Gun for Open Carry while HIking and Home Defense... Revolver?

JGON, with the exceptions of mouse guns, most auto loaders are narrower than a revolver's cylinder...barrel length is usually not an issue if you carry IWB while grip shape/size may be.

I carry both revolvers and auto loaders in a subtropical State[FL]...get a good gun belt for starters [I prefer Galco Contour and The Beltman both with internal stiffeners] and look at good IWB or pancake holsters...buy my short sleeved dark colored cotton shirts one size larger and wear untucked usually with shorts..get your pants waist size 2" larger for IWB.
 
JGON said:
Well it looks like I spoke too soon. I had heard wind of this legislation, but never thought it would go anywhere. Looks like Wisconsin is going to be the 49th state that allows it's citizens to carry a concealed firearm!

http://www.wsaw.com/news/headlines/...e_Concealed_Carry_Pass_123940469.html?ref=469

So... Should I still go for the 686 in a shorter barrel length? Does anybody conceal those? Or is it too bulky? I'd be willing to tolerate a little extra bulk if it didn't print.

JGON
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I have the 3" S&W 686 plus (7 shot). A good holster helps, but still carry it in an OWB holster, but it will conceal with a T-shirt over it. I think 1966c10 is more on target though with the 3" model 60 5-shot. It would be thinner for better concealability.

ROCK6
 
The DX is great and you would do well with only that...But I see the fun in getting a new gun. I have a few Smiths and you could go that way as others have said .357 /.38. Also if snakes are a worry where you live you can shoot little .38 Cal shot shells. Then some day get the great Marlin 1984 lever in .357 or .44 . If you get a .44 I would look at the Ruger I love my S&W but if I got a .44 I think it would be a Ruger. I can shoot a .44 just fine but would rather carry a K frame all day.
 
Don't purchase a POS belt and/or holster. Spend some money on them, this is serious business. It's a system, it's a security chain and you don't want any weak links.

Carry what you shoot best and what gives you the most confidence, not what a magazine says or what someone on the Internet says...wait a minute! I'm on this thing, too. ;)
 
I have a model 66 .357 (4" barrel) built on the K frame. It is a nice trade off between the 686 N frame and the 340 J frame. You can get a Crimson Trace laser grip (square butt) for it plus a plethora of used holsters (the police departments are phasing these out). This is the stainless version of the Combat Masterpiece.
 
I think Ruger is going to come out with a .357 LCR. The .38 LCR that I tried had one of the smoothest DA triggers that I've shot. I could not feel the trigger stack at all so some DA revolver shooters might have some problems at first. This pistol is better than my model 36 or my Charter Arms. Its only drawback is DAO.
 
Milt sparks SS2 iwb holster will conceal a 4 inch 44mag comfortably.
Great holster, great to deal with.
 
Bo T said:
I think Ruger is going to come out with a .357 LCR. The .38 LCR that I tried had one of the smoothest DA triggers that I've shot. I could not feel the trigger stack at all so some DA revolver shooters might have some problems at first. This pistol is better than my model 36 or my Charter Arms. Its only drawback is DAO.
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It's already out. Haven't shot one (but I love my LCR in .38), but reports are that recoil is a bit much on the .357 version.
 
S&w 60-10, .357. Its perfict, 3" j frame, 5 shot, adjustable sights and stainless. Buy a good leather holster and belt!!! Dont buy cheapass nylon.
 
If you must go with a wheelgun then .357 is it for so many reasons.

I'm a 1911 guy. Shot more .45 acp than I care to count, so you know I'm no glass-boned weenie. A buddy of mine picked up a .44 mag. For me the recoil was just too heavy. I could shoot it accurately but it wasn't enjoyable. Case closed.
 
Don Rearic said:
Don't purchase a POS belt and/or holster. Spend some money on them, this is serious business. It's a system, it's a security chain and you don't want any weak links.

Carry what you shoot best and what gives you the most confidence, not what a magazine says or what someone on the Internet says...wait a minute! I'm on this thing, too. ;)
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Great Advise,
My field carry 329 PD (Not for beginners) lots of recoil with mag loads not bad with 44 Specials or medium loads. Great to carry very light weight.
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We have OC here in Indiana as well. I will set aside the politics of that issue and just say that I do OC on occasion when I think I can get away with it without being hassled.

I also have a S&W 629 revolver, which is a .44mag. I OC it on occasion - in fact, I OC'ed this gun over the weekend on a hog hunt, and on the road to and from.

My gun has a 6 inch barrel. It would be impossible to conceal on person, but it carries very well in my cheapie BLACKHAWK!tm (:D) nylon holster - the key is a good belt. I use a Galco gun belt which is wide and stiff. It was comfortable to carry when sitting in the car, when pumping gas, when eating out, and of course hiking up ridge lines in the field. It served its purpose very well. Its also comforting to have that extra power when you hear a boar grunting in the distance.

As for power/recoil, I have a bit of advice born of experience. Buy and use the cheap ammo:
* Budget brand ammo like Blazer or American Eagle keep recoil down, because they are light loads (only 650 ft-lbs or so :rolleyes:).
* Even "light" .44 mag still has PLENTY of power for personal protection, and hunting any animal under 500lbs.
* The bullets I have recovered from such ammo still retains a respectable amount of weight and gives expansion (Recovered Blazer HP expanded to over 1/2 inch, and retained about 80% of weight.
* Such performance is sufficient for quick kills on virtually all medium game.

In my experience, I wouldn't go any 'higher shelf' than Fiocchi - they can sometimes be found around $35 for 50, and they load Hornady XTPs. Even so the Blazer, American Eagle, and Sellier & Bellot budget offerings are virtually always available usually a hair cheaper, and they perform quite adequately.

Unless you need to hunt Elephants or Kodiak bear, the boutique ammo like Double Tap, or Buffalo Bore are completely needless, and cost WAY too much for what they are.

A 4" barrel gun would probably carry nicer, especially sitting in a car or in a blind - especially with a nice holster. Even so, a 6" gun is in no way a problem.
 
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I want to get the 4 inch ultra lite S & W .44 mag ... I think it is the 329PD? They are extremely light. I want to get it for camping/hiking where I might run into some mean hogs, bears, etc. It would be a great "carry a lot, shoot a little" gun given its weight. I figure that if I am in an area where the critters aren't going to be too big, I can load down with .44 special. If I am in Alaska or something, load up to full .44 mag rounds.

Just an idea...
 
In some 50+ years of bumming around in the woods of Florida, Georgia, NC and Virginia, I have never needed anything more powerful than a .22 hand gun. Currently, I am packing a Model 63 Smith in .22 LR, but I also have a nice Ruger 45/22 semi auto that is a great woods gun.
 
I'll add a +5 or whatever it's up to now for the SP-101 in .357. You can get 'em in a bobbed hammer if your looking for a double action only carry gun. They're just the perfect size/weight without being too bulky. But, way more than enough beef to handle a hot .357 round. Get it. Practice. Carry.
 
I'll second the opinion that a wheel gun isn't needed but as a gun lover I know that it is seldom even important, WANT is plenty of reason! :D

I say if you're going to have a wheel gun you need to have a 357, it's classic, and the 6", considering your parameters, would be the length I'd get. But I'll throw out a couple of other things, I'd look used, the S&W model 27, which they now remake, originally had a gorgeous polish and blue job that I'm not even sure can be duplicated now (maybe turnbull can, if anybody can it'd be him) and blue book on them isn't that high. I have one in 6", great gun, it's a baby to shoot, it's big, and it's accurate. carry it underarm when you're out and about.

Another option you might not know about, but is very cool, is the Dan Wesson model 15 pistol pack. or even just one with an extra barrel. I have one in 4", my stepfather in 6", the dan wesson is a medium frame (good for smaller hands) 357 with a bit lower hammer again good for small hands when shooting single action. they are known to be accurate because the cylinder lock is on the crane not at the back, and the barrel is held in the shroud with a nut at the end, supposedly the tension adds to the accuracy. they were availabe in a pistol pack that IIRC had a 2", 4" and 6" barrel, and maybe a second set of grips. time to time you see a good deal on them, as they are only available used (dan wesson was bought out I can't remember who by, but I believe they discontinued the 15).

I have owned 44 mags, 41 mags, I don't think the 44 mag is the monster others make it out to be, I also consider it predominately a hunting gun, you can't top the 357 for double duty defense IN A WHEEL GUN. but you already have the 45 auto, so you have good taste, because that would be (the compact xd is my next purchase when I get some money) first choice in auto.

last thing, I don't shoot the 38's in my 357, I don't want to get the ring in the cylinder and don't shoot enough any more that the cost matters to me.

have fun, you can never have too many guns!!!!

Red
 
Another from the peanut gallery :)
Sounds like you have a fine gun for SD and home defense.
For field use of heavy rounds- I would select the 6.5" Blackhawk, reasonably light and will hold up to heavy rounds.
For field use for snakes, dogs, people and rabid animals- I used a 3" model 65 for years and dearly loved it. Usually available for 200.00, rock solid and easy to carry around without being in the way. I used to tuck mine in the back pocket of my Levis and forget it was there.
For pure shooting pleasure in the field- K38 Masterpeice/6" model 14. I have spent hours knocking over sticks of firewood in poor mans "Bowling Pin matches". Reload for cheap and shoot 158gr LSWC at modest velocities or uber super .38 +P for defense use.
 
I haven't read through this entire thread, but I wanted to chime in. Once upon a time I used to OC a Ruger GP-100 .357 revolver when in the backcountry. Revolvers are fine weapons, highly reliable, and I would never question anyone's decision to carry one.

However, I also find revolvers to be (1) heavier than semi-autos with (2) lesser capacity. For this reason, I recently purchased a Glock 20 (10mm). The 10mm, appropriately loaded, approaches the performance characteristics of a .44 mag. At the same time, the Glock 20 is considerably lighter than, say, a Ruger Super Redhawk chambered in .44 mag. It also carries 10 rounds to the revolver's 6 (15 rounds when outside of California), and the polycarbonate exterior of the Glock makes it friendlier than a steel revolver in wet/sweaty conditions.

At the end of the day, each to his own. I'm just always glad when I see people choosing to actively participate in their own self-defense, no matter what weapons they choose to carry. As I said, revolvers are fine tools and I have frequently carried them in the field. But, still, I thought it might be useful to give the OP something to think about.
 
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