Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Perfect Packin Pistol

John Taffin created it. "Basically a Perfect Packin' Pistol is a handgun — either sixgun or semi-auto — with an easy handling barrel length between 4″ to 51/2″ chambered in a cartridge capable of handling anything you may run into. It's packable, portable and potent. It may be chambered in anything from .22 LR up to .500 Wyoming Express." In terms of "packing pistol" my understanding is that John was referring to a woods gun, not a CCW for packin on the street.

Mine varies, but is typically a Volkmann tuned Kimber Custom II in 10mm and more recently a Dan Wesson Bobtail Valor Commander in 10mm. Occasionally it's a G23 or SW 44 mag Mountain Gun. Been really digging the DW lately; I give up some velocity but it's packable, extremely accurate, great sights, and will cover 95% of my needs in the woods.

Off the top of my head here are some pistols that got considerable holster time in the woods over the years...

Ruger Single Six .22 Mag
Ruger Standard Auto .22 LR
S&W M63 .22 LR

Ruger Security Six .357 Mag (several of these over the years)
S&W M19/66 .357 Mag (again, several of these over the years)
S&W M15 .38 Special
Colt Detective Special .38 Special
Ruger Blackhawk .41 & .44 Mag
S&W M29 .44 Mag

Colt Gold Cup 1911 .45 ACP
Colt Lwt Commander 1911 .45 ACP
Colt Delta Elite 1911 10mms
Glock 20 10mm

Today because of the high likelihood to run into a bunch of wild hogs and/or the occasional bear I most often go strapped with the Glock 10mm. But my sentimental favorite is probably the old S&W M63. The Ruger MKIV LITE would be good... and a 4" M19 is always a good choice. It's getting mushroom hunting time and something is going to get the packed while I stalk the elusive morel.

Mine is mostly a 629 Mountain Gun. I've toted it hunting, fishing and just prowling through the woods.

While we have a few bear moving in, pigs are my biggest concern and snakes, forgot about snakes but a load of snake shot coming out of a 44 pistol works well.

S&W 329. Carry a lot, shoot very little with full power loads. Killed a pronghorn doe with it at 85 yards.

Mine is a five shot GP100 44 Special with a 3” barrel. Unless I’m going out in people, then it’s a Sig 365 with the 12 rnd magazine. For packing..... for play, it’s still one of my 44 mag Redhawks.

S&W 657 Mountain Gun 41 Magnum, 5.5 inch Ruger Flattop Bisley 44 Special and 5.5 inch Ruger Bisley 45 Colt.

Since I usually have a rifle when I'm out in the woods, this works well. Walther PP in .22.
Bob

I've had a couple Ruger SBHs that others had shortened to 5 1/2", and both were pretty handy in the right leather. Otherwise, a good 5" 1911 is pretty nice, too. Another worthy of mention was a 4" RB 686 CS-1 .357, a perfect sized gun I never should have sold.

Ruger 4 5/8 44 spcl flat top. Custom Ruger octagon barrel Bisley 4 5/8 45 Colt. Ruger 5 1/2 Bisley 45 Colt. And though I really like the little 44, I'm more of a 45 fan. Powerful, packable, practical.

Here's my version:



It's also fun to shoot.

The gun, loaded with 10 rounds, and the holster weigh 26 ounces all-in. I switch to Xtreme Penetrators off-pavement.

MId framed sized old model Ruger conversion to 41 Mag. Light, short barrel, potent.

I like a revolver for packing afield. I rotate between a S&W model 63, and a three inch Model 60 with adjustable sights.

I bought into the concept a soon as Taffins first mention of it. It might have been during the announcement of the S&W Mountain Gun, but I'm not sure. I do know that as soon as one was available I had to have one. It's a 629-2.
Before that I'd carried a 1911 in the woods quite a bit & still think it's a good PPP. Taffin was also delighted with the special runs of 5.5" stainless Ruger Bisleys that Accusport commissioned & wrote a lot about them. I agreed & had to have some of those as well.

Geography plays a big role as to what the PPP in IMO, & in my area, other than deer season, A Glock 23/19 or 4" 357 double action is fine is a good choice.

Then there's the sadistic 329 Smith. All the power of any mentioned, & lighter as well. Mine is carried with snake shot for rattlers while prairie dog shooting out west & specials around home.

All mentioned have spent a good bit of time with me in several locations. But when it all boiled down to the most carried & used, it all goes back to a .22. I sold a S&W 4" model 63 once that I'd had for some time & my brother ask; what in the hell is wrong with you! That gun was with you a lot & it killed more small game & varmints than anything you own!

He was right, I had to go buy another.

For me it is a Ruger New Model Vaquero in .45 Colt with a 4 5/8 inch barrel. It is built on the smaller Ruger frame which makes it lighter than the Super Black Hawks. It is the same size as the Colt single actions. It has that classic look and will do what ever I need a revolver to do.

I'll also give an honorable mention to my S&W M-13 which packs very nicely when spending a day in the woods.

I'm not so sure .22 or any of the mouse calibers technically qualify. Those fall more under the umbrella of trail or camp pistol. A PPP should be reasonably powerful enough for defensive use against any two or four legged critters that may be encountered.

Depends on where I'm trekking. In WI. it is a S&W M34 4" .22 because about the meanest think where I go is a red squirrel. In FL. it is a S&W M337PD .38 Special with snake loads up first and a few +P Specials in the cylinder to follow.

OK;that's a reasonable assumption. This one has killed a couple of pigs up-close.
Bob

Hiking around home, it's my M&P340 loaded with .38 +P DPX. When in the UP, it's the same gun but loaded with BB .38 +P Outdoorsman loads. I wish that I could just carry a 317 for plinking, but you never know when Mr Stupid is going to come walking down the trail towards you. I thought that I was going to have a problem on the Jordan River Pathway once, of all places.

If carrying a centerfire hunting rifle or shotgun I like a .22 handgun just fine. If the handgun is the only firearm I have I tend to like a little more juice than a .22 rimfire pistol offers.

I totally agree that your definition is correct. My drift was just that.

.357 magnum power & up, in a packable handgun should be the theme. Seems I recall 50 ounces as the ceiling.

S&W, BTW blew this out of the water 2 more times after the Mountain Gun. My hat is off to their engineering dept.

The Glock 20 10mm is my constant companion. It hunts just as well as it packs.

Took me a while to find one and get it shipped in. A S&W 357PD Scandium 41 magnum. My hunting backup. walk around pistol. Big enough for what I might encounter. Had a 629, but after a week of hunting I was listing to one side. I often forget the 357PD is even there.

I’ll lean against the trend. If I’m carrying a .308, I’m packing a .22.

My favorite. Sold this one once then traded for it back. Years later, I still need to find a worthy holster.





Love that 41 mag conversion, Robb

One of these 3 (depending on where I'm going)...

Ruger NMFT 45Colt/ACP - G21SF 45ACP - S&W 25-9 45Colt

I know their strengths and limitations... I find comfort with all three when they are handy.

I have this holster for my MKII 22/45 with 5.5" barrel, it's nothing fancy, but it works and I like it for the price.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2375197218

very similar tastes but could add others such as a 10mm glock, 696, model 58smith, some two inch 629's or 657's a ruger redhawk short barrel, some early 45 colt vaquero's, a smith 45colt six shooter. and the list goes on.
mart and i have similar tastes i think.

I really like my new Kimber TLE.

For me it has been the S&W 696 in 44 Spcl with 3 inch barrel. Very packable and will handle anything I will run across. But given how scarce and expensive these are now becoming, will likely switch to a Sig 1911 in 10mm.

This is the other options I often carry. This Ruger is another old model conversion to 41 Special in 41 Special with an even shorter barrel from a Model 57 Smith & the Model 28 is a conversion to to 41 Special as well.

Mine is a Ruger old model Bisley Vaquero, loaded up with 325 gr. hard cast bullets at 1150 fps.

Man, I've seen a bunch of the prettiest revolvers on this site in the last couple weeks.

Bighorn, I like adjustable sights on a working handgun, but that is one fine looking piece.

Robb, I know nothing about .41 special, but your collection of squirrel-hunting deer revolvers is amazing. Love the stubby Ruger. And drooling on that Smith!

Glad I have more time lately to look at some pictures.

(270, looked at your link but they don't have a 4" model. Thanks for the recommend.)

Ella

glock 19

Have carried a bunch of guns over the years while out woods walking...1911s, .22s, .44s, semis, DAs, SAs... But one day about 10 years ago I sat down and figured out what exactly I was most likely to use the gun for...hiking here in New England...

Small game is very limited...the coyote invasion wiped them and most of the ground dwelling birds out starting back in the mid-1990s...so no .22s or .32s...

Rabid animals...skunks and coons mainly..but rare. Rabies was real bad here back in the 1990s and at one point it was 5 years before I saw another dead coon in the road...

