Author Topic: 1911 in 45 ACP or Ruger GP-100 357 mag for Walk in woods (Read 3187 times)

nasem · « **on:** December 04, 2006, 12:22:30 PM »

I dont' do much walk-in the woods but sometimes, when I go deer hunting, we do plenty of that and, I have never had a handgun with me, I used to always think my rifle or shotgun would do a better job and now Im having 2nd thoughts.... I don't think its a bad idea at all to have a handgun when going in the woods...

I have 2x options, either a 1911 in 45 ACP with 5" barrel........ or the ruger gp100 6" barrel in 357 mag......Which in your opinion is the better choice.

If your woundering why I like the 5" and 6" barrels is because I can shoot pistols more accuratly with longer barrels.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:39:50 PM »

Personally, I'd go with a revolver. The 357 magnum is a fine choice as you can shoot deer with full house loads, or use it for small game with 38 special SP's. It's a wonderful caliber that can do nearly anything you'd want a revolver to do.

JHT · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2006, 02:07:17 PM »

This is the case of a wonderful question with no bad answer, as either choice is more than capable of performing the desired task assuming that we are speaking about personal protection. My suggestion to you would be to decide upon which gun you feel more at ease with, which one draws faster, aims more naturally and hits the target with regularity.

Either way enjoy the outdoors.

Jay

singleVI · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2006, 02:48:31 PM »

I assume its for self defense so ig get the GP-100. A revolver is more reliable and will always function as long as you are there to pull the trigger. If a semi has a dud round then you have to rack the slide. With a revolver all you gotta do is pull the trigger again. Is there bear in your area? If there is then Id go with the 357 Mag.

Savage · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2006, 03:03:20 PM »

Of the two handguns you mentioned, I would prefer the 1911. Nice and flat, easy to carry and superior firepower over the revolver. If I understand your post, the handgun would not be your primary hunting weapon, but used for finishing shots and general utility.
Savage

Heavy C · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2006, 05:48:27 PM »

For personal protection both are great choices, and it really boils down to whether you prefer a semi-auto or a revolver. I used to carry a 1911, but now carry a revolver in 45 ACP. I moved to the revolver because they also tend to be less delicate.

RollTide · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2006, 07:52:07 PM »

If there are bear or bigger creatures to worry about, do yourself a favor and get a 44mag. Otherwise, like the others guys said, you have a couple of great choices. I would also go with the revolver for durability and reliability. In town I prefer an auto, in the field, I prefer a revolver.

Roll Tide

shermbob · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2006, 11:14:29 PM »

I prefer a revolver usually a 605 / 357 Taurus for walking during hunting season a 44 SBH to a 454 RB. You may want to keep in mind what is legal to hunt with especially around hunting season game laws take precedent over concealed carry laws in Pa

Mikey · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2006, 12:40:07 AM »

If it is a critter you are concerned about the carry the 357. If it is a large crittr you are worried about then get a 44 magnum. If it is two legged critters that bother you then carry the 45.

Never had one of my 45s 'go delicate' on me, but I have had a 357 that got hung up on a bit of leaf. Mikey.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2006, 01:17:08 AM »

I like both of your choices, but I would always choose a revolver in the woods. I think a revolver is more reliable than a semi-auto.

dogwhisperer5 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2006, 05:53:24 AM »

I regularily carry either a 4" Smith 66 or a 1917-vintage Colt's 1911 when on my walks away from paved roads. Either is great for the purpose...but I tend to favor the 1911. I've had the old pistol since '68 (paid $45 for it !!) and it just seems to "fit" after all these years. Pick which ever one YOU like/shoot best and go with it....there are no wrong choices there.

corbanzo · « **Reply #11 on:** December 06, 2006, 06:48:35 AM »

When it comes to the woods I always carry a revolver with me. The main reason is that I need the power for bears, but I just like the action better when it comes to protection. There is no safeties, magazine releases, etc on a revolver, so if its loaded, its gonna go boom. Plus with a ruger you can shoot some pretty darn hot .357's without breaking it.

mikedb · « **Reply #12 on:** December 06, 2006, 03:19:09 PM »

both are good choices unless you have bears. Rotate what you carry. Variety is nice . I carry several different handguns in the woods . From a 38/357 to a 45 SA to a 1911 or one of my 44s

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #13 on:** December 06, 2006, 05:56:40 PM »

For walking in the woods the choice between the 45acp or 357 to me would be ammo choice more than one caliber over the other. You are going to want deep penetrating loads. In the 357 that would be at least a 158 soft point. In 45acp pick the 230 loading. I like hot ball loads for the woods like Double Tap in the acp.

