sidearm for trail running?
- Thread starter GVR
- Start date
writwing
Single-Sixer
EVR said:
Rest assured you don't need to explain anything to me concerning wolves.
'nuf said
Tony_The_Liger
Bearcat
To get back on topic, I'd recommend the Ruger sp101 or the Smith m&p 340. they are light enough and versatile enough for this niche in my opinion. I like the sp101's that gemini customs puts out (minus the porting). Model KSP-321XL of the SP101 is just sweet. The 340 is small enough to pocket carry in case you don't bring the pack or camelback, and won't pull your gym shorts down to your ankles like an sp101 would!
Since the OP mentioned .44 as an option, perhaps the newer 4" redhawk would be a good choice. It's bigger than the others, but could probably take down a bear. The 3" gp100 would also be a sweet sidearm but in my opinion these last two are a little big for running the trails.
Since the OP mentioned .44 as an option, perhaps the newer 4" redhawk would be a good choice. It's bigger than the others, but could probably take down a bear. The 3" gp100 would also be a sweet sidearm but in my opinion these last two are a little big for running the trails.
Running with a Gp or a Redhawk would be for someone with suspenders + a very good belt or a shoulder holster. They weigh in at almost 3 lbs a piece. They'd beat you to death and you'd be left as pickins for the critters. Ha ha. Each to their own!
gramps
gramps
COR
Blackhawk
While I don't run with one as I am more of a "hiker". I do ride a mtn bike and I wear a Camelbak at times with a 38 or a G26. This is not very quick into action and if you plan on carrying this way I would suggest a lot of practice bringing the Camelbak to the front of your body and unzipping and presenting the weapon. It is not about speed so just try to be smooth and efficient.
Most times now I just carry a 4 5/8" Single Six in 22MAG in a Sourdough pancake made by Simply Rugged. I carry it on my off side and it lays very flat with a good belt. You can't wear spandex with a rig like this but I wouldn't be caught dead in spandex either...
Most times now I just carry a 4 5/8" Single Six in 22MAG in a Sourdough pancake made by Simply Rugged. I carry it on my off side and it lays very flat with a good belt. You can't wear spandex with a rig like this but I wouldn't be caught dead in spandex either...
AzRebel
Single-Sixer
For whatever reason, there's been a LOT of threads on the 'net in the last few months on "trail guns".
And it's a fairly wide open subject that remains dependent on needs, preferences, and other factors. Fact is, every one of my handguns has been used for a "trail gun" at some point, and each filled the need for the day quite well.
I noticed that Calthrop suggested a full size, like maybe a G22. Great gun, and a great suggestion....if the gun fits your hand. Calthrop's a big fella, with big hands, and I'm pretty sure a G22 would fit him just about right.
Me? I stand 5'7", and weigh in around 140. I wea4r a medium sized glove, and a G22 doesn't fit me very well. No big deal; I carry a G23 instead.
I reckon what I'm getting at is to carry what fits you, both on your belt, and in your hand.
I've spent an awful lot of time in the outdoors over my lifetime. I've been steadily in country that held mtn lions, coyotes, bear, and other critters that might present a threat. I've always been armed when outdoors, and I've yet to have to use a firearm in self-defense.
and I've had a called in fox that jumped over my head and scratched my face, and once managed to kick a live, wild, unwounded javalina in the head. I've been very close to wildlfe on many occasions.
Does that mean I suggest not carrying a firearm? Nope. I carry one every hour I'm awake, and keep one very close when I'm not.
But I don't get overly carried away with what I'm going to carry, either. Just about any reliable firearm chambered in .357, .41 mag, .45 Colt, .44 special, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 10mm, or some compareable cartridge will suffice for the vast majority of situations where some sort of critter needs shot. It's just a matter of finding the handgun that best suits the preferences of the shooter.
Heck, if it weren't for the increase in border violence of late, I'd carry a .22 pistol as often as not. As things are, I only carry one now in addition to something larger.
Good luck!
Daryl
And it's a fairly wide open subject that remains dependent on needs, preferences, and other factors. Fact is, every one of my handguns has been used for a "trail gun" at some point, and each filled the need for the day quite well.
I noticed that Calthrop suggested a full size, like maybe a G22. Great gun, and a great suggestion....if the gun fits your hand. Calthrop's a big fella, with big hands, and I'm pretty sure a G22 would fit him just about right.
Me? I stand 5'7", and weigh in around 140. I wea4r a medium sized glove, and a G22 doesn't fit me very well. No big deal; I carry a G23 instead.
