Do you carry while hiking, rock climbing, etc?

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MAS8394

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New guy here, making his entrance with a potentially interesting post! Below I'll share my story - for those interested - but for now my question is:

Do you carry a weapon while hiking, trail walking, or just generally on the road?

If no, why not?

What do you use for self defense whilst hiking, trail walking, or just generally on the road?

What brands would you recommend?

What Caliber?

Why?

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I'm looking for something cheap, can take a beating, and stay reliable enough to go "boom".

I was thinking of purchasing an inexpensive .22 handgun, as I feel it'll be lightweight and carry more than enough ammunition in case of an animal attack or similar. I don't intend to use this gun often after breaking it in.
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The story for why I ask:

I love hiking, rock climbing, climbing mountain sides, essentially putting my life on the line. I always pack light, carrying only essentials (gloves, rope, water, small towels, allergy and pain pills, food if it's a really long hike, etc). This past weekend we were attacked by a rabid animal spewing nonsensical curse words. I grabbed my dulling 3" pocket knife and tried to secure a stable footing as this vicious creature came at me, but luckily it never made it to me as a friend threw some pretty large rocks at it - one hit and the animal scurried away! Oh also, the animal was a young adult male who probably decided to get high halfway up a mountain side. After our hike, we called and alerted the cops (as we couldn't receive phone reception where we were located) and I started thinking of personal protection.

My bag (which I use while hiking and riding my crotch rocket) has a pocket on the spot that lays on the back, assumedly meant for concealed carry, so I find it perfect for a small pistol. I looked at all my (9mm) handguns to see which would feel most comfortable to carry during a hike (in case another furry creature decided to attack) and I feel as though I need a change of caliber to comfortably carry. Or maybe I'll stuff my SCCY in there. I'm not exactly looking for firepower to kill a bear or wolf.

For those curious, my current collection contains a Beretta 92FS, Ruger P94DAO, Smith and Wesson SD9VE, Sarsilmaz B6P, and SCCY CPX2.
 
More often than not I carry either a very small .38 or a .357. I'm not going to win any military engagements but I feel it is enough in the event of most animal attacks be they 2 or 4 legged.

Others feel differently so stay tuned:)
 
hiking always
technical climbing no, but you got me thinking about it ;)
usually a five shot .357
.44 in brownie country

welcome to the forum
 
None of the REALLY big four-legged threats where I hike, but I do carry a Bersa BP9cc in a Hill People Gear chest pack. It is nice and thin, but still with enough grip surface for comfortable shooting. I've tried carrying something bigger (Sig SP2022) in the HPG pack, but the Bersa allows for the carry of other essentials in the pack on account of being so thin.
 
No climbing around the swamps and savannas here.. but I do a lot of hiking. I usually just pack my EDC, a Kel-Tec PF9 and, if I'm carrying one, a BUG. That's typically my NAA mini-revolver in .22LR

I've always felt that a single-action .22 screams "trail gun", but don't carry either of mine because we're not an open-carry state (fishing and camping okay, but not hiking - go figure.) My Single-Six and Heritage Rough Rider are too big, but I do have a Rough Rider 3.5 "birdshead" waiting for me at my local FFL, having been delivered there a couple of days ago. Assuming it checks out, that will likely become a hiking (and other outdoor activity) gun.
 
Absolutely I carry a pistol and a good knife, but only because of 2 legged predators. Ya just never know who you'll meet. My wife and I hike quite often when on vacation in various parts of the country. But, I have to be careful about concealed carry laws. If I'm in an unfriendly state, I just carry a knife.
 
Hiking, camping, or generally being out and about in the wilderness, I have my normal carry gun with me (Glock 19). If I was rock climbing, depending on how technical it was I probably would not be carrying (at least on body - I might have it in a pack). I would be mostly worried about a fall and landing on the gun.

Several years ago I was running around on some slick cement in the rain and had one of those spectacular falls you only see in cartoons - both feet up in the air parallel to the ground, hang in the air for what feels like eternity, then fall flat on your hip with a thud! Well, I had a Surefire in my pocket and landed right on it and had a Surefire shaped bruise on my leg for weeks! I wouldn't want to experience that with a gun (im sure the gun would be fine, but you might be uncomfortable).

For defense against animals and people, I would stick with the normal defensive calibers like 9mm, .40, and .45. If you're likely to run into people on drugs (which it seems is definitely a potential event given your story) I wouldn't go smaller.

I'd be looking for something that is relatively light weight (polymer, or aluminum/scandium for a revolver), has a durable finish to resist rust from things like water/rain/sweat, and as stated earlier is in a good caliber that you'd want to fight with.

Keeping budget in mind and guns that would be ok taking a beating, I would be thinking things like police trade in Glocks (19/26), police trade in M&P9 (Buds had a good deal on these recently but I don't know if they have sold out), or a S&W Shied (if you're looking for something smaller).
 
I never bothered to get a CC permit for Illinois so I don't carry while hiking.

I guess there could be coyotes that might be an issue around here. There was a bear sighted around these parts last year. But I am not real worried about 4 legged critters. Never seen one get close enough to be a threat.

Never had any interaction with two legged critters that worried me all that much either.

In any case, I mostly hike when it is cold out as the beagle does not do well when it is warm. It's a little hard to draw and fire from concealment with gloves on.

I guess if I was worried about it I would not go hiking.
 
I usually carry a Sig p239 9mm on a hike (same as regular ccw) and a SAA clone in 45 LC on horse back.

I have been riding, chasing cattle, and hiking up in back country mountains for 25 years and only had troubles with a 4 legged critter once.

