Hiking Revolver, what do you pack?
- Thread starter Peakbagger46
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Ounces count when hiking, and a Charter Arms is very light for caliber. I use a 44 Special Target Bulldog with a 4" barrel and adjustable sights. It's been finished in GunKote. It usually carries two CCI shotshells and three Buffalo Bore 200 grain hard cast wadcutters, which is the hottest load recommended for a Charter.
jar
Contributing Member
Long long ago when I could still hike it depended on which side of the country I happened to be hiking.
East coast it was usually a small 38Special J frame Smith. In Arizona it was a S&W 1917 in 45acp.
East coast it was usually a small 38Special J frame Smith. In Arizona it was a S&W 1917 in 45acp.
Beach Bum
Member
I am a tremendous fan of the spear as a defensive weapon and as a hiking tool .If hiking with my spear, or bow in grizzly land, I think my best choice is this SBH .44mag that I've had forever. About 4-5-? years ago I had Mel Doyle in Plummer Idaho re-blue it, replace the firing pin, and cut the barrel from 7.5" to 6.25".
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Even though the .44mag is probably the most logical choice, with a good spear in hand, not so much the bow, I like the EL Patron in .45 Colt. Much lighter than the Ruger. Also less powerful, but the .45 Colt isn't chopped liver either. I try to get close to 1000fps with my smokeless loads, which I don't think is stressing the Uberti. Yeah yeah yeah..."don't hot rod a Colt or Colt copy you fool"!!! Whatever, an extra 100fps isn't going to blow my face off, or wear out the pistol. Especially since I only shoot my "full power" loads very seldom, really only to check my zero. All plinking and practice done with standard fudd-approved .45Colt velocity.EL Patron is the Stainless one.
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Another hiking tool I really like is the hogue Ex-F01 Elishewitz knife , the sheath alone is worth the price of the knife,
If I go out and about you can bet a 44's with me , wether it's the jungle or the woods .
In certain environments I believe the 454 casuall might be the minimum , key word here is minimum .
stonebuster
Member
I've changed my hiking revolver to a 3" GP100 357 carried in an Azula OWB holster
. This was due to repeated reliability issues I've been unable to correct with my DW at the range. Love the DWs but will stick to this GP100 for carrying on hikes. An untucked T-shirt hides this rig very well.
. This was due to repeated reliability issues I've been unable to correct with my DW at the range. Love the DWs but will stick to this GP100 for carrying on hikes. An untucked T-shirt hides this rig very well.Vern Humphrey
Member
I've done a lot of hiking -- the Appalachian Trail (usually in 100-mile increments), the Horseshoe Trail in Pennsylvania, the Flint River in Georgia, and the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas and Missouri.
I like a 6-foot hiking staff -- you can do so many things with it. I have one made from 1 1/2" PVC. I cut one foot off the tip, seat a wooden dowel to a depth of about 6" with about 3" sticking out, and seat a blade in that dowel, then put the cut-off part back on. Put large crutch tips on either end and you have a staff that doubles as a spear.
Armored farmer
Member
Some recent newcomers to my place that have been seeing some use:
A 3" IJ SEALED 8.
....and a S&W 10-5 4" .38spl
A 3" IJ SEALED 8.
....and a S&W 10-5 4" .38spl
Beach Bum
Member
Vern ...
I never been to those places , but will someday get there in person , I have seen many beautiful photos and documentaries, its truly gods country , maybe you can let us know what gun you carried while on those trails.
Hiking there would make you forget about all the worries of world ......Take care
Ugly Sauce
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I used to do the same thing, with a long wood staff, I just tapered one end to take the cold steel Zulu spear head, so I could take it off and on. However, where I live I don't usually encounter others, and when I do no one blinks an eye (well I do get some "looks", but no one cares or is shocked) so I no longer use the "convertible spear". That's the "convertible spear" I'm holding in my avatar. I have since turned the shaft back into a staff, and put the head on a longer, dedicated spear-shaft.
For sure, a spear or staff can do many things. Too many to list. And even a dedicated non-convertible
spear serves as a staff, and makes stream crossings, climbing steep hills, etc., much easier.
Ugly Sauce
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Right on. Few realize just how effective and capable a good spear is. And always ready, always in hand. I'm not sure what knife that is you mention, but I almost always have a big one, at least a K-bar, or my "Jungle Commander". I wear them on my right leg, below the knee. Looks a bit over-dramatic, but easy to get to, especially if one is rolling around on the ground with Mr.Bear or Mr.Cougar, very out-of-the-way, and takes a load off my pistol belt.
I always carry a capable pistol with me when I use the spear...but I'm pretty sure the Cold Steel Zulu spear head, razor sharp on a long stout staff, will take care of the situation. If one keeps his cool.
desmobob
Member
During deer season: a 4" S&W Model 66-2 (.357)
All other seasons: a 3" S&W Model 317 AirLite Kit Gun (.22LR)
All other seasons: a 3" S&W Model 317 AirLite Kit Gun (.22LR)
Beach Bum
Member
I like cold steel products , hated to see Lynn Thompson sell it off , I will send some fotos.. if you go too you tube Elishewitz the designer of the knife talks about the sheath and the knife , and their features in two separate videos......Take care
Vern Humphrey
Member
I carry a Colt Detective Special -- often in a belt pouch with other things like a compass, etc., in those places where you're not allowed to carry.
Beach Bum
Member
That's very interesting , thanks for sharing that with us
Ugly Sauce
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That's a nice knife. I like it. I could live with that knife.
I have two of those Zulu spear heads, and one "Bushman" knife. The steel in all three is incredibly hard, but you can bend those suckers quite a bit and they won't stay bent, or snap. They also all take a very fine edge.
Here's my "Jungle Commander" and Bushman. The Jungle Commander I've used heavily, and there's really not much sign of use. I've cut poles to drag/carry things out, (dead animals) split wood and everything. It has passed the test. The Bushman, certainly not expensive, but not "cheap" really. I wrapped the handle with bow-wrap, and I can get a good firm grip on it even with wet or bloody hands. With the lanyard around my wrist my hand can't slip forward onto the blade either. And of course, as you know one can take the handle off/out and make a spear, if needed. !!! So I like it. The thing is razor sharp and easy to keep that way, so that's a plus. But without the bow-wrap and lanyard, it could cut a person's hand or fingers pretty bad if one's grip slipped.
Strange Bob
Member
I don't really hike. I wander the woods down here in East Texas. I don't have a favorite carry. Guess it depends on where I plan on going. Since snakes are my usual problem but I can run into vermin like hogs, coyotes, or feral dogs. Usually I walk with my SP 101 .22LR. If It'll be extended like deep woods creek fishing and such maybe a 629 or 686 with one speed loader with the CCI shot shells. All are 4" and I carry classic carry. I also generally carry an Ontario Knife 22" machete.
Ugly Sauce
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Is it the one with the rounded tip? I have one of those, I really like it. Great little machete for wandering.
JCooperfan1911
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Glock 20 Gen 3.
Carl N. Brown
Member
Hiking revolver?
Handguns actually carried by me woods walking or ATVing:
.38 Spl Rossi M68 5 shot "J-frame" snub, one shotshell & four Rem JHP +P
.357 Mag Ruger Security Six, 4" barrel, stainless, Hogue grips, one shotshell & five 158 gr JSP .357
7.62x25mm CZ vz 52, 1 FMJ up the snout, 8 shot mag alternatng HP/FMJ.
.22 Ruger MkII 6" barrel, Pachmyer grips, ten round magazine either CCI Stinger or CCI MiniMag 40 gr hv cp rn.
Heritage Rough Rider .22 Mag 6.5" barrel CCI MaxiMag HP.
Handguns actually carried by me woods walking or ATVing:
.38 Spl Rossi M68 5 shot "J-frame" snub, one shotshell & four Rem JHP +P
.357 Mag Ruger Security Six, 4" barrel, stainless, Hogue grips, one shotshell & five 158 gr JSP .357
7.62x25mm CZ vz 52, 1 FMJ up the snout, 8 shot mag alternatng HP/FMJ.
.22 Ruger MkII 6" barrel, Pachmyer grips, ten round magazine either CCI Stinger or CCI MiniMag 40 gr hv cp rn.
Heritage Rough Rider .22 Mag 6.5" barrel CCI MaxiMag HP.
amd6547
Member
How do you like that holster? I’ve been considering looking for a pancake holster for my 3” GP…
Currently, I use a Galco summer comfort IWB. I also have a Galco paddle holster…very nice, but more open carry, so it doesn’t get used much.
Id like a 651 for when Im fishing locally
And I do miss my 629 4"
Still have the 6" Colt and a 7.5" Ruger.
But w bad back and knees, cruising trails anywhere is over.
Lighter is better for me, fishing, hunting or CC.
The Sig P365 is just perfect ( for me ).
If I was to go in toothy/ clawy territory , Id get a new Delta Elite and a chest holster.
Kinda want one anyway LOL
But then i could get rid of my big revolvers.
And I do miss my 629 4"
Still have the 6" Colt and a 7.5" Ruger.
But w bad back and knees, cruising trails anywhere is over.
Lighter is better for me, fishing, hunting or CC.
The Sig P365 is just perfect ( for me ).
If I was to go in toothy/ clawy territory , Id get a new Delta Elite and a chest holster.
Kinda want one anyway LOL
But then i could get rid of my big revolvers.
stonebuster
Member
I have another of the same Azula holster for a 2 3/4" Speed Six and like them both. I'm using a Beltman dual bull hide with a liner that's a very stiff belt. I recently got the one shown and it's still a little stiff but loosening up nicely. It was so stiff when I got it I hardly could get the gun out when wearing it. The outside top of the cylinder was catching on the inside where the upper part of the holster was molded for the cylinder. After manipulating the leather and couple 4 mile hikes it retains well and allows drawing without difficulty. Simply Rugged makes a nice pancake holster I use for my 4 & 5 inch GPs.
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I live in the North Idaho mountains (bears grizzly and black, cougars, etc.) and pack a S&W 686 plus 357 loaded with Buffalo Bore Hardcast Outdoorsman ammo. For a holster I use a beautifully made leather chest holster with thumb break from Paradise Valley Leather in MT.
Because my hiking pack carries food, camelback bladder and gear, and is more comfortable with the hip belt fastened (I'm a senior, so carrying the pack weight on the hips rather than the shoulders is more comfortable for hours on the trail, in addition it helps balance when navigating tricky sections of trail).
It was too awkward to try to fasten a hip-holster, so I settled on the chest rig. Am very pleased with how comfortable it is, but have to admit it took some conditioning to get used to carrying a extra 2lbs+ by adding a firearm. But I've got enough firepower, and it's easy to get to the gun if I really need it.
Gerry
Because my hiking pack carries food, camelback bladder and gear, and is more comfortable with the hip belt fastened (I'm a senior, so carrying the pack weight on the hips rather than the shoulders is more comfortable for hours on the trail, in addition it helps balance when navigating tricky sections of trail).
It was too awkward to try to fasten a hip-holster, so I settled on the chest rig. Am very pleased with how comfortable it is, but have to admit it took some conditioning to get used to carrying a extra 2lbs+ by adding a firearm. But I've got enough firepower, and it's easy to get to the gun if I really need it.
Gerry
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