Show off your wilderness sidearm.

[JTHunter]

Unfortunately, age and "mobility issues" preclude me from getting out now compared to when I was a frequent hunter and hiker. Back then, ILL-ANNOY didn't allow either CC or OC (still no OC) but, as I was out with a 12 gauge SxS, that would be my "primary".
Now, I have a custom leather rig for my GP-100 with a pair of Speedloaders and a leather box big enough for a 50 rd. box (or ~100 rds. of loose ammo).

 

[Smokin Gator]

Im not totally against going old school with a SAA design. It carries so easily and handles so well. No wonder the design has stood the test of time. Five rounds of .45colt cowboy loads would be sufficient for everything but the worst case scenario.

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If I'm willing to accept 45colt cowboy loads, then premium hardcast 45acp CorBon's or Buffalo Bore type ammo should be acceptable also.
My SR 1911CMD .45acp would actually be high on my list. It can ride in it's Bianchi shoulder holster pretty well unnoticed. My only wish it that it had a rail for a weapon light, but it isn't a deal breaker.
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The load you show on your target is a very good one. These days when people mention Cowboy loads it usually refers to much lighter loads with light bullets that cowboy action shooters (SASS) use in competition as opposed to the heavier loads. Many of them load 45 Colt guns with 160gr bullets at around 600fps.

 

[DM~]

A favorite topic of mine.
If you were taking an adventure into the wilderness of the northwest or Alaska, which one of your sidearms would you choose to take along?

I've already "been there done that", and every time I flew out, I had the bottom left revolver in my shoulder holster. It's my S&W 29-2 that I've owned since the 70's,

It's been out in the Alaskan bush with me more days than I can count and has put plenty of meat in the pot, from moose on down.

DM

 

[Rodfac]

I've already "been there done that", and every time I flew out, I had the bottom left revolver in my shoulder holster. It's my S&W 29-2 that I've owned since the 70's,

Pretty good choice...Rod

 

[mac66]

lI went camping, hiking and fishing in Alaska for 25 days a few years ago. I was going to take my 7.5" Ruger Redhawk but it was pretty big and awkward. I mentioned that to a friend who loaned my his 5.5" RR. A little less awkward. Bought some bear loads at the Cabelas in Anchorage when we landed. I carried it in a chest holster the entire time. We did see some grizzlies but nothing very close. Eventually I bought that from my buddy and sold my 7.5" Redhawk to my son.




I do have some black bears on my hunting property. A few years ago I was checking a trail camera down by the swamp and when I stepped back around the tree the camera was on there was a mama bear and 3 cubs standing not 20 feet away. They stopped, she huffed and growled a little and the cubs took off. I slowly backed back around the tree hoping to keep it between her and me. I was carrying a Ruger .22 pistol. She eventually wheeled around and ran off after her cubs. Since then I carry a 357 mag or a 1911 I converted to 45 super. Both with heavy bear loads.

 

[bluejeans]

My two main wilderness sidearms are Both smith and Wesson 3” revolvers:
329pc (8-shot 357 mag) with a custom barrel - 23oz . For lower 48
629 classic (44 mag) with titanium cylinder - 34oz. For Alaska.
Both get used a lot as I work for long periods of time in remote wilderness locations. They’re both custom creations because I’ve learned over the years exactly what I want in the guns and weight savings is a huge factor to me while maintaining shootability.
I have several other guns I will take hiking or woods tromping… sig xten, s&w 44 spl, s&w 360pd, m&p 357sig, etc. but I don’t consider anywhere with a trail or where I can get back to the truck in a couple of hours to be “wilderness”. YMMV.

 

[357smallbore]

View attachment 1243278

 

[357smallbore]

S&W 29-2 and S&W 686 no dash.
These will get it done.

 

[Peakbagger46]

My two main wilderness sidearms are Both smith and Wesson 3” revolvers:
329pc (8-shot 357 mag) with a custom barrel - 23oz . For lower 48
629 classic (44 mag) with titanium cylinder - 34oz. For Alaska.
Both get used a lot as I work for long periods of time in remote wilderness locations. They’re both custom creations because I’ve learned over the years exactly what I want in the guns and weight savings is a huge factor to me while maintaining shootability.
I have several other guns I will take hiking or woods tromping… sig xten, s&w 44 spl, s&w 360pd, m&p 357sig, etc. but I don’t consider anywhere with a trail or where I can get back to the truck in a couple of hours to be “wilderness”. YMMV.

