Fishing Gun

[BSnyder]

I'm looking to invest in a gun to carry while fishing and I need some advice. It'll be mostly for self defense from two legged and no legged threats. There's been a rash of incidents with armed bad guys targetting fishermen this year, forcing them back to their vehicle and robbing them. I think the last guy they tried to rob pulled a gun on them when they got to his truck. No shots were fired, but it scared them off. I have a feeling they'll be back at it again. The river I usually fish is along a well travelled country road and it wouldn't be hard to sneak up on me. And then there are the snakes which I see a whole lot more than people while fishing.

So on to my actual question. I'm torn between a few choices. First is caliber. Part of me wants a decent self defense round 9mm and up for two legged threats. Obviously overkill for snakes which like I said I see more of. Or I could go for something like a Ruger .22. I don't currently have a .22 pistol and feel that I'm missing out. While I would probably feel undergunned in a self defense situation I would feel a little confident putting 10 rounds on target quickly if I had to. Like they say, it's better than a pointy stick.

And then, if I were to go with the larger caliber, revolver or auto loader? I know a lot of that is personal preference but I have to ask anyway. I like revolvers but there's a chance out fishing that it's going to get wet, muddy, or sandy and that kinda makes me lean towards something like a Glock.

There's a pretty good chance I'm over thinking this but I just thought I'd get some opinions. Thanks!

 

[earplug]

Model 60 S&W

A stainless revolver would work fine.
I carry a S&W 642 concealed while fishing.
S&W makes a version of the M-60 with adjustable sights and a 4 inch barrel?
It has gotten very good reviews.
Would this be worn in the open?

 

[rcmodel]

My choice has always been a .22 S&W Kit-Gun, or S&W .38 Spl Chiefs Special revolver.

Either will handle CCI snake-shot for the aggressive black water snakes that try to climb in my rubber boots with me.

And that is followed by 4 or 5 rounds of JHP for other needs.

Just have the presence of mind to not shoot yourself in the foot under water when the last shotsell rolls by and a real JHP bullet comes up!

rc

 

[BSnyder]

It will be open carried. I have a Ruger LCR that I've been carrying concealed but wanted something a little bigger and, if a revolver, something I can shoot single action.

 

[Sniderman]

Fishing gun,
I've got a nice S&W 642 with a Galco shoulder holster that hides very well under my Fly Vest. 1st round, snake shot. It's come in handy a couple of times.
I also wear a fly fishing vest when out on the lake for Bass & other finny critters, all those pockets are very convenient, (& concealing) no matter what you're fishing for!

 

[rcmodel]

Well since you are already a Ruger guy?

How about an SP-101.

SA/DA.
Relatively light so it won't drown you if you fall in.
Stainless so you don't have to worry about it getting wet.

.38 Shotshell compatible and .357 compatible if the crackhead in the wife beater T-Shirt tries to steal your fishing pole!

rc

 

[JR133]

Gun for protection while fishing.

My choice would be something bigger than a 22 caliber. The Glock you were talking about would do just fine in 9mm or 40 caliber. You could shoot snake shot out of either one and have some extra rounds for the two legged threats. Now if there are bears in your area or you plan on fishing areas where bears are, i would get a 44mag. to play it safe.

 

[Snowbandit]

The .22 is light for defense against 200 pound threats. I usually carry a decent sized revolver loaded with appropriate expanding ammo for the more serious threats and keep a few shot shells in my pocket for the occasional snake. CCI/Speer used to make the shot shells in several calibers. I've still got quite a few of the old Speer shot capsules I can fill with any size shot I want and load myself. The .22's stay home unless I'm planning to hunt small game and, even then, .22's always get backed up by a more serious caliber.

 

[BSnyder]

Oh I never thought about an SP101. That's a very good suggestion. I just might have to look into that one. And yes, there are black bears where I fish, but I don't worry about them too much as long as I don't sneak up on them. And even then I'd feel okay with a .357.

 

[paintballdude902]

id pick up a cheap old .38 special. load it up alternating shotsells and regular shells

 

[rcmodel]

I disagree.

Like I said, if I have to shoot a snake between my legs in the water, I want to know for dang sure that a shotshell is what I am dropping the hammer on.

That is why I said the first one up is shot, and the rest of them is JHP.
Alternating back & forth is neither fish nor fowl, it's like a box of chocolates!

