Back country carry gun

[JakeH]

Since I am used to shooting and carrying Glocks, I’d take a 10mm Glock if I were in Grizzly country.

 

[ldmay375]

As with any firearm, the trail/packing/outdoor companion handgun is a personal choice thing. Of the two that you are considering, I would go with the S&W 69. I do not own either, but have a Super Redhawk in 5" (454/45 Colt). I normally use a chest holster in outdoors.

"I think" that I would choose a 3 or 4" S&W 629 to cover both areas mentioned. Or two totally different, one to cover each location situation. I find that the 4",629, in a chest holster, is a relatively comfortable companion. I do not use hot loads in it. Factory loaded Federal Cast Core, 300 grain flat point hard cast (when I can actually find them on shelves). Hand Loads would be something equivalent. I hope a don't run across a 41 or 44 of Mountain Gun version of the 629, I don't think that I could resist buying it.

I prefer single actions over double action revolvers. But, concede the double action can have advantages in the most dire circumstances. As can 6 shots instead of 5.

I'm considering a Ruger Alaskan vs S&W 69 - both in .44 Magnum. The Ruger is about $200 more - do you guys think it's worth it?

I'm in AZ, but I do find myself hiking in Montana usually once each summer.

 

[Bullthrower338]

One that hasn’t been mentioned on here but takes a little bit to find a nice example is the Lew Horton 3” 29’s or 629. I had several of these over the years and am always on a look out for one at a reasonable price. What a great revolver. We used to get them for under 600 bucks.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/787145057

 

[Tam Dl]

It's never the popular opinion on a gun forum, but bear spray has proven time and time again to be far more effective in saving your life than any handgun. That being said, I'm not sure how they work in the dead of winter; it may very well be the exception to the rule.

This guy famously got mauled twice, and both the spray and the gun were of lessor use.

A couple of the recent killings I read about involved black bears, 3 incidents in one month in which they attacked people in tents. The kind of situation where bear spray has limited use. Not that I particularly expect to find my gun either.

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Assuming the law is neutral, I would like to have a a rifle for this kind of thing. A really heavy snub nose is not my kind of thing, seems mostly a convenience thing. Easy to say since they aren't legal anyway up here.

 

[BeeMaa]

Whichever way you decide to go, make sure you hit the range and practice.
Muscle memory is real and it can save your life.
Don't believe me...try brushing your teeth with the other hand.
Practice with your firearm like your life depends on it, because it just might.

 

[Von S.]

Since my last poor showing at the range with the S&W 500 a very kind member here sent me a pm with words of encouragement to keep trying and to not give up.

I mounted a 2x8 scope, went to the range and sighted it in with a rest..

Off the bench on a bag at 50 yards I hit 2 for 2; and then stood up with my sticks hit 5 for 5 at the same distance .

I took 5 cuts off the sticks at 100 and hit 3 out of 5 which I am pleased with. For now anyway.

I'll try some more when my hand stops hurting.

Thanks Ed.

 

[ChrisG]

Don't overlook the .45 Super. It can be fired from virtually any fully supported .45 ACP in limited quantities and with about $200 worth of at home modifications to the gun (depending on make), you can get 600-750ft.lbs out of it with, the capability of shooting up to 275-300 grain bullets, and not really have a gun that kicks that much harder than a .45 ACP. I love mine and carry it for follow-up on black bear. The load is a 200 grain HCWFN that I cast myself and push to about 1,200 fps with Alliant Power Pistol.

 

[Rick Cox]

I like my 329 PD S&W. I have a ruger Alaskan in 454 and it shoots good. It is heavy as hell though. I bought it when it first came out, when it arrived I was surprised at the weight and it never really grew on me.
The 329 is super light and a good shooter. You forget it’s on you but always know it’s there.
Another packing gun that I really like is the 2-1/2” Redhawk in 41 Mag. The guys at the office bought it for me last year for my bday and I love it. I am kind of partial to the 41 though.
View attachment 250416

I can't imagine a world where the guys at work could (or would) give you a handgun for your birthday! But that's Canada for you...

