Help with revolver and holster.

[scout1]

Getting ready to order a Guides Choice chest holster from Diamond D Custom Leather. I'm having a hard time deciding which revolver to mate up with it. My choices are 4 of my favorite woods guns.

1. Ruger Blackhawk/ with Bisley grip frame, 45 colt, 4 5/8" barrel.
2. S&W 25-5, 45 colt, 4" barrel.
3. S&W 629, 44 mag, 5" barrel.
4. S&W 29, 44 mag, 3" barrel.

Since I reload I'm leaning strongly to the Blackhawk/Bisley because of the 45 colt cartridge.

I can only afford one Guides Choice, which would you pick?

Thanks, Jim

 

[Alk8944]

Get one for the 5" 629 and you can carry any N-Frame S&W up to that barrel length. That includes three of the four you list.

 

[scout1]

Very good point. What I like however about the the Blackhawk/Bisley is the strengh of the platform. I can load everything from light weight plinkers to very heavy stoppers.

It seems to me that the beauty of the 44 mag is for those that do not load and are stuck with factory ammo.

The 25-5 is a nice compromise. It just cannot handle the same level of loads that the Ruger can.

This choice would be like I stated, a woods gun. Not for hunting with but rather a sidearm to have with me when archery hunting or just out and about.

 

[310Pilot]

I would probably go for the 5" 629 holster fit, again, for the flexibility of being able to carry several of the guns you listed, and I prefer a DA revolver in .44 Mag to a single action, should I have a bear encounter. YMMV.

BTW, I highly recommend you DO NOT carry any firearm when bow hunting any big game in Arizona, as it is illegal, and AZGFD definitely frowns on this, even if you have a CCW and intend it only as protection. Could cost you your hunting privileges (not only in AZ, but in many other states, as well, as most are now honoring sanctions by other states' wildlife enforcement commissions) for up to five years, and a large monetary fine, as well. Check it out with Game and Fish, not a good idea. One of the reasons I don't bow hunt, even though getting drawn for any big game firearms hunt in Arizona is almost impossible now. I understand the desire to carry in the field; I, too, live in NE AZ, and there are a lot of bears about in the woods, as well as an ever-increasing number of jerk humans.

 

[scout1]

I would probably go for the 5" 629 holster fit, again, for the flexibility of being able to carry several of the guns you listed, and I prefer a DA revolver in .44 Mag to a single action, should I have a bear encounter. YMMV.

BTW, I highly recommend you DO NOT carry any firearm when bow hunting any big game in Arizona, as it is illegal, and AZGFD definitely frowns on this, even if you have a CCW and intend it only as protection. Could cost you your hunting privileges (not only in AZ, but in many other states, as well, as most are now honoring sanctions by other states' wildlife enforcement commissions) for up to five years, and a large monetary fine, as well. Check it out with Game and Fish, not a good idea. One of the reasons I don't bow hunt, even though getting drawn for any big game firearms hunt in Arizona is almost impossible now. I understand the desire to carry in the field; I, too, live in NE AZ, and there are a lot of bears about in the woods, as well as an ever-increasing number of jerk humans.

Thanks for the input on the holster. Your thoughts really make the most sense.

As far as carrying a handgun during archery season here Arizona.

Az. Changed this law about 4 or 5 years ago. It is now legal to carry a handgun during and while bowhunting. There are some restrictions such as 6 inch barrel or less and no optics of any sort.

Thanks again, Jim