Best Kayaking/Camping Pistol/Revolver

[txag]

I have a couple semi-auto pistols but I'm looking to get a revolver for a huge kayaking/camping trip that is coming this summer. A couple of us will be kayaking from El Paso to Laredo on the Rio Grande. It's a multi-week camping trip. There will be some critters but mostly I'm looking for personal protection against two-legged critters from the Mexican side of the river.

The big catch is that I really need something that can handle the water. It's probably going to get wet, likely submerged, and it will be at least two weeks before I can really sit down and clean the thing.

Because of this I'm thinking a stainless revolver would probably be the best option. Something like a S&W 460V? 686? I've been reading on other forums and some seem to think the G20 or G29 are great camping options, but I don't think they can handle the water.

I would like this to be a very versitle pistol/revolver that can be an any-environment camping option.

Thoughts?

[CampingJosh]

You're certainly talking the harshest of conditions, aren't you?

Stainless, nickel, chrome, polymer, and rubber will to be on your side (basically). Blued or parkerized steel will be against you. Unfortunately, weight will also be against you.

Taurus used to make some revolvers out of titanium. If you can find one somewhere, that may be your best option.

I know you won't be able to do it every time you touch the gun, but take a can of CLP or something and spray the gun down whenever you get it wet or dirty. Just don't spray your ammo.

It will also serve you very well to keep your piece in a Ziploc freezer bag whenever you can.

[CampingJosh]

I just checked their website, and Taurus does still make some guns from Ti. Search their site, find one you like, and have your dealer order it.

[Bindernut]

S&W also makes a few titanium revolvers yet too. A friend of mine has the 337 J-frame .38Spcl (with a 3" and adjustable sights which is an uncommon variant...I've only seen two like this). It's an excellent little all-weather trail gun.

As Josh suggests, use a good heavy-duty ziplock freezer bag to further protect it from water. The freezer bags are tougher and will resist puncturing better than a regular ziplock baggie. I'm sure you'll have a good supply of other stuff bagged up for the trip too so store your extra ammo in a bag too.
If you'll be carrying it in a nylon holster like an Uncle Mikes, They've usually got enough excess room in em to carry the gun even if it's bagged-up.

[Terry_P]

Ruger SP101 in a shoulder rig may fit the bill although a black rifle wouldn't hurt either. The ones you need to worry about coming across will be better armed than you whereas the regular stiff sneaking into the country will want to rip you off when you aren't looking but isn't looking for a fight.

[gdmoody]

Just out of curiosity, you might look into The Judge by Taurus. Very versatile with the .45 Colt for the two legged critters and the 410 shot shells for the slippery slidey ones. I have one in Titanium, so you might want to check the info on those while you are at the Taurus website!

[bambihunter]

Originally Posted by txag

I've been reading on other forums and some seem to think the G20 or G29 are great camping options, but I don't think they can handle the water.

I float tube fish and sometime float tube camp also and I carry my Glock 20 with me in a small freezer bag in the arm rest of the tube. With a little practice, I can get it out and ready to fire in as little as 5 seconds (just tearing the bag). During the season when I am wearing my waders, I often have my Glock 29 on the inside of my waders chest pouch which works well. Several times I have gotten them wet, but only for a brief dipping. However, I could only shake them out and dry them off with my shirt (no cleaning kit with me) and neither showed any adverse signs. If I were going to be going for a week or more, I think I would take along a small package of oil of some type. Maybe you could refill an eye dropper or something.

I think the G20 is a great choice, 15+1 of the powerful 10mm is a lot of firepower on tap.

[wpage]

Originally Posted by bambihunter

I float tube fish and sometime float tube camp also and I carry my Glock 20 with me in a small freezer bag in the arm rest of the tube. With a little practice, I can get it out and ready to fire in as little as 5 seconds (just tearing the bag). During the season when I am wearing my waders, I often have my Glock 29 on the inside of my waders chest pouch which works well. Several times I have gotten them wet, but only for a brief dipping. However, I could only shake them out and dry them off with my shirt (no cleaning kit with me) and neither showed any adverse signs. If I were going to be going for a week or more, I think I would take along a small package of oil of some type. Maybe you could refill an eye dropper or something.

I think the G20 is a great choice, 15+1 of the powerful 10mm is a lot of firepower on tap.

Great choice or one of those floating stock .22...
Bambihunter, what type of eye drop oiler do you carry?

