Am thinking of adding a 357 revolver and lever rifle to our armory for camping and hiking and wondering about recommendations on the 357 revolver?
My wife can shoot a 357 reasonably well, but not a 44. So thats why my choice in 357.
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Am thinking of adding a 357 revolver and lever rifle to our armory for camping and hiking and wondering about recommendations on the 357 revolver?
My wife can shoot a 357 reasonably well, but not a 44. So thats why my choice in 357.
6" 686 with new sights.
I absolutely love my 3" SP101. Very accurate, after about 300 or so rounds, plus a good bit of dry fire, the trigger is great.
Very solid built revolver.
IMHO go with a Ruger S/steel GP100 with a 4" barrel. These pistols are built like tanks and can handle heavy/hot loads repeatedly. Also the grip design absorbs recoil well since the grip encloses the grip frame in rubber.
Stainless Ruger GP100 4" is a good gun for this role.
So is a S&W pre lock 681 or 686
If size and weight are an issue, I'd opt for a 3" S&W Model 60-10. If not, I'd probably go for a 4" 7-shot 686.
Nothing at all wrong with a GP-100. I just happen to prefer Smiths.
I'd look for a 4" 686, something pre-MIM pre-lock. However unless you have a lot of experience running a wheel gun under stress a Glock 20 might be worth a look. I love my revolvers but when it comes down to it I shoot a Glock better, which is good, because it's also lighter, holds more rounds, can take a flashlight, and is more resistant to the elements than my revolvers.
+1
Glock 20 is not a bad option for a backpack gun. The ammo is a little high, but the 10mm is an impressive round. Plus, that's 15+1 compared to 6. If you are familiar with the Glock platform, I would give one of those a try before trying to learn a wheel gun. That being said, the 686 is a Hell of a choice for a wheel gun, if you decide to go that route.
I absolutely love my 6" Ruger GP100 and Marlin 1894C setup.
I have easily taken Texas deer and hogs with each of those guns. Would carry them anywhere but the African brush...
good luck finding a lever action now though. Marlin has discontinued thier line of pistol caliber carbines, and others are hard to come by I understand
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/q...5/IMG_0806.jpg
Are you leaning toward DA or SA?
Are you referring to TX back country or will you and your wife travel to other locales with bigger, toothier critters?
When is the pre-lock, post-lock distinction for the 686 (what year)?
My aunt married an Alaskan backwoods homesteader. If you ask then where they live, they will say "8 hours downriver from Eagle."
He wanted a bear gun for when they are out working in the woods. He had me find him a 357 and I ended up finding a good deal on a used GP100 4" stainless.
His saying was that he wanted something he could stick on the bears chest/neck/head/gut (where ever he could) and empty the cylinder...
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If you are hiking, weight matters. The pistol is for carry more than range shooting. Also, a 4 inch is easier to carry than a 6 inch revolver.
My choices for hiking are:
Used S&W 66
New Model Ruger Vaquaro 4 5/8 barrel
Used Ruger Security Six or Service Six
The S&W 686 is a very nice gun, probably the best all round revolver ever made, and it is my woods gun. But it and the Ruger GP100 are both on the heavy side. If you are carrying a pack, sleeping bag and tent, it will make a difference. Not huge, but noticable. Also, look at single actions. Bears don't know the difference between double and single action.
For hiking where weight is always a concern I vote for 3" SP101.
What are the threats you're expecting, or needs you need to meet with a fiream, in the areas you're going? Perhaps a modern autoloader that carries easily, with smartly chosen ammunition, that you are already familiar with, will suffice?
packing an all steel wheelgun while hiking can get old pretty fast.
when I go into the woods I typically carry my S&W 386 Night Guard(357mag), its super light and 7 rds and its damn accurate, its one you will be able to carry all the time and as a bonus its a great carry gun.
Texas, New Mexico and Colorado are the states in which the wife and will be in so bear and mountain lion are what we could run into.
Figure the weapon will be more for a sense of security rather than actual need.
But will have something and not needing it will bejust fine. But will still have something.
Smith made some model 60's with 5inch barrels recently, that could be light handy and good sight radius. I've not used the new model Ruger black hawks but that is another choice I'm not sure if the grip frames are steel or aluminum so weight might be a consideration.
If you're unlikely to meet a grizzly a 9mm is enough. Black bears can be large too though. The one I shot was 400 pounds.
GP100 or the 4" 686 can't be beat. Try both if possible and pick what she likes best. I wouldn't go for a single action revolver. The situation, if there is one, will be very stressful and having to work a single action takes a bit more thought. She would be better off with a double action and just having to pull the trigger. A whole lot less to think about doing.
Those Rugers are flipping heavy. Give me a scandium frame S&W.
Sw-Shooter,
You are damn right! While at the range today with my new G17, I was shooting my 3" SP101 with 125gr. .357 Gold Dots.
Even with the most excellent Trausch grips...I couldnt do more than 30 or so. I got flinching so bad, I stopped halfway thru a cylinder..just said **** IT!!
I cannot IMAGINE firing heavy, "bear-killin loads" in a lightweight revolver.
I AINT doing, thats fo' sho'.
I have a stainless 4 5/8" Ruger Blackhawk .357 to use as a woods gun though I generally just end up with a .22 since I'm generally carrying a centerfire rifle. I have a S&W .44 Mag and think a 4" 629 would be a good choice but mine is a 6.5" and doesn't get carried unless I'm hunting with it. If I was buying something new for the woods role I would probably go with a .44 Mag (the wife can shoot .44 Specials if needed) or a Glock 20SF.
hows a 3" 357 mag compare to a 4" 9mm?
It seems to me that last time i did any research on the matter 357 didn't really come into its own until you get to a longer barrel...
Thats not true. There is no particular barrel length where the 357 suddenly starts to perform. It did fine for years in police revovlers with 3 and 4 inch barrels. The 357 mag has more case capacity than the 9mm and with equal barrel lengths will always be faster despite the revolvers cylinder gap. That said the 9mm with good ammo is just fine.
pat
Pat,
I just compared a 125 gr. .357 load to a 180 gr. 40S&W load in Golden Saber on the Remington website.
The 40S&W is one pound of energy shy of the 357 at the muzzle and has more energy at the longer ranges. It leaves the muzzle 65 fps slower, not really much difference there. Seems to me 15 rounds in a lighter package that is similar to a carry gun would make a lot of sense.
And - you don't have the expense of the 10mm round.
I met a DNR guy who put down a couple of black bears with a 40S&W. Do you find it adequate or what do you think? [eh - looks like you already said you don't trust a duty caliber]
IIRC the 180gr FP FMJ .40 loads have a lot of penetration in gelatin testing, I often thought I'd probably rather have a G22 or M&P than a .357mag if I had to rely on factory ammo.
I do think some of the .357 specialty loads like the stuff from Buffalo Bore would have more penetration though.
I find this interesting as well;
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.ph...duct_list&c=67
The 40sw is a lot shy of a full house 357 mag and a full power 10mm. About 200 fps or more. Plus you should not be using JHP rounds if bears are a threat. You want deep penetrating FMJ's or hard cast lead bullets. Bears have been put down with .22 long rifles with a lot of luck however I would not bet my life to it.
Pat
I've carried both and agree.
I've got a SP101 which I had tuned up by Gemini Customs which is a heck of a nice little gun. But if I'm wandering around in bear country I take the 4" Redhawk with some 300gr. Buffalo Bore loads.
Once that bear gets done gnawing on me, I want to make damn sure I put myself out of my misery with one shot!
Another helpful hint is to file the rough edges of the front sight so it doesn't hurt as bad when the bear shoves it up your ass. :laugh: