Which Revolver? Personal Prot. Issue

[cybersnow]

I recently purchased some property in the back country up near McCall ID. Been up to the property several times this winter. Have witnessed wolves taking down an elk yearling and seen numerous cat and bear tracks. Also this property is off the road and I have concerns about the 2 legged or editors. I am thinking I will do open carry of a.357 mag or .44 mag. I have a CA CCW and was told it will be no problem getting an Idaho permit. I am not looking for a mini pistol but one that is medium framed and accurate. Maybe a 4inch or more barrel. Would like adjustable sights. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

Improve your 200yd sprints. Get a 629 and dont worry about anything

 

[Cal44]

Take a look at the M69.

It's a 44 mag l frame.

More compact the m629.

 

[zonker5]

I like a model 25 in 45 Colt for that use. A single action like a Ruger woulds also work well.

 

[twodog max]

I second the Model 69.Plenty of horsepower but easy to carry.

 

[307-Niner]

I carry a 4" 629 for these situations.

 

[Targets Guy]

Model 19-2 should do. If it were me I would also take a Winchester or Marlin .357 carbine.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Long gun is always better in these situations, but don't give up on the hand gun either. The biggest, nastiest thing you can carry comfortably, shoot effectively and get ammunition for without a lot of hassle is the way to go. For most people that will be a .357, .44 mag or .45 acp. 41 mag is nice as is 10mm but ammo availability can be an issue. If you bring along enough of your own rather than having to buy locally, pack whatever the heck you feel comfortable with and can shoot well.

 

[bigwheelzip]

A .44 Mag revolver as backup to a rifle.

 

[BC38]

A 4" 44 mag loaded with HP rounds - M29/M629 if weight isn't an issue, M69 if you're looking to pack a bit lighter. Then get yourself a nice 44 lever gun to go with it. You can carry heavier loads for the rifle, but still share loads between your rifle and your side arm if you really need to.

A 357 magnum combo of a 4" M66/M19 or M65/M13 and a 357 lever gun would be the next best thing and plenty powerful enough for anything but bigger bears. It would even be adequate for most bears with the right loads.

 

[F75gunslinger]

I'd suggest a lever rifle and the same caliber handgun.You can go either .357 or .44 and get both pretty easily, and then only have to carry one type of ammo. I'd steer clear of a single action, only because if if it were me I'd wonder why the darned thing isn't shooting when I pulled the trigger. The model 69 is a great compromise between power and size, since you'll be carrying it far more than shooting it.

 

[hkcavalier]

629 4" or 5". Heavy but won't bust your wrist if you have to shoot it one handed or from a bad shooting position. The PC snub is just really snappy with all but the mildest loads.

A 657 (.41 Mag) would be good too, but harder to find gun and ammo.

 

[snuffy51]

All of the above and a fat, slow, brother-in-law, if available.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Mine's a 629 Trail Boss 3" in a shoulder rig. Philosophically it works for me. It's untested so far, and I hope to keep it that way.

 

[Fastbolt]

Well, if it were me, and I was thinking about what I ought to carry while tooling about my property, considering the dangerous animals you mentioned ....

I'd be belting on one of my .44 Magnum revolvers, to hopefully give me time to get to my shotgun loaded with slugs, or my lever gun.

The newer .500 & .460 S&W Magnum wheelies are nice, as are the .454's, and certainly possess enough in the "Oomph" department, but the ammo is costly and the felt recoil can be somewhat stout.

As much as I like .44 Mag, and really miss my original Ruger auto .44 Mag carbine and my .444 Marlin (what was I thinking selling them?? ) , I'd probably be inclined to stay with an actual rifle caliber in a lever gun. (Or, maybe I'd just like to come up with an excuse to buy a nifty .45-70 Marlin lever gun, like a "Guide Gun" model, to supplement my old 336C. )

Whatever you may decide upon, it doesn't have to be fancy, as the problems you're talking about aren't exactly "new" or fancy. It just has to work for you, and work to best effect with your skillset ... and not break the bank or cause you any angst when the weather and other any other inclement conditions may work their eventual will upon the gun(s).

Luck to you. Best regards. Sounds like a nice bit or rural property to enjoy.

 

[much ado]

Best gun...McCall,Idaho

My brother and I went on an elk hunt out of Big Creek,Idaho in 2007.Sounds like you`re closer to McCall than Big Creek so our experience out of a tent camp we packed into is: Our guide,Al Bayer(who is out of McCall) carried a Ruger Single Action that was(to the best of my memory) in 45 Colt. Seems to me he had some hot load in it but I can`t remember the manufacturer.He used a shoulder holster with a retention strap and kept it covered with plastic.Seemed like it snowed every day so I guess he would remove the plastic and let it breathe when the weather was good! My brother and a friend were out with Al and a Mountain Lion pretty much walked in on them. Al seemed to think it was trailing their scent, so you and yours are right to think you might not be at the top of the food chain. Al struck us as a totally proficient guy so if he carries something in the mid forty-cal line then I would too. Back closer to McCall if you`re worried about 2 legged creatures then maybe a handgun tailored to a little faster(and mo` bullets) action might be advised. Got to say that McCall is a beautiful place and we heard that the billionaires had bought out the millionaires so if you`re either of those I congratulate you on your choice of real estate John

 

[jlrhiner]

Every now and then, a brand new self-defense tactic comes along that may benefit situations like the OP has.

You might not need a handgun at all if you become really, really good at this technique.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/468315-theory-becomes-reality.html

 

[zonker5]

One other thing to consider is the holster. For wandering about in the bush I'd suggest a good flap type holster to keep the grunge and rain away.

 

[pjpjr]

Given the circumstances you provided I would carry my Marlin Guide Gun 45/70 as primary and would have strapped on a .45 Colt Government model in flap holster. I'm pretty certain this will cover all you mentioned. I absolutely would not venture into that territory with just a handgun!

 

[Kanewpadle]

In the lower 48 states I would be happy with a four inch 357 with heavy hard cast loads in a chest holster and a 12 gauge pump with 00 buck or slugs slung over my shoulder.