handgun choice

jlubas,

I think that, in your NJ stomping grounds anyway, a great woods companion would be that .38 DS - especially if it is +P capable. The old 'FBI load', the +P 158gr LHPSWC is a known quantity - great stopper. They didn't abandon the round - they went to semi-auto's. If your DS isn't +P rated, well, you have an excuse to buy one of S&Ws best sellers - the 642, a five shot J-frame Airweight with an enclosed hammer - great for pocket carry. That's the key - most encounters with two-legged threats may not afford you the time to retrieve a secured revolver. If it's in a pocket holster, it's a less intimidating grab, too. Weight wise, the gun and a speedloader will probably hit 20-21 oz total. Of course, others will suggest a .357 Magnum - and S&W has some even lighter same-sized pieces in .357 Magnum - for a lot more than the $400 or so the 642 will run - and some weigh 12 oz or less - and talk about a kick with hot loads - ouch!

Of course, Doug Wesson, back in 1935 when S&W introduced the .357 Magnum, went around the country taking everything on four legs with it... admittedly with hotter ammo than most folks load today. Still, if your desire is protection from animals, just what kind? Moose and wild hogs cause most woods injuries... after snakes! Avoidance works - as does climbing a tree. Black bear - sprays help, but avoidance - and noise - are best. Brown bears are more reclusive - unless hungry - then you need the big artillery. Plan for what's likely - 2-legged predators.

Of course, I am a retired teacher - do as I say, not as I do... I'm likely to have the 625 Mountain Gun below in .45 Colt (I have two!) loaded with some 250gr Speer Gold Dots and 255gr LSWCs... no mamby-pamby .38 for me! Yeah, the Buck Kalinga Pro (S30V) may be along, too...

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Just kidding... I tote either a 642 or a 296. I can carry them 'out of sight' (CCL) in a Mika's pocket holster in my jeans or cargo pants front pocket.

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The 296 is a 5-shot Airweight .44 Special they haven't made in years - it weighs <22 oz loaded with five 200gr Speer Gold Dots.

Stainz
 
How about a Sig Sauer p226 an a Rock River Arms 1911. I cant really see any situations that those 2 handguns arent enough to get the job done. If they cant its to move on to an LRB M25 rifle.
 
noss4 said:
I always carry my Glock 23 .40 but I'm switching to my FN 5/7 5.7x28mm.The pistol and sixty rounds of ammo is much lighter weight compared to my Glock and 30 rounds of ammo. I always Carry my Glock in a tactical hip holster. I finally found one for my FN made by Safariland and they make one that also accommodates a weapon light. :thumbup: I'm left handed so it's not always easy to find a holster for my needs especially for a weapon such as the FN.

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Since I go out usually by myself. I carry a little more gear then I normally would if I was with a group of friends. Also since I video tape field tests I have the added weight of camera gear. Video camera, tripod, digital SLR and 2 lens. I try to cut weight where I can so I'm switching weapons for when I go out in the woods as soon as I get the holster :D
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I've seen these in gun magazines but have heard very little about them. Could you tell me more about your impressions/experience with this gun and round?
 
James 61: Sure. I really like the FN. It's very accurate and quick. It's very light but it has a very solid feel to it. The grip is wide but fairly narrow. It has a very generous cut away so the grip size is not that much of a issue for my medium hand size. The grip also has some very aggressive texture or knurling that grips your skin. They will leave indentations on your hand for a while after you shoot it. If your hands are wet It will not slip out of your hand due to lack of grip. So far I have never had any malfunctions during firing. It has a very sharp quick recoil. Some web sites say it does not recoil more then a 22LR this is not accurate. The rear site is fully adjustable for windage and elevation by adjusting 2 slotted screws like a fine target site. I also like where they place the safety above the trigger. It is very easy
to reach with your trigger finger. the Five Seven Is Single action pistol only and has no decocker. The one thing I do not like about it is the magazine has to be in place for the gun to fire. I think this function was added to the American pistol only. The USG

There are only 2 different rounds available for it at the moment to civilians most of the other rounds are armor piercing. The 2 rounds are the SS195 and the SS197 the SS197 V-Max is a 40 gr. 1850 fps and the SS195 is 28 grain 2100 fps round hollow point. I have never fired the V-Max round.

The mags hold 20 rounds in a double stack magazine. You load the rounds just like you would a AR 15 mag by pressing them down in place. They are very easy to load but not easy to unload like a AR15 mag.

There is a lot of debate about the FN Five Seven and stopping power and since a civilian can not get the combat rounds the FN was designed for has added to the debate. Last I checked there is not enough actual shooting data to say for sure.( People shooting people) with the rounds mentioned above.

It's a lot of fun to shoot :thumbup:
 
Thanks for the feed back Noss4. I'll have to do some looking around and see if I can find some ballistics data and compare it to rounds like the .40 S&W and the .357. It won't be entirely accurate but it should make for an interesting comparrision.
 
Farnsrocket: It not the cheapest gun to shoot. about 30 bucks a box for 50 rounds. The price can very depending on where you buy it.
 
somehow I feel like we're missing the point here...the man owns a Python...his backup is a Detective Special...pack the Python when weight is not an issue and the Detective Special when going flyweight.....there aren't many better options and many of us would consider our selves fortunate to be in his position....both those guns are about as well built, accurate and reliable as you can get...there is nothing south of the Arctic that each wouldn't handle or severely intimidate......and I speak as person whose firearm of choice is a Smith 29......

some of the suggestions are quite valid... a .22 revolver is a superb choice..if you don't already own a Python......a 1911 or variant is packable, powerful and reliable.....if you don't already own a Python.....

I would validate what he already has as an excellent set of tools....encourage
him to handload or buy factory ammo which is quite reasonably priced and then to practice lots.....


Steve
 
Take the magnum, man. The extra power will stand you in good stead if you encounter the 4 legged animals, which is the threat I'd be more worried about.
People can be stopped with a knife just fine, but a bear or a cougar or a wolf? THEN I'd like the gun, if it's an option.
Lugging the extra weight will just give you a better workout.:D
 
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