Which is the better woods gun?

[aterry33]

S&W Model 29 4"

S&W Model 27 5"

S&W Model 19 4"

Note that this is an unfair, subjective question, and assume that the gun would not be carried in Alaska or anywhere where Brown Bears would be present.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I guess it could depend on what is in the woods. I'd go for one of the 4" ones as I like the shorter barrel revolvers for woods carry. Probably your 29 would be my preference for all critters great and small.

 

[geoff40]

Interpreting no browns to mean no grizzly either, I'd say the 19 would make a fine woods gun.

 

[Chuck Jones]

Of those three, the 4" 29 followed by the 19.

There's no advantage of a .357 N frame over the 19 that offsets its greater weight and size.

/c

 

[Brian894x4]

19 loaded with buffalo bore 180 grain hardcast or something similiar.

After I put that load clean through a 1/4" stainless steel solid plate out of a 16" barrel rifle, my respect for the .357 changed dramaticly. The weight of the 19 is far easier to carry around. I carry a 3" 66 myself. But typically load with 158 grain hollow points from BB. Also pretty impressive ballistics.

 

[Xfuzz]

S&W 19 works in my part of the world.

 

[WVfishguy]

Any will do.

The most dangerous creature you will ever meet in the woods is man. That's not to say the woods are totally safe, but it's a lot safer than any city.

I've seen other forums where idiots recommend monster guns - 460 calibers and up - as if dinosaurs still roamed the earth. City folks make me laugh. I've roamed West Virginia woods since I was about 12 or so, and never carried anything larger than a sizable Bowie knife

Chances are you'll NEVER be in danger from animals. You might have to worry about pot growers (most of them are just stupid hippies) or, maybe, dumb rednecks, (although they tend to avoid the woods).

The only truly dangerous animals will be a black bear, (attacks are very, very rare) or California cougars (And frankly, who cares - they just eat runners & yuppie liberals).

What I worry about is escaped/semi-domesticated male deer (bucks) filled with testosterone (deer farms are becoming more popular). This is the "domesticated" wild animal responsible for more human fatalities than all other "domesticated" wild animals combined. These critters will attack you in the suburbs.

Bucks and rabid animals (again, very unlikely) are about the only worry you have.

You'll also hear about danger from wolves, but that's crap. Wild dogs are more dangerous, but that's also mostly crap. And you can kill a snake with stick.

Sorry for the long post, but I've seen this sort of thread several times before, and most of the people who comment have never set foot in the woods in their life.

However, I do recommend at least a .357 magnum. A testosterone laden buck is almost as dangerous as a meth-brained junkie, and a .357 hollow point will generally do the job on both.

 

[spearcrow]

Hard to go wrong with a classic like the model 19. Always served me well enough.

 

[bronco45]

4" 29 loaded with Buffalo Bore heavy 44 Special 250 Keiths at a 1000 fps.

Easy on the recoil only weighs 6ozs more than the 19 which is limited in its capacity to fire "fullhouse 357s" and that 44 still speaks with great authority even if its' only Special.

 

[redlevel]

Wild dogs are more dangerous, but that's also mostly crap.

Naw Suh, it ain't crap.

 

[sonny]

Model 29, 4" is my choice. I also have a 3" 29 and a 3" 696 .44 Special. Any of these are fine choices for the woods. I prefer 4" bbls or shorter.
Sonny

 

[Cocked & Locked]

...most of the people who comment have never set foot in the woods in their life.

Dang...I've been found out again

 

[smithman]

29. The 44 can be loaded down enough for anything. The 357 can't be loaded up enough to deal with anything.

 

[aphelion]

And you can kill a snake with stick.

Or just walk around it.

 

[spearcrow]

29. The 44 can be loaded down enough for anything. The 357 can't be loaded up enough to deal with anything.

I'm thinking an education is in order here... maybe you misread the article.

 

[smithman]

I'm thinking an education is in order here... maybe you misread the article.

Really? Brown bears aren't the only thing in this Country that I'd rather have a 44 for sir. The original post left plenty of room for those other possibilities in my reading of it. A 357 is kind of light for moose, black bears, etc, in my opinion. Educate me on what I missed and you took from that post of his?

 

[Snapping Twig]

I pack a 3" 629 (see avitar) so I'd vote for your 4" 29.

Big heavy slugs can do more.

 

[feralmerril]

I have all listed and switch off with my mood. One you didnt list is a model 24-3 4" that gets my top vote. Its lighter with the pencil barrel and shorter clyinder than either the 29 or 25. Also put on the maga grips, works fine for me. Its a mountain gun, yet I dont own a mountain gun. Any mountain gun would be nice.

