Whats Your Favorite Pack Pistol?

[stlhdr1]

Being an avid hunter and outdoorsman I tend to pack a pistol with me when I'm in the woods. Although I like how my pistol fits I'm wondering if I have the best pistol for any accosion that may arise. I carry a Glock .40 personally but sometimes I feel as if it could be a little under powered and inaccurate should that odd ball situation arise.

What pistols do you carry and how well do you like it?

Keith

[Ifishsum]

I usually carry a 4" Taurus .357 magnum revolver with full house 158gr XTP loads. I've had it for 15 years so I'm very comfortable with it and shoot it well, and I like being able to use shot loads when in snakey country.

[Cornbread]

.454 Casul

[The Kodiak Kid]

Ruger .41 mag

[StickFish]

Originally Posted by Cornbread

.454 Casul

At least if you don't hit the target, the recoil will scare them to death.

Over the years packed a:

S&W 29 6" - heavy at the end of the day
Baby Eagle 9mm - never really liked the 9mm cartridge
Colt 1911 Model E - not sure why I got rid of that one
S&W 529 4" - heavy at the end of the day
Thompson Contender 45 Colt/.410 - heavy at the end of the day, but it always put meat in the pot - great heavy cover grouser

Nothing is perfect, carry what ya know best unless you are after dangerous game or in BIG bear country.

If I was to pick a new one it would either be a .40 Cal (not a Glock though), or a a lighter weight .357. The 529 was the perfect size, just a tad heavy at the end of the day (course I was packing an Accumark around all day as well).

[Dan in Alaska]

I carry a Glock G20. Fifteen rounds of 10mm is pretty formidable, and the low maintenance aspect of the Glock pistol is nice as well.

[goforchrome]

For concealed, it is a Kahr PM9.
Small, light and 9mm, which is, IMHO, all you need to stop a two legged predator.
I have been shifting to open carry in the woods, and a SW686 4 inch in a basic Uncle Mikes has become a favorite.
In the local mountains, I like a birdshot load in the chamber indexed for the first shot, during grouse season, the other 5 with 158gr hp.
In Alaska, same gun, 180gr hardcast.
I know I'm not going to stop a grizz with a 357, but I doubt I'd stop one with a 44mag, either..... it's better than nothing.
I used to only own autoloaders, Glocks, 1911's, Kahr, but I have reconsidered that for backcountry carry.
I think Glock would be my autoloader selection.

[Don't fish e nuff]

1911 style LLama in 38 super. It's a little thinner than the .45 and tucks into my hip nicely.

[High Country]

Bfr 45-70

[Hunt'nFish]

Originally Posted by Dan in Alaska

I carry a Glock G20. Fifteen rounds of 10mm is pretty formidable, and the low maintenance aspect of the Glock pistol is nice as well.

I used to carry a G20 as well w/ +2 mag floorplate and an extra 17rd mag in my fanny pack. 200gr hardcast handloads.

But now I carry a 1911 .45 Super w/ 230gr XTP's loaded to 1150fps. Not quite a 44 auto but real close.
Also have a G21 converted to .45 Super as well, but I really like my 1911's.
Hunt'nFish

[Chesapeake]

I recently bought a Glock 20 10mm.

I dont know how it will work for protection but it sure is a blast to shoot.

[BigSkyHunter]

Taurus Titanium in .357 Magnum with concealed hammer. Can't even tell you are packing it.

If I am hiking in Grizzly country I step it up to a Taurus Tracker .44 Magnum.

[Backlash2]

Taurus Titanium .41 Mag.

Whether in the backpack or (almost always) in the shoulder holster, at 1.5 lbs. you don't even know its there.

The only negative is there are only four rounds for the grizz before the last one that's for me!

[oregonoutdoors]

[quote=BigSkyHunter;1483933]Taurus Titanium in .357 Magnum with concealed hammer. Can't even tell you are packing it.quote]


Exactly what I carry, never to heavy at the end of the day. 100gr Corbon Powerball around town, and 200gr Corbon hard cast flat nose in the woods.

