Dryer
I believe an FBI statistic says there are 1.3 shots fired in the average shootout. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />That means in one out of three instances, a return shot is fired - says a lot for single shot weapons, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> unless you miss, but if the other guy fires first, at least you saved a lot of weight by not carrying a better gun... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I have found that the mere presence of a legally displayed .45 or .44 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> is more than adequate to deter anyone who may have considered me a good target. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Stainless steel can be seen from further away, but the Dirty Harry large frame revolver in shoulder holster kicks me into a different mode that I have to be sensitive to. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> I am extremely polite to anyone I meet. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> The men are extremely polite back <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> and the women will not catch my eye. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Frankly I think a "starters gun" wold be as good of deterent as most anything. Did I mention that I have never fired the .44 in the wilderness except to shoot grouse with snake shot. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I have only "grabbed" it 3 times, once for a lion, once for a dog, and once when I rappelled into a lions den unknowingly. Yep sometimes I pack when climbing. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Oh the super blackhawk weighs 48 ounces unloaded and .44 rounds are not UL. However I relly only need 2 rounds I guess, one snake shot, one magnum.

Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

P.S. If I was hiking in areas where I might run into illegals I would carry a Walther P38 in a German army leather holster. You have to decide what the probability is of needing an accurate side arm and your "firepower" and if the other guys have AK47s, you better have a good long range load. Frankly though I never intend to be in a shootout, I would prefer my Ruger bull barrel .22 lr, or my superblackhawk .44. A good .44 can send a large chunk of lead at very highspeed into a very tiny target. I have frankly never used a gun as easy to shoot accurately as the .44, except for the target pistol. But it takes very strong hands and a steady eye... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

P.P.S.
The best way to start a fire with a large handgun is to discharge it inside a tent and then use the burning tent as kindling...