 

[Poohgyrr]

From what you listed, I'd like this one:

The 4" M19 is reliable, accurate, handy, and should be powerful enough. And it looks good.

 

[s2harry]

I like the 4 inch Model 29 and the 4 inch Model 27 (I know you got a 5 inch) With a 44 mag you can carry 300gr bullets and standard 240s to hunt or defend with and you can shoot shotshells for food if you like. RCBS makes dies to cut off 30-30 cases and form them as a shot shell in 44 mag. They hold 1/2 oz shot. 44 mag is very versatil and usefull over a wide range of uses. For the Model 27 that thing has skull penetrating power. Dont think its a .38 it aint. Outa your 5 inch its just that much better. However the 44 gives you more bullet for the money.

 

[Ron H.]

S&W Model 29 4"

S&W Model 27 5"

S&W Model 19 4"

Note that this is an unfair, subjective question, and assume that the gun would not be carried in Alaska or anywhere where Brown Bears would be present.

Sir, FWIW, I like a .44 special or .45 Colt for woods bumming. A 240- or 250-grain LSWC at 900 fps is sufficient for most problems, and pleasant to plink with as well.

Assuming you already have the guns you mention, I'd go with the Model 29 and load it down. If you're trying to decide which gun to buy, you might consider expanding your search to include .45 Colts and .44 specials.

JMHO.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[tpd223]

For the woods here in Kansas, I'd go with the model 19

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I'd venture a guess that the guy who said animals are little danger hasn't spent much time in the woods. Though he's right that bad humans are probably more trouble than bad animals. Feral dogs are certainly a problem, and are getting worse around here. I've dealt with that before. A feral or sick coyote once, too. Pot growers and tweakers are definitely an issue, as well. Almost had to handle a gator once, too. We don't have California cougars in Florida, that's for sure, so I guess he's right about them.

I favor my 5 inch Model 27 most of the time, even over the .44. A handload of a Keith SWC at 1150 fps will deal with anything I come across, from a snake (which I'm not likely to shoot unless I have to) all the way up to our black bears. A 19 would shoot the same round equally well, but I have no interest in K frames.

I have the .44, and sometimes it is my companion, but I love the balance of my 27, and I can shoot all of them well enough to do the job.

 

[yooperpat]

I feel very comfortable with my M624 4inch in the woods of Michigan's Upper Penninsula. Loaded with 250gr SWC at about 950fps.

 

[fighter62]

If I am out in the woods I woudl carry my 3 inch Effector with std. AE 240 JHP ammunition.

 

[44wheelman]

Smaller is better...19

I sweat all over everything (I'm fat), so better make it a 66.

 

[Catshooter]

Out the ones you list, the 29 is my pick. But loaded down a bit.

Have you ever fired a magnum round without ear muffs, esp out of a short barrel?

I fired a 2.5 inch .357 once, outside without muffs. Sold every .357 I owned after that. It really hurt, both ears.

Whereas a full load out of my Shorty .45 causes zero pain and hardly any ringing at all under the same circumstances.

So I'd go with the 29 and load a 250 Keith bullet at 900 to 1000 fps.

Oh, and I agree with Vanilla Gorilla, a guy who says the feral dog problem is 'crap' either lives in a high rise condo in downtown Seattle or thinks everyone who has posted their feral dog stories are liars.


Cat

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I'd still prefer the .44 in some variation...my 4" 29 or even my short 629-5 (with S&W Night Guard rubber.)

Last couple of years though, my 10mm Glock with Double Tap 200 grain hardcast Hammerheads has won out for my woods handgun. It's got 180 grain Gold Dots in it for the pic though.

 

[TOMFD]

I have every caliber from 22 to 45 and then some rifle stuff . I walk the dogs with a 22,32,380,or a 38 in my pocket in the woods .Same stuff that is in my pocket/desk at my shop . See some coyotes every other night but make a little noise and am aware of my suroundings .I do not have to worry about bears but even if a nasty human came around I would be able to deter him .
Tom C

 

[Sportsterguy]

Given your choices and with no brown bears or grizzlies I'd be packing the 19 with a heavy penetrating bullet. Easier to pack in the remote chance of any attack and faster back on target for follow up shots.

MY choice would be my 6" 657 .41 mag with 210 gr. Speer Gold Dots in it's old Bianchi SH but it's not on your list.