[Bobberman]

Glock G 17 for most situations, For Griz country OO BUCK/slugs are my choice

[ehunter]

Glock 22 40 cal I know that if something was charging me I would be in trouble but it light to carry and can pump out some rounds and I do practice with it as it is fun to shoot.

[LanceinOregon]

Originally Posted by Backlash2

Taurus Titanium .41 Mag.

Whether in the backpack or (almost always) in the shoulder holster, at 1.5 lbs. you don't even know its there.

The only negative is there are only four rounds for the grizz before the last one that's for me!

If you simply fire the first round into the air, that will scare the Grizzly off, and you will both then survive the meeting.

Lance

[Chug]

Originally Posted by LanceinOregon

If you simply fire the first round into the air, that will scare the Grizzly off, and you will both then survive the meeting.

Lance

NO, it will not Been there done that!!!... Neck hairs grew longer.. Second round was dialed in & ready... Yelling, & side stepping.. averted a mt of paper work for me. had many run in's with bears...

.22 cal will kill anything. RULE #1 SHOT PLACEMENT!!!.. the rest will fall.

[jimh]

S&W .22 Kit Gun, .357 Model 60, or .44 Mag Mountain Gun depending on purpose.

[Dan in Alaska]

Originally Posted by Chesapeake

I recently bought a Glock 20 10mm.

I dont know how it will work for protection but it sure is a blast to shoot.

No pun intended?

I prefer my 200gr handloads with AA #9 powder. It burns REALLY clean. The fired cases still look like new - inside and out. If you really want to have a "blast" with your new 10mm, load up some ammo with Blue Dot powder. The muzzle blast and fireballs with have everyone on the range wondering just what on earth you're shooting. It's even more impressive on an indoor range.

[Hunt'nFish]

Originally Posted by Dan in Alaska

No pun intended?

I prefer my 200gr handloads with AA #9 powder. It burns REALLY clean. The fired cases still look like new - inside and out. If you really want to have a "blast" with your new 10mm, load up some ammo with Blue Dot powder. The muzzle blast and fireballs with have everyone on the range wondering just what on earth you're shooting. It's even more impressive on an indoor range.

Hummm, that's what powder I used. .....That explains the funny looks I was getting.
Should'a seen the looks on their faces when I pulled out the 44 D.Eagle and started in with that.
(and this was an INDOOR range! he, he)
Hunt'nFish

[alaskan]

500S&W 700gr. hardcast. Just in case I ever need to stop a tank. Also works grat on small game. You just have to get close and the concussion will kill them clean.

[BrianMaguire]

Originally Posted by Dan in Alaska

I carry a Glock G20. Fifteen rounds of 10mm is pretty formidable, and the low maintenance aspect of the Glock pistol is nice as well.

Me too, its a great round and with 15 of them it can make a mess of just about anything.

[James in Idaho]

Never lived in bad critter country, heck around here I worry more about moose than bears. And their hide is so thick I don't think they would be all that impressed by a pistol round. When I lived in NM I didn't go anywhere without a .357 mag, usually a S & W model 66. Usually made my hip tired. But plenty of punch for anything I was going to run across, and two legged beast were far more concerning than anything on 4 legs. Recently I've taken to a SP 101 in .38 special, and I just got a Taurus 94 9 shot .22. I think I have finally found my "carry" gun! Compact, lightweight, and "minute of grouse" accruate. Plus the 9 shots should deter any thinking critter!

Oh yeah, from more than one expriance (remember I lived in NM), bird shot out of a .357 just makes the rattler more ticked off. I don't want to get that close to a coiled 4 foot rattler to have an "effective" pattern. The 158 grain hard cast works just fine, and does so from several feet away. But now I just figure if it doesn't bite me, I won't shoot it.

[Chesapeake]

Originally Posted by Dan in Alaska

No pun intended?

