Hiking/backpacking gun

C

cmdc

New member
I have been trying to decide on a revolver that will be the best overall, and posted earlier about the S&W 327. I want to conserve weight and still have adequate power, so I'm now thinking about a 329 PD or the 327 TRR8. I know that recoil in the 329 with magnums is not pleasant, so would probably shoot hotted-up 44 specials mostly.

Your advice would be greatly appreciated, including other options.
 
Is it for defense against bears, mt lions, and such? A .44 Spl would be a good choice considering recoil, and yet good performance.
Jerry
 
A Ruger 44 Special in 4.62" barrel will come in at 42oz. If you handload, you can throw 240 Hard Cast from 960-1100. Packable, potent, and comfortable to shoot.
 
The TRR8 is a pleasure to shoot, the full size grip really helps spread out the recoil. I can pretty much shoot whatever indefinitely (aside from cost :o) and not have sore hands. It weighs as much as a steel J-frame, but has a comfy grip and 2 more shots. Reloading is fast and easy with moonclips, as well as speedloaders (5 Star and Thunder Ranch are the only two present makers).

Best yet, the rails (heavy steel) are removable to make the gun even lighter. I can carry it with a pack it in a Bianchi X15 shoulder holster. I also plan to rig up a kydex "over/behind the shoulder" holster, which would be far easier to draw from for someone with a large pack. If OWB is more your style, Galco makes a very good holster, as well.

Though I'm sure some would debate it, .357 hard cast is reputed (if not the standard) as great bear-bane. For anything outside of Alaska, it is more than sufficient.

TCB
 
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If you can afford it, the 329 PD at 25 oz.! (unloaded wt.) is what I'd go with.
I love the .44 Special round, and having the capability to run .44 Magnums through there too if need be (like maybe if you're backpacking in the bearish wilderness or such) is very attractive. I've always hankered for one and if I was was rich, would already have it.

I like the flexibility of light but powerful guns but, then, I have big strong carpenter's hands so don't mind shooting them at all... I'd say hand strength is a big consideration when contemplating such a gun.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57770_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

Being poor, my .44 lust is currently limited to a Charter Bulldog (.44 Special only) but I like it a lot.
 
I have a 329PD and it is a great gun. With the 500SW grip, hot Specials can be shot all day long and you can shoot enough magnums to be proficient with it without getting uncomfortable. I shot a box of magnums in a sitting and though I knew the next day that I had done it, it was not bad at all. The biggest issue I have with the gun is the frame size. I have average hands at the N frame is really a bit too big. Given the light weight of the gun, in rapid double action I have problems keeping the muzzle from being pulled down.

The other option you did not list is the Taurus Tracker. I have one of the no longer made titanium 41 magnums, honestly it is probably better than the 329PD in that it is a bit smaller and easy to shoot, yet relatively close to the same power.

A lot of people start throwing out the Blackhawk etc, and I have to say you have to know what kind of backpacking you will be doing. I do serious trips where ounces are pounds and pounds are murder. Those heavy pistols would simply stay in the truck. I have seen people claim that the weight won't bother them then by the third day the gun is in the truck.
 
Colorado Rockies mostly. My wife has freaked because there have been numerous bear and some lion sightings here. She has gone from a gun skeptic to "do you have a gun with you?". Anyway, all good suggestions here. I have a Ruger Blackhawk 44 Special with Bisley grip which I love, but as one of you pointed out, ounces become pounds, especially when I am carrying my and my wife's stuff. I am the pack mule when we go anywhere, especially backpacking. Well, usually just day hiking really. And it's not just 4-legged critters; I have had a few hinky experiences over the years with the 2-legged variety while hiking as well. One was on Air Force Academy land, so not removed from civilization at all.
 
The 329pd is probably the most flexible N-Frames if you reload. You can load it for Liberals to shoot or you can load for attacks by armor-plated grizzlies. All in a lightweight package.

Here is some information you might find helpful.
 
When I head into bear country, it's either my SW 625 Mountain Gun in 45 LC or something a little lighter with more power, a Glock 20.
 
Thanks guys. I do have both Glock 10mm's, the SF models 20 and 29, and I know they are perfect for this application. I still want to get a revolver as well, though, and am now trying to decide btwn the 329 and the 327, since you have given both of them positive reviews. I thought the link one of you sent me was both I formative and hysterical.
 
I 'used' to pack a .357 BH 6 1/2" everywhere when hiking/camping/fishing on my hip back in the early 80s. Also had a .22 in the backpack when hiking. Now I just pack either the .45 Colt BH 5 1/2", .45 Colt Vaquero, or .44Spec BH 5 1/2"....
 
.357 Magnum?

Howdy,

Thread tangeant alert: Would a 4-inch barreled Ruger GP-100 stoked with full house .357 loads be adequate for hiking in "bar"/ Cougar country? I ask because I'm not sure..
 
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Larry, bear threads take a life of their own. You will NOT get an answer. Have .357s killed grizzlies? Yes, a decent number of them. Some will tell you it is sufficient and better to have a controllable gun to place the whole cylinder where it belongs. Others will tell you nothing short of towed artillery is sufficient.
 
If we're talking Colorado, that excludes grizzlies yes?

As for mountain lions, I live in the black hills which has a fairly dense population of them, but National Park Rangers, National Forest Rangers, and long time residents will all say that lions will go out of their way to avoid humans. It may be different if little kids are out and about, but I hike out in the middle of nowhere with no fear of lions, even at night. Not sure if the Colorado variety are any more dangerous.

It is also my understanding that lions aren't especially tough. They don't really want to tangle with something that fights back, so a gun of almost any caliber is a good deterrent. A bigger issue would be having time to draw, aim, and hit one before it was on you (if one did attack).

I wouldn't think black bears would pose much of a threat either, but they would be tougher. Still, I'd feel okay with a .357 loaded with 180 grain hard cast bullets. That would allow some lighter weight, trimmer firearms options that would be more comfortable to carry.
 
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