I reckon what I'm getting at is to carry what fits you, both on your belt, and in your hand.
I've spent an awful lot of time in the outdoors over my lifetime. I've been steadily in country that held mtn lions, coyotes, bear, and other critters that might present a threat. I've always been armed when outdoors, and I've yet to have to use a firearm in self-defense.
and I've had a called in fox that jumped over my head and scratched my face, and once managed to kick a live, wild, unwounded javalina in the head. I've been very close to wildlfe on many occasions.
Does that mean I suggest not carrying a firearm? Nope. I carry one every hour I'm awake, and keep one very close when I'm not.
But I don't get overly carried away with what I'm going to carry, either. Just about any reliable firearm chambered in .357, .41 mag, .45 Colt, .44 special, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 10mm, or some compareable cartridge will suffice for the vast majority of situations where some sort of critter needs shot. It's just a matter of finding the handgun that best suits the preferences of the shooter.
Heck, if it weren't for the increase in border violence of late, I'd carry a .22 pistol as often as not. As things are, I only carry one now in addition to something larger.
Good luck!
Daryl
I'll play troublemaker;
I've carried a .22 for many miles. Well, MANY.
All the stuff about not needing a gun at all is absolutely true.
Unless you need one...
And then, the power level of that gun is never going to be "too much".
I fall into a small number of people that have had to use a pistol for defense of myself tho admittedly it was not an unaggravated incident that caused the need {a hunted bear}. NEVER during the incident did I once wish for less power in my gun...
The point I'm making is this; With current land management practices in Washington State where the OP lives, the future appears that bear, lion and wolves MAY become more habituated in some areas and less skittish around people. IF that pans out to be the case and IF he goes down to an attack similar to what occured to the woman jogger in AK, more bullets, not less, and more power, not less, is going to be working in his advantage.
The likelihood of his need is small, admittedly, but if he continues to do the things he is doing, his chances of needing that pistol will be much higher than the need one might have who lives in, say, New Jersey, Connecticut, downtown Spokane or Minneapolis, and who rarely if ever gets into the woods.
A friend of mine stopped a lion attack with his old S&W M28. These things occur to those who LIVE here. They go unreported and never reach the level of significance to those who are members of the industrial legislative class or are members of industrial academia.
As with crime, it is easy to cite when guns were used to CAUSE a crime. But how many are used to stop it?
Stuff happens in the woods that many urbanites only think happens in fairy tales and Hollywood movies.
OP, be careful, and do your homework on the gun you choose, and best to you for being an example of physical fitness for those who can ues the encouragement to get out and DO IT. :)
I've carried a .22 for many miles. Well, MANY.
All the stuff about not needing a gun at all is absolutely true.
Unless you need one...
And then, the power level of that gun is never going to be "too much".
I fall into a small number of people that have had to use a pistol for defense of myself tho admittedly it was not an unaggravated incident that caused the need {a hunted bear}. NEVER during the incident did I once wish for less power in my gun...
The point I'm making is this; With current land management practices in Washington State where the OP lives, the future appears that bear, lion and wolves MAY become more habituated in some areas and less skittish around people. IF that pans out to be the case and IF he goes down to an attack similar to what occured to the woman jogger in AK, more bullets, not less, and more power, not less, is going to be working in his advantage.
The likelihood of his need is small, admittedly, but if he continues to do the things he is doing, his chances of needing that pistol will be much higher than the need one might have who lives in, say, New Jersey, Connecticut, downtown Spokane or Minneapolis, and who rarely if ever gets into the woods.
A friend of mine stopped a lion attack with his old S&W M28. These things occur to those who LIVE here. They go unreported and never reach the level of significance to those who are members of the industrial legislative class or are members of industrial academia.
As with crime, it is easy to cite when guns were used to CAUSE a crime. But how many are used to stop it?
Stuff happens in the woods that many urbanites only think happens in fairy tales and Hollywood movies.
OP, be careful, and do your homework on the gun you choose, and best to you for being an example of physical fitness for those who can ues the encouragement to get out and DO IT. :)
Quarterbore
Blackhawk
I am so late getting into this one it is probably posted in here that you already bought a gun but I will add my $0.02 anyways. I really like the Glock 20 and to get the power the 10mm can offer you really need the longer barrel of the Glock 20 over the 29. A 6-inch barrel is even better but then the guns starts getting a bit too long to be handy.
