The times I leave the house without a handgun are rare. In general, I have a specific purpose in mind for any particular one I'm carrying at any given time. There's the long-barreled piece of large bore that I might carry with the intent of taking game of some kind or backing up a rifle during a hunt. A tricked-out automatic pistol with all the latest hardware would indicate a trip out for some serious target shooting. A short, powerful revolver in .357 Magnum or Commander-size 1911 is appropriate when self-defense is the rule of the day.

Then there are the times when none of these scenarios happens to be part of the plan. These are lazier days when knocking around the brush, roaming a pine forest or easing down a river trail with a fly rod is the order of the day. The guns I carry during these times tend to be some of my favorites, and they vary as much as the type of country I mentioned. Gun-toters know what types of handguns I'm talking about, and most refer to them as "camp guns," "trail pieces," "plinkers" or "kit guns." I don't know that I use any particular expression other than "good'un."

In my case, these guns tend to be light, easy to carry and entertaining to shoot. Many times they're in .22 rimfire or .22 Magnum, but I've carried other calibers, too, though they tend to be on the less powerful side. Generally, .44 Mags don't fall into the category, but a .45 Colt with light loads sure can. There's a world of handguns that qualify, and the configuration depends on the tastes of the carrier.

Most recently, my favorite good-time packer has been a prewar four-inch Colt Woodsman .22 auto that formerly belonged to my good friend and internationally known waterfowl conservationist Lance Olson of Iowa. The short-barreled Woodsman is one of the finest little automatic pistols ever made. It's relatively flat, comfortable to carry and accurate. My Colt is sheathed in a fine old A.W. Brill holster, and the outfit is one of the finest I've ever had the pleasure to carry in the field. At the 2007 SHOT Show, I visited the U.S. Firearms booth and was thrilled that the company is contemplating putting a Woodsman model into production along with its other finely made products. If you've never shot the Woodsman, just be good to yourself, save your dinero and splurge on one, whether it's a remake or an oldie.

Yet another of my "good'uns" is also chambered in .22 but in the magnum persuasion. Another former Olson gun, this jewel lived a previous life as a more powerful version of the Colt Single Action Army. Wisconsin gunsmithing master Kenny Howell built the little .22 using a first-generation Colt as the base. Kenny is famous for building and rebuilding classic antique guns. His guns have been prominent in excellent Western movies, including many made famous by actor Tom Selleck. In working with my little gun, Kenny converted a standard single action to a Sheriff's Model by removing the ejector-rod housing and expertly welding up the frame after removing the ejector shroud. He then rechambered it in .22 Magnum, cut the barrel to two inches and finished it with fine case-colors. Finally, he replaced the grips with a fine set of walnut stocks. Kenny's little Sheriff's Model has fooled many a would-be Colt expert. I've carried the little single action many a mile in all sorts of country and have found it to be a most genteel companion.

Being chambered in .22 caliber isn't a prerequisite for a good trail pistol. Another of my pet packing pistols is a little heftier. Cut in .41 Magnum caliber, my Freedom Arms Model 97 is as sweet a handgun as you could want. It's somewhat smaller in frame than a Colt Single Action but much more strongly built. The little 97 fits the hand perfectly and is light enough to carry all day. With reduced factory loads, it's a pleasure to fire and extremely accurate.

The great thing about the Freedom .41 is that its inherent strength permits it to withstand higher pressures. With heavier loads, the Model 97 in .41 Magnum is an efficient deer cartridge. The versatility of this combination makes the Model 97 a true "good'un."

Here in the Mexican border country, I've chosen my handguns carefully, and as I said, each has a specific use. But when leisure is on the schedule, don't plan to give me a bad time regarding my selection of iron. My "good'uns" are my business. No doubt you have your own.

Enjoy them.