larger .357mag or a .44mag
- Thread starter PlayboyPenguin
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Zen21Tao
Member
How about Taurus. Buds has a 425 Tracker SS 4" for $368.67:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_50_494/products_id/31747
If you are willing to do without Stainless, Buds has a Scandium S&W 357PD 4" .41mag for $734.43. It may not be SS but it will be a powerful light weight gun.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_72/products_id/18167
You can also try Gunbroker and GunsAmerica.
PlayboyPenguin
member
ARGHHH!!
Skwerl killed Bambi!!!
Thanks for turning my thread into a pit of carnage and bloodshed.
Seriously though, this is being a very hard decision. Every time I think I have made a final decision I find myself second guessing it two minutes later.
I think I have decided that if I am ever going to be in bear country my .44mag Ruger SBH will do just fine. I can shoot a SA about as fast as most people can shoot a high caliber DA.
Otherwise I think a good .357mag will suffice. Not to just narrow it down to which one. The SP101 is a great size but has a kick. The GP100 handles recoil well but is a bit bulky for a .357mag. The S&W is a great size but I am not sure how it will handle and if it can take as hot a load as either of the Rugers.
Skwerl killed Bambi!!!
Thanks for turning my thread into a pit of carnage and bloodshed.
Seriously though, this is being a very hard decision. Every time I think I have made a final decision I find myself second guessing it two minutes later.
I think I have decided that if I am ever going to be in bear country my .44mag Ruger SBH will do just fine. I can shoot a SA about as fast as most people can shoot a high caliber DA.
Otherwise I think a good .357mag will suffice. Not to just narrow it down to which one. The SP101 is a great size but has a kick. The GP100 handles recoil well but is a bit bulky for a .357mag. The S&W is a great size but I am not sure how it will handle and if it can take as hot a load as either of the Rugers.
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I can recommend the Ruger Redhawk .44 with the 5.25" barrel; having shot a number of very heavy loads in the 300+ grain category I can say that it is not that difficult to master. I would also suggest you consider the .41 Magnum, also a great cartridge. I've had two S&W 57s in the past and deeply regret parting with them a long time ago. In .357 you could do no wrong with a GP100.
Any of these would be fine IMO, but I would strongly suggest an absolute minimum barrel length of 3" - and steer clear of any barrel porting. The ideal barrel length IMO is right in the 4" to 5" range for a trail piece.
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Any of these would be fine IMO, but I would strongly suggest an absolute minimum barrel length of 3" - and steer clear of any barrel porting. The ideal barrel length IMO is right in the 4" to 5" range for a trail piece.
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http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
Tom C.
Member.
You haven’t mentioned what your concerns are: large or small 2 or 4 legged creatures. If you are in the lower 48, then, with the right ammo, the .357 should be able to handle your needs. In Alaska, then a properly loaded .44 or 45 might be more appropriate.
Another factor will be the weight and bulk you can tolerate for your adventure. The 3” SP101 is around 27 oz. The 4” GP100 is around 40 oz. The 5 ½” Redhawk is 48 or 49 oz. The Redhawk is obviously the heaviest and bulkiest. Then there is the weight of ammo. Here is a list of guns with one load and 10 or 12 rds. of spare ammo:
3” SP101: 27 oz. 15 rds of 158 gr. ammo: 8.25 oz. Total: 35 oz.
4” GP100: 40 oz. 18 rds. of 158 gr. ammo: 9.9 oz. Total: 50 oz.
4 5/8” .357 NMBH: 40 oz. 18 rds. of 158 gr. ammo: 9.9 oz. Total: 50 oz.
4 5/8”.44 SBH: 44 oz 18 rds. of 240 gr. ammo: 15.7 oz. Total: 60 oz.
4 5/8” .45 NMBH: 36 oz. 18 rds of 250 gr. ammo: 16 oz. Total: 52 oz.
5 ½” .44 Redhawk: 49 oz. 18 rds. of 240 gr. ammo: 15.7 oz. Total: 65 oz.
The Blackhawks listed are blued, with aluminum grip frames. Whether you prefer a single action or double action will depend on how much you shoot with either or both. As a cowboy shooter, I shoot more with single actions than anything else. I feel very comfortable with them. I would be very comfortable with a single action revolver for an extended trip. You may feel differently.
In the end, if you don’t really need an excuse for a new gun the SBH would work fine. If you really want something new, then you will probably include in your requirements your intended use after you return from your trip.
