Woods carry gun

[Browning]

To me, a "woods carry gun" is not a hunting handgun, but one I would use for SD against two legged predators and feral dogs. We have no dangerous game here in Wisconsin other than Black Bear, a few cougars and wolves. None are much of a risk to the average human.

What about when meth-heads are occasionally on your deer lease looking for something to steal or setting up a mobile meth lab in a trailer on an outlying part of your ranch where your deer stand is?

Isn't that just as great of a threat or more than a sounder of hogs, a bear or a pack of feral dogs that people have dumped out in the country because they don't want to put them down at a shelter?

Just saying, for me running into a two legged predator or three out in the woods is just as likely as coming into contact with a hostile animal.

 

[horsey300]

Currently own a 6" gp100 and a 2.25"sp101. The GP rides around in a chest holster during deer season and the sp101 has an IWB holster for me CCW. I love my 6" gp, but is a but long and cumbersome when hanging tree stands, hanging posted signs and doing other thing on out hunting property during the off season. The sp101 is a great ccw, but is at its limits at close range. I love shooting it, but it doesnt make a good all around gun. Thinking about a 4" revolver for a happy medium general woods carrygun. So its between a 4.2" sp101 and a 4.2" gp100. The gun would be carried more than shotless. But sometimes it doesnt work like that and theyre just o fun to put down!

Both are reliable and like the feel of them. I like the lett style grips on both. Have a set of compact lett style grips on their way to try on the 6",but if I pick up a 4" gp they will end up on that instead. Unless I really like the fit and than ill have to order another set.

The sp101 makes more sense for a gun that will be totted around alot and is a bit cheaper. But the gp100 has an extra round, and more aftermarket options, and is easier to shoot/ control.

Now from former threads I posted I was going to buy a .44 but decided to hold off. Id rather get some hot heavy hardcast ammo for my 6" GP and hunt with that under 50yards (my bow range) until I get more comfortable. Dont want to spend $1000 on a 7.5" .44 that wont get used if I decide the handgun hunting is not for me.

So putting saved money towards a midsize .357 would get alot more use and would complete my needs for and easier to carry but accurate gun. Which would you go with and why?

I voted other, I love my recently purchased blackhawk, changing the grips, K frame s&w is in the mix but low on the totem pole, the wife's pro series J frame is neat, but the single six, single seven line sings out strongly, and if it HAS to be da then I say tracker

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I carry a S.A. Ruger in .357 Magnum to complement my Marlin levergun also in .357 Magnum.

 

[Picher]

I used to carry a sidearm when hunting birds or deer, but don't do it anymore. I find that a rifle or shotgun is much more lethal, even if I need to carry slugs, and/or buckshot for rabid animals.

I often walk around the wooded areas on the family property, carrying either a 2" J-frame featherweight .38, or a light semi-auto Beretta 87, .22LR. Bears or other dangerous game aren't often found here in Central Maine, but sometimes we encounter rabid coons or coyotes. The .22LR can be quite lethal, using hollow point CCI Mini-Mags. I can also carry extra mags and lots of ammo.

 

[opsman]

I own a GP100 in 357 I enjoy carrying it especially in the woods, it makes sense to me to have a side arm during the off season, one never knows what will be in the woods nowadays. My son owns a GP100 in 327 FedMag, that is a gun just made for carrying and if I didn't already have a GP in 357 I just might buy one in 327. Why? well the GP100 for starters, are as everyone knows built like a tank. It goes without saying that I am a Ruger fan, there is nothing about the GP that I don't like so it gets my vote hands down.

 

[huntsman]

I used to carry a kgp-141, had a cheap nylon holster mounted on the front rack of the fourwheeler for when I was out cutting wood. I switched to a .45acp because it wasn’t as loud, I don’t wear ears in the woods even running a saw.

 

[bassjam]

Well went in the the store to handle the 4" gp100 /sp101 side by side today and make my final decision. Walked out with a receipt for a sr1911 to bring down to the county clerk and have it added to my permit.

So is that going to be your woods gun, or are you still looking?

And great choice, I love my SR1911.

 

[MidRoad]

So is that going to be your woods gun, or are you still looking?

And great choice, I love my SR1911.

Going to try her out as a woods carry. Should fit the bill

 

[shafter]

A K frame Smith and Wesson 357 magnum would be a great choice. I don't know what your threats are but a Model 10 or 64 loaded with some of Buffalo Bore's Outdoorsman load would probably be a good choice too.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Of all the guns I own, there are two that alternate on my belt when I go outside (I live in the woods, literally.) The first is a Colt Woodsman, First Model made in 1938. The other is a Colt New Service in .45 Colt with adjustable sights and Herrett grips.

 

[MidRoad]

Here's a pic of the 1911. Posted it in another thread too. Can't wait to shoot it.

 

[Garandimal]

Here's a pic of the 1911. Posted it in another thread too. Can't wait to shoot it.View attachment 773601

Very nice.

Have a hole in the freezer for a 1911 like that.




GR

 

[Crowman]

Spring / summer ridge walking: Ruger Match Champion.




Fall / Winter ridge walking/ hunting sidearm: 5-shot S&W Model 69 in .44 Magnum. This one has XS Express Sights installed.

