Woods Carry 357 Search

41special · May 13, 2025

Was all set to get a new 7 shot 686 Mountain Gun, then read up on the lighter weight Model 19 Carry Comp which holds 6. Now I'm looking at a Scandium framed Performance Center 327 TRR8, it only weighs 2 oz more than the 19 & packs 2 extra rounds.

I need to go to a fully stocked gun store and look at these 3 in person.

Anyone in this same pickle?

41

PatriotX · May 13, 2025

What about going the other way?

The 60-10 3 inch gun is .357 Mag rated and carries batter than any K, L, or N frame…

Telecaster · May 13, 2025

Or an SP101.

Bald1 · May 13, 2025

Or old school 2 1/2” model 19

Nedroe · May 13, 2025

When I go in the woods with a .357, this 327PD is my companion.

8 shots if I need 'em.

Ned

weatherby · May 13, 2025

I'm not
I'm generally not overly concerned with maximum round count .
I know what I have available and can shoot accordingly if need be.
Most times I'll grab either my pc 945
Or my 4" 28

Marlin57M · May 13, 2025

Bald1 said:
Or old school 2 1/2” model 19

Good recommendation. I carry either 2 1/2” models 19 or 66 as my woods walk carry - either is easy packing.

Wfevans4 · May 13, 2025

I went with a new classic Model 19 for woods carry. I like a blued gun. I plan to get some Culina grips soon. I bought a newer gun to be a shooter and fully expect to get it scratched up, etc. - just not quite yet. I wanted to be able to fire 180 grain Buffalo Bore without fear of cracking the forcing cone.

41special · May 13, 2025

Wfevans4 said:
I went with a new classic Model 19 for woods carry. I like a blued gun. I plan to get some Culina grips soon. I bought a newer gun to be a shooter and fully expect to get it scratched up, etc. - just not quite yet. I wanted to be able to fire 180 grain Buffalo Bore without fear of cracking the forcing cone.

I'd love a range report after you shoot those BB 180 grainers.

41

TheTinMan · May 14, 2025

For me, a 3” Model 66 strikes the right balance of weight and barrel length.

Plus it has the full length ejector rod the shorter barrels lack.

I need to add that with a well designed OWB holster, it carries very well:

No, I don’t carry with the moose antler grips around the farm or out in the woods.

Wee Hooker · May 14, 2025

I had a TRR8 for a bit. It was on the big side for any kind of carry IMHO.
Of course this is from a guy that caries an 11 oz, 360 PD in his pocket.
FWIW, I can't imagine a situation where 8 rounds would be "needed" in a woods gun. I'd vote a K or L frame would be the sweet spot. Your wants may vary.

jaguargolf · May 14, 2025

The new Mountain Guns, Classics w/o lock, and the 8 shot scandiums all seem very nice.
I looked for those kinds of guns for many years. No regrets. I did well. I've been very happy with my 686+'s.
I'm at the part of my life where I am disposing of my possessions, before someone else has to do it. I might grab a new .357, but with a thought of passing it on to a loved one; but I still have a fair number of hikes/hunts left in me to use a new gun.

Hawg Rider · May 14, 2025

Since I'm in Florida and don't live in big bad bear country (although we do have black bears, alligators, hogs, snakes, and panthers), my woods carry is usually a .357 Magnum. For a while it was a PC Model 627-5 (8-shot snubby), but I've recently changed to a 3" Model 686 Plus (7-shot). The 686 is only about 1 oz. lighter, but I think that the 3" bbl. provides a little longer sight plane and some recoil reduction.

Paul01223 · May 14, 2025

I got this TRR8 2 weeks ago. This group is from 25 yards. I am looking at a chest rig to carry it.

PS: I did use a rest to get this group!

Mike SC Hunter · May 14, 2025

PatriotX said:
What about going the other way?

The 60-10 3 inch gun is .357 Mag rated and carries batter than any K, L, or N frame…

And goes off like grenade in your hand when you pull the trigger.

Chuck Edwards · May 14, 2025

For me, woods = N frame. I have a handload that replicates the old 38/44 load but with a better bullet, it pushes a 170-grain LSWC at 1070 fps from my 4" M28-2. It'll handle anything I'll run into in my neck of the woods.

BigMuddy · May 14, 2025

Mike SC Hunter said:
And goes off like grenade in your hand when you pull the trigger.

I didn’t think so Mike. My Son had one and I was surprised at how controllable it was. He carried it for his BUG when he was a police officer.

For me personally this question is answered with a 4” Security Six.

Dan

K Harris · May 14, 2025

I think that the new 686 Mountain Gun would be ideal for woods/mountains carry. Depending on the critters you are likely to encounter, you can load it with anything from a hard-cast 158 grain Keith type round to the heavy 180 and 200 grain rounds from places like Grizzly Cartridge, Double Tap, and Buffalo Bore. A 200 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of round 1000 fps is formidable to say the least. I believe that a 4" barrel is the way to go for open carry in the woods/mountains, and the 7 round cylinder in the 686 is a bonus.

BoulderTroll · May 14, 2025

Paul01223 said:
I got this TRR8 2 weeks ago. This group is from 25 yards. I am looking at a chest rig to carry it.

The Guide's Choice Chest Holster, made by Diamon D, in Alaska, is probably the most highly-regarded and popular for carrying a large revolver.

Guides Choice® Chest Holster

The Guides Choice™ Leather Chest Holster, the ULTIMATE outdoor leather gun holster.Alaskan Made gun holster for easy use and utility.NOTHING better, guaranteed!

www.diamonddcustomleather.com

Another option would be El Paso Saddlery's "Tanker" holster, which they have made since WWII. The tanker holster carries the gun lower than a true chest rig, but still up off the belt. Even though it only has one strap, vs the two on most chest holsters, I find it quite comfortable, and prefer the lower placement.

1942 “Tanker” Holster – 3″ to 5″ Barrels – El Paso Saddlery

epsaddlery.com

lightstar_actual · May 14, 2025

I have two woods guns in .357, both Model 19s. When lugging packed gear, it's generally the 2.5", otherwise it's the 4".

Woods Carry 357 Search

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads