What centerfire handgun for loafing in the great outdoors?

[Glamdring]

Just something to plink with & shoot varmints. But with enough power for social situations if needed.

I'm thinking of a 32 mag or 38/357. Anyone use the 38/357 on coyotes? If so what bullets?

How well will 45 acp or 10mm work on larger varmints?

 

[MacPelto]

Just for loafing...I have my eye on the Ruger Vaquero with interchangeable cylinders in 357/9mm. 3 calibers for one gun, and 9 is cheap to shoot.

 

[mtnbkr]

Definitely a 38/357 in either a K-Frame or L-Frame (or equiv). Mine is a Ruger GP100 with cocobolo grips and Firesights. I carry hot 180gr loads for serious shooting and light 38s for everything else.

Chris

 

[J. Parker]

I like a 357 magnum snubbie. Easy packin', powerful, and reliable. Just for funsies I've shot magnum snubbies out to 100 yards. Believe it or not they can be quite accurate out to that distance.
This summer I'll be packin' a 10mm Glock in the woods.

 

[Jim March]

For the price and performance and packin' weight, not much beats a GP100 with a 6" short-shroud barrel.

Depending on load, it can kill anything this side of a Griz, at considerable range.

They turn up used at $350 or less:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976300562.htm

Here's a full-lug; if you're gonna shoot the really serious loads (158grain @ 1500 or similar power range) the extra weight might be worth it for recoil control:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976341089.htm

There's no better deal in a general purpose do-it-all handgun.

Single Actions are OK if you're willing to commit to really mastering them.

 

[Al Thompson]

Guess I'm different. My always gun is a Glock 19. I do upgrade to a M629 when piggies are on the menu, I.E., hunting. If I'm hunting, camping or hiking where discression is advised, a G26 hides in a small black pouch on the belt.

 

[Trumpet]

I'd look at a S&W 625. Loading with moonclips is fast. Total versatility of cartridge choice. You can shoot mild 45ACP all the way to blazing 45 auto rim.

Rich

 

[ACP230]

My current choice would probably be my nickel Smith & Wesson M58. Its a nice gun with good power, and the nickel finish should be tougher than the blued finish on my M57 or my Ruger Redhawk .41.

Did I take it the last time I was out in the woods?
No. I took two 1911 types pistols. Besides doing a little shooting, I was also testing a holster.

 

[Penforhire]

I'm assuming you don't need to conceal it so I'd second that L-frame S&W. Probably in 6" (or longer) for easier plinking. Say a stainless 686 so you don't worry about the finish. Plink with 38's and load 357 Mag for more, ah, serious uses.

 

[blades67]

I carry my Glock 20 10mm Auto. More potent than a .357 Magnum and higher capacity to boot.

 

[9x19]

I prefer either one of my 3" .38/.357 wheel guns, or one of my Glock sub-compacts (9mm, or .357Sig) for a "loafing around the woods" gun.

 

[Tommy Gunn]

Check the used gun market for an older Colt revolver chambered in .32-20 WCF.

Although semi obsolete, the .32-20 still enjoys modest popularity with farmers, ranchers, trappers, and pot hunters. It can be reloaded easily and at a moderate cost. In addition, it delivers good killing power on small and medium game at ranges out to 100 yards without destroying all the edible meat.

32-20 (32 Winchester Center Fire)

 

[jem375]

357 mag. with the cheap blazer ammo would be a good plinker and varmint chaser...........the 10MM is too expensive to use as a plinker, although I like the caliber very much, another good one is the 44 mag with a target load..............

 

[MCNETT]

I always take my G20 loaded with 200XTP @ 1250fps and a back up mag of 165GSHP @ 1430fps.
-Mike

 

[Gary H]

S&W 25 in Colt. Accurate at any conceivable distance and a joy to shoot.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

In my opinion it's hard to beat a ruger single six in .32 Mag.

 

[stevelyn]

A .357 will probably be the most versatle. The choice of launchers is your's.

 

[Edward429451]

Any 357 would be a good choice. But a 44 mag would have some extra versatility over a 357. Load light for plinking / small game, and heavier for nasties. 44 shotshells are much more versatile and efficient than the 357 shotloads, having a bigger payload.
Speedloaders let you carry and load different loadings very well.
FWIW.

 

[Glamdring]

Well, I was thinking something ligher than a 6" L frame
If I want to carry something that heavy I carry the 4" 629.

Main reason I was thinking about the 10mm and 45acp is they would be lighter than my 4" 357.

When I said loafing I was thinking sort of an extended camping/varmint trip say a 2-3 day weekend. Either hiking or canoeing, would prefer something light wt because carrying other gear.

 

[sm]

Over the years, just "loafing" I've usually had a 1911[first choce always], or a K frame, many a time just a model 64 3" HB.

But I'm partial to these. Have used others. I"ve just had good luck. "Loafing" in dirty/sandy/farm contry the 1911 more reliable, IME.

Fun "loafing"...Keltec P-11...groundhogs kinda challenging...fun tho'

one gets a real funny look if a groudhog and 9mm meet at 40 yds...aint' no target pc...I do belive in luck...smart thing is to quit while ahead...I did...

 

[10-Ring]

I'd go w/ a 357 magnum DA revolver. For plinking you can bring some inexpensive ammo & for defensive duty, you've can bring a nice hollow point.

 

[WonderNine]

How about a .454 Casull levergun and a .454 Casull revolver?

 

[BerettaNut92]

Loafing? Wouldn't you rather bring toilet paper?

 

[CB900F]

Glam;

From the tone of your post, it doesn't sound as though bear/cat defense is a consideration. That being the case, the .32 H&R would be a lot more practical for what you are describing, IMHO.

In the loafing/plinking mode, it's a lot less likely to annoy any others in the area. The report isn't nearly as loud. If you are a handloader, any of them can be cheap to shoot, but the .32 just takes less of everything but primers.

My personal choice would be the Ruger SP101 in .32. If that wasn't in the cards, then like most others here, I'd go with a .357/38 revolver. But I'd stay away from the snubbies. Man can they be loud!

900F

 

[Brian Williams]

I would love to have a 4" pencil barrel S&W mod 13 with a round butt.

you could carry
Snake shot loads
38spec single & double round ball loads
38 spec 140 & 148 gr wad cutters
38 spec 115 jhp +p
357 double & triple (using a plastic shot canister) round ball loads
357 158 gr LSWC
357 125 & 158 JHP or JSP
357 180 gr Deer stoppers....


the list could go on & on & on............

a nice 22 lr J frame would be fun also


I want to take my OM single six and Paco Kelly it. rebarrel it with a nice 22lr barrel, put a nice 1x4 scope and rechamber the worst chamber to 22 mag. Cause it is an Old Model you should load and carry only 5 rounds, but when you want a little more umph you can slip in a 22 mag in that empty chamber.