Field Pistols

[trunkmonkey]

Gentlemen,
I am now in the market for a new sidearm to carry for wilderness protection (mountain lions, bear, javelinas, wolves) and I come to the great sages for advice.

I hunt and fish in AZ mostly but travel around the US camping and generally exploring anyplace I can get my BMW GS. I use my bike for scouting, camping, and this year I intend to pack out a deer on it. Travelling offroad by large displacement bike is slightly difficult and every once in a while I end up on the ground. My concern is that with a revolver, which would be my first choice, would cave in my chest if I landed on the cylinder during an accident.

I have considered semi autos for this purpose and Sig's new P220 10mm has me really looking hard. Does anyone have any recommendations or advice in this department?

- Pistol will be chest mounted so it can go over jackets, or life jackets
- Corrosion resistance and functionality when wet is critical (I usually go from bike to packraft and lots of mud/water)
- I would also like to use the pistol to hunt javelinas
- I am willing to spend the coin to buy once
- NO GLOCKS

I appreciate any help.

[Oldrotorhead]

I'll give you two options. Ruger Super Redhawk http://www.ruger.com/products/superR...DE/models.html or a S&W 629 http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...layErrorView_Y. either would give you the option of .44Mag or .44 Special. Both offer at least two barrel lengths and holster manufacturers offer chest holsters for both. http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php If you want to customize either Bowen Classic Arms will fix you up for a price. http://bowenclassicarms.com/

I hope this gives you a starting point.

[Tree Potato]

My field sidearm is a Ruger SRH in 44 mag, 7.5 in barrel. It's reliable, accurate, and packs a thump. If starting over I'd get the Ruger Alaskan model in .454 and short barrel, and use .45 Colt or light handloads for target practice. The 7.5" barreled SRH is a bit long, although it does fit under chest waders with a shoulder rig, or a cross draw hip holster when wearing a backpack, and losing a bit of weight from a shorter barrel would make long wear days a little nicer. When planning long hikes I sometimes opt for a Ruger SP101 in .357 to save weight.

ETA: with the right holster the cylinder of a revolver is a non-issue; a hip holster would eliminate concerns about a chest injury if you spill and impact something. I'd be more concerned about getting speared by sticks or rocks than a revolver cylinder.

[mark46th]

Ruger Security Six, stainless, 4" barrel in .357 Magnum.

[Dusty]

629
Mine was extremely accurate, and they'll kill hogs quick.

[JJ_BPK]

Any of the 44mag or 10mm or 45 ACP +p or 357 +p or 45 Colt. Double action preferred, but single or auto if well tuned and cared for..

BUT,, A light weight 12 ga pump with 3 1/2 mags is better...