Coyotes...they are everywhere but mostly at night... A friend was out walking his dog one day and a coyote kept following them even after being yelled at...no gun...and he is even an LEO.

Moose and black bear..attacks are rare but have happened.

Two-legged vermin...wondering the woods the pot growers and meth heads are out there...

While a semi would work (1911 .38 Super or 10mm) (Glock 40 10mm or 19/9mm) walking the woods I would rather carry a revolver...and I am a .41 guy...

So here are my three picks...

S&W 657 Mountain Gun 4" stainless .41 Magnum
212-230 grain Keith bullets (Solid or HP) with 8-9.0 grains of Unique (950-1100 fps)
Weight empty: 40.6 oz
Loaded: 45.2 oz.










Freedom Arms 97 4.25" stainless .41 Magnum
165-180 grain MP (Solid or HP) with 14.0 grains of Blue Dot (1300 fps)
Weight empty:38.4 oz.
Loaded: 41.7 oz.









Taurus Titanium Trecker 4" Ported .41 Magnum
215 grain Accurate 41-215V with 9.0 grains of Unique Magnum case or 8.0 Special case (1100 fps)
Weight empty: 24.4 oz.
Loaded: 25.7 oz.








Extra ammo is carried on Tuff Products Speed Strips... Belt case is from Dillon and the pocket case from REMORA...





Besides the pictured holsters I also use one of the Hill People Runners Packs...just excellent... Also need to get a set of Chesty Puller straps for the Simply Rugged Holsters...



Figure if I get back out to Idaho I won't need to change anything...


So that is my Waders contribution...

Bob

rest of the pics...

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/14734271#Post14734271

Mine is an old Ruger Flattop 44 Mag cut to 4 1/2" loaded with 275 gr WFN's at 1000 fps.

I end up in the woods often in low light with my dogs.

A light and a mrds are complete game changers. A g40 is my go to.

Bob, guessing you carry that 'Ti' quite often, lightweight, but look at those WIDE FLAT NOSED 215s! Lol.

Very nice pieces guys! Robb, who did the Case Hardening on that short 41? Nice Special ! Also, is your OMBH, rear sights OEM or ?

RGK, always wanted a PP, had an Astra Constable 22 and a Beretta 70S 22, both were great, the 70S was nice but could not regulate sights, your POA seems to hit POI. Had a Manurhin Walther 380 in college, messed up not getting the nickel 22 offered then. A PPK/S, like the PP a bit more.

I'm not ok stopping at the 95% line when the last 5% can kill me. I demand 100% and won't settle for less.

My two guns that fit Taffin's description are both .44 magnums, one a 4-5/8" blued super blackhawk, the other a S&W 329PD. I usually carry the Ruger on day trips where I might be likely to WANT to shoot something and save the S&W for overnight (or longer) backpacking trips where I might NEED to shoot something even if I don't WANT to. I pack the same load in both guns, the only variable is launch pad, and the only reason for having both is shifting balance between portability and shootability.

If I get that twitchy feeling suggesting the .44s are not enough, I do, rarely, reach for a Ruger Bisley .454, but it is heavier yet and a little less comfortable / convenient to carry. Again, a question of balancing size of need vs convenience.

I've never met a semi-auto that was adequate 'cept for a Desert Eagle and I'm not packing one of those boat anchors around.

Tom

The Ti is a great shooter... Have the same gun in stainless and also a 6" Ti... MUCH better guns than the S&W 3-series...had them...hated them...and gone..


It is a great bullet...ran it through my waterjug setup and went through the carton, 5 jugs and cut a nice round patch out of the ballistic vest carrier. The meplat is .37...there was rifling almost all the way up the nose...and looked like it could have been reloaded. It was also accurate at 100 yards...

Was so pleased with the way it shot I asked Accurate to add another lube groove and extend the base and it is now the 41-250F...they now also have gas-checked versions of both.

Here's mine: Freedom Arms Model 97 .22 Magnum

10MM DW Bobtail Classic with Bar Sto barrel, or S&W 460 Mag w/4 " barrel.

Many years I packed a Ruger Single-Six while camping. hiking and timber cruising in the midwest.



Then these started showing up.




Ruger Security-Six .357 Mag is what I pack now.

Very nice Bob, had a SS 4" 41 Tracker in the past, Jerry Miculek even tried it one day when he asked what I was shooting That 250 must be one heck of a performer! Sure the 215s would punch any deer/hog/bear, elk or moose. Broadside for sure. And they probably are shorter and may fit in the Taurus and FA97s.

