Help me pick a new woods sidearm...

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wrs840

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Lately I've been carrying a Judge Ultralite in a form-fitted Hunter leather belt-holster when I'm on the farm or in the local woods. I live in a very rural agricultural area, but this is the Southeast... No big bears... I've decided the Judge lacks the accuracy at the distance that I'd like to be able to hit a coyote, feral dog, or rabid skunk at. I was considering a S&W model 10, heavy 4" bbl 38+P, or a Taurus Model 82. This gun will get carried a lot, shot a lot, and pretty beat-up with time. I also considered a .44 mag Taurus Tracker 44C, but thought I'd like to stay .38 because there's always a S&W 442 in my pocket too, and ammo interchangeability means I could carry 4 speed-strips of the same caliber, instead of splitting it up.

At the store today, I got intrigued with a Ruger GP141 .357. It's a 4" bbl, blued, adj sight. I'll want to shoot .38 with it for plinking, but would likely carry it loaded with .357.

Any thoughts?

Thanks for any input,
Les
 
The Ruger GP100 is my favorite all-around utility gun, which includes walks in the woods and such in Texas, where bears are few and not large. The GP-141 you have seen is a GP100, with the last two digits designating certain features. I think it is a great choice!

I carried my GP100 for a while as a duty sixgun in the early 1990's, though I had bought it originally as a fun/utility gun. I now carry lighter-weight, higher-capacity .40 autoloaders on duty, which is good for several reasons in the big city, but still see my GP100 as a better all-around handgun, by far.
 
If cost is a factor, get a used M&P or model 10, or a trade-in S&W 67 or 64 for the stainless to reduce the wear and maintenance. J&G sales has a selection of 67's right now for good prices - a little over $200 I think. Dao only, but real men don't need SA with a S&W, and I'm sure you know that.

Any mid or large size S&W or Ruger would do for you, too. But without bears to worry about, a .38 will do the job, cost less, and carry more easily.
 
I've never seen a bear in the Texas woods except in the Chisos where guns are few and illegal, or were. I think they're legal if concealed now, some law a while back, not sure.

Anyway, I for my money, the Ruger is a great revolver, but a bit porky. If you like Smiths, they make lighter 686s. I like my Taurus 66 4" for hiking, myself, light on the hip, extreme accuracy. I had a Rossi 971 I liked, too, but traded for a stainless blackhawk in .45 Colt. That revolver was only around 30 ounces, sorta half J half K frame in size, and a strong, accurate little brute, all stainless, 4", full lug barrel. It handled recoil very well, too, sat low in the hand. Kinda LOVE the accuracy of the Taurus, though, most accurate medium frame gun I've owned in .357. My old M19 was close, but didn't shoot .38 quite as good. My old Security Six shot .357 just fine, but it HATED .38s for some reason, even wadcutters I like to use for small game. I think a M60 Smith with the adjustable sight in .357, 5" model, would make a GREAT hiking gun. The SP101 would be great, but I like adjustable sights on any gun trail gun. The SP101 is super strong and light, though.

The GP100s are great guns at a great price, uber strong, I just don't like their weight. My blackhawks are just as light and I'd rather carry one of them afield. I'm sorta into single actions for field guns, either for hiking or hunting. But, then, you probably don't own that option. :D

I'd like a Taurus tracker, REALLY light and a strong, accurate gun, but I don't like barrel porting at all. That's kinda what trackers are about, though, woods guns. I just don't make a habit of hiking with hearing protection and a ported barrel is not my idea of otic bliss.
 
MCgunner, the bears are back, in the Piney Woods of East Texas. I am not concerned about them eating me for a snack, as they seem very shy; feral dogs and feral humans are my concern, plus defending my dogs from coyotes. Some coyotes showed much interest in one of our dogs along a power line cut not long ago. Our dog, who seemed fearless, used body language to cause the coyotes to show submissive behaviour in return. But, others have lost dogs to coyotes.
 
I've heard of a few bears in the NE Texas area, but ain't like they're common. Yeah, I'd worry more about people. BUT, be nice to have that .357 along if you got a shot at some pork. I never wanna turn down pork. :D I tote mine for that reason in my walks in MY woods. .38s are great, but hey, you can shoot .38s from a good .357. :D
 
Anyway, I for my money, the Ruger is a great revolver, but a bit porky. If you like Smiths, they make lighter 686s. I like my Taurus 66 4" for hiking, myself, light on the hip,..
Click to expand...

