[RandyB]

Been reading about a gentlemen hiking the AT recently and got to thinking about what kind of gun I'd carry if I decided to hike 2,000 + miles in an area where bad guys, bears, etc. are possible. Weight would be a crucial factor. Of course the AT it is not legal to carry in most areas, but still the question remains. "If you were hiking the AT ( or other long distance trail in the eastern US) what gun would provide the balance of protection vs weight that would be optimum and how would you carry such a gun with a large frame backpack?"

My own thoughts were maybe an SP-101 with a 3 inch barrel. Of course Glocks/Springfields would be an option. Maybe something smaller for BG and OC pepper as an option.

[themic]

here in VA the AT goes throgh Shenandoah National Park. Illegal to carry. It's for your own protection. Besides, why do you NEED a gun, anyways? Park Rangers will protect you.

Just something to be aware of. I think most of the trail isn't NPS, but you gotta think about what you're going to do when it is.

[Newton]

The new Smith .44 Magnum airlite.

Mike H

[Cal4D4]

Glock G29, get hottest you can shoot well, FMJ 180-200 gr at anything approaching 1100fps. Better would probably be the big bearspray OC. Doesn't it range out 30 feet or so? You aren't out to rid the world of bears and badguys, only to direct their attention elsewhere.

[xjer]

I carry a SP101 2.25" in 357 when we go hiking. A longer barrel
might be better but I already have the 2.25". The only trouble
we might find would be the two legged type so the 2.25" should
work for me.

Mike

[quick68]

10 mm Glock in a small belt pack carried in front.

[Lee F]

Recently hiked portions of the AT with a Glock 26 (in 9mm). Perfect for two legged varmits and better than nothing for a bear in the tent. Weight is everything after several days on the trail, but I can live with the 22 0z. pistol and three full magazines.

[WonderNine]

Hmm, I would say take two guns, not one. 9mm or .357Sig FMJ should provide some penetration if you run into a cougar or bear while it will do good on two legged attackers as well.

[10-Ring]

Glock 20 would fit the bill quite nicely.

[Gordon]

I use a m629 Mountain gun in .44 mag with 300 grain bullets. It weighs 3 lbs loaded and holstered. I carry 18 extra rounds. However I don't hike over 20 miles a day and it gets heavy in last 3 years since I turned 55! My partner , who is more high tech and 8 years younger has the lightest possible set up: a 360 Scandium kit gun in .357 with a 3.5" barrel. This gets the 180grain bullets up to close to 1200fps for enough penetration to go thru skull of anything. The weight is 1 lb. loaded and sheathed in nylon , but recoil is more than painful. He carries 15 .38spl rounds for eating game and 5 more 180's. A possible choice would be the new 329, which would weigh 2 lbs loaded and packed BUT recoil would be in 360 league, ain't no free lunch! :cool:

[Dr.Rob]

A snub or 3inch 357 would be ideal. Simpler is better.

[Jaco]

Mostly carry a 9 shot Astra snubby in .22. No bears here, biggest threats are humans, snakes, and ostriches. Prefer to carry a box of 50 HV normal cartridges around, than only a few bigger cartridges.

[Majic]

Now I have no idea of the severity of the situation, but I have been sitting here in tears laughing at the thought of reading of "Unfortunate Hiker Mauled by Rogue Ostrich". Talking bout being hen pecked. :D

[Lone_Gunman]

45 ACP or 9mm would be fine choices also, especially in a hi cap, low weight gun like a Glock 17 or 21.

Animals are not your biggest threat statistically.

[RandyB]

Great suggestions so far. Thinking on the weight vs. power scale, it appears most would prefer the power. I have done enough hiking to know how crucial weight can be and the risk of injury on the AT from carrying too much is greater than the threat of animals or people. If I was to ever get the time to thru hike the AT I would most likely just get a good OC pepper spray, but here in Indiana I always carry when I'm out in the woods and it would take away from me to not feel naked if I didn't carry a gun.

