Better Camping Gun?

My camping/hiking/canoeing handgun for the past several years has been a 2.75" ruger security six loaded with doubletap 180gr cast flatpoints. Since I do 99% of my outdoor activities in the northeastern or central US, I am comfortable with that choice. If I was out in the rockies, I think you would find a .44 or .45 ruger blackhawk on my hip. When I have the "luxury" of going car camping with my wife and sons, I add a will also bring along my 4lb folding .40 Keltec sub2k loaded with DT's 180gr XTP's that zip out of the 16" barrel at 1400fps/783lbs. If, I need to carry everything on my back...the sub2k stays home and I take a few extra butterfingers and granola bars;)
 
When camping, I always have my Uberti Cattleman 45 LC sixgun and Bersa Mini Firestorm 9. What could be better outdoor that a sixgun hangin on your cartridge belt ?
 
Another vote for the Glock, based on the following:

I'm assuming 2 leggeds are the issue. If 4 leggeds are a concern, I'd be inclined to vote "none of the above." The Glock will hold more and is lighter for the amount of fire-power provided. While camping, light is helpful; the SP101 is a great little revolver; one of my faves; me, I'd opt for the Glock.

PS: If 4 leggeds are the issue and these are the only two arrows in the quiver and you must choose one arrow: SP101 with .357s.
 
SP101; dealing with animals I'd much, much rather have 5 rounds of .357 than a few mags full of 9mm.

My reasoning: revolvers tend to be more powerful per shot compared to autos. Even out a short barrel, .357 should outperform 9mm. Check ballistics charts. Within its intended caliber specs a revolver doesn't care how hot its ammo is, but an auto won't cycle reliably if you try to load it up to something approaching magnum performance. 10mm does a fair impression, but for some reason it's not an auto caliber of choice.

Ammo is very important. If your gun can't throw a 200 gr hardcast bullet at 1,000+ fps, there's a chance it won't penetrate a large animal deep enough to strike something vital. You don't want anything that expands; you need something that can plow through bones and a few feet of meat. I think .357 fills this role well, and it can also be backed up with a few speedloaders of .38+p hollowpoints if you're worried about 2-legged critters.

If you decide to pick up a lightweight camping gun sometime in the future, you might consider a Smith model 327, 386, 329, 620, 686 Mountain Gun, or 5" model 60. A 3" SP101 is also not a bad choice. Snub .44's like a Ruger Alaskan or 3" Smith 629 also work, but they're heavier.
 
Go the Glock

Doesn't matter if it gets dirty, wet or generally abused :D

Keep your good guns at home for the range & showin' off :D
 
Go with the revolver. You can load it with appropriate ammo. You want a big, heavy flat nosed hard cast running as hot as you can get it when dealing with toothy animals.
 
I was shopping with a similar goal this week. Almost bought the SP 101, but went with a .44 mag instead. But I carry in a waist pouch. If it was to be in my pack, I'd pick the lighter firearm. The SP 101 didn't last long though. Was gone when I came back for the 44. The small Derringer style .357 found a new home too.
 
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