Posted 2009-01-01 9:01 AM (#96791 - in reply to #96614) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
Just a side note, the mule I have ridden for 6 years has taken 2 drinks on the trail. I have ridden her in Montana, Colorado, Missouri, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas. She will be quite sparing in her drinking in camp until it suits her. She has never shown any symptoms of stress, and yes, I do know what to look for. But mules, having donkey characteristics, can often be very useful in hot dry climates (death valley borax teams, for instance). As far as aorta events, we had a 16 year old fit superior using/show horse that died from this after trotting up to the barn at feeding time, and a neighbors gelding died on his feet just standing in the pasture from a exploded heart. Both of these geldings were healthy and under no stress, had regular veterinarian care, and both had necropsy for the details. There was no warning and no trauma leading to the events. Both geldings were very loved and treated well their entire lives.
Posted 2009-01-02 9:59 PM (#96837 - in reply to #96614) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Member
Posts: 31 Location: Way, Way Up North
I'll second that side note. My mules won't touch water on the trail--not even on a hot, miserable day--unless maybe, once in a blue moon, it is from a warm, sloppy puddle. One day we did 30 miles in the Bighorns--he still didn't touch the water. Never any side effects. That's just how they are. I think they are half camel sometimes. Gotta love them!
Posted 2009-01-04 6:12 AM (#96876 - in reply to #96614) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Elite Veteran
Posts: 954 Location: Hagerstown, MD
If we could get back to guns for a minute, I would like to share some info a new gun that I've been reading about and will probably purchase one in the near future. I own a couple of Taurus hand guns and really like them a lot. They compare well to S&W, Remington and Colt to mention some other guns that I own and have owned. Taurus is a well made gun, good quality and I've always liked them since the first one I purchased over 20 years ago. The new one is called a "Taurus Judge" and it comes in a stainless steel and a light weight version. The nifty thing about this jewel is it is capable of firing two different types of rounds. It can a .45 caliber bullet as well as .410 gauge shotgun shell. The MSRP on this gun around $550.00 right now and I don't expect it to get any higher. Taurus does a good job of marketing their product and pricing is pretty consistant from what I've seen in the past. If you decide to add one of these little beauties to your inventory of "personal protection" tools, you won't be disappointed.
Posted 2009-01-04 10:04 AM (#96883 - in reply to #96614) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Member
Posts: 31 Location: Way, Way Up North
Okay, let's get back to guns! I read a post on here a few years ago on what the best gun is for a woman to carry on the trail and always meant to print it out, but didn't. Any recommendations for this subset of riders? And would you carry it on your person? In a horn bag?
Posted 2009-01-04 10:46 AM (#96888 - in reply to #96614) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
I carry on my person a S&W airweight centennial revolver, stainless and alloy, hammerless, with Crimson Trace laser sights. As a lady, the grip size and style suit my hands well. The hornbag has a .357 S&W revolver that will shoot 38's as well as 357's. I prefer personal body carry for the fact that should you need it for personal protection, you might be in a situation that accessing the horn bag would be improbable. What ever you choose, simply shoot it a good deal, become very comfortable in operating it, so that under stress you would not be "blank" or be fumbling with it at the worst possible time!
Posted 2009-01-04 12:27 PM (#96903 - in reply to #96876) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I'll have to look at the Tarus Judge, Most of the guns I've seen that shoot both 45 & 410 have such short barrels as to not be very accurate. I like the ability to shoot a 410 at grouse along the way. but have the protection of heavy pistol slug if needed. Most guns that shoot both a 410 and 45 shoot a 2 1/2" 410 shell. Which you can get loaded with three 000 buckshot. You wouldn't have to be a very good shot with that.
Carry the gun on your person. You may not be sitting ont he horse when you need it.
Posted 2009-01-04 4:14 PM (#96915 - in reply to #96883) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Elite Veteran
Posts: 954 Location: Hagerstown, MD
Originally written by Jellbelle on 2009-01-04 11:04 AM
Okay, let's get back to guns! I read a post on here a few years ago on what the best gun is for a woman to carry on the trail and always meant to print it out, but didn't. Any recommendations for this subset of riders? And would you carry it on your person? In a horn bag?
There are too many variables for anyone, even a gun expert, to come up with the perfect ladies gun on this thread. I highly recommend going to a reputable shooting range and giving A LOT of handguns a little test drive to see what you like. If I were going to make a "blind" suggestion, it would be my favorite standby and that's a Taurus, snub-nose .38 with a 2 1/2" barrel. As I said in an earlier post, I load the 5 chambers with 2 or 3 rounds of snake shot and 2 or 3 rounds of "wad cutters" for versatility. For a lady, I recommend she carry a double action revolver in 5 shot capacity and definitely not a semi-auto. Semi-auto is too complicated, too cumbersom and too troublesome unless you are a very experienced shooter and can clear a jam quickly as most shooters know, semi's are and can be prone to jams at the worst possible moment. Plus they are a lot heavier to carry. I keep coming back to Taurus as a good possible choice for all the reasons I posted earlier.
A lot also depends on the terrain, the type of protection you need and what you are protecting yourself from? An opinion was offered earlier about barrel length and I still contend that a snub-nose is the most ideal for personal protection and carry on your person. You are not entering into the bad lands and cruising around for a gun fight where you have to be accurate at long distances. If you are going to use your gun for personal protection it will always be within the distance you can throw a rock and hit them as well. I've carried a gun on horse back or back packing for over 25 years and have fired it in self defence less than a dozen times. Mostly at poisonous snakes, bad dogs or an overly aggressive racoon in the daytime. The only thing I've actually killed is a few poisonous snakes. I do keep a .45 ACP in the horse trailer.
Posted 2009-01-04 5:43 PM (#96917 - in reply to #96614) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069 Location: MI.
I liked my ex's Remington 9mm. The bullets are more expensive to target practice with so I shot my Browning .22 more often. It is a very comfortable gun.
Posted 2009-01-17 6:15 PM (#97678 - in reply to #96614) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Member
Posts: 18
Location: Laurel Fork, Va from Arcadia, FL
I'm a retired LEO and carry my Glock 19 on my person. It doesn't do you any good (and may be stolen) if you carry it on your horse (especially if he gets away). I DON'T shoot snakes or animals unless it's ABSOLUTLY necessary. Make sure you have a CWP if you do carry it (if it's in your saddle/horn bag it's concealed.
Posted 2009-01-18 6:24 AM (#97691 - in reply to #97678) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Elite Veteran
Posts: 954 Location: Hagerstown, MD
Originally written by rockin kgin on 2009-01-17 7:15 PM
I'm a retired LEO and carry my Glock 19 on my person. It doesn't do you any good (and may be stolen) if you carry it on your horse (especially if he gets away). I DON'T shoot snakes or animals unless it's ABSOLUTLY necessary. Make sure you have a CWP if you do carry it (if it's in your saddle/horn bag it's concealed.
Rockin, Thanks for the input and all of us appreciate good info and what you shared was very useful. It's nice to know we have a ret. LEO here with us to share insights from a different point of view.
Posted 2009-01-18 8:28 AM (#97697 - in reply to #96614) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Regular
Posts: 51 Location: Jeddo, MI
I recieved my ccw permit for the purpose of carrying while riding and camping in remote areas. I have small hands and found the S&W 38 snub nose to fit my hand the best. When you go to a gun store you will know when you hold the gun which one you will like. I knew when I held this one it was the one that felt the most comfortable in my hand. It brings relief when camping in a remote place to know that you could defend yourself if you had to against someone wanting to cause you harm. It is peace of mind for me. I practice often with a 22 due to the cost associated with the 38 ammo. Debbie
Posted 2009-01-19 5:31 AM (#97747 - in reply to #97707) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Elite Veteran
Posts: 954 Location: Hagerstown, MD
Originally written by classygirl98 on 2009-01-18 2:35 PM
We bought the Taurus Judge pistol in Dec. It is a very neat gun. Hubby liked the idea of both kinds of ammo.
Good for you!!! And your husband!!! I know it will be a good choice for you and remember that grip selection can change "the feel" of a gun more than anything. I really like Pacmar (sp) grips and have upgraded to them on at least 3 of my handguns.
Caution: DO NOT PUT 3" .410 shells in your new Judge. They will fit, but you will probably damage the gun if you fire a 3" shell. There's no place for the crimping that seals the end of the shell to expand to when the gun is fired. So you wind up "necking the barrel/chamber down" by reducing the barrel/chamber diameter because the crimping is taking up space. Just make SURE you are using only 2-1/2" .410 shells and you'll have a great gun to enjoy for many years.
Posted 2009-01-20 11:46 AM (#97851 - in reply to #97836) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Elite Veteran
Posts: 954 Location: Hagerstown, MD
Thanks painted horse, I only had an article published quite a while back and hadn't picked anything up to read recently about the Taurus Judge. The article bodly stated the caution about shooting 3" shells. I wonder if they had requests for the 3" or if something else was causing the upgrade.
Thanks again for the clairification. It's always nice to have ALL the facts, I apologize for not being completely up to date on the Judge. I still plan on buying one and now that I know it's available in 3" that might be a consideration?
deranger
P.S.- I went back to my reference and it was published in January, 2009. So I reread what I had read and realized that the editor had said, "The newest Judge revolver is one with an extra-length cylinder that accepts the loner 3" .410-bore shotshells. I didn't have the long-barreled (6.5") field revolver." I had only seen first hand in a gun shop the earlier version of the Judge and should have done a better job reading the article in AMERICAN RIFLEMAN.
Posted 2009-01-20 1:22 PM (#97853 - in reply to #96614) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
No critism intended. As often as this stuff changes, It's hard to keep up. the gun my friend has only shoots the shorter .410 shells.
So when I saw it on Taurus's website, I took note. I have a .410 long gun around the trailer that uses the 3", and didn't want to have to keep both types of shells.
Posted 2009-01-20 9:22 PM (#97900 - in reply to #97853) Subject: RE: Packing a gun
Elite Veteran
Posts: 954 Location: Hagerstown, MD
After thinking about it for a while, I think I'm going to stick with my original thoughts and buy the shorter Judge. I don't have good wrists any more and if my wife decides to shoot it, I think the 2.75" .410 will be enough to get the job done on the trail. I've always got the .45 ACP in the trailer in case I need a little more fire power.
Packing a gun
