Perfect Packin' Pistols?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hello friends and neighbors // I switch between these two, a 6" S&W 586 or a DW 15-2 also 6".

The 586 is my main woods handgun.
I never minded the extra 2" or full lug but I am 6'4" 250 lbs and often carry a tool belt that far outweighs the 586.

SW586.jpg packinpistol.jpg

Depends if I am going straight into the woods to hunt or traveling and need a concealed option.
----
Malmute// The 4" S&W Model 29 in post #8 is outstanding in every way.
Looks like an old friend used to honest work, I've never seen better.
 
I'm going to bring back this thread since it's not too old and I've had some Perfect Packin' Pistol thoughts recently. I too, am curious what others' PPP are. I've been doing some light hiking around Northern New Mexico with my family where apparently some black bears that are a bit too habituated to humans are hanging around and Mt. Lions have been spotted. I've been packing my father's old S&W model 19 4" and have come to appreciate it's PPP qualities. I've also carried a 6" GP100 and a 5.5" Old Vaquero in .45 Colt. The Model 19 really shines in it's ease of carry compared to the others. It's difficult to imagine a better suited gun for OWB carry with a decent amount of fire power than this. I've got 180 grain rounds loaded for penetration and don't feel at all undergunned for what animals are out here. My wife often carries a 637 with LSWCHP +Ps for back-up or if we're separated by much distance. I can see stepping up to a .44 or a .45 Colt, but it's hard to justify given how well this gun handles and carries. A stainless model 66 would be awfully tempting though.
So does anyone else have their version of a PPP?
 
As a true Keith/Taffin disiple myself I'm still on the quest. But just to name a few.
OM and 50th anniversary 357
SANY0895.jpg
Lipsey sheriff and Blackhawk 44 Special
IMG-20110407-00124.jpg
Colt and USFA 45 Colt SAAs
IMG-20110407-00117.jpg
S&W 1076 and 610 10MMs
IMG-20110805-00062.jpg
I know it's a 3" but I have faith John would approve S&W 696 44 special
SANY0850.jpg
 
I carry a glock 27 as my everyday ccw weapon and 9 times out of 10 when I out kicking around on the family farm it on my hip outside of my waistband. It doesn't meet your specs for barrel length. On the other hand .40 is plenty powerful enough for coyotes or wild dogs, which are the biggest threats aside from poachers. Its weight is great and with 11 rounds (+1 mag extension and one chambered) it has more than enough capacity. Sites are adjustable. Plus Glocks are not an overly attractive gun to begin with so if it gets a little ding it doesn't break your heart. Not to mention Glocks are proven tough and reliable. But if you must have the barrel length get a Glock 23 more rounds, 4 inch barrel and just a few more oz.
 
I don't get time to go woodsbumming like I want to anymore, but my cantidates for PPP run through the list.

Ruger GP-100, 4"
Ruger Blackhawk .357, 4 5/8"
Ruger Blackhawk .45 LC, 5 1/2"
Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 RM, 4 5/8"
Ruger Vaquero .45 LC, 4 5/8"

Sometimes the Ruger Redhawk .44 RM, 5 1/2", but it's just a tad heavy for a PPP, and I might also give the nod to the Glock 20 on some occasions, it just depends on where I'm going and what mood I'm in that day.

Doc
 
Mavracer's definitely on the right track. That's a fine collection!

Snubs and pocket autos are definitely not in the spirit of the PPP. Nor are most service autos. A PPP must be something you can actually hit something with at distance.

Autos are definitely in the running and near about anything in 10mm or .45ACP can be a PPP. Here's a shot of my Commander-length Kimber.
P1010141.jpg

I really do think a good 5" works too!
IMG_8044b.jpg
 
Back to the top, this thread is too good to die.

Here are my current PPPs. A Ruger Blackhawk convertible .45 colt / .45 acp. and a Glock 20 10mm plus a conversion barrel in .40 S&W.

0012-1.gif
 
My PPP is my Kimber Compact CDP - super accurate 45 auto with all the features you need like melt, night sights, front strap checkering, etc.

Next would be one of my 4" XD45's - holds 13 rounds of felon repellant. :D

BothXD1.jpg
 
When I am east of the Miss. and south of Canada, it's the trusty GP100 4.20" 357 in stainless. If the largest of Gentle Ben's relative are a real conscern, then I rely on my trust Glock 20. 15 rounds of 10mm as fast as I can pull the trigger may not save my life, but atleast whoever finds me will know I put up a hell of a fight when they find the brass.
 
I like my S&W 624 .44 spl & my Glock 29 10mm/.40 for packin'.

Hard to beat an N frame for smooth & accurate DA shooting and a stiff .44 spl load has nothing to apologize for.

The 29 is so light & easy to carry OWB and is outdoor accurate to boot.

-
 
Last edited:
Effigy said:
Revolvers are fun to shoot, but I don't think they're very size efficient by comparison.
Click to expand...

Well, that kind of depends. If something like 38spl, sure. Move up to full bore 357mag loads, and, well, now things are different. You'd need a full size 10mm to match the ballistics you can get out of a relatively compact ruger sp101 loaded with hot stuff.
 
I took mine on a hike today. It is the blued Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt-45acp convertable. The blued model is lighter than the stainless steel model so for me more enjoyable to pack around. The holster is an important part of the package. I like the Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake. My favorite load to pack around is the Double Tap 255 grain Keith hardcast. I feel very well protected with this combination while on the trail. A number of years ago my first choice was my fathers 4 inch Colt Python. This one rode in a Kramer Pancake holster. Kept it loaded with a 180 grain hardcast. I gave it to my son a number of years ago. Back in the day my PPP was my only handgun. The S&W 1955 6.5 inch 45acp. This gun went on lots of hikes when I was a teen and into my early 20's. Lucky for me I still have it. When it still sees trail duty it is loaded with 250 grain hardcast handloads in 45 AR running at 950 or so. So I started out with a 45 at age 15 and still carry a 45 at age 57.
 
Well, this may surprise you, but an old beat to hell Llama 38. Whenever I reach for a packin gun this ugly mother gets to go for a ride. Sweet trigger and drives tacks like a 16 oz hammer.

The best $90 I ever spent, and I can't put it down. I know it don't add up, considering all my expensive handguns, but sometimes life just throws you curves.:scrutiny:
 

Attachments

  • Llama2.JPG
    Llama2.JPG
    106.9 KB · Views: 28
Maby it's like an old favorite shirt with a worn out collar or an old pair of jeans. You have better stuff but somehow the worn things feel right at home.
 
Damn all most all wheel guns, not the best for multiple shots. I prefer my s&w 1076 '10mm' 4 1/4 barrel.
 
Maby it's like an old favorite shirt with a worn out collar or an old pair of jeans. You have better stuff but somehow the worn things feel right at home.
Click to expand...

Ak.Hiker-- I think you said exactly what I was trying to say. ;)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
Perfect Packing Pistol Revisited
2 3
Replies
62
Views
4K
mavracer
mavracer
Onmilo
  • Locked
For plastic holster/ pistol with mounted light fans(Glock 34/Blade-Tech),,,
Replies
0
Views
570
Onmilo
Onmilo
N
  • Locked
Pistol Penetration Thoughts
2
Replies
30
Views
3K
Pat_Rogers
P
Alllen Bundy
  • Locked
Fanny Pack Holster - Proof of Concept - Part 2
Replies
11
Views
678
Alllen Bundy
Alllen Bundy
T
  • Locked
Eberlestock Lo Drag review
Replies
4
Views
3K
taliv
T
Back
Top