Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Does anyone use .380 or 9mm for a woods/trail gun?

I'm trying to find something that's lightweight and has good sights to carry with me on the farm. I thought I'd settled on a S&W Model 37 airweight revolver, but I can't hit schit with the fixed sights past just a few yards. Considering that the M37 is truly a close-quarters combat revolver, I can't really fault it.
I'm looking for something that I can dispatch wounded game, bag a rabbit, etc, and use for protection that doesn't weigh a damned ton! Bears are not a concern. I know I'd best be suited with at least a 4" barrel heavier revolver, but most of them push 25 oz. minimum. The only thing that has felt really good in my hands lately has been a Sig P232 in .380, but I'm having a hard time convincing myself that it would be suitable as a woods/trail gun.
Any suggestions or opinions?

Good question. Look forward to the replies. I went through the same thought process last year and ended up with an HK usp compact. 9mm. The gun is very accurate AND reliable. I feel like it is as reliable as a revolver IMO. More rounds too! Very easy to break down and clean if it becomes wet or dirty. I don't really have a problem or fear of bears down here but worry more about the very slight chance of running into some wacko or wild dog/dogs. Especially if I have my 6 y/o son with me. Gun also doubles as a home defense weapon. Not a bad choice for my needs.

S&W makes titanium J-Frames in .38 Special featuring adjustable sights with three inch barrels. I have one that I bought just before they started putting the damned key holes in the frames.

Khar 380 or PM9 for southeastern hiking trails for me. I'd probably carry my S&W 360 with 180gr 357's in puma country.

Try hard as you can to lay hands on a Kel-Tec PMR-30 .22 WMR pistol. Good size, good sights, light weight and comes with 2-30 round magazines.

I carry in the woods what I carry on the street; which is a .45 ACP. Used to carry a 9mm Hi Power, and it served me well in the woods too. When using .380 or 9mm on bunnies, make sure you always use hollow points. I found out the hard way that fmj's don't anchor even a squirrel in 9mm. Switch to a JHP, and now you have to be careful not to spoil all the meat.

As Hawkeye stated the S&W Model 60-10 or 60-15 are just about perfect for what you are looking for... Under 25 oz., all stainless steel, .357 Magnum or .38 Special.



Gun in a K-frame Simply Rugged holster...





You are also correct...the .380 is no Trail Gun... If you want a small auto look at a 9mm. When using an auto for the woods I use a Colt Commander in .38 Super. Just finished this one..all stainless Combat Commander with BoMar sights and my gunsmith just put in 9mm and .38 Super BarSto match barrels... Was down the range today and the .38 Super barrel also runs 9x23 Winchester like it was made for it.




Bob

Best choice for a small game handgun is a .38 Special using target wadcutters. Cuts a nice clean .357 caliber hole all the way through, putting them right down.

I usually carry a 357 when (shotgun) hunting, and either a 357 or 9mm when hiking. If it's a very public trail, I often lean towards the 9mm as I think they conceal better and are a little comfier to carry.

Mountain lions are the biggest creature we have to deal with, though I think I'd rather run into a kitty than a pack of javelina when the dogs are along. Is a 357 better for pumers? Probably, but everything is a compromise.

I picked up a jackass rig on the cheap this year to shoulder carry the 9mm (I really really don't like a gun on my hip for any serious hiking) but don't know how often I'll get to use it because it's seldom cool enough here for a decent cover garment.

But to answer the question, I think you can make do with a 9mm nicely. Some people just shoot semis better than revolvers too, don't know if that applies in this case.

I sometime carry one of my 9mm or 45 acp's but a 22 most of the time

I'd say consider a Glock 19, or Glock 17. Carry it with a quality belt and holster and the weight will be a non-issue.

I carry a Glock 17 more than anything else when I'm outdoors. 147s at 1100 fps. I like the Wilderness Tactical Instructor belt, and of late have been using a Blackhawk Serpa holster. Word on the street is the Serpa is not the best holster for MMA fighting. I find it a very good holster for my uses.

I like the Blackhawk Serpa and have three or four of them. They work.

I love the Serpa in the paddle mode. So convenient to put on or take off. I have a Serpa for my G17/22, and another for the G21.

G17 in the Serpa, and Wilderness Tactical belt. It stays where you left it, and I forget it's even there.

329 PD

I have the Paddle for my 1911 , Glock 23 , and Springfield XD.

Certainly a lot of power in that, and super lightweight.

Yep, right answer.

That is my other kickin around gun. With Cast performance 255grWFN bullets at 950fps pushed by 9.0 grs of Unique it does not tear up a lot of meat on small game but will do anything I would ever attempt to get done with a handgun. No fear of pointing it at any threat from smake to man to black bear if the need arose. I put different sights on mine for precision shooting of grouse etc. Regular Patridge style front with a white outlined square notch rear. Makes a BIG difference in one's ability to take the head off of a grouse. Also did a trigger job and added lasergrip sights for "Inside the tent or home" varmint intervention.

PS: the PMR30's fit PERFECTLY in any holster designed for a 4 inch 1911 style pistol. Mine rides in a holster built for a 1911 made by Greg in Tennesee here at 24hrcf. My 329PD is nearly imperceptable whilst riding in its Mitch Rosen pancake holster.

As CCW weapons, I'm usually carrying both a Glock 19 9mm and a S&W 638 .38+P. Both have accounted for various critters in the woods. I have a couple of dedicated "woods" handguns, but they don't get carried much any more because it's simpler to just use what I brung wit' me.