If you suddenly need bullets, pop the cap on the shot and you got all bullets coming up.

rc

 

[Red Cent]

Hey BSnyder, where are you fishing, specifically?

 

[BSnyder]

I alternate between Summersville Lake, Meadow River, and the tailwaters below the Summersville Dam depending on what I feel like fishing for and how far I want to drive. I fished the New River below the Bluestone Dam this summer and I loved it. I'll definitely be taking some more road trips to Hinton next summer.

 

[Sam1911]

You could always consider a S&W Model 64. Stainless, inexpensive ($250 or so security company trade ins), very reliable and durable. Will handle shotshells if you need them, without the problems sometimes associated with autos cycling with them. 4" barrels usually, which might be of benefit in a gun carried in the out-of-doors.

http://www.jgsales.com/smith-wesson...,-good-to-very-good-condition-s-w-p-5831.html

Hmmm. You did say you'd like single-action capability, and these all have bobbed hammers, but you certainly don't need SA in self-defense anyway.

 

[BSnyder]

While I agree to not needing single action for self defense, I guess I just want something a little more versatile for a woods/fishing gun.

 

[Sam1911]

Understood, I guess. I do 99% of my shooting double-action, but if I was trying to reach out 100 yds. or something while plinking I'd probably I'd switch to SA.

It isn't difficult to install a standard hammer in a S&W to return the SA capacity, but that will raise the total price. Still quite a nice gun.

 

[rcmodel]

I guess I just want something a little more versatile

Nothing wrong with that!
And I fully agree.

I find myself plinking at a beer can across the creek much more often then I find myself in a gun fight in the woods!

I won't own a DA only revolver, as they will all end up shooting at small targets at long range sooner or later when I carry them.
And I ain't that good a DA shoot!

rc

 

[DesertFox]

Alaska fishing - 12 gauge
lower 48 fishing where there might be Griz - 629PC 2 5/8" snub
elsewhere - Glock 29

 

[WNC Seabee]

I carry a 3" SP101 while fly fishing in Wetern NC. 1st round is shot followed by more serious stuff. I can't imagine a better choice for my needs.

I've since used the shot on 2 snakes and been very very happy to have it a couple times when running across the ginseng poachers and drunks.

 

[PabloJ]

I carry a 3" SP101 while fly fishing in Wetern NC. 1st round is shot followed by more serious stuff. I can't imagine a better choice for my needs.

I've since used the shot on 2 snakes and been very very happy to have it a couple times when running across the ginseng poachers and drunks.

Those are nice little revolvers and almost as reliable as Pistolet Makarova but sadly need to be reloaded more often then most care to admit. Last PM I seen was unfired 9x18 Arsenal Bulgaria piece with two mages for $220. These ALWAYS work.

 

[ccsniper]

I carry a heritage rough rider in .22 mag. Like RC said first two are always snake shot and followed by whatever I happened to buy at walmart. I don't feel undergunned with it. I know the gun very well and have thousands of rounds down it. I know where it hits and trust it with my life, thing has saved me from two seperate snake bites. First one was a copper head underneath a piece of fire wood, got close to biting me in something I would not have greatly appreciated loosing. Second one was a cotton mouth that went after my dog. Both times I put the snake down through the head with CCI shotshells.

 

[jfrey]

This is the classic example of what the Taurus Judge was designed for. .410 for snakes and .45LC for 2 legged snakes.

 

[W.E.G.]

It isn't difficult to install a standard hammer in a S&W to return the SA capacity, but that will raise the total price. Still quite a nice gun.

While simple installation is no big deal, fitting it so it works right can be quite tricky.

Seems like it should be a drop-in part. Its not that simple.

 

[JSpear]

I'm guessing you don't want to carry two, but if that's an option, get a NAA mini; they come in .22 and . 22 mag, when ever I am fishing or hiking, I have mine with shotshell, and then my 2 legged snake gun on the hip, maybe not what you want but it takes care of the question part, I got my .22 mag for a little more then a $100 used, great gun, then you would be able to carry what ever you think would work best for the two legged problems out there. Anyhow, good luck, stay safe and good fishing!! Happy holidays!!

 

[Sam1911]

Seems like it should be a drop-in part. Its not that simple.

Certainly not. Hence, you'd need to account for some gunsmith's time in your total cost if you go with the bobbed-hammer 64 and want an SA hammer.