Author Topic: Woods carry gun (Read 9911 times)

duxburybuck · « **on:** July 05, 2007, 05:37:35 PM »

My dad is looking to buy a revolver for when we are in the woods. His main worry is bears when we are checking bait or walking through the swamps. We haven't ever had problems with them and never plan to but its there if you need it. I recommended the Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag. Does anyone else recommend anything else or does the Ruger sound like a good choice?

Thanks for any replys.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2007, 01:03:44 AM »

Either a Ruger Redhawk or Super Blackhawk .44 Mag. would be an excellent choice.

EDELWEISS · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2007, 04:28:56 AM »

Here in the Peoples Republik of Maryland, my woods concerns sadly arent bears, but two legged predators. Ive been giving ALOT of thought lately to a trail gun. With help from the folks here Im leaning to a S&W Mountain Gun in 44mag. Someone suggested that if youre going to carry a gun that goes boom, you might as well carry one that goes KaaaBoooom! (I wish that was my quote, but I wont forget it...).

My search started when I stumbled onto a Ruger Alaskan. Its alot of weight to stuff in your pocket but you can be sure you wont forget if its there. Im a big fan of guns that are chambered in readily available cartridges. I know I can find 44 mag in most anyplace that sells ammo, Im not so sure about the newer super rounds. Remember I live in the "Not so Free State".....

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2007, 03:33:43 PM »

Either the RH or SBH would be fine. I prefer the single actions myself but it's a personal choice. Actually I kinda prefer the .45 Colt but again, that's just me.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2007, 05:08:48 PM »

You ain't gonna go wrong with a 44 mag. in any configuration.

S.B. · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2007, 06:09:31 PM »

Don't mean to imply Redhawks aren't a good choice but, they are cumbersome and heavy. My first choice would be a S&W Mountain Gun in .44 magnum.

My 629-4 Mountain Gun:

Old Griz · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2007, 07:24:22 PM »

I agree with most folks here that a .44 mag is an excellent choice. A .357 would probably work, cuz most of your problems will most likely come from two legged varmints, but if you are seeing bear or bear sign, then a .44 is the way to go.

I like S&W if getting a double action gun, Ruger if going single action. However, you can't go wrong with a Redhawk. Heavy, but mighty fine.

EdK · « **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2007, 02:45:49 AM »

One more vote for the S&W M-G from a former Redhawk owner.

revo · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2007, 02:24:34 AM »

You can't go wrong with a Redhawk. My favorite feature is the ability to easily field strip to clean out any heavy trail use you may bring back. A very good sport utility handgun meant to be used and used hard.

But -- I gotta put in another vote for the S&W Mountain Gun. The Redhawk is an awesome gun, but it does get awful heavy for me after the first hour or so.

S.B. · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2007, 03:22:42 AM »

Quote from: revo on July 08, 2007, 02:24:34 AM

You can't go wrong with a Redhawk. My favorite feature is the ability to easily field strip to clean out any heavy trail use you may bring back. A very good sport utility handgun meant to be used and used hard.

But -- I gotta put in another vote for the S&W Mountain Gun. The Redhawk is an awesome gun, but it does get awful heavy for me after the first hour or so.

I don't care what the owner manual says, my Redhawk doesn't just fall apart with only the take down pin? Mine needs a jewelers screwdriver as per the manual. Where do you find one of these in the bush? Also, you need a screwdriver to take the grips off, to get to the take down pin.
I find their manual misleading. Obviously written someone not familiar with firearms.

revo · « **Reply #10 on:** July 08, 2007, 04:14:33 AM »

Yes -- you're right, SB. It's not a "just turn this knob and the thing falls apart" operation. I was more referring to easier takedown when you get the revolver home -- for me anyway. I agree -- it would be a bit of a chore away from the workbench.

Maybe I should've been clearer -- I don't feel I have the skill to take apart a Smith for cleaning the internals. Might just be a confidence thing or lack of experience, but if I know the chances are high to get dirty and/or wet, the Redhawk comes out in place of the Smith.

Catfish · « **Reply #11 on:** July 08, 2007, 01:02:18 PM »

For the money I think that the Ruger SBH is the best buy on the market today. They are accurate, usually far more accurate than the guy behind it, and reliable. I `m sure your talking about black bears and the .44 mag. would be my choice for them. If you mean griz, nothing less than a .500 S&W with 700 gn. bullets, and I mean 700gn.

