Rather than steal one of the current threads concerning shorter bbl revolvers, I decided to start a new one. bluecow, Snyd, and Whitworth (and others) have chimed in on these other threads to show their redhawks or blackhawks. Then Gregg flamed everyone with his.

However, my question is specific --- What would you choose, if you could have whatever you wanted, as the "packin pistol" for your hiking or riding (horseback or motorized) sidearm?

Currently, I use two different ones -- a FA M97 5 1/2" in 45 Colt or a Blackhawk 5 1/2" in 327 mag. I like the 327 round for this area where I am unlikely to encounter anything much larger than a coyote, but I prefer the smaller size of the M97. If I were in the mountains of the west, I would carry the 45 Colt more. I am comfortable with it and a 250 gr projectile at about 1150 fps from the little M97. Thus, for me the ideal sidearm might be a M97 5 1/2" in 327 mag.

Let us hear from you.

A 4 1/4" Redhawk in .45 Colt:


Or a 4 3/4" FA in .44 Mag:

I would say my #1 choice 625 Mtn. Gun in 45 colt #2 my 4 5/8 SSBH 45 Colt #3 4" Model 28 S&W

Just a note the 329 S&W is the perfect gun --ONLY---If you never have to shoot it

I've got 'short barreled' .41's, .44's, and .45's, but my favorite all round is a Ruger NM 'Buckeye' .32-20 and the one I throw on or in the truck. I've grown so 'fond' of the caliber, I'm having Alan Harton build me a lighter one on the Single-Six frame.

Very nice, Darrell!

Here are two of mine:

A Redhawk in .454 Casull with a 4-inch barrel, and a Super Redhawk in .500 Linebaugh with a 5-inch barrel. The SRH actually weighs less than the Redhawk. I don't find either a burden to carry in the field.

Either this 4.75" 454

or a 4" N frame

More often than not, I'm carrying this FA .500 WE in the woods lately, with a hard cast 325 @ 1150:


However, in North Carolina where I live, it's not legal to carry a handgun other than a .22 on Game Lands when all hunting seasons are closed. At those times, I'm most likely to carry one of these:


Concealed carry guns are another matter, but that's not the question that was asked.

One of these either .22, .44 or .454.

I like carrying one of my custom SBH’s in 44 mag. The 7.5in I carry in a cross draw and the 4 5/8ths I carry strong side. I can sit down with either of them on comfortably.

Really nice guns guy's.

If I am not hunting, I will carry my Ruger Security Six, 2.75" barrel, in .357 mag. If I am hunting, and want a pistol, like when using a single shot rifle on hogs, or something like that, I like my .41 mag Ruger. I ccw my .357 every day, in a Smartcarry holster.

I kind of have an eye out for another 4 5/8" 45 Colt or 44 mag. I hope one day to have a 5 shot .454 on the Blackhawk or FA or BFR frame, with a 4 5/8" barrel, though my current needs are met with what I have. A few extra toys never hurt.

I've got two,if steel horses are involved a 4" model 64 S&W is my choice and if woods,hiking,camping are on the agenda a 4 5/8" bisley blackhawk in 45colt is my choice.

41 Mag for me!!! Blackhawk 5-1/2

If I could pick anything, I'd go with a Mod 97 in 45LC with a 4 3/4 inch octagonal barrel and fixed sights...but what's been on my hip for the last month is my new-to-me Mod 83 in 500WE! (Thanks Santa!) I figure it can handle just about anything that comes along

Well, if I could pick one right now it would be a Bowen custom. Maybe someday... Until then I'll have to stick with my poor mans 454 Redhawk

Bowen custom "The Real Super Redhawk" Ruger Alaskan with barrel shroud/frame chopped, fitted with a 4 inch redhawk barrel, full action job, 5 shot .500 Linebaugh.... oh ya.....

Very nice, Gary. I really like that octagon 4 3/4" .44, and one doesn't often see 4 3/4" 252's.

Yeah, Snyd, that one makes me salivate as well.....

Nothing fancy like I've seen posted...unfortunately. But for simply hiking, etc., a .357 mag Ruger Speed Six with a 2 3/4 inch barrel loaded with anything from snake shot to 158 grain hollow-points.

Likin' that skeletonized hammer!

Here's my version of "peace of mind". I really like the One Ragged Hole rear sight with the Hi-Viz front. Very quick.
(45 colt)

It seems as I get older my packing guns get lighter,still have big holes though. So for now its a 4 3/4 in. blackhawk in .45 colt,usually crossdraw 250grn.fp@1100fps.

For me it's a choice between two 4&5/8" BHs, one in 41 mag, the other 45 Colt. The 41 mag has been tinkered with & so right now it generaly gets the nod. If my cylinder reamer ever gets here & I get to play with it a bit more the 45 Colt will probably replace it as the go-to gun.

Hey Vance. After you ream the throats on the 45 Colt and start tinkering with it let me know. When it warms up a little here I'll cast you up some of these for it.....

355gr Hammers over 21.5 gr H110 in 45 Colt brass = 1150fps from my 4" 45 Colt.

Thanks Snyd, I will definetly let you know!
I got in on the Reamer exchange on the Ruger forum. I was next, sent my money in late August. Guy got busy, wanted to do a couple more cylinders, then it got dull so he sent it back for sharpening, they lost it, he finaly got a new one 1st of December & wanted to ream one more cylinder... the 8th of January when I wrote he said he was done with it but had lost my address. I sent it that day & asked him to let me know when the reamer went in the mail. Haven't heard from him yet.. Still haven't seen it :-(

Nice looking bullet!

Depends on what I'm doing. I always have my Les Baer handy which is more than adequate for most situations. But....with the sixguns, it would be my 475 Linebaugh or my little 458. I use holsters from Mike Barranti and Freedom Arms for the 475 and I have a really nifty little holster from Thad Rybka for the 458.

Man there are some nice pistols here.

Gary, that's one fine stable of FA's there!

GlennS, I assume the stainless Bisley is the 475? Who did that one? Man, if only.....$$$$...oh...and the wifey! hmmm, I wonder if she'd like one of those

On of my 44 mags.
Mag-Na-Port custom Blackhawk or my Jack Huntington custom Redhawk.

Yes, the stainless one is the 475. That one was done by Alan Harton down in TX back in 2007. Its more accurate than I can hold. He has done several for me over the years and is just a top notch fellow. I think your wife would love to have one, you better order it quick before she changes her mind!

That picture of that gun has me re-evaluating my wish list...dang it Glenn.

That is an awesome 45 caliber bullet

If not my "Flamer" then this custom .475 would work ok.

I have the Ruger Redhawk 4 inch 45 Colt. Its a little heavy but a nice carry gun.

Gregg
I like the elk tooth in th grip. Ive got a few those myself. You,ve got me thinkin now,

Thanks Snyd; PM sent.

I don't own one (yet), but I think a FA 97 w/ 4 1/4" barrel; rounded grip butt; chambered in 45LC; topped with a JPoint sight and carried in a FA crossdraw, would be the ultimate packing pistol.

Glenn, tell me more about your .458. Is it the shortened .458 Win. Mag.that some experimented with a few years ago? etc., etc.

I've got three blued S&W mountain guns in 41,44,and 45colt that i rotate packing in the hills with me. All three are light weight and very accurate. As far as single actions, I'd love to have a FA's 97 in 44 spl.or 45 colt.

S&W 45Colt Mtn. Gun and 280gr SWC-GC running around 900FPS...

Or a Gallagher 475 pushing a 405gr SWC over HS-6 for 900FPS