6" L-frame for camping/hiking.

[CH4]

For me 6” is too long for hiking, backpacking, camping, but ok for hunting. I prefer a 3-4 inch N frame for non hunting, outdoor carry, particularly a Mountain Gun in 45 Colt or 44 mag.

 

[Tom-R2]

For a 20-30 dog pack, I would think a belt fed firearm of choice would be most appropriate.
I don't have a specific firearm I carry on walks. Sometimes I'm out in the woods, but more often as I get older and my wife has a harder time getting around anywhere, I'm walking in the town we live in. I have a couple different handguns I carry, depending on how I'm dressed. Nothing here in Central Ohio is too big to stop if I get the hits in. My carry pieces range from 38/357, through 9mm, 357SIG and 45acp.

 

[terrier]

Lived in Colorado all my life(77 yrs), hunted and backpacked for about 50 of those years. Carried mostly a j frame and now it's loaded with Underwood extreme penetrators, feel perfectly safe. just my opinion.

 

[gnystrom]

I agree with those that say there is no need for the extra barrel length. I have a 586+ and 686+ both with 3" barrels and with a heavy load such as Buffalo Bore, I feel if seven shots won't do the job, I should have brought a friend.

 

[Darkenfast]

If you are a good shooter with your 6" barreled target revolver and comfortable carrying it, go for it. Like you said, it will also likely become your hunting piece.

 

[buck460XVR]

I have 686s in 4", 5" and 6" barrel lengths. With decent holsters, there is little or no difference in how they carry when hiking/camping. With your chest holster I'd assume it will carry well and comfortably. If you are happy and enjoy your set-up, it really doesn't matter what others think.

 

[mtgianni]

There are not many of us that can have all the bbl lengths in all the guns we want. If it works for you enjoy it. I love my L frame, but it is a 4.2" 44.

 

[Dlm357]

Have you thought about a cross draw. I like the 111 cyclone.

 

[gerhard1]

I've assembled what I think may be the perfect camping, hiking and back country setup. 6" L-frame in a Guide's Choice chest holster. 6" may be a bit long but it maximizes the potential of the .357 from a revolver. With the proper load it should handle anything I may encounter, guys with bad intentions, coyote, feral dogs and black bear. A lot of people shun the .357 for black bear, but it was around long before the .44 magnum and it killed plenty of black bear, and bigger game. This set up will most likely become my white tail deer choice, perfect for where I hunt. I'm open to opinions on my choice, and hearing what you may carry for your back country set up.

The 6" L-frame is fine choice. My preference would be a 4" but I'm not going to criticize your decision.

 

[diyj98]

357 magnum is plenty for what you intend. I'd have probably went with 1 4" as well, but 6" works too.

 

[diyj98]

Question for people more experienced than me, would the sound of a .357 going off possibly scare off the rest of the feral dogs?

Karl

I've never been attacked by wild dogs, but I've killed a number of them over the years. When there's been more than one dog, they've always ran away after I shot the first one.

 

[Indynick]

I always assumed that wild dogs are looking for an easy meal , not a hard target. If you shoot a couple of them, the other ones will see that as dinner.

 

[joebuck]

Smith 386XL Hunter. Lightweight alloy L frame w 6" barrel. Load with the hottest Buffalo Bore ammo you can stand. Issue solved.

 

[joe44va]

357 is nice, but there are so many good 44 magnums around.

 

[Kid44]

357 is nice, but there are so many good 44 magnums around.

Yes, they are nice and yes, there are a lot of good .44 magnums around, but I'm not sure I understand the point of your post.

 

[JIMYJAC]

Last fall I was turkey hunting ADK. Doing kee kees I called in Yogi.I had my Beretta 12ga with #6 shot. I missed my.45 lc with my 300g fp bear rounds. I was lucky when I quit calling he quit coming. I was wondering what was circling me it was him. The lc in a chest harness goes with me now.

 

[rubiranch]

Carry what you're most comfortable with.
My brother carried this 6" M66-1 for the first 10 years that he was an LEO.

 

[Kid44]

Last fall I was turkey hunting ADK. Doing kee kees I called in Yogi.I had my Beretta 12ga with #6 shot. I missed my.45 lc with my 300g fp bear rounds. I was lucky when I quit calling he quit coming. I was wondering what was circling me it was him. The lc in a chest harness goes with me now.

Good call.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

I carry a Model 58 - 41 mag. It has a 4" barrel and packs nicely. Little more power than the 357, but for me, more controllable.