Another factor will be the weight and bulk you can tolerate for your adventure. The 3” SP101 is around 27 oz. The 4” GP100 is around 40 oz. The 5 ½” Redhawk is 48 or 49 oz. The Redhawk is obviously the heaviest and bulkiest. Then there is the weight of ammo. Here is a list of guns with one load and 10 or 12 rds. of spare ammo:
3” SP101: 27 oz. 15 rds of 158 gr. ammo: 8.25 oz. Total: 35 oz.
4” GP100: 40 oz. 18 rds. of 158 gr. ammo: 9.9 oz. Total: 50 oz.
4 5/8” .357 NMBH: 40 oz. 18 rds. of 158 gr. ammo: 9.9 oz. Total: 50 oz.
4 5/8”.44 SBH: 44 oz 18 rds. of 240 gr. ammo: 15.7 oz. Total: 60 oz.
4 5/8” .45 NMBH: 36 oz. 18 rds of 250 gr. ammo: 16 oz. Total: 52 oz.
5 ½” .44 Redhawk: 49 oz. 18 rds. of 240 gr. ammo: 15.7 oz. Total: 65 oz.
The Blackhawks listed are blued, with aluminum grip frames. Whether you prefer a single action or double action will depend on how much you shoot with either or both. As a cowboy shooter, I shoot more with single actions than anything else. I feel very comfortable with them. I would be very comfortable with a single action revolver for an extended trip. You may feel differently.
In the end, if you don’t really need an excuse for a new gun the SBH would work fine. If you really want something new, then you will probably include in your requirements your intended use after you return from your trip.
PlayboyPenguin
member
Here is where I am right now.
After listening to what people are saying, I am felling much more confident that a good .357mag round would be able to handle most anything I would run into in Oregon/Washington (from angry black bear on down to rabid chipmunk).
I am also more confident that my Ruger SBH .44mag will be sufucient for any time I need something stouter.
I am also thinking since this gun will be primarily for trail carry it should be as light as possible but still be able to fire stout .357mag rounds. It is not going to be a range gun so it does not need to be comfortable enough to shoot all day. I have guns for that already. I will just need to fire a box of ammo out of it every month or so to stay used to it.
It comes down to either the Ruger SP101 w/3" barrel or a J frame S&W w/3" or 4" barrel.
I am kind of leaning towards the Ruger (even though I already have the 2" barrel spurless version) because I think it may be a little less polished than the S&W but it could probably handle stouter rounds with less recoil and less wear&tear on the gun.
Make sense? Sound stupid?
After listening to what people are saying, I am felling much more confident that a good .357mag round would be able to handle most anything I would run into in Oregon/Washington (from angry black bear on down to rabid chipmunk).
I am also more confident that my Ruger SBH .44mag will be sufucient for any time I need something stouter.
I am also thinking since this gun will be primarily for trail carry it should be as light as possible but still be able to fire stout .357mag rounds. It is not going to be a range gun so it does not need to be comfortable enough to shoot all day. I have guns for that already. I will just need to fire a box of ammo out of it every month or so to stay used to it.
It comes down to either the Ruger SP101 w/3" barrel or a J frame S&W w/3" or 4" barrel.
I am kind of leaning towards the Ruger (even though I already have the 2" barrel spurless version) because I think it may be a little less polished than the S&W but it could probably handle stouter rounds with less recoil and less wear&tear on the gun.
Make sense? Sound stupid?
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Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I'll vote for the SP101, but wonder what advantage will be gained by the extra inch over the two inch model you already have. Don't get me wrong! I really like my two inch SP101 and hope to pick up a three inch model before too long. But I don't see there being sufficient difference to conclude that the three inch one will be able to do things your two incher can't already do ... unless you really want one you can shoot DA.
Confederate
Member
Well, if you can latch onto one of the new 4-inch Redhawks, I'd certainly give that a good thought. A 4-6-inch Smith 629 also would be on my short list. A final thought is to do a bit of searching and see if you can get a primo Ruger Security-Six with a 6-inch barrel or even a Smith 66 with 6-inch barrel.
ChristopherG
Member
Seeking a gun with similar criteria, I eventually ended up going with an option not listed--a Ruger Security Six.
