Survival Pistol Finish

[Davo]

Over the next year I have several short to medium term backpacking trips, including a trans-sierra nevada trip that may take up to a week.
I have a blued Ruger 22/45 slabside target model with a 6 7/8 inch barrel. I need a heavy duty corrosion resistant finish on this gun, as condensation and moisture are always a concern. The pistol is highly reliable and accurate with a few aftermarket parts, and I am comfortable with it being used for small game and if needed as a defensive weapon in the wilderness. As of now Ive put in a VQ extractor and trigger, improved ruger sights(http://www.chuckhawks.com/sight_improvements.htm), and a trigger shield. I am also looking into an aiming brace, its like a non-affixed shoulder stock. But im still worried about rust.
What finishes are recommended? I am willing to send the pistol off to a gunsmith, but Id like an either matte black, or matte desert tan finish, and also for the magazines to be done, as they are quite corrosion prone. What kind of prices are we looking at? Any tips on what makes a good survival pistol? I have not been able to find much on the net about the subject.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

If you do a search in this forum, you'll find something called 'GunKote' that has a very good reputation. I have seen several glocks and one 1911 that had this finish and they held up very well, and against many, many kydex holster presentations at that. Corrosion resistance is definitely a prominent quality. As far as the exterior of your pistol, this ought to cover things nicely. And they even have a large selection of colors.
http://www.kgcoatings.com/gunkote.html
If you choose to go this route, the application is not overly difficult and directions on the site are better than I'd give here.

If you're concerned about rust on the internals, I will not be of much help. I have not had that problem ever occur in any of my weapons while backpacking, except for a blued blackpowder old navy revolver. It rusted everywhere after just a night, and it certainly never saw another trip. Other pistols like my Glock and 1911 have held up just fine. Others will surely chime in, however, with experiences concerning the protection of the internals from the elements.

I might suggest that a pistol of military/police origin be substituted due to the fact that they are designed with the intent to be carried in the field under an array of conditions and still function. One idea might be to get something like a Glock or 1911 that has a .22 conversion unit to go with it. This might be ideal because there would be little increase in weight and space, but you'd have something that would actually be viable for self-defense or the hunting of larger game, and still be able to hunt small game with the .22.

I'm a backpacker too and understand a desire to be a minimalist in this degree, but out in the field you are truly on your own. If you meet some goblins out and about, a .22 is not likely to be sufficient, nor so if you meet an agressive 4-legged foe. By counting on the .22 in a defensive role, you are putting a very hefty bet on the fact that you'll have the time and be calm enough to make a head shot (and that you'll be presented with the opportunity to take it), or that someone will be scared off by your pistol. While possible, it does not seem prudent to stake your life on likelihoods. I am sorry to stray from your original question, but if you're open to discussion on the subject, I feel this option covers many more bases, and important ones at that.

 

[Davo]

Thanks for the speedy reply, spooky. Youve given this some thought before, I see. Ive heard good things about gun kote, I just dont want a bad looking finish, and am willing to pay a bit more for it if needed to have it done by a professional.
I do not have a centerfire pistol as of yet (I did just put a bulgarian makarov on lay a way). It would be too much $$ for me to get a centerfire pistol in SS, and than a .22 conversion, at least as of yet. I have also heard conflicting reports concerning reliability and accuracy with these kits. Actually a long barreled .357 may fill that dual role well-light loads for small game, heavy stuff for large game.
Although I agree with you that there is a great vulnerablility in the wilderness, I am not very concerned about 2 legged predators and only marginally more concerned about the 4 legged kind. Attacks from either are very rare, and honestly the proper long arm for these threats would not be something I could haul with me. Im already grimacing at the 3+ lbs I expect this pistol to add to my pack. Realizing the .22 has limited effectiveness, its still seems to be the best choice for me. I will have a partner for these trips, and he will likely bring his 9mm pistol.

 

[jerkface11]

Davo there is a cheaper solution. Duplicolor wheel paint. You can get it in flat black. It refuses to chip. I've seen a rifle painted with it and it didn't even blow off the end of the muzzle. A can of it goes a LONG way. And it's easy to apply. Heck it's probably the same thing as gunkote.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

It already sounded like you'd given this some thought. Planning and forethought are certainly marks of an outdoorsman. I know what you mean, too, about worrying over each pound you're hauling around. If you're open to it, a good .357 revolver would likely serve just as well as the bulkier/heavier pistol w/ conversion unit, as you said. If you look around pawn shops and gunstores in your area, I'm sure you can find a used 4" or 6" stainless .357 for not much. Trading in your 22/45 for such a versatile piece might also be worth considering, since money is tight.

