Field guns.

[Medicmike3762]

This weekend the family and I were able to escape the city and make it down to our small 40 acres of heaven. Anyway I always bring some guns to shoot when I have time and I always wear a sidearm. I have a good selection of handguns to choose from anywhere from freedom arms to pietta mostly ones that make big holes 44 and up. However it seems the gun I grab almost every time is my old model flattop 4 5/8 357. It sits in a simply rugged holster on a plane Jane 38 cal belt. I don’t know why I gravitate towards the 38-357 perhaps it’s the wide range of ammunition available. Maybe it’s that the ammunition is lighter, maybe it’s that the gun has a good bit of use and I’m not afraid to “hurt” it. It is extremely accurate with my full throttle 158gr 357. Gun is heavy enough to be mild recoiling with full power ammo and light enough to carry all day. I have done a few “mods” to make it mine so I like that as well. It seems to be my PPP at the moment and I find myself really enjoying the 357 cartridge.

All this has me thinking, what do you guys carry in the woods and why? Single or double action? Cartridge belt or slide? Or no extra ammo? Look forward to hearing what y’all say!

 

[Bullthrower338]

Like you I have a nice selection to choose from and it really depends on what I am doing in the woods. If I am in the can am I will pack a 3 screw 41 in a cross draw holster most of the time. If I am in the back country on foot, horseback or raft I carry either a S&W 329 PD or a Glock 20 10mm in Diamond D chest holster. The 329 holster has a slide that holds an extra cylinder full of 44 mag cartridges and the Glock holster has a mag pouch. The chest holster is my favorite for keeping the gun out of the way but always accessible. The tight confines of a super cub or when you throw your pack on, the pistol is not a hassle. I used to keep my pistol attached to the belt of my pack, I moved away from this because of all the times that I have dropped my pack to make a final stalk or even to eat lunch or take a break left me without a sidearm in griz country. I live and hunt in an area where grizzly encounters are pretty common and decided that my life expectancy might be extended if I can get to my handgun in the unlikely event Smokey decides that he doesn’t want me around or I look tasty to him.

 

[thinckley]

I typically carry my OM SBH in a chest rig. I left an S&W 686 in .357 at the relative's house in Montana in case I fly in to visit the property. I picked up a GP100 in .357 for my wife to carry when we get moved up there.

 

[The Preacher]

This. A 4 5/8th Ruger Bisley Vaquero in 44 Mag. with 250 gr. Lyman "Keith" LSWC's going about 950 fps. I carry it in an EPS crossdraw Threepersons holster.

 

[Medicmike3762]

Good stuff guys! I should also qualify, I live Missouri so some of the most dangerous game I’ve run into has been wild dogs……possibly another reason for the 357 for me

 

[Paul B]

Just about all my field guns are .44 magnums in one form or another. Some have since been retired and others still in use, well at least until a bad wreck in my truck sidelined me for such activity.

Most are Ruger some three screws and the rest New Models. Barrel lengths from 4 5/8s to 7.5". A few are Bisleys including one Super Blackhawk in .45 Colt that I loaded using John Linebaugh level loads.

Personally, I rather like the Bisley grip frame a little bit better than the Cold SAA style for shooting stiff anti aggressive critter level ammo for recoil control but the Colt style seems better for point shooting.

In my case, the field includes desert and mountain hikes and I've seen a few Mountain Lion, mainly out in the deset going somewhere in what usually looks like they're in one hell of a hurry.

Black Bears on the other hand were more common and frankly I saw more out in the desert than in the mountains. It seems that they were either going to or coming from one mountain range to another and seemingly in no particular hurry.

Frankly, I preferred hiking in the desert and most of the local mountain trail had kids from the local university using the trails and the sight of an older geezer with a "big iron" and cowboy hat tended to freak them out. I did get a few young women to engage in conversation and when I asked them a, "what if" type query, the answer was usually positive. The question was, what if you were on the trail and a bear showed up and acted aggressively. Your yelling and arm waving does nothing to make it go away. Would you rather try a big stick or be glad to see me with my big bad gun on my hip? IIRC, I think only two or three ever responded in the negative.