[David4516]

I hike with the same gun that I normally carry with, my Makarov. It's a bit heavy for a gun in it's power range, but it's not that bad. So far the longest hike I've taken it on was about 5 miles. I'm going camping in a few days, and I'll be going on a 28 mile trail, so I guess I'll see how heavy the Mak feels after going a long distance...

[Steve Smith]

G29 is a good choice IMHO. That's the reason I bought one.

[agtman]

If you're interested in an autoloader ....

..... for protection when hiking, then there's only one choice - 10mm Auto, the ultimate BG AND bear-stopper in its "heavy & fast" form.

See, e.g. : http://www.texas-ammo.com

:)

:cool:

[COK]

For years carried a full size 1911 so I got use to a large gun , I now hike with a Ruger P-90 .45 , rugged and dependable.

[Mannlicher]

I have hiked the AT, and other trails in NC, GA, VA, TENN, and of course Fla. I carry a Stainless Model 60, DAO, three inch barrel. The load is always the Hydroshock 129 gr JHP. I do not worry about animals at all, only people. The little Smith gives me a good balance of weight, accuracy, durability, and reliabilty. The Mod. 60 rides in a custom holster, in the right hand cargo pocket of my hiking pants or shorts.

[sturmruger]

My wife and I never hike very far. Many times we will choose to do some canoeing instead. I usually bring my Ruger P89 with a pre ban 17 round clip.

[MikeJ]

When I do get the chance to hike in northern Arizona I always take my Glock 23 and 2 hi-cap mags loaded with 165 grain Remington Golden Sabers. It is barely noticeable due to its light weight and very rugged. Mike

[Jack19]

I'll second agtman's recommendation for Texas Ammo. The 200 grain JHP is excellent stuff.

BOOM :what: OWWW lol

[44]

I carry the S&W 44mag Mountain Gun in a Bianchi Cyclone crossdraw or a Kramer Belt Scabbard, or a belt pack. I carry it with the Speer 270gr GDSP round. Maybe a shotshell as the first round in case you find yourself on top of a snake.

I carry an extra dozen or so shotshells to kill something to eat if I had to. They don't weigh much. Also some lightweight 44mag or 44 Special rounds for small game or signal shots. And a dozen extra of the Speer 270's, six in a handy speedloader.

I'd use the 329PD if there are good holsters for it by now. Or carry it in a belt pack. I like its lightweight construction. It probably handles really fast. I havn't seen one yet, but look forward to it. If they hold up, I'd like to buy one.

But I would never cut through bear or cougar country with anything less than a .41 mag. The .357 or the 10mm just will not do the job, unless you are lucky. Your one and only fast urgent first shot may be fired one-handed, off-balance, with a bad hit. I think you need the extra work the .41 or .44mag will do on such tough animals.

Just my opinion. Good luck in the woods. 44
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Stevie-Ray]

Hiawatha National Forest country, I always carry my Colt Delta Elite.

[litework]

I live in Virginia, and can't carry a firearm on the trail. I noticed a sign on the trail that read "No Weapons." Pretty vague statement to make, and I was already a couple hundred yards into the hike. I'm not going to take my ASP, err... I mean retractable walking stick, back to the truck for that one.
When I am not prohibited to carry, I use a Glock 20 in the woods. I got tired of carrying large framed revolvers, and a heavily loaded 10 mm should be plenty powerful for the small bear and large humans that frequent my area. I have a concealed carry permit, and I'm a little miffed that I can't have a gun in the park.

Someone mentioned throwing stars...I don't think it's legal to have those in Virginia, either. I don't know if a bag of copperheads is considered a weapon.

[Majic]

Litework,
You have to be careful on the AT. Parts of it runs thru national forest and national park lands. Parts run thru VA owned land. Federal law prevents carrying on the trail in their districts, but VA laws apply to the state owned lands. Open carry can be a sticky situation, but state CCW's are reconized.

[litework]

Majic,

Yeah, I don't carry at all when hiking in the National Park. I'm probably breaking the law by having a firearm in my vehicle when entering the National Forest. I frequent Sperryville and the road I travel flows inside and outside the National Forest.

[MCNETT]

National Forest carry is fine, National Park carry is not fine.


