Help me pick a woods gun, please

[Triggernosis]

I'm trying to find something that's lightweight and has good sights to carry with me on the farm. I thought I'd settled on a S&W Model 37 airweight revolver, but I can't hit schit with the fixed sights past just a few yards. Considering that the M37 is truly a close-quarters combat revolver, I can't really fault it.
I'm looking for something that I can dispatch wounded game, bag a rabbit, etc, and use for protection that doesn't weigh a damned ton! Bears are not a concern. I know I'd best be suited with at least a 4" barrel heavier revolver, but most of them push 25 oz. minimum. I want something that's always on my hip, but that I don't even notice it's there.
The only thing that has felt really good in my hands lately has been a Sig P232 in .380, but I'm having a hard time convincing myself that it would be suitable as a woods/trail gun.
Either a revolver or semi-auto will be acceptable - I just need to be able to hit what I'm aiming at.
Any suggestions or opinions?

 

[sigp220.45]

I always thought a four inch Model 12 .38 Special would be a great trail gun - it's light, it has nice big sights, holds six rounds, and you could load the first two with shot loads if you want.

Might be a little hard to find, but worth the hunt.

 

[7003006]

S&W 386 would probably do the trick.

 

[ColbyBruce]

A Beretta 70 or 71 .22 pistol would be light, accurate, and carry well. A nice one costs big money around here. Another expensive option would be a S&W 650 .22 magnum. Finally, a 3" barrel S&W 30/31 .32 Long revolver would carry easily, have reasonable power, and give good accuracy. I own three of these and am very pleased with them.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

317-1 .

 

[Texas Star]

S&W M-60-4. Stainless and heavy enough to handle recoil with Plus P loads, which you shouldn't use in light alloy frames. And it has adjustable sights. I think it weighs about 24 oz.

If you have the right holster and belt, you won't notice the weight much. That's where a lot of people go wrong.

With a choice of standard or Plus P ammo, you have considerable versatility. And stainless construction is important in a real life carry gun.

 

[JJ_BPK]

I have a Model 60-10, 3", .357 mag. 22oz, compact, adj sights.

Depending on your local critter population, you can start with 1 or 2 shoot shells,, then .38 wad-cutters or something a little hotter....

 

[Klondike Mike]

Another vote for the 3" adjustable sight model 60. Mine's a 38 Special.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

I have a Model 60-10, 3", .357 mag. 22oz, compact, adj sights.

Depending on your local critter population, you can start with 1 or 2 shoot shells,, then .38 wad-cutters or something a little hotter....

Add my "+1" here. My woods gun is not dissimilar. I carry a plastic ammo box of 50 spare rounds that range from shotshells....38 Special RNL or SWC...cast 158 gr solid .357 magnum loads, and 158 gr JHP .357 magnum loads. In my hiking area, this will cover just about everything.

If you are in bear country..well, that's different...and that means a rifle.

 

[Texas Star]

Another vote for the 3" adjustable sight model 60. Mine's a 38 Special.

Oh, yeah! Your M-60-4 even has the same Pachmayr grips that mine does. How do you like the Cold Steel knife?

I have a couple of El Paso holsters and one from Bianchi that are similar to your black one. They hold the gun well and with a good belt, minimize weight.

 

[bobelk99]

317-1 .

This recommendation would be hard to beat.

 

[Rule3]

A plastic 9 or 40 caliber I am not a Glock fan but the 19 would be good. I prefer the XD 9, You get more rounds than a revolver they don't care about getting dirty or wet, will function even if you drop it in the mud or dirt, cheaper than a nice revolver. Light weight etc, etc.

 

[NiklasP]

I have two that I carry often in recent years.

One is S&W M60 with 5 inch barrel -- weighs a bit less than 30 oz loaded. In a S&W holster with S&W gun belt, I almost totally forget it is there. Ammo actually carried on a given hike varies, from 148 grain HBWC in 38 Spl cases at about 800 fps (mostly for grouse sitting on tree branch) to 158 grain bullets at 1200-1300 fps in 357 cases (should I be expecting something bigger -- turkey or some 4-legged critter, including deer). Have nice Pachmayr Gripper or Uncle Mikes rubber combat grips for this shooting.

Other one is a Ruger Single 6 with 22 Mag cylinder -- in suitable holster and gun belt it too is hardly noticed. With care, this gun puts federal 50 grain bullets into nice small groups (3-4 shots out of 6 (all 6 chambers) in 1-1,5 inches at woods ranges--up to maybe 50 yards)). Kills about like a 22 rifle.

Niklas

 

[johnjohn]

Model 15 is hard to beat.

 

[off road]

I want something light if I'm going to carry it around for long periods. This has a 3" barrel (not to short and not to long), .38/.357, and only 14.7 ounces:

Product: Model M&P360

Or....something from the NightGuard lineup: NightGuard - Smith & Wesson

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

This recommendation would be hard to beat.

Thankyew, thankyewverymuch.....

 

[Triggernosis]

Thanks for the recommendations so far,

FWIW, I used to have a 60-4 but sold it to a fellow S&W forum member....it was just too heavy for my liking.
As for the 317 that I had - I sold it to a gun dealer at a substantial loss because I had too many (unresolved by S&W) issues with it. Piece of **** from day one.

I'll have to look into the Model 12 and the .32 caliber models.

 

[Triggernosis]

I want something light if I'm going to carry it around for long periods. This has a 3" barrel (not to short and not to long), .38/.357, and only 14.7 ounces:

Product: Model M&P360

Um, that's almost identical to my Model 37, so nothing gained there.

 

[NiklasP]

Hummm, maybe one of those little NAA mini-revolvers would be a good choice.

Niklas

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I like the Wather P22 for a light .22LR that is accurate and I have extra mags. For more punch but still accurate, the Kahr CW9 is a good choice.