Best pistol to carry in the woods

[spiff]

Folks, just trying to get some opinions on pistols that would be the best choice for carrying in the woods when there are mountain cats, black bear and coyotes running around. I know it comes back to the question of how well and quickly you could get off a shot if surprised by one of these animals, but is one cartridge clearly a better choice than others for self defense? Alsio is a wheel gun a bettwer choice than a semi auto and does barrel lethg matter that much? I live in the Sierra Nevada mountains out west and we have all the about animals and alot of them!

[Ron Duval]

removed by RD

[Edcyclopedia]

The one on this dead deers chest! .44mag SuperRedhawk S.S. 10"
Maybe for just carrying I would drop down to the shorter barrel...??

[Uncle Mike]

Revolver,stainless steel,4" to 6" barrel in either .41 Remington Magnum or the venerable .44 Magnum.
I prefer the .41 myself, it offers a bit flatter trajectory with the same, or close to the same energy as the .44.
You might consider one of those new x frame smith and wessons in the 500 caliber.
We have sold several of these and the feedback has been favorable, but boy oh boy those things do pack a wallop.... on both ends.
Keep in mind... even if says "magnum" but your shooting it out of a short barrel, your not creating any more energy than a much lesser cartridge... you just get a huge fireball and horrendous bang! So if you dont want to carry at least a 4" barrel with the two above mentioned rounds and at least a 6" barrel with the 500, than go with a .45 acp or 10 mm auto loader.

[bronko22000]

Revolver 4" barrel - 41 or 44 mag or 45 LC. Another good choice might be the Taurus Judge 3" .410 and 45 Colt. A 3" .410 load of #6 or #4 shot at close range would be a real attention getter and then you could follow it up with a couple 45 Colt rounds.

[spiff]

Thanks for the responses. I do carry a Ruger in .357 with a four inch barrel. Seems like there is more and more bear and cats out and about and didn't know if I needed more horsepower. I'm debating looking for a .357 in lever action rifle to put in scabbord of quad as well. Anyone have that cartridge in the rifle and what stopping power does it possess?

[Swampdog]

Something you can hit what you are shooting at.For me it is always a .41 mag.

[Stiofan]

I carried a GP100 4" stainless when I lived in California and hunted/hiked in the Sierras and southern Cascades. Â*Now I carry a .41 Mag Blackhawk as a few Grizzlies are in the hills I hike now. Â*I think I'd prefer my GP100 for California though. Â*I'd load it with some of Buffalo Bore's hardcast, it'll do the job fine.

[J The Deer Slayer]

I carry my 6.5 inch .44 mag or the .357. Revolvers.