Posted: 3/12/2016 12:42:56 PM EDT
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Looking at getting a revolver just can't decide on Ruger or Smith&Wesson.
The caliber would be 357 magnum. Would use for hiking and throw it in my jeep when I go on some trails. |
| Tough choice. The one I wish I hadn't gotten rid of was a Colt King Cobra 357 mag. Was a great and accurate gun but damn did she buck. My dad has a S&W and a Dan Wesson. I like the Dan Wesson because you can change out the barrel for different lengths from 2" to 6" if you can find the barrels. |
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Nice pistol. I would be looking at a three inch barrel. |
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Overall I prefer S&W. But based on the 'hiking' and 'trails' intended use, I'd say the first thing to decide would be what size do you want, and then decide between available models that fit that niche. For trails and hiking, I'd suspect you'd want to keep weight down, so a 3" or 4" medium- or small-frame gun would be a place to start. Stainless or other weather-resistant construction or coating would be a very good idea. So, a 3-4" model 65 or maybe 3" 640 from smith; or a 3-4" sp-101 or gp-100 from ruger would be worth considering imo.
For hunting use, not what I would recommend; but for just "have a gun" use, they'd work very well. |
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If it's going to be a 'working gun' and shot regularly, then I would suggest a 2.25 or 3" SP101.
If it's mainly for 'what ifs' then I would suggest an LCR and save yourself nearly a pound even with the 3" model. My 'hiking & trail running gun' is the 13oz LCR in 38. There isn't anything in the CONUS that can't be shut down with it, and it is so light I often forget I'm carrying it. If I'm out on the ranch on horseback or 2/4 wheels I carry an SP101 as its more likely to be used & abused. |
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I didn't vote because "it depends".
If by hiking you mean walking maybe 300 yards, then I'd either get a pre-lock S&W 686 or a Ruger GP100 - either of these with 3" to 4" barrel and adjustable sights. If you are into serious hiking, then I'd get either a pre-lock S&W model 60 with 4" barrel and adjustable sights or a Ruger SP101 with 4.2" barrel and adjustable sights. These are all great guns. Be aware that the current S&W lock has had the most documented problems in light, powerful guns like those I recommended. There have been less reported problems in lighter calibers and/or heavier guns. |
| If you are talking about a 38 or 357 for a trail gun a 3" barrel is about the perfect length. If it is for a shoulder holster or chest rig you can go a little longer but weight starts becoming a factor. If you get a gun any lighter than about 25oz you will not want to shoot the magnums. You are about five times more likely to have a confrontation with a two legged POS than a grizzly in the lower 48. With that said, a 3" or longer 357 should serve you well. A Ruger GP100 is built heavier than a similar S&W 686 because it is cast steel instead of the Smiths forged steel. Both are rugged and well built. The Ruger is slightly more affordable, but the Smith has more nostalgia. The same comparison exists for the sp101 to a S&W 60. |
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I own both. Ruger .357's and .44's. S&W .357s and .44's.
Accuracy, hands down its the S&Ws. Smoothness, too. Nothing smoother than a nice N frame S&W. Day to day beat the crap out of it and keep on going I'd pick the Ruger. I can't tell you how many times my Ruger stainless steel speed sixes have been submerged in creeks/rivers while fishing. Bring'em home, take them apart (modular), dry them out, lube'em up, put'em back together, load'em up and go to work. It would be pretty tough to take my 686 apart and completely dry it out/lube it up after it being under water an hour or two during a day of wade fishing in a river. I don't know if the newer GP 100's are modular or not but the older Security and Speed Sixes are. |
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Ruger is a solid choice for a beater/woods bumming gun. I'd want a caliber starting with a 4, though.
This one may be my next handgun purchase. http://www.ruger.com/products/redhawk/specSheets/5032.html |
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When I was working and hiking with 15 leaders and 60 Scouts, I thought a P220 and two spare mags was a good woods and trail combo. The pain was 100% security at all times.
For the Boundary Waters, I lightened up with a Glock 19, then a M&P340, then a Smith 4" M63, and smartest of all, an AR-7 Survival Rifle. A truck gun and a hiking gun don't really go in the same sentence. Figure out the purpose first. |