Trail Gun

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Mr. Mosin

Mr. Mosin

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Mmm. @Ratshooter I can take some hints. Most of us know what a "kit gun" is (if you don't, there's a wonderful thread on it happening now). What would a "trail gun" be ? Perhaps a 3" or 4" barrel, adjustable sights, chambered in .38 Spl, or at a maximum, .44 Spl or .45 Colt ? For me "trail gun" differs in the mind from "kit gun" in that one may have to defend themselves from something besides a snake. The in-between between a proper kit gun and a dedicated hunting/defensive handgun, applicable to all three categories; but not as adequate as a dedicated platform/caliber, is what pops to my thoughts. Quite honestly, a Charter Arms Bulldog in their "Classic" configuration comes to mind, excepting of the fixed sights.
 
I think a "trail gun" could include any sidearm small enough to wear as a belt gun. A 44 mag with a 4" barrel, even a 629 sized one could work. I would prefer a 3"-4" s&w model 10 tapered barrel for this job. Or an lcrx in 357, or even a short barreled single 7 in 327 mag with 32h&r ammo in it. But it needs a short enough barrel to ride on the belt without being in the way. And the lighter the better....
 
In my opinion it all depends on where the trail is. In many cases my trail gun is also a “Kit gun”. In the desert or lowland areas my S&W 60 Pro would be my choice. Light to carry and loaded with .357 Magnum.
In the mountains I prefer my Ruger Vaquero.45 Colt loaded with 250 grain hard cast cartridges.
 
Depends a bit on where you are. I think the Ruger SP101 in .327 is a good candidate. Take care of trap line critters with a 32L wadcutter and load to .327 for larger concerns. Light and can have a longer barrel if you prefer.

S&W made a 44 Mag with a light frame. Brother has one and has never shot it and I'm not sure I want to try it either. So light I think it will be remembered and I have some hard hitting handguns (45-70 and .454 Casull for instance).

Something you shoot a lot and are good with is better in my mind than the "what if" you never shoot.
 
It wholly depends where your gonna be out on the trail.

Not a whole lot of predators here in Ohio. A few hogs here and there, a Blackie or two, I hear bobcats are making their way back.

Realistically, even spotting any of those critters is HIGHLY unlikely. A 3-4" 22lr to 32 centerfire is entirely sufficient.

I like a 4" M19 stoked with 38's or my very accurate and easy shooting 158gr SWC Magnum-lite load. Good sights, good trigger, big enough to shoot well, not too heavy.
 
I have a problem after sixty years of shooting, collecting, inheriting and reloading in picking a trail gun for the shroom hunting forays on my little farm. No bears. No cougar. Coyotes, yes. Feral cats, a dog maybe, Crows, fox, no venomous snakes. Anything would do. I'm down to a half dozen and rotate through. Model 15, 2 3/4" Security Six, 624, Bulldog, Sport Woodsman, PPK/S. Most of the time there is a shot cap up first followed by something I cast. At 75, I dont move fast but I'm still pretty accurate. Tending toward lighter weight stuff to carry. So far, what I've actually shot are several coon that like to crap on stuff in the pole barn, one 'yote who was dumb enough to stand broadside at forty yards and stare at me, a couple muskrats in the creek (yeah, I know, but no evidence now,), and one unlucky crow the day I had my 17 Tracker on the mower. Trail guns are fun. I had a Model 36 3" with adjustable sights that I called my "trail masterpiece" until my childbride took a shine to it. For years, a Ruger Standard 4" auto was my trail gun of choice.
 
"Trail" gun would depend on the trail geography. An Alaska trail gun would, one presumes, need to pack more punch than a Southern California trail gun. A trail gun in a place where illegal drug grows or cooking might be an issue may emphasize capacity above punch. If one is in slithery-snakey country, one might even have found a use for the Judge/Governor genre. In outer suburbia, conncealability may be king. All depends.
 
My trail gun used for when I am scouting, hiking, fishing or just general woods bumming in northeast PA is a ruger blackhawk flattop in 44 special. Generally stoked with 200 grain hardcast full wadcutters or 255 grain hardcast SWC. I also use it as my sidearm while hunting as a back up to my primary. Sometimes I carry a Smith model 317 in addition to the BH as a kit gun for general plinking. It barely weighs 16oz fully loaded and is a hoot to shoot. Also provides a little extra margin of comfort while out there on my own.
 
A trail gun is expected to receive a few bumps and scrapes along the way. It's a working gun. To me that begs stainless. It needs to be large enough to deal with the problems yet easy to hand and not likely to be left behind. I suggest this with the .22 mag cylinder in place.
fu9UZ1L.jpg
 
I prefer fixed sights on a trail gun. Nothing to break or shift.

When I carry a revolver, Dan Wesson .357 4" with fixed sight and stainless with Hogue grips
 
I agree with the folks that say it depends on the trail your walking. I try to carry a gun most of the time anyways.

I'm in Minnesota and don't have to worry much about being charged by a Grizzly. There have been reports of cougars and wolves in my area.

I'm more worried about two legged creatures. I just carry what I usually carry day to day. Full size is my preference. 1911 or Glock 17.
 
My trail gun would by default be my EDC, a 4” barreled N frame chambered for 45 ACP.

Kevin
 
In the context of this thread, I have a couple that I would call "trail guns". A Smith model 60-15 and a Rossi copy of a 3" Smith model 36. Both are a pleasure to carry and pretty accurate. Perfect for a walk on a trail or through the woods if you want a little more horsepower than .22LR can provide.

I have other things that would work - but they are all somewhat heavier.


Now, if a body can live with that extra inch of barrel - I have a Smith model 10 that shoots like a laser. That would be a solid trail gun choice also in my opinion.
 
If I want a more powerful round in a trail gun it would be the Blackhawk, 4 5/8" barrel in 41 magnum. For a lighter round it would be a Single-Six in 32 H&R mag but loaded with 32 long wadcutters.

Jeff
 
No bruins to deal with here in middle TN so I can take care of everything I need to with a good old 38 Special. For a trail-gun/woods-gun/tractor-gun I would rather have the robustness of fixed sights.

oROSLEYm.jpg
S&W Model 10 heavy barrel, Safariland 567 Holster, Safariland Comp III speed-loader, Master-Tac speed-loader pouch.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
I think the S&W 629 Mountain Gun was probably the best example of this genre. Light (ish), corrosion resistant, and powerful enough to give any aggressive mammal a very bad day.
Click to expand...
I have a S&W stainless mountain gun in .41 magnum. It's what I usually carry when on trails here in Wyoming. Sometimes I carry my Ruger SRH in .454 Casull, but it's so darned heavy. Perhaps if I got a quality chest holster for it.
 
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