Fish4bass101
Member
Planning to buy a revolver for woods and UTV carry. Undecided on barrel length and caliber. What does everyone reccommend?
Woods Revolver
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Welcome! New or used, frame size (small/medium/large), intended uses?
New, I would look at a model 60-15 (stainless 3" small frame, .357/.38) or a 63-5 (3", .22 LR). The used equivalents of the model 60 would be a -4 (.38 Special) or a -10 (similar to the -15 but no internal lock). Older model 63s are fairly commonly found, usually in 4".
For a larger gun, a new model 66-8 (stainless 4", .357/.38, medium frame) or an older version.
Others will have plenty more suggestions for you. Good luck in your decision.
New, I would look at a model 60-15 (stainless 3" small frame, .357/.38) or a 63-5 (3", .22 LR). The used equivalents of the model 60 would be a -4 (.38 Special) or a -10 (similar to the -15 but no internal lock). Older model 63s are fairly commonly found, usually in 4".
For a larger gun, a new model 66-8 (stainless 4", .357/.38, medium frame) or an older version.
Others will have plenty more suggestions for you. Good luck in your decision.
First question would be what part of the USA ?
That many times determines caliber choice.
That many times determines caliber choice.
ParadiseRoad
Member
...depends on how big the bears are in them thar woods...
Smithbug
Member
Well depending on where you live and what sorts of critters you might need to shoot I would recommend either a .357 or .44 magnum. If you decide to go with a .357 I would recommend a 66 or 686. For woods and atv carry I would recommend at least a 4in barrel. The 66 comes with either a 2.75 or 4.25in barrel. There are a ton 686 models. I would think a 5 or 6in barrel of some bend of 686 would be good. If you go with a .44 I would highly recommend the model 69. It’s light and handy and would be a dream to shoot with .44 specials and you can shoot magnums if you need to. If you desire a beefier frame there are a ton of 629 and 29 models. I personally like the ejector shroud models as opposed to the full underlug models. A 4in or 6in barrel length would be good. I like 6in myself.
It all depends on perceived needs. If you want a gun in the event of two-legged emergencies that find you, most any K frame 4" in .357 Magnum will do. It's pretty much what the police carried for decades. If you're concerned about large animals such as grizzlies, you'll need a much more potent handgun starting with the 41 Magnum and up.
For years, I carried a Model 65 3" round butt while deer hunting or studying my hunting grounds prior to deer season. We only had black bears to be mindful of.
For years, I carried a Model 65 3" round butt while deer hunting or studying my hunting grounds prior to deer season. We only had black bears to be mindful of.
1sailor
Member
I used to own a M60-15 as mentioned by murphydog in the first reply. It was the best woods gun I ever had. Lightweight, accurate and powerful (or not if you prefer). I made the mistake of trading mine away for a 6" nickel plated model 19-3. Even though the trade put me ahead dollar wise the M60 was fun to shoot and easy to carry. The M19 pretty much spends it's life in the safe.
nachogrande
Member
NEVER HAVE I EVER OWNED...
A Ruger stainless single action in 45 Colt with a 4 5/8" barrel. Muddled thru with a Ruger single 6 357 snub, & a Sig stainless P220 45 acp. No problems to report.
A Ruger stainless single action in 45 Colt with a 4 5/8" barrel. Muddled thru with a Ruger single 6 357 snub, & a Sig stainless P220 45 acp. No problems to report.
JJEH
Member
hkcavalier
US Veteran
My two are a 6" 686 7 shooter and a 5" 629. Not at the same time...but that does get me thinking...
1sailor
Member
After thinking on it a little bit I decided to enter a second post to explain my reasoning for the M60. A LOT has to do with what you're doing in the woods. If you're walking along a quiet wooded trail with your dog then you can pretty much pack anything. If you go off trail, hike extensively, or are actually doing work (firewood etc) you do not want to be packing around a 3lb pistol. To me my woods guns need to be easy to maintain (stainless), accurate, and easy to carry. It should also be powerful enough when it's called for but also small enough to be pleasant to shoot. If injured off trail or lost, a good woods gun can be a life saver when signaling to search parties. This means loud enough to hear but small enough that extra rounds don't weigh you down needlessly. I can't speak for anywhere else but here in the West people die when they get lost in the woods. The 3" M60 seems almost to have been designed around those criteria.
If you don't live in a area where there is dangerous wildlife a model 17,18 or 617 would probably do you well enough. Even though a .22 lr wouldn't be my first choice for two legged critters it will get the job done with good shot placement.
one eye joe
US Veteran
WELCOME TO THE FORUM Fish4bass. JUDGING BY YOUR FORUM NAME, I ASSUME THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GUN TO CARRY IN THE LOWER 48, RATHER THAN PROTECTION AGAINST ALASKAN BEARS, ETC.....
