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Post by 45MAN on Sept 30, 2018 10:36:27 GMT -5
BASED UPON WHAT I OWN AND SHOOT, AND WHERE I MOSTLY "FIELD CARRY", i.e. A REVOLVER IN A HOLSTER ON A BELT, MY TRAIL GUN, DEPENDING ON WHETHER I AM IN SOUTH TEXAS OR UP AT MY RANCH IN EDWARDS COUNTY, TEXAS, WOULD BE 6 1/2 INCH MAX BARREL, PREFERRABLY 5 1/2 INCH OR LESS, AND BE IN 45 COLT OR 357 MAG FOR SOUTH TEXAS BECAUSE OF THEIR SNAKE SHOT CAPABILITY, AND 45 COLT, 357 MAG OR 327 MAG UP AT THE HIGHPOINT. DA OR SA MAKES NO DIFFERENCE, EXCEPT THAT IN AFRICA I PREFERRED DA REVOLVERS AS MY FIELD CARRY GUN IF I WAS CAT HUNTING. MAYBE IF I WAS GARDENING IN AN URBAN AREA I WOULD CARRY A 22 BUT THERE IS TOO MUCH A 22 IS A POOR CHOICE FOR.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2018 11:37:28 GMT -5
I have a police background and was carrying a Model 15 Combat Masterpiece for Uncle Sam at age 18. Fast Forward 55 years later and the one constant in 33 years of police work and daily packing has been Smith and Wesson. My grandson now owns my 629 Mountain Revolver, and my Pre 29 5" is too heavy for all day carry. My take is "worst case" is an animal is upon me and I need 5 or 6 rounds double action at bad breath range. So I opt for my Model 69 4.25" 44 Mag and I'm saving for a Model 69 2.75". I have a lot of hearing loss from 20+ years as a police firearms instructor and rangemaster. If I don't see the animal there is a good chance I won't hear one until we're within closing distance. 5 or 6 Rounds of 44 Mag DA fast, at contact range is how I envision a confrontation with something that is powerful with teeth and claws and I can't get away from. DA to me is much faster than SA especially with all the muscle memory built in to this old human. A set of Peltor TEP-100 electronic ears plugs might be of value to you. They amplify incoming sounds and protect what hearing we all have left from further damage. Pricey but well worth it, IMHO.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2018 12:24:25 GMT -5
Eeveryone will have a different perfect trail gun. For me, mission drives the equipment, but only within the constraints of my firearms sensibilities.
My "mission" can vary considerably depending on the weekend and time of year. Being in the SE US, bears are not typically an issue in my normal travels. My main threats would be meth heads with green teeth at the trailhead, wild hogs, snakes, and wild dogs.
Most of our hunts are river based (kayak, canoe) or rugged country hikes (we once did 12 miles of rugged terrain on foot with full kit during a hog hunt). Obviously, weight is more an issue on foot and compactness more important on the river, but there is plenty of crossover on my trail guns between the two.
My trail guns are all big bores (hogs, work good with snakeshot). They are: S&W 629 5" bbl, 5 1/2" Ruger Flattop Bisley in 44SPL, Kimber Pro Elite 4" alloy 1911, and a Kimber 5" series 1 1911.
For river use on less than blue sky trips, I am thinking about a 4 5/8" stainless steel Ruger Bisley Flattop in 44 SPL. It would be good in the wet environment and it's robust internals would be suited to a multi day trip where river sand could play into things. I also like that Ruger pinned the front sight so that a fiber optic unit could be easily installed (why they didn't do this on the blued gun, we'll never know...).
For overland hiking trips, I'd like to eventually get a Smith 329PD. It would be the ultimate trail gun for such use with heavy 44SPL loads and would hold up to wet weather well.
One more word about firearms sensibilities I mentioned earlier. I own two plastic wonder pistols that would serve well as trail guns, though they are not ideal caliber (40S&W). They are light, cheap, and durable but I can't bring myself to carry them on the weekends most of the time. They just don't have the traditional charm it takes for me. Of course, if they suit someone else, more power to them.
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Post by jfs on Sept 30, 2018 14:41:59 GMT -5
Where the trail is, in this great country, tells me what I carry.... Pennsylvania: S&W 22mag loaded with Winchester 40gr JHP..... Alaska: Redhawk loaded with 330gr Garretts.....
