What is your favorite/current "woods" or "boondocking" firearm?

[Little Creek]

When I go walking about, or riding in my XUV, I like the G40. This is when I am not hunting, just scouting. The 5" M686+ Pro is also a favorite. Is the .357 Magnum the equal of the 10MM and vice versa, given the "best" loads for each against 4 legged critters beyond conversational distances. I am thinking 180 bullets (Partition Gold in the .357). Of course the G40 ammo wise does not match up well with my Marlin 1894 16" in 357 magnum.

[LittleLebowski]

I've usually (just got word of a large black bear about 1 mile from my place) got no large critters to worry about so I prefer my suppressed Ruger MK3 with a red dot.

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11988418_468396016671960_6555379612526925604_n.jpg ?oh=a3006396ecf583a273958f8cee3a5a49&oe=58ED987A

[blues]

3" S&W 686+ tends to be my handgun of choice for such occasions. I can carry IWB or OWB.

[Chuck Haggard]

Typically the same Glock 17s that I carry at work/off duty CCW.

I often sub a .22 snub for going to the woods instead of the the .38 snubs I use as BUGs in town.

My 681 has gone deer hunting with me quite a bit too.


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[SLG]

Either my WC 10mm, or a 5" 629 Classic.

I expect to have my 5" 24 back shortly, and that will likely get used pretty often. I've also been toying with a 627 with wadcutters, as more of a small game option. Not sure about that yet, but I don't really want to carry a seperate .22 either.

This is just for being on my property. If I am off property, them my g17 is pretty standard. No big animals where I am.

[Peally]

Whatever I normally carry, from a shield to a big fat 45. Depends on what creatures live in the area (bears mean bigger guns, coyotes and people not so much) and how much weight I need to shave off if I'm travelling.

[nalesq]

I've usually (just got word of a large black bear about 1 mile from my place) got no large critters to worry about so I prefer my suppressed Ruger MK3 with a red dot.

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11988418_468396016671960_6555379612526925604_n.jpg ?oh=a3006396ecf583a273958f8cee3a5a49&oe=58ED987A

I recently acquired a suppressed Ruger as well, but am trying to figure out how to carry it around. Ideally I'd like some kind of holster that would let me keep the suppressor mounted on the pistol, but I realize this won't work well with a normal belt mounted holster due to the length. Maybe some kind of chest or shoulder holster?

How do you do it?

[Peally]

I believe the ATF requires suppressed pistols be carried in a three piece suit with matching cuff links.

[LSP552]

Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt if just dinking around. I will sometimes carry my regular 226 9mm or a G17 depending on where I'm at.

[deputyG23]

For me, it is the same as my urban/suburban carry. Glock 22 or 23 usually and rarely a Glock 27.

[Lost River]

For general purpose woods bumming I tend to carry a .44 mag of some sort, usually loaded with mid range cast SWCs.

The 5" M29 being the standout favorite of the .44s:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/Handguns/P1010542_zpsbzvrihpu.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/user/IV_Troop/media/Handguns/P1010542_zpsbzvrihpu.jpg.html)

That said, the G30S, or a 1911 also see a fair amount of holster time, when out wandering:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/Handguns/P1000735_zps1auetwhc.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/user/IV_Troop/media/Handguns/P1000735_zps1auetwhc.jpg.html)

[GJM]

Universelle Selbstladepistole

[JHC]

Pistol, 9mm, one each

G19 most likely.

[Colt191145lover]

I carry a 1895 Marlin Guide Gun 45-70 anytime I step foot off the property or go for a hike. I used to carry a older Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt in the woods but after witnessing a 9mm 147 gr Winchester Ranger Bonded load used on a black bear, I stopped worrying about it and just keep my carry gun on nowadays.

[gtmtnbiker98]

HK 45 loaded with 230gr +P Ranger T.

[TR675]

GP100, because when you're tromping around in the woods you should be carrying a revolver, for reasons.

I just wish it was a cooler revolver.

[CCT125US]

I recently acquired a suppressed Ruger as well, but am trying to figure out how to carry it around. Ideally I'd like some kind of holster that would let me keep the suppressor mounted on the pistol, but I realize this won't work well with a normal belt mounted holster due to the length. Maybe some kind of chest or shoulder holster?

How do you do it?


https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?16529-Battlecloth-Holster-for-Suppressed-Pistol

[Lester Polfus]

Glock 20, loaded with 200 grain XTPs going 1145 FPS.

I should take a picture of it in some kind of natural setting. The ones I took for our homeowners insurance look like mugshots.

[JHC]

GP100, because when you're tromping around in the woods you should be carrying a revolver, for reasons.

