kit gun / backbacking pistol question

[acgill07]

I do a lot of backpacking and I am considering adding a revolver to my gear. There are not any
4 legged predators to worry about much where I live so I am talking about a small caliber.
I am thinking 22lr or 22mag. Weight and bulk are major considerations but I want something I
Could plink with as well. I am considering a S&W 317 and a NAA black widow. I would appreciate
Any opinions or recommendations.

 

[burrhead]

I use an older S&W m43 for that role. Aluminum six shot J-frame in .22lr., 3 1/2 inch barrel with adjustable sights. Very light and pretty accurate. They’re not real common but I see them on the on-line auction sites in the mid $300 range in “well loved” condition.

 

[Guillermo]

if you are not worried about 4 legged predators you must be worried about bipedal primates. If such is the case I would carry more that a .22.

While, of course, weight is an issue, I would carry something with A-more punch and B-more reach. After all, the chances of needing to make a longer shot is greater in wide open spaces. A Black Widow is not effective at any distance and it doesn't have much knockdown power.

My hiking gun is a Smith .357, 2 1/2 inch stainless seven shot or (when my 15 year old daughter loans me her revolver) a 4 inch Model 19.

While you might think that I carry too much gun please note that there are many that think that I am way under armed.

If you insist on a .22, the Smith is a LOT more gun than the Widow

 

[Dienekes]

I too noted an unconcern with 4 legged critters. That leaves plinking and the 2 legged variety. 22s are fine for the former but not so much for the latter. It can suffice but is hardly optimal. These days that IS a consideration, whether we like to think about it or not. Especially if we are responsible for the welfare of others along with us.

Personally I have (too many) choices, but there is a LOT of bang for the buck in a police trade-in revolver, the classic example being a 4" Model 10 or 15 in .38 Special; or something rather similar. The guns themselves only weigh around 29-35 ounces, about the same as a steel .22. The ammo is, of course, where the weight is. Even that could be trimmed a bit by opting for 110 grain loads in lieu of 158 grains.

Just bear in mind that everything is a trade-off.

 

[acgill07]

What I mostly meant with the 4 legged comment was that I don't live in
Brown bear country. We have some black bears and other critters that can make
You nervous but generally run at the sight of a human or the sound of a shot. Up until now
All of my long hikes have been unarmed. I have several
Rifles and shotguns but only one pistol, a ruger mark III hunter which is fun to shoot
But too heavy to pack. I don't want anything over 18 ounces.

 

[CDH]

Well, you did say "Kit" gun...

A .22 model 63 Kitgun in stainless makes a great pack gun. Mine, with a 4" barrel, is accurate enough to take small game.

As far as self-defense on the trail, no one wants to be shot with anything, so I would consider a .22 revolver adequate defense against the very unlikely aggression by a coffee crazed camper, and even a bear should easily be scared off by the report of a small caliber pistol.
I say that with the understanding of an attack by either variety of nefarious animal being extremely unlikely, but you know your surroundings better than I.

If the likelyhood of aggression was high on your list of concerns, then maybe something like a model 66/.357 in a 2" or 4" barrel would be better.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

my local gun shop has a model 43 for sale here in NJ. If you live anywhere close by you should check it out.

 

[orchidhunter]

When you say kit gun. you don't have to think 22LR, the S&W model 60 with a 3" barrel is hard to beat for this use. orchidhunter

 

[wnycollector]

My backpacking/canoeing gun is a SS 2.75" Ruger Security Six .357...I carry it more for the 2 legged critters

 

[Kleanbore]

the S&W model 60 with a 3" barrel is hard to beat for this use.

I agree and it would be my choice, but it weighs 25 ounces vs. the OP's limit of 18.

If I were hiking in bear country I would not rely on the fact that the bears "generally run...." I't too easy to inadvertently get between a sow and her cubs.

The .357 would be the minimum I would carry.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

I know this is the revolver forum, but have you considered a lightweight 9mm autoloader?

 

[SGW42]

The Ruger Bearcat comes to mind.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Just to be sure what you intend with the term "backpacking", do you mean multi-day/week/month expeditions, or do you mean dayhiking, naturewalking, or all of the above?

Honest to goodness backpacking will see you looking for any way to save an ounce. Nature walking and dayhiking, not so much.

Consider a derringer.

 

[Guillermo]

to stay within your parameters a 3inch 317 sounds like whay you need.

Of course if you don't mind something vintage, look at some of the old 32 SW Longs. You can load them up and have a LOT more gun than a 22. I don't know what they weigh but they can't weigh more than the 317.

My inherited I-frame 32 S&W is a lot of fun, points easily, is very light and is accurate.

http://http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=119281083#PIC

 

[ahpd1992]

Taurus makes a 4" 8 shot revolver in 22mag, I might be mistaken, but I think you can shoot 22lr out of 22 mag revolver. Their inexpensive, but probably weigh more than 18oz.

 

[SGW42]

You should never try to shoot .22 LR out of a .22 Mag cylinder.

 

[wuchak]

Taurus makes a 4" 8 shot revolver in 22mag, I might be mistaken, but I think you can shoot 22lr out of 22 mag revolver. Their inexpensive, but probably weigh more than 18oz.

You're mistaken . You cannot shoot .22 lr out of a .22 mag chamber.

