All around pistol for the woods?

I didn't like the grip on the Glock so I chose an XD9 for my carry handgun.

When I was out west I carried my Ruger Super Redhawk in .44mag but it was heavy, real heavy.

For all around carry, not just in the woods, I go with the Springfield XD.
 
MKII Ruger. I'm not scared of much around here and sometimes it is necessary to practice the S's
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. It's easier with a quiet .22LR. Even our bears can be dispatched at close range with a .22LR if need be. To be great with a pistol you have to develop good muscle memory. That comes from thousands of repetitions. I can't afford to shoot the big stuff that many times nor do I like to. My MKII goes everywhere with me for the above reasons.
 
Weight can be an issue when walking a bunch. Not to many bears charging folks around here. I'm usually content with a USP 40c in 40 s&w, Glock 23, or at the most a 4" 357. I have Redhawks in 45 Colt & 44 Mag but they're a little heavy.

If I'm in a plinking mood I'll take a 22.
 
For the woods I carry a taurus tracker in 41 mag stainless 4 in barrel.It never felt right carrying one of my 45 autos.Those are for the concrete jungles.Imho
 
Just exactly what kind of "Woods" do you guys live in that require a high capacity, large caliber, semi auto.
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Here in no Idaho where we only have Bear, Lion, and Wolves to contend with, a 22 revolver with a little snake shot in front of a few Mini Mags has served me for the 60+ years I've been around.
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Hunting's another story, but for general woods bumming in most of the lower 48, or a coup d grass??? A 22's really all ya need.
 
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Originally Posted By: RePeteJust exactly what kind of "Woods" do you guys live in that require a high capacity, large caliber, semi auto.
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Here in no Idaho where we only have Bear, Lion, and Wolves to contend with, a 22 revolver with a little snake shot in front of a few Mini Mags has served me for the 60+ years I've been around.
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Pete - your statement makes perfect sense to me.

However, please keep in mind that a 22 revolver it is not RAMBO-approved....
a.k.a - here the chopper, see the chopper, shoot the chopper...LMAO..
 
Concrete jungle 1911

Woods or field Ruger single six

Hunting Ruger SRH 44mag or T/C 7mm/08

If I had only one I would have to buy something new most likely Ruger GP100 3-5"
 
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Originally Posted By: RePeteJust exactly what kind of "Woods" do you guys live in that require a high capacity, large caliber, semi auto.
confused.gif


Here in no Idaho where we only have Bear, Lion, and Wolves to contend with, a 22 revolver with a little snake shot in front of a few Mini Mags has served me for the 60+ years I've been around.
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Hunting's another story, but for general woods bumming in most of the lower 48, or a coup d grass??? A 22's really all ya need.

Kinda what I was thinking. I'm bigger, uglier, and grouchier than most things in the woods anyways
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I mean something that would be easy to carry for a long time in the woods, something that could hang out in the truck, and something to put in my nightstand. I agree with OldTurtle in that if all I used it for was the woods, a 4" or 5" barrel .357 would get the job done no problem. But if I would ever get in a compromising or life threatening situation, would the reassurance of 10 rounds be better than 5 or 6? I get American Rifleman, and in The Armed Citizen section, there are many times when someone fires multiple shots at ONE threat, not just more than one. So the adage that if you can't hit it in one shot, you shouldn't be shooting, may not always apply. Who knows how you react in a potentially dangerous or life threatening situation unless you have been in one?
 
My general purpose, "bumming around in the woods" pistol is a Ruger Single Six in 32 H&R mag.

I can't ever recall carrying a semi-auto handgun into the woods in my life.......
 
Im going to second the .32 mag, heck id even go .327 fed mag. since guns made for just 32 H&R are slim to none anymore.

with the 327 you can shoot .32 S&W all the way up to the magnums. I dont own the .327 yet, but do have a sp101 in the .32 mag and its a joy to shoot, good accuracy and covers bunnies to badguys.

Only downside is spendy ammo, but cheaper stuff can be found online if you look or ask around

quick reloads are easy enough with a speed loader, but if I miss what im shooting at in 6, its probably too far gone to try 12 LOL!

But since you feel you may need more capacity Id go with a 9mm of some sort, cheap ammo to practice hitting something the first time LOL

Good luck
 
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For day to day on the Ranch.

Smith and Wesson DA 22LR.

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Very dependable and surprisingly accurate.

But my first choice is the .22 MAG rifle that lives in the ATV rack.
 
I personally wouldn’t carry a semi-auto into the real woods either. I like my 44 rev. for that, I do have 357s also, but for me the 44 is just more fun to shoot... mine does has a 8" barrel which helps. I own a Taurus, but understand why people choose the SW's over them. The Rugers are very reliable revs too.

For other types of carry, I prefer my semi-autos, I personally am more comfortable with them, I can shoot quicker and more accurately... that is because that is where I have spent my time practicing. For Semi's I like my Walther p99 in 40sw the best. In my opinion it is one of the most underated sem autos out there. It is extremly accurate, and reliable, easy to break down and clean, light weight, but still easy to shoot. A close 2nd is a nice 1911.
 
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