To the OP - 10mm is a good round. Anything close to a .41 is a good place to be, IMHO.

Like others have said, if I'm carrying a shotgun or a rifle my handgun would usually be a .22lr. Which would be a Ruger 22/45 with a Tactile Solutions barrel on it that makes that combo super light on the hip.

If bowhunting or fishing in backwoods of Idaho, it's a Ruger Old Vaquero Stainles Bisley 5.5" 44MAG filled with cast 300g slugs at 1377fps over the chronograph. Powerfull with a "wee" bit of recoil.

General woods walking or fishing in main areas would be a Glock 22 loaded with cast 180g slugs at 1170fps with a back up mag in the pocket.


The search for the perfect packin' pistol seems like an eternal search with difficulty in finding just the one shooter that does all, hence the three above.

I carry a SW360 scanadium J frame with 357s the most in the woods. I do have a SW329, but it is not as easy to carry.

Mountain10mm: My idea of the "perfect packin pistol" has recently changed!
For decades I have "packed" one of my 22 L.R. calibered Smith & Wesson Model 34's, Model 63's or my Model 651 (22 Magnum stainless revolver J-frame).
Sadly with the number of large predators (including Black Bear, Cougars, Wolves and Grizz!) being allowed to increase dramatically, by the next to worthless Montana game department, and the huge increase in Grizzlies in my immediate area, I now choose/advise a Smith & Wesson Model 629 with the perkiest 44 Magnum loads available - in what ever barrel length you prefer - mine is 6".
Oh yeah, and as a last resort, "Bear Spray" should be packed as well.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

The 45 Colt mountain gun is probably closer to what he had in mind but I'm more likely to be toting the 32H&R SP101 or the Taurus 9mm G2.

S&W 329PD.

Lightweight and powerful. In a high adrenaline environment the shooter wouldn't notice the recoil.

I load mine with 1 round of snake shot, 2 rounds of.44 Special, and 2 rounds of full power .44 Magnum. Ready for reptiles, people, and animals.

That said, I carry a Rossi 720 more often than any other handgun with 2 rounds of snake shot and 3 rounds of .44 Special 240 grain hard cast SWCs.

What's in the sixth chamber?

Rainbows

Leaving Glock 29 out of that lineup is a major omission.

Bayfield orchards or closer to your home?

As for myself the LC9S is still the most commonly carried. It is beginning to look kinda worn. Function is and always has been 100% Never once a failure with this pistol and that means a lot to me. And I shoot it well. Almost as well as the p320.

I can see me replacing it with a p365. Kinda wish now I'd bought a couple more LC9Ss when they were available dead cheap.

Should have read "3 rounds of full power .44 Magnum.". Since I shoot the 5-shot Rossis and Taurus' much more frequently than the 6-shot 329PD and 624s, I guess that I'm conditioned to think of them all as having 5-shot cylinders rather than a mix of both 5-shot and 6-shot cylinders.

What does that mean?

The two revolvers on the left, M-63 & M-65 or the two pistols on the right, Sig P220 and Browning HP and the Ruger MKII 5.5" in the center.

Very nice SA Sir.

Wow, you guys have some great hardware! Love those .41s. Used to be a Ruger Single Six in .22mag went everywhere on the farm. That changed into a Ruger LCR in .22 mag when they came out. Kinda got rattled and felt under gunned when I came in from fixing fence and had a truck and visitors in the drive way. After assuring these gentlemen that So and So didn't live here, I started carrying a 4" 1911 model and the LCR. With rubber grips on the 1911, I don't have to worry about banging up the grips with the tractor seat, etc. Novak sights and two mags of 230gr HP. A little much for raccoons and woodchucks, but it definitely gets the job done and I prefer the feeling when I get back to the house.

I'm way more used to carrying in Alaska than Idaho. I usually packed a NM Super blackhawk cut down to 5-1/2" in 44 mag which is one of my oldest carrying guns, or a Ruger Alaskan 454 loaded with Buffalo bore 325 grain hard casts. Sometimes a Ruger Redhawk 4" also 44 mag. Here in Idaho I'd include a 4" Ruger Security Six 357 mag with 170 - 180 grain hard cast would get included. As others have said if I am carrying a rifle I'll probably have a Ruger Single Six that I've carried for several years.

In Grizzly country, a 4”Redhawk .45LC with heavy hardcast load in a chest rig. Usually with a long gun.

