Backpacking Handgun 1911 or Wheel gun?

[Travis590A1]

Im looking into a new pistol for backpacking. A rifle or shotgun is out of the question since size and wieght are a factor. I love the 1911 platform and I shoot well with it and the .45 acp is known for its knockdown power, but with that being said a .357 or .44 mag would seem more practical for mountain lion, bear, coyote etc. So my main factors are Caliber, capacity, durability, and of course reliability. The whole magazine vs cylinder issue. I know with modern metals most mag springs are very reliable but im planning on putting this gun through its paces and im sure its going to take more than one accidental drops in who knows what when im out there. Any suggestions would be appreciated but f.y.i. im pretty stuck on steel framed handguns vs polymer for a backpacking gun so no "get a glock" suggestions lol im sure im askin for it now though.

[philobeddoe]

well ... I love the 1911, but I'd probably pack the wheel gun

you can't be prepared for everything, but I'd be concerned about knocking the 1911 out of battery in a tangle with wildlife

that's my two centavos

[Springfield45]

I packed a XD45 this year. The only revolver I have is a .44-40 peacemaker so the lighter wieght XD seemed like a good choice.

[ChrisO]

neither one... I carry a 1911 while hunting and have for YEARS but carrying a fantastic plastic gun saves a hell of a lot of weight and doesn't put as much strain on your hip lugging around a huge hunk of steel all day (that is if you carry it on the hip) . It's something to think about... I hike quite a bit and I just got myself a S&W M&P .45 more so for a new toy and IDPA gun but I think my next purchase will be a glock in 10MM for a hiking gun.

Sorry E.T.A. I just saw the love for steel frame guns... I am a fan of them myself but I think a 10mm glock or .45 really shines as a hiking gun. Just my opinion. Now on the wheel gun vs 1911 thing... A legit 1911 will give up nothing in reliability as long as you take care of it and the .45 ACP is a great caliber. If I were going to go with a wheel gun over a .45 it would be a .44 mag .

[Hispanic_Hercules]

If I know BEARS are going to be present I would prefer one of these over a 45 acp any day of the week. It also depends on what you want to spend. I prefer S&W scandium frames as they are light weight and I use Buffalo Bore ammunition as they manufacture game specific hot loads specifically for each one of these particular guns.

This is what I prefer to carry in order top to bottom.

(1) Alaskan backpacker 6 shot 44 mag.
(2) Performance Center 8 shot 357 mag.
(3) 340PD 5 shot 357 mag.



I also use a survival sheath chest rig as my backpack wraps around my waste and this one is used in the center of the chest. The owner is great, no matter what gun you have he will make a custom chest rig for it

http://www.survivalsheath.com/main/home.htm

Just my 2 cents

[BSamms]

There's something about being up in the Sierra Nevada's with a big revolver strapped to your hip. I try and make a point to bring the Super Redhawk in .454 Casull for those worst case scenarios, but you are more likely to see me with my good old Glock 21.

[Angel g]

I'd pick the 1911 any day!

[cbaer5]

500 sw just because

[Slim///]

.357 mag wheel gun or Colt delta elite. Id personally carry a 10mm glock

[mls343]

I use my 1911. The weight is not really a problem, and given most of my treks (if not all these days), are in California, then grizzlies are not a concern as black bears typically bolt with just noise.

For the 2 legged critters, don't typically see much of them in the back woods as most of the nonsense that will happen will be in a public campground where beer and partying is more of a goal than being in the back country. With that, the .45 works for me and has fir about 25 or so years.

Just my $0.02

[Bud11]

S&W Model 60 3" is a J Frame .357 that is not too heavy to carry and still packs a punch. Picking mine up today just for the reasons you are asking about. About $610 at Bud's, not tax or shipping.

[dbbspider]

I use a Charter Arms Bulldog Pug in 44 spl as my back up, plenty of stopping power and compact enough to carry around. I snub nose 357 is also a good back up. I vote for revolver.

[dls]

I carried my 4" GP100 .357 the first time I packed in a few days,we had a black bear in camp looking for food one morning, he wondered off when he couldn't get to our containers.
I carried my 4" Anaconda .44mag +p from then on.

[q3131a]

How about a S&W 327PD? Not sure if it's currently being manufactured but its perfect as a backpacker's sidearm.

Wheelguns (especially 38/357) are very versatile although if one is too go backpacking in the "urban" wilderness then the 1911 might be a better choice.

[Dark Mod]

Id take a plastic gun or a revolver and leave the 1911 at home