Buddy needs a revolver for kayak/outdoors

Status
Not open for further replies.
E

exar

Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2006
Messages
488
Location
Indiana
Hi guys!
I'm thinking about getting a revolver for a good friend of mine who doesn't have money but has been needing a handgun for awhile. Can anyone recommend what would fill the need? My friend will be taking it on kayak trips and general trail riding and needs something all around good. Obviously, dirt, dust, mud and water will be getting on this gun. He mentioned that he's trying to save for a Ruger GP-100, but he's hard up for cash and this will be a nice surprise for him.
 
I like the Rugers for outdoors use due to the ability to break them down completely and clean them. When mud, dirt, and water get into a Ruger its rather easy to clean. This isn't so with a S&W. A Smith can be cleaned, but when you need to get mud and grit out of the action, it's not something most people can do without a gunsmith around.

I think that for your friends needs, a 3" SP101 would be about perfect. Depending on how it will be carried, maybe even a 3 GP100.
 
I agree with the Ruger sp101

I bought mine mainly for keeping tucked in a side pocket of a backpack or fanny pack when I'm hiking and canoeing. I keep it in a nylon holster that covers nearly all of the stainless parts to prevent scratching, but other than that it is a low maintenance, reliable and powerful (bear, cougar, man) gun for protection. Priced right for a well designed and overbuilt .357 that shoots great for a snubby. Worth a look.
 
Thanks, I'm going gun shopping on lunch break in a bit and will check out the sp-101. My buddy is a big guy(6'0 280lbs) and has big hands so i will try to take this into account when I shop for him. Gun will be strapped inside the kayak in reach when travelling on water and he'll probably buy a holster for hiking.
 
Agree with the SP-101.
Also used to carry a S&W 640-1 in .357 mag and thought it was an excellent companion for backpacking, fishing etc.
 
Either a 3" tube SP101 or a 4" GP100. Stainless. One possibility would be any of the various police/mil/security-trade-in fixed-sight GP100s that have turned up on the market. They come factory with a smaller grip than on adjustable-sight GP100s...the smaller grip is similar to (but not cross-compatible with) the SP101 grip. So if you like how the SP101 feels, you can get that (more or less anyhow) on the larger six-shot frame.

Agree re: all the comments regarding both toughness and the ability to field-strip. We thrashed this out in detail recently on General Handguns with a guy doing SEA Kayaking...which is a whole 'nuther level as far as corrosion issues go.
 
i got the sp101 3" for hiking/outdoors use. it is perfectly suited for that role. i love it, and it is my "if you could only have one" gun.
 
Go for a ruger

Stainless makes the most sense. Also, see about having a lanyard ring installed in the grip frame.
 
Don't forget the Ruger -Six series. A stainless Speed, Service or Security Six in 2 3/4" or 4" barrel makes a great camp/outdoor gun...
They are also (still) affordable.
 
3" GP-100

He'll appreciate the extra round, and the weight is negligeable.
3" Sp101 is an excelent choice, also.
Steve
 
I would give a slight preference to a 4" revolver... the extra velocity might be handy depending on the threat, without the awkwardness of a 6".

However, a 3" barrel should work well enough for anything in the lower 48.
 
Personally, I'd opt for a Smith 620--4" stainless 7-shot .357 (yeah, I'm biased, I love mine ;) ) on an L frame, but given that he was saving up for a GP-100, I'd say buy him a 4" GP 100 (or 4" Sp 101) (nothing against Ruger, I just personally prefer Smith). Frankly, I wish my friends rocked as much as you, and would even consider buying a handgun for me that I was saving up for that would fill a perfect niche.

As for how to carry---what about a shoulder rig? Keep it under a life-vest (if he wears one), and then if worst come to worst and he's falen out of the boat, he's still got it on his person. Just a thought.
 
You could just get a screw in sling swivel and screw it in if grip is thick enough. Either the bottom or the side, just make sure it does not interfere with one's grip.

Also, I would pre wipe the thing down with silicone spray before every outing.

Also, I would seal the ammo. I had law-enforcement ammo, and got dunked in a lake for about a min. Next week at quals I had three misfires. I was not a happy camper.

I think either the sp or the gp or the secsix is fine. If he carries a lot of gear, I would go for the sp.

k
 
My idea of the perfect woods gun is a stainless service-six 4" (legal to hunt with here) with 158Gr hard-cast SWC loads adjusted to POA. OK, 158Gr SJSP's would do. Add the grips you like (compact/boot woodies!). I love the
3" bbls but need 4" to be legal for hunting here. BTW, love the 3" SP-101.

Stay safe.
Bob
 
Back when the world was flat a few enterprising souls who were 'into' boating/kyaking, etc., in shallow still water discovered that they would really find a lanyard loop a useful addition to their revolvers.

Their solution was to drill and tap the bottom of the handle for a Quick Disconnect rifle swivel.

Holsters are better now and more secure so this modification might not be of any use for your friend.

I hadn't thought about that in years.

salty.
 
I would also buy one of the small, fits one hand gun size pelican boxes. They are water proof and will keep a lot of the water and moisture away from the gun while out at sea.
 
I've done a little experimenting with carrying in the kayak, (I go to some strange places) and there really aren't a ton of great ways to do it. If you have to bail out, you don't really want to be waving goodbye to your handgun and your kayak, so I want to keep it on me, but pocket or holster carry puts it under the spray skirt, where you can't get at it easily. Plus it'll get dunked.
The way I ended up going was with a shrouded hammer or hammerless snub in the front pocket of my PFD, inside one or more ziplocks. That way, when the zombie beavers heave themselves up on my foredeck snapping their big snaggly teeth, or I'm bobbing around boatless needing a distress signal, I can shoot through the ziplocks if I have to. Airweight snubs are a plus, as weights are strictly for diving.
 
I own a 4" S&W Model 619 and highly recommend it. It's SLIGHYLY lighter than the Ruger GP100 (M619 37.5 oz, GP100 39.5 oz) but it does allow 7 shots instead of 6 like the Ruger. If you buy a good holster you will almost forget you are carrying it. I bought a DeSantis Scabbard in black and recommend it too. http://www.desantisholster.com/001.html Load your Magnum up with 160 gr Hard Cast rounds from Buffalo Bore, Double Tap or CorBon and you are ready for almost anything in North America.

You are a good friend to get a gift like this for someone who needs protection while hiking.
 
I agree with the sp101, and would also recomend a gp100 4", if you think beatrs and such could be a potential problem I would also have to say a ruger alaskan in 44 would be a much better choice(if you go with the sp101 or gp100 be sure to get the stainless version).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

W
  • Locked
Mountain Revolver 629-2 VS Trail Boss 629-5 Need your Help Guys!!!
Replies
8
Views
2K
bluetopper
bluetopper
C
  • Locked
SOG Revolver
Replies
5
Views
860
Sharpdogs
S
R
  • Locked
Best weapon for trail riding?
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
ApacheCoTodd
ApacheCoTodd
W
  • Locked
Need a tough revolver
2 3
Replies
55
Views
3K
Gryffydd
G
.455_Hunter
  • Locked
Lowest Cost Revolver Suitable for Home Defense
2 3 4 5
Replies
114
Views
10K
gator1gear
G
Back
Top