Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Best defense handgun for the woods?

The "best gun" for this or that situation threads take up a lot of this sites space. Not that I'm complaining, 'cause I'll jump right in with the rest and it's good to hear/read others opinions on the subject - gives me some things to check out first-hand, and when that means tinkering around with firearms, hey, I'm in.<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, "best" is subjective, and it really comes down to what you feel comfortable with and what you've decided to carry. For me, that's easy now. Just picked up a nice S&W 642 Airweight .38 Spl +P. Puts 5 under your hand at 15 yards. Now, this ain't competition accuracy, but at halitosis range, it don't matter much whether it's a sub-moa or a 4-moa shooter. This in a clip-on, IWB holster is going everywhere with me. For "field carry", it'll have a CCI shotshell up first, with 4 Federal 110 Hydra-Shok Personal Defense HPs right behind it. Snagless, close to weightless, dead-on reliable, and versatile.

True, I'd rather have something bigger against a bear, but where I'm at, that's unlikely, and a load of snakeshot to the kisser won't do a bear or a man any good in the seeing department. For the no-legged critters, the snake load is it. For two-leggeds, and I sincerely hope that never happens, the snakeshot to the face and 4 HPs for back-up ought to be plenty.

Now, for those out west and up in the frozen tundra where bears are a bit more of a problem, I certainly would up grade. Still, the little S&W is small and light enough to go everywhere, all of the time, and is better than a sharp stick or a 6-weight flyrod against anything with bad intentions. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Blacktail 53....Right on! I NEVER fish w/out a handgun on me. For years it was a 3" M60 (.38+P) then a M42 S&W, now it's a 686 or LW Commander. I had a scare with the family riverside one Nov. here in SW Oregon and was able to get to my BroncoII to reach a Stainless Blackhawk .357. They never knew I put it in my belt but my confidence must have made them uneasy. I learned my lesson about not having it at hand. It's amazing what the "havenot's" will do for a few bucks or your stuff. I had to display a 629 in Ca. one time turkey hunting. I was asleep in the truck in the Mendicino State Forest and they pulled up and shined the lights on us for about 5mins. When I held the 629 up to the window they bailed out fast!
The way I figure it a handgun is like a Leatherman tool that goes BANG....hanging on your belt until you NEED it.....hoping you never will.
Mike.

Displaying a gun like that is called brandishing and a lot of people have been arrested for it. Further more, you alerted the bad guys to the fact that you were armed. Knowing that you were armed would only force them to shoot you If they were really serious about robbing you.

I think that you would have been better off if you had slipped out of the truck and into the shadows where they would have a hard time locating you. That way you could get off the first shot if they tried to mess with you.

Conrad

Conrad

I'd like to contribute my two or three cents worth.

I agree with Conrad. Be armed but never seem to be armed.
I have carried for over 30 years and have never let anyone see my firearm. Why give away your most valuable secret?
Do what the smart cops do - get your self to cover first if possible. If you have to shoot, shoot from cover not standing up on your hind legs like a target.

Second what's the deal here on the best gun. When hunting I carry something serious for self-defense (concealed of course.) Generally a M66 .357. If I want a small bore pistol for plinking I take that too. I am seldom afield with less than two handguns.

They were parked about 15 yds. from the truck with their lights on at about 3 in the morning in the middle of nowhere. I couldn't have easily slipped from the truck without being seen. As far as I'm concerned that truck was my "home" and it all worked out nonetheless.
I agree that the situation could have been handled another way. I have been carrying for 12 years and have never let anyone know it. I'm armed 98% of the time I'm out of the house. I've also learned a lot in the almost 20 years since that incident.
Mike.

I would be suprised if they would do something to you if you got out of your truck and left. You could have got out and walked into the dark where you could safely protect your truck.

Conrad

yeah, but i think waking my hunting buddy up would have been tough....can't leave a man behind!

