I owned the 357 mag j frame version… 5 loaded rounds outweighs the empty pistol.
If felt like a stick of dynamite going off in your hand, one accurate shot then the rest was a wild spread.

Single six, 44 Special BH or SS GP100 3" 357 .

A handgun that is pleasant to shoot is usually not pleasant to carry.
A handgun that is pleasant to carry is usually not pleasant to shoot.

True statement. And one that is unpleasant to shoot is usually difficult to hit with (see above as evidence). And if you can't hit with it, what bloody good does it do to carry it?

Glock 21, 200 gr XTP, Trijicon night sights, with a Streamlight TLR-9 on it.

That light is amazing. I could see my 200 yard berm with it.

Either a Taurus Judge with .410’s for snakes and a speed loader of 45 Colt for daytime or a Glock 43x with 15 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense sporting a Holosun optic and Streamlight for nighttime

P365 with hard cast or underwood pen. Chest or hip. Backcountry chest, the rest of the time IWB
No point in all the extra weight

love these classics!!!

Nothing special. In the past I have carried a Ruger P97DC (45 ACP) on my chest. My next trip I may take my S&W 686 Plus (3", 357 Mag), but I haven't come up with a system to attach it. With the Ruger I have a Kydex holster that attaches to the bottom of my binopack or I can simply put a holster on a belt hanging around my neck and under my arm and my backpack shoulder straps keep it in place. In non-bear-country I simply wear my EDC (either an XDS 3" 9mm or P365 X Macro Comp).

My only "woods walking" is up in Alaska. Have a Smith & Wesson in 45 Colt for this, comfortable to wear with a chest holster while wearing fishing waders.

Have used a SRH Alaskan in .454 with a chest holster and a 1911 on the hip the most.

Thoughts going forward, a CZShadow 2, or STI. Something made for competition that you can control, move, and shoot. I should have kept the Shadow 2 Orange.

I have a lot of short guns. Both clip fed and revolver. But, when SHTF, I want a double action revolver with no safety. I don’t want to question if it is in battery. I don’t have to rack it or [censored] it. Just point and pull. I learned that in 4 years of the Arizona desert that was butt deep in buzz tails.

You're on the right track. Love mine, but it's also an SF model for smaller hands. 200gr XTP too.

I'm only in the woods on Lake Corpus Christi, Ft. Stockton and Junction. I always carry a GP100 MC. I wouldn't mind a 10mm, but I don't have one and would have to stock a new cartridge. I should have gotten a Coonan or Desert Eagle in .357 when they were reasonable and available.

Bottom line is that, in Texas, there’s not much reason for a self defense short gun unless you’re in the wrong part of town.

In the outdoors, maybe a 22 with snake shot. Anything bigger is, for self defense purposes, mostly playing cowboy.

But, when on the road, it’s a Taurus Judge.

I have a 1950/51 Colt LW Commander 9mm I've carried that weapon off and on since 78 my eyes are starting to give me issues, I just sent her in to get a milled job for an RMRcc. I love it her more now...