Attributes of a Trail Gun are....

David E said:
Since many of you carry the gun for wild dogs/hogs, etc, being able to hit quickly is an important skill.

So.........how fast should you be able to draw and fire 5 shots on a paper plate at 7 yds? 10 yds? How fast starting with gun in hand?
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It's funny you mention hogs; we were hiking along a trail at an area we frequently camp and hike, and it came to a choke point where there was a small creek on one side and a rock wall on the other and only about 15-20 feet between the two. We walked right up on a big'ol sow and about a dozen little piggies. They went absolutely crazy and several ran towards the rock wall and then back towards us. I was less worried about the small guys and kept my eye on the momma who sloshed across the river. I had my hiking stick, so I didn't draw my Bulldog, but it happened so fast that I doubt I would have had time to draw and shoot if those babies were larger boars and actually charged us.

I usually practice (CCW) anywhere from 5 feet to about 7 yards for draw and shoot exercises. It's not easy and you often make mistakes when under the pressure of a stopwatch. I'm no where near the skill of some of my buddies that have done IDPA stuff, but I continue to practice as much as I can.

ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
I usually practice (CCW) anywhere from 5 feet to about 7 yards for draw and shoot exercises. It's not easy and you often make mistakes when under the pressure of a stopwatch. I'm no where near the skill of some of my buddies that have done IDPA stuff, but I continue to practice as much as I can.

ROCK6
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Great illustration about needing a gun quickly.

So, how fast do you think someone should be able to draw, shoot and HIT ?

.
 
David E said:
I hope they bring this gun out in the new .327 magnum. I think it'd be an ideal "critter-gitter" on the trail, loaded with any one of the 4 available .32 rounds.

Of course, I'd carry a more serious gun for defense purposes, but the 360-SC is so light, it'd be a cinch to carry it, too.

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I have to compliment S&W for all the ultra-light handguns it has come out with, like the 329PD and Night Guard series. Still, in grizzly country, I think I will still go with the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in .454.
 
I have not fired the 329, nor do I want to.

I'll happily put up with the "excessive" ;) weight of the all steel 629 Mtn Revolver. I practice with that one (and other steel .44's) and I sure wouldn't practice at all with the 329, at least, not with full power loads.
 
David E said:
Great illustration about needing a gun quickly.
So, how fast do you think someone should be able to draw, shoot and HIT ?
.
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Well, I've been in some classes where they demonstrate how fast a guy with a knife (rubber, for simulation) can be on top of you from 20 feet away (starting from a standing, non aggresive position)...it was less than 2 seconds and pretty hard to comprehend, especially when you were the target (and still knowing it was going to happen!). I doubt many could draw and fire under that fast of an attack AND hit thier target...that takes a lot of practice and speed drills. Don't forget, most carry their pistol concealed and not in a speed rig...and that also takes a lot of practice to sweep and draw. Best defense is situational awareness.

ROCK6
 
David E said:
Great illustration about needing a gun quickly.

So, how fast do you think someone should be able to draw, shoot and HIT ?

.
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Less than 2.5 to 3 seconds max IMO, for people who plan on making their pistol the main 'rescue' from a crappy affront. This is a pretty liberal range.

Edited to add: Didn't answer your earlier question. I carry a 1911 usually, and sometimes an XD9. Used to be a Glock 33, but couldn't keep up with ammo costs.
 
Here are a couple of mine. The 22 Is the Browning Camper and the Blackhawk is a 45 LC. These will handle about any problem that might come up. I would carry the 22 Browning as a rule but the Blackhawk if I were after big game or hiking in bear country.
 

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Let's presume the person is aware of their surroundings and can get their gun out of their holster. (carrying a gun in the pack for trail defense isn't that effective!)

So, with hand on gun, how fast for 5 shots on a paper plate at 7 yds?

I'd say 3 seconds maximum. How many here know they can do it?

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Ok, no one has listed attributes in order of priority, so I'll start:

Number One: RELIABILITY !

The gun has to work! Every time!
 
Reliability? Thats where a Single action shines in my opinion. Even a SA/DA revolver.

