Beware all Bears!

[b4uqzme]

I've been hankering for a large bore DA/SA revolver for a while. Around these parts (my first choice) Smiths tend to run pretty dear. And since I like my Ruger revolvers, it didn't take much arm twisting to get me to bring this one home: Redhawk .44mag, 5.5 inch. That's a GP100 in the background.

[Armybrat]

Very nice! That would certainly annoy most any bear you'd ever come across, especially with some hot hard cast handloads... or Buffalo ore.

Like the 5'5" barrel to get more velocity than the snubbies.

[b4uqzme]

Very nice! That would certainly annoy most any bear you'd ever come across, especially with some hot hard cast handloads... or Buffalo ore.

Like the 5'5" barrel to get more velocity than the snubbies.

Indeed...

[Bawanna]

That's a beauty. If your wanting Bear loads the Ruger is the way to go anyhow. I think they are stronger than the Smiths.

I have a couple Single Action Rugers in 44 which I always carried hunting. Usually for signaling when I became lost which was frequently. But for bear if needed.
When they legalized hand gun hunting here I entertained the idea of using the 44 if the right shot presented itself but I never could leave the rifle behind.

I carried a 1911 when I bow hunted. Wasn't exactly legal but since I carry it daily and don't consider it a hunting hand gun I thought it was good for two leg varmints if necessary.

[b4uqzme]

That's a beauty. If your wanting Bear loads the Ruger is the way to go anyhow. I think they are stronger than the Smiths.

I have a couple Single Action Rugers in 44 which I always carried hunting. Usually for signaling when I became lost which was frequently. But for bear if needed.
When they legalized hand gun hunting here I entertained the idea of using the 44 if the right shot presented itself but I never could leave the rifle behind.

I carried a 1911 when I bow hunted. Wasn't exactly legal but since I carry it daily and don't consider it a hunting hand gun I thought it was good for two leg varmints if necessary.

Thanks Colonel,

There's debate about whether or not Rugers are indeed stronger (cast frame vs. forged). But for sure the Ruger cylinders are longer. Some of them bear loads will not even fit in a Smith.

[b4uqzme]

My other brother in law, Mr. Notsobright, goes fishing in Alaska every year or so. He's got a story about being ashore within 20 yards of a bear. Now I wasn't there so I cannot speak to: brown bear, black bear, momma bear, poppa bear... but I can tell you I'd rather not be nekkid like he was. I guess he figgered he could out-run the wife (old joke I know).

[Bawanna]

A detective here goes up every other year or so with his dad and brothers.

He's had pictures of bear very close to his brothers. He noted one time he saw his brother along a river bank and returned to fishing, when he turned again his brother was gone and there was a bear.

They go to different areas every other year, one is kind of open country, the other is pretty thick. In the open area they bring a rifle or two and keep them semi handy, in the thick area they all carry hand guns since it's impossible to see very far.

Sounds like a great time and they do catch some nice fish and plenty of them.

[b4uqzme]

^^^ I'll go someday if just for the scenery. A little fishin' won't hurt neither.

[berettabone]

It's purdy..............................if anything else, it's a hell of a night stand gun.

[ltxi]

It's purdy..............................if anything else, it's a hell of a night stand gun.

Especially iffn' a bear breaks into your home.

Not a "fan" of large frame DA revolvers. I admire them, but they don't good fit my smaller hands. Single Actions work big bore much better/quite well for me, tho.

[Barth]

Everyone should own at least 1 large caliber magnum revolver :D

[Armybrat]

True, but I've been "downsizing" since my old wrists can't take much of that .44 Magnum beating anymore.
Gave my S&W Model 29 to oldest son last Christmas and this Super BH to #2 son:

http://preview.ibb.co/eVDnxm/99_E59796_B474_4_DCB_8136_78_C217_B16508.jpg

[Bawanna]

I'm in the dwindling hands and wrist department too, so far I haven't been able to separate myself from the big bores.
My oldest already has a couple of his own, youngest will get some when he wants.
Course they'll get them all when they nail the lid shut. Wife refuses to go with my plans and use them all for packing in the box.

No joke, an officer here the other day suggested I build my own coffin. He figured I could build little storage compartment and racks for rifles, ammo etc.
Not a bad idea when I ponder it. Might have to use a fork lift for a pall bearer but that's not a bad thing.
Maybe put a little filler tube on top and fill the whole deal with ballistol or something. Wait, I'll have to seal up all the ammo good, don't want to oil the ammo?

[b4uqzme]

I've had this SBH for awhile but the short barrel just never looked right to me. Nothing like Armybrat's #2. Or this Redhawk. It's a comfortable shooter though...what with the Bisley grip and all...

[b4uqzme]

Especially iffn' a bear breaks into your home.

Not a "fan" of large frame DA revolvers. I admire them, but they don't good fit my smaller hands. Single Actions work big bore much better/quite well for me, tho.

I too like a good looking SA. But I really don't shoot them much. I practiced drawing and dry firing and I missed the hammer too often to feel confident drawing on that bear breaking into the house. Thus the Redhawk. Same operation as all my carry guns = draw and shoot.

[Bawanna]

I was born a 100 years too late. I never had a problem thumbing a hammer. If a revolver has a hammer I'll thumb it most every time.

[ltxi]

I was born a 100 years too late. I never had a problem thumbing a hammer. If a revolver has a hammer I'll thumb it most every time.

I didn't used to have a problem with thumbing S/A hammers....but with aging, smaller hands I've discovered it's become an issue. As I ponder my upcoming .45 Vaquero custom project I'm seriously considering going with the Bisley hammer as even the SBH flat spur has become a bit of a reach.

