Posted on 10/25/2018 10:11:02 AM PDT by Paul R.
What are FReeper's thoughts on the Ruger LCP .380 vs. the Taurus Spectrum .380 as a trail gun? I am looking for something fairly small and light, with decent punch, but decent quality, to carry in a backpack while hiking, fishing, etc. Budget is limited to around $200. I might spring for a 2nd magazine to keep snakeshot* charges in, the 1st would get hollow points.
I have looked at and briefly handled a Ruger LCP .380: Size, weight, and "feel" are all good for me. Reviews seem to indicate it is very reliable and not ammo picky. The Taurus Spectrum .380 I have not handled, and found far fewer reviews online. OTOH, Taurus has a good rebate goping now, and final price on a Spectrum .380 looks like it will be $20-$25 less than the Ruger.
*9 out of 10 venemous snakes will retreat given a chance (or you simply go around them), but I have run into a couple situations "otherwise":
Copperheads are unfortunately intolerable in areas frequented by people who bring young kids along.
In one case I had a large copperhead simply refuse to let go of my stringer of fish. He got the radical Muslim action (machete to the neck), but I was a bit uncomfortable at that proximity with a poisonous snake that big. (35" is an QUITE large copperhead!)
Then of course there are "poisonous" humans -- I've never run into a situation where I felt I was in danger such that I needed a firearm, but, "stuff" obviously does happen, and my wife really worries aboput me when I go off to some semi-remote spot...
LCP but get the LCPII.
In his later years, Jeff Cooper, the man always associated with the 1911, admitted to carrying a small .22LR auto while hiking.
I don’t recall his saying which model. He did say that it “did not hit hard but hit hard enough.”
But snakes are not easy to hit unless you are very close - so I use a S&W Chief's Special loaded with snake shot when I am hiking.
Another choice is even funnier: full-auto BB gun. I have a couple of those in the house since I live next to a woods with some copperheads. I have the Unmarex MP-40 and the Russian Drozd (Bumblebee) and both are accurate and deadly on snakes and a lot of fun to shoot. The only problem with the MP-40 is it looks EXACTLY like the real thing and could cause a trigger-happy police officer to start shooting first and ask questions later.
The Drozd has a thirty round magazine and fires in six round bursts at a very high rate of fire. It is also rifled so I use copper-plated lead BBs in that puppy. It is nearly silent too and it will shred a snake at 15 yards. It comes in bright yellow and black, so it is less likely to get you shot by law enforcement.
.44 Magnum is a better trail gun.
If it will be exposed to humidity and dirt, or get wet, best not to go that route. Better option imo is a .22 revolver, in the 8-10 shot range. No less than 3” barrel. Can stagger snakeshot loads in the wheel if desired.
I would sometimes carry a Blackhawk in .45 Colt if I thought there was a good chance to see a deer. I don’t know the official weight but it was not bad.
I loaded the ammo myself. Not as hot as the special loads for Rugers and Thompson Centers but hotter than standard.
I have an LCP II, and a S&W Bodyguard, both .380.
I much prefer the S&W for everyday carry.
Correction: .22 Stainless Steel revolver.
You’d be amazed how accurate most occasional shooters are with one. No kick, not much noise, and fun to just shoot stuff. .380’s do kick, and unless you practice lots, you won’t ever, ever be anywhere near as accurate as with a .22 revolver with 3” barrel. Ever.
You’ll be able to place a round on the nose of anything close after a few weeks shooting it.
If your Taurus has issues (and a lot of them do if you can believe YouTube) you'll either be stuck fixing it yourself or sending it back to Taurus in Florida. Once in Florida it will be thrown into an ocean container where it will sit until the container is full of broken guns. Then it will be shipped to Porto Alegre on a slow boat, cleared through the ever efficient Brazilian customs system and trucked 50 km up to road to Sao Leopoldo. You may see it again in about 6 months. Then again, sometimes it takes a long time.
I don’t see a reason to buy a 380 when there are plenty of small 9’s and ammo is less expensive.
.380 shot shells are not commercially available.
That looks like a Dewalt power tool.
For the money Ruger quality is what you want.
Sccy CPX-1. Under $220.00. 9 MM lifetime warrantee. Made in USA!
Get a Circuit Judge. Lightweight .410 long gun.
“my wife really worries about me when I go off to some semi-remote spot...”
Your wife has every good reason to worry about you.
First, you are contemplating the purchase of a firearm for self protection on the trail, and $20-$25 is a factor in this decision???
Second, you’re going to carry your life protecting arm in a backpack???
Finally,”I do not expect to shoot this gun a lot...” Sure. Why spend the time and effort necessary to master the use of the weapon that you’ve chosen to protect your life with?
You seem like a nice guy. See if you can get a cerebral implant before you venture into the wild.
After you do, the solution to your quandary will be obvious.
The Charter Arms ,44 SPECIAL, Bulldog revolver. After the implant you’ll know why.
You’ll empty a mag taking out one snake.
You’ll need to be so close to it that it’ll bite you.
Nothing personal but that is awful advice.
a S&W 357 mag would be the best , one with at least a 4” barrel . With the right round you should be able to take down a bigfoot. The hi-point is good too , the 45acp, 10mm or the 40s&w would do . hi-point will also fix them for free !
I have friends in Alaska who don’t go anywhere without a .45 or .44 and heavy loads. I suppose there is a difference between a trail through a park in downtown Seattle and a trail in the Alaskan wilderness. ;-D
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