I prefer my 200gr handloads with AA #9 powder. It burns REALLY clean. The fired cases still look like new - inside and out. If you really want to have a "blast" with your new 10mm, load up some ammo with Blue Dot powder. The muzzle blast and fireballs with have everyone on the range wondering just what on earth you're shooting. It's even more impressive on an indoor range.

I thought someone might catch that!!! Something about a short barrel and alot of powder. I havent started loading for it yet but plan to soon.

It was either a 10mm or a 40 short and weak. I went with the 10mm and am glad I did. I like the larger grip and the gun shoots real nice. A 10mm with a 15 round clip will put a grin on a guys face.

[OuterLimits]

Colt Anaconda 6” SS barrel 44 Mag

[Norski]

Ruger sp100, or sp102 .357 No Fear.

[Snakebite]

S&W mod 66-2 four inch. .357mag. I' not worried about a thang! 158 gr. XTP's at max load. Knocked off steel chickens at 200yds. with it. Probably works well at close range too. Small but impressive. Still miss the G17 for the firepower, but the accuracy with the Smith is reassuring.

[crittergitter]

S&W 357 mag in a six inch stainless, I think it's the 626. Yeah it's a little heavy at the end of the day, but I hit what I aim at with it. Wouldn't trade it off for anything else I can think of.

[red willie]

baby eagle .45,, 200gr buffalo bore @1245fps,, two 10 round clips,,

ahh, lets just say it works in a pinch

rw

[57chevy]

Browning Hi-Power .40 cal.

[juniper]

357 S&W 686 4 inch, shoulder carry, loaded with hydra-shock's..had a little work done on it, smooth as silk

[4on4off]

springfield armory .45 with 185 grn corbons

[HuntingNut]

Springfield Armory XD .45 with 14 rounds of Hornady TAP 200 gr +P.

[Silver Eagle]

Sig 40 with Lazor, I used to carry a 9mm not enough..........Ray

[DOH]

S&W 629-1 44 mag 3 inch barrel

[bajadan2000]

Sorry for this long post, however, I have thought long and hard for many years on this subject and have made a cycle away from carrying a large caliber pistol. I now carrying a 22 with a 1 5/8" barrel and the magnum conversion made by North American Arms. I carry two cylinders. I pack the pistol in the woods loaded with the 22 mag. cylinder. I carry in my pack the 22LR cylinder with a box of 50 extra rounds. The whole system weighs less than 3 lbs. To qualify my situation, I only plan on shooting with a bow, and will eat what I shoot. This pistol is my only powder weapon I ever carry, your situation may be different.

First let me say, the best weapon you have in a sticky situation while in the woods IS YOUR BRAIN... the very few situations where using your brain ends and you need to use a weapon, for my situation a 22 is all I feel I need. I carry a pistol for two reasons. Signaling and self defense.

First the tough one, self defense on another human. Just think $10,000. $10,000 is what a good attorney will cost you if you had someone break into your house and threaten you to the point you needed to shoot them. $10,000 is cheap when you consider how much you have to loose, how our legal system works, how the crooks know the system better than you and how to use it. Now shoot someone in a neutral setting (the woods) and see how much it will cost you to protect your legal rights, even if you are right... Is it worth $10,000+ to shoot another human??? The only way I would shoot one is if he was on top of me and had already caused me bodily injury that showed. Then I would pull the pistol and shoot him in the ear, leaving no doubt how close he was to me and that it was self defense, a 22mag short barrel is ideal for this.. Shooting another human from a distance will leave some doubt as to the intent of both parties, and the bad guys usually have witnesses or will get others to lie for them.

As far as shooting an animal in self defense. From my many close encounters, I do not fear animals in the woods. Bears in OR. and WA. are teddy bears compared to the bears in Alaska. I have more fear of a pack of hungry coyotes than bears. Cougars have not been a problem so far because they only attack humans when there is no other food source. That is why CA. and Vancouver Islands BC have Cougar attacks on humans. As the cougar population continues to increase and food for them becomes more scarce it is only a matter of time before we have cougar attacks on humans in OR. & WA. If you are stalked by a cougar, just stand your ground and show an aggressive posture, running away is a sign of weakness and will trigger a chase response from the cougar. The real threat from cougars are the ones that are waiting in ambush for food to pass by and attack from above. They will be on top of you before you know they are there. Here a short barrel 22mag is ideal and easy to place into the ear or belly of the cougar to get its attention.

