Advise on pistols…
 

I want 2 pistols. One ~ .22 and the other a .44. The .22 is a practice weapon and the .44 is a carry on my pack weapon. I'd like them to be closely matched for weight and feel reasonable and also accommodate custom grips.

Low maintenance and high tollerence to dust and moisture are big pluses.

Recommendations?

Mathced for weight and feel? Gonna make for a fairly heavy .22, I expect.

My cousin is a hunting and fishing guide in Alaska he recommends pepper spray and pray a little or a pistol and pray a lot. A committed charging bear in an average shooters pistol range will have plenty of time to gnaw a leg off before he succumbs to the wounds.

I appreciate the feedback. Okay, well drop the previously comment for similar weight. I was basing this on comments I heard before.

So……let me try again.

My desire is for something that can stop a cougar. And this makes the big supposition that I'm not too busy soiling myself and even have time to try should the event occur again…

What makes for a good, fairly well matched set of pistols? I want something to practice with and something to keep on my pack. Due to years on a keyboard my hands do not accommodate the shock from firing a .44 well. That’s why I was thinking of using a heavier .22 to practice. But as important I need to train enough on the larger cal weapon to be comfortable using it without damaging what's left of my hands in the process. I previously used a bunch of Glocks and I also some I think it was Rugers and in every instance the heaver pistol did not provide as much shock.

So…..what would work for these tasks?

Thanks~

For a .22 revolver (for practice, not for stopping cougars), you might consider trying a Smith & Wesson 617. It's a reasonably substantial piece (something like 45 oz. for the version with a 6" barrel).

May be more than you're willing to get into but, for practice, we load and shoot light loads <950fps w/180gr JHP) in the .44s

We did this for several years with both the .44s and .357s (the .357 loads were 158gr JWP at just under 850fps) and managed to get pretty good at it after a thousand rounds or so. If you're like me, you'll never be able to tolerate (or afford) enough of the 'test-O-manhood' factory loads to ever achieve any degree of pistol proficiency.

Out past 75yds you have to hold pretty high but, up close, they make the same hole as a 240gr JHP whistling out at +1500fps just with a lot less punishment.

One more thing...
I just remembered that I did this same thing along, long time ago. Ruger's Single-Six in .22 has practically the same frame geometry as my Flattop.44. I bought the 'six to practice with but it was such a dog (I think the cylinder was mismachined) on one of the holes, I never could hit worth a crap with that pistol compared to the .44...I eventually foisted it off to a pistol dealer at a gun show in trade for my match rifle.

Originally posted by Lebenz:
Occur again? If it happened before, you were fortunate to see him coming, because most victims don't. For that reason, when I hike or horseback into cat territory (which is pretty much all the time up here) my weapon of choice is a K-Bar, followed by my side arm.

Does a revolver have more or less recoil than a semi automatic? The effect of a muzzle flash could be very significant. Thanks for mentioning that!

I've had 2 cougar encounters. Both were at less than 20 yards. I stopped hiking in the denser parts of the woods due to this. There is so much snow this year that it will be July before the higher elevation meadows are snow free so the woods are the option.

I own a stainless 629 and although it a beautiful machine I don't consider it a practical weapon and shooting it is not a pleasant experience. This opinion based on much paintball but no firefight experience. I keep it because if you only get one shot it will deliver the shot that will count the most (maximum hamburger production). I keep MagSafe SWAT loads in it.

Tracy,

Find yourself a S&W Model 18. It is a .22 revolver, size and weight nearly identical to a Model 19 .357. In fact, it was designed as the training weapon for the Model 19 when the PD's started upgrading from .38 Special. While it won't be the same size/weight as the .41 or .44 N-Frame Smith, it will be close enough for Government work.

I would suggest both guns be a barrel length of 4 inches. You don't need to spend all day drawing a Dirty Harry sized anchor when you need it ASAP. Spend a lot of time practicing with the .22 and when you get proficient break out the N-Frame and practice your butt off with .44 Special ammo before graduating to the real stuff, .44 Magnum. That is unless you opt for a Model 57 or 58 in .41 Magnum. Great guns but they lack the ability to shoot light loads like you can with the .44 (Special v. Magnum).

I personally carry a 4" Model 57 .41 Mag anytime I am out hunting. Always for close up and personal protection, plus the possibilty of taking a deer with a handgun, should the opportunity present itself.

Also, strongly suggest you stick with a wheel gun. Auto loaders can get finicky when you need them most, and you don't want to spend time with immediate action drills when you really need the gun to go bang. With the wheelgun you simply pull the trigger again.

werd.

Az,

I hope you mean WORD and not WIERD! :eek: :P

You know better mike that is slang, I don't think anyone here could pick apart your handgunning.

Hence the :P .

:D :D :D :D

The only thing better than what Mike could recommend, in my opinion, is a sawed off double barrel shotgun but they may not be legal in your neck of the woods.