Yagoro
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Post by Yagoro on Dec 5, 2022 6:21:48 GMT
Looking at good pistols to carry while out camping, as, lets face it, japanese swords are not optimal for that. Neither is a mauser or a 1920s remington lol. Ive been looking at ruger wranglers, as well as ria m200s: how are they?
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Zen_Hydra
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Dec 5, 2022 15:45:59 GMT
For a general outdoor "walking-around" firearm, my brother is pretty fond of his Taurus Judge.
That said, it would certainly make recommendations easier if you had a specific role in mind for this potential sidearm.
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Post by Lord Newport on Dec 5, 2022 16:35:28 GMT
That said, it would certainly make recommendations easier if you had a specific role in mind for this potential sidearm. Agreed with Zen. Its hard to recommend a handgun unless you specify its primary use; plinking, self defense are the two big categories to start with. Then you should specify self defense against what two or four legged predators. Stainless steel is my preferred finish for a hunting/camping sidearm but polymer framed handguns are popular too. |
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tera
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Post by tera on Dec 5, 2022 16:55:34 GMT
As others have said, depends on why you think you need a pistol. If to defend against bear attacks, the Taurus Judge is a solid choice. They can often be had for little used as many people buy them, shoot them once or twice, then decide it makes their wrist sting and sell it.
If you are thinking survivalism, a .22lr is a good way to take small game (NOT dear or anything like that). A stainless Ruger MK (any variation, but IV is best) is what I'd go with for pistol. A survival rifle would be better for accuracy if you plan to live off squirrel or rabbit (where legal, etc). A used Ruger 10/22 takedown or basic bolt-action would be cheap. Why .22lr? Sufficient for small game and you can carry dozens of rounds for the same weight as larger calibers.
If you're worried about 2 legged predators, maybe we should be rethinking the camping trip altogether, or at least the intended camping spot. Avoiding trouble where possible as good a policy as preparing for it, if not better.
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Post by howler on Dec 5, 2022 20:29:47 GMT
.357 magnum is kinda neat because of large variance of power level for intended purpose. You can shoot weak, standard, +p 38 S&W, or switch to weak, standard, hot .357. You can even load for snake shot if needed. Versatile. Heavy .357 will handle all in lower 48 but be less than ideal on Brown Bear, Moose.
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Yagoro
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Post by Yagoro on Dec 10, 2022 3:06:12 GMT
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Post by ranstone on Dec 31, 2022 0:51:15 GMT
Rock Island Armory M206 .38 Special Revolver. (280$) or pay an extra 120$ and get the Taurus Judge.
The M206:
✔-Cheap to buy
✔-Cheap to shoot
X-.38 special will just piss off a bear.
X- Hard to shoot snakes.
The Judge:
X- can be kinda expensive compared to other budget pistols.
X- Ammo variants can be expensive.
✔-Shoots 410 shotgun shells for defeating snakes, and colt.45 long rounds, to drop a large animal.
If you're worried about bipedal adversaries, either is a fine choice.
Edit: yes, the Taurus judge takes shotgun shells and .45 long colt rounds. It's a wacky handgun.
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Post by Lord Newport on Dec 31, 2022 18:04:28 GMT
Not a bad choice...Congrats! I would have chosen something in a larger caliber but stopping power is a function of two things...Shot placement and penetration. Shoot someone in the right place with a ,22 and they will be just as dead. Just aim well and or empty the cylinder. |
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Post by Drunk Merchant on Jan 26, 2023 0:46:44 GMT
The only one I’ve used for trips is an LCP. It doesn’t seem intuitive but a huge advantage is that at the size of a cell phone it’s very easy to conceal and store. And that might matter more than having something on paper better but less accessible. I’m not worried about animals in the south though, just carjackers.
I guess if grizzlies and wolves are a concern the M57A is has a good safety, is fairly narrow and carriable, tough, and has a rifle like cartridge with a very flat trajectory, 357magnum power and controllable recoil. There’s stories about downed pilots during the war using older Tokarevs to fend off wildlife so seems to work. But older stuff isn’t safe to keep chambered.
Oh and both are pretty cheap.