The main reason I carry a pistol is to signal if I should have an unexpected illness or injury. It may take a lot of 3 round burst to get someone to find me in the off the path spots I get into. A 22LR pistol is ideal for making noise and also makes it easy to carry a lot of rounds.

[Tvfowlhunter]

Glock 23, or HK USP 45.

Trent

[baltz526]

savage model 99 300 savage it is a little long but the bear tag in the wallet demands it

[Got One!]

Ruger .45 P97DC Good price and seems to be "bullet proof" I've shot a few 1000 rounds through it and have yet to have a problem, and best of all, it shoots right where I aim, every time.

[Quaka Wacka]

G26 in 9mm. Small, light, accurate and plenty for any 2 or 4 legged critter you will ever meet in the lower 48.

[RJS34]

Glock 23 .40

[Oregonhunter]

Another vote for Glock.....I am going to be using my model 22 40 S&W this season.

oh

[buhbuhfish]

Just got a Desert Eagle 44 mag. Holds nine shots of 240 grain hollow points. A little heavy to carry but I am a rather large man . The visual of this gun will have the 2 legged animals saying . As for the four legged critters I think it will be O.K..........

[bait dunker]

s&w 1006 or a kimber 1911, i love them equally when i carry for fishing. when im hunting a s&w 29 with the 8 3/8 barrel and 310 cast bullets

[BleuBackKoke]

I pack a Tuarus 24/7 in .45 acp. Feels great, light weight and packs a very nice punch! Just get something that YOU are comfortable with.

[micah]

.40 walther

[alaskan]

Originally Posted by bait dunker

s&w 1006 or a kimber 1911, i love them equally when i carry for fishing. when im hunting a s&w 29 with the 8 3/8 barrel and 310 cast bullets

I miss my 1006, it's the only gun I ever regretted having to sell.

[salty dog]

Browning semi-auto cal .40

[Linejerk]

HK 45 USP and I love it

[stilly bum]

Glock 19 or a S&W Airweight .38.

[Antlershed]

S&W M&P .40. With the 15+1 loaded with 180gr hollow points, it should take care of just about anything I encounter in Washington. If I was to go to AK, I wouldn't even bother taking it.

[High Country]

Ruger SBH 44 mag or 617 Smith 22lr depends on where and what I am hunting.

[Hooked up]

Glock 19, sometimes it`s a Ruger .41 mag. or my Kimber .45 auto. but mostly it`s my Glock.

[Hookset]

Never had a handgun before, but my new trailmate is a Taurus 24/7 Pro in .40 S&W. Having 15+ rounds in 180gr is reassuring for pretty much anything we have in Oregon.

[lucky2]

S&W M629 4" .44 mag

[cwh]

I don't pack a handgun often. When I do, it's a G23, which is probably 70% of the time (winter) followed up with the 629 4" barrel. Hard to argue with 5 shots of .44 mag and hammer down on empty chamber. Plus, there is just nothing to argue about when it comes to accuracy from the revolvers. A .500 would be fun, but for now I'll save the money and the ear damage and shoot a .44.

Not that I think the ear damage would be a concern if I had to use a .500.

[Fishbulb]

SA .45 auto M1911A1 Mil-Spec. Crimson trace laser grips. McCormick premium 10 round mag. Alternating FMJ and HP. Old M7 shoulder holster hangs it on my chest right where I can get at it when in waders.

[Bob Barthlow]

Glock G21 .45 ACP w/ 15 rds of 230 gr.

Now let's talk camper guns...

[FeatherBusterOSU]

Beretta Cougar .40 with 180 gr HP. Dad likes to carry his good old Ruger SP101 .357 with HPs. I like both depending on the shooters preference.