Woods Gun

[jinxer3006]

I've searched through the existing threads, but I thought I'd take a different approach and make a poll. So what say you? Which one would you pick for a "woods" gun--protection from predators (black bears, coyotes, rabid raccoons, two legged, no legged), survival situations, possibly hunting, and, of course, protection from the always dangerous roaming packs of empty Coors Light cans.

Some notes on some of the choices:
Ruger Blackhawk--.357 Magnum, 6.5" barrel, three screw (no transfer bar)
Ruger Super Redhawk--.454 Casull, 7.5" barrel, 2-7x scope
Ruger Single Six--5.5" barrel, .22 LR and .22 Magnum cylinders available
XDm--both compact and standard magazines available
M&P--both compact and standard magazines available
Ruger Mk II--6.5" barrel, red dot sight, target grip, Volquartzen internals
Ruger LCP--please don't pick this one
Walther PK380--seriously...don't pick this one

 

[rcmodel]

Most certainly not a bottom feeder.
You don't find your brass in the woods killing beer cans.

And if you don't reload, most of us can't afford to shoot enough to hit a beer can.

My choice was, and always has been a medium frame .38/357 or .44 Special, or .45 Colt revolver.

S&W K-Frame, or Colt SAA to be exact.

They don't get no better for pack'n all day then that!

rc

 

[rswartsell]

^ This.

A Smith Model 19 for me please. I voted Blackhawk because I also have a .45 convertible used for similar purpose.

 

[jmr40]

For versatility a 4" medium frame 357 is hard to beat. With the hotter 180-200 gr loads it is more than adequate for black bear and with lighter bullets is very versatile. Bigger guns and bigger calibers are just too heavy to lug around and are not needed unless you are in brown bear country, then you really need a big rifle.

I prefer the K frame size over the L frame or GP-100 size guns for this reason. I wouldn't go below 4", just too much power loss. You end up with a very loud 9mm if you do.

But that is actually my 2nd choice. I tend to usually carry either my G-23 or G-20. I get a much lighter, far more compact handgun with 2.5X more ammo. Power is about the same, I get 1300 fps from the 10mm and 200 gr bullets which will slightly beat anything you can do with a 4" 357. I get 1100 fps from the 40 S&W with the same bullets which isn't very far behind the best 357 loads. Lately the G-23 is used more because it is smaller and lighter, but if in serious bear country I opt for the 10mm.

I don't blast away at beer cans, if I were interested in that a small 22 revolver would be my choice. Even in bear country I consider 2 legged threats to be more realistic so my choice is based primarily on that, with 4 legged predators secondary.

 

[joneb]

Get one of these http://www.ruger.com/products/gp100MatchChampion/models.html And make sure what ever you are shooting at has a chance to see "Match Champion" on the barrel

 

[Inebriated]

I'm in black bear country quite often... I usually carry my G26 with me.

I'm more concerned about people and dogs than black bears.

Still, there's usually a rifle not far away...

 

[rswartsell]

^AND this,

As much as we want to kid ourselves, handguns are limited. Some purposes simply call for a rifle or a 12 ga. slug.

 

[Twiki357]

I didn’t vote for any of your options since my preference would be a S&W K frame in 357 mag.

 

[bannockburn]

I voted for a Ruger Blackhawk. Choice of caliber is up to you but I would feel comfortable with one in .357, .44 Special, or .45 Colt.

 

[CajunBass]

For me the perfect walk around in the woods gun was always a Ruger Bearcat, or an old High Standard Sentenial 22. Not having or wanting to carry one of those, a K-frame Smith & Wesson revolver would work fine. Probably a Model 19.

The only semi I'd consider would be a Ruger 22.

I'd worry almost as much about flying saucers as I would bears. YMMV.

 

[Armored farmer]

I voted Ruger MKII with the red dot sight.
I have one of these. It's like shooting a rifle. Put it in a custom Kydex holster that ismade for it...(Black Dog maybe is what mine is)...and you have a real nice small game hunting/ survival/beer can killer. My MKII shoots any .22 ammo without a hiccup.
If you have dangerous game where you live, I might have considered a bigger bore.

 

[ku4hx]

None of the above.

I haven't been in the "back woods" in a while, but when I was, I always carried a Glock 20 in 15+1 configuration. Given the strength of the predators I knew I might be facing, my load was 12.5 grains of AA#9 under a full patch truncated cone 200 grain bullet for a nominal 1,175fps through my PACT2 screens.

I favor penetration.

 

[Blind Dog Jake]

Colt King Cobra

 

[gun_with_a_view]

The Ruger six-round 327 MAG SP101 with the four-inch barrel tops all those listed for a trail gun. It will make quick work of those packs of roaming beer cans, and to hear Buffalo Bore tell it, they have a 130 grain hardcast round capable of neutralizing the occasional bear.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Virtually any good .357 revolver from a snub on up would do great.

My 3 inch GP-100 'Canadian' .357 is my light woods gun, even with its DAO hammer.

Just use .38s for plinking and full .357s for defense.

Deaf

 

[GBExpat]

From the ones you have listed I would carry the .357 Blackhawk.

I don't carry bottomfeeders if I anticipate doing any shooting in the woods since I like to keep my brass.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Of what you have listed, I'd get a SRH, but not the barrel length you are discussing. I'd get the 5.5" barrel Toklat version.

 

[highlander 5]

Ruger Super Blackhawk or Blackhawk 4 5/8' in 44 mag or 45 Colt would be my choice

 

[buck460XVR]

Nuttin' on your list I want for a "woods" gun, but good luck with whatever you end up with.

 

[kBob]

I voted for the Blackhawk in .357 of the things you have.

But the most flexible gun any one has mentioned and that I would prefer would be.....wait for it..... four inch K frame Model 19 S&W.

Hmm, odd how many of the old guys are going with the M19, ain't it?

-kBob

 

[VA27]

Ruger SP101 4.2" 357.

 

[huntsman]

Which one would you pick for a "woods" gun--protection from predators (black bears, coyotes, rabid raccoons, two legged, no legged), survival situations, possibly hunting,

I felt the need for a woods gun one day when I was deer hunting with a muzzle loader and a large pack of dogs ran through my woodlot near my stand.

Since 09 my woods gun has been a 4566 but recently I've changed to a Blackhawk .45 so I voted Blackhawk.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Of the ones you own, I picked the XDm in 45 ACP. If I were going to buy a dedicated woods gun, it would likely be a 44 magnum or a Glock in 10 mm. Personally I've been leaning towards the long slide Glock in 10 mm as I like the balance between power and capacity. I also worry more about people than animals in the woods. Then again, I almost always am hunting in the woods and have a 30-30 or 30-06 rifle with me. The handgun I own than i bring into the woods is an XD in 45 loaded with the buffalo bore hardscasts.

 

[Sol]

Magnum wheel gun.

 

[strambo]

Of your list the .357 Blackhawk, but I'd prefer a DA .357 or perhaps a .44 Mag Redhawk with the bulk of the shooting being done with .44 Spl.

Edit: if these are all guns you own, there is no 1 answer. Tailor the choice de jour to the type of woods trip. Backpacking in a remote wilderness with concern for large predator? .357 or .454. Remote trip with no real large predator concern, the .22 for survival. Woods close to urban area/popular hiking spot? Grab one of the 9mm or .45 autos, 2 legged predators are a concern but 4 legged ones and survival not so much.