Hiking Gun

[Keauxbi]

You don't need a gun while hiking...

...because you never know when you're going to stumble across someone's pot farm on public land and find yourself in a standoff with a drug dealer.:banghead:

 

[Paladin7]

I live in NYS as well and for me its the S&W 696 in 44 special... Should stop just about anything I will expect to run into. I load it with 200 gr HC LFP over 8.0 Grains of Unique. Very hard hitting at approx 900 - 1000 fps, very accurate and easy to shoot. You could also move up to 240 gr. which is where I want to be, but haven't had time to develop a good load yet.

I've also been experimenting with some 200 gr Gold Dot HPs as an anti personnel load...we'll see more about that.

A 357 is a good choice, so would second the 4" GP100 or the SP101.

The Glock in 10MM is also a great choice, but realize you aren't in favor of the Glock platform.

Let us know what you finally end up with...

 

[montess85]

Well thanks for all the input everyone.....I have carried my gp100 when cloths permit hiding it....If Im going to get another revolver its going to be the SP101......If I could open carry I would gladly get a fullsize pistol.....I realize they offer a longer sight radius but Im not going to take pot shots at something that is a couple hundred feet away....I also realize that I am more likely going to encounter problems with a 2 legged predator than a 4 legged one, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared....I think I am going to get the M&P 40 compact....There about the same price but smith and wesson has a rebate out for 50 dollars off or 2 free magazines.....Plus I just love the way it fits in my hand....

 

[Leanwolf]

NICO TESTOSTEROS - "You don't need a gun while hiking."

Neither did U.S.M.C. Capt. Robert Bravence and his wife, Cheryl, while out in remote north Idaho.

Nor did Mary Cooper, 56, and her daughter, Susanna Stodden, 27, hiking alongside the Pinnacle Lake Trail in Washington.

Do a serach for those names and then be grateful your outdoor experiences have been uneventful.

EDIT: Here is a link to the Cooper-Stodden murders.

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/277582_hikers14.html


L.W.

 

[touro1979]

You can add Meredith Emerson to the above list of people who may have benefited from being armed while hiking.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,321107,00.html

and Taylor mitchell

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...456790/Hiker-killed-by-coyotes-in-Canada.html

 

[snooperman]

Go light for hiking...

What about a snubby 38 special with +p such as a S&W 642 or the Ruger LCR?

 

[Lone_Gunman]

because you never know when you're going to stumble across someone's pot farm on public land and find yourself in a standoff with a drug dealer.

Depends on where you are hiking. If you are on a trail that gets a lot of use, it is unlikely someone is going to have a pot farm there.

 

[W.E.G.]

The right decision since 1873.

 

[336A]

I have been hunting here in upstate NY all my life except for my 5yr exodus to Hawaii and various deployments. All I ever use is a S&W M10 and have never had any issues. Even up here in the north country where bears are more predominant I've never felt under gunned. Even if (that is a big if BTW) I ever did need to (which I hope I never do) shoot at a black bear I'm pretty sure a 195gr WFN @850fps will change his mind and then some. Black bears aren't as aggresive as most would like to think or fantasize about. Your biggest concern will be the 2 legged variety. How agresive are black bears? Well this one showed no signs of agresive behavior until the brilliant NY DEC officers shot him with rubber ammo and a failed tranquiization attempt.

http://www.wwnytv.com/news/local/93967559.html?skipthumb=Y

Here was another incident that happened last year. Notice that in both cases the dread snarling man eating Black Bear ran up tress in an attempt to avoid people.

http://www.wwnytv.com/news/local/62323912.html

I'm not saying that black bears can't be dangerous to us humans. However more often that not they will leave the country well in advance to you even knowing of their presence. Unless that is you sleep with twinkies in your sleeping bag.

 

[jmr40]

If there is zero possibility of running into a black bear use whatever you feel comfortable using against another human. Both of your choices are good.

