"Trail" gun suggestions

[m4a1mustang]

Alright folks, I am itching for another addition to the family. I kind of want a revolver and in justifying the cost I would call it my "trail" gun. It'd be my primary for hiking and camping.

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to shoot my friend's Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum. His was the stainless 4" barrel model. I loved it and as of right now that's #1 on my list.

My questions are:

Is there any reason I should consider the 6" barrel?

Are there any other revolvers that you'd recommend?

*edit: Also need to add that the gun must be up to the task of kayaking... so it will probably get wet, possibly submerged at times.

[jrswanson1]

A lot of carrying and you'll wish you had the 4" revolver. The Ruger's are built like tanks, their triggers are pretty rough, though. I have a Ruger SP101 in .357, but it has the 3 1/4" barrel, which is nice for carry and doesn't kill you with recoil.

Jim

[m4a1mustang]

The trigger was a little rough, indeed, but overall the gun felt very nice.

About the barrel, that's what I figured. 4" should be pretty good. I doubt I'd be able to pull off the 6" barrel in a kayak.

[Jakeiscrazy]

Personally I would prefer a 44. but I think the SP101 in stainless would be a good choice. Keep in mind the frame and barrel may be stainless but the internals may not be and so there may still be a rust concern.

[ProShooter]

Taurus Judge....being a trail gun is the only damn thing its good at.

[CCFan]

If you like the Ruger GP100, look around for a slightly used S&W 686.... I have a 610 4" in 10mm that I consider my "trail gun" - the 686 4" in .357 should be comparable to the GP100 and as much as it pains me to say it (I'm not typically a S&W fan) the trigger on the S&W revolvers are very good...

[gunderwood]

The 6" are generally best at hunting. The heavier hunting bullets need that longer barrel. SD rounds are generally optimized for 4" barrels or less. Is your trail gun mostly for self defense or "bear" defense?

[m4a1mustang]

To be honest I just want a revolver.

I've had a couple bear encounters while hiking unarmed and have never had any problem. I never felt threatened as they make quite the effort to GTFO as soon as they see/smell you.

But if the need ever arose that I'd have to take one on I'd want something that would be capable of doing it if necessary. Of course threats of the two-legged variety are going to be much more likely than a hostile bear, so that's probably the primary consideration (though if that's all I'm worried about I'll just carry my G26 or 1911).

[Diomed]

Stainless .357, .44 or .45 Colt. I'd get whatever you already use and/or like if you're a revolver shooter, and if you're not (looks like), then the .357 is probably best since it's cheapest and most available. Single action or double action, both are valid for a woods gun, so again, whatever you're comfortable with.

If you're really hardcore, get the internals hard chromed.

Taurus Judge....being a trail gun is the only damn thing its good at.

And at that one may as well just go with the S&W. Six shots versus five and use of .45ACP as well. Plus it's probably going to be better built than a Taurus.

[jdonovan]

I've had a couple bear encounters while hiking unarmed and have never had any problem. I never felt threatened as they make quite the effort to GTFO as soon as they see/smell you.

But if the need ever arose that I'd have to take one on I'd want something that would be capable of doing it if necessary.

With this in mind, I'd really suggest you should be up .44mag, or larger range.

If you come across an agitated bear, you need it stopped now, not 10 minutes from now due to blood loss.

There is a big difference between a lethal injury and a stopping injury.

[TScottW99]

I love a good 4" .357magnum. In my opinion the pre-lock S&W 65, 66 or nickel plated 19 is the perfect carry gun for the woods. That is why I carry a 65 in the woods with me.

I picked this one up on Gun Broker several years ago for $225



Shoots like a dream, awesome trigger (has been smoothed and polished bu a gunsmith) and easy to carry. I am also a fan of the Ruger GP 100 and even more of a fan of the Ruger Security 6 in .357.

[gunderwood]

I've had a couple bear encounters while hiking unarmed and have never had any problem. I never felt threatened as they make quite the effort to GTFO as soon as they see/smell you.

But if the need ever arose that I'd have to take one on I'd want something that would be capable of doing it if necessary.

With this in mind, I'd really suggest you should be up .44mag, or larger range.

If you come across an agitated bear, you need it stopped now, not 10 minutes from now due to blood loss.

There is a big difference between a lethal injury and a stopping injury.

+1

Bear attacks are rare, but there are more and more problem bears as people encroach on their territory and they get use to us. .357Mag with a Corbon 200gr hard cast load would be sufficient for black bear, but only with a good shot. Of course the problem is that in a bad situation getting a good shot is hard to do. A 44Mag or .460Rowland for your 1911 would be a better choice IMHO. A Marlin 1895 guide gun in .45/70 with a Garrett Cartridge (540gr@1550fps) would be the absolute best, but that tends to run afoul of the hunting regs...besides being difficult to carry.

[newdovo]

...I had the opportunity to shoot my friend's Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum. His was the stainless 4" barrel model. I loved it and as of right now that's #1 on my list.

I have one of these, and I really like it. A .357 double action wheelgun is very versatile, too. There may be better trail gun options if that was your only reason. But if you're wanting a revolver, and trail gun is just one reason, a .357 is a good choice. Fun for plinking, good home defense gun, and loaded with the right ammo it will serve well for both 4-legged and 2-legged predators on the trail.

Of course threats of the two-legged variety are going to be much more likely than a hostile bear, so that's probably the primary consideration (though if that's all I'm worried about I'll just carry my G26 or 1911).

I've seen recommendations for ammo, based on the potential of what you may encounter on the trail. You can put a mixed set of ammo in the cylinder. So one recommendation was first two rounds of your favorite SD ammo for the more likely 2-legged threats, and the next 4 rounds for any big 4-legged critters. Buffalo Bore has some pretty hot 180 grain hard cast rounds that may be a good choice (I haven't used it, but reviews look good).

Parry

[RugerJoe]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Ruger Alaskan in 44 magnum or in 454.

[jdonovan]

Lots of people keep suggesting a 357, and frankly the 357 is not up to the bear defense part of the request.

If it was up to ME, and I was expecting bears, then a 44mag would be the MINIMUM I'd be walking around with.

The Alaskan's are marginal in .44 and IMO a waste having such a short barrel for a 454.

If I'm going to haul the 45oz load of the alaskan, I might as well have a 6" bbl .44mag. It will have similar velocity from the same weight projectile.

[gunderwood]

Lots of people keep suggesting a 357, and frankly the 357 is not up to the bear defense part of the request.

If it was up to ME, and I was expecting bears, then a 44mag would be the MINIMUM I'd be walking around with.

The Alaskan's are marginal in .44 and IMO a waste having such a short barrel for a 454.

If I'm going to haul the 45oz load of the alaskan, I might as well have a 6" bbl .44mag. It will have similar velocity from the same weight projectile.

+1

The laws sometimes get in the way though. For example, CC only in national parks.

[m4a1mustang]

I am thinking my best bear defense will be between the ears.

[jrswanson1]

Lots of people keep suggesting a 357, and frankly the 357 is not up to the bear defense part of the request.

If it was up to ME, and I was expecting bears, then a 44mag would be the MINIMUM I'd be walking around with.

The Alaskan's are marginal in .44 and IMO a waste having such a short barrel for a 454.

If I'm going to haul the 45oz load of the alaskan, I might as well have a 6" bbl .44mag. It will have similar velocity from the same weight projectile.

A 200 pound black bear is about what we have in the area. No need to be packing for a Kodiak around here.

Jim

[gunderwood]

Lots of people keep suggesting a 357, and frankly the 357 is not up to the bear defense part of the request.

If it was up to ME, and I was expecting bears, then a 44mag would be the MINIMUM I'd be walking around with.

The Alaskan's are marginal in .44 and IMO a waste having such a short barrel for a 454.

If I'm going to haul the 45oz load of the alaskan, I might as well have a 6" bbl .44mag. It will have similar velocity from the same weight projectile.

A 200 pound black bear is about what we have in the area. No need to be packing for a Kodiak around here.

Jim

Black bear can grow much larger than that though. Can't assume about where he is or isn't going.

[CCFan]

Black bear is one reason I picked up a 10mm revolver... 200 gr hardcast @ 1300 fps = 750 ft/lbs - nothing to sneeze at. (http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalo ... cts_id=105) My Colt Delta shoots just a tad faster than DT's advertised speeds out of the Glock 20 (5" bbl as opposed to the Glock's 4.6" bbl, possibly) and my 610 revolver shoots just a tad slower. Double Tap has 200 gr hard cast for .357 which provide ~640 ft/lbs of energy @ 1200 fps out of a GP100 4" barrel - that's still not too shabby, and you're not talking about some exotic round - you can still shoot cheap plinker ammo out of a .357, so tell us which .357 wheel gun you end up with...