Good gun for the Desert

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Rat Robb

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Planning on taking a back-packing trip in the southwest US this spring and was wondering what gun you guys would use.

I plan on bringing my GLOCK 17 but didnt know if this would be enough fire power.

Other choices would be SIG P226 .40 or S&W 686 .357 with 6" barrel.

Thanks

-Robb
 
What is common to encounter in the SW US? A big cat, maybe a coyote or a 2 legged vermin? 9mm is fine for all of those at defense distances, and Glocks (though im not a fan personally) have a reputation for being very reliable in adverse conditions.
 
Out of the choices you gave I would say the 686. It will give you the best choice in loadings. Light 38 specials or the heavy magnum loads. Also to be considered is that in the southwest you will be in more open territory and the 357 will give you the best long range ability over the others.
 
I agree with RevolvingGarbage... the SW desert is not a likely place to encounter large dangerous game. I usually pack either a Glock 26 or a S&W J-frame 38. I like the 38 because I can easily load the first round with a shotshell load for poisonous critters. I would say that a snake, spider or scorpion bite is probably more likely to harm you than a larger animal out there.
 
Long time desert rat. First, before the gun, you need WATER, lots of it, and a good cell phone with fresh battery and coverage, sattelite phone if you can, map of the area is great,and go with someone familiar with the area. The desert is a harsh mistress, especially in summer.
A nice light 38 revolver with first two as snake shot is a good idea. The Glock will work but the first round of snake shot will NOT cycle the action. Take the wheel gun with at least one speedloader, say most of them in defensive loads, but keep a few spare snake shot, too. NOTE, I did NOT say bird shot...other snakes are out here too, two legged variety that smuggle humans and drugs, be careful when you get anywhere close to the border.
Have fun, there is a lot of beauty in the desert, if you know where to look.
AZ allows lawful open carry, stay clear of the reservations. Our CCW is shall issue, and is also a non resident permit, which takes a short class - get one while you're out here.
Welcome to the Southwest!
 
Planning on taking a back-packing trip....
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That said, I'd take the lightest handgun you own out of the bunch. YMMV
I'd also follow armoredmans advice with the following addenda; tell someone who's not going, where you're going, when you're leaving/arriving and check in with them. If they don't hear from you, have them notify local authority. Just in case.
 
120 mm smooth bore....

attached to your ATV.....

abrams_tank.jpg
 
I personally would take the 686 with snakeshot like other have said. That is what I have seen the most when I have been out there (New Mexico). The most dangerous thing you could come across is the dreaded chupacabra so the .357 mag would be nice! Lol.
 
Planning on taking a back-packing trip in the southwest US this spring and was wondering what gun you guys would use.

I plan on bringing my GLOCK 17 but didnt know if this would be enough fire power.

Other choices would be SIG P226 .40 or S&W 686 .357 with 6" barrel.

Thanks

-Robb
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It's hard to pick from those choice because none of them make my happy. I would choose the M686 if it had a 4" barrel because I think it's the correct handgun for where you're going. I'm not a big fan of a semi-auto for "outdoors use" but the Glock does have a good reputation for reliability in harsh conditions. I wish the Glock was the one in 40 S&W though.

Sorry I was no help at all on this one. If it were me I would carry my Bisley Vaquero in .45 Colt.
 
A Glock will melt in the desert. The biggest threat you will face in the SW is going to be two legged predators.
 
Yep, backpacking means light. Water. It is recommended that you carry a gallon per person per day in the desert(summertime):evil:. At 8 lbs. per gallon I'd say most of the weight will be water. Good luck, have fun and tell us about it so we can live vicariously through you.
ll
 
live in tucson... some of these responses are HILARIOUS,.... love the tank pic....

if you havent gone on your trip already... i'd take the .40 caliber.. javelina, though mostly scared of you, will attacked if feel threatened and they are pretty thick skinned... other the that, snakes you can walk around, and mt lions and bobcats are thin skinned cat type things lol.... you'll be fine... where is your trip gonna be to???
 
Re mountain lions. Every attack I've read about, the cat snuck up on somebody from the rear and bit their neck. I'm not saying that's the only way they attack, but that's the only way I've ever read.

It's really difficult to defend against a determined cat, apparantly.
 
Revolver.

The dangerous animal you're most likely to encounter is one of several species of rattlesnake. With a revolver, you can alternate snake loads and bullets, and the gun will work reliably. That's what I generally carry.
 
I hardly ever shot snakes when I lived in the SW. I always kept a shovel in my truck and if you are hiking I'd advise a good sturdy staff.
As for a gun I guess a G19 would be my choice due to the slight size benefit. Carry 2 large G17 mags as spares.
Don't go alone, go in the winter, take a dog, if its quail season then the gun question is answered so is the dog and the buddy plus you can carry less food.
I'd park and set camp in an area that shows no signs of the illegal traffic because if you are in or out you stand a much greater chance of being visited if along a thouroughfare.
 
I never had to shoot a snake down there, either, but I didn't even SEE a cat. Ran into a lot of rattlers.

WRT illegal traffic, those guys want to get north without being seen. Saw plenty, never had any trouble. They're surely not armed, either.

Drug traffic is another story, but a Glock 17 isn't going to defeat a few trucks full of AKM-wielding cartel enforcers, either.
 
Do those rattlesnakes, scorpion, and spiders actually chase you in the southwest? Wouldn't it be easier to just walk around those little things rather than shoot them?

The G-17 sounds like a good recommendation.
 
It's usually easier to walk around them. The terrain isn't always open, or flat.

I've never had to shoot one. I have known people who ended up face-to-face with one and did shoot it.

I'd be more concerned about snakes if I had a dog with me. Dogs don't always walk around them.

What I never have taken with me on the trail, anywhere, is a 9mm anything.

All told, you could bring any of the guns. I'd take the .357, some magnum rounds, and some snake loads.
 
Drug traffic is another story, but a Glock 17 isn't going to defeat a few trucks full of AKM-wielding cartel enforcers, either.
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I think you should just stay home.
 
LOL

My point is that the capacity of a G17 offers little in the Southwestern backcountry. If you need more than 6, you're screwed.

I'd take the revolver and mixed loads, because I might actually have some use for them -- MIGHT, not will. What I wouldn't have any use for is 51 rounds of 9mm unless I brought along some bowling pins. Then I'd want 500 rounds.:)

Of the 3 guns, the G17 would be last on my list. I doubt you'll run into a lot of urban gangstas in the desert. And 2 large mags as spares? Hell, if you can't hit a rabid coyote with 17 rounds, you should be at the range, not in the desert.:D What sort of war are you all expecting?

(If you want a signalling device, get a SPOT Locator.)
 
I own the gun that was the primary arm of an old desert rat / gold prospector who lived in a tent with two donkeys & roamed the Superstition Mountains most of his adult life.

It is a 4 1/2" Colt Woodsman Sport .22LR.

Must have worked pretty well for him, as he died in a nursing home at age 90 something.

rc
 
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Its a reasonable thought to anticipate the posibility of encountering criminals in the area the op specified so the extra ammo in the mags is simply a compromise to packing a full rifle/carbine.
Truck loads of cartel enforcers would have to be at the far relm of fantasy so my reply may have been a little sarcastic but the 9mm, 357sig, 40s&w would all be usefull if not comforting if one had to get out of dodge and was out numbered. Capacity to me has become a very sensible option on what I carry as a defence piece.
 
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