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Post by howler on Jan 26, 2023 2:44:33 GMT
The only one I’ve used for trips is an LCP. It doesn’t seem intuitive but a huge advantage is that at the size of a cell phone it’s very easy to conceal and store. And that might matter more than having something on paper better but less accessible. I’m not worried about animals in the south though, just carjackers. I guess if grizzlies and wolves are a concern the M57A is has a good safety, is fairly narrow and carriable, tough, and has a rifle like cartridge with a very flat trajectory, 357magnum power and controllable recoil. There’s stories about downed pilots during the war using older Tokarevs to fend off wildlife so seems to work. But older stuff isn’t safe to keep chambered. Oh and both are pretty cheap. Ruger LCP .380 max is amazing at 10oz. empty & with 12 round mag capacity. Great for lightweight backpacking. |
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Post by unistat76 on Jan 26, 2023 3:57:12 GMT
Nice! Good choice. That gun will likely last generations if you take care of it. |
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Post by unistat76 on Jan 26, 2023 3:58:52 GMT
.357 magnum is kinda neat because of large variance of power level for intended purpose. You can shoot weak, standard, +p 38 S&W, or switch to weak, standard, hot .357. You can even load for snake shot if needed. Versatile. Heavy .357 will handle all in lower 48 but be less than ideal on Brown Bear, Moose. I generally carry a S&W Model 13 when I'm woods bumming. It'll do for anything here in Michigan. |
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Post by howler on Jan 26, 2023 5:48:58 GMT
.357 magnum is kinda neat because of large variance of power level for intended purpose. You can shoot weak, standard, +p 38 S&W, or switch to weak, standard, hot .357. You can even load for snake shot if needed. Versatile. Heavy .357 will handle all in lower 48 but be less than ideal on Brown Bear, Moose. I generally carry a S&W Model 13 when I'm woods bumming. It'll do for anything here in Michigan. Good gun. I have a Ruger SP 101 5 shot with 3" barrel that is nice for compact revolver carry, and it's one rugged gun. |
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Post by Drunk Merchant on Jan 27, 2023 5:35:28 GMT
Gonna use one of these as a trail gun btw  A shame they’re not 100$ anymore because if so they might have won the thread. I modded mine by mothballing the og mainspring and installing a modern replacement that was ground to have reduced DA/SA trigger pull. That’s actually an old school mod they used a century ago to turn Nagants into target pistols. Super accurate once the SA pull is light www.gunboards.com/threads/russian-and-soviet-nagant-target-revolvers.196918/Also after testing can say works best on surplus ammo which thankfully is cheap. |
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jan 29, 2023 19:05:09 GMT
I generally carry a S&W Model 13 when I'm woods bumming. It'll do for anything here in Michigan. Good gun. I have a Ruger SP 101 5 shot with 3" barrel that is nice for compact revolver carry, and it's one rugged gun. The 3 inch SP101 is a great gun. A tad harder to find then the 2.25 inch barrel but 3 inch is the sweet spot for a compact 357. I had one years ago, would love to get another... but I want the super rare blued version. |
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Post by howler on Jan 29, 2023 19:16:37 GMT
Good gun. I have a Ruger SP 101 5 shot with 3" barrel that is nice for compact revolver carry, and it's one rugged gun. The 3 inch SP101 is a great gun. A tad harder to find then the 2.25 inch barrel but 3 inch is the sweet spot for a compact 357. I had one years ago, would love to get another... but I want the super rare blued version. Yes, not only do you get a larger sight radius but that small increase in barrel length delivers a huge velocity, meaning energy increase (V is squared) because .357 is particularly hard affected by shortened barrels. Go to a 1 7/8" snubby and you just castrate the magnum...only to have the feeling of a cherry bomb going off in your hand with ringing ears and blinding flash.  |
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jan 29, 2023 19:51:38 GMT
The 3 inch SP101 is a great gun. A tad harder to find then the 2.25 inch barrel but 3 inch is the sweet spot for a compact 357. I had one years ago, would love to get another... but I want the super rare blued version. Yes, not only do you get a larger sight radius but that small increase in barrel length delivers a huge velocity, meaning energy increase (V is squared) because .357 is particularly hard affected by shortened barrels. Go to a 1 7/8" snubby and you just castrate the magnum...only to have the feeling of a cherry bomb going off in your hand with ringing ears and blinding flash. 💯 3 inch or longer is a must for 357. |
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