.38 woods round

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MNgearjammer

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Hi guys, new here. Just bought a Taurus m82s .38 +p, I have a few questions.

1. How well do you think a .38+p would fair in the northern minn woods for defense?

2. Wat kind of round would you suggest?

It's the 4" barrel. Also going to glacier national park next fall and was questioning if this would be adequate or should I possibly invest in a .357 ?

Thanks in advance and glad to be a new member.
 
Welcome to the forum.

Defense against what? (If it's bears I throw my hands in the air and you're on your own.)

Against people a .38 special is fine. Our police carried them for years. I personally would rather have a .357 because then I could shoot either and I don't mind the extra weight so much but again IMhO the .38 special is fine.

You are totally correct that the round you choose is very important, (I won't shoot 158 grain .357 magnums out of some small guns...too hard on my hands but 125 grain is okay). Buffalo Bore is a manufacturer that many like because they push the envelope and give you maximum performance rounds.

There may be some Taurus bashers around but (again IMhO) if your revolver is shooting okay then you've got a modern, 'strong' medium sized gun and it should be fine. I'd shoot 158 grain bullets out of it and I bet I wouldn't have sore hands or any other problems.
 
I would agree that Buffalo Bore may be your best bet if you're thinking protection from animals.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=104
It's rather expensive, but you can mostly practice with cheaper stuff and save this for times you hope you don't need it. It is comparable to typical .357 ammo in terms of mass and velocity, and the hard cast bullets should maximize penetration.

Can't say whether it would be adequate for black bears or not, but it's probably the best you'll get out of a 38 spl. If you're thinking you may see grizzlies in Glacier NP, bear spray may be a better option than a handgun.
 
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I don't mind the weight. One reason I bought it. Bears I'm not too worried about, it's the wolves we have up here and any other critters wether they're 4 legged or 2. Any holsters out there that will fit it? My daily will most likely be a 1911. It's nice, shoots mildly. Do need to find where poi vs poa is. I miss my citadel 1911.
 
Though brown bear have been killed with penetrating/hardcast .357 with shots to the head, the Alaskan State Hunting manual came with this advice: even .44 magnum is not a good brown bear cartridge. They pretty much say that any pistol is not adequate. However, I'd rather have a pistol than harsh words.

They suggest 7.62x39mm at a minimum; they say that this is fine so long as you can shoot it well. In fact they stress using a lighter recoiling rifle that you are familiar with rather than a magnum rifle that you are scared of.

Bear spray is a cheaper investment than a new pistol, and potentially more effective.
 
When I camp I carry a 12g shotgun, first round 00 buckshot for any 2 legged threats I might come across, the rest slugs. But since your brought up wolves as your primary concern I would still bring a shotgun only with buckshot. Personally I would use #4 buckshot for something like wolves or mountain lions. Both are fast and agile creatures, not something I would want a 5 or 6 round .38 for.

Since you mentioned you have a 1911, the .45acp makes for a much better woods round than the .38. With something that moves as fast as wolves, chances are you are going to be pulling that trigger pretty darn fast yourself. The 1911 not only gives you a better round, but you are getting 8+1 over 6. As far as your trip to Glacier National Park, if you run into a brown bear, your .38 isn't even close to adequate, even for black bear you are grasping at straws. If by then all you still have is the .38 and a .45acp, get some +P .45acp hardcasts. While they are not ideal for bear, it's a solid choice for what you have to work with. I still say pick up a shotgun, it's what most guides carry in the Alaska wilderness.
 
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I was just at Glacier park about two weeks ago, it was as usual outstanding. I live in south central Montana. The bear situation,, well I have run across a few black bears and a couple had with cubs. I usually just back away till the bears move on. I carry a "bear bell" as well as my 686 with mag loads or my 44 mag. I can say so far every bear I have come across has given me a wide berth. We did see one big ol bear but I'm not sure if it was a grizzly or not. This bear and my party kept our distance from each other and it was another great day in the Big Sky Country. I would suggest you wear a bear bell, buy some bear spray, and carry a gun you can shoot well. I find it is also comforting to say a short prayer when I come across a bear, hey it has worked for me for many years. Take a camera, Glacier Park is just WOW.
 
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I had a 1911. Might pick one up for the trip and daily carry. And maybe a redhawk in 44mag. I wouldn't mind a shotgun but the only one I have is a 410 auto. I'm not expecting animals too much since we would have a 4 yr old with us and if u have kids u know how loud they can be. They're gonna know we're coming lol. I want a firearm mostly for 2 legged critters along the trip out. 38 should do but with the 4" barrel I'm not to sure on carry being practical. Looks like I'm the market for a 1911. Any you guys woul reccomend? Under 1000.
 
Shotgun might get the attention of the Park Rangers...Don't know what the rules are. In Griz country I carry aM-60 using Keith's bullet and .38spec. load -1gr, or a N-Frame Smith in .44 spec. Using Keith's bullet and suggested load. Either one doesn't give me a warm fuzzy, but if a SG isn't feasable it's better than a sharp stick.
 
Shotgun might get the attention of the Park Rangers...
Click to expand...

As of 2010 you can carry a firearm in any national park in the country, that includes rifles and shotguns. The only exception is certain areas of the park are off limit's to firearms, such as federal buildings, certain campgrounds, etc...
 
thanks guys. appreciate the help. once i get home(trucker) and move im gonna have to keep an eye out for it. and any other things that might follow me home.
i saw a sr1911 and liked it. was 800 i believe at lgs where i bought the m82.

on a sidenote, think $429 was right price brand new for the m82?
 
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Welcome.
I was in the same quandary that you were in. I solved it by getting a 357 mag.
It will shoot 38 "s and 357 mags. From this you can load what ever you want depending on who/what/where/ and why. Hope this makes sense.
 
Hi guys, new here. Just bought a Taurus m82s .38 +p, I have a few questions.

1. How well do you think a .38+p would fair in the northern minn woods for defense?

2. Wat kind of round would you suggest?

It's the 4" barrel. Also going to glacier national park next fall and was questioning if this would be adequate or should I possibly invest in a .357 ?

Thanks in advance and glad to be a new member.
Click to expand...

defense against what? Grizzly, no.
 
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