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!

removed by RD

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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

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