The GunKoted pistols that I've seen all looks quite professional and even. I believe the use of an airbrush is what makes a large difference in the results, as opposed to out of a spray can.

So much to consider! Good luck with your choice.

 

[MCgunner]

I've heard lots of great things about Gunkote. My Kel Tec is getting lots of holster wear and I've been thinking of getting this on the slide. I don't guess it matters that much what it looks like, but it's really starting to look sad.

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Far as an outdoor "survival" gun, I really like my little Rossi M511 Sportsman revolver. It's super accurate, yet only about 26 ounces. It's a six shot, adjustable sight, four inch J frame size "kit gun". I cannot believe how accurate this thing is since I had one once before that was good, but not this good. It's in stainless and thats another reason I like it for outdoor carry.

I think the .22 is the best choice in a "survival" firearm for the outdoors. I have a pouch on a gun belt I made up just for hiking and hunting trips away from civilization that will hold lots of .22 ammo, couple of boxes anyway. We have areas like that down here and I have hunted and hiked New Mexico a lot. Think is, you can bring along 50 rounds of .22 in a very small space and it's not heavy at all. The weight of a box of .357 is enough to discourage taking many rounds. If you get in a real pickle, the .22, if accurate enough, will serve plenty well. It'll take a rabbit, a squirrel, grouse, even larger game if you can get close enough to put a round to the head. It won't help you much in a bear attack, but that's not what a survival weapon is for, is it?

That said, in bear country, a .357 would be comforting. But, I still think all you need along on a back packing trip, or dual sport ride (what I'm sorta into now) is an accurate .22 caliber handgun that's light enough to carry easily. Frankly, I don't hike in grizz country and black bears aren't a big deal unless you were to get between a momma and her cubs. Before I gave up without a fight, I'll let her have six long rifles in the face. That's bound to be a deterrent, I'd think, on a black bear. Same for a cat. I think I have more likelihood of having to shoot a two legged predator in the outback, frankly.

BTW, survivorman comes on at 8 cst tonight on Science Channel. I like that show, even though it's sometimes a little hokey. The guy is never supposed to have a gun on him in a situation. Now, the one like when he was supposed to have survived a plane crash above timberline, yeah, maybe. But, in one of 'em he's north of the artic circle and his snow mobile breaks down 60 miles from the nearest outpost. He has a rifle only for defense against polar bears (they're mean critters that actually HUNT humans), but in the show, he's not supposed to use it to collect meat.

Now, I ask you, who the HECK is going to be 60 miles from nowhere in polar bear country on a snow mobile without a friggin' RIFLE!!!!!?????? One of the episodes I liked best, he was in the Georgia swamps. Had no gun, of course. That's a situation where I'd have had my kit gun along. But, he's unarmed, a regular McGyver. Oh, well, it's still an interesting show.

 

[browningguy]

I've got KG gunkote on two hunting rifles and it's held up really well, mine was applied by a gunsmith who does it all the time. ALso look at hard chrome, it holds up really well, if you get it satin finish it doesn't look too naff either.

 

[Dienekes]

Is your pistol "really broke", so to speak? I was never too much into backpacking, although I have hoofed it now and then. However I have carried one or another sidearm almost daily since 1965 on foot, horseback, ATV, jeep, and light airplane; in rain, snow, sleet, dust and heat; as an LEO and now as a CCW. The bores of .22s are almost invulnerable to abuse and neglect, and while blue will wear and rust can start, it can be controlled with some forethought and wipedowns with an oily rag. A decent flap holster helps a lot, and if speed is no consideration putting the gun, wrapped in plastic for the moment, into the holster will protect it pretty well. Just wipe it down regularly. Even if a little rust starts it won't get far before you get home and can take it off with a little fine steel wool. I have a nice little 1941 Colt Woodsman that allegedly came out of Alaska with a period holster. The end of the holster was worn completely through from use, and about 20% of the blue was gone from the gun, but it was mechanically perfect without any trace of rust or pitting. Whoever owned that gun really cared for it and 65 years later it's still a fine shooter.

