Re: Backpacking Handgun
It amazes me, how people read someone's question, and then spew some garbage out of their mouth and deviate with an obviously unhelpful and wrong answer.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strykervet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your criteria pretty much narrows it down to the G20, G29 or the Smith 8 shot .357 revolver.
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Wrong. The S&W 325 Thunder Ranch, 327 R8 and 327 TRR8 do NOT fit his criteria, they are $1300 guns. None of S&W's factory railed revolvers fit his criteria.
Even then, you're going to have a hell of a time finding another 8-shot revolver, typical N frames are 6 shots, the 686 Plus is only a 7 shot and still past your budget. S&W 8 shots like the 325/327/627 series are too expensive, and no one else really has anything in that market.
The only other one I know of is the Taurus 608. You can get Rugers with 8 shots, but only up to a 327 Magnum, which is a considerably weaker cartridge but great for small frames.
If he wants a revolver with his criteria, the only way to go is get the Taurus 608, and pay a gunsmith to add a permament/screw in rail mount. (People do it all the time with more valuable guns, like S&W 686s)
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: over_watch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if you can't get out of a bad situation with 5 rounds of 38/357 until you can reload you prolly fucked anyway. In an everyday civilian role anyways. </div></div>
Why do so many ____ people think this? Problems don't always just have 1 individual, what if he has multiple targets? Putting 5 rounds among 3 targets is cutting it close for 99% of shooters. Even 5 shots for 2 targets is less than ideal execution for most tactical doctrine amongst experienced folks.
Assuming that when he said .357 he meant Magnum and not Sig, his options with his criteria set are all the various duty style guns (Glocks/M&Ps/XDs/CZs/etc) chambered in 10mm or 45ACP, or one of many various 1911s.
<span style="color: #3333FF">Are you not considering double stack 1911s for some reason? That's the obvious answer here.</span>
They fit all your criteria as well, and being a 1911 shooter you're probably going to be familiar with and fond of the design already. That way you can also get your high capacity (14 rounds of 45ACP size cartridges, 16 rounds of 40/357 size cartridges)
As for the rail mounted accessory, an extended light/laser is the right answer for a striker fired gun, if you don't choose a 1911 or other slide-locking safety design.
Since you're not worried about size, don't even consider one of those micro/mini/compact light/lasers. With the intended scenario being possible animal attack, out of battery trigger disconnect needs to be prevented in case of physical contact or problems getting the gun out of the bag/fanny pack/holster/etc.