While the odds may be in their favor, stuff happens. There are two and four legged predators out there and neither give two hoots in hell about one's feeling about firearms.
Paul B.

 

[WAYNO]

I have always been pretty outdoorsy. But time is taking a toll, and I don't tramp the woods like I used to. I just brag that I do. And when I was tramping around, it could've been Coast Mountains, the Cascades, the high desert, or even the valley. I was always armed. Still am. And even though there might have been better or different choices, I often carried a SA Ruger of some sort. And the older I got, it seemed the barrels got shorter.

My last two SA's that I regularly carried were either a 4-5/8" or 3-3/4" Super, or a 3-3/4" .45 Birdshead.

I am finally resigned to often carrying smaller revolvers or semi-autos. That does not make me any less a fan of Single Action revolvers. It just means time is catching up with me and I don't carry a hog-leg as often. I cherish the thought of a big Ruger on my side, and others thinking this old grampa still carries an antique!



.

 

[Randyzzz]

I feel your pain, Wayno! That’s why I’m trying to build my New Vaquero in .45 as light as possible. The .44Spcl flattop was supposed to fill that niche, but it turned out too nice…

Anyways. If I’m worried about wildlife it’s either my HK45 or a Ruger in .45. If it’s 2legged predators it’s usually my HK45C. EDC around town is a P2000SK in 9mm.

 

[mk70ss]

What I carry in the field or when riding our mules.

 

[sharpblade7777]

One of these. The bottom 3 are 44 mags.

 

[Medicmike3762]

What I carry in the field or when riding our mules.
View attachment 67316

I love the 3.5s with the ERH!

 

[Hertervillian]

I’ve finally found the holster I want for the Single Seven and a good belt is on the way. The SP101 has a bunch of miles under it, I’m wondering if the SS will be able to keep up.

 

[Mobuck]

22/45 stainless
Every day is a 'walk in the woods' day.

 

[JiminMaine]

S&W 58 41 Mag.

 

[Goldstar225]

Mine have evolved over time. Right now it alternates between my S&W model 60-10 or my Ruger flattop in .45 Colt.

 

[contender]

Nice OM .357 there. But I would not be laying it on gravel to take pictures,, (or any other reason!)

 

[Hankus]

When I’m out in the woods up on the family property in GA it’s one of my Blackhawks or Vaqueros, usually in .45C, loaded with alternating snake shot and hog killer rounds, at least during snake season. They have some mean water moccasins and Eastern Diamondbacks up there!

 

[Randyzzz]

Field guns. I mentioned in my first post- I have this tendency to turn a gun into something too pretty to use. I had the .44 Special out today and while putting it away I noticed a tiny ding in one of the grips. It’s stuff like this that bugs the crap out of me. I’ve often said that the best way to ruin a car you like driving is to put a nice paint job on it. Anyways- I’ve got several guns with Ronnie’s “Dealer” gripframes. The one on my Single Six has Micarta panels. I may put some different panels on the Six and use the Micarta panels on whatever I’m taking out to use. They’re pretty much indestructible. I’ve come to realize that yes, I am a pain in the A$$.

 

[BIgMuddy]

I too live in Missouri. I change a lot but one that gets used often is similar to the OP's. 357 is certainly enough here Don't forget we might get charged by a wild armadillo

Mine looked just like Medicmike’s until I laid it in some gravel once. (Just pokin fun Ty)

Dan

 

[eveled]

I carry either a S&W 329 PD

A fine choice! I love the PD series’s too. I would most likely be carrying one too.

Although I do have an actual well worn .357 Flattop. Emphasis on the well worn because the gun in the OP is in much better condition than mine. I can’t argue with his choice.

 

[Hvymax]

Snakes are the biggest concern around here. Though if camping in Black Bear territory I upgrade slightly. It's been a few years since I've been camping in Bear country so I will probably be carrying my 357sig in the future.

 

[Medicmike3762]

I too live in Missouri. I change a lot but one that gets used often is similar to the OP's. 357 is certainly enough here Don't forget we might get charged by a wild armadillo

Mine looked just like Medicmike's until I laid it in some gravel once. (Just pokin fun Ty)

Dan

Dan, DONT joke about the armadillo! The threat is real! Just last weekend I used the above revolver to stop a hard charger! 35yards one hand one shot I did my part!

