WheelMan
Member
After a couple episodes of avoiding menacing dogs and one run-in with some less than sober, more than armed rabblerousers I've been giving some thought to how I can army myself when out in the woods. (I'm usually out there just hiking or camping, or after squirrel or rabbit with my Remington 550I).
Being a collage student of limited means I'm going to have to work with what I have. On the handgun front I have a 7.5 and a 5.5 Vaquero in .44 magnum. a three screw-single six, and a Browning Hi-power (Old, and not entirely trustworthy). So I'm pretty much faced with a whole mess of cowboy guns. I've been trying to convince myself that what was good for Doc Holiday is good for me. And I pretty much have. Here's my theory, let me know if it's just a case of liking what you've got or actually viable:
For me single actions my single action revolver get out of the holster quicker and point better than autos. I figure this gives me an advantage over the high power with the first shot. Now with the high power I have 18 rounds on tap, but with the brace of single actions I have twelve, in a relatively quick to get at format (7.5 inch on strong side, 5.5 on cross draw). Plus they are the much more powerfully .44 magnum.
The single action brace makes more sense if you think of them as only the weapons you'd use if taken totally unaware, if I had more than a couple seconds to prepare I would go for the rifle in my pack, which would be a marlin .44 lever (the only thing I have small enough (and still with some punch) to carry with my .22 rifle).
I live in Missouri so the biggest things I could possibly have to contend with are black bear (very rare) and mountain lion (very very very rare, and would probably already have me down and bleeding before I even heard him anyway ) and of course the two legged varmints. Most common hazard is going to be feral dogs, (or hogs maybe if I catch on in a foul mood). Anyway, I figure the .44 marlin is plenty quick and plenty powerful enough to handle any of the above and the two six shooters give me a good chance of surviving long enough to get to my rifle.
Hmm.. seem to be rambling. I guess my question is, does anyone see a compelling reason why I would want a double action or automatic over my single actions. Keeping in mind I can single handed cock the revolvers very easily (bisley hammers on dragoon frame). I'd also like to hear what others carry out in the woods and what kind of threats they face, just trying to absorb some vicarious experience on the subject, thanks
Being a collage student of limited means I'm going to have to work with what I have. On the handgun front I have a 7.5 and a 5.5 Vaquero in .44 magnum. a three screw-single six, and a Browning Hi-power (Old, and not entirely trustworthy). So I'm pretty much faced with a whole mess of cowboy guns. I've been trying to convince myself that what was good for Doc Holiday is good for me. And I pretty much have. Here's my theory, let me know if it's just a case of liking what you've got or actually viable:
For me single actions my single action revolver get out of the holster quicker and point better than autos. I figure this gives me an advantage over the high power with the first shot. Now with the high power I have 18 rounds on tap, but with the brace of single actions I have twelve, in a relatively quick to get at format (7.5 inch on strong side, 5.5 on cross draw). Plus they are the much more powerfully .44 magnum.
The single action brace makes more sense if you think of them as only the weapons you'd use if taken totally unaware, if I had more than a couple seconds to prepare I would go for the rifle in my pack, which would be a marlin .44 lever (the only thing I have small enough (and still with some punch) to carry with my .22 rifle).
I live in Missouri so the biggest things I could possibly have to contend with are black bear (very rare) and mountain lion (very very very rare, and would probably already have me down and bleeding before I even heard him anyway ) and of course the two legged varmints. Most common hazard is going to be feral dogs, (or hogs maybe if I catch on in a foul mood). Anyway, I figure the .44 marlin is plenty quick and plenty powerful enough to handle any of the above and the two six shooters give me a good chance of surviving long enough to get to my rifle.
Hmm.. seem to be rambling. I guess my question is, does anyone see a compelling reason why I would want a double action or automatic over my single actions. Keeping in mind I can single handed cock the revolvers very easily (bisley hammers on dragoon frame). I'd also like to hear what others carry out in the woods and what kind of threats they face, just trying to absorb some vicarious experience on the subject, thanks