When the weather is nice, a 4” 29-2 or mountain gun with .44 or .45LC “workin’ loads” in an El Paso Threepersons rig.

When the bears are asleep, a 4” 19-4 with 125 or 158 gr black Hills JHP.

When there’s a lot of climbing, a Shield .45 with 255gr BuffaloBore.

Most of the time, a tuned 10mm SR1911 with 200 gr Underwood hardcast or XTP.

Glock 17

load: 147 g flat points........works.

or

Glock 22

load: 180 g falt points.......works.


yawn

I haven't found it yet. A Smith 329PD with with one or two snake charmers and 8.5 grains Unique ahead of a cast 240 in the other chambers might come fairly close for around here. If it just was't a damn S&W. WTH is Ruger gonna make a light weight double action 6 shot .44!!!!!

Lately I've been packing my Glock 23 Gen 2 stoked with 180 grain FMJ's in a Desantis or Fobus holster. I recently replaced the sights with a set of XS Big Dots and I really like them.
My 4" Ruger GP100 357 mag loaded with either 180 XTP's or 180 Buffalo Bore in a Desantis holster still gets a little travel time too.

My brand new Lipsey Exclusive Ruger Blackhawk Bisley with both 45 Colt and 45 ACP cylinders. I literally opened the box 5 minutes ago; first picture. Now, to figure out what to feed it.

I tend to go with my S&W Model 58 or Glock 32. If I can find a better holster I’d like to carry my Ruger MKIII 5 1/2” stainless bull more.

GSSP, that pistol is sexy as f**k. That's about perfect for most of the lower 48.

Well, I carefully read your post and thought of every handgun I have, the Gen4 M21 Glock kept coming to the top:

Any weather condition, don't worry, it'll handle it.
Rapid hit ability because of mild recoil.
High capacity.
Unbelievable reliability.
Great fiber sights. [steel]
Overall short and pretty light pistol riding quiet and tight in a near indestructible Blackhawk Serpa.
200gr Lehighs to 230gr gold dots and FMJ-FP's.
Load it like a 45 Super if needed.
I believe would kill, turn or keep a critter off me as well as any other handgun I have, that includes a DW 10mm and a 5 shot FA 454.

Some real nice revolvers here. I like most prefer a 22 when carrying a rifle, now its my Ruger Mark IV, used to be an inexpensive single action revolver. Hikes locally, its usually my S&W 637 with a couple of rounds of snake shot followed by 3 rounds of 125 gr HP's or Sig 320 Compact. Weekend camping, longer excursions, S&W 19 4" or Ruger Security Six. Read once that an ideal carry/trail gun is a 3" 357, not really a bad choice for what I may encounter

I like that. No two ways about it. My problem is, I also like the Stainless 4-5/8" Flat top 45 Convertible which is 7 ounces lighter according to the Ruger Spec sheet. Seems like a lot, and I'm not sure that's not a typo. Did you check them both out? Just handling it, what are your immediate impressions.
Thanks.

This could qualify, Lipsey Blackhawk Flat top convertible. It's from the original run I think. Bought it in 2011. It has the .45ACP cylinder in it most of the time. Has had some work done by Ron Powers, free spin pawl and action job. I installed a heavy spring in the base pin release. Very accurate and pleasure to shoot. Rides in a El Paso three-Person holster. One of my favorite handguns.

Mine's a Cimarron bird's head Thunderer, 3 1/2" barrel in 45 Colt loaded with 255 grain Keith style semi wadcutters. It rides in a Mernickel hip holster. It's been with me for several years. Prior, I carried a 4 5/8" Blackhawk in 45 Colt. More powerful when handloaded, but I didn't like the extra weight.

That’s one I’ve got my eye on! Looking forward to some good reports on it!

Very nice purchase my friend. Very nice.

Nice GSSP - do I recall you sold the one you dropped the big Moose? Was that a 5.5 or 4.75? What is above? 4" ? Nice....

Yes, it now resides in the midwest and it was a 4-5/8". This is a 3.75". The Bisley grip is sooo much more comfortable to shoot heavier loads with.

I guess mine would be this 329 because of the light weight.

....and if Lipsey's comes out with a Flat top "Bisley" Convertible, i'm in trouble too.

Taffin changed his mind on the Perfect Packin' Pistol an awful lot but if I had to pick one it would be one of these. Both in .44 Special.

Here’s the two I pack the most. S&W 27-2 and Ruger MK II shorty. I’ve thought about looking into doing a 44 special conversion on the Smith.

I love that MK II.

Were those factory 2”?

Alan, NICE pic of that great Moose, don't know how you could sell that one after that hunt !

I've heard many rave on the Bisley grip, my last BHK was a SS 4 5/8 44 mag, had pachmayr's worked fine, but mostly shot a mild load with Universal Clays, about 9 grains IIRC, with 240 cast. REALLY liked an OMBH in 41, had an aluminum frame, not too heavy loaded, with fluted cylinders. That would be awesome gun if you had that same aluminum frame, in a bisley style, flat top, SS, fluted......

Enjoy that new shorty. Deflave, I recall setting eyes on a 696 long ago, 3", SURE Seemed like a handy piece, seldom seen. I'm sure the Ruger does not disappoint.

I remember reading John Taffins articles about this subject and thoroughly agreed. My de-evolution of this process started with a Freedom Arms .454 then to a Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt shooting heavy Buffalo Bore loads and has finally arrived at the .45 Colt New Vaquero. It's almost dainty compared to the two larger guns. A handload pushing the 270-SAA bullet at near 1000fps is enough to take down anything I'll encounter in the lower 48.

Skeeter Skelton was writing about the perfect trail gun before Taffin's packing pistol articles.

http://darkcanyon.net/What's%20The%20Best%20Trail%20Gun%20For%20You.htm

I fondled one in Grices gun shop in Pa. last year and nearly had them ship it here. Probably should have because I've not seen one here.

What my outdoor situation is determines what I’m packing with me.

G20 in a Gunfighters Inc. chest rig has been my primary sidearm for hunting, hiking/camping. The GFI holster system is all day comfort with excellent access to the pistol. 10mm ain’t 44 mag, but still good medicine for pissed off fur.

The Ruger LCR 38 +P was a freak purchase I made looking for a ultra-light packing gun primarily as a spring-summer snake gun.
It’s no Ruger SP101, but for its price point and excellent accuracy out of the box with everything I’ve fed it. It’s an excellent revolver that I’d recommend anyone try out. Especially, now that it comes in 357 mag.

My Ruger Redhawk 44 mag is a beautiful beast to my eyes.
Stoked with hard hitting Buff solids. It would probably do just fine in turning a black bear away from thinking me or the wife are good eats.
I need to shoot it more to become proficient with it like my Glock 20.

I’m well covered for a woods handgun with these 3. 😎

In a traditional revolver I would pick a Smith & Wesson Mountain Gun 44 Magnum.

In the non-traditional category I would take a Glock 20 in the SF frame and with the trigger guard undercut and rounded up.

Sarge,
Agreement on the S&W Mtn Gun. I owned an earlier version. It came to me lightly used with a very nice trigger job.

I was young and a financial crisis caused me to have to trip it.

It was a helluva lot easier to run on target then my Redhawk.

😎

Just to be contrary, I'll agree on the platforms but insert .45lc and acp.

George

Nothing contrary about that George. I've run both your mentioned cartridges for decades and killed a lot of stuff with both. I could just as easy get along with the 45 LC/ACP Redhawk, as any of them.

I do enjoy my 10mm, but the P220SAO that i shoot it in, to me, doesn’t fit into the ‘packin’ pistol’ category.

Hard to beat either of those! Especially in Bear Country.

If I’m not in Bear Country, my Glock 32 in .357 Sig suffices pretty well too.

My old Ruger 44.

I remember those articles too. Back then one of the things to do was to take those smaller framed FlatTops in .357 and convert them to a .44 spl or .45. I always wanted one of those conversions but never got around to it.

Then one day Ruger introduced the New Vaquero. I think I waited 30 years for Ruger to make that revolver.

That's a nice one Ed. What load are you shooting now?

Yes sir, I think they called it 4” but that’s to the end of the bolt face. They originally came with the thumbrest grips that came on the slab sides. Super handy!! Everybody that shoots it loves it.

I am really liking my Ruger GP-100 in 44 Sp. with 3" barrel. However, with grizzlies not far from my doorstep I do carry a M29 when in some areas. I had an acquaintance killed by a grizzly while dressing out a elk and we all remember the Wyoming guide who suffered the same fate under the same circumstances. Bear spray would be a good idea too.

We just had a guy attacked last week by a sow griz while out hiking in west central Montana. He had a gun (no idea what caliber) and was able to use it on her which drove her away. She was later killed by F&G. He did suffer a bite to his thigh though. That's 5 attacks in 6 months as far as I can remember.