44 Mag for Backpacking CCW in Yellowstone

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racine

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I've been reading these posts on backpacking 44s and I'm trying to narrow it from 44mag to a gun maker. I shoot primarily semi autos in 40sw and 45acp and have very limited experience with revolvers (Scandium/Airweight 38, SW 357 mags and a friends Ruger Blackhawk 44). I'm not looking for a last for a lifetime wheel gun but more of a practical ported 44 that will allow fast followup shots so I'm looking at a Taurus stainless ported 6 gun. I'd practice about 50-100 rounds of reloads or so a month with it, reload it but shoot factory full power 44mag solid bullets prior to fishing trip to Yellowstone and or Montana. I'm thinking a shoulder holster under a shirt, at least something I can get to quick. I should add that I stand 5'6" and 155lbs and that my friends Blackhawk chewed up my hand 30 years ago(rookie shooter). My plan is to use pepper spray 1st then clear leather/kydex as needed. Any ideas from those who have had to engage these big bruins would be appreciated. My buddy fired 3 shots unto the hillside to discourage a mom and 2 pups (grizz) at a park in Anchorage 2 years ago but he was just hiking. I'll be carrying a 30 lb backpack. I know this is a frequent query and I've read quite a few posts but would still appreciate some new feedback.
Thanks,
Racine
 
Yellowstone is a National Park ... CCW is verboten there (as is open carry ... actually even thinking about guns is probably illegal in the park).


As for where its legal, if you want to CCW a .44 the Taurus 444 ultra light is a nice choice (although I'd rather have something like a S&W 629 Alaskan).

As for how to carry, I think you'll find a shoulder holster to become uncomfortable (especially with a back pack on).

Maxpedition backpacks can be had with built in holsters. Open carry in a chest holster (like handgun hunters use) would probably be the most comfortable and give you the quickest access.
 
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As long as you have a CCW for the state where the park is in, then yes, CCW in a National AND State park will be legal.
 
As long as you have a CCW for the state where the park is in, then yes, CCW in a National AND State park will be legal as of next month.

Unless our elected officials change somthing.
 
As I understand it CCW WILL be allowed in National Parks by Federal Law in February. My trip is for August so this should not be an issue. I'm thinking that open carry is not allowed in the National Parks yet. I've considered Maxpedition but I did not see a pack like this. Chest holster under a shirt with a pack on is my focus with a heavy 44. I'm also leaning towards a ported 4-5" barrel for quicker follow up shots which would be easier with a heavier vs. lightweight gun.
 
If you insist on carrying a .44 mag you need to get some HEAVY (320 gr) hardcast bullets and load them as hot as you can stand, then practice until it hurts.

The bear spray is a good idea, get a good quality product, this isn't an area to look for a bargain. Get a bell for your backpack and make as much noise as you can while in bear country. Most attacks occur when you happen upon a bear, if they hear you coming they'll usually move out of the way. BTW, young bear are known as cubs, not pups.
 
+1 Bush Pilot.

If you need, or want it to be concealed, I'd suggest a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan .44Mag. Load it with Garrett +P Hammerheads. And put it in a fanny pack worn towards the front.
 
I wouldn't worry about getting a ported .44 Magnum. You won't feel the recoil if you have to use it in a bear attack and the extra velocity of an unported barrel might be needed.

Ditto on the heavy bullets. I'd got heavy, hard-cast lead flat nose bullets that do not expand at all. I want a bullet that will penetrate that bear, not some wimpy hollowpoint that mushrooms on bone and doesn't penetrate that thick skull.

Uhhhh . . . IF mama grizz is charging . . . you won't get two shots, unless your second is to put a downed grizzly out of her misery.

Again, you'll HATE a ported barrel on a .44 Magnum. They are too damn loud and don't really give you any benefit at all in a stressful attack situation.

PS: I'd be looking for a S&W M629 3" or 4" revolver . . . with a personal preference for the rarer 3" version . . . a practical revolver long after you return from your trip too!

Have fun, it is gorgeous out there!
 
I'd go with a taurus tracker. Its a 5 shot, great trigger, ported, and very concealable. It also has some nice recoil absorbing grips. If not that and you want something a little heavier to take up recoil maybe get a 4" ruger redhawk, 4 or so of them on gunbroker for about 620.00. I would go with the redhawk just because the platform will be easier to handle .44 mag loads but if weight is a real issue the tracker might be the way to go. The smiths will be more more expensive and I don't think trigger pulls on modern smiths are very good. If it were me I'd probably go .45 long colt in a redhawk.
 
S&Wfan said:
I wouldn't worry about getting a ported .44 Magnum.
Click to expand...

Yep, skip the porting - it also isn't lead-friendly if you are going to shoot/practice with lead rounds. Shaves them and fouls the port something nasty, sprays it all over the sight and barrel rib, yuck. Porting is fine as long as lead is not your projectile's surface...

I went through this decision like you a few years back as I was spending more and more time each year in big bear country. We don't have the monster grizzlies like AK, but we have some. I've only encountered blacks but one of them was a honking 500 pounds or so. I've averaged stumbling on a bear at the rate of one to two per year the last four years, and I don't spend that much time in the mountains. So there's lots of them out there So I got serious about a bear gun to protect me, the lady, and the horses. I love my 1911's and my .357s, but I felt more power was prudent.

I also agree with S&Wfan in that I find the easiest way to carry is a S&W 3" .44, and I like mine on a tanker style shoulder holster out in the open and not concealed. It's out of the way of your waist/hips in the woods, works with straps for a packs. It's not as fast to draw as a shoulder holster, but it's right there and handy. I have shot this thing with up to 300 gr loads and it's not any different than a 4", but obviously not as manageable as my 6 1/2". But it IS packable, easy to carry, and always there with me if I need it. And I can keep it in the nightstand at home sometimes, or even carry it in town if I want, which I wouldn't do with a 4" variant or the Rugers which are bigger (and may be stronger, so if super-hot loads and at-the-limit or over handloading are your thing, then consider the Ruger models).

The holster is a "tanker" style from El Paso Saddlery cut to fit the 3" N frame. Really nice holster.

IMGP5381.jpg
 
I purchased this S&W Performance Center 629 Carry Comp with 3" barrel several years ago. Since then it has become my favorite handgun to carry. I carry it on my property in SE Colorado in a home made holster. The ported barrel and the Jerry Miculek grips really tames it down to be a enjoyable revolver to own and shoot. The rounded fix sights are easy out of the holster and dead on. I have one friend who calls me several times a year who tries to talk me out of it.


629cc003.gif


It's a great gun and great investment.

'Loose
 
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