Looking for opinions on a woods gun. . .

[Terrill]

For several years this slightly modified Ruger .357 was my number 1 woods gun. For the past year I've gone more to a S&W 686 seven shot .357. The three inch barrel is about a perfect cross between aiming and carrying.

 

[othello32]

Terrill, I love the S&W set up. The leather and OSK are a great combo with the Smith.

I also own the Ruger Single Six (6.5in) and have shot thousands of rounds from it in both cylinders. It's a great woods carry for where I live in PA (only a small chance of running into a black bear). I shot the Ruger GP100 and almost bought it, but instead went for a stainless Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 (7.5in) mag for my primary hunting handgun. I absolutely love both revolvers. My next purchase (whenever that happens), will be the Ruger GP100 in a 4in barrel. It fills a nice void between by two single actions. You truly can't go wrong with Ruger. I also agree that the 4in fits in my Max. Jumbo Versipack, but the 6incher will not. Finally, I'm of the same opinion that revolvers are best to start with and I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to woods carry. Haven't gotten over all those Louis L'Amour novels I read when I was younger (and still read now).

 

[Salamander42]

http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?series=41 THIS IS A VERSATILE WOODS GUN! 45 LC for dangerous game .410 shotshells for scrounging smaller game. End thread/

I was looking at those but decided to wait for a bit. Most of what I read indicated that they aren't very accurate beyond self defense distances and I wanted something that would have a bit more range. I also read somewhere that they are going to be coming out with a version that will shoot 3 inch shot shells instead of just the 2.5s which should open up a wider variety of amunition.

. . . I say get the gun you want. You wont be disapointed.

The 4in however did not fit in my fatboy versipak. 3in would fit but 4in was too long. The 4in would fit in the jumbo, but I seriously doubt a 6in will fit. Whatever you choose, practice with it, and shoot safe!

The trouble is that now that I've started looking around there are too many that I want! Thanks for the info on versipacks

 

[Pilot1]

A GP-100 is a fine choice, but I would go 4 inch barrel instead of 6 inch. You'll find you'll carry it a lot more. 6 inches is better for hunting, but 4 inch is fine and will provide excellent accuracy if you practice. You can shoot light .38 Spl through it for practice.

When backpacking or camping I carry a 9MM CZ-75D PCR and this handy little conversion for it to shoot .22. Basically gives you two guns in one. Many think 9MM is too light for woods carry, but I used to carry just a Ruger MK II .22 and still sometimes do, which I feel safe with. Animals usually don't bother with you and if they do, the noise of the .22 usually scares them off.

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=35

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

I often carry a Glock 23 in .40 when backpacking. A more compact version would be the model 27. Good power, pretty compact, very weather resistant.

Andy