I'm not opposed to Semi's, I carry a G19 on occasion. But I dont trust it like I do my Ruger. A 357 has a certain amout of "flash and awe" compared to a 9mm, lol

Although if the wild dogs and coyotes start "packin", I would welcome the higer mag capacity, no doubt ! :)
 
I like my Savage camper model 22/20 guage combo gun. I carry diverse ammo in a shooting bag. Although it is a break open single shot, I can shoot stingers to cb subsonic 22 ammo. The shot gun shoots slugs, buckshot, birdshot etc. You can even shoot those super short shotgun shells out of it and carry more. Cylinder bore shotgun. It doesn't scare people when you run into them in the bush. Sometimes I wish it was a 22 magnum but the 22 is quiet. This gun will feed you well. Another advantage is that it breaks apart and packs well. You could just wrap a blanket around it. Easy to conceal in your car. The 223/20 guage is nice as well, wish it was a 12. Loosearrow
 
David E said:
Let's presume the person is aware of their surroundings and can get their gun out of their holster. (carrying a gun in the pack for trail defense isn't that effective!)

So, with hand on gun, how fast for 5 shots on a paper plate at 7 yds?

I'd say 3 seconds maximum. How many here know they can do it?

.
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[raises hand] :D

I like the idea of a 9/40/45 on your person, then a .22 pistol or rifle depending on what you feel like plinking with.
Throw in bears and I could see carrying a .44 mag pistol or such.
 
For trail, I would carry my Walther P22, in a Fobus holster with an extra mag and a box of shells.

When scouting in warm weather, it is typically a 38 snubby with snake shot and some 158g LSWC +p.

When in the woods and it is deer season or I am in an area with feral hogs/dogs it is a 4" 357. Belt holster with two Bianchi speed strips in the pocket.

I have a dozen or so handguns so picking one is often like picking which knife. In general the 4" 357 is my go to gun for woods carry unless it has to be CCW (then it is my Kimber Compact). Coyotes can be unnerving in the dark southern pine forest when you are by yourself, but I am more worried about punks, feral dogs and hogs. I have friends who have been treed by both. Both had left their guns in their trucks, one a 357 and another Glock23. I am not a Glock person and prefer my 1911s but for folks that want A handgun, a Glock 23 or 17 is tough to beat.

I actually think a revolver is aways a good options, does take more practice to shoot well.
 
My woods walking handgun is a taurus 94 2" barrel stainless .22 we don't have hogs or big predators 9 22 hp will change any bad guys mind. ammo is cheap enough to practice enough to know I can hit that paper plate 9 times D.A. if need be . Minute of squirrel @50' rides in a uncle mikes nylon holster at 8 o'clock on my belt (lefty) carry 30 rounds of ammo in a caseguard ammo wallet. I got lucky the ammo it likes best winchester expert bulk hollow points
Roy
 
This has been on quite a few walks with me in the woods in our area. Don't have to worry about too many critters, maybe a wild dog and a very very rare chance you could possibly see a mountain lion. It is Taurus in .45 long Colt. Very accurate out to about 20 yds or so. The knife is a Ranger Custom. I also think a good woods pistol would be a Ruger in .22 auto with a 4" barrel.


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What desirable attributes do you think a trail gun should have?

Light, durable, simple, easy to carry, legal if possible.


Do you carry one? Not at the moment, I have and will again. I do take a 22 rifle out when we get WAY out there, but my normal woodswalking is in wild spots around the university property, river courses, state park, and "tween lands" - none of it is remote enough to really wander with a firearm.

I do often take a pellet gun and do some target practice if I'm heading in two general directions (out towards the bypass or south long the north fork wilds between reserve areas)

Why, exactly?

Legal and social reasons.

Would you prefer to carry something else?

my preference for light woods walking would be a lightweight 22LR revolver or an old .32 revolver. A 5 shot light .38 with a nice 6 inch bbl added on would be fine

How do you carry it?

I would carry a revolver in a regular full flap holster. I do carry the airgun (it's a 12 inch barrel pump pistol type, hunting power) in a holster in a pack.

How many rounds?

for a revolver with normal woods walking i'd carry 2 full cylinder reloads. probably in speedloaders if it is a DA.


How "good" would one need to be to meet minimal skill requirements?

Safety is all. being able to teach the NRA safety course would be good. Taking it is essential.

Aiming accuracy? you have to decide. the way to do that is to practice and get some small game type targets and give it a shot. can you knock down cans reliably at 25 yards? From a weaver or a tradiontal english style one handed side stance?




If I moved out into somewhere more remote where walking was more what i want it to be- REALLY out in boonies- I'd probably add a 16 or 20 ga. shotgun for when i felt like taking it.
 
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