S.B. · « **Reply #12 on:** July 08, 2007, 01:19:02 PM »

Actually, the .44 mag. doesn't have a bad track record with griz, either?
Catfish, how would you rate the speed of reloading with the SBH?

Bitterroot Bob · « **Reply #13 on:** July 10, 2007, 05:46:27 AM »

Howdy,
I chose a 4-5/8" Ruger Blackhawk chambered in .45 Colt. I installed a Super Blackhawk low-spur hammer for easier one-handed cocking, and a set of Trapper springs. The gun is light enough to carry in a holster threaded on my backpack waist belt, or in an Uncle Mike's shoulder rig. I use Elmer Keith loads with 250-300 grain bullets. I don't feel that I'm taking a backseat to the .44 Magnum.
Just my two cents.

Bitterroot

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #14 on:** July 10, 2007, 06:21:07 PM »

The Ruger Blued 4 5/8 inch Blackhawk is a very good backpacking gun at 36 ounces unloaded. If you like the Keith loads check out the Double Tap 255 grain Keith hardcast. It shoots great in my Blackhawk with less recoil than the heavy weights and still is a good penetrator.

Chris Potts · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2007, 03:52:28 PM »

I have been thinking of get a 45 blackhawk for a lighter carrying gun. I have one of the accusport bisleys in 357. I really like the gun but it weighs a ton. I am debating between the blackhawk and a freedom arm 97 in 44 special. It is going take me some time to get the money together for the 97. Maybe I will pick up a blackhawk to use while I save up for the 97.

Chris

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2007, 06:22:47 PM »

If you want the light weight 45 Colt Blackhawk make sure to get the blued 4 5/8 inch. It weighs less than the stainless steel model.

Dusty Wheeler · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2007, 11:40:51 AM »

Ruger 4 5/8" .45 Colt/ACP...handy and very fast to use, doesn't give up anything to .44 Mag with heavy loads and cheap .45 ACP encourages practice...

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #18 on:** July 24, 2007, 04:19:18 AM »

Mine is a Ruger Bisley Accusport Blackhawk:

I have it chambered in .45 Colt and shoot .240 gr. Hornaday XTP Mag. I am getting good groups at 50 yds (.738") with an avg. velocity of 1368 fps. I am using a milspec. powder (WC820).

Most times I will just carry my S&W 640 in .357 Mag.

This is more for the two legged types of varmints!

crabo · « **Reply #19 on:** July 24, 2007, 05:25:53 AM »

Larry, where did you get the grips on your 640? It looks like there is a filler piece for the web of your hand. I have been looking for a grip that will do that for my 642.

Thanks,

Crabo

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #20 on:** July 24, 2007, 10:26:55 AM »

Quote from: crabo on July 24, 2007, 05:25:53 AM

Larry, where did you get the grips on your 640? It looks like there is a filler piece for the web of your hand. I have been looking for a grip that will do that for my 642.

Thanks,

Crabo

I got them off the internet at Ebay. I went back to see if there were any left for sale and there were none. I only paid about $11.50 and they were worth it. However, check out this link at Ebay for S&W grips. There are a bunch of good looking grips you may find to your liking.

http://sporting-goods.search.ebay.com/smith-wesson_Grips_W0QQfrtsZ0QQsacatZ39425QQsatitleZsmithQ20Q26Q20wessonQQusecaseZ2

The grips for my piece are a Combat boot grip that completely surrounds the grip frame and make it comfortable to shoot the .357 mag loads. Hope this helps.

Good shootin'
Larry

Josh M. · « **Reply #21 on:** July 24, 2007, 12:50:37 PM »

I prefer the Ruger BH .45, or the Ruger SBH .44 because of their power to weight ratio.

If you are one of those who feels safer with a double action for bear protection...by all means, the S&W MG is the way to go, again, weighs less than other .44 Mag double actions.

My personal bumming gun / deer gun is a Ruger Vaquero that I shortened the bbl to 4.5", cut and mounted a dovetailed front sight into the bbl, modified the rear sight channel in the frame, set the bbl back a thread, cut a Taylor thoat in it, polished the warning label off the bbl, installed a SBH trigger and hammer, a SB Dragon (the longer one with the square backed trigger guard) gripframe round butted gripframs and stocks, and did a quicky trigger job to.