You win. What a balance of power and ease of carry! Mind disclosing what your wanderings entail work wise?

 

[Peakbagger46]

Here’s my lightweight opinion for wandering bear and cat country. Stoked with moderate .357 hardcast SWC handloads with the below Barnes factory rounds for a quicker reload.

It’s nice to not have a holster rubbing on the hip for long hikes but this is definitely a trade off. A few years ago I had to drop the bow and pocket draw at a charging black bear. Again, lazy and not ideal setup.

 

[Soonerpesek]

RIA 1911 10MM.View attachment 1242383

I like that….

If I can ask, where’d you get the grip panels and the wrap…??

 

[bluejeans]

Mind disclosing what your wanderings entail work wise?

I am a contract timber cruiser/ forestry consultant. I work throughout the northwest and Alaska.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

^^^ A wonderful job! ^^^

 

[gilgsn]

Well, we can't carry anything here in France but I'll play along!
Of those I actually own, there are three I would use depending on circumstances:

If I went on, say, a fishing vacation in Alaska, it would be my Ruger Blackhawk in .41 Mag.
I don't have anything bigger at the moment, though it could be argued that a stout .45 Colt is just as good..


Anywhere else, I am very partial to the Single Action Army. I probably wouldn't use my 1st gen Colt in .38-40, being worried about losing it, but my Uberti El Patron in .45 Colt would be one of my two choices.
Let's see the TKO between .41 Mag and .45 Colt (both 4-5/8"):
.41 Mag : (210 x .41 x 1350) / 7000 =16.6.
.45 Colt : (285 x .452 x 875) / 7000 = 16.1.
Not much of a difference if you trust the Taylor Knock-Out system...



Then, if a big bore isn't warranted, like around here if it was allowed, my S&W 586 in .357 Mag.
TKO: (158 x 1350 x .357) / 7000 =10.9. Anything ten and above really is good in my book.



The 586 allows for faster reloads of course, and that could be a big factor depending on the threat.
Since we are talking about woods guns, assuming animals, here would mean maybe wolves, though they seem to be pretty elusive, wild boars or packs of feral dogs. I've seen wild boars, but never groups of dogs, and surely no wolves. Anyone killing a wolf here might wish he had rather been devoured than found out, as the legal repercussions would probably be worst than a quick (hopefully) demise... Anyway, it's a moot point, but fun to imagine hypothetical scenarios.

Now, if I could buy anything I wanted as a woods gun, independently of price or import difficulties, it would be a Freedom Arms 97 in .45 Colt with a 4-5/8 barrel. One day maybe... Not because it necessarily would be the best gun for that purpose, but because I really want one!

Gil.

 

[sparkyfender]

Probably not an ideal choice with the 3" barrel, but it's what I have. S&W 629.

 

[Riomouse911]

I initially was into the S&W 629 Mountain Gun, but I prefer the feel of shooting the L frame Model 69 over the N frame 629.



Stay safe.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I guess it should be my 41 mag.

But I wouldn't leave for the wilderness without this no matter what.



It's what I practice with the most and shoot the best, even if it is only a 9mm.

 

[bigchicot]

Lately? Glock G41 or G30. Or the 686. Up way yonder should I ever have the chance? 629 PC or 29-3. Or the G40 if I want 15+1.

bc

 

[Random 8]

In the base scenario, I'd have to go shopping unless a 7.62x54R carbine counts as a sidearm LOL. Although if we're taliking the NW of Alaska, I think we're getting out of brown bear country and into white bear country? I think I'll stick with the rifle, and pack a .22 Ruger mkIV for Ptarmigan

 

[gilgsn]

I prefer the feel of shooting the L frame Model 69 over the N frame 629.

Those would look great with the old wood grips, but probably not comfortable with full house loads.
Now if only they made a 69 in .45 Colt...
Gil.

 

[Riomouse911]

Those would look great with the old wood grips, but probably not comfortable with full house loads.
Now if only they made a 69 in .45 Colt...
Gil.

I love wooden grips. Until I shoot harder-kicking guns with them.

These factory grips on the Model 69 really seem to tame recoil, I like them despite their lack of panache.

And yes, a .45 Colt version would be sweet!

Stay safe.