Looking into a sidearm for when I'm out hiking (but not for bowhunting... that's illegal in PA [:'(]) I'm thinking .357 mag. Any suggestions?

I have a Taurus Tracker in 357 and it is a good shooter, I just don't shoot it as much as my other guns. If your willing to buy a used gun let me know

Challynger can you please tell us a little more about what you need it for?

Plinking?
Squirrel?
Bear defense?
Two legged critter defense?

Answer some of those and I'll be happy to give you a couple of good suggestions!

Thanks,

Hiking in PA, I assume you just want something to carry 'just in case'. If you are looking for a revolver, and something light for dispatching snakes and personal protection you may want to consider dropping down a notch to the 38 spl. You can carry jacketed bullets and snake shot. My choice would be the S&W Lady Smith.
Of course if you got a 357 you could shoot 38s out of it. But for hiking I would stick with a 4" or less barrel length.
The choices are almost endless: S&W, Colt, Ruger, Taurus. And you can probably pick a nice used one up at a local gun shop. Pick one that feels good in your hands.

Ruger SP101. Stainless steel, so it's easy to maintain, lightweight, accurate... a very well made five shot .357.

I like the versatility of the .357. You can shoot .38’s fairly cheap, but always have the option of the .357. My opinion: better to have and not need than to need and not have.

I agree with y'all. For general purposes you can't go wrong with a 357.

I personally have a Taurus model 66 with a 3" barrel and I also like the Ruger GP100.

Good luck!

I carry a Rossi S.S. Competition .357mag

mid size glock, g 19, g23... very light, super tough, will not rust, lots of ammo.

I quess its not for everyone but I purchased the Tausus Ultralite 44 Mag. Its just 26 inches with a 4 inch barrel. With full power 44 Mag loads its a handfull but with 44 Specials or reduced loads it real portable power. I load 300 Grain LBT style bullets at about 1000 fps. Thats an easy load to shoot but delivers some serous Horse Power.