Woods/city carry for Alaska worker

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UAV Dan

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Hi all,

Looking for a new carry gun for working in Alaska, all over the state. I fly an M600 for mapping and analysis projects for my firm. I currently have a budget 9mm that isn't recommending for the area I'm working.

I need something that is relatively conceivable in an outside waist holster under a light-heavy jacket for when I'm grabbing the truck from work. No deep concealment required, just need to be professional.

I looked at a ruger super redhawk, but I'm uncomfortable with a double action. Would prefer a single action blackhawk, but they didn't have any with a short enough barrel and I was told they had corrosion issues even with stainless steel.

I looked at a springfield 10mm too. I've never fired a 10mm, but I've been heard it's equivalent to 44 magnum, so I'm unsure if I'd be able to handle it effectively, especially in a smaller package. I am more familiar with pistols, so that is an advantage.

Thanks,

Dan
 
This is the inventory nearby:
44:
Magnum Research Desert Eagle
S&W Model 629 (stainless, 7" barrel)
Taurus Raging Bull
10mm:
Glock 20 (Gen. 4)
 
UAV Dan

When my brother was working in Alaska he carried a stainless Ruger Redhawk in .44 Magnum with a 5 1/2" barrel. This was mainly for any work he did in the field or whenever he took a hike in the woods. He carried it in an old British Army canvas holster originally made for a Webley revolver. No problem with rust. In a more urban environment I believe he carried his Browning Hi-Power which had been hard chrome plated by Metalife. Again no rust problem to report.
 
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I would personally want a double action 44 magnum. In the Redhawk world I'd probably get the 5.5" barrel for a good mix of velocity, accuracy and ease of carry. A 10mm can be pretty hot with boutique loads but it still falls pretty far short of a hot 44 magnum load.
 
I looked at a ruger super redhawk, but I'm uncomfortable with a double action. Would prefer a single action blackhawk, but they didn't have any with a short enough barrel and I was told they had corrosion issues even with stainless steel.
Just out of curiosity, why are you uncomfortable with a double action? I've had a couple of Ruger Redhawks - almost always fired them single action anyway.
Also out of curiosity, how short of a barrel are you looking for? I have a stainless Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt with a 4 5/8" barrel. It's a handful when I run "Ruger Only" loads in it, but I've had it a long time and never had any rust problems. Then again, I don't carry it in the Alaska bush.
All that said, if I was looking for a all-around revolver for working in Alaska, I think I'd look at a Smith Model 69. Mine has a 4" barrel, and I carry it in a Simply Rugged "Sourdough Pancake" holster. It's not for "deep concealment" as you said, but it is pretty well hidden under a long jacket or vest.:)
 
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Hi all,

Looking for a new carry gun for working in Alaska, all over the state. I fly an M600 for mapping and analysis projects for my firm. I currently have a budget 9mm that isn't recommending for the area I'm working.

I need something that is relatively conceivable in an outside waist holster under a light-heavy jacket for when I'm grabbing the truck from work. No deep concealment required, just need to be professional.

I looked at a ruger super redhawk, but I'm uncomfortable with a double action. Would prefer a single action blackhawk, but they didn't have any with a short enough barrel and I was told they had corrosion issues even with stainless steel.

I looked at a springfield 10mm too. I've never fired a 10mm, but I've been heard it's equivalent to 44 magnum, so I'm unsure if I'd be able to handle it effectively, especially in a smaller package. I am more familiar with pistols, so that is an advantage.

Thanks,

Dan

An M600 for mapping? Man that's pretty nice.

I've been in Alaska going on 15 years. I finally went to a 4.2" Ruger Redhawk in 44 Magnum. It's a great gun, but the DA trigger required a ton of training. (2 years and 4k round later and I still haven't mastered it.) I would advise against a single action just due to the need to be able to fire quickly, despite what John Wayne can do on the big screen.

I know a few folks who carry the new Springfield 10mm. I dislike everything about it. 1.) 10mm isn't nearly as powerful as 44 magnum. You really have to handload to ring the power from 10mm. Most store bought ammo is not much more than 40 SW "+P" The Springfield also has a grip safety.

So here's my scenario, the bear is on top of you just about the time you clear the chest holster. He's putting weight on the muzzle as you're trying to fire. Ooops. Now you're out of battery. "Click" Nothing. OR You didn't have time to get a proper shooting grip on the gun. The grip safety is disengaged, and now the bear is on top of you. "Click." Nothing. In either case, the revolver will fire.

Yes it's heavy. Yes it's hard to shoot. Reliability and versatility trump those in the field. Especially with dangerous game.

The Redhawk (or really, any comparably sized revolver) will "sort of conceal." I can carry mine in an OWB strong side hip holster under my Carhartt jacket, and only about an inch of the muzzle will be exposed. Go with a guide length (to the hip) coat, and that goes away. There are very few places in Anchorage that don't allow open carry (mostly national chain stores). Open carry isn't popular, I've only seen 4-5 people doing it in 15 years, but it isn't unheard of.

For holsters, I recommend a chest holster for field carry. Check out a local guy, gsholsters.com (Greg Swansn) who makes kydex stuff with nylon straps. If you prefer leather, contact Diamond D Leather and look at their Guides choice holster.. Both are in Wasilla, about an hour drive from Anchorage. You probably can't go wrong either way.
 
