Lightweight .38 or .357 Revolver

[dbluefish]

How light? 25 oz, super trigger in DA and SA, soft grip and very accurate - New Colt Cobra.

 

[Rodfac]

If you need the gun for its intended purpose, a little extra wt. will help with recoil....too, the add'l wt. makes it more fun to shoot in practice sessions. My recommendation is a Smith Model 60, 19, or 66 with a 2-1/2" or 3" bbl. The first is a 5-shot, the other two are 6-shot revolvers.

In real, every day carry, my M60 Smith is no add'l burden on the belt. For backpacking, however, where the waist belt would hinder that mode of carry, a 'tanker' rig (cross chest holster), makes the gun readily accessible and not hindered by shoulder straps nor the waist belt. I don't have a pic of the tanker rig that I use when fishing, but El Paso Saddlery has them....expensive but outstanding quality. Uncle Mike's may have something similar.

Bottom line: don't sweat the weight...you'll not feel it while hiking. YMMv, Rod (here's my OWB rig with the M60, 3" Smith)

 

[spraay]

I'm looking for a used small lightweight revolver in .38 (+P preferred) or .357 Mag.
It is for carrying while backpacking long distances - so weight is at a premium. I think a snubby J-Frame may be best.

I agree with your assessment. So much so that I bought a model 637 for my walks in the woods.

 

[cluttonfred]

It’s been mentioned before but bear spray for bears and whatever gun you like for two-legged predators together make a lot of sense. Criminals are rarely looking for a fight if resisted and will not stick around to argue about the caliber of your gun.