Going for a short hike overnight some plinking might be fun. Going for anything more than that and your back will regret that you decided to carry plinking ammo. Ounces count and you'll only want the gun and ammo needed for defensive purposes with you.

Don't worry about black bears and the whole getting between a mother and her cubs things is about grizzlies, not blacks. The to are worlds apart in terms of aggressiveness and protectiveness. I've seen video of unarmed researchers tagging black bear cubs. They chased mom up a tree where she just sat and watched as her cubs called for help from below. Other than two legged predators the most likely problem will be sick or rabid medium sized animals like racoons, coyotes, etc. For that I would want more than any .22. .22 mag is about the same price as .38 ammo so there is not real advantage to it. You can also reload the 38 and 357 cutting the cost dramatically, you cannot do this with rimfire. Also consider that centerfire ammo is much more reliable than rimfire. I'd go with a .357 loaded with a good 158gr LSWC or a heavier 180 - 200 gr offering from Buffalo Bore, Double-tap, or Cor-bon.

Check out the S&W Mountain Lite. It's a scandium frame 7 shot .357 that weighs in at about 18 oz. It can be equipped with laser grips which would be a worthwhile addition. Not a cheap package but not insanely priced either.

Whatever you get you simply cannot beat the Safepacker holster from The Wilderness http://store.thewilderness.com/index.php?cPath=51&osCsid=27icareaso8i4bh3vm8afn37i7for a backpacking holster. Besides the obvious protection it provides for the firearm it can be carried on the wide hipbelt of the backpack which will dramatically improve the carry comfort of the gun thanks to the dispersion of the weight. It also looks like a binocular or gear case and not a holster so everyone you encounter on the trail doesn't know you are armed.

Another great backpacking revolver would be a Ruger SP101 in .357 with a 3" barrel and Crimson Trace grips. It's just a little over your weight limit.

Another consideration would be a 10mm Glock. Again in a safepacker but I would add a laser/light combo to it. You can add a .22 conversion kit for plinking.

 

[paochow]

I rented a 3" 317 at the range the other day and came away very impressed with it. Granted it isn't as accurate or as smooth as a 617, but it was very lightweight and effective.

 

[exflatlander]

Quote:
the S&W model 60 with a 3" barrel is hard to beat for this use.

I agree and it would be my choice, but it weighs 25 ounces vs. the OP's limit of 18.

If I were hiking in bear country I would not rely on the fact that the bears "generally run...." I't too easy to inadvertently get between a sow and her cubs.

For 7-oz I would take the .38 and carry one less granola bar.

Plus you can caryy it loaded with a good 125 gr hollow points and have a backup supply of cheaper target ammo for plinking.

 

[Glockman17366]

I'd look at one of the snubby .38's in alloy such as Taurus Model 85 Multi-Alloy or Model 851 (same as the 85 but has a shrouded hammer).

Light weight, reliable and packs more punch then a .22. Downsides are lower round capacity (5 rounds) and ammo is more expensive then .22

 

[Guillermo]

You are right Glockman...the Taurus Ultra Light Titanium is 15.5 oz according to thier site.

Would not be fun for plinking but would work nicely for most North American Primates.

 

[mgkdrgn]

I own an NAA Black Widow in 22mag, and most of the time here in SC it is my daily carry (work from home, tshirt and shorts country!) My concerns about it as a trail gun are two fold:

1) Physically, it's pretty small .. easy to loose?
2) Single projectile means your aim has to be spot on

Other than that, it wouldn't be a bad choice as it is light, and has a nasty bite to go along with the rather loud bark.

Another good choice, IMHO, would be a Taurus Judge. In it's UltraLite form it weighs less loaded than a Glock26. Now you can keep a couple of shot cartridges loaded "up front" to deal with the snakes, and some followup 000 buckshot for larger critters.

I own both, and personally would make the Judge my primary trail gun, probably in some shoulder rig... but I'd likely still have that BW in my pocket.

I do a lot of backpacking S&W 317 and a NAA black widow. I would appreciate Any opinions or recommendations.

 

[joneb]

NAA may have another option soon.
http://www.naaminis.com/The Earl.pdf

 

[Brian Williams]

My backpacking handgun of choice is one of the following.
If I am plinking, either a S&W 35-1, a Jframe 22lr with a 6" barrel or a Colt Woodsman also with a 6" barrel. If I am in serious country just backpacking, no hunting it will be my S&W 60-4.

 

[357wheelgunner]

Personally I have (too many) choices, but there is a LOT of bang for the buck in a police trade-in revolver, the classic example being a 4" Model 10 or 15 in .38 Special; or something rather similar. The guns themselves only weigh around 29-35 ounces, about the same as a steel .22. The ammo is, of course, where the weight is. Even that could be trimmed a bit by opting for 110 grain loads in lieu of 158 grains.

Best advice ever!

A 4" barreled .38 is great for plinking, and loaded with 158gr LHP+P a very respectable defensive sidearm. It's also light to pack and doesn't look evil/tactical to anyone you come across. If you end up shooting a squirrel or other edible critter with the .38+P lead hollowpoint, it won't atomize it like a lighter faster round might. That load is also extremely accurate!

For the last few years I've been carrying a 4" S&W K-frame inside my waistband, they're very easy to carry and conceal with a little effort.

4" K-frame and fast shooting:



The old "FBI load" that works great in 4" revolvers: