[Marshall Stanton]

OK,

Lets consider for a minute your favorite woods bummin' handgun.  We'll factor out a couple of situations, and continue on from there:

1.  No Grizzly or big black bears to be encountered.
2.  No Moose on menu.
3.  No anti-personell type considerations on this.
4.  Only one gun to do all that might be needed.
This is entirely about a woods bummin' handgun for accompanying on hikes, fishing, mushroom picking, scouting trips, backpacking and just plain ol' fun!  

Consider ammo, packing weight, comfort of carry, all season use and application.  A true tool of opportunity for any situation you'd call on a woods bummin' handgun.

What would be your pick?

Enjoy!

Marshall

 

[mcassill]

If I got the barrel cut down on my Single Six .32 mag it would be about perfect for those type of situations.
Mark

 

[Scott]

Hands down, Ruger Single Six in .32 h&r, with checkered  grips by Sporting Arms. Portable, lightweight with enough punch to dump Mr. Coyote at close range!
Scott

 

[MikeG]

Any .22 rimfire, hands down.  I'd even be comfortable in a defense situation with my Ruger auto, and a couple of 10-rd. mags in the back pocket full of CCI mini-mags hollow-points.

 

[dclark]

Woods bummin' ehh?  I guess if I have to get down to one, without considering self defense, it would be my S&W 6" Kit Gun, Model 35, in .22 RF, Herrett Shooting Ace grips and Bianchi thumb-break holster.  It can (and has) killed coyote, rock chucks and sage rats.  It is as accurate as I am to as far as I can shoot.  It packs easily, out of the way until I ask for it.  Yah, that would probably be it.  (Consider self defense and I pack a .45 ACP 1911, which can do the same things and makes shooting flies from the trees easier.)


dclark

 

[alyeska338]

Well, I know the 22 makes a lot of good good sense, but I'd probably go with my Python.  Carry 38's and 357's.  It's got a nice set of grips that melt into my hand.  It's heavier than a 22, by all means.  But sometimes that extra little heft is comforting, not at all unbearable, by any means.  It's a nice revolver, very accurate, fits my hand really well, not too heavy, not too light, and it's good for snakes to deer.  Lot of fun to shoot, too.

 

[RugerNo3]

A Colt Trooper MKIII from early 70's. Very low serial no. and with a 6" barrel just feels right. I have others, but she's the first. Mike G made me think of my Ruger Standard, too. Points easy and slings lead quickly.

 

[arkypete]

Yes I know it's big and heavy but I've carried my S&W mod 25-2 45 Colt for so long that I'd feel like I left my pants in camp. I've been using the same load in this handgun for 20 years, so I sort of know what it will do.
Jim

 

[El Lobo]

Hey Guys,

I have a Three-Screw Blackhawk in .45 Colt that goes everywhere.  It's on its second barrel (4 5/8 inches), and is fit with a set of Steve Herrett stocks.  I carry in a Roy Baker Pancake holster that I wear cross-draw (I don't know if they're still made).  I've a leather slide-on-the-belt that holds an additional six round.

Lobo in NM

 

[m141a]

No comparison between the two but:

1. My 1958 Ruger single six .22 5 1/2"    OR
2. My Ruger Stainless Security six .357mag. w/ a 2 3/4"bbl.   The security six fits your hip so well in a pancake holster.

 

[whitehunter35]

old style 4 or 3" skinny  barrelled model 10 smith, 38 special.  Mild cutters, or swcs.  

Honorable mention to the excellent model 12, i know they made those in 4", but i have no expirence with any other than the 2", which is a little short for full fledged feild duty.  4" model 12 would about be ideal, though, if i could ever lay my hands on one.

Steve

 

[IDShooter]

I'd probably pick my GP-100, should it ever come back from Ruger and shoot as accurately as I hope it will! I'm still waiting....          ID

 

[Eric]

Lower 48 - S&W Model 10 38 spcl 4" heavy bbl fixed sights.

Alaska - Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag 71/2" - cause we do have bear and moose "issues".

 

[fuz]

Would have to say a 6" GP100. Doesn't really seem too big after packing a 9.5" SRH around. Plus you still get all the flames,bark and the bite to stimulate those senses and take care of those rogue bushytails.(we had a good mast crop so they got some size and attitude this year)

 

[Coldfingers]

Most times these days I find that my old Rossi .357 is somewhere about. I came up with a light load of Clays under a 158 gr cast that hits to the same POA as the Federal 180 gr Hunting loads. While that ol Rossi is not what would be considered high quality, it does hit where I am looking and I have yet to wear it out. Since it is what I carry while "town bummin" also, I am quite comfortable with my abilities to put a bullet where it needs to go. There are a few times where I would prefer more sight radius than the 2.5 inches, BUT, it has become like a part of me and certainly suffices in a pinch.

I refer to the .38/357 as the "Alaskan .22" 8*)

Blessings all,

Scotty

 

[Jack R]

My 3.5" birdshead Vaquero 45Colt with a few extra 255 gr SWC @ 800fps and a handfull of shotshells. Should take care of any critter that walks,crawls or flies and very comfortable to pack all day.

 

[T.A.P.]

I have been carrying a four and five/eights S.S.-SBH with a M&M wallet for so long it is to late to change.Gun has 6 @ 1000fps,wallet has [email protected],6with bird shot,6-44specials.Bullets are 246 gr.Keiths home cast.

 

[The .41FAN]

Well, it's going to be the same OMBH in .41Magnum that I've packed since they came on the market. The piece has been everywhere with me through all kinds of weather. I'd sooner forget my britches than to go jaunting in the wilderness without it. RKBA!

 

[Redhawk1]

I would have to go with my Ruger Redhawk 7 1/2 barrel 44 Mag. It's just a fun gun to shoot. <!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->

 

[Elrod]

Another .41 mag BH fan here, but mine's 4&5/8" bbl New Model.
The snakes run for cover when they see it. I never even SEE 'em anymore!