Not doubting your impressions regarding weight, but the manufacturer's websites claim the GP141 weighs 40oz., the S&W 686 4" 6 shot weighs 40oz., and the Taurus 66 4" weighs 38 oz.:


Ruger GP141: http://www.ruger.com/products/gp100/specSheets/1702.html

S&W 686: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...ted=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15705

Taurus 66: http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=278&category=Revolver&toggle=tr&breadcrumbseries=MF2

I also agree a S&W M60 .357 5" bbl would be attractive as a woods-gun, but they don't seem to be in current production.

Thanks,
Les
 
S&W model 60 with a 3" barrel will give you 5 shots of 38 or 357 in a 24 oz package. The lightest GP-100 is 12 oz more.

For me, more weight while hiking gets old after a while. YMMV
 
Les, I think the new 66 has a little more beef in it. It's now a 7 shooter. Both mine are older 6 shooters, a 4" and a 3". The 3" is a nice CCW, actually. I have no scale to weigh 'em, though.

I did neglect to realize, though, there are lighter versions of the GP100 just as there are for the 686.
 
12 oz more of weight makes handling the .357s that much easier. I think the 4" bbl GP100 is the perfect woods gun - .38s for plinking/rabbits; .357s for self-defense.
 
The GP141 is a great gun and you will have a hard time breaking it. My concern would be the size/weight, it gets heavy. I carried a 3" version for a few years whenever hunting the N.Ga mountains.

I have lately become enarmored with the reliable old .38sp after finding a deal on and old Combat Masterpiece M15 for a great price. This is the nicest trigger I have ever had on a revolver, the size is just right for carrying in the eastern woods and the cartridge is perfect for varmints all types. Especially if accurate with +p.

One thing I did not like about the GP100s was shooting .38sp out of them seemed to have an effect on my accuracy. If you were in the west I would say go with the .357 as min, but that Piedmont area is the perfect eastern woodland and the .38sp would serve you well.
 
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hey.... 1000 posts. Do I get a prize? I am glad is about a topic I liked so much, my CM15, and not some inane caliber war discussion
 
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I like md 10 with light barrel sights are easier to find do to the taller front sight. Any USA made 38 that on can find used with 3-4 inch barrel should work. Try pawn shops, gun store, gun shows one for about $200 i prefer stainless for carrying but still clean it often.
 
This is an old Model 64 ( basically a Stainless Model 10 bull ) 38 spl. Its an old Chesterfield, Va police trade in that I use for my farm beater. I've shot coons, opossums, coyotes, cats, and foxes with it and 1 moo cow. Load her up with 158 +P and rock on Beavis. She aint pretty, but functions flawless. I paid 150.00 for it.

64.gif
 
For me, it comes down to why you're carrying a gun in the first place. If it's "just to have," then find a lighter one.

If it's "in case I really need it," then don't make naive compromises on weight or power. There are many folks that think "a gun is a gun is a gun." Meaning that, to them, any gun or caliber is just as effective as the next. I disagree.

If you want/need the power and accuracy afforded by a 4" barrel topped with good adjustable sights, then that's the platform you need. Trying to save weight going to a 5-shot .357 snubby with difficult to align fixed sights simply won't provide the same level of capability.

I don't mind carrying the extra weight if it makes it able to perform the task I'm carrying it for in the first place.
 
any ol smith 10,15,64-ruger security /service six or taurus 65/66,seen these taurus cheap, many flavours to choose from.
 
Great advice and I think your logic is spot on.

GP100s are great, reliable guns that point and shoot well- like others have mentioned, I think they get a bit heavy.

I have a 4inch ruger security six that is also fantastic. Not as 'porky' (I really like that descriptor by the way) and still stout and accurate. However, prices on the six line have done nothing but go up lately.

A used sw model 10 or, if you find one, a colt official police, will serve your needs well. I'd go with a 4inch barrel, and really wouldn't worry about the barrel profile. I have an Official police that is easily one of my favorite guns to plink with. Its beat to all heck, and cost me the exorbitant sum of 165 dollars.
 
I dont know what part of the nw peidmont of NC you are in. But I do know of 2 bears over 500 lbs and 3 over 400 killed in Mcdowell co this year. Not that size of a bear would make a lot of difference in killing it if it were trying to eat you. Which is very unlikely. But anywho the GP is a very solid gun kinda like the SRH of 357. A bit heavy to me though.
 
Look at a S&W 60-4, it is a tank of a little handgun. You can load some fairly heavy loads in a 38 special case with either some 180 gr or 158 gr XTP JHPs make for a fairly solid hitter in a small compact yet accurate package.
 
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