A gun you can fully detail strip without much trouble is nice--and a Ruger .22
isn't it! However if you put the VQ kit in yourself you can certainly do it. The one and only time I ever had to resort to that was with a Ruger Service Six after I fell into a creek--and even then it could have waited until I got home.

The abuse guns can take and survive is sometimes a bit amazing. I have a number of "truck guns" that spent their working lives under the seats of Wyoming pickups along with chains, tools, barbed wire and old beer bottles before they got to me. Ruger pistols shrug this kind of abuse off better than most, and I doubt that anything you could do would come close to this.

In short, I think you're in pretty good shape as long as you take care of your tools.

 

[Sunray]

"...what makes a good survival pistol..." Stainless steel. Followed by industrial hard chrome, then Gunkote. Mind you, a handgun is a last ditch tool. If you ever get into a situation where you need one to continue living, you've done something very seriously wrong. And then whatever handgun you have has to be 100% totally reliable. If it doesn't work, the finish won't matter.

 

[williamlayton]

Call Ford's in Fla. and see about hardchroming. They have done an STI for me and the work was quick and professional [read-flawless].
Hard chrome is the best finish this side of stainless.
Blessings

 

[riverdog]

Robar NP3

 

[Pilot]

I'm a backpacker and also fly a light airplane over mountains and a lot of unhospitalbe terrain, so I have given this much though over the years.

I started carrying a Ruger MK II .22 when backpacking, but I started to feel undergunned with the large four legged and some unfriendly 2 legged creatures one can encounter in the deep woods. I then moved to a Makarov and felt a bit better. Its small, reliable, inexpensive and the 9MM Mak caliber is better than a .22 for most uses except hunting small game, where a nice, accurate little .22 is better. Well, 9MM Mak also started to seem a little weak to me for the woods, so I started carrying my CZ-75D PCR in 9MM. Its got the polycoat finish that's very tough. Its accurate, reliable, relatively light with its alloy frame and the 9MM is an all around good cartridge. The real beatuy is that if I think I need a .22, I just carry my CZ Kadet Kit (.22 conversion unit) with the PCR. It doesn't add much weight and I can throw in a box or two of .22's just in case. Its the best of both worlds, but I know cost is a factor, so this may not be practical for you yet, but just some food for thought.

That all being said, I'm now considering buying a Ruger GP100 for a survival/woods gun. Its hard to beat .357 mag in that platform.

If you keep the gun protected with a light coating of oil, the finish should be fine.

 

[MCgunner]

I'm a backpacker and also fly a light airplane over mountains and a lot of unhospitalbe terrain, so I have given this much though over the years.

I started carrying a Ruger MK II .22 when backpacking, but I started to feel undergunned with the large four legged and some unfriendly 2 legged creatures one can encounter in the deep woods. I then moved to a Makarov and felt a bit better. Its small, reliable, inexpensive and the 9MM Mak caliber is better than a .22 for most uses except hunting small game, where a nice, accurate little .22 is better. Well, 9MM Mak also started to seem a little weak to me for the woods, so I started carrying my CZ-75D PCR in 9MM. Its got the polycoat finish that's very tough. Its accurate, reliable, relatively light with its alloy frame and the 9MM is an all around good cartridge. The real beatuy is that if I think I need a .22, I just carry my CZ Kadet Kit (.22 conversion unit) with the PCR. It doesn't add much weight and I can throw in a box or two of .22's just in case. Its the best of both worlds, but I know cost is a factor, so this may not be practical for you yet, but just some food for thought.

That all being said, I'm now considering buying a Ruger GP100 for a survival/woods gun. Its hard to beat .357 mag in that platform.

If you keep the gun protected with a light coating of oil, the finish should be fine.

If you worry about bears, .357 is minimum. 9's and .22s beat knives, though. You gotta make head shots with .22s or 9s and since I'm better at placing shots with the .22, I think I'd rather have the .22. Against two legged preditors, I'd sure rather have the 9.

I've sure been thinking a .357 4" or 3+" Ruger SP101 would be a handy packing hiking gun in bear and cat country. Load that beeoch with 180 grain Hornadys. I think it'd be good bear medicine, well, much better than any non-magnum and a lot lighter on the hip than even a mountain gun.

