I've read about various searches for this and I've thought about them a lot.

There are a lot of answers to this question and you have some good ones already. But part of the fun is talking about it.

1. I don't know the percentages but there were some of the old model blackhawks made with 4 5/8" barrels. If you don't mind the smallbore cartridge, those would be a good choice for PPP. More recently Ruger has made the Montado with a short barrel and I think it would be a good PPP. Depending on your taste it might be even better with a birdshead grip. And I think it would be great with a J-frame rear sight and a new front sight blade.

2. The 629, even 4", is a little wide and heavy. The mountain gun version is a bit lighter but not light and just as wide. I think it is wise to carry a gun that is equal to the task that it might need to tackle, and the 629 could be considered necessary for some locations, no matter the weight, so in those situations it might be the PPP. There are lighter and/or smaller- the S&W Scandium 329 is no smaller but a lot lighter. It would be great for carry but not so perfect because we would want to spend some time shooting the thing. More recently S&W made the model 69 L-frame .44 magnum. It is a good compromise for a PPP because it is a little smaller and a little lighter, but not too light to enjoy shooting with substantial loads.

3. Having mentioned "up to the task" I recall the story of Sundles wanting a small but capable big bore handgun as backup in places where a substantial cartridge is required, and he chose a Freedom Arms 97 in .45 Colt so he could carry it with Ruger-class loads. I have experienced big loads in a Ruger .45 Colt and I'm not sure I want to shoot many of them through a short barrel FA 97.

4. And not to forget the 1911- I've often thought an accurized 1911 with adjustable sights would make a good field gun. Well I'm thinking field gun but then I realize that's just another term for PPP. For field carry a lightweight frame would be better, and I like the Commander length barrel/slide. However I haven't found anyone making a Commander length with lightweight frame and adjustable sights.

I have always liked the S&W K frames for woods walking. I am usually carrying a 4 inch M-19 with 158 gr. SWC's over a healthy dose of Unique. My second choice is a 629 Mountain Revolver usually loaded with a hard cast SWC and 18.5 of 2400. I hunt/hike/ fish in various areas in New England. In northern NE the Bears are big and the Moose are sometimes aggressive, so that's when the 629 is carried.

Working outside around the house, it's a Stainless Bearcat for 'Snakes and Such' that's always in a pocket. A trip to Wally World late at night, it's a Para Ordinance P-12 for 'Snakes and Such". Walking in the woods, scouting, with the possibility of a feral hog encounter, its a Taurus Titanium Tracker 4" .41 mag. Paddling around in the canoe, a Taurus Titanium Tracker 2 1/2" .44 special. Out on the town with 'Miss Becky' an SP101 .357 for 'Snakes and Such' in a front pocket holster. Of course all the above are subject to change at a moments notice depending on the situation. Like packing the 30 Carbine Blackhawk that's perfect for shooting Nutria from the front of a friends boat. Or "Just Cause" I felt like dropping a Bond Arms Snake Slayer into a front pocket for 'Snakes and Such' to pick up a loaf of bread, a pint of ice cream and a Cherry pie. The PPP is elusive my'n most likely won't be the same as your'n.

Hard to beat a4" k frame for a good packing pistol. There's not a whole lot. .357 won't do in the normal course of a man's life.

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