Revolver Caliber Suggestions Please

6789boat · May 4, 2014, 11:16 PM

What suggestions do you guys have for the caliber of a revolver that serves some practical purpose while fishing in California. I assume 22lr is fine for snakes. Is there a good reason to carry 22WMR or some other larger caliber instead please?

I need to be a DA Revolver very soon before all the Smith and Wessons drop off the CA compliance list.

Many thanks.

TimSr · May 4, 2014, 11:49 PM

If you want it for snakes, get something that shoots shot shells that actually hold shot. .22 is probably the world's worst snake round. .22 Bird shot is like pepper, and reptiles move on auto pilot, so they are not immediately disabled with little holes. One of the .45 that shoots .410 shells would be great for snakes. A .45, .44, or .38 cal shot shell would be a 2nd choice.

RodTheWrench · May 4, 2014, 11:55 PM

A Judge or similar would be a good choice. You can load mostly shot shells but save 1 or 2 spots in the cylinder for animals that are bigger - whether they walk on 2 or 4 legs.

Water-Man · May 5, 2014, 12:33 AM

Rather than a .22, I suggest getting a .38 spl.. A 4" 6 shot K-frame would be much more effective against a dog, coyote, wolf and, of course, a two-legged varmint. Wadcutters are a good load for the woods mixed with a couple of shotshells.

10-96 · May 5, 2014, 01:16 AM

+1 on the .38. I just don't think real highly of the idea of carrying one of those .410 S&W revolvers on an all day fishing trip. I've been carrying a duty belt in one capacity or another for 22yrs now. When I'm relaxing and trying to enjoy fishing, hunting, or anything else, the last thing I want is to feel like I have a big bulky sidearm on again.

DRSmith · May 6, 2014, 02:15 AM

The OP specified in California, so a Judge or similar is out of the question.

BillM · May 6, 2014, 07:26 AM

One of my "everybody needs at least one" guns---4" medium frame
357 magnum with adjustable sights. Personally I'm a sucker for old
pinned and recessed model 19 Smith and Wesson's, but Ruger
makes some nice ones too.

For a fishing gun, one in stainless might be better than blued.

That said--for years my fishing/backpacking/prospecting/walkin' in
the woods gun was a Charter Arms Target Bulldog 357. 4" 357
with adjustable sights--but it was a 5 shot and only weighed
19 oz.

eldermike · May 6, 2014, 08:07 AM

I used to carry my super single six just for stump shooting/object hunting fun. Sitting on the bank of a river and here comes a can drifting down on me......Bang Bang.....can is gone!. Spent a lifetime in the woods and on streams and found out that critters of all types only want to get away, if possible. So today I pick something for the actual dangerous critters that lives in the cities but show up in the woods for some reason. For those (should the need dictate) you need something like a 357, in fact that's perfect.

jmr40 · May 6, 2014, 08:53 AM

I see no point in a snake gun. If you see them, step around them. If you don't see them, a gun won't matter. I'd carry the same caliber gun I'd carry for any other use. The primary use is from human threats where most anything from 380, 38, on up to as big as you want to carry.

If there are large 4 legged predators in the area a properly loaded 4" 357 or 44 mag or auto in 10mm would be my top choices. Sounds like a medium frame 4" 357 would be about perfect for you.

eldermike · May 6, 2014, 11:58 AM

Quote:

I see no point in a snake gun.

I agree, it's a marketing thing I guess.

savagecornmuffin · May 6, 2014, 12:30 PM

"Sounds like a medium frame 4" 357 would be about perfect for you."

This^^

NunyaBzness · May 6, 2014, 01:41 PM

I love my 4" mid-80s S&W 686. Accurate and versatile DA.

Buzzcook · May 7, 2014, 10:48 PM

.22 should be fine. It's what I've carried for many years here in WA.

hartcreek · May 8, 2014, 12:54 AM

I have been fishing in snake areas. I was coming out and it was almost dark and this blsted rattler would not get out of my way. Fortunately I had a Davis .38 derringer in my shirt pocket loaed with shotshells. It took both barrels to dispatch that rattler but I made it back to my rig.

