Out west hiking carry / Out east hunting handgun?

From your list I would get the S&W model 66 with the 4" barrel for your too needs

For carry purposes, anything over ~4" is too long.

A model 29 or 629 Classic with a 5 inch barrel is a dandy to carry or shoot. I can conceal one as well and I am not overly tall either.

I would seriously look at the Mod 69

WisBorn said:

Model 69 or a 66 357?

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69 sorry i want a 66 it's been on my mind

In my experience hiking, biking, and riding in the west, humans still rank #1 as the primary source of deadly trouble.

With the exception of grizzly territory, I would likely choose one of the 10mm pistols.

Anecdotal, of course:
I have been to glacier, Yellowstone, Tetons for hiking long day trails.

I didn't have any problems with the bears and had the pepper spray on had for that.

If you want carry and being able to handgun hunt with it I'd definitely lean towards 6 inch barrels and the Redhawk

I'm torn between 44 mag revolver 6" barrel and the XDM 10mm, but favor the 44 mag by a hair. Many people want more power and go 454 casull but because of the recoil factor my accuracy flounders a little with the 454 whereas the 44 is most accurate for me when I shoot it. So ultimately I want to hit what I am shooting at and not miss with a more powerful handgun especially if it is a bear.

Corpral_Agarn said:

With the exception of grizzly territory, I would likely choose one of the 10mm pistols.

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I was torn between the 69 and one of the 10mm pistols as well. From a portability factor, I could see either the Glock or the XDM vs a revolver.

Why all the big revolvers, but then choose the little Glock, unless these are guns you currently own and are picking among those?

A Glock G20 would still be smaller than most of those revolver options, be lighter than all of them, and have double the capacity, and would be easier to shoot than the G29.

What do you mean by "hiking" in the western National Parks?

Walking the trail around Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain dodging the Japanese tourists, a light day hike of a few hours in Canyonlands, or a multi-day backpack trip into the boonies of Yellowstone?

.455_Hunter said:

What do you mean by "hiking" in the western National Parks?

Walking the trail around Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain dodging the Japanese tourists, a light day hike of a few hours in Canyonlands, or a multi-day backpack trip into the boonies of Yellowstone?

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Wouldn't matter to me, I'd be carrying my Glock 29. And bear spray in Yellowstone.

First, how do you define "hiking"?

If you're talking about a stroll in the woods, a mile or two one way, then anything on your list is going to be fine.

If you're talking about hiking or backpacking, then weight is going to be your primary concern. I had a Ruger Alaskan that got left home too many times because it was way to heavy for the hike I was doing (big terrain and elevation changes, long distances). For real hiking, a big revolver is a boat anchor!

I have a G20SF I carry in a Bianchi M12 holster on the pack belt. EDIT to add: The only reason I sold my G29SF is because I couldn't find an appropriate holster like the M12 to carry it on the pack belt.

How far do you want to be effectively accurate with the gun? I can shoot tighter groups with my .41 and .44 mag Ruger revolvers than I can with any semi-auto. So if I wanted the potential for extra range, outside of 25 yards, it would be with a Magnum revolver.

You also say the gun you choose will be carried far more than shot. Honestly, I don't think that's a great approach. I like to be very familiar with the gun I'm carrying. Including recoil recovery, and POI with the ammo I'm carrying.

Honestly, with the big revolvers you've mentioned owning, my suggestion would be a Super Blackhawk in .44 mag with 4-5/8" barrel, and one of those big hogue monogrips. The SBH is strong and reliable, and with that monogrips, very controllable. Support hand cocking of the hammer is quite easy to learn to do unconsciously (if you don't already possess that skill). And the SBH is lighter than both the RH and SRH.

Looking at the poll results, (over 90%), I would think that the caliber will be 44 mag.

Mainsail said:

If you're talking about hiking or backpacking, then weight is going to be your primary concern.

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For reference, on my mobile at recent 3-night backpack trip just south of RMNP, I carried a 638 with 5 rounds of BB 158 gr Outdoorsman and a speed strip of the same. On my most recent 5-night backpack trip south of Escalante, UT, I had my 317 snub.

WEIGHT MATTERS!

WisBorn said:

I am looking to purchase a new handgun to carry while hiking in the National Parks of the western United States. I will also use the handgun to hunt pigs and deer in South Carolina.
I would like your help in deciding what model.
I would like to limit the barrel length to between 4" and 7" and keep the unloaded weight around 50 oz. or less! The gun will be carried a lot more than shot so overall size should be a part of the decision.

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Is the "hiking the Western United States" a one time thing or something done regularly? Will the gun be a primary weapon for deer and hogs or just a occasional backup/secondary to a long gun? Both of these would make a significant impact on my personnel decision. IMHO, there is no magical "One gun that does it all". The odds against the need to use a firearm for protection against dangerous game in the lower 48 is very minimal, even for those that live where the dangerous game lives too. With then proper holster and carrying system, even a dedicated hunting revolver can be carried all day without significant loss of dexterity or movement. For a primary hunting handgun, from a long time handgun hunter, the idea of a barrel under 5" seems a tad loose. It wasn't in your options but a 5" 629 would be my first pick if I could only have one to "do it all". But I wouldn't. I'd probably have the 329 loaded with hot .44 specials for the western hikes and a long piped revolver in a caliber that starts with a 4 or larger for a primary deer/hog gun.

I vote the 4.25" S&W .44mag.
Handy enough for hiking, heavy enough for hunting/ SD.

My buddy has the 329 and carries it all the time in his foothills area of operations. Not something for an extended range session with magnums, but good for emergency use. Using factory .44 Special or milder .44 mag loads are a good reasonable range or plinking choice.

I wasn't aware that open carry is allowed on the trails in National Parks, but if they are, wouldn't it also have to jive with the State law?

Charlie98 said:

For carry purposes, anything over ~4" is too long.

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I frequently carry a Glock 20SF AIWB or a Glock 35 strong side IWB, and a full size 1911 is not difficult to carry concealed.

OP should consider Glock 20SF or 1911 in 10mm.

I'd probably go with one of the 10mm pistols. Better against 2 legged problems and lighter to carry. I live out west and generally just carry a 9mm unless I'm hunting in which case I've got a rifle. The only animal I'm generally a little concerned with would be a cougar. Even with them the odds are really low I'll ever run into trouble with one.

John Joseph said:

I wasn't aware that open carry is allowed on the trails in National Parks, but if they are, wouldn't it also have to jive with the State law?

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NP rules for trail carry mirror state rules. In Colorado, that means OC is OK, CC with valid permit. I don't OC on tourist dense NP trails, boonies is fine.