but I'd rather have the power of the .44 mag, so 629-2 Mountain Revolver it is. maybe carried with three full-on hornady magnum loads followed by three hot .44 special loads in the cylinder for versatility.

 

[Stranglehold]

No griz where I travel so I echo those who favor the .44 Mag. The Mountain Revolver (Gun) is a great choice....

...But I have far more time afield with a five inch Classic...

Add the BIG bears and the handgun choices would remain the same, but I would add a big bore rifle (spirit of the thread be damned). Something along the lines of a Marlin Guide Gun with heavy hard cast slugs would fit the bill.

Roe

 

[Snowbandit]

If I had known I was getting a job like that I wouldn't have given my 629 Mountain Revolver to my son. Guess I'll have to suffer along with my 629 Mountain Lion. Don't worry, I should be okay.

 

[mic214]

Out of my collection, my choice would be my recent acquisition, a 3" M-629:

 

[Jitterbug]

I do spend a lot of time outdoors, (never enough) in the Central to Northern Rockies, we have all the critter's you mentioned, but you forgot to add, rattlesnakes, badgers, wolves, belligerent cattle and Bison to the list.

If I'm pretty sure there isn't any Moose, Grizz or Bison around I carry a 4.25" Dan Wesson 1911 in 10mm, loaded up with a 200 gr. WFNGC handload and carry two spares one with 180 gr. Georgia Arms Gold dots and the other with hot 200 gr. XTPs.

The G20 will work.

If there is Moose, Bison or Grizz I think a 4" 629 loaded with 265-280 gr. WFNGC is a better way to go.

I think a 629 Mountain gun would work nicely. I just prefer the standard model.

And when in town I go for a a Kahr PM9

 

[Sportsterguy]

I do spend a lot of time outdoors, (never enough) in the Central to Northern Rockies, we have all the critter's you mentioned, but you forgot to add, rattlesnakes, badgers, wolves, belligerent cattle and Bison to the list.

If I'm pretty sure there isn't any Moose, Grizz or Bison around I carry a 4.25" Dan Wesson 1911 in 10mm, loaded up with a 200 gr. WFNGC handload and carry two spares one with 180 gr. Georgia Arms Gold dots and the other with hot 200 gr. XTPs.

The G20 will work.

If there is Moose, Bison or Grizz I think a 4" 629 loaded with 265-280 gr. WFNGC is a better way to go.

I think a 629 Mountain gun would work nicely. I just prefer the standard model.

And when in town I go for a a Kahr PM9

Great guns but I think I'd be packing that DW loaded with 180 gr. Georgia Arms Gold dots in town for the really dangerous creatures. Been packing a full size and commader 1911 for years and have NEVER been made with a good IWB holster and belt.

When I'm in the woods these days I pack a 3" 657 .41 mag in a Lobo OWB for big criiters and a 2" 34 .22 lr for rabbits and such. Also carry that same 657 as a winter weapon when everyone is bundled up stoked with 210 gr. Georgia Arms Gold Dots Works dandy on a 170 lb. deer so should easily do the job on a 200 lb. whackjob.

 

[BlackSky]

What's YOUR Pick for a Woods Gun??

I picked this seven shot 586

 

[akjaeger]

When I'm guiding for brown bears on the Alaka Penninsula I pack a 329 loaded with 280gr WFN's over 21.5 gr of 296.
Same gun and load for all day jaunts or multi-day backpacking trips.
When I'm just out for a stroll it could be any of my S&W's, although a 5" pre-27 is the current favorite.

 

[Nygma]

My choices are Model 686-5 Mountain Gun or 629-4 Mountain Gun depending on location.

Close...

big bears - 6" Freedom Arms 454
medium bears - 629-4 Mountaian Gun
small bears & zombies- 686+ Mountain Gun or 4" M66
teddy bears - 4" M651
no bears - 4" M63 or 5" M41

 

[amazingflapjack]

my pick..

As I understand the criteria for this fantacy-which I like-it's not where I am-what gun I have on hand-or-what game we have around here. And because the boss is supplying the gun, and hopefully the acutrements needed to go with it, here's how I see it. I'm a big fan of the 629, and I see some wisdom in something in 10MM-revolver with moon clips-or a pistol made out of metal, preferably stainless steel, but my first choice would be a Desert Eagle in .44 Magnum. I would request a chest carry rig for any of these, and a way to carry sufficient ammo to stand flat footed facing a charge of Grizzlies, while being flanked by a herd of hogs, being careful to watch for the odd mountain lion in the trees or other high places, as well as the stray snake, coyote, ant eater, or armidilla that might be lurking about. If I was able to have a long gun, it would be an M-60 machine gun and about 1000 rounds in 100 round belts. When the dust settled, there'd be some good eatin' for somebody, probably the buzzards-oh, I forgot to mention them... Flapjack.

 

[redbone]

This 45 Colt............

Very nice, what gun and holster is this?

 

[36bore]

for me it is a 686+ 3in I love the balance and it packs well

 

[mtime7]

well, when I am hiking here in Alaska i take my M13 3" with 158grn sp.. but thats me, others feel a need to carry bigger. I have thought about this some and feel that if a bear attacked I would most likely be on my back with a bear on top, my shots, if I could get them off, would be point blank in its throat.. My point is, you should take what you can bring into action the quickest, long barrel and excessive recoil can be a big hinderance.

 

[DeadWhiteGoose]

I see a lot of you choose shorter barrels for lighter carry and packing purposes, but how much more do you actually get out of a longer barrel? Would it be better to carry a longer barrel in smaller calibers like the .357?

 

[off road]

I see a lot of you choose shorter barrels for lighter carry and packing purposes, but how much more do you actually get out of a longer barrel? Would it be better to carry a longer barrel in smaller calibers like the .357?

I have a safe full of big and small bore magnum long barrel revolvers (.357, .44, .454, .480), that save for the occasional trip to the range (not a hunter)....I never use! The life lesson that I eventually learned at great expense, is that if you can't pack it easily and/or conceal it, it is going to get left at home! And, I know this goes contrary to the common wisdom, but I find long barrels to be slower to draw and get on target for that crucial first shot, and also slower go get back on target for a follow up shot.

The price you pay for a shorter barrel is verlocity loss, so the secret is to just carry a more powerful caliber to begin with to compensate.

 

[SuperMan]

I like the .41 Magnum because even with heavy loads I can still control the gun for followup shots. Ammo would be either Federal 250 grain CastCore or Speer 210 Gold Dot HPs....just depends on what I was expecting...

The delivery vehicle would be either a:

357PD...that now had Meprolite Night Sights

..and the IL replaced with The Plug...

...or a 657 Mountain Gun (the night sights were moved to the 357PD because the front sight was too short to sight in the gun)

...very accurate and controllable...

...and would be carried in a DeSantis Speed Scabbard or a Simply Rugged Pancake...

Two HKS Speed Loaders and two TUFF Products Speed Strips of backup ammo would be carried....


Bob