Which is the better woods gun?

[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.

 

[roaddog28]

In California I would say the model 19/66. I have a 66-4 4 inch. I would load it with 180gr cast. Short of a brown bear I don't think I would have a problem.

Take care,
roaddog28

 

[sw282]

siiiiiiiiiiiii

 

[TwoPoundPull]

For more than 30 years, I did not "carry" out of season here in the northeast....But....After the second time stumbling across a pair of black bear cubs I thought my luck might be running a little thin. I do own a number of S&W's, including the models you listed, but for walking, berry picking, pre-season scouting, and such, I've got a comfortable shoulder holster, an old short barrel Vaquero in 45 Colt, 5 out of 6 chambers filled with 30 gn's of FFF Goex compressed in the case under a 250gn Montana cast RNFP. I hope it doesn't ever happen, but if push comes to shoot, and I miss momma bear, I'm thinking the flash will blind her, the report will deafen her, the sparks will set her fur to burning, and I can run like hell behind a big cloud of white smoke..........2#

 

[tom turner]

Whatever floats your boat. All will do well in non-Grizzly areas.

As for me, in the Georgia woods in areas lacking hogs . . .

- Model 37 Airweight snubbie if I'm just hiking around our hunting lease, OR a lightweight officer's sized .45ACP (Kimber Ultra CDP)

- If it is small game season . . . my Holosight-topped Ruger MkII Target model pistol.

- If there are lots of wild dogs in the area, or possible 2-legged predators . . . my full sized Para-Ordinance P45.14 LDA Limited.

OR . . .

either a 2 1/2" Model 19 or a 3" Model 65 (both are .357 Magnums) . . . or my favorite revolver, a chopped to 3 1/4" barreled S&W 25-2 in .45ACP.

- During deer season, or while hog hunting, my trusty, Holosight-topped 6" Model 29-5 .44 Magnum revolver. It has taken scores of deer through the years!


Again, all your choices are good ones . . . as good as any.

T.

 

[trea]

hope i never need one for the woods. but i enjoy having my model 34 and a box of 22's. if i'm where i bcould do a little plinking.

 

[luis]

I would agree with others that the model 19 would do you well if you do not need to worry about bears.

I do have to disagree with those that say that woods are safe. They may have been safe 40 years ago but not today. In the Mid West meth labs are now in wooded areas. The South East has problems with illegal alcohol production and pot fields. South West faces issues with drug runners, pot field and illegal aliens. The Pacific North West has pot fields and meth labs.

Best-case scenario is that you run into a lab or field and get out without running into someone.

 

[WPWarhawk]

I'd go with a .44, a 629 Mountain Gun to be specific. Might run into a hog or other exotic critter down here and I'd want something that would anchor it on the spot.

 

[WPWarhawk]

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.

That is one gorgeous revolver!

 

[bwsmith2850]

It depends on how much weight you're willing to carry around. I carry a 4" M19 in the woods at my in-laws or in the state forest land over my M28 simply because it's lighter to lug around. A .357 works well on thin skinned troublemakers on 2 or 4 legs.

A .44 packs more punch than the .357 so there is a benefit to the extra weight of a 29 that the 27 doesn't have. You don't have bear where you are so it's debatable if you will need the extra punch. There are black bear (and the occasional lost Minnesota cougar) where I wander and I still haven't rushed out to buy a .44 so I guess you know where I stand. If you feel you need the extra insurance, I won't tell you to leave the .44 at home but you would not be under-armed with the .357.

On a side note...

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

It wasn't any picnic target shooting with a 6" either. On the other hand, when fighting for your life (from people or critters) hearing loss is the least of your worries. Surviving with hearing loss beats the other alternative cold.

You may not even hear the shots!

 

[Sportsterguy]

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.

That is one sweet S&W!!!! Absolutely beautifully grained and colored grips. Gotta say they are some of the nicest I've ever seen.

Congrats!