Which Revolver? Personal Prot. Issue

The real question to be answered here is how did you get a CA CCW permit ? Does it become null and void when you move?
 
Before you buy a .44 Mag you really ought to shoot one and see if you can put up with the recoil and blast.
In reality for dangerous animals you ought to carry a .22 revolver and always have a friend with you. If you are approached by a dangerous beast, shoot your friend in the leg and move away as discreetly as you can.
 
I'm not necessarily a Glock fan, in fact I don't even own one now. But if it were me, I'd probably be all over a 10mm Glock, mostly for capacity. Any of S&W's 10mm would do too. (I do have a 1076) I would not want to have to worry about remembering to cock the durn thing like someone else said. Point and shoot. I have a 44 special and a .41 mag in single action, but I would not pick either as a bedside gun if a double action or semi-auto were available. Same thing for woods walking where there's lions, wolves and bears! That's my opinion, because you did ask. :D
 
I'd lean towards something that you could deploy quickly & shoot fast. (sacrilege I know). Somehow I feel that you might find yourself with multiple adversaries & no time to waste. I'm not a fan of pistol caliber long guns. If it's a long gun it needs to shoot a rifle cartridge. I'm thinking a DA/SA .45 ACP pistol backed up with several pre loaded magazines. For the long gun I'd like a 7.62X 39 piece, Ruger mini .30, SKS or an AK, also with back up magazines. I agree with an earlier poster that a chest holster probably would be best as it's weight will be on your shoulders & not your waist.
 
Maybe

I think you've got some great suggestions so far.

Perhaps the best idea is to narrow it down then fire a couple boxes through your top 5 at the rental range.

One I didn't see would be a S&W .357 TRR8. Lightweight, nice handling, 8 rounds, 5 in barrel.

I do think it's wise to have a fast handling rifle--if you carry it or lock it in the truck while walking the property. I do like the Ruger Mini 30 for this.

Whatever you decide....pictures :D

Lad
 
Chest holster, yes
Don't rule out the 45 Colt
I would think double action might be better, lest you be caught off guard and have to fire quickly.
Sacrilege I know, but Ruger makes a nice double action, 45 colt. Stuff some Buffalo Bore ammo in that and rock on.
 
glock 20, 10 mm. My woods carry. Easy to carry, 16 + 1, quick follow-ups, tremendous firepower, moderate recoil.
 
While I share your concern about Editors it is unfortunately illegal to shoot them. There is also that matter of the First Amendment, even if you disagree with them you aren't allowed to do anything more than let your parakeet or puppy poop all over their opinion.

For Preditors, I like the suggestions for a rifle. Being a reloader I have seen first hand the difference that 16 inches of barrel can make in Muzzle Velocity, you can take a 1200 fps plinker to a 1650 stopper with that extra 16 inches. So a Rifle is a superb choice. If you don't want to carry a rifle then I would suggest the L Frame model 69 with it's 4 inch barrel in 44 Magnum. Loaded with Magnum Rifle Loads (H110 powder) it will not only kick like a mule it will have enough muzzle blast and flash to drive off any aggressive cat or wolf. Note, if you encounter a true Grizzly be aware they aren't scared by anything, so make you you place your shots well or just shoot a handy friend in the knee to provide a distraction for that Grizzly.
 
A Ruger 77 MkII in Compact, Frontier, or Scout configuration is a very handy bolt gun. They come in .308, which is pretty versatile rifle round and certainly more potient than any handgun. For handguns, even full house 357s can be a bit much for some shooters. If one of your concerns are predators of the teo legged variety, standard defensive handguns apply regardless of the environment. I believe a 357 revolver can be a viable tool for your tool box if all you want to carry is a handgun. Load one with some of the heavier bullets with good penetration and expansion for an all-round load, if that's possible. Shot placement is still always the key, so make sure you can still be accurate under pressure with a load that's going to kick harder than you may be used to shooting.
 
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Find one like this pre-29...the previous owner was a Idaho Fish & Game officer from the Salmon, Idaho area. My second choice and easier on the budget would me a 629 Mountain Gun.

153926758.8oQ3K0YP.bearprotection.jpg
 
I recommend a .454 Casull or S&W 460 revolver as a backup to a lever-action .45/70 rifle.

If you can find one of those Rossi 92s in .454, particularly the 16" guns, that might be an interesting option. I looked for one for a long time before getting a Marlin 1895 in .45/70. A .454 won't get to .45/70 power but it's pretty close, and the 16" carbine is still a 7 or 8 shot gun. If you need more than 8 360gr .454s at 1600fps or more you're in a bad spot!
 
