Handgun for camping

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archigos

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I recently decided to take up camping with my girlfriend, and thus decided that I need a handgun fit to protect us. I'm in NY, but would potentially be in any semi-free state in the northeast. I've decided that I want something a little bigger than anything I have for the sake of larger animals (this is my excuse for buying a new gun). I figure something along the lines of .44 or .45 would fit the bill.

Are there any specific considerations I should give to this decision for the purpose of camping?
Are there any worthwhile 1911s under $700?
Has anybody had any experience with Charter Arms .44s?
Finally, any specific recommendations with specific reasoning? (From my point of view, they're all "good" guns nowadays.)
 
How about a Ruger in .44 Magnum? A Super Blackhawk (single-action), or a Redhawk (double-action), or a Super Redhawk (double-action) would work...

The Super Blackhawk would be my choice, simply because of the recoil characteristics. Unless you can control .44Mag in double-action--then go with a SRH or a Redhawk, since follow-up shots would be faster.

Get it in stainless so that moisture is less of a concern. Plus, they're Rugers, so they have a reputation for being extremely robust and reliable.
 
For your purposes, I prefer a Single-Action revolver like the Ruger Vaquero (fixed sights) or the Blackhawk (Adjustable sights).

If you are leaning toward a 1911-A1 style, my 2 Springfield Armory guns have been very good 4" barrel Champion and the 5" GI-45.

Not sure about the current Charter Arms...I had a 1970's vintage Bulldog .44Spl. Only knock was the cost of .44Spl ammo...more than twice as much as .44Mag back then...$15/50 vs as much as $35/50 for the .44Spl ammo.
 
I carry a Sig P-6 when camping in places where 2 legged predators are the man concern.

Otherwise, I default to a S&W 586. (4" bbl .357 mag)


EDIT for clarity: I always "hike" to where I "camp." :)
 
I'll second the question: Camping only? Or backpacking also?

If I were in a remote wilderness area (we call it "primitive camping" here in Oregon) and not a crowded campground, I'd keep a short-barreled shotgun handy loaded with buckshot. If you're going to be hiking around or want something instantly accessible at all times, my pick is a stainless Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but the biggest "dangerous" animal in those parts would possibly be black bear, right? In which case, a .357 loaded with 180-grain solids would do the trick and have less recoil than a .44 magnum. I have both a Ruger GP100 .357 and a Ruger Redhawk .44 and always choose to have the .357 on my hip when camping or hiking. It's MUCH more pleasant and controllable than the .44 and I never feel undergunned.
 
The most dangerous animal in the woods likely to attack you in that part of the U.S. only has two legs.

It stands to reason then, that you don't need a .44 Magnum or .454 Casull to protect yourself.

Think along the lines of a good quality .357 revolver, or 9mm, .40, or .45 semi-auto.

The .357 revolver has the added benefit of being able to handle snake-shot loads for limited range pest control around camp.
And light kicking .38 Special for practice & plinking fun.

It is also as safe & simple as it gets for inexperianced handgunners like your girlfriend to learn to use if she needs too.

rcmodel
 
My biggest concern when doing most of my hiking has been human predators rather than any potential animal attacks. In the eastern U.S. I feel plenty comfortable carrying my Glock 17 9mm. I did a week on the App. Trail in North Carolina carrying it and never felt as if I was undergunned. 18 rounds of 9mm and a 17 round reload makes me feel pretty safe in the areas I hike and camp. Just my opinion. The most important thing is to carry what you can shoot well. Happy camping.
 
I've got a .357 for my camp gun, as I do worry over black bears. .45 is a little on the small side for a camp gun, atleast in my eyes.

Perhaps 10mm? A DW Razorback?
 
As rcmodel posted-

A good 357 will do fine.

I do have a specific reccomendation-

A ruger gp100, and a small can or WD40. Reason- Easy field maintenance. If you can get the grip screw out, you can get if field stripped far enough to jusy clean it up with the WD40 and get it back in working order if you or it ends up in the mud, sand, water, etc.

I know of one gp100 that spent a winter buried in a snow drift. The bluing was a little roughed up by this, but after a clean and lube it's worked just fine since.
 
archigos said:
I recently decided to take up camping with my girlfriend, and thus decided that I need a handgun fit to protect us. I'm in NY, but would potentially be in any semi-free state in the northeast. I've decided that I want something a little bigger than anything I have for the sake of larger animals (this is my excuse for buying a new gun). I figure something along the lines of .44 or .45 would fit the bill.

Are there any specific considerations I should give to this decision for the purpose of camping?
Are there any worthwhile 1911s under $700?
Has anybody had any experience with Charter Arms .44s?
Finally, any specific recommendations with specific reasoning? (From my point of view, they're all "good" guns nowadays.)
Click to expand...

Taurus Judge maybe? Then you can have your choice of 45 colt for "big" things, and 410 shot to deal with the little ones (snakes and such)
 
.357 revolver all the way. Remember, you must practice with any gun for it to be useful when you need it. Practice .38 rounds are cheap, .357 mag rounds are proven stoppers. Stainless w/ 4' barrel is ideal. Remember (esp. in that part of the world) to review each states policies, what is considered concealed carry, if open carry is allowed, etc. And PLEASE don't feel protected just by carrying a gun without learning how to use it and practice, practice, practice!
 
I have S/A Rugers, D/A Ruger, S&W Mountain, Colt Gold Cup (70 series:D), Kimber CDP Ultra, and a Colt Woodsman Target.