 

[Bullthrower338]

I can't imagine a world where the guys at work could (or would) give you a handgun for your birthday! But that's Canada for you...

Obviously they aren’t worried about work place violence! Lol

 

[sierraone]

One that hasn’t been mentioned on here but takes a little bit to find a nice example is the Lew Horton 3” 29’s or 629. I had several of these over the years and am always on a look out for one at a reasonable price. What a great revolver. We used to get them for under 600 bucks.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/787145057

You're just a youngster if $600 is as far as you go back! I remember blue M 29s listing for $239. After Dirty Harry came out, the demand pushed them up to around $400 plus in Arkansas!

 

[sierraone]

I can't imagine a world where the guys at work could (or would) give you a handgun for your birthday! But that's Canada for you...

If you exclude California and the north east U.S. this is quite common.

 

[Bullthrower338]

If you exclude California and the north east U.S. this is quite common.

We used to bring our rifles on the school bus in Montana on fridays so we could ride the bus home and hunt at our buddies place. Bet that doesn’t fly anywhere anymore!

 

[kevin masters]

springfield xds in 45 is compact, light and comfortable!

 

[sierraone]

We used to bring our rifles on the school bus in Montana on fridays so we could ride the bus home and hunt at our buddies place. Bet that doesn’t fly anywhere anymore!

This didn't finally stop in small town Arkansas until the mid-90s. My son who is 40 now was in high school when it pretty much stopped. I personally believe you could still find rural school districts that allowed this if you looked hard enough. Rural Ar schools used to be out on the first day of deer season in my younger days!

 

[larry4831]

If I were in grizzly country I would carry a Ruger super Blackhawk Bisley in the 480 Ruger caliber. It doesn’t kick much harder than hot loaded 44 Magnum rounds, but it hits a whole lot harder. A 425 grain hard cast bullet loaded to about 1150 1200 ft./s . Or a Ruger Redhawk in 45 colt with hand loaded 360 grain hard cast bullets.

 

[flat8]

All good advice. I'm leaning toward a 629 with a 4 inch barrel. Still compact enough for back-country duty but a little more versatile. Also considering a 69 but a little concerned about the L-frame with magnum loads. Thoughts?

 

[kevin masters]

I have a 629 in 8 3/8" barrel. great shooting gun! the 4" barrel should fit your bill.

 

[leslie hetrick]

as black bear, coyotes and wild dogs are the only threats here, well maybe two legged buggers. I carry this S&W SS 624 in 44 special loaded with hard cast keith style bullets loaded pretty hot. and don,t feel under gunned.

 

[Von S.]

Ok!

So at 6'5" and 270 with hands like a bunch of bananas that S&W still feels huge, BUT damned if I can't hit pretty good with t now.

With a 350 gr jackted hp at psychotic speed it knocks a deer right over I found out yesterday evening. Though I was off about 3 inches where I actually aimed.

I went from not being able to not save my life to not smelling life dog rockets with it.

 

[sgt_zim]

If I were in grizzly country I would carry a Ruger super Blackhawk Bisley in the 480 Ruger caliber. It doesn’t kick much harder than hot loaded 44 Magnum rounds, but it hits a whole lot harder. A 425 grain hard cast bullet loaded to about 1150 1200 ft./s . Or a Ruger Redhawk in 45 colt with hand loaded 360 grain hard cast bullets.

Why the Blackhawk and not the Redhawk? Is it the SA vs DA, or something else? Just curious. I'm looking at 480 Ruger myself.

Beartooth Bullets makes a 325 gr WFNGC with a .390 meplat that can be pushed to 1400 FPS. I shoot BTB 425 and 525 gr out of my 45-70 at about 1600 fps. I'm really impressed with bullet performance and consistency. BTB also makes a 420 WFNGC with a .385 meplat, but you can order the bullets in .476, .477, or .478. It'll work with 480 Ruger and 475 Linebaugh.

I'd think the Redhawk would handle the recoil a bit better.