I do not shoot a lot of very hot 10mm ammo but my favorite is the 200gr WFNGC Hardcast loads from double tap: http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=105
Load a mag of these and add a second mag in a pouch with a good hollow point (I think I carry the Hornady 180gr TXH JHPs) and you have 15rds for tough critters and a reload for 15rds of bullets that will not punch small holes straight through a person sized target (coyoyes or smaller for example).
Running with the Glock 20 will require a decent holster however as this is not a light gun even though I think it is lighter then anything else you listed. I am too out of shape to run myself but I can walk with the Glock 20 just fine!
I do not shoot a lot of very hot 10mm ammo but my favorite is the 200gr WFNGC Hardcast loads from double tap: http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=105
Load a mag of these and add a second mag in a pouch with a good hollow point (I think I carry the Hornady 180gr TXH JHPs) and you have 15rds for tough critters and a reload for 15rds of bullets that will not punch small holes straight through a person sized target (coyoyes or smaller for example).
Running with the Glock 20 will require a decent holster however as this is not a light gun even though I think it is lighter then anything else you listed. I am too out of shape to run myself but I can walk with the Glock 20 just fine!
Here comes that dang Glock 10mm again...
Temptation, oh the temptation. Hard for me to justify getting one when I already have a SIG .357, but...
really, gotta be the best field pistol ever made, and I don't own one...
It is, as you say, quite big and bulky. Regardless, a great pistol.
Temptation, oh the temptation. Hard for me to justify getting one when I already have a SIG .357, but...
really, gotta be the best field pistol ever made, and I don't own one...
It is, as you say, quite big and bulky. Regardless, a great pistol.
M'BOGO
Buckeye
EVR said:
In a Ruger revolver thread, this warms my heart.
P.S. Buy it now, $360 http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=209496980
Calthrop
Single-Sixer
In the above link it looks like the ports were put in, by hand, with a Dremel Tool.
I like the 3" GP-100 in a Wilderness Products safepacker. The gun is closed up and there are two [2] speed loaders in with it. It has a shoulder strap and room for a belt. It is padded. With the amount of Scotchguard it absorbed it should float. The little pouch on top carries my car keys or two speed strips of reload. I is great for use in the car because it an unauthorized user would have trouble getting into it. However it's right there on the seat belt. I'm getting one for the glock!
That was not a commercial in the strictest since. Like Az Reblel before I could afford a Single-Six I carried a USMC combat knife. I did not get into any Rambo style escapades. If I knew where I was going I was "rambling" and if I was lost and discovered to be on private property {armed: in Arizona a knife is an offensive weapon.} "I'm Adventuring"! The formula applies to this day unless the fly rod is in the weeds and the gold pan is in my hands.
I stand by the Glock 20sf. Yes EVR there are some adequate .357Sig drip in barrels available for it. Though I do believe,as did the late Mr. Bill Ruger, the common mans walking around gun is a Ruger Product. Single action .45 convertibles and the 3" and masterful 5" GP-100. Now if I convince all of you Single-Six shooters that the Bear Cat is a firearm to be reckoned with we might grow us up a generation of pistol shoot'n marksmen!
For Daryl going healed is a natural act. There are to many reasons why he dose. Best to say he can. k Calthrop
I like the 3" GP-100 in a Wilderness Products safepacker. The gun is closed up and there are two [2] speed loaders in with it. It has a shoulder strap and room for a belt. It is padded. With the amount of Scotchguard it absorbed it should float. The little pouch on top carries my car keys or two speed strips of reload. I is great for use in the car because it an unauthorized user would have trouble getting into it. However it's right there on the seat belt. I'm getting one for the glock!
That was not a commercial in the strictest since. Like Az Reblel before I could afford a Single-Six I carried a USMC combat knife. I did not get into any Rambo style escapades. If I knew where I was going I was "rambling" and if I was lost and discovered to be on private property {armed: in Arizona a knife is an offensive weapon.} "I'm Adventuring"! The formula applies to this day unless the fly rod is in the weeds and the gold pan is in my hands.
I stand by the Glock 20sf. Yes EVR there are some adequate .357Sig drip in barrels available for it. Though I do believe,as did the late Mr. Bill Ruger, the common mans walking around gun is a Ruger Product. Single action .45 convertibles and the 3" and masterful 5" GP-100. Now if I convince all of you Single-Six shooters that the Bear Cat is a firearm to be reckoned with we might grow us up a generation of pistol shoot'n marksmen!
For Daryl going healed is a natural act. There are to many reasons why he dose. Best to say he can. k Calthrop
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