I just wish it was a cooler revolver.

I agree in spirit. In practice, the further I get away from pavement. . . the more ammo I carry, which leads to spare mags, lots of mags. Why? I'm not sure.

I can get so derp. :D

[RevolverRob]

In east Texas, as a kid, a Benjamin .22 caliber pneumatic pellet gun did most of what I might need. But if not a single-shot .410 did the rest.

In west Texas, as an adult, 15-miles from the U.S. Mexican Border and within sight of Mountain Lion Scat - a .357 Magnum revolver and at least one or two speed-loaders.

In American southwest, .357 with some .38 snake shot.

In the American west and Canada - 12-gauge pump, primarily with Brenneke slugs, but with a few rounds of bird and buckshot in reserve.

It's hard to beat a shotgun for versatility in the field. I've rarely "solved problems" with a handgun that weren't better solved with a shotgun. The exception being working inside of caves, where you might find things you don't want to find...like mountain lions and venomous snakes, in close confines. - In those situations, the very best solution is, throw rocks and bang around in the cave until the things you want to leave, leave. But if necessary sub-sonic ammunition and a sound suppressor preserve hearing and peace. If I end up doing cave work in southeastern Alaska in the next few years, I'm going to look, seriously, at a Salvo-12 for the end of a short-shotgun.

I'd hate to have to fire off a 12-gauge shotgun inside a cave without a suppressor and/or hearing protection...ouch.

And when I collect my spot in Texas with my own back 40. I'll definitely go mostly with suppressed firearms. If for no other reason than to reduce the general noise pollution.

[NEPAKevin]

I recently acquired a suppressed Ruger as well, but am trying to figure out how to carry it around. Ideally I'd like some kind of holster that would let me keep the suppressor mounted on the pistol, but I realize this won't work well with a normal belt mounted holster due to the length. Maybe some kind of chest or shoulder holster?



Took me a while to find, but I recall reading an article about Ken Null making shoulder holsters for suppressed handguns that were marketed a company called Seventrees, back in the day that had a picture of their ad.

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Seventrees is long gone, but the newer version of the SMZ (http://www.klnullholsters.com/NewHolsters/smz.htm) is still listed on Null Holsters' Website. Not sure how good it would be for hiking.

[Westtexasrancher]

https://www.tandemkross.com/BlackDog-Ruger-MK-Series-Red-Dot-Scoped-Holster-LOW-RIDE_p_127.html

http://www.gunblast.com/BlackMax.htm

http://www.tacticalsol.com/pac-lite-accessories/black-dog-holsters

I also bought a blue 2245 lite and my dead air mask arrives in a couple weeks, I plan to buy one of these for it, the tandemkross and blackdog look about the same, With red dot and suppressor mounted either should work like a charm. Be aware theres a low rise and a high rise version of the tandemkross.12195

[Westtexasrancher]

In east Texas, as a kid, a Benjamin .22 caliber pneumatic pellet gun did most of what I might need. But if not a single-shot .410 did the rest.

In west Texas, as an adult, 15-miles from the U.S. Mexican Border and within sight of Mountain Lion Scat - a .357 Magnum revolver and at least one or two speed-loaders.

In American southwest, .357 with some .38 snake shot.

In the American west and Canada - 12-gauge pump, primarily with Brenneke slugs, but with a few rounds of bird and buckshot in reserve.

It's hard to beat a shotgun for versatility in the field. I've rarely "solved problems" with a handgun that weren't better solved with a shotgun. The exception being working inside of caves, where you might find things you don't want to find...like mountain lions and venomous snakes, in close confines. - In those situations, the very best solution is, throw rocks and bang around in the cave until the things you want to leave, leave. But if necessary sub-sonic ammunition and a sound suppressor preserve hearing and peace. If I end up doing cave work in southeastern Alaska in the next few years, I'm going to look, seriously, at a Salvo-12 for the end of a short-shotgun.

I'd hate to have to fire off a 12-gauge shotgun inside a cave without a suppressor and/or hearing protection...ouch.

And when I collect my spot in Texas with my own back 40. I'll definitely go mostly with suppressed firearms. If for no other reason than to reduce the general noise pollution.

Are you west west TX or east of the pecos? We might be neighbors.

[Malamute]

In the low country a 4" Smith 24 or 4 5/8" Ruger 45 SA. Around dusk around home I also take a 92 or 94 carbine for skunk patrol. Up high where the bears live, the 4" Smith 29 or the Ruger 45 with bigger bullets (325s). For a walk around gun in the mountains usually a Winchester 71 the last few years, also good for grouse. A scoped bolt gun once in a while, or when actually hunting meat.

