What's YOUR Pick for a Woods Gun?? Play Along Please...

Here in PA, we have black bears of course, but they pretty much mind their own business. I have been know to carry as small as a M63 with the first two rounds being shotshell and the other four rounds CCI Stingers (summer). If I were in grizzly country, and was seriously worried about getting eaten, I guess I would carry my father's BFR in 45/70 on a chest rig. That pretty much goes from one extreme to the other. In all seriousness, I would feel safe in any environment with my 1006 and two spare mags of 200gr black talons. All stainless, accurate, very reliable, and packs quite a punch for an auto. No matter where I am, I am usually more concerned about other humans than I am about any other animal.
 
Where on God's Green Earth do you find both griz and wild hogs?? I'm not saying it isn't possible, am simply not aware of where that combo might co-exist!

In any case, if I were hiking in griz country (which I do frequently, as I live there), I'd carry a 4" 500. Period. If you took the griz out of the equation, I'd carry a 629 of some kind. A Mountain Gun would be something to consider. I've been having a lot of fun with the 2 5/8" 629PC over the past year, have found it to be surprisingly accurate and relatively easy-to-control, and think that would be a good choice. I would also be willing to consider either a 41 or a 357.....I think if I were going to carry a 357 I'd tilt toward one of the 8-shot N-frames.
 
We have black bears here in Wi. I carry A S&W 29-3 4"barrel .44 Mag or a Ruger SBH 7 1/2"barrel .44 Mag.
 
I would trust my Bisley Blackhawk, 7.5 inches loaded with Cast Performance 300 grain LFNGC bullets. YMMV.

Boox
 
I'd use a Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 mag with a 4 5/8" barrel or my 5 1/2" Ruger Super Redhawk in 44 mag.
 
4" 29-2 loaded with hard cast 240 gr.Keith.I quit carrying smallish .357 mag.Bears and wolves need a little more punch than .38 cal. bullets will deliver,maybe not so much the wolves but the bears do..Use enough gun ! .41 mag would be my first choice but I only have 6" barrels on my .41's.
 
S&W 329 Night Guard .44 mag. with hard cast bullets, in a strong side holster with a Blackhawk lanyard attaching the revolver to the gun belt.
 
Ruger 41 Magnum Blackhawk, 6-1/2" barrel, loaded with 265 grain Cast Performance LWFNGC over 21.2 grains of 'Lil Gun (1330 fps). I've carried that combination on 10 and 13 mile hikes in Montana.
 
I've worked in conditions similar to what you describe although we didn't have quite the number of wild game you suggest. In Alaska back in the 70s I was an Army Wildlife Enforcement Agent (a branch of the Military Police) for several years and our duty firearms (we had five) were 6 1/2" S&W model 29s. Can't remember what the issue ammo was. The model 29s covered every contingency and we felt well armed. If I had to do it over in this day and age I would want a 629 with a 4" bbl.
 
First off, I had similar jobs to your senerio in the early 60s and we wasnt permitted to even carry a gun, (yosemite 1960, grand tetons 1961, wisconsin conservation dept 1962).
That said I probley would carry what I do now rideing the trails on our atv. Since grizz is out of the equasion, I am really only interested in protection from people and rattlesnakes. As I am a accumilator I seldom carry the same gun three times in a row. Frankly I can get by nicely with a .38 special and many times carry either a old 4" M&P or a 3" model 36.
I am big on .44 specials and carry one often too. I carry my most scuffed up one in the dust, that one is a 5" HD converted to .44 special.
Besides what I listed, I also pack a little model 34 2" 22lr in my bag.
In many miles and outings, I really only remember bumping off a couple three rattlers and no humans. However I have liked the peace of mind it has gave me several times dealing with some questionable ones I have met on the trail, they probley never knew I was armed. I know you said no rifles, but strongly consider carrying a winchester copy 92 lever in the same caliber as your handgun. I do. I have a rossi puma in .357 and a browning 92 in .44 mag. The .357 in a carbine doesnt give much up to a 30-30!
 
Choosing from what I currently own vs. a hypothetical wish list, and what I actually carry depending on the woodland environment, the choices are a 624 3" or a Thunder Ranch 325. For regular hikes in local state parks, anything from a 640 to 65/66 will suffice. My 629 with 8-3/8" barrel is a bit large to haul around all day, but might do well with a custom shoulder stock as a wilderness carbine!
 
I guess if this is another bear thread then I will throw in with the four inch .500 or a Alaskan in .454 but remove them and I would carry the Glock in 10mm.
 
Either a 21 or 624 in .44 Special, or 629 in .44 Mag, a 5" bbl would be my pick. Loaded with 250gr hard cast Keith bullets, around 1100fps. Holster would be something like the Tom Threepersons models. This is for situations up to grizzly bears.
In grizzly country, my thoughts turn from pistols to rifles of the .45-70-.375H&H variety.
 
With your scenario, selecting from what I have on hand I'll go with my 4 5/8 Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt loaded with 300-335 grain SWC's.

Drop the bears from the list of furry friends that I'll stick with my 4" S&W model 15 loaded with shotshells and 158 grain SWCHP.
 
Woods gun

For me, a no brainer. A S&W Model 629 with 4 inch barrel in either a high quality pancake holster or shoulder rig and reinforced instructor's belt.
Steve
 
Seneecap; Here is that 5" converted HD to 44 special I carry. I have 7 .44 specials. I recently bought a 5 1/2" ruger flat top in .44 special That I am just starting to work with. Hell, heres pictures of all seven!

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First of all, you'll have to tell us where to find this utopia of game so we can all go there and do some hiking.....

As long as you see fit to include the big bears, I would want at least a 45 with heavy (300 plus grains) moving right along so of the handguns I own that would mean my FA M83 6" or one of my Ruger BH's in 45 Colt.

But if we left out the big bears, then it would be one of my favorite 44's. That would be either my 329PD which is usually carried with 250 gr cast 44 specials or my 5" 29 Classic with 260-280 gr cast moving along a little faster! I really like carrying the Classic and I feel I shoot it well.

Ward

nice little day dreaming break in the work day.....
 
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