 

[Picher]

When in my 20s, I worked on a highway survey crew staking out and running centerlines for construction. I often carried a 6" Colt Python in a shoulder holster under my coat. That got old fast, so started carrying a 5" Ruger Standard Auto. Never encountered rabid animals, back then, but did get a few rabbits and birds in the fall. Once, I scored on two running rabbits in an orchard with light loads in the Python. Pretty happy that day!

 

[Ks5shooter]

This is my predator medicine.......

 

[buck460XVR]

What about when meth-heads are occasionally on your deer lease looking for something to steal or setting up a mobile meth lab in a trailer on an outlying part of your ranch where your deer stand is?

Isn't that just as great of a threat or more than a sounder of hogs, a bear or a pack of feral dogs that people have dumped out in the country because they don't want to put them down at a shelter?

Just saying, for me running into a two legged predator or three out in the woods is just as likely as coming into contact with a hostile animal.

As I said, my woods carry gun is for two legged predators and feral dogs. I'm not worried and don't carry in the woods for DG. We have no feral hogs to worry about either. They don't seem to survive our winters around here. Come deer season and a whole new handgun arsenal comes out. The meth heads don't like the woods around here either....they stick to the trailer parks and low-income housing in town for cooking their stuff. Generally the charge of child negligence from having kids in the house is worse than the first offense of cooking meth.

 

[Mike .45]

We have black bear and cougars where I live so I go .44 magnum. Also spend a lot of time in Montana at my parents property and they add grizzly and wolves to the mix. I have only seen 1 grizzly and it was on the property. It ran across an area my dad cleared about 75 yards from the patio where we were having a BBQ. I saw 2 wolves while hunting about 10-12 years back. I hear the wolves are worse now. I dont know have not been drawn for a tag for a while.

 

[docbrown]

Security Six 4" in 357. Lighter than a GP-100 and rock solid. Would be a great woods gun and save you some weight. Price should be reasonable as well.

 

[RealGun]

Security Six 4" in 357. Lighter than a GP-100 and rock solid. Would be a great woods gun and save you some weight. Price should be reasonable as well.

I believe the OP has already made his decision but the thread lives on. I would just like to comment that my Match Champion is pretty comparable to my Security Six but has the advantage of being supported for repair by Ruger, and parts are readily available, as are grip options. Neither suits me with full power ammo in 357, but with medium performance loads I would rather shoot the Match Champion. Grips are involved in that preference, but you can do more with the GP100.

 

[Armored farmer]

I like my revolvers too.....
But there's nothing wrong with taking a 1911 to the woods either.

 

[CraigC]

I know the decision has been made but for me, I prefer a 4" DA or 4¾" SA for this role. I also prefer a moderately loaded big bore over the ear-splitting .357Mag. For the handloader, I'd heartily recommend the rather nimble new 5" half lug GP .44Spl or if you're stuck with factory fodder, the .357 version.

 

[Armored farmer]

We have black bear and cougars where I live so I go .44 magnum. Also spend a lot of time in Montana at my parents property and they add grizzly and wolves to the mix. I have only seen 1 grizzly and it was on the property. It ran across an area my dad cleared about 75 yards from the patio where we were having a BBQ. I saw 2 wolves while hunting about 10-12 years back. I hear the wolves are worse now. I dont know have not been drawn for a tag for a while.

Nothing interesting like that around here, but my nephew works on a ranch in Montana, he was out grouse hunting when a wounded cow moose "treed" him on some round bales in the hay yard.

 

[CraigC]

You just never know what's gonna find you and pick a fight!

 

[Browning]

As I said, my woods carry gun is for two legged predators and feral dogs. I'm not worried and don't carry in the woods for DG. We have no feral hogs to worry about either. They don't seem to survive our winters around here. Come deer season and a whole new handgun arsenal comes out. The meth heads don't like the woods around here either....they stick to the trailer parks and low-income housing in town for cooking their stuff. Generally the charge of child negligence from having kids in the house is worse than the first offense of cooking meth.

Different areas often have different threats.

For instance while we do have black bear down here in Texas, running into them is pretty rare.

Instead we often have abandoned dogs turned feral (had one try to steal a doe kill the year before last), hogs and meth heads running around the woods. I've worked in EMS for 20 years and I've been dispatched to the scene of injuries or death involving all three. Our variety of meth heads also sound a little more violent and a little better prepared. So while a revolver is great for protecting ones self from wild animals getting into a beef with 2, 3 or 4 armed criminals who like to do their business out in the sticks sounds doesn't sound like it'll end in your favor.

So by and large I switched to something that has 15+1 and 13+1 on tap and quicker reloads. Full power 10mm and +P loads for the .45 ACP on tap work well.

Before we got this last deer lease though we just had the wild animals to worry about for the most part. So I can completely see why many stick with the classic revolver option.

After I sold that S&W Model 66 I went to a S&W 22-4 Thunder Ranch .45 ACP that used moon clips and my reload times were almost cut in half from the 66 with speed loaders.

Then went to a Glock 20SF in 10mm. Now I've went with a Lipsey Glock 21SF 4th Gen .45 ACP.

Still miss that S&W 66 though.

 

[CraigC]

The idea that you 'may' get into a running gunfight with half a dozen armed meth-heads and actually 'need' a high capacity semi-auto while out in the boonies seems pretty far-fetched.