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Post by tradmark on Sept 30, 2018 15:50:46 GMT -5
Thanks to Jason Clousner (spell ?) we have to consider the Ruger NM FT's in 44spec.. My 5.5" is a solid choice for Trail Gun or PPP. With bears in the hood, the 44spec a minimum around here and at camp. Clossner. Texted back and forth with him yesterday. He is most willing to work with us on the limited runs. I'm presently hoping for a Ruger #1 in 454 Casull. Not sure if we'll ever see it, but doesn't hurt to ask.
I do agree with you on the wonderful 44 Specials. Have two blue and one stainless one.
Count me in for one of those if they make em!
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adp3
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 16
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Post by adp3 on Sept 30, 2018 17:07:11 GMT -5
You guys have a great selection of sidearms on display here, and I envy you. My preferences depend on how I am travelling. On horseback, ATV or trail bike most of your choices would work for me too. On foot, it's a different matter. I've hauled a 1911 uphill and downhill in the Blue Ridge before and by the end of the day I've always wished it was a NAA mini revolver. One of my requirements is that the hand gun must handle commercial snake shot. I have never been bit, but I used up all of my luck with snakes a long time ago. Due to the weight factor I settled on a 3" .357 Ruger SP101. Weight is under 30 ounces loaded, .357 will handle any critters here East of the Mississippi and snake shot works quite well in a SP101. They are just a good, solid, utilitarian wheelgun. Nothing fancy, but they get the job done.
Best Regards, ADP3
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Post by potatojudge on Sept 30, 2018 21:02:57 GMT -5
I agree, the SP101 is the perfect size for a 357. I like the 3 inch version. Wish the geometry on the triggers was more favorable, but they can be smooth and light.
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Post by Encore64 on Sept 30, 2018 22:04:11 GMT -5
I too can attest to the great SP101 guns. I have the 4.2" adjustable sight version in 327 and 357 Magnums.
The 327 shoots fairly good at about 1.5" at 25 yards. But, the 357 shoots one ragged hole. I'm not quite sure about the reason.
Only thing I need to do is try more ammo in the 327. Sure it'll do better with select ammo.
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Post by ezekiel38 on Sept 30, 2018 22:54:13 GMT -5
Went to work in a LGS 2 weeks ago and a young sales rep asked me what to get for a Trail gun to carry while varmint or bird hunting? Sic'ed him onto a Ruger SP 101 4.2" 357. Where he hunts he will use it against snakes, feral dogs and the occasional "MJ grower" protecting his "crop".
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Post by rkcohen on Oct 10, 2018 13:47:47 GMT -5
...so if i'm carrying a 7.5" bfr in 475Linebaugh in a shoulder holster for hunting AND a 3" ruger gp100 in 357 stuffed w/buffalo bore 180s on my hip...
..which one is my "trail gun?"
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Post by leftysixgun on Oct 11, 2018 19:19:58 GMT -5
Typically my trail gun is either my S&W 3" 686+ or my 4" GP100 in .357 Lately its been the S&W since it holster carrys better. And theres usually 2 shotshells in a speed strip.
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lws
.30 Stingray
Spokane Valley, Washington
Posts: 229
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Post by lws on Oct 11, 2018 20:30:29 GMT -5
...so if i'm carrying a 7.5" bfr in 475Linebaugh in a shoulder holster for hunting AND a 3" ruger gp100 in 357 stuffed w/buffalo bore 180s on my hip... ..which one is my "trail gun?" One in each hand .
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Post by 38 WCF on Oct 11, 2018 21:04:58 GMT -5
As much as I like my Single Action's, I much prefer to pack a semi auto when in the field and moving along on a trail or just going cross country. I like the lower weight and flat profile of a Synthetic framed pistol. I prefer a chest type of holster as well. From my collection I would choose my Springfield XD Tactical, 5 inch, in 45 auto, but with my 460 Rowland barrel in place. Lot's of power and 10 plus rounds at hand. It is also extremely accurate as well. Head shots shots on small game are quite doable.
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Post by seak89 on Oct 15, 2018 2:09:51 GMT -5
As my wrist give out I had to make changes. My #1 now is a fixed sight GP-100 3" shooting 200gr Double Tap lead. Moved to #2 is my 44mag Talo 3 3/4" with stag grips using HSM 305gr Bear Load. #3 is my Browning Hi Power shooting Buffalo bore outdoorsman ammo, this is my best shooting gun. For grins at times my Henry Mares leg 44mag also shooting the HSM bear is a hoot and carries easy in a leather back scabbard.
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Post by win1894s on Oct 15, 2018 6:38:46 GMT -5
My constant outdoor carry gun is a well worn 624 Lew Horton 3 inch 44 special with buffalo bore rounds in it.Wife bought it for a birthday present in 1985
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