Which revolver for a woods/bumming gun?

[rfd]

model 60 2" - no need for adj sights or even a longer barrel.

[rking22]

Considering you already have a M69, I would go with the M60. Personally , I went with a M36-6 target to go with my M696. I feel no need for the 357 in a woods bumming gun, just too dang loud for me. If I'm where I might need the slightly more potent 357 then I'll take my 696. You, having a M69 are in like position. I actually have a 3 inch sp101 and like it , but the M60 is really sweet!

[rfd]

having a 357mag capable gun doesn't mean it needs to be fed that ammo, but it sure is nice to have that capability when deep in the woods and far from civilization.

[FergusonTO35]

This may sound low rent, but the newer Rossi's are very nice guns for the money. Frame size is just a smidge bigger than an SP-101 and they hold six rounds.

[EMC45]

This may sound low rent, but the newer Rossi's are very nice guns for the money. Frame size is just a smidge bigger than an SP-101 and they hold six rounds.

If it works time after time there's nothing low rent about it. Affordable yes.

[rking22]

My Rossi 511 is a favorite woods gun, a Smith 63 clone, and it shoots better than the 63 I had in the 80s. I think they are better built than the Taurus guns, but then I have had limited samples of both!

[FergusonTO35]

Or, how about this gem from Ruger? Comes with a custom double sided front sight!

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

...

!

[Tenbender]

I carry my 5.5" 45 Colt Ruger. Here in the Virginia mountains every sow bear has 2 to 4 cubs. There not shy. Hope I never need it . We have coyotes also but you never see them in the daylight unless your calling them.

[redhawk0]

I have to admit this thread has intrigued me. I say any gun that you would normally carry for self defense would also make a great kit gun. I have a Taurus 85 5shot 38spl that will shoot +Ps and I've been known to throw it in the pack when out on a hike or camping. Its a familiar gun to me...meaning...I shoot it regularly and I can hit with it. Other than the "need for something new"...I can't see a why I'd switch to anything else...but this may be just ME.

Now...of what you listed for recommendations...I like the SP. But then I'm a Ruger man. I have quite a few of them. Fine built firearm, but easy to get repaired if something does get damaged, and they shoot great. As previously noted...with a good holster you'll never notice the extra few ozs.

redhawk

[Groo]

Groo here
I have both an SP101 and a M-60-15 pro.
the biggest thing for either is to find the grips that "FIT"
For me that is the packmyer thin grip that covers the backstrap [ the "compac " is thicker ]
Both my guns have shot from WC loads to "Groo monster maulers" [aka 200gr cast with full pressure loads]
The grip is the key!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For me ,, the m-60 in a Simple Rugged pancake is about the best.
Light , thin, good adj sights and enough barrel to get a 357mag going.

[nockhunter]

Groo here
I have both an SP101 and a M-60-15 pro.
the biggest thing for either is to find the grips that "FIT"
For me that is the packmyer thin grip that covers the backstrap [ the "compac " is thicker ]
Both my guns have shot from WC loads to "Groo monster maulers" [aka 200gr cast with full pressure loads]
The grip is the key!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For me ,, the m-60 in a Simple Rugged pancake is about the best.
Light , thin, good adj sights and enough barrel to get a 357mag going.

I agree 100%.
That is why I like the 3" M60, adj sights a little more weight up front, and usually carried in my wader pocket. By the way mine is a M60-4.

Mike

[wl620]

Dillon m134d is a nice revolver little on the heavy side but if weight concerns you you could leave your pants at home I know Im not going to give anybody i bump into out in the woods any guff about not wearing pants that is toting one of those!
I just threw that it because i think that is about the only one that hasnt been suggested yet I mostly carry a smith 625 4” loaded with heavy semi wadcutters but sometimes i go light and carry a 3” sp101 fixed sight. loaded with whatever i havent shot up in my gp100.

[Walks]

I carried a now old RUGER Service-Six with a 3"bbl in .357 from 1977 until 1998 (got busted up, no more "woodswalking"). It's a stainless gun that I round-butted to fit the old Pachmyar Compac grips. I got a ROY'S Pancake holster for it. Carried on a seperate belt I never even felt the weight. 2 .38 shotshells backed by .358429 over a heavy charge of UNIQUE in a .38spl case. That pancake holster really distributed the weight. The 3" bbl is a rarity. If I'd known that when I bought it I'd have never have taken a file to the grip frame.

[FergusonTO35]

I have to admit this thread has intrigued me. I say any gun that you would normally carry for self defense would also make a great kit gun. I have a Taurus 85 5shot 38spl that will shoot +Ps and I've been known to throw it in the pack when out on a hike or camping. Its a familiar gun to me...meaning...I shoot it regularly and I can hit with it. Other than the "need for something new"...I can't see a why I'd switch to anything else...but this may be just ME.

Now...of what you listed for recommendations...I like the SP. But then I'm a Ruger man. I have quite a few of them. Fine built firearm, but easy to get repaired if something does get damaged, and they shoot great. As previously noted...with a good holster you'll never notice the extra few ozs.

redhawk

I've been thinking about an SP-101 or steel frame Taurus 85 for a woods/farm gun. Compact but with more weight and grip than my little S&W 637 so energetic loads will be easier to shoot. The Taurus 85 is a really good bargain right now, and my local guy sells bunches of 'em with few complaints.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Since you have gotten 74 different opinions on this I will include mine as #75.

I feel the 38/.357 is inadequate for anything above rodents or small vermin.

My choice for the Woods gun is a S&W 696 in .44 Special, mainly since I have one and love it. I have hit Silhouette Rams at 200 meters with it, so it will shoot. It has a 3" barrel so it is compact as well and the .44 Special cartridge with 240 gr 429421's is a very formidable cartridge suitable for taking large animals if necessary. Nobody can argue against that!

My .02 YMMV

Randy

[5.7 MAN]

Or, how about this gem from Ruger? Comes with a custom double sided front sight!

That's so the bad guy will know you have the sights lined up on him! its a Feature!


I like a .357 for woods bumming when Bears are not present That's what I carry while Snow Shoeing. If I'm likely to happen upon a bear I'll carry a .45 Colt or my .480 both of which are Ruger Blackhawks.

[Thin Man]

My favorite is the S&W Model 10 wearing a 6 inch barrel. In warmer weather the first 2 rounds are shot shell loads, otherwise all loads will be stout WC or SWC profiles.

[Kraschenbirn]

May as well toss in my nickel's worth. What I pack for a 'woods gun' depends upon where I am. My 'everyday carry' is a 3" SP-101 stuffed with +P 125 gr JHPs. For woodsy walks in this part of the country, I just swap the JHPs for four of 'Skeeter's Load' and 1 birdshot round. In areas where larger, less friendly critters might be encountered, I go with my 3" S&W M24, loaded with five cast HPs and one birdshot.

Bill

[Whiterabbit]

kit gun, gotta go with the cheaper option as long as it's bullet proof, runs like old faithful, and won't cause a tear when the grip gets chipped or the cylinder gets a scratch.

Pretty sure the SP-101 is the winner here.

But for my money, the vaquero 45 is what topped the list



If it's too heavy, maybe you need less barrel and gripframe