[ltxi]

I've had this SBH for awhile but the short barrel just never looked right to me. Nothing like Armybrat's #2. Or this Redhawk. It's a comfortable shooter though...what with the Bisley grip and all...

That's been cut down, hasn't it? What's the barrel length?

[b4uqzme]

That's been cut down, hasn't it? What's the barrel length?

It’s a Lipsey’s edition. 3.5 inches. Bisley grip and hammer. I agree that the Bisley hammer might be good for your project. It’s a comfortable reach. But I miss it anyways. I’d be one dead cowboy if I was born 100 years ago.

[Bawanna]

Now yall got me worried some. I best go home and thumb bust a bit. My thumbs are pretty much the worst of my digits. Double jointed and bothersome.
I don't recall no issue playing with my Uberti not long ago though.

Be a sad day when I cry when I pull a hammer. I might need a transplant....................full body.

[Armybrat]

I was born a 100 years too late. I never had a problem thumbing a hammer. If a revolver has a hammer I'll thumb it most every time.

Yeah, I rarely shoot any of my DA wheelguns with the DA. Almost always shoot them SA.

[b4uqzme]

Somehow I got it in my head that I “needed” a 3inch GP100 to go with my 4inch. And it had to be the long-ago-discontinued partial lug version. Like the other one. Even though the lug is only about a quarter inch shorter. But it had to be. I even put a WTB ad in Armslist. The LGSes told me I was nuts...that I’d never find one...and I should just buy their new full lug model. Then I went to the nearby gun show and lo and behold... ;)

[Bawanna]

Happy ending, glad you stuck to your guns, tongue firmly implanted in cheek.

Look really good together. Make a plan and stick to it. I gotta start doing that someday myself.

Now we need matching grip inserts?

[b4uqzme]

... Make a plan and stick to it. I gotta start doing that someday myself...?

Yeah. That rarely works for me either. But I guess I’m gettin’ more stubborn in my old age. :rolleyes:

[b4uqzme]

Hey Colonel. I ordered a Mernickle holster for the three inch. I can’t wait ‘til it arrives. You got any pull with Bob? 6 weeks is a long time to stand next to the mailbox...

[Bawanna]

Hey Colonel. I ordered a Mernickle holster for the three inch. I can’t wait ‘til it arrives. You got any pull with Bob? 6 weeks is a long time to stand next to the mailbox...

Bob is a great guy. Usually that 6 weeks is a worst case scenario. Usually you'll have it in about half that time. I know that's how it worked for my 3.

If in fact it really is 6 weeks, console yourself with the fact that it's worth the wait.

[ltxi]

Somehow I got it in my head that I “needed” a 3inch GP100 to go with my 4inch. And it had to be the long-ago-discontinued partial lug version. Like the other one. Even though the lug is only about a quarter inch shorter. But it had to be. I even put a WTB ad in Armslist. The LGSes told me I was nuts...that I’d never find one...and I should just buy their new full lug model. Then I went to the nearby gun show and lo and behold... ;)

Great that worked out. That partial is aesthetically more pleasing enough it would have been worth chasing down to me, also.

[GLOCKROCKER]

NICE! I dig me some big bore wheel guns. I'm still kicking my own a$$ for selling my Super Blackhawk. My 10mm's fill the void now.

[Armybrat]

Love those old half-lugs. Wish my new 3" SP101 had one.

[b4uqzme]

^^^ agreed. Not sure what it is but the half lug just does it for me....

[b4uqzme]

Great that worked out. That partial is aesthetically more pleasing enough it would have been worth chasing down to me, also.

Thanks

[b4uqzme]

Hey Colonel. You were right. The Mernickle holster came in already. Exactly two weeks. And you were right again. It’s very nice. I’ll post after I break it in.

[Bawanna]

Sweet! I was right once before, I think it was 1968, wait that can't be right, maybe it was 69........

[b4uqzme]

^^^ well mark your calendar so you can remember this time. Thanks!

[b4uqzme]

^^^ check it out...5600 posts!

[b4uqzme]

oops 5601...

[b4uqzme]

5602...aw crap!

[Bawanna]

That's a bunch of post. I remember Jocko always hounding us to turn back his post count. Hasn't done so for quite a spell. I best email him at sheep headquarters and get a report.

[ltxi]

Sweet! I was right once before, I think it was 1968, wait that can't be right, maybe it was 69........


For me the last time was morning of 11 Nov 2002. I remember it well.

[Bawanna]

The year you graduated high school?

[ltxi]

The year you graduated high school?

The day I got married to current wife. We'd lived together for 16 years at that point and I thought I had her calibrated but, nooo......

[Bawanna]

I believed in long engagements too. I think we were engaged (but not living in sin) for 13 years. And dated for a few years before that.

There's no calibrating them, you gotta know that by now.

[Armybrat]

I met my future wife at a friend's wedding (she was maid of honor, I was best man) on December 30th, 1966. Proposed two weeks later and married that June.
Our friends said it wouldn't work out, but they are all now divorced & remarried - while we are headed for our 51st.

Best Quick Pick I ever made.

Prior to meeting her, I was a complete binge-drinking, heckraising, skirt chaser/whoremonger. She didn't take long to recalibrate all that into a steady working & responsible domesticated husband & father. Still took an occasional drink or two, but then cut that out for 30+ years. just a *** now & then these days for old memories' sake.

[Planedude]

I met my future wife when she was my younger brothers girlfriend. She wouldn't put up with his ceeerap at all. After a very strange a twisting trip thru our young lives, she agreed to put up with mine.
In two weeks we celebrate 35 years of marriage, not always an easy ride, but I wouldn't have traded it for all the money in the world.

I'll always be lucky that she'd have me.

peace

[b4uqzme]

^^^^ congrats on the anniv!