I carry regularly for dealing with the 2 legged kind and I do the same up there for the same reasons.
 
I always carry in wilderness areas based on the rules for the location. Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. Been there, done that, I am NEVER going to be caught without a gun where I might actually need it. In the Everglades National Park, which is right next door, NO ONE goes there unarmed!
 
I carry a Ruger SR1911 Commander when my family goes hiking. I carry it with a round of snakeshot in the chamber, rest JHP. 1 extra mag of JHP, another of snakeshot.
 
I just got back from a light hiking trip this weekend. Actually, it was a wedding, but my wife and I found some time to sneak away to see a couple waterfalls. Nothing hardcore. As a matter of fact, we didn't even plan or pack for it.

I carried what I was packing for protection while tromping around shopping in town, an LCR in 9mm. We were in black bear country, but I don't think they would be frequenting the heavily used noisy paths in broad daylight. All I stumbled across were very nice folks out for a leisurely walk. Still the revolver with a 9mm moon clip in my pocket felt like a good insurance policy. I carried a Zero Tolerance 630 folder.

During the wedding, I switched out the 630 for a more gentlemanly 450 and the LCR for a Pico.
 
A 3" LCR x in 38 special has your name written all over it. Super light, accurate, and will not fail you.


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I do a lot of hiking in wilderness areas in Washington State. In theory, I could encounter black bears, cougars, coyotes, wolves, and hostile humans. Encountering a grizzly is possible in some areas of the state, but extremely unlikely. (Oh, by the way, a few years ago, a man was killed when butted by a mountain goat in Washington, so I should list those also.)

While hiking, I usually carry one of those super-light-weight, part titanium, S&W .357 revolvers with a 1 and 7/8 inch barrel. Mine has Crimson Trace laser sight grips. I carry it either with "short barrel" semi-magnum loads with 140 gr jacketed bullets, or with full mag, all lead flat nose 158 gr bullets.

I am old enough that I need to minimize the weight I carry while hiking, so I have ruled out heavier guns.
 
Of course!
Out in the wilds are where you're actually more likely to need it.
I usually open carry an FNP45, and a fixed blade knife.
 
it I have several handguns that will meet your needs. They are high quality, well made and have nice finishes on them.

And because they are high quality, well made with nice finishes they are not the gun I want to see get banged up rock climbing or taking a spill while hiking.

I have lately been looking at Hi Point 9mm pistol. By almost every (maybe all of them) account it works very well. It goes bang everytime the trigger is pulled and is reliable. I know hikers and such take pride in carrying as little as equipment as possible but self defense is not a smallest, lightest possible choice.

Hi Point are inexpensive enough not to cause to many tears if it drops into a inassessable ravine or lake yet have a lifetime warranty so you can send in for repair after a tough outing along with a cool Internet story to go along with it.
 
SVTOhio said:
A 3" LCR x in 38 special has your name written all over it. Super light, accurate, and will not fail you.


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I carry just that revovler...

At one pound, it is lighter than many. However, with the 3" barrel and adjustable sights it is fairly easy to shoot accurately.

I will say my woods carry sidearms have run the gamut: 1911s, 357 & 44 Magnum revolvers, various GLOCKs, and my Ruger MK II 22 caliber auto. This little LCR is my current favorite.

Edmo

imagejpg1_zpsa76fa173.jpg
 
I generally carry 1 of 4 guns. A 642, 460S&W, Ruger Redhawk in 41 mag or G20. No climbing but lots hiking and hunting.
 
An awful lot of the best backpacking spots happen to lie in very hostile territory, but I try to carry when it is legal to do so.

TCB
 
You have plenty of 9mm handguns so why add a smaller caliber? You can't carry while climbing since ounces count and an effective carry method would interfere (my daughter is a competitive climber and I used to climb back in the day).

If you can carry OWB then do so and carry what you shoot the best (quick on target and accurate) instead of what someone else tells you to carry and practice with it. If you need to carry concealed then make sure you can access and present quickly. Perfect practice is more important than a plethora of pistols.

Why is your knife dull? It takes little skill to keep it sharp.
 
I always have a J-frame Airweight in a pocket holster no matter where, if it's lawful to conceal carry of course. Beyond that, I'll have a more appropriate handgun as conditions warrant. And pepper spray, or a stun gun.
 
I carry a Ruger GP141, .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel, loaded with Grizzly 180 grain WFNGC's. This will stop anything in Florida and most of the Continental United States.

I've had it since 1994, and it has been on thousands of miles of hikes and trail walks in at least 30 states, including almost every state west of the Mississippi.

Built like a tank and totally reliable, I've staked my life on it in the boonies for 22 years. This one goes into the casket with me! :D

RugerGP100_2.jpg
 
On the rare occasion I do hike in the mountains I just open carry my full size 9. 20+1 and two additional 18rd mags with 124-147 FMJ's make me feel plenty comfortable. It's quite over kill but I'm open carrying in the mountains so why not?

As to the rock climbing, I did my fair share back in the day and I can't imagine wanting to carry a pistol in addition to the other gear while climbing. I'm assuming we're talking about actual climbing with ropes and belays. I can see wanting something in a gear bag at the top or for someone to bring up from the bottom, but why you would need one one you while you were climbing is beyond me. I mean, there are no two legged or four legged creatures near you when you're dangling from a rock face.


All that being said what you should get all boils down to what you're comfortable shooting. Revolver, Semi, DA, SA, etc. Size and weight aren't so much an issue IMHO if it's a "woods" gun.
 
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