The DA trigger is one of the hardest to master, but once you do, everything else is easy in comparison. Personally, I would do the 4.2 inch Redhawk in 45 colt or 44 mag and either roll my own or get some of the hot rounds from a specialty manufacturer.

Failing that, go with a Blackhawk (Not the flat top) in 45 colt or a super Blackhawk in 44 mag. They make short barrel ones.

10mm is closer to 357 mag than 44 or even 41 mag.
 
Hi all,

Looking for a new carry gun for working in Alaska, all over the state. I fly an M600 for mapping and analysis projects for my firm. I currently have a budget 9mm that isn't recommending for the area I'm working.

I need something that is relatively conceivable in an outside waist holster under a light-heavy jacket for when I'm grabbing the truck from work. No deep concealment required, just need to be professional.

I looked at a ruger super redhawk, but I'm uncomfortable with a double action. Would prefer a single action blackhawk, but they didn't have any with a short enough barrel and I was told they had corrosion issues even with stainless steel.

I looked at a springfield 10mm too. I've never fired a 10mm, but I've been heard it's equivalent to 44 magnum, so I'm unsure if I'd be able to handle it effectively, especially in a smaller package. I am more familiar with pistols, so that is an advantage.

Thanks,

Dan

I sold mine during the great purge of 2018, but I loved my 3.75” S Blackhawk.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/mobile/...uper+blackhawk+6rd+44+mag+375"+talo+exclusive
 
I carry a pawn shop XD45 with 45 Super hardcasts.

It's Alaska, no one cares if you have a gun if it's a decent holster. I'd be more worried about your quality of holster for professionalism.

Also, if you're new to Alaska, check Alaskaslist for used ones in your area.

10mm Auto would probably be my choice since you'll be in vehicles and it's easier to pack on a hip in tight spots.
 
This is the inventory nearby:
44:
Magnum Research Desert Eagle
S&W Model 629 (stainless, 7" barrel)
Taurus Raging Bull
10mm:
Glock 20 (Gen. 4)

UAV Dan, I would rent and shoot the S&W 629 and the Glock 20 to get a feel for each gun and cartridge and see what you think. I know you said you would prefer a single action but I think I agree with DB Cooper on that. I have never encountered a bear face to face, but I do shoot single actions and I shoot double action revolvers fairly well. If you do a YouTube search on how fast bears are I think you might agree that double action is the way to go.
 
@guyfromohio...f I ever make it up to Ak for fishing or hunting, I'll probably just carry my 1911 commander.

While some version of a big bore revolver is most prevalent, people carry all kinds of guns in the field up here. Somewhere on youtube is a video of a jackwagon killing a moose with a Glock 19 from the seat of his snowmachine. Pretty much took the entire magazine, but he got it done. Moron.
 
i’ve only been to anchorage once for two weeks of military reserve duty ages ago and i have never had to face four legged apex predators in the wild. that said, my unexpert opinion is to rely on the handgun with which you are most practiced, accurate and comfortable shooting, especially under pressure. i would be loath to start using something new to me and heavier until i had come up to speed with it by shooting many 100s of rounds. if i were o.p. i would carry the well honed 9mm plus a shorter and simple 12ga coach shotgun loaded with slugs as apex predator defense. with different ammo the shotgun could be used to hunt in a pinch.
 
Oddball suggestion from someone with no Alaska experience: Charter mag pug in .41 magnum. Stainless, compact, more power than 10mm but a bit less than .44. Lighter than any Redhawk or Smith 29/629.

They’re not common, but Ruger has a similar model Redhawk called the Kodiak Backpacker.
 
Never been there, but were I to go, it's be a Ruger Alaskan in a 44 or 454. Id much rather a DA, since it still has an external hammer and can still be cocked and fired as a SA if you choose, but it an extreme close quarters fight, rounds rapidly onto a charging target would be my choice. That DA pull is long, and a lot of spring to overcome, but the ability to fire rapidly when the need arises trumps, at least for me.
 
I made my own leather holster. Strong side outside the waist . Will get picture out soon.
I have never seen any problems with rust on a stainless revolver but I just purchased this one so I really couldn't answer the rust question.
 
I've never fired a 10mm, but I've been heard it's equivalent to 44 magnum
That is totally false, so whomever told you that was ill informed. 10MM is closest to a semi automatic 357 magnum, and the best loads scrape the lower end of 41 magnum. 44 leaves it in the dust easily, but that doesn't make 10mm a bad cartridge. I really like the 10mm, but we should keep it's capabilities in mind.
This is the inventory nearby:
44: Magnum Research Desert Eagle
S&W Model 629 (stainless, 7" barrel)
Taurus Raging Bull
10mm:Glock 20 (Gen. 4)
Of that list, I'd go with the 10mm due to your need to conceal. However, I personally wouldn't choose any of those guns given what you may encounter in Alaska. My list would include a 4" 629 or Redhawk in 44 magnum, or possibly a Ruger Toklat in 454. Maybe something chambered in 460 Rowland. 10mm would be on the lowest end of what I would carry personally, though it might be a good compromise if you are worried about wolves and needing to shoot multiple moving targets.

However,
All that said, if I was looking for a all-around revolver for working in Alaska, I think I'd look at a Smith Model 69.
^^^^^ this is where my mind goes if you need concealable power of the bear stopping kind. I'd prefer the Redhawk or 629 for the added weight and shootability, but I personally wouldn't want to conceal either of those. But one does tend to dress a little heavier in Alaska than where I live. So concealing a bigger gun may be easier.
 
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