ASSUMING THAT'S THE CASE, I WOULD RECOMMEND A 4" M686+. IMHO, THE M686 IS THE FINEST .357 MAGNUM REVOLVER IN PRODUCTION. THE + VERSION CARRIES 7 ROUNDS, INSTEAD OF 6. THE VARIETY OF LOADS IN .38 SPL/.357MAG IS ENDLESS--FROM LIGHT TARGET LOADS, TO SD LOADS AGAINST HUMAN TARGETS, TO HEAVY HARD CAST HUNTING LOADS, THAT CAN PENETRATE DEEP, AND SMASH BONES---THUS TERMINATING ANY 4 LEGGED THREAT THAT YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER.....
THE 4" LENGHT BALANCES PERFECTLY IN THE HAND, AND GIVES UP LITTLE FOR RANGE USE. IT IS EASILY CARRIED IN A BELT OR SHOULDER HOLSTER, WHILE SEATED IN A VEHICLE, OR ON AN ATV. ITS STAINLESS STEEL CONSTRUCTION, AND RUBBER GRIPS MAKE IT VERY WEATHER RESISTANT, AND DURABLE........
A NEW ONE IS COVERED BY A LIFETIME WARRANTY. I THINK IT WILL BE A RELIABLE LIFETIME COMPANION, THAT YOU CAN PASS ON TO A FAMILY MEMBER, WHEN THE TIME COMES......
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BigBill
Absent Comrade
Woods protection gun? Nothing smaller than a 357 magnum. With a 4” or 6” barrel. My smiths don’t go in the woods but my ruger RedHawks do.
Cal44
Member
This state (California) is a special case.
Open carry is not allowed.
You can only carry one of the three guns on your CCW license -- and it has to be concealed.
For the last couple years, I kept a M60-15 on my license as a possible woods gun.
But it was hard to conceal, and heavy.
I ended up not carrying it even once in the last two years.
So when I renewed my license a couple weeks ago, I replaced it on my license with an LCR 357.
So that LCR will be my woods gun from now on, and also one of my city carry guns.
It's light, stainless steel (plus polymer), and shoots a powerful cartridge.
I don't hike as much as I used to. But at one time I was a serious backpacker, and know well that every ounce of equipment counts.
For me any woods gun needs to be light just like a city CCW gun.
Open carry is not allowed.
You can only carry one of the three guns on your CCW license -- and it has to be concealed.
For the last couple years, I kept a M60-15 on my license as a possible woods gun.
But it was hard to conceal, and heavy.
I ended up not carrying it even once in the last two years.
So when I renewed my license a couple weeks ago, I replaced it on my license with an LCR 357.
So that LCR will be my woods gun from now on, and also one of my city carry guns.
It's light, stainless steel (plus polymer), and shoots a powerful cartridge.
I don't hike as much as I used to. But at one time I was a serious backpacker, and know well that every ounce of equipment counts.
For me any woods gun needs to be light just like a city CCW gun.
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Rpg
Member
At various times over the last 50 years I’ve carried, at different times, a Ruger Blackhawk 357, a Colt Python, a M29-2, a M 15 or a M19 with 6.5”, 6”, 4” or 2.5” barrels.
About 35 years ago, I settled on a Colt 1911 in 45acp, often in the lightweight Commander configuration.
Much more compact than a revolver. Much more pleasant to carry than a revolver. Much quicker (in my hands) than a revolver, and plenty for anything I might encounter in the Colorado mountains.
I’d only carry a revolver if I didn’t have a 1911.
About 35 years ago, I settled on a Colt 1911 in 45acp, often in the lightweight Commander configuration.
Much more compact than a revolver. Much more pleasant to carry than a revolver. Much quicker (in my hands) than a revolver, and plenty for anything I might encounter in the Colorado mountains.
I’d only carry a revolver if I didn’t have a 1911.
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OP
Fish4bass101
Member
Thx for the replies. I guess I should have mentioned that I live in the east. Black bear and critters of the two legged variety would be the worst I would encounter. Willing to spend $500-$1000 to get one good woods gun.
Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania!
I will base a suggestion upon your needs, purpose, and location.
Those issues have everything to do with having the right tool.
I will base a suggestion upon your needs, purpose, and location.
Those issues have everything to do with having the right tool.
Bakebfr480
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Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 magnum with a 4 5/8 barrel!