I don't how many times I've gotten to my hunting location only to find another rig is already there. If I don't know the hunters or recognise the vehicle, then I drive on to my 2nd choice spot and try to salvage the day. If I do know them, then we usually chat it up and go from there. Maybe even hunt together.
I don't feel Coastiechief was wrong it his actions and I seriously doubt that any Law Enforcement folks would have found legal grounds to cite him. That vehicle was his domicile and he felt that he was being threatened by their intimidating actions. They would have too.
It's interesting that none of us knew CC had a partner with him at the time. I am grateful that it wasn't his young son or daughter asleep next to him - that would have raised the threat level bar a notch or two more for me.
After several minutes abuse, our friend CC made a "statement". " I'm home, I have teeth and I won't be messed with! "
That man or men in that other pickup were acting in an unethical and threatening manner. CC made his choice - fight or flight - and then played his hand. It ended peacefully, my hat is off to him.
The thread is "Best defense handgun for the woods?" Not Tactics or law. BT53 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

There are certainly more talented people here than I! I can't imagine trying to fish while holding a bolt action rifle. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I can't imagine too many LEO's being real enthused about someone carrying a loaded "deer rifle" out of season either, let alone the general public. Might want to check your state's regulations too. In Ohio for instance it's illegal to possess certain types of ammo or guns when bowhunting, duck hunting, etc. But if lugging a rifle and putting up with the hassle while fishing floats your boat, more power to you.

I'd have to agree with Deputy Norm and others. Not only is a handgun much more convenient and likely to be there when I need it, the rest of the general public isn't going to panic when they don't see me with it, although I'd probably be wearing it openly in truly remote areas.

And for those that have plans of "taking me out" for whatever reason, if I'm carrying a rifle and they have half a brain, they're much more likely to shoot me in the back by surprise, whereas I might have a chance if they assume that I'm unarmed.

When I told my buddy what had happened the next morning he said he never heard a thing!
Next time I'll stoke up the turkey gun. Bigger hole in the "Bidness" end.
I like Deputy Norm's idea though. 2 guns are better than 1. They used to call that a "New York Reload". I figure 9 230 jhp's (and 8 more in the spare mag.)and 6 .22 hp's should handle things well.

I am kind of surprised at the reports that so many sportsmen out went seem to have problems with the "have-nots". I was in LE for 25+ years, the last 15 here in New England and never heard any reports of hunters or fishermen robbed at gun point or otherwise. Break-ins of cabins and vehicles yes, but 1/1 robbery never. How big a problem is it out there anyway?

I have carried in the woods since I was old enough to go into the woods by myself...like age 8. Started with a BB gun and just progressed from there. Rifles are nice but very out of place except during hunting season. They also draw just too much attention.

As to revolver or semi-auto, I have and carry both depending on the reason and the season. Carry whatever you shoot best and WILL carry with you all the time. You are much better off with a M34 Kit Gun always with you than a M29 that gets left in camp.

Bob

I agree with you, RJM. The incidence of crime in my parts is very rare and, if it's anywhere, it's going to be near a developed road or campsite and a property crime rather than a crime against a person. Maybe it's because a lot of the people I see in the woods (locals, anyway) are a part of the armed and polite society. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> As far as rifles go, it is not unusual to see rifles in the woods and vehicles at any time, because coyotes are varmints and can be hunted year round.

I always want to shoot while walking, hunting (who doesn't), fishing, etc, and I find the good old 22LR is best for that. I can take several hundred rounds with me if I want, it's quiet, and I don't spend time at the reloading bench. The approach I take is to always have a rifle and a handgun with me. If I have a centerfire rifle, I take a 22 handgun, and if a 22 rifle, a 45 handgun. If I'm planning a "low threat" day alone, I'll strap on my Bisley Vaquero, riding in El Paso Saddlery leather. Coyotes and rocks beware! If I'm hunting, fishing, or camping in an area where I'll likely bump into people, I carry my 5" 1911 concealed under a shirt. The Cougar population is booming here in Oregon, and while it's unlikely I'll ever be attacked by one, it would be a horrible way to go. It is very rare however, that I can spend an entire day without running into people. People that want to do others harm will be all the more enticed by a remote location w/o witnesses. Don't want to take that chance either.