[ACP230]

My Ruger "Old Model" .357 Blackhawks carry so well they are usually a top
choice when I think about wandering around in the woods. If I just end up
there I usually have a snubnose .38 on my person.

[Eric_L]

Off topic and I apologize- you guys that live where bears are- do you carry bear spray? I read that it is a good deterrence. Is that true?

[Malamute]

I sometimes carry it, but I always carry a pistol and usually a rifle in the mountains. I keep spray in camp and in the vehicle all the time when out and about.

I think it works pretty well (with obvious limitations, like windy conditions and such), though not always carrying it seems to contradict that opinion. But I may be lucky or dont get out in the right places, despite a pretty healthy population of bears, and knowing people that have had problems, I never have.

[Peally]

I only would if backpacking, the bears in Green Bay always turn out to be beer filled fat guys.

I'm told per research it has a higher success rate than firearms, but like all sprays it's dependent on close range application in the bear's face where the wind isn't blowing you over. If weight isn't a problem there's no reason not to carry both IMO.

[SLG]

I am not a bear spray fan, as I don't want to be that close before figuring out if it will work or not. No experience with it to go on, just what i'm told.

Having said that, and not to turn this thread into a virtual bear defense fantasy thread, the few times I had to conduct tactical operations in bear country, the Federal park rangers who were with us issued every 4th guy a can of spray. This was even though everyone had a rifle in their hands and a pistol on their hip.

[RevolverRob]

Are you west west TX or east of the pecos? We might be neighbors.

Man, I wish. I am currently east of the Mississippi and north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

But the areas I worked in west Texas on geological, archeological, and paleontological survey are mainly west of the Pecos (but barely) in the Trans-Pecos region, west of Big Bend, south of Marfa/Alpine.

[Bigghoss]

MOAR PICHERS!!!

Go-to is my GP100
https://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11705139_10153329671350219_5312033395958149497_n.j pg?oh=9dbdfe154fc94f2dc701657b67f0df8d&oe=58F81259

If I want to be discrete I'll carry the SP101
https://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13063142_10153923341145219_56420683556378751_o.jpg

Used to pack this around but sold it like an idiot. Ruger Blackhawk .45
https://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/432314_10151316666435219_810390827_n.jpg?oh=f103aa 221b5cd907865be36147f431b8&oe=58C3C2A9

I just picked these up so I might be bumping the SP and GP in favor of these. I'm also seriously considering a GP100 MC with the fixed Novak sights and an SP101 Wiley Clapp or a S&W 640 Pro
https://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15326421_10154519637490219_1211209113257446348_n.j pg?oh=ba37bebf27ac4714451e6a3899fea25a&oe=58B44E0D

[MRW]

I usually have a S&W 686 4", however I started mixing in a USP .45 after getting some more range time with it. I have it loaded with 230grn HSTs for now.

[Lost River]

Off topic and I apologize- you guys that live where bears are- do you carry bear spray? I read that it is a good deterrence. Is that true?

I don't live where bears are an issue, but I do recreate/hunt/goof off in areas that are bear habitat. That said, I don't bother with bear spray, instead choosing a firearm. It has been my observation that there seems to be an agenda by certain agencies and outdoors cultures to skew both bear spray and and firearm statistics to better serve their agenda. It would seem that some in the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife place a higher value on a bear's life than a human life.

I personally listened to one U.S. park ranger admit that an incident where someone saw a bear, drew bear spray,but did not spray it since the bear wandered off, was considered a "successful use of bear spray". Such horseshit skewing of "facts" only reinforced my distrust of such statistics, and the related agencies.

I will stick with a .44 revolver or a large bore semi auto.

[Malamute]

I think the spray is a great idea, and if its possible to run a low grade problem bear off with no blood shed, that's fine. Good for the bear, good for the person, and lots less paperwork and stress. I also think its great for people that aren't gun people or aren't shooters. Myself, I wouldn't choose it for a first choice with no second available. If I had it and thought it may work under the circumstances and it wasn't risking not being able to use option 2, Id use it. Many that promote it do so under the "either/or" line of thought. I don't for a minute think it can or will replace proper firearms and their skilled use in all circumstances, and I don't intend to use it as such. Its a supplement for possible use under some circumstances to me. That about covers it.

[GJM]

I frequently read bear attack articles, where bear spray did not work. Somehow, when the latest study comes out, bear spray is supposedly 100 percent effective and firearms not so much.

[Westtexasrancher]

Man, I wish. I am currently east of the Mississippi and north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

But the areas I worked in west Texas on geological, archeological, and paleontological survey are mainly west of the Pecos (but barely) in the Trans-Pecos region, west of Big Bend, south of Marfa/Alpine.

