Hiking Revo

[steve2267]

I hope to soon start taking the family camping and hiking here in the Rocky Mountains. What revolver would you recomend I carry as a backpack / hiking gun? I'm thinking .357magnum as a minimum caliber. But would I be better served by a .41 magnum or .44 magnum? I think .44 special is out, I can always download a .44 magnum. And I don't think I want a .454 casull, or .480 ruger or .500 s&w... although there is some allure to a .500 caliber.

I'd want to buy a good used revo, and am thinking a S&W. Dan Wesson or Rugers are not out of the question, but $$ is, and I am guessing I can get a good deal on a used Smith & Wesson.

What barrel length should I get? I'm thinking 4". Oh, I should mention I have a S&W 640-1 and a 4" 586. Am I done? Or do I really need a .44 magnum?

There have been a number of stories in (my) recent memory of mountain lion attacks here in Colorado up and down the front range. Also the recent attacks in California are fresh in my mind. Black bear population is also going through the roof ever since Colorado voters foolishly voted to ban bear hunting with bait or dogs. I don't expect to encounter Grizzlies nor (insane) moose, although one 95 yo man was recently mauled to death by a moose in Granby, CO.

Also, how do you recommend I carry it? Strong side hip? Shoulder rig? Concealment is a nice option, but if out hiking, I'm not necessarily worried about concealing it.

[Brownie]

The 4 inch model 65 I have does that duty nicely with these:

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357 for data and

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/images/357_180.JPG

Montain lion will fall to them [ and we can run into them out here in the Supes ], so will bear. The load will penetrate 7 inches into a live pine tree. You do your job, the load will do nicely.

Out here we worry about Javelina at times as well. Hard, grisled tough, the BB loads will also do on them, and thats why I carry them in the model 65. They can be fired from any serviceable 357 without harm to the gun.

I carry mine on my hip, strong side if I take it in a thumb break Safariland canted OWB

I believe Mr G also carries the BB loads as well. He may chime in on this when he sees it

[Guantes]

Just got back in town yesterday. Went down to Cal to visit my son (a patrol sgt now) and his family and renew my 218.

I agree re the .357 and the BB 180's, I think they are more than adequate for the tasks described. I am comfortable with them for blacks or smaller griz (like we have down here), I think they would break a shoulder without any trouble. From what I have seen cats are pretty easy to knock over. I have seen several tree shot with .22mags or .38s with a good shot.

I carry my GP100 in my inverted shoulder rig. The shoulder rig conceals easy under a light shirt and takes the weight off my belt and doesn't conflict with the large butt bag I sometimes carry when hiking/hunting.

[steve2267]

Guantes, can you post a pic or link to a pic of an inverted shoulder rig? How much do they run? Do you find them comfortable?

[Guantes]

Steve,
There is a picture on the first page of the Revolver Comeback thread.
You might have trouble finding one, mine came out of the 70' Safariland catalog, not sure what all is available now. Ken Null makes a skeleton one out of plastic. Its ok, but I don't like it as well as my SL.