"The park Rangers will save us"
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :barf:

My vote is for the G29 or G20, I have taken deer and black bear with the G20 and feel confident in it for any and all hikng/ camping applications.
-Mike

[tango3065]

I always carry in woods. To all of u guys who do carry do have a bullet in the cahmber and the ones with revolvers do u keep one empty or not,

[Majic]

I only carry revolvers in the woods, and only my OM Blackhawk has the hammer down on an empty chamber.

[44]

It is true that you will probably get more shots into the animal with the 10mm.

And you can put a light on it for after dark. Which is a lot easier than shooting a heavy-recoil revolver one handed, trying to get a decent hit, with a flashlight in the other hand, in a big fast emergency. And with a light on the gun all you have to grab is the gun - in the dark.

I thought about going to the 10mm myself. Also considered the 45 Super. But in gearing up for black bears, I figured a person has to gear up for the biggest ones - which around here can be 400+ pounds. In fact, they took a 600-pounder south of where I am. So I stuck with the 44mag.

Just my thinking so far, which I know could all change tomorrow. I'm still learning these things. 44

[Lee F]

I get over to Mount Rogers and the Washington-Jefferson National Forests sometimes so I just researched VA's firearms laws.

http://www.dgif.state.va.us/hunting/regs/section5a.html

You have got to be kidding me! Even California has more reasonable laws about guns on Federal land. The next time I hear someone say VA is a gun friendly state are they in for it. All SE states limit carry in State Parks and National Parks, but in National Forests! I know its a VA law because NF land in NC is much less regulated.

[Majic]

As VA law states, you can carry with a CCW.
After reading the extensive Kali laws, unless you are engaged in hunting, no bow, rifle, revolver, pistol, air gun, or propulsive device of any kind is permited on ANY wildlife area.
I have to wonder about someone comparing Kali over VA in gun laws!

[Lee F]

Majic,
I don't have a CCW in VA neither would 95% of people coming in from out of state to hike. I've lived in California (don't know if you've been there) and BLM areas are pretty much wide open to guns and for the most part shooting. The thread is about hiking which for the most part would be on state or federal owned land.

[jercamp45]

I used to hike alot....not so much any more(been citified, I guess and got alot older and more used to creature comforts!! LOL)). Back then I carried a Ruger 44 mag carbine(it was Alaska and I was young) and a .22 pistol. On most of my other long hikes, I carried a 1911 .45 auto(mostly a lightly modified Commander, but the heavily modified Government got used too) because that was what I had handgun-wise at the time(lost my others in a fire!). The Commander was with me on a 100 mile chunk of the Pacific Coast Trail in Washington(Beautiful!!). In a military cross chest surplus leather rig and YES, always a round in the chamber!(someone asked!!) an unloaded gun is useless!
Now, I take my LW Officer's .45 and a couple of spare Wilson mags with Plus p 230's. I have tried the Speer shotshells and they are reliable, and handy..if only for extremely short range. If I was going on a LONG trip in the lower 48...I would add my Ciener .22 conversion unit and 100 rds of .22 lr to the load(A very nice combo, alloy frame, alloy, right ammo makes a nice accurate kit gun!).
Back to Alaska?(doubtful) Then one of my Government's would come out more often, equipped with a .460 Rowland conversion unit from clark custom guns(45 at 44 magnum velocities!). And a Quad pack of 10 round Wilson mags! That is for defense only! I have no need to hunt big critters anymore unless I gotta have meat, but that is the time to break out the rifle. I have done some handgun hunting in my past, and the bigger the bullet the better!!
Never used pepper spray on a bear, but a can would be with me too(to give me a nonlethal option). As would an intense white light(surefire) and a good blade or two(mostly as tools!).
Nowadays, the pistol would be concealed until needed, unless I was in the WAY back woods.
The the oft mentioned Glock 20 is a very viable option for the mission, but I only have 1911's(other than a smaller pistol for the pocket as back up/deep cover, but that is another story), I like 'em alot, and am very familiar and well trained with them.
Good Hiking!!
Jercamp45