Now having said all that - one could go buy a BH, or SBH in 4 5/8" and have just as functional a gun, and all the time I spent slicking mine up might be better spent shooting it. - Josh M.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #22 on:** July 25, 2007, 01:10:05 PM »

Early this year I picked up a Smith 386sc 7 shot 357 magnum. It's a titanium cylinder and is so light It's hard to tell I even have it holstered on my belt. It's an accurate gun as well. I carry two cylinders with snake shot and the rest with XTP's.

Dave

Boxhead · « **Reply #23 on:** July 25, 2007, 04:18:29 PM »

I use this tweaked old Flattop 44 Mag when stomping the woods at my place in Idaho. Light, accurate and bull strong. For a new gun it would be the 4 5/8 Blackhawk in 45 Colt as I handload. If not a handloader it would be the 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk with the grip frame changed to the standard aluminum one (XR3RED). Again, both are light, typically very accurate and can handle heavy loads forever.

S.B. · « **Reply #24 on:** July 25, 2007, 05:29:11 PM »

Davemuzz, your reference to cylinders and and the rest , do you mean speedloaders full?

Davemuzz · « **Reply #25 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:16:21 AM »

Quote from: S.B. on July 25, 2007, 05:29:11 PM

Davemuzz, your reference to cylinders and and the rest , do you mean speedloaders full?

The revolver has a 7 shot cylinder. So, I have 2 cylinders loaded with #9 shot in Speer capsules (for snakes in the summer--these loads are only good out to 15 feet), and the other 5 cylinders are loaded with Hornady 125 grain XTP's over the maximum load of VV N-110. Then I also carry 2 speed loaders of just XTP's with me. (Not that I think I will need them, but some times I get bored and like to "practice"

).

Dave

Davemuzz · « **Reply #26 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:17:59 AM »

Quote from: Boxhead on July 25, 2007, 04:18:29 PM

I use this tweaked old Flattop 44 Mag when stomping the woods at my place in Idaho. Light, accurate and bull strong. For a new gun it would be the 4 5/8 Blackhawk in 45 Colt as I handload. If not a handloader it would be the 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk with the grip frame changed to the standard aluminum one (XR3RED). Again, both are light, typically very accurate and can handle heavy loads forever.

Boxhead,

Nice piece. What a classic look. Thanks for sharing the photo.

Dave

PeterCartwright · « **Reply #27 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:38:11 AM »

I've been carrying a 5.5" .44 stainless Redhawk I found used earlier this year. The gun IS heavy (49 ozs., I think) but I find that it carries well with Uncle Mike's heavy duty (double layer) nylon web belt and one of the same company's nylon holsters. The belt is stiff enough to distribute the weight well. The belt comes with a heavy-duty "fastek" (sp?) type buckle and is adjustable for length by means of the hook and loop (aka "velcro") system. It's extremely user friendly.

The plus side of weight, of course, comes when you pull the trigger. My favorite 300 gr. WFN load shoots very accurately in the Redhawk with "minimal" (in .44 mag terms) recoil. I'm personally convinced that this load is fully black bear capable.

One more thing: While I don't think I'd feel underarmed with a good Blackhawk/Superblackhawk, some authorities recommend double action revolvers for this kind of work. I guess the rationale is that the simplified "pull the trigger" (as opposed to thumbing the hammer) might be an asset in a particularly dicey situation. To each their own! (I've found my Superblackhawk rather comforting under my pillow on a couple of Fall Boundary Waters trips).

S.B. · « **Reply #28 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:55:47 AM »

Quote from: Davemuzz on July 26, 2007, 02:16:21 AM

Quote from: S.B. on July 25, 2007, 05:29:11 PM
Davemuzz, your reference to cylinders and and the rest , do you mean speedloaders full?

The revolver has a 7 shot cylinder. So, I have 2 cylinders loaded with #9 shot in Speer capsules (for snakes in the summer--these loads are only good out to 15 feet), and the other 5 cylinders are loaded with Hornady 125 grain XTP's over the maximum load of VV N-110. Then I also carry 2 speed loaders of just XTP's with me. (Not that I think I will need them, but some times I get bored and like to "practice" ).

Dave

So, you have a total of seven cylinders fitted to your gun? One in the gun and six more for spare carry?

35Rem · « **Reply #29 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:25:15 AM »

He means CHAMBERS....give him a break...