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OP
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I'm in the market for a Stainless Blackhawk in .357mag for a "trail gun" to carry while scouting and setting up stands. I'll be carrying it also while I'm hunting if an up-close opportunity comes along. Can't make up my mind on going with the 5 1/2" or 6 1/2" and not sure it makes much difference. Also haven't decided on holsters yet. I see the benefits of a crossdraw more than a hip. Except for when sitting. Does a crossdraw holster have a habit of digging the gun into your gut when sitting or any other disadvantages? Yall help me out here please....I've got a brand NIB Taurus PT 1911 and 650 rounds of ammo I'm fixin to put on the block to get this done.
Last edited by deg967; 05/13/13.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 918
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Go shorter, especially if you are planning on having to draw while sitting. For myself, I like the 4" barrels.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,600
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,600 |
I lucked into a 4 5/8" Blackhawk for $300 last Dec. I wanted short and light and as far as digging into my gut, I don't have a gut so no problem. How about a shoulder holster or a holster that rides across your chest.
Whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494 |
4 inch. Wouldn't think of a 5.5 or longer for a compact gun.
We carry a 329PD and a couple of Kimber Ultra Carries often. Really would not deal all that well even with a 5 inch 45 for our tastes.
4 inches is plenty long enough for speed and accuracy at what most consider pistol distances.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424 Likes: 13
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424 Likes: 13 |
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual. Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit. My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,743
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,743 |
I carry a 4 5/8 Ruger .45 Colt Blackhawk in a cross draw chest rig.
Sam......
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303 |
Cross draw, ....hands down for comfort, and accessibility across the broadest range of positions, regardless of barrel length.
4" dittos.
Can't speak to gut,......got none.
GTC
Member, Clan of the Border Rats -- “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.”- Mark Twain
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2007
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Shorter like the guys are saying will serve you better. I like my S&W 629 it has a 3 1/2 inch barrel. My objective is not 100 yard shots.
NRA Lifetime Member
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Joined: Jun 2001
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,087 |
Definitely 4 or 4&5/8. Carrying a longer barrel just gets in the way and having 4lbs strapped to your hip gets old fast. I have a full 6" Ruger in .357 and a 686, 6" in.357 and they only go to the range.
If I am riding(saddle) with nothing else, a 44mag blackhawk with 4&5/8 barrel goes along, but mostly it is a 4" Ruger Security Six in.357.
I almost always carry cross draw if have rifle as when I sling it over my should it interferes on the right if I am carrying a handgun there. If am riding across draw is much more comfortable and does not interfere with the cantle or any lead ropes when I am pulling a pack string.
CC It is always strong side with a 9mm or J frame smith in .357
My preferences only YMMV
Last edited by saddlesore; 05/13/13.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Campfire Regular
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Thanks for the advise. Noted. Yea mostly I had in mind to have during snake season scouting and setting stands and like I said the odd chance shot within 50yards or so on deer. BTW...what's the magic of pulling back the hammer without spooking what you're fixing to drop it on?
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
4 inch barrel for me in a trail gun and for most of my hunting
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,831
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,831 |
I have a 5.5 inch Blackhawk in .45 Colt. I can't think of a better length. I'm not concealing it. I carry it in a leather rig that rides just below the hip. Most comfortable rig I've ever had. Try this place out no matter which length you go with. Cowboyneeds.com Great prices. Excellent customer service. All sorts of leather goods. P.S. I use this particular setup. 110 & 114 combo
Last edited by pira114; 05/13/13.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 10,282 |
Since your barrel limit is 4" I'd go with a 4-5/8. Not a 357 mag though, either a 44 or a 45. If you run a cast flat nose bullet of 240-250 grains out of either at 1000fps you'll kill anything in the woods.
The older I become the more I am convinced that the voice of honor in a man's heart is the voice of GOD.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
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Since the 357 Blackhawk it not offered in 4" that answer is moot unless you want to dump some cash on a chop job. The 7/8" difference between in a 4 5/8' gun and a 5 1/2" one never bothered me with regard to carry. I carry crossdraw and use both lengths depending upon the piece I feel like carrying. Go with the 5 1/2" and be done with it.
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,275 Likes: 12 |
5.5" barreled Ruger Flattop .44 special or .45 LC in a Old El Paso Saddlery Crossdraw holster Definately Not a .357mag, though
Last edited by chlinstructor; 05/14/13.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,810 |
Shorter is better (and more convenient). As for the magic of soundlessly cocking the hammer, (not the safest way, but the only way), you have to keep pressure on the trigger while you cock the trigger and then hold the hammer back as you release the trigger. You'll probably get only the final click, but not the multiple clicks as the cylinder passes over the locking notch and the half cock position.
Practice this at the range before attempting in the field (and always point the muzzle in safe direction).
Last edited by djs; 05/14/13.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,816 |
I have a 4 5/8" Vaquero in 45 Colt with a Birdshead Grip - For me it's perfect.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2007
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I don't think you're going to find a blackhawk .357 in 5-1/2 ... not a factory barrel length option, you've got 4-5/8" or 6-1/2".
In a short .357, I think you should keep the 4" GP100 on your list. The 4" SP101 with adjustable sights should be another consideration. DA has some advantages. Even if you never fire it DA, the swing ut cylinder is going to make reloading faster .. speed loaders, speed strips, etc.
Personally, though, for a trail gun / woods bumming gun, the hole diameter ought to start with .4, not .3. 41 mag, .44 special or mag, or .45 colt. My favorite for looks and balance is the stainless 5-1/2 barreled super blackhawk. However, for carry, a S&W 329PD is hard to beat.
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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When I scout and refresh my "No Trespassing" signs each year around my parent's southern Ohio property, in addition to my sidearm, I'm also carrying: a small section of aluminum ladder, bag of nails, stack of aluminum signs, and a hammer. It's just about 1 mile around the perimeter with 4 pretty steep inclines and declines and I'm pretty worn out when finished. NOTE: The guns are carried loaded, "empty" weights are merely given as a reference point. I used to carry my 4" 629 in a cheap Hunter brand holster. While it was comfortable, at around 42 oz (empty), it was a load by the time I got back. A couple years ago I tried carrying both an aluminum frame Taurus PT1911 (32 oz empty) in a Bianchi 59 holster, and a Taurus 605 3" (24 oz empty) in a Simply Rugged holster (Silver Dollar I believe) rotated around to my left side for comparison. I was a little shocked that the 1911 was far more comfortable. Must've been the paddle holster. At 46 to 48 ounces, those Blackhawks are going to get pretty heavy. Have you thought about just sticking with the 1911 you already have?
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,606 |
Practice this at the range before attempting in the field (and always point the muzzle in safe direction). Practice this with an unloaded gun.
Last edited by ConradCA; 05/14/13.
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