If you don't mind carrying the weight (folks are talking carbine and revolver) you might carry just one pistol, a .44 magnum Desert Eagle. 9 full house .44 magnums shot rapidly (recoil like a .357 magnum) might be a better choice than shooting 6 heavier recoil rounds out of a 629. You can also always have a carbine close by, so you really are not limited.
 
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Most of those animals are more afraid of you than you need be of them. Carry a decent 4 or 6 inch .357 mag and a can of bear spray. The sound of a round being fired will scare-off all but perhaps the most pissed-off or hungry grizzly. The bear spray will put bears out of action quickly. I really don't see the need to pack a carbine or an elephant pistol. I would imagine that you would rather not kill an animal on your property and would rather enjoy their presence. You can always target shoot with a nice .38/.357 when you're not being chased by wild beasts :/
 
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This thread has been very informative and entertaining. Thanks for that. A couple of clarifications are owed. First my spell changer changed preditor to or editor. While I realize editors are a necessary evil, not really worried about being attacked by a pack of frenzied editors. Ha ha.

Second the property is to the North East of McCall and purchased in a foreclosure auction one snowy and freezing day where there were more auctioneers than bidders.

My current legal residence is N Cal, hence the CA CCW. Oh, and I was told that Idaho recognizes many state CCWs, but not CA.

I just returned from a few weeks of winter sports in the area and managed to have lunch with an officer from sheriffs dept and a great discussion with a Fish and Game officer. Was told that the bear tracks I saw were only Black Bear and that other than being a nuisance with garbage cans, etc., that I really don't need to worry about bear attacks. They recommended that I carry a .357 mag revolver, both carried S&W weapons.

I had thought about carrying my P14 in .45acp as it proved itself a number of times during deployments. But have now decided that a S&W 686 Pro Plus will be my sidearm of choice. I will keep my trusty Remington 870 tactical 12 gauge handy though. But prolly will not carry it with me as I fish the many great trout streams in the area.

Thanks again for all the great advice!
 
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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.

Governor with .410 slugs would be my choice. I don't think editors are any harder to stop than any other 2 legged aggressor . . .
 
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.

Wouldn't get too bent out of shape over making any gun decisions now.
Just take something you already have, and as you spend more and more time in the area, it will be easier to make a prudent choice of armament.

Don't overlook getting some bear spray as well.
Many who have first hand experience in such matters say it is more effective against bears than any handgun.
If it were me, I would carry a handgun AND the spray if I having both were not too much trouble.

Being caught shooting a bear without having a bear hunting license, even in a legitimate self - defense situation, is a serious matter in more and more jurisdictions, often resulting with the shooter being investigated and prosecuted with a zeal not seen with many homicide cases. These investigations do not begin with the premise that the suspect / shooter is innocent.
Point being that if by some remote chance you had some scary confrontation with a bear, having a non - gun option could save you a lot of money, and hassles from the Game Department if they got wind of it.
 
What made you pick a revolver over a semi auto? Serious question. Either one is fine but I know for me I go with what's more comfortable and what I'm used to so I would automatically go with a semi auto. If you've been deployed with your Para Ordnance you should probably have the whole draw, aim, shoot, reload down pat. Probably do it in your sleep. This is how I would base my decision on what tool to carry in predator filled area. I know I'm much more used to shooting semi autos and they are like second nature to me. If I chose a revolver I'd probably fumble with it when adrenaline starts pumping. Especially if I had to reload.....for whatever reason.

For me the choice would be a Glock 20 in 10mm. It doesn't have to be a Glock. If someone else made a 16 shot 10mm I'd take that. Or some kind of a short (16in) semi auto rifle in 30cal. But the handgun would probably be the one I'd take

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My preference for a handgun would be a Model 25 in .45 colt.
But my real preference would be a 12 gauge with both buckshot and slugs.
 
your skill level should dictate what to carry. Very few people can use a handgun very well under stress. A shot gun with an extended tube is what I normally like to carry, or my Marlin guide gun.
 
Washington State has bears, both Black Bear and Grizzly. When I am out and about in bear country I carry my 41 Remington® Magnum handgun and a 444 Marlin® rifle. The revolver is stoked with Federal® CastCore® 250gr LSWC ammunition; and the rifle with 300gr Beartooth® hard cast.

USE ENOUGH GUN!!!!!
 

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