JHT · « **Reply #14 on:** December 06, 2006, 10:24:37 PM »

Nasem,

I told you that either one would be a proper choice. If you inquired about 25 different calibers you would have at least 32 different opinions each for a different caliber - and perhaps that is the way that it should be!

Jay

nasem · « **Reply #15 on:** December 07, 2006, 06:14:40 AM »

thanks for replays guys.... I decided to get the GP100 in 6" stainless.... I have been doing alot of research and this gun can't be beat for around $300

LEO · « **Reply #16 on:** December 07, 2006, 06:26:21 AM »

nasem, you made a wise choice, but then with the parameters you set there wasn't a bad choice. The Ruger will serve you well and is a very versatile choice, everything from small game to protection to deer and hog sized game. I now it goes against what others have said here but I think you are way better off to pick a handgun and stick with it. It is very difficult to transition back and forth between a semi auto and a revolver under stress. Now you would probably be fine on the range and possibly hunting but when using it for defense it is not the time to be trying to remember how to make the particular gun you are carrying today work. This also goes for how you carry the handgun, strong side, cross draw, shoulder holster whatever pick a style and stick with it you don't want to have to be hunting your handgun when you need it. Basically my philosophy is keep it basic, most of use are not advanced enough to make advanced mistakes it is the simple stuff that gets us. I also realize that there are probably people here who practice enough to transition back and forth but they are the exception rather than the rule. Good luck

Old Griz · « **Reply #17 on:** December 07, 2006, 07:48:35 AM »

Good choice! I was gonna say, you could buy 2 GP100s for the price of one good 1911, or one GP100 and a ton of .38/.357 ammo!

williamlayton · « **Reply #18 on:** December 07, 2006, 09:19:02 PM »

You already have a large weapon, carry one with superior firepower and a couple of mags.
Blessings

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #19 on:** December 07, 2006, 11:25:04 PM »

being that im not a 357 fan id go with the 1911. As far as reliability goes ive got a gold cup that has well over 30000 rounds through it and as long as the springs are freshend and its cleaned and oiled ever 1000 rounds or so it NEVER malfunctioned and i owned and have owned other 1911s that were just as reliable. I can honestly say ive had just as many reliability problems with wheelguns as with the 1911s. Ive had probably more tie ups and malfunctions with revolvers in competion as i have with 1911s. Granted some were my fault such as high primers. But bottom line is a well tuned 1911 will run along side of any gun for reliability. So why arent they a good woods gun? I get a kick out of people that will recomend a semi auto .45 or even .40 for protection against a criminal that has a gun and can shoot back but chastise someone who picks it for a woods gun against an animal that is about the same size or smaller that has no gun! Ive got lots of handguns to pick to bum the woods with but id bet about half the time you catch me in the woods ive got a commander sized 1911 with me. There accurate hard hitting with the right load are easier to shoot accurately for most people then a revolver there light and easy to pack and are very reliable guns. Even when it comes to animals the size of a black bear id take a 45 loaded with cast swcs over a .357 loaded with jacketed ammo any day of the week.

poncaguy · « **Reply #20 on:** December 08, 2006, 05:41:05 AM »

I have the 6" SS GP 100 357, my favorite backup and carry pistol in the woods. Very accurate and a good trigger.

Old Griz · « **Reply #21 on:** December 08, 2006, 07:55:34 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on December 07, 2006, 11:25:04 PM

But bottom line is a well tuned 1911 will run along side of any gun for reliability. So why arent they a good woods gun?