I don't know, though. My Taurus M66 (size of a GP100) is light enough and has adjustable sights, so I've probably already got the better bear country gun if I don't wanna pack my 4 5/8 inch .45 colt Blackhawk (which is pretty heavy). Decisions, decisions.... I think if I was really worried in Griz country, the .45 would be worth the weight. In black bear country, I don't really worry much about bears, but if I did, the .357 is plenty of gun.

Be kinda stupid for me to go bear country gun shopping since I hike in bear country maybe once every 10 years, but, heck, I gotta justify a gun purchase for some stupid reason.

 

[saltydog452]

What Pilot and MCg said....and..

This is kinda off-topic, but, I think concerns about external apperance of a sidearm toted around for contingency use is akin to worrying about dulling your knife edge when building a wind break.

Both are tools. As such, they're gonna be used, maybe abused. Whatever you need to do at the moment.


Obvious carry of a sidearm in Federal Parks may be a no-no. I'd suggest a handy sized 357 revolver carried discretly about your person, a few Bianchi Speed Strips, and, maybe, a take down 22rf in the back pack.

Sounds like you are gonna enjoy yourself..

As an 'old geezer' now, I'd make sure I had a good hiking staff and several rolls of 'Ace' bandages.

Have fun...

salty.

 

[MCgunner]

This is kinda off-topic, but, I think concerns about external apperance of a sidearm toted around for contingency use is akin to worrying about dulling your knife edge when building a wind break.

Both are tools. As such, they're gonna be used, maybe abused. Whatever you need to do at the moment.


Obvious carry of a sidearm in Federal Parks may be a no-no. I'd suggest a handy sized 357 revolver carried discretly about your person, a few Bianchi Speed Strips, and, maybe, a take down 22rf in the back pack.

Sounds like you are gonna enjoy yourself..

As an 'old geezer' now, I'd make sure I had a good hiking staff and several rolls of 'Ace' bandages.

Have fun...

salty.

Got that one covered with an AR7.

 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

If money is tight, I don't think you should concern yourself with refinishing your Ruger. The finish on it already should protect it well enough. As others have said, just bring an oily rag to wipe it down every few days.

You would be much better served looking for a good holster or pouch to carry the gun in. In theory, a proper holster will protect the finish plenty. It'll also allow you to carry the gun comfortably, safely, and accessibly.

As a fellow backpacker, I've never found a very good way to carry a handgun into the woods. Do you mind sharing how you plan to do it?

 

[Pilot]

As a fellow backpacker, I've never found a very good way to carry a handgun into the woods. Do you mind sharing how you plan to do it?

My Gregory backpack has those black, mesh, elastic pouches on each side, at the bottm of the pack. I pack my pistol in its holster on the right side in one of these pouches. The firearm is relatively concealed and protected by its holster and the pouch. I can reach and get it very quickly without removing my pack. I know not all packs have these, but I just lucked out. If I didn't have the pouches I'd get a good, waterproof, flap holster and strap it to the pack with compression straps.

 

[MCgunner]

I got these Winchester brand oil wipes one time free with the purchase of two boxes of Dry Lock steel shot 12 ga ammo. Those are perfect to stick in a back pack for wiping down a gun! I don't know where you'd find 'em. Just look at the sporting good stores in the gun cleaning supplies, I guess.

When I'm hiking, I wear my gunbelt, unless I'm in a national park. Then I'll carry IWB as when I carry concealed.

 

[usp_fan]

Three thoughts for you.

Use the pistol you like. You'll be most comfortable and accurate with it. Confidence in your gear on long pack trips is essential.

GunKote is easy to do yourself if you want. You do need to sandblast anything you want coated. You then apply k-phos which is a base coat of phosphating agent. It creates a substrate that the GunKote grabs well. You can bake the parts on a cookie sheet in your oven (or hang them from the top rack). There are several vendors in the classified of this forum that will do it for you if you want. I highly recommend it.

Look into a Safepacker holster. It will attach to your pack belt, or your compression straps, it doesn't look like a holster, and it really protects that pistol without slowing down your access too much. If you were only going to do one thing, I'd oil the gun well and use the safepacker.

You just reminded me that as soon as the trails in Michigan get enough snow, I've got a date with some new snow shoes and my pack.

Take care,

--usp_fan

 

[Davo]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. While I plan to use this pistol for a survival weapon, it is not its only role. I use this pistol primarily as my plinker, and for target practice. I realize it has limited effect against man and beast, but I have to cut it off somewhere-I cant take a 450 marlin with me. A .22 pistol to be used only in an emeregency sounds reasonable to me. The alternative is no weapon at all, at least as of now. To be honest I have never even hunted, although I will go out on several small game hunts this winter and spring, in both desert and alpine climates. I am familiar with many edible local plants, and water procurement, also.
I understand these guns can take a fair amount of abuse, but I still baby my guns. Honestly I dont like that a blued firearm needs to be wiped down to prevent rust, since this gun is handled often a better finish is warranted, I think. I would do the guncote thing myself, or even that teflon finish that brownells now has, but I dont have a bead blaster, or spray gun, and dont know where to get it done locally, hence the gunsmith.
I plan to stow the gun in a case within my pack, it does not really need to be instantly ready, however I am going to look into the safepacker as it sounds like a good idea. It seems like a good idea to keep the pistol concealed when not in use, they make the local tree huggers hyperventilate.
Pilot that is an interesting progression in sidearms, I wonder though, in all your time did you ever need to use yours? Have you heard of any successes or failures with sidearms in an emergency situation?

 

[MCgunner]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. While I plan to use this pistol for a survival weapon, it is not its only role. I use this pistol primarily as my plinker, and for target practice. I realize it has limited effect against man and beast, but I have to cut it off somewhere-I cant take a 450 marlin with me. A .22 pistol to be used only in an emeregency sounds reasonable to me. The alternative is no weapon at all, at least as of now. To be honest I have never even hunted, although I will go out on several small game hunts this winter and spring, in both desert and alpine climates. I am familiar with many edible local plants, and water procurement, also.
I understand these guns can take a fair amount of abuse, but I still baby my guns. Honestly I dont like that a blued firearm needs to be wiped down to prevent rust, since this gun is handled often a better finish is warranted, I think. I would do the guncote thing myself, or even that teflon finish that brownells now has, but I dont have a bead blaster, or spray gun, and dont know where to get it done locally, hence the gunsmith.
I plan to stow the gun in a case within my pack, it does not really need to be instantly ready, however I am going to look into the safepacker as it sounds like a good idea. It seems like a good idea to keep the pistol concealed when not in use, they make the local tree huggers hyperventilate.
Pilot that is an interesting progression in sidearms, I wonder though, in all your time did you ever need to use yours? Have you heard of any successes or failures with sidearms in an emergency situation?

I wouldn't consider teflon. I had one tefloned a while back. It holster wore really quick. The stuff doesn't seem too resilient.

 

[Pilot]

Pilot that is an interesting progression in sidearms, I wonder though, in all your time did you ever need to use yours? Have you heard of any successes or failures with sidearms in an emergency situation?

No I have never had to use a firearm in an emergency and hope I never will. Any gun I carry, has to be 100% reliable and I tend to gravitate to proven designs. The only gun I worried wouldn't go bang when I needed it unfortunately is my Ruger MKII, not because of the gun, but .22LR ammo has a reputation for being unreliable, although with CCI Minimags I've never had a problem.

Most animals are way more scared of you than them, that being said, two friends of mine (a married couple) were sadly killed by a Grizzly while camping in Glacier National Park where you can't carry a gun even if you wanted to. The Griz entered their tent as they slept, but I know they were experienced campers and would never keep food in their tent, but the bear wanted to get in there for some reason. Animals do unexpected things sometimes.

 

[MCgunner]

Glacier National Park where you can't carry a gun even if you wanted to.

Can't, or aren't supposed to????

 

[Pilot]

Can't, or aren't supposed to????

Good point. Sure you can, just don't get caught, or make sure its dissasembled and locked in a case seperate from ammo.

"Oh wait, Mr. Bear, I need to unlock and assemble my (insert whatever gun you have) before you eat me. One step closer and I'll throw a rock at you!" :banghead:

 

[22-rimfire]

I'd just take a small container of RemOil or similar product and a rag. Keep it in a zip lock bag. Wipe off your gun nightly. It it gets totally wet (as in you were submerged), do your best to dry it out. You may even take a short cleaning rod with your that fits the gun and run an oily patch down the barrel.