I feel very comfortable with my S&W .357 for any task short of bear country and I carry it whenever I am in the woods. In the home it is what I would stick in my belt or hand my wife or kids because I would rather have a .45 on my hip and a 12 gauge on my hands around the house.

-ww

Glock 20 without a doubt. You can't beat 15+1 rounds of 10mm in the field, plus it fits your price point.

You can get one from Cypress Armory for $565, Gen 4 that comes with 3 mags.

I got the urge for a wheelgun a couple years ago and was looking at used S&W's and New Taurus'. I went to order a Taurus locally and while there checked out the Ruger GP100 and liked the feel so well, I took it home. I shoot it more than any gun I own as it is just plain fun. I reload so I rarely shoot any 38 Spc.

Between it and my SR1911 as to which is the most accurate hand gun I own out to 25 yds. I've shot 5" groups at 50 Yards off a sand bag with the open sights so I'm convinced on it's accuracy. 158gr jacketed softpoint target round with 14.5 grains of 2400 have been the best load for 25-50 yds.

It's a fairly heavy framed gun and recoil is no issue.

I replaced the front sights with fluorescent fiber optics and that is a great easy improvement.

The trigger is acceptable in double action but I typically shoot single action and it's pull is smooth and easy.

It's been a fun, dependable, accurate gun for me and I find it hard to believe there can be any much better.

I think you'd be mighty pleased with one.

I prefer the 44 magnum to the 357 magnum but if you are going to tote a gun all the time weight becomes a factor so I like the Old M19 S&W. According to the company the 357 should not be used all the time because the frame is light but I've shot quite a few 357 rounds (1,000?) with out any signs of stretching, etc. I've probably shot about 6,000 regular 38 specials through it. The great thing about revolvers is options. You can load a 140 gr WC and use them on squirrels and then a solid or very hard lead 173gr for bear (black-not griz) protection, etc. A revolver is a very good choice for a field gun that may be used in many different applications.
One big misconception is reliability of revolvers versus semi-autos. IMHO the 1911 is MORE reliable as far as the gun is concerned. Trouble comes with the shooter limp wristing, etc but a 1911 is a work of art (IMHO). The revolvers have more parts and you want to get a top brand (S&W, Ruger,COLT)

My px4 .40 does the job for me... No one else gave it any love so I had to!

You walking around amongst elephants or rhino's?

As far as 'in the field, what's wrong with the .40? Or a 9mm? If I may ask?