[CanuckPete]

This is what i take along on long hiking trips or canoe trips, not to heavy, plenty of power for what I might encounter up here. 2 legged or 4 legged. S&W 66 ,357 mag 21/2 inches

[old semperfi]

any pistol or revolver in stainless will work,however i would just bring what ever i was comfortable with.the gun should be kept in a water proof- water tight container any way.if boat over turns you want the gun in something that floats.many of the titanium and stainless guns are not made entirely of stainless so they may have inner parts that will rust. my thoughts old semperfi

[ARB]

I have been doing a lot of research on the Ruger LCR. Apparently, you can let this thing soak in saltwater for a month and it won't rust.

[Terry_P]

Originally Posted by ARB

I have been doing a lot of research on the Ruger LCR. Apparently, you can let this thing soak in saltwater for a month and it won't rust.

Aluminum frame and stainless cylinder but I wouldn't soak it in salt water. I don't know what the internals are made of but then again I would torture test any firearm

[GoodOl'12gauge]

A good stainless 1911 with the McCormick 10 round mags. Thats what I use when i dont want to get my pretty Colt SAA's dirty. Accurate reliable and it will stop whatever you encounter. Mine is a colt series 80 Mk lV Stainless and it has never let me down. But on a side not the factory black steel sights will rust so those should be replaced, and i carry in a level 2 serpa holster.

[45nut]

You may also consider a marine grade SS shotgun or the 870 Marine Magnum and there are some cowboy carbines in stainless steel. And Ruger makes SS SAA's as well.

Your greatest danger are the drug gangs fighting each other, so what about an M-1 Carbine? I wouldn't go to the border without some kind of high capacity carbine. It did great in jungle environments from all I could tell.

[wpage]

Salt water will ruin any finish.

[ARB]

Originally Posted by wpage

Salt water will ruin any finish.

Just, relaying what was in the magazine article. Has something to do with the finish. Course, I wasn't there watchin' it.

[Jim K]

I like the baggie idea; if necessary, a revolver trigger can be pulled and the gun fired right through the bag; with an semi-auto the slide can get caught, jamming the gun.

Jim

[bigiron1]

I go back to the Glock thing. The 20 would be an awesome handgun for that. It wont rust or need any oil for a very long time. If a revolver is what you must have, I am a huge fan of the S&W Mod 60s. Stainless .357 3" barrel. I do agree that a floating bag should be used unless the pistol is on you in which case I would tether it to me somehow wether it be a "pistol leash" or some 550 cord.

[bambihunter]

Originally Posted by Jim K

I like the baggie idea; if necessary, a revolver trigger can be pulled and the gun fired right through the bag; with an semi-auto the slide can get caught, jamming the gun.

Jim

You know, I might try that some time just to see if a person could fire it reliably through the baggie. I have a regular dry bag, but I chose a freezer ziplock for the simple reason of how fast you could tear it to get into it. With my dry bag, it clips, then rolls over 3 times. That would take 15+ seconds to get it out whereas I can get into the pocket on my tube I keep my G20 in, tear open the sack, and have the 10mm pointing at the danger within 5 seconds. It took me a little practice to get it that quick, but not too long.

Someone above mentioned one of the floating guns. I think he was most likely referring to the AR-7's. By design, they are great guns in the way they fold up, stow, and pack. However, for defense, you'd have to leave them out and they would likely be too bulky for that. Also, in my experience, they simply suck. They have been made by various manufacturers (5 or 6 I think). I have owned 3 or 4 different brands of them and they have all been jam-o-matics. I don't think any of them ever made it through a mag without jamming.

If I were to choose a long arm, I think I would opt for a M6 Scout and for a canoe, a long gun isn't bad, but for me in a tube, I'll take the pistol.

[Woodie]

I've been carrying my Ruger Security Six .357 4" heavy barrel for about 36 years canoeing. It's gotten wet many many times through the years. Great gun can't say enough good about it. I read an article about 35 years ago and took an Arkansas stone and a rubber grit stick . Stoned and jeweled the trigger and parts they said to ( Long time to recall all ) Really lightened and became a slick trigger pull. I think it's my favorite over all gun. I grab this if i go outside to investigate a noise at night. I have a few auto's but not one that has not jammed at least once. No worries with the Ruger. And I have some pretty hot self defense loads. That's the nice thing about the 357 sure are a lot of loads you can put together. Just my 2 cents

[al45lc]

I have an S&W 396 Mountain Lite in .44 Spec. (Titanium model) A good coating of Break free and it's good for weeks of camping or hunting with little or no maintenance. Easy to carry and shoot, versatile with shot loads and handloads, and still more than enough for two legged "varmints".
A .357 is very versatile too. Frankly, I don't believe you can beat a good double action revolver for all around versatility, reliability and punch (in the proper caliber).
I rarely carry an auto in the woods, I like punch.