Trail/hiking handgun

Ruger SP-101

I would be 100% for a Ruger SP-101 .357 Magnum with the 3 1/16" barrel. Those that I have shot with .357 Magnum loads were commanding but controllable and compact.

I would load the first one or two chambers with snake shot and the rest with a quality SJSP.

Living in the Southeast, and, because I already have 3 of them, my trail/hiking gun at this time typically is a Ruger Speed-Six .357 Magnum with the 2 3/4" barrel. The balance is good in them. They feel slightly smaller than the Ruger GP-100. They handle recoil quite well. Have very smooth trigger pulls. And, out to 25 yards, put 158 grain bullets right where I aim.

You can see how easy it is to carry along for the ride or hike. By the way, a good holster makes a difference.
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I usually just carry my 1911 sometimes my hi-power. My cabin is in a small wildlife club surrounded by several thousand acres of private forrest in old family estates. There are tons of deer, bear, bobcat/lynx, fox, yotes, snakes, etc all around, so its best to keep something handy, just in case. With the exception of snakes, and the almost tame ducks, the majority of the animals dont get that close, unless there is something wrong. Nothing unusual seeing a bear walk through going to the lake in front of the cabin, or the meadow in front of the club house filled with deer in the evening as the sun goes down.

I would not feel undergunned with a small 3" or so revolver in 38 or 357 either though. Not sure I would go much below that. But again its my opinion

I would say if you wanted something different maybe a j frame smith, or maybe another Ruger sp101 or gp100.
 
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My answer to the same specs. turned out to be a Taurus PT-145. Same size or smaller than a Commander 1911, but holds 10+1 of .45acp. Nice sights.

Taurus haters won't like it, but mine has been a gem for 3-4 years.
 
Does anyone have opinions either pro or con concerning Charter Arms revolvers? I don't know anyone who owns one, but the prices seem OK.
 
I would agree with Glock 20. I don't go into the wilds as much anymore but if I take out the trash in my backyard thats the gun that I will carry. 15rds of 10mm in a controllable/rugged package
 
A Ruger .22 Single Six is what I carry when out & about.

I have javelina in my yard quite often. They will come after the dogs, but they always run from me. The ones I have shot weigh around 35 lbs.
 
Does anyone have opinions either pro or con concerning Charter Arms revolvers? I don't know anyone who owns one, but the prices seem OK.
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Lots of folks bad-mouth Charter Arms, but they are serviceable weapons for a good price. They're not finished as well as S&W, but they're half the price too.
 
Hello azmark,,,

Does anyone have opinions either pro or con concerning Charter Arms revolvers? I don't know anyone who owns one, but the prices seem OK.
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A lady friend of mine has two Charter Arms revolvers,,,
One of them is the 2" Undercover in .38 Special,,,
The other is the 4" Pathfinder in .22 LR,,,
Both guns perform very well.

I shoot them with her a lot,,,
They aren't as pretty as my S&W's,,,
But they function equally as well for a lower cost.

Aarond
 
It's my opinion that a Glock 20 is one of the best woods guns, unless brown bears are a threat and then I'd go bigger, but seeing your location I don't think brown bears are of much concern. The Glock 20 is on my wishlist for this exact purpose, but in the meantime I feel pretty good with my Glock 23.
 
I've heard a lot more favorable reports on the CA guns than unfavorable and the favorable ones are from far more trusted sources. So for function I wouldn't have an issue going with one. But personally there isn't much I like about em. I don't like the finish, their grips, their triggers, etc. I also don't like the fact that the .22lr Pathfinder is only a 6 shot when most of the DA competition is 9 or better.

On another note, they don't seem to be as much of a value anymore. Around here the .22lr CA is going for better than $350 and I can buy many what I consider better guns for the same or less money and some really great guns for not much more. Albeit, when it comes to centerfires I'm generally limited to the used market.

LK
 
Why not just carry a decent rifle? Handguns are always a compromise.
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Ever had to dispatch a wounded/paralyzed deer at point-blank range with a .270 or .30-.06? I makes quite a mess. That's the main reason I carry a sidearm when I'm hunting.
 
The Ruger SP101 in .357 at 26 oz. makes an excellent CCW and belt gun for trail walking. Can handle two legged varmints too.
 
This may be overkill. But, when hiking or camping, I carry my 5-shot Rossi M720 44 Special filled with Federal Hydra-Shoks.

Once, during a hike, I heard something growling in the bushes that sounded like more than what the little Walther .380 I had could handle.

So the next time I went out, I brought something a little..."bigger".

Plus I think I bought it used for $150.00. So I'm not too concerned about it getting scratched up etc.
 
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