I keep looking at the Ruger GP100 with a 4.2 inch barrel in stainless. .357 so you can shoot 38s through it. and double action revolver so very easy to use. Only concern is the weight (40 oz) but that should mean less kick...

Century Arms revolver in 45/70.Oh wait you said light.I'd sacrifice a little weight & go with the SS Ruger GP100 .357.Full lug 4 or 6 inch barrel in a cross draw holster.Or a drop leg when you have a pack on.I've got a 63 yo 5'2" woman friend who loves shooting my 6" GP100 with 158 gr.sjsp rounds so your GF shouldn't have any problems shooting it.Hiking in the woods you have to think about black bears also.Thats why I feed mine 180 gr rounds.Practice w/38s or 125 gr 357s & feed it 180s while hiking.IMO its worth the sacrifice in weight.
See my sig.
+1 what Tikigod said also.

For years I’ve carried an older S&W 38 special loaded with 158g HPs. It’s an old friend that I’m very familiar with that shoots straight and true. I’ve never had to use it. I have always carried it “dirty”, meaning that it has had at least one round fired since it’s last cleaning. I heard somewhere years ago that some critters smell the powder residue and stay away because they know that it is bad stuff to mess with. True or not, I’ve escaped becoming cougar or bear poop. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I love my GP100 4" and it is what I take while Backpacking. I put it in a crossdraw and it works perfect. I am not concerned about weight.

MM is a lightweight backpacker and I think the GP100 maybe a little much. Again I strongly recommend the Ruger SP101 smaller and lighter than the full size but still very manageable.

Most people are recommending a semi but remember that those extra 9rounds add weight to your carry.

MM you said you will be deep enough away from two legged predators. I don't think you will be going against a pack of gang-bangers and in need of a hi-cap. I have also found when in the woods people look at you differently if you are carrying a revolver vs an auto.

For something that is foolproof go with a revolver and some speedstrips. Plus the .357 is a proven stopper be it four or two legs.

+1 on the strips.Less bulky than the speed loaders

Another vote for the 3 or 4inch Ruger GP-100. Yes it might not be the lightest gun in the world but it is very well built. I think it is built to last 100 years without much on the user's end other than normal cleaning and such. For stuff like Mt. lion you would want something with a good amount of punch, the .357 mag fit the bill nicely.

If you want something your wife or a weaker person can fire then you want something with a bit of weigh to the gun. Lighter gun almost always means heavier recoil.

Give the GP-100 a try MM. Ruger is known to build their stuff like tanks.

Semi-autos are perfectly fine if you are against 2 legged animals, but if I know I might be going against 4 legged stuff that is 2x+ my size then I go for the wheelgun.

My choice would be S&W model 60 with 2 1/8" or 3" tube. Steel frame reduces recoil and costs less than the scandium models. I have a model 640 (hammerless) and the recoil with .38 and light .357 ammo is not bad with the right grips.

As a close second choice, I would take the Ruger SP101 in 2 1/4" or 3" tube. A little heavier, but also helps tame recoil.

If you are looking for low budget, Taurus has decent quality for the price. Their revolvers are similar in design to S&W.

Good luck with your search.

I have an S&W model 60 SS with 3 inch barrel. 5 shots yes, but relatively light weight but then again more with the 3 inch barrel. But full mag loads can be rather stout depending on the bullet weight.

A .357 revolver, as many have suggested, may be a good choice. Revolvers are simple, reliable, and capable.

If the largest thing you have to worry about is a mountain lion (which are usually hunted by treeing them with dogs and then shot with calibers as small as .22LR), then I would suggest a semi-auto, like a Glock or a S&W M&P (or any other quality semi-auto) in a just about any common caliber (9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP). Modern bonded ammunition has really all but closed the performance gap between calibers. I would submit that in most of the eastern US you are more likely to have to defend yourself from 2 legged predators than the 4 legged variety and being able to quickly and accurately bring lots of well placed projectiles into play is key to surviving.

Let's face it, no matter what any legend or gun shop story tells us, anything fired from an easily carried handgun is a poor stopper when compared to a long gun. A huge majority of people shot with handguns survive. Handguns are a compromise for when we can't carry something bigger. With that in mind, I want the platform that let's me carry the most ammo, not necessarily the most powerful ammo (if the latter were my concern, I would be carrying a rifle).

My favorite woods gun for my area is a Glock 35. I like the extended sight radius and the relative light weight. I like have 15+1 rounds of .40 S&W. I like knowing that when I do my part I can keep most of my rounds on a 20 inch target at 100 yards. The .40 even shoots relatively flat with very little hold over out to 100 yards. Of course, if 100 yard shots are called for (EXTREMELY unlikely), I would rather have a rifle. However, it is comforting knowing that the platform is capable and that I have practiced at extended ranges (walk back drills).

Smith + Wesson 638-3. This is a Aluminun and stainless steel 5-shot 38 spcl. revolver. The finish requires min maintainance. This revolver can be fired single or double action. Since you are not an avid shooter these are easy to learn to shoot accurately. Having a semi-auto might give some shooters a false sense of security having a large capacity magizine. This revolver is also small enough to fit into the front pants pocket and the recoil is decent. This revolver is most commonly referred to as the body guard.

The G22/23/27 would more or less let you have a 9mm, 40, and .22lr. Good point.

I like your reasoning <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />