Trail Gun

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Categories are imaginary things.

To me personally a "kit gun" is a revolver with a 2"-3" barrel in 22 caliber or maybe 32. It's for plinking, small game, or maybe finishing off a trapped animal. (A 4" barrel might fit in the category also.)

To me personally a "trail gun" is a revolver (traditionally) with a 4"-5" barrel, in a caliber ranging from 38 special to 44 magnum. It's for hunting targets of opportunity, or dangerous four-legged or two-legged varmints. (32 magnum or a 3" or 6" barrel might fit in the category also.)

That's just my humble opinion. Categories like this are certainly subjective.
 
Trail Gun? For simple walkabout, as opposed to backpacking/longdistance hiking/camping ...

For me, in these northern Virginia hills&woods where I live and the southeastern West Virginia HILLS&WOODS where I have another ~140acre place I prefer a 5"-6" revolvers with a low-pressure cartridges (like .38spl or .32-20) ... which reminds me that I would really like to have a nice 5"-6" S&W Model 25. :)

If I think that there is reason for more (the minimum threshold being that I simply feel like it) I will also have a rifle on my shoulder.

I almost always have a rifle on my shoulder. ;)
 
I think the definitions of kit gun, trail gun, etc. probably vary a lot based on the individual and environment. To me (for whatever it is worth...) trail gun is a broad category that is stuff smaller than you would use for a dedicated hunting revolver, but large enough not to have too much trade off in shoot-ability for small size like you might find in a small CCW piece or kit gun. It is a size that carries comfortably in an OWB holster. I don't try to conceal a revolver when using it for its trail purpose, other than to maybe have a flannel or whatever that hangs over it unintentionally with no thought given to printing.

I really like my SP101 4" with adjustable sights for trail purpose, carries very nicely, and works great with light wadcutters all the way up to .357. Awesome seeing what others are using, plus all the great photos.
 
Mr. Mosin said:
Mmm. @Ratshooter I can take some hints. Most of us know what a "kit gun" is (if you don't, there's a wonderful thread on it happening now).
Click to expand...

Yes I know what a Kit Gun is. And if you had of actually read that "wonderful thread" you would have seen that I have several post there including pictures of the Kit Guns I own. Including a S&W model 34-1 Flat Latch that I have owned longer than the 24 years you have walked this earth. So I know what kit guns are.

I was hoping this thread would have been put in the General Handgun section because as you are learning not all Trail guns are revolvers. Many folks carry semi autos on the trail. Just read all the recommendations for a 10mm Glock if there is a chance you might run across a large hairy animal on your trail walk and feel the need to carry more than a 22 or 32 caliber gun. I know there is one poster here who carries a Kahr CW9 when he walks the Appalachia trail.
 
Ratshooter said:
Yes I know what a Kit Gun is. And if you had of actually read that "wonderful thread" you would have seen that I have several post there including pictures of the Kit Guns I own. Including a S&W model 34-1 Flat Latch that I have owned longer than the 24 years you have walked this earth. So I know what kit guns are.

I was hoping this thread would have been put in the General Handgun section because as you are learning not all Trail guns are revolvers. Many folks carry semi autos on the trail. Just read all the recommendations for a 10mm Glock if there is a chance you might run across a large hairy animal on your trail walk and feel the need to carry more than a 22 or 32 caliber gun. I know there is one poster here who carries a Kahr CW9 when he walks the Appalachia trail.
Click to expand...
I *did* read that thread. All of it. Enjoyed the pictures and comments.
 
Ratshooter said:
I was hoping this thread would have been put in the General Handgun section because as you are learning not all Trail guns are revolvers. Many folks carry semi autos on the trail. Just read all the recommendations for a 10mm Glock if there is a chance you might run across a large hairy animal on your trail walk and feel the need to carry more than a 22 or 32 caliber gun. I know there is one poster here who carries a Kahr CW9 when he walks the Appalachia trail.
Click to expand...

Even though I've carried my old 6" barreled Ruger GP100 as a "trail gun", that was a long time ago. Now the closest thing I have that I'd put to the same use would be my Glock 36. Light, thin, and has revolver like ammo capacity. It shoots as well as many revolvers, too.

Blasphemy in a revolver forum, I'm sure. :evil:
 
126245.jpg


My favorite three...


S&W 657 Mountain Gun 4" stainless .41 Magnum
212-230 grain Keith bullets (Solid or HP) with 8-9.0 grains of Unique (950-1100 fps)
Weight empty: 40.6 oz
Loaded: 45.2 oz.
Holsters: Desantis Speed Scabbard, Simply Rugged or a Hill People Gear Runners Pack

Freedom Arms 97 4.25" stainless .41 Magnum
165-180 grain MP (Solid or HP) with 14.0 grains of Blue Dot (1300 fps)
Weight empty:38.4 oz.
Loaded: 41.7 oz.
Holsters: Simply Rugged or Hill People Gear Runners Pack

Taurus Titanium Trecker 4" Ported .41 Magnum
215 grain Accurate 41-215V with 9.0 grains of Unique Magnum case or 8.0 Special case (1100 fps)
Weight empty: 24.4 oz.
Loaded: 25.7 oz.
Holsters: Desantis Speed Scabbard or Hill People Gear Runners Pack
 
RJM52 said:
View attachment 910662

Taurus Titanium Trecker 4" Ported .41 Magnum
215 grain Accurate 41-215V with 9.0 grains of Unique Magnum case or 8.0 Special case (1100 fps)
Weight empty: 24.4 oz.
Loaded: 25.7 oz.
Holsters: Desantis Speed Scabbard or Hill People Gear Runners Pack
Click to expand...

I had one of the Taurus Trackers like yours except mine was blued and in 44 mag. What i nice gun it was but I hated the ported barrel. And like you I shot mostly mid range loads in 44 mag cases with lead bullets. I would like to get another one but still don't like the porting and really don't like the cheap looking matt finish they come with now. I check the used ones on GB ever so often but I haven't seen any "deals" on one.
 
I'm glad Mr. Mosin started this thread. I actually started a "Trail Gun" thread a few years ago in a now defunct survival forum and I thought everyone was like me and carried a favorite 22 or 32 or maybe evn a small 38 Special. But what I found out was just whats being posted here. Not everyones idea of a trail gun was the same as mine.

The guys posted big bore revolvers and autos in every caliber you can think of. Like has been said here not all trails are the same. I have no large dangerous animals to worry about around here. And any personal attacks can be dealt with with one of the 32s I like to carry. And even those would be very rare.

Hogs could be an issue. But the very few hogs I have seen have all beat feet the other way. And like one gun writer stated if you think a hog is charging its more likely he is really just running away the wrong direction. That was from Rick Hacker who seem to hunt a lot of California hogs with his 45/70.
 
I follow John Taffin's mantra that the "perfect packing pistol" is more of a journey than a destination.
My immediate thought would go to a SAA or Blackhawk in 44 Special or 45 Colt but a DA would work too I have a 5" GP100 44 Special that's close to perfect, I know we're in the Revolver forum but I have several bottom feeders I feel fit the bill too.
 
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