Handgun for camping

[Pilot]

In that part of the country you don't need a cannon. A 9MM, .45, or .357 mag is fine.

 

[lloveless]

Hi,
I have a Charter 2000 .44 spcl, that I got specifically for my outdoors gun. It fails because ammo that could be used to deter a bear is not advised in that gun. It is light weight, but a Ruger sp101 with a 3 inch barrel in .357 mag will do what you are wanting, in the same weight class. I have both and routinely carry the .357 while backpacking/hiking/camping.

 

[Springfield_1911SS]

Are there any worthwhile 1911s under $700?

Yes Springfield Makes some nice 1911s like a loaded(might be close to $700) or a mil-spec

but I would also use the same excuse to get a new gun. If I was worried about Large Animals I would want a .44mag or above

 

[OOOXOOO]

If I was camping( not hiking) I would bring a .22. Hanging around camp is a great time to work on marksmanship. If I was going to be hiking around I would bring any pistol larger than a .32.

 

[Loomis]

light weight 22LR revolver

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...selected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=

 

[lloveless]

$782 is a way to much for a beater gun.
lloveless

 

[Crazy Fingers]

While camping this winter (FL) I will be packing a Five Seven with 30 round extended magazine. I want to have plenty of capacity and ability to engage as many targets as I can in case a truck load of rednecks looking for a fight shows up. Not the most powerful round, but has the advantage of speed, capacity, and the ability to shoot very well at 50 yards and beyond.

I might also bring my 10 mm.

 

[XD-40 Shooter]

I carry my Taurus Mil-Pro 40 when I'm out camping, here in Colorado. I'm not too concerned about animal attacks, the 2 legged predators are probably the greater risk. I'm confident the 40 will take care of any problem I might have, plus its very light, compact, and easy to carry.

 

[Boxing Buffalo]

Great topic. I've been wondering about this myself.

 

[dmazur]

Flashlights

I would get a "tactical light" (or any small, reliable, bright flashlight) and practice shooting with the light.

Hardly anyone (except maybe law enforcement and soldiers) practices for after dark protection.

2-legged predators sometimes prefer darkness (as it makes identification harder), and 4-legged predators really like after dark better.

Here's a link to the Harries Technique (Surefire makes flashlights) -

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/pgrfnbr/557/sesent/00

 

[pps]

I used to carry a Ruger service six with 158gr swc's and it served me fine for many years. I have switched to a S&W 627 for the extra 2 shots and the nice trigger. The first shot is loaded with snake shot, the rest are 158gr swc or Hard cast Beartooth 185gr LBT style bullet over 15.8grains of H110 for bone smacking goodness. (I do have to drop my rear site WAY down for the 185gr load, as I'm normally sighted in for a 158gr bullet at 1300-1400fps)

Dmazur, "Hardly anyone (except maybe law enforcement and soldiers) practices for after dark protection."

Does spotlighting count as practice for after dark protection?

 

[Seven For Sure]

Glock 29
S&W 386PD

These are what I use. The 386 is a bit lighter fully loaded and has SA capability which might be useful if I get lost and have to hunt to eat.

 

[Slappy McGee]

I've done a ton of camping an hiking in the northeast (NY, NH, ME, VT) although I now live in the southeast.

I second the motion that your biggest worry is 2-legged predators rather than the four-legged variety. Learn about how to handle cooking and food (bear bags, etc.) if you'll be in the backwoods and don't do stupid stuff like eat bacon in your tent and you'll be fine on the animal front.

I'm not a big glock fan, but a Glock 26 works nicely for me. Relatively small and light, and stands up to whatever abuse you throw at it. Plus it's already ugly so you can't really make it any worse.

Do be aware that many hiking and camping opportunities will cross all kinds of public, private, federal and state lands, and the laws can be confusing. At least in the northeast, much of the forest is a bit "crowded" and many yuppie hikers are against firearm ownership, so you probably don't want to have target practice at camp.

 

[langenc]

"non-traditional users" of state and Fed lands are often pot growers. This time of the year they are pot harvesters. If you stumble on them you will be glad you have your 'friend' along.

Also as noted =--shoot it plenty and often.

 

[dmazur]

spotlighting

Does spotlighting count as practice for after dark protection?

I believe a different technique is involved, and there is always the problem of bragging about why you're such a good shot with a flashlight.

I'd stick with more conventional flashlight practice with targets.

There may be problems trying to find a range which is open after dark. Our club has "quiet hours" and that pretty much wraps up the range as a practice location. Fortunately there is a local gravel pit, too.

Seriously, the only reason why I mentioned a flashlight is I've had a couple of bear encounters. Guess what color they are? Black. You can imagine how well they show up in poor light.

Fortunately, all my bear encounters have involved camp raiders that were easily run off with banging pots. I don't want to have to shoot one.

 

[pps]

and there is always the problem of bragging about why you're such a good shot with a flashlight.

Not a problem, and not bragging. It gets boring changing water in the wee hours when you are a kid. A maglight and a 22 revolver are nice for plinking gophers, jackrabbits, opossum, and skunk...just ONCE for a skunk...blech.

 

[moooose102]

.357 magnum revolver. 4" stainless steel revolver. unless you run across a bear that is bent on eating you for dinner, this will take care of anything you will run across. and even then, a bear CAN be killed with a .357. it just isnt going to be instantaniosly. plus with 38 special loads, it is fun, and relativly cheap to shoot. oh, and for what it is worth, stay out of the deep woods in the real northeast during moose rutting season. a pistol probably isn't going to stop a charging bull moose in rut.

 

[CJA]

As Boxing Buffalo wrote, "Great Thread".
I have been thinking about a use similar to a camping gun - more like a hiking/backpacking use. A light, concealable, dependable, weather resistant hangun for hike-in flyfishing for southern Appalacian trout. Sometimes wearing waders, sometimes wet wading.
Ideally, the same gun taken along on saltwater flyfishing shallow wading trips.
My Glock 26 goes now, but a 3" .357 (S&W M60 is my favorite), Glock 20 or Glock 29 (10mm) make sense.

 

[Hunter0924]

My current camping pistol is a Ruger New Model Blackhawk in .45 Colt with a .45 Automatic cylinder.
I usually bring along my Colt Government Model as well.

 

[goon]

Ruger SP-101 with a 3" barrel would be my choice.
It's small enough that you can conceal it fairly easily and light enough that carrying it for a long time shouldn't be tiring.
It's built heavy enough that you can stuff some full power .357 loads into it and have pretty decent protection against man or beast in most areas of the lower 48.
It's stainless steel so corrosion isn't as big of a concern.
It will run you about $430 new.
Last, they're just plain cool.

 

[jmr40]

Glock 20 in 10 mm. Lighter and more dependable than most revolvers, plue 15 rounds of ammo that equals .357 mag in power. The revolvers are better hunting guns because when fired single action they are more accurate for longer range shots. For close range self defense shooting most people will shoot an auto more accurately than a revolver firing double action. It will aslo be a lot cheaper to purchase than many of the other options.

 

[ARTiger]

I like this for general woods carry - 24 oz. 5 shot .357 that's very versatile . . . S&W Mod 60 3"

 

[kolob10]

camp gun

22 mag revolver - unless you are in bear country.

 

[Jeff F]

A 4" .357 would serve well.