Hiking and a handgun

[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!

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[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]

Midwest

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 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
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[Stevie-Ray]

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