When I go to the ranch I often get filthy covered in dirt. Particularly when mowing or whatever. If I take my normal carry gun it gets so filthy that it needs cleaning pretty much every day for me to feel comfortable carrying it . I was thinking maybe a revolver for the ranch? Would a single or double action be better or are they about the same?

This ain't 1883. Field/ranch firearms have evolved. IMO I would want a semi-auto. Light weight, high capacity. Glock 17 is proven work horse, even under extreme environmental conditions. Inexpensive and cleans up in minutes.

On the revolver it feels a little safer (to me) to carry DA because that first trigger pull is so heavy it seems very unlikely it could discharge accidentally. Downside is same -- first trigger pull is very heavy.

You don't carry a revolver cocked and locked. If you haven't cocked a SA, it ain't going off no matter how hard you pull the trigger. Ruger Blackhawk is my Ranch gun.

I worked in trenches for years , only one that never gave me a lick of trouble or got jammed up with dirt was a SW 642. A g26, kahr cw9, and a NAA all needed biweekly cleaning. I think I cleaned the 642 every 6months. Blew the dirt off the exterior maybe once a month

Glock, P226 or 1911 is what I would use. I once had a friend at Galveston County SO who had his 686 lock up from sand getting in the action. Luckily he had pocket semi auto that saved him.

Is this just for snakes and such? Single action revolver is the original carry gun.

taurus judge

Not a popular opinion ... but a tanker holster with a flap work great for getting in and out of trucks, tractors, mowers, etc., and keeping your pistol clean.

Snakes, pigs, whatever I encounter while mowing, filling feeders, grading roads, etc.

I bought a 5" 44 mag Blackhawk. I like it but it is so heavy it is hard keeping my pants up. I like the robustness of the gun but maybe something a little lighter would be better.

Since you seem to want a safety, I believe Smith and Wesson makes an M&P with a safety. The XDM has a grip safety. A CZ po7 is a DA/SA gun with a polymer grip. I would take any of those over a revolver if I wanted the most reliability. Revolver reliability, especially in dirty conditions, is greatly overrated.

And all of those polymer guns are light compared to most comparable revolvers. And if you want more power some of them or even available in 10 mm, which ain't all bad. And if you can get past the no safety glocks are obviously a solid option as well

I do not want to take away your reason for getting a new gun. If it must get dirty I would suggest one that is easy to clean like a Glock.

But mostly I suggest getting a holster designed to keep the elements out. Nothing else will work as well.

I agree with this as well. Out on the ranch being a quick draw artist is probably not necessary and the flap holster is going to probably do the most good overall regardless of what gun you have

Good ideas on the flap holster. I do have a couple old Glocks I could bring into action. I normally carry a 1911 or a 2011 and the open hammer area gets packed with crud. A Glock might fare much better particularly if covered.

Blue Alpha Inner Velcro / outer gun belt with some type of flap holster should do the trick and help you keep your pants up.

357 Ruger Blackhawk

Suspenders

these people can make you a carry rig for any revolver or semi and i think one of the best & most comfortable ways to carry!!

https://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/products/guides-choice-chest-holster

Glock 19 or 45 depending on your hand size

How about a Ruger New Model Blackhawk in .357 mag with a 4.60 inch barrel? Robust and easy to carry.

If you're just going to carry in a holster and not your pocket then a full size H&K USP is pretty much the most reliable pistol ever made. Someone earlier in this thread mentioned a tanker style holster and that would be a good alternative as well but I've never tried it myself.

Police trade in G22

I'm a fan of double action revolvers when working. I've been carrying an old High Standard .22 DA revolver on my hip for about 25 yrs getting it plum filthy shredding/mowing etc and it fires every time I pull the trigger. It's lightweight with a 6" barrel, accurate, and has killed a LOT of critters. I don't like getting my semi autos dirty. My old compadre at the ranch used to carry a S&W semi auto 9mm and I watched that gun jam several times over the years because it got dirty. Get back to camp, clean it, and it runs fine. I've never once had that problem. He finally started carrying a revolver too. To each their own..

I second this.

You need to tote it in a gun belt. If your gonna sag you need a flat bill cap to complete the look.


Yup. Or something like this to keep it on your hips is what I like.