Help me choose

[ultra12]

I joined S&W forum trying to get more info on .44. However esthetically you can't beat Python

[Shack]

ultra, that's a wise choice for advice. And here's an even better imo place for advice on handgunning for the hunter - THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Scroll down a bit and try their handgun hunting board. They're a good bunch for sure and it's a great place to continue your handgun education. You'll get no end of advice especially on the big bore guns really meant for serious game taking.

I assume no one minds linking that site, as it doesn't directly compete with what we do here.

[1966Python]

Good day!!
I will carry it with me during big game hunting as a back up. i will shoot it at the range when i go shoot my long guns and I will start reloading soon and will reload for the pistol as well. .

Back up for what type of hunt? Location? If in bear country I'd opt for a 44 Mag or up. Years ago I felt comfortable with a 357 on a hunt to Wyoming, It came in handy for rattlers. Times have changed and bear encounters have risen. Most recently on hunts to Utah, Colorado twice and New Mexico I've carried a 629 in 6". It also went under my pillow nightly.

I've deer hunted for a long time, since about 1960, and for years have carried a pistol back up. Only once have I used a pistol to finish off a deer. On Missouri or Kansas deer hunts I generally carry a Colt SAA in 45 or one of my Pythons or my Colt 3-5-7 which is sort of a pre-Python premium revolver. I would think a 3-5-7 or any Trooper in 4" would be perfect for areas where a large bear won't be encountered.

I can give you a couple of real life experiences to help you decide. On a NM Elk hunt a Mountain Lion left tracks in the snow at night around the tents. We did not see him during the day. A 357 might work on a mtn lion.

On one one CO Elk hunt a large black boar bear was messing with camps. He had killed some mule deer and yearling elk and drug them down the mountain to a spring. He had a regular serial killer carcas and bone yard going there. I happened on him at 20 yards in thick brush. His let me know he was there, his growl woulda made a junk yard dog check out the help wanted ads. When his teeth clicked together it sounded like billiard balls slamming into each other. Still thinking 357?

[Lawman67]

If you are going to carry it in the woods, I would opt for a Trooper Mark3 4 inch, in nickel or Coltguard ,or a King Cobra. With the money you save over the Python ,I would get a 1911 series 70 government model ,and then get a 22 conversion unit eventually. Once you have one Colt revolver you will have the disease and eventually get another, that is when you will get a Python

[ultra12]

I looked in to S&W 29 (29-2 or 29-5 with 8 3/8 inch. Joined the s&w forum to get more info. I am a bit worried about the cylinder piping out after round is fired. So 29-2 worries me. Although the problem was fixed with later models like 29-5 I am still a bit uncertain. I disnt hear about any problems with pythons except that timing might be off after heavy use. Are there any other known problems with pythons ? Am I off about S&W 29 and there is nothing to worry about ?