Out of those, I would probably carry my Mountain gun. Light and handy and I can hit what I am aiming at...very important!!!!!!!!!;)

BTW, all my revolvers are 45Colt. Great round that doesn't punish with sound and kick...:cool: They can be loaded up for bear (literally) or two legged predators.
 
For both truck camping and primitive camping I carry a small frame (5 shot) .357 Mag. It is small, light and easy to carry in different ways.

rc is right. The riskiest back country encounter will be with 2 legged creatures. You may encounter a black bear, or possibly, but unlikely, a cougar, but the stat's show that you are much more likely to be attacked and injured by a human than an animal. Much of that is a result of what FS LEO call "non-traditional users" engaging in criminal activities on public lands.
 
What's the worst thing you might run into? I'm in SW Colorado and have lions and black bears, but feel ok with a Kel-tec 9mm (P11 for this use).

It's small and light enough for me to not leave it at home, makes a loud enough noise to scare off the majority of anything that's inquisitive, and if they're not, the 24 additional rounds can probably deal with the issue. Perfect? No, I'd rather have a .357, but with the additional weight it would require (especially if backpacking) I'm afraid it might be left behind.
 
MS .45 wrote:
"My biggest concern when doing most of my hiking has been human predators rather than any potential animal attacks. In the eastern U.S. I feel plenty comfortable carrying my Glock 17 9mm. I did a week on the App. Trail in North Carolina carrying it and never felt as if I was undergunned."
Click to expand...

Can you speak to the legality of doing so? On my list (but I've got several weeks before I can even begin to apply for my WA permit) is to find out how the state parks here treat CCW, but I'm not optimistic.

timothy
 
Can't believe there's much weight difference between a lightweight .357 and the Kel-tec, if you feel the need to carry the ammo store with you!!
 
I'm a 1911 fan, but I think I have to go with Oregonjohnny on this one. Get a 357, the GP100 is a great choice but kinda heavey. You might look into a S&W 686 4in. If you go the 1911 way check out a 10mm, a used Dan Wesson will run you between 6-$700.00. 10mm is about as powerful as a 41mag.
 
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My curent camping/backpacking/canoeing handgun is a SS 2.75" Ruger Security Six. It is usually loaded with 158gr Doubletap Gold Dots. I load more for 2 legged animals rather than 4 legged! If I am backpacking in area's known for large populations of black bear (think UP of MI!!!) I will load it with 180gr hard cast flat nose doubletaps. In all honesty, I cant remember running into a 4 legged critter in the northeast that I felt the need to shoot!

Before I picked up my 1st .357 I carried my .45 SIG P220 loaded with 9doubletap FMJ flat points. I never felt undergunned.
 
Can't believe there's much weight difference between a lightweight .357 and the Kel-tec, if you feel the need to carry the ammo store with you!!
Click to expand...

Ok, that made me laugh and sent me to the scale.

P11 (loaded, 12 rd. magazine, sans one in the chamber) - 22.4oz
Extra 12 round magazine - 7.7oz

Total carry weight for P11 with 24 rounds - 30.1oz


SP101 2 1/4"
25 oz (per Ruger's site) + 2.3oz (5 rounds .357 magnum)
Total carry weight for SP101 with 5 rounds - 27.3oz


Smith and Wesson Model 340 1 7/8"
12oz (! per S&W's site) + 2.3oz (5 rounds .357 magnum)
Total carry weight 340 with 5 rounds - 14.3 oz.!!!

Don't think I want to spring for the Scadnium, but I have been trying to find an excuse for a Ruger...

Also, I do want to point out that, despite encounters with coyote, rattlesnakes, bear, and wild boar (ok, wild pig really), I've never even come close to feeling the need to draw. The worst case was coyotes somewhat tamed, I'd assume by others having fed them in the past, but clapping and yelling at them was sufficient to send them on their way.
 
+1 on the suggestion for a .357 for the NE region. I would recommend the smaller 5-shot Ruger SP101 with 3" barrel if you plan to carry it. The 158 gr LSWC ammo would be a good general purpose load for bear, human, or anything else.

It is about 25 oz. will handle any amount of full power .357 loads, and is much slimmer and more compact than the GP100 or S&W 586 or 686.

But any of the 3" to 4" .357 are great for a camp gun. They can shoot very effective snake loads, mild .38 Specials, or full house .357.

I think a .45ACP or LC would also be a fine camp gun for any wildlife or humans except for snakes. If snakes are not a concern then a 1911 or any other .45acp pistol would also be a fine camp gun. I use my G23 in .40 for a general purpose carry and camp/hiking companion in the NW region. If I go to a SW area where snakes are more likely than bear then I might switch to a .38 or .357.

One thing I will say about semi-autos is that the Glock is fantastic for really foul weather. My G23 has been through dust, dirt, soaking rains, bushwhacking, and body sweat for hour upon hour and it shows no sign of rusting or jamming. I clean it of course between hikes, but it has proven impervious to the elements so far. You want either a completely stainless steel revolver or pistol, or a pistol with polymer and tough-coated steel finish such as the Glocks.
 
I notice you've never been camping before.

If you're just starting, you're probably better served going to a really controlled environment, like a family style campground where there are lots of people camping around you. The kind of place where the first time you experience an animal getting into your food, it'll be a racoon, not a bear. If you learn how to live with nature the hard way, it should be before you get into a situation where you need a bear gun.

Whether you're in a family campground or backwoods on the AT, the most likely predator you're going to run into is people. Even if you do run into a bear, if you buy a people gun, it'll probably do as a bear gun.

You'll hopefully develop habits that keep the bears away, but there's not much you can do about the people. I'd concentrate there.

Also another good word here for the 357 magnum in general, and the stainless GP100 in particular....
 
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