welp, here we go! (recommendations)

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Jswiney9

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Recommend me a good all around pistol, this will be a woods gun something to beat around with and fend off bears and crackheads where i hunt, maybe thinking about something to hunt with too, not sure exactly what i want yet but i need something. Not concerned with CC at all as I will be legally open carrying it where/when i bowhunt. who knows, throw some stuff out there for me to mess around with and look around. big broad topic. price range 0-600.............. have fun!

:D
 
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I agree with a magnum. I always say a four inch adjustable sight .357 is the best all around gun to start with. Warm up with .38's, carry with .357's, four inch sight radius is good enough for most work, adjustables cover the different ammo if you settle on a certain load, and will be able to do just about any duty you ask. I would find a used deal on a 19/66 or, if you can find one, a 686. If you depart from S&W, I would look at a Ruger GP100. A brand new GP will be under in your price range and they are built to last. I own two but will admit a used four inch 66 is high on my wishlist.
 
Better check to see if it's legal for you to carry a sidearm when bow hunting... if it is, I'd reccomend a 4" 29-3 or 29-4. These less popular "Dash Numbers" can be had used in the price range you mentioned....
 
It's hard to beat a 4" .357, say a Model 19 or 66, but when I'm just knocking about in the woods, there is usually a single action Ruger in .45 Colt of some kind on my hip. If I'm actually hunting with a handgun, it is a 7.5" Old Model Blackhawk. If the sidearm is just for plinking or "just 'cause," it is usually a 4 5/8" Vaquero. I load a 255 grain SWC to about 900 fps. John Linebaugh says that load will shoot through a Mule Deer length-wise. I know "fer a fack" it'll hole a 160 lb Georgia whitetail in and out, generally dropping him right where he stands. It is a very pleasant load, nothing like a full house .357 load, even in an N-frame. I have been sold on .45 Colt as a "woods gun" for nearly 40 years.
 
66, 686, 627, 629 Pick your choice based on frame size. 4" and 5" barrels are easy for carry. I am tall and dont mind carrying a 6".
 
I have a 4" Model 66 .357 that I bought new in 1995, has given me great service. Accurate, powerful, easy to conceal with an inside the waistband holster....

Also makes a great companion with my Marlin .357 lever action carbine.
 
Glock 20 in 10mm, though finding the ammunition can be a bit of a problem at times. Just order your ammo from DoubleTap and you ought be fine.
 
I am partial to the 65's in 4" for woods carry. You can find these little guns in your price range easily. 158 grain ammo seems to hit well and plenty of power in the .357 magnum round.
Peace,
gordon If I'm just woods bumming I carry a M37 snub with 158 grain LRN .38 special standard pressure, or snake shot. surely in your price range there!
 
GatorFarmer said:
Glock 20 in 10mm, though finding the ammunition can be a bit of a problem at times. Just order your ammo from DoubleTap and you ought be fine.
Click to expand...

New member here and GatorFarmer beat me to the punch. The G20 sounds exactly like what you are looking for. Uncle Ted carries a 10mm and brings his 10 as a back up when boar hunting.
 
Been there - Tried many (No G's though - Or other plastics for that matter).
I've settled on a 4" 686. Works GREAT - Will last like forever and won't rust :)
Shoots everything from weak 38s (S&B Wad Cutters) to full house .357 Magnums.
IF you believe you need 13+ rounds then you either need to practice more or find a new place to hunt.

You can't carry any kind of firearm while bow hunting here (Tennessee). Might be different where you hunt (?)
 
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I also recommend at a minimum a 4" 357, the Smith's will be lighter but I'm partial to my Ruger GP100. It's built like a tank and will handle the stoutest of loads.
 
My two cents calls for a 4" .44mag. That or a 4" .45Colt.

I made this same choice and had a 3" version custom made. Been carrying it for 20 years in the woods in a cross draw holster.

There's no replacement for displacement. A hot loaded small bore is no match for a moderate big bore as far as penetration and damage when large predators are involved.
 
Since you mentioned bears and the possibly of hunting with whichever gun you choose, I'd recommend a used 4" 629 which you should be able to find in that price range. I carry mine in a chest holster rig which keeps it out of the way but still accessible when hunting, fishing, hiking, 4-wheeling, etc.
 
.357 mag is generally considered a bit light for even lower 48 bears, certainly a bit on the light side if one is deliberately hunting them. Though some companies do market "bear loads" it might be a bit light.

But it is feral man eating pigs that you really need to worry about anyway....
 
really wanting to go with at least a .41 mag. Hard to find used smiths where i live in and decent condition. :mad:
 
I went with a 4" circa 1988 Model 586 I grabbed for $400. I would have bought stainless, but it fell in my lap. I have since supplemented it with a Model 60 Pro 3". I intended the 586 for all-round woods carry, and home defense. I can't carry a handgun during hunting season if carrying another weapon in CT, but I do wander the woods a bit and occasionally travel to more sane states like Maine. The 60 is a bit more for social work, but I like the damn thing so much it may go hiking a lot.

Future plans probably include a .357 lever action.
 
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