I hike in the North GA mountains and quite often sight bears. I've never felt threatened, but there have been a few "incidents" where other hikers/campers have had close encounters. Within the last 10 years 2 people have been killed by bears in Tennessee. A few years ago a 250 lb bear came into a campground near Helen Ga and came after a 4 year old boy. The boys father beat the bear to death with a stick of firewood.

For these reasons I carry a Glock 20 when in the woods. With hot loads it is equal to a 4" 357 mag revolver, but with 16 rounds. I find it is lighter, smaller and easier to shoot in rapid fire than a heavy loaded revolver. With another magazine loaded with rounds more suitable for SD against humans it is a versatile gun.

 

[Justin Holder]

Have you looked at the night guard series from S&W? You can get one in 10mm that will also shoot 40 s&w.

 

[FMJMIKE]

I doubt seriously that a four legged animal is going to bother you in the woods. It is the two legged ones that I worry about. The SP101 is a great gun for your purposes. I personally prefer a G-19 with a 15 round magazine. The SP101 is fine too. Good Luck..............

 

[jmr40]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/16/bear.attack/index.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,402482,00.html

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3306263


http://www.mysmokymountainvacation.com/news/bear-attack.html


These are links to stories of black bear attacks in areas I have been hiking and camping numerous times. Yes it is rare, but there is no reason to bury your head in the sand and say it won't happen.

 

[Mountie855]

The S&W 386, 357, 7 rds, 3" bbl is my choice when weight is important...18 0z empty,
recoil is manageable thanks to good grips.

Tried the S&W 340 Talo, good pocket gun but recovery time is slow due to recoil, and 2" bbl is a bit short for woods use with respect to velocity and sight radius.

 

[springwalk]

Glock 30 45 acp. I would be hesitant on saying G26 9mm cuz you may need that extra knockdown power for the drugged up diverse citizens of NYCity.

 

[skoro]

Mine's a 3" S&W Model 13 in 357mag. Small enough to conceal well and packs a lot of punch w/o ridiculous recoil.

 

[hot357lead]

another reason i love my home state, no bull poo ccw permits or open carry bans (i live in vermont) my preferred choice is my 357 blackhawk, or my taurus model 66 in a leather holster, crossdraw. (same as my daily carry choice lol), but for just dicking around in the hills i often find myself carrying a .22 saa or trust mr.glock 17. but what can i say i usually end up saying "nvm hiking" and finding a nice secluded place to shoot (the reason for the 22 lol) but definitely second on the 2 legged critter thing, we tend to have coyote issues where i currently am but thats about it and a well place .22lr shot will do them in fine

 

[NMGonzo]

Glock 30 45 acp. I would be hesitant on saying G26 9mm cuz you may need that extra knockdown power for the drugged up diverse citizens of NYCity.

You'll never find one hiking, and secondly you can push them over and they will fall.

They are in very sorry shape.

Now ... .back to things that may kill you other than humans.

 

[wcwhitey]

For my Upstate NY escapades all I ever carried was a S&W Model 15. Great game getter and more than enough for anything you might encounter. I find the balance of a 4" K frame with a good holster to be better than most for walking through the woods. Bill

 

[kludge]

SP101 or one of the S&W lightweight revolver for two legged critters.

Bear spray for 4-legged ones.

 

[CoRoMo]

Bear spray never put meat in the freezer.

 

[MikePaiN]

Like someone else said.... Glock30 with a .45 +P HP load in a Highnoon OtW. That's my hiking/woods setup I'm in CT and won't go to the wilderness without it.
My EDC is a 9mm, fine for humans but I don't feel comfortable with 9mm against beasts.

 

[CoRoMo]

What the OP needs to do, is put together a list of all the varied guns that were recommended in this thread, when in fact, he was only asking for opinions on the two specific models that he's narrowed his focus down to.

:banghead:

 

[RatDrall]

The SP101 would work fine. It will carry/conceal easier than a clunky compact auto that is as wide as it tall, and print like an L-shaped 2x4 under your shirt.

 

[Hunterdad]

Where in CNY are you? Im in Syracuse.