Because most folks don't want to spend a small fortune on a woods gun. Think how much a good revolver costs and compare that to a "well tuned 1911." Shooting competition . . . well, that's another thread.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #22 on:** December 08, 2006, 08:44:21 AM »

I bought my kimber commander for 475 used and like new. Tuning is cheap about all that needs to be done is throwing the stock springs away and putting in good wolf stuff and polishing the feed ramp if nessisary and runing good wilson or chip mcormick mags. Buy a relvolver and I challange you to find one anymore with a usable trigger for any kind of precision work in the field other then a smith and even then dont count on a good da pull and most kimbers springfields and colts have a trigger thats useable as is. Im not a big fan of springfields but a guy can pick up a GI for 400 bucks 20 more for a set of springs and 30 for a mag and put a half hour into the feed ramp and have a good 1911 for the price of any good revolver and even if a guy is stuck on a revolver id still go the 45acp route over a .357 and buy a used 625. Throw a couple loaded moon clips in your pocket and you can be instantly ready with light loads for small game or carry a speedloader with some warm auto rims and have enough punch for deer and black bear. Im not trying to argue that an 1911 is the best thing for the job just that its more then competent to fill that need.

nasem · « **Reply #23 on:** December 08, 2006, 01:25:53 PM »

The biggest reason I am not going for a 1911 "now' is becuase of the price.... Even the cheapo Taurus 1911s run for about $420+, and I am 100% sure they are good and reliable, but I just think the GP100 with a 6" for 300 is unbeatable.

And, In my opinion, I think the 357 has a bit more penetration

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #24 on:** December 08, 2006, 05:21:57 PM »

If you are going for a 357 magnum for woods carry you may want to look at a 4 inch. I have found over the years that a 4 inch is pretty hard to beat for comfort on the hip.

jrhen · « **Reply #25 on:** December 11, 2006, 04:37:22 PM »

Two Pistols

Two Hands

Redundant systems are a good thing, wear both.

Then you will have to answer the following question, revolver on the right or 1911 on the right?

Please take this reply with a grain of salt.

DoubleH · « **Reply #26 on:** December 12, 2006, 07:29:47 AM »

I was faced with the exact same questions a few years back. Originally, I bought the GP-100 as my first handgun and used it both in the woods and for home defense. Some time passed and I convinced myself I also needed to get a 1911 and the had the luxury of separate guns for each purpose. It wasn't too long after that I made the mistake of actually shooting a deer with my GP-100 and I was truly hooked on the hunting aspect of handguns. Just this past year I traded the GP-100 towards a SBH Hunter in 44 Mag. Not sure what the next step in my evolution will be.

Pixsurguy · « **Reply #27 on:** December 13, 2006, 08:42:30 AM »

Quote from: Redhawk1 on December 05, 2006, 01:17:08 AM

I like both of your choices, but I would always choose a revolver in the woods. I think a revolver is more reliable than a semi-auto.

Hmmm - wonder why the armies of today all seem to use semi-autos? Ever see or read about the mud/dirt/sand reliability tests that Aberdeen Proving Ground and Springfield Armory (the real one, not the Chicago company) put our ol' 1911 through? I'd be astounded if any of today's normal revolvers would stand up to those.

JHT · « **Reply #28 on:** December 13, 2006, 09:09:41 AM »

Pixsurguy,

In stark contrast to your opinion I feel it would be a wise conclusion to believe that the vast majority of revolvers would stand up to the use and abuse of all testing grounds; all other things being equal when testing both types of weapon systems. In other words, all but the poorest manufactured revolvers would certainly function in an extradinoraly fine fashion. Why? Because there are fewer moving parts to malfunction, break or bind. Certainly, I believe that other members of this forum will expound upon those features that further support my contentions.

Regards,

Jay

gypsyman · « **Reply #29 on:** December 19, 2006, 12:45:18 PM »

I believe that the military and police went with semi-auto's is because of the firepower of extra rounds. Just read an article, where the top brass is getting complaints about the 9mm. Wouldn't be a bit surprised if in the next few years they might go back to the .45, maybe the .40, but a hi-cap mag definetly. .38 revolvers didn't work so well 100 years ago, guess they didn't learn their lesson.
As far as a .357 vs. the .45, bullet selection would make make a difference. If you pick a good hollow point, either caliber would change a bad atitude in a hurry. Since you picked the .357, a golden saber or silver tip would make a good choice.-gypsyman