Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Trail gun- 51/2 or 61/2" barrel?

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.

Go shorter, especially if you are planning on having to draw while sitting. For myself, I like the 4" barrels.

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.

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.

4"

I carry a 4 5/8 Ruger .45 Colt Blackhawk in a cross draw chest rig.

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

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.

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

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?

4 inch barrel for me in a trail gun and for most of my hunting

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

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.

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.

5.5" barreled Ruger Flattop .44 special or .45 LC in a Old El Paso Saddlery Crossdraw holster
Definately Not a .357mag, though

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).

I have a 4 5/8" Vaquero in 45 Colt with a Birdshead Grip - For me it's perfect.

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.

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?

Practice this with an unloaded gun.