 

[Klondike Mike]

My little S&W 60-4 with a 3" barrel and adjustable sights has taken over for when I'm deer hunting and might stumble across a snowshoe hare or a partridge that I wouldn't want to blow to bits with my rifle. I used to use one of many 22's but the little 38 is more accurate than any of those.
When I'm out with a shotgun during the moose rut I carry something more substantial but haven't really got a favorite. The recent selections have been a Colt stainless Delta Elite, a Ruger Security Six with a 2 3/4" barrel loaded with 180 hard cast SWC handloads or a S&W 44 Mag Mountain Gun. After a run in with a cow moose and her boyfriend a couple seasons ago I'm leaning towards the Mountain Gun for the upcoming season.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I alternate depending on my mood. Might be my old model super single six 4 5/8", probably with the .22 WMR cylinder in place. Might be my S&W model 60-4 .38 Special, that one carries so nice in a Simply Rugged pancake I don't even know it's there, and it can be loaded with snake shot, wadcutters, or full house 158 grain cast SWCs as appropriate. But I also agree with a previous poster that an old model flattop .357 gets the call pretty often. Even more ammo versatility than the S&W .38 with full-house .357 loads as an option, and it just feels good.
If there's larger game in the possible range of targets (deer, hogs) then it's probably some caliber that starts and ends with "4", as in .44. Carrying a rifle? 4 5/8" flattop .44 Special or Magnum (I have both) or S&W model 24-3 4" .44 Special. Handgun only where larger game is possible? The old 7 1/2" flattop .44 mag with 245 grain cast gas check hollow points (#429244 Ray Thompson design bullet, with full charge of 2400 or AA-9.

 

[BIgMuddy]

Dan, DONT joke about the armadillo! The threat is real! Just last weekend I used the above revolver to stop a hard charger! 35yards one hand one shot I did my part!

Attaboy!!! They will do it. My closest “life saving” dillo shot was more like 35 inches. Lucky I didn’t shoot my foot off. That was with a S&W M25-7 45 Colt, another favorite tromping around gun.

The OM Flattop 357 is a perfect everyday choice. You asked about holsters, spare ammo… I usually carry mine in the pictured Hank Sloan style with loose ammo in my pocket.


Dan

 

[Rclark]

Mine has always been a Single Action. In my late teens and early 20s. it was a 6 1/2" .357. Then a 7 1/2" .44 Magnum, when I didn't know any better, as side arm for rifle hunting. Now it is either a .44 Special or .45 Colt Ruger SA. Open carry in a simple belt holster.

 

[cellar701]

Double action for me. I bought a used Security Six , 2 3/4” bbl, .357 mag for field carry back in1979 and it’s served that purpose well over the years - and still does.

 

[Medicmike3762]

Double action for me. I bought a used Security Six , 2 3/4" bbl, .357 mag for field carry back in1979 and it's served that purpose well over the years - and still does.

I love the short barrel security six guns

 

[Hvymax]

I honestly can't believe nobody beat me to this!!!

 

[magnum0710]

My woods gun is my Speed Six, which I also carry just in general. My Security Six was bought with the intention of being a woods gun but since I carry IWB the 4 inch barrel would poke me constantly. The 2.75 is much better for my purposes. I think the 3 inch guns are perfect for all around use, enough barrel length to the get the 357 up to speed but still easy to conceal. When I'm in the woods I carry 158 cast SWCs. Bear aren't a major concern but we do have black bear in the area, I'm confident a full power 158 can handle that and anything else I'd come across. I had a run in with a stray while walking my dog a few years ago and felt pretty undergunned with the little 22 I pocket carried at the time. Animal defense became a concern after that.

I'd like to do some handgun hunting with the 4 inch at some point. As you can tell I'm definitely more of a double action guy. I thought about getting a spurless hammer for the Speed Six but since I do carry it in the woods I'd rather leave the spur. I've been practicing a new draw technique to prevent snagging, so far so good.