mljdeckard
Member
I got a .22 conversion for my Kimber specifically to walk around in the woods with.
Recommend Small "Woods" Gun
- Thread starter wanderinwalker
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crazyhorse
Member
Ruger SP101 without doubt, or hesitation. Perhaps the best bang for your buck, for what you are looking to use it for.
Confederate
Member
If you can find a good used one, I don't think you could beat a Beretta 70S .22LR. These guns are small and ultra reliable. Carries eight rounds in the clip and one up the snoot, as they say. If Beretta made them today in stainless, they'd be overwhelmed with orders.
Don't confuse this one with the tiny, palm-sized variety. It's a little bit bigger and a whole lot more accurate and dependable.
Don't confuse this one with the tiny, palm-sized variety. It's a little bit bigger and a whole lot more accurate and dependable.
MCgunner
Member
Excellent, I like that one. I've got one I like a lot that fits this description, a Rossi M68 with a 3" barrel. It's very accurate and I can carry .38 wadcutter or +P depending on need. The wadcutter is very accurate and shoots to POA in the gun for small game and such. The +P is pretty accurate, too, and only shoots a bit higher. This is my go to for the woods bumming scenario and I can even pocket this gun in a few pairs of my pants, 3" barrel and all.
A Smith or Rossi (I have a M511) kit gun comes to mind, but for something a lot smaller and easier to carry, how about a NAA Mini Master? I've often thought this little 9 ounce .22 would be fantastic in this role. It's single action, but then so is the Bearcat.
I have a little pocket Phoenix Arms HP22 that is very accurate and fantastic so long as you ain't gonna be relying on it for self defense. I wouldn't do that with any .22, though. It's tiny. I made a wallet holster for a rear jeans pocket to hold it. I've shot rabbit and snakes with it.
Just about any snubby .38 can handle the role well. I'd go with an airlight/airweight gun for the pocket. If you're going to go heavier, for IWB, the SP101 is okay, but I sure would prefer an adjustable sight. I'd go with the 3" gun. I wouldn't worry about carrying a .357 unless you have big cats in your woods or bear and then I'd prefer my medium frame 3" .357, myself. But, just for the possible dog attack, humans, utility for small game and such, a 3" .38 fills the bill for me in the form of the little Rossi. It'll shoot 2" 5 shot groups off sandbags at 25 yards with wadcutters. That's pretty useful afield and the .38 is plenty of caliber around here. Now, when I'm down at my place, I carry a .357 because I might see a hog, but there are no bear or any threat from mountain lion or anything around here. I've come upon gators, but I can't imagine ever having to shoot a gator in self defense. I guess it could happen if I stumbled on a nest in spring, but I've never heard of such a thing happening and I don't swim with gators so they're not a threat. The only REAL threat to me in my bummings around are humans and perhaps a pack of wild feral dogs. Dogs can be vicious, much more of a threat than a wolf or something. I don't have any love for feral dogs. The only good one is a dead one.
Might I suggest a Glock 23. Not only can you defend yourself against humans, but critters alike. Roughly $450 new, holds 14rds, is plenty powerful, is easily carried, and stone reliable. Standard factory 180gr FMJ's, or 200gr XTP's from DoubleTap that run close to 1100fps...hey it'll take bears so I'd suggest looking into it as a potent "woods" gun.
Waywatcher
Member
I also think the SP101 would be the best.
You could load up anything from shotshells to 38 wadcutters to 357 cast cores.
You could load up anything from shotshells to 38 wadcutters to 357 cast cores.
OP
OP
wanderinwalker
Member
Thanks for all the posts.
Should have mentioned a couple of things:
1) I DO have a CCW permit.
2) I DO have a Glock 17 9mm, that gets carried fishing and walking quite frequently, actually. It only becomes a concealment issue when going to town in the summer, after fishing.
3) I already have a .44 Magnum for stuff that really deserves a good thwacking.
After looking at the above, and knowing that caliber really is unimportant, I think a .22 plinker is what I really need to compliment the above. And a good CCW holster for the Glock. The problem is, I am skinny, and the Glock needs to tuck in at about 10 o'clock with a good butt-forward cant to really "disappear."
Holster suggestions?
Should have mentioned a couple of things:
1) I DO have a CCW permit.
2) I DO have a Glock 17 9mm, that gets carried fishing and walking quite frequently, actually. It only becomes a concealment issue when going to town in the summer, after fishing.
3) I already have a .44 Magnum for stuff that really deserves a good thwacking.
After looking at the above, and knowing that caliber really is unimportant, I think a .22 plinker is what I really need to compliment the above. And a good CCW holster for the Glock. The problem is, I am skinny, and the Glock needs to tuck in at about 10 o'clock with a good butt-forward cant to really "disappear."
Holster suggestions?
Beachcomber
Member
I'm a Smith & Wesson fan... but from what I understand those Sp101's are hard to beat in value and the "wear & tear" department.
Bullet Bob
Member
A .22 for woods bumming was good enough for Bill Jordan, should be good enough for most.
Bearcat.
Bearcat!
BEARCAT!
Bearcat.
Bearcat!
BEARCAT!
I was going to suggest a version of the S&W kit gun, Taurus makes one, I think smith was making them last time i looked, even the sp101 was made in a 3 inch .22 for a while. just loads of fun to play with.
I would also second the Bearcat idea.
When you brought the need for a carry gun other than for potting small game or plinkin, then the whole scenario changes. the M-36 or 60 still work, small and light weight with enough punch to back up self defense and withthe ability to load plinker .38 wadcutters if you want;
I would also second the Bearcat idea.
When you brought the need for a carry gun other than for potting small game or plinkin, then the whole scenario changes. the M-36 or 60 still work, small and light weight with enough punch to back up self defense and withthe ability to load plinker .38 wadcutters if you want;
I was going through this exact question about a month and a half ago. I ended up going with a Ruger SP101 with 3"bbl.
It is the perfect woods gun IMHO, as long as bears are not too much of a concern.
And by the way a woods gun may get knocked around. I would avoid adgustable sights. It's unlikely that they'd break, but it's always a possibility if the gun is going to take a beating.
It is the perfect woods gun IMHO, as long as bears are not too much of a concern.
And by the way a woods gun may get knocked around. I would avoid adgustable sights. It's unlikely that they'd break, but it's always a possibility if the gun is going to take a beating.
Bill_G
Member
+1 on fixed sights. mine is a ruger vaquero in 45 colt. SA has fewer moving parts and in the field a single action is safer when knocking around the woods IMHO. my only downside with this is its heavier than other choices.....but a good holster and belt nullify most of that.
MCgunner
Member
I don't like fixed sights on a gun that I'm shooting light and heavy loads in. That would be any gun I carry afield because even in my .45 I had a rabbit/small game load and a bear/hog load. That's why I passed on the SP101 and bought a 3" Taurus M66 used at a gun show for carry IWB and for use in the field, though I have a 4" version, too. Smith and Wesson makes adjustable sighted M60s, I believe, and that's a smaller, lighter choice than a medium frame gun.
I have never had a problem either in the field or concealed carry with adjustable sights. It's just not an issue for me. However, on my 4" M66 and my blackhawks, my light loads are 6 clicks off in elevation from my heavy loads. I have them marked on the elevation screw and adjust for the load I'll be carrying.
I'm happy with fixed sights on a pocket defense snubby, but on an outdoor gun, I prefer better precision. However, my little Rossi .38 is fixed, but fortunately, there's not much difference in POI from my light and heavy loads. The wadcutter hits at POA and the heavy isn't that far off. That is an exception to the rule, I reckon.
I have never had a problem either in the field or concealed carry with adjustable sights. It's just not an issue for me. However, on my 4" M66 and my blackhawks, my light loads are 6 clicks off in elevation from my heavy loads. I have them marked on the elevation screw and adjust for the load I'll be carrying.
I'm happy with fixed sights on a pocket defense snubby, but on an outdoor gun, I prefer better precision. However, my little Rossi .38 is fixed, but fortunately, there's not much difference in POI from my light and heavy loads. The wadcutter hits at POA and the heavy isn't that far off. That is an exception to the rule, I reckon.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I carried a Colt Model 357 my first tour in Viet Nam, under very harsh conditions and had no problem with the adjustable sights. Similarly, I have no problems with the Micro sights on my Colt Woodsman, nor with those on my Ruger Blackhawks.
bhk
Member
I really like the idea of the Ruger 101 for your woodland carry. I carry autos for concealed carry 'in town,' but when in the woods I always carry revolvers (usually a SW 3 inch adjustable sighted J-frame .38 special, a SW 66 .357, or a SW 63 .22). I like the revolvers because I can adjust the load to the perceived use of the day and because I really, really like the option of extremely accurate single-action shooting when needed, (such as a meat squirrel at 40 yards or a 65 yard groundhog on the pond dam).
buddyRoland
Member
Gave my SP101 to my best friend's wife after he passed away. I had sold him a Springer GI .45ACP that was too big for her. SP101 is a win-win CCW. I also have the G26 which was for my wife until she got a 642 Ladysmith .38SPL. I feel well protected with either but prefer the SP101 because it disappears completely when carried and with .357MAG is an awesome little CCW.
TOADMAN
Member
Glock 19 or Glock 26 will suffice...
OP
OP
wanderinwalker
Member
Well, right or wrong, a 22/45 Mark III followed me home today! I went with a 4" bull-barrel and adjustable sights. This pistol will get carried and used.
Realistically, I'll probably get a G26 or snubby revolver later. Looking at the current situation and needs, a .22 LR plinker makes more sense than anything.
I went with a 4" bull-barrel and adjustable sights. This pistol will get carried and used. Realistically, I'll probably get a G26 or snubby revolver later. Looking at the current situation and needs, a .22 LR plinker makes more sense than anything.
sfhogman
Member
Good choice! Seems like the ideal barrel length and light weight to boot. I have a 5.5" 22/45 Mk ll and I love it. 4" sound perfect for woodsbumming.
Jeff
Jeff
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Four-inch 22/45 MkIII Heavy -- Nice
Recommend you carry a second mag loaded with Stingers or equivalent.
It's a fairly hot .22 round with good penetration.
If it did have to stand in for SD, three or four rounds of that should discourage predators who are leg-count challenged.
On second thought, while walking, that's the mag that should be loaded and charged. Plenty of time to switch mags to generic ammo if you wanna plink later.
I have the MkII in 6.5 heavy barrel. Sweet and accurate. It's a natural pointer and prints right on when shooting from the hip.
Congratulations. Nice choice.
Recommend you carry a second mag loaded with Stingers or equivalent.
It's a fairly hot .22 round with good penetration.
If it did have to stand in for SD, three or four rounds of that should discourage predators who are leg-count challenged.
On second thought, while walking, that's the mag that should be loaded and charged. Plenty of time to switch mags to generic ammo if you wanna plink later.
I have the MkII in 6.5 heavy barrel. Sweet and accurate. It's a natural pointer and prints right on when shooting from the hip.
Congratulations. Nice choice.
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