Oh ok, cool, sounds like fun. Familiar with the Apache Mountains, south of guadalupes? I worked there for years, some great caves and lots of burn rings covered in flint and arrowheads. I always wanted someone to do some research out there.

Maybe even help me find Ben Subletts gold...lol

[RevolverRob]

Off topic and I apologize- you guys that live where bears are- do you carry bear spray? I read that it is a good deterrence. Is that true?

Noise and moving carefully, letting the bear go away from you, is the best solution. But yes, I've carried bear spray. But I've never needed to deploy it, nor have I needed to chase a bear off, thankfully. But when it comes down to it...a Brenneke slug makes me feel better than bear spray.


Oh ok, cool, sounds like fun. Familiar with the Apache Mountains, south of guadalupes? I worked there for years, some great caves and lots of burn rings covered in flint and arrowheads. I always wanted someone to do some research out there.

Maybe even help me find Ben Subletts gold...lol

Yes. I've done a lot of work in the Chisos and the Viejas too! It's beautiful country. I miss it, for sure, Chicago isn't anything like it at all...

[Sero Sed Serio]

For a "woods gun," my current go-to is a P229 in .357 SIG, in part because I live in AZ and it should work just fine against whatever 4- and 2-legged critters that I might encounter in Flagstaff or Show Low or wherever I may wander, and in part because of (apparently unfounded) concerns about how November 8 would play out, all of my money went to a stockpile of mags, as opposed to a Wiley Clapp GP100...

[Cookie Monster]

Off topic and I apologize- you guys that live where bears are- do you carry bear spray? I read that it is a good deterrence. Is that true?

I don't in black bear territory. I will in grizzly bear territory. I believe it to be worth it. Backpacking, bear spray is lighter than any suitable firearm. Counter Assault in 10 oz cans is my choice and choice of my field crews who work in "light" grizzly country. I also give it to them for 2 legged predators.

[DocGKR]

G19 in the majority of the lower-48 where there are no large bears; otherwise an 870 with Brenneke slugs or a handy .45-70...

[Lost River]

Noise and moving carefully, letting the bear go away from you, is the best solution. But yes, I've carried bear spray. But I've never needed to deploy it, nor have I needed to chase a bear off, thankfully. But when it comes down to it...a Brenneke slug makes me feel better than bear spray.



Yes. I've done a lot of work in the Chisos and the Viejas too! It's beautiful country. I miss it, for sure, Chicago isn't anything like it at all...

I have pegged a number of different bears through the years with rocks. Some were rooting through campground garbage cans, some were just being curious, but all did a 180 a did the "jiggly butt run" in the opposite direction. A few times it was while deer hunting and I simply did not want to shoot the bear, or spook any deer in the area.

One time I had a little Florida beach bunny visiting, and I took her camping. She was completely freaked out by the black bear who was maybe 50' away rummaging in the trash can at the campground. I told her to ignore it and go back to sleep but it was obvious that that was not going to happen. It was late and I didn't want to put my cowboy boots on to deal with the bear (who was tiny), so I ended up throwing some things from the bed of my flatbed pickup (where we were sleeping). Danged if I did not miss every time and the dumb bear was so preoccupied, it never noticed me throwing stuff at it. Finally I crawled off the back of the flatbed, grabbed a couple of rocks and finally connected. The little bear scattered off into the dark, never to be seen again.

Satisfied, I crawled back into the bedroll intent on going back to sleep. What I found out was that the little beach bunny, whom I had met in Jackson Wyoming's Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, thought the whole thing was so over the top manly (or something) that she was quite turned on by the whole episode. It was the only time I have had such a positive outcome from dealing with a silly little bear. :cool:

[GJM]

I call BS, unless there is a photo.

[Lost River]

I call BS, unless there is a photo.

:cool:

This was WAAAAY back in the 35mm days! I don't think I even owned a camera at the time. It is funny how simple things were back then. I had one centerfire hunting rifle (a .270), one .44 mag, and a couple .22s. That was it. I doubt I owned more than 2 pairs of jeans at any one time, and it seemed like we were always broke. But for whatever reason there was almost always a bottle of Crown Royal being passed around.

[SLG]

I call BS, unless there is a photo of the beach bunny


fify

[BobLoblaw]

Favorite woods gun is actually a M&P 45c w/ apex kit and HDs. I often forget I even own that fun little thing.

[NEPAKevin]

:cool:

This was WAAAAY back in the 35mm days!

Amazon Deal of the Day: Wolverine F2D Mighty 20MP 7-in-1 Film to Digital Converter
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