The 3" sp101 is a fine choice, to be sure, and my outdoor gun for situations where I want to be able to easily conceal is a 2.5" S&W 66, which is about the same size; but for me, an ideal camping/hiking gun is open carried, and if I don't have to hide it, I'd definitely prefer the extra sight radius and velocity of a 4" barrel. The Security Six is every bit as stout as the SP101 (some would say it's as stout as the GP100, for all practical purposes; it was not discontinued because of any particular weakness, as was the k-frame), not much heavier at all, and gives you a full load of six. And, they're still available reasonably cheaply (though prices have been climbing).
This thread has a pic:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=223120
The 3" sp101 is a fine choice, to be sure, and my outdoor gun for situations where I want to be able to easily conceal is a 2.5" S&W 66, which is about the same size; but for me, an ideal camping/hiking gun is open carried, and if I don't have to hide it, I'd definitely prefer the extra sight radius and velocity of a 4" barrel. The Security Six is every bit as stout as the SP101 (some would say it's as stout as the GP100, for all practical purposes; it was not discontinued because of any particular weakness, as was the k-frame), not much heavier at all, and gives you a full load of six. And, they're still available reasonably cheaply (though prices have been climbing).
This thread has a pic:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=223120
I have both the 2 1/2 and 3 inch 357 SP 101s. I generally carry the short barrel as a CC piece and the 3 inch as an open carry "out in the woods" gun. The 3 inch is more muzzle heavy and balances a bit better, but both are great. I also have a 3 inch .22 that is my "go to" .22 revolver.
Bottom line is that you won't be disappointed with a SP in what ever barrel length you choose.
Bottom line is that you won't be disappointed with a SP in what ever barrel length you choose.
The Real Wyatt
Member
You might also want to consider a S&W Mountain gun in .45 Colt. A really sweet gun with plenty of power. Go to your local gunshop, pick one up and fondle it. Feels just right, don't it?
rtl
Member
I think a 4" GP 100 would fit the bill and be a nice addition to your collection.
22-rimfire
Member
From what you have said, I would go with a 3" Ruger GP100. You don't seem interested in 44's. I like 41mag myself. You would never go wrong with a 4" Model 57 mountain gun, but it is not stainless. Heavier than GP100 though.
Shawnee
member
Gosh... You have lots of confidence in the SA - why not a stainless .357 Ruger Blackhawk in 4 5/8 or 5 1/2 in barrel? 
earthworm
Member
PlayboyPenguin-go with the Ruger;if you think the GP101 hurts wait'll you try the J-frame Smith! Maybe the 3" GP100 as a compromise?
I'm envious of ChristopherG's Security-Six!
I'm envious of ChristopherG's Security-Six!
Stainz
Member
The 625's are all SS .45's. The standard full-lugs are 4" & 5" in .45ACP, with the latest such offering, the 625JM pictured earlier, another 4" .45 ACP. I have had my 625JM since 2/04, and it has been super. The last .45 Colt offerings were the SS 625 and blued 25 Mountain Guns. A 625MG would make a great 'woods gun' - and is my choice, as I reload. The latest S&W 'Mountain Gun' offering, which was recently still available new, is the .41M blued 57MG.
I believe I would opt for a 4" 629, if I didn't have one. While I owned a 629MG for years, the plus's for the standard 4" made me choose it as a replacement for my 629MG last April. It has a w/o rear and rr front sight, as well as a larger hammer and trigger than the MG. Adding the full size barrel, still partially-lugged, and it weighs but two ounces more. The features make it match my 6" h-l 629, except for barrel length. Add the Hogue .500 Magnum grips, available from S&W Accessories for $35, and you'll have recoil control (Try the same grips, actually stock on new .460's & .500's, for fit.). My local pusher has a LNIB 629MG for $500 in the case now. Many folks buy the 4" 629's, and don't like the recoil... the grip change eases that!
Stainz
I believe I would opt for a 4" 629, if I didn't have one. While I owned a 629MG for years, the plus's for the standard 4" made me choose it as a replacement for my 629MG last April. It has a w/o rear and rr front sight, as well as a larger hammer and trigger than the MG. Adding the full size barrel, still partially-lugged, and it weighs but two ounces more. The features make it match my 6" h-l 629, except for barrel length. Add the Hogue .500 Magnum grips, available from S&W Accessories for $35, and you'll have recoil control (Try the same grips, actually stock on new .460's & .500's, for fit.). My local pusher has a LNIB 629MG for $500 in the case now. Many folks buy the 4" 629's, and don't like the recoil... the grip change eases that!
Stainz
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