May 4, 2014, 11:16 PM	#1
6789boat Junior Member Join Date: May 4, 2014 Posts: 1	Revolver Caliber Suggestions Please What suggestions do you guys have for the caliber of a revolver that serves some practical purpose while fishing in California. I assume 22lr is fine for snakes. Is there a good reason to carry 22WMR or some other larger caliber instead please? I need to be a DA Revolver very soon before all the Smith and Wessons drop off the CA compliance list. Many thanks.

May 4, 2014, 11:55 PM	#3
RodTheWrench Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2013 Location: Utah Posts: 365	A Judge or similar would be a good choice. You can load mostly shot shells but save 1 or 2 spots in the cylinder for animals that are bigger - whether they walk on 2 or 4 legs. __________________ "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." - Han Solo

May 5, 2014, 01:16 AM	#5
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	+1 on the .38. I just don't think real highly of the idea of carrying one of those .410 S&W revolvers on an all day fishing trip. I've been carrying a duty belt in one capacity or another for 22yrs now. When I'm relaxing and trying to enjoy fishing, hunting, or anything else, the last thing I want is to feel like I have a big bulky sidearm on again. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

May 8, 2014, 12:54 AM	#14
hartcreek Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Location: Washington Posts: 1,549	Get the .38 or .357 I have been fishing in snake areas. I was coming out and it was almost dark and this blsted rattler would not get out of my way. Fortunately I had a Davis .38 derringer in my shirt pocket loaed with shotshells. It took both barrels to dispatch that rattler but I made it back to my rig.

May 4, 2014, 11:49 PM	#2
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	If you want it for snakes, get something that shoots shot shells that actually hold shot. .22 is probably the world's worst snake round. .22 Bird shot is like pepper, and reptiles move on auto pilot, so they are not immediately disabled with little holes. One of the .45 that shoots .410 shells would be great for snakes. A .45, .44, or .38 cal shot shell would be a 2nd choice.

May 5, 2014, 12:33 AM	#4
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	Rather than a .22, I suggest getting a .38 spl.. A 4" 6 shot K-frame would be much more effective against a dog, coyote, wolf and, of course, a two-legged varmint. Wadcutters are a good load for the woods mixed with a couple of shotshells.

May 6, 2014, 02:15 AM	#6
DRSmith Member Join Date: July 27, 2009 Posts: 44	The OP specified in California, so a Judge or similar is out of the question.

May 6, 2014, 07:26 AM	#7
BillM Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Amity Oregon Posts: 791	One of my "everybody needs at least one" guns---4" medium frame 357 magnum with adjustable sights. Personally I'm a sucker for old pinned and recessed model 19 Smith and Wesson's, but Ruger makes some nice ones too. For a fishing gun, one in stainless might be better than blued. That said--for years my fishing/backpacking/prospecting/walkin' in the woods gun was a Charter Arms Target Bulldog 357. 4" 357 with adjustable sights--but it was a 5 shot and only weighed 19 oz.

May 6, 2014, 08:07 AM	#8
eldermike Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 545	I used to carry my super single six just for stump shooting/object hunting fun. Sitting on the bank of a river and here comes a can drifting down on me......Bang Bang.....can is gone!. Spent a lifetime in the woods and on streams and found out that critters of all types only want to get away, if possible. So today I pick something for the actual dangerous critters that lives in the cities but show up in the woods for some reason. For those (should the need dictate) you need something like a 357, in fact that's perfect.

May 6, 2014, 08:53 AM	#9
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	I see no point in a snake gun. If you see them, step around them. If you don't see them, a gun won't matter. I'd carry the same caliber gun I'd carry for any other use. The primary use is from human threats where most anything from 380, 38, on up to as big as you want to carry. If there are large 4 legged predators in the area a properly loaded 4" 357 or 44 mag or auto in 10mm would be my top choices. Sounds like a medium frame 4" 357 would be about perfect for you.

May 6, 2014, 12:30 PM	#11
savagecornmuffin Member Join Date: December 5, 2013 Location: SE USA Posts: 66	"Sounds like a medium frame 4" 357 would be about perfect for you." This^^

May 6, 2014, 01:41 PM	#12
NunyaBzness Junior Member Join Date: March 10, 2014 Posts: 3	I love my 4" mid-80s S&W 686. Accurate and versatile DA.

May 7, 2014, 10:48 PM	#13
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	.22 should be fine. It's what I've carried for many years here in WA.