I've relocated for the near future to Sierra Vista, AZ. I've been here three weeks, and the state is absolutely beautiful: I've particularly enjoyed a few hikes through the Huachuca Mountains between here and the Mexican border. However, while I grew up in the outdoors, I've never had to contend with the increased concern brought about by human trafficking across the US/Mexican border. I and the others I hike with have carried handguns to protect ourselves from four, two, or no-legged critters. I've heard stories from other hikers and the media about the dangers of being in the wilderness, and I've seen the litter along the trails created by human trafficking. The reason I've started this thread is to inquire, particularly to AZ residents and hikers who visit the state, whether you feel a pistol (9mm-.45ACP, if it matters) is sufficient protection while hiking mountains where illegal immigration is taking place. What do you use, or what would you recommend as being sufficient for personal protection while hiking near the border? Is a handgun enough to make you feel secure? Is a long arm necessary? Or am I just better off giving up a sport I love? If it helps, the general area I have in mind is the Miller Peak Wilderness.
Hiking Near the US/Mexican Border - What Gun?
- Thread starter psyopspec
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One never knows where and under what circumstance they would need to protect themself, so while a long gun is most always the best for open country a handgun should be all that is necessary. (my opinion)
Keeping your eyes and ears open is the most important in avoiding the need for self defense.
ps: I spend some time each year in AZ and I am still here in AZ for the winter season this year.
Keeping your eyes and ears open is the most important in avoiding the need for self defense.
ps: I spend some time each year in AZ and I am still here in AZ for the winter season this year.
Winchester 73
member
I have hiked this area and my carry gun is the S&W 686P 7 shot .357 Magnum with a backup 6 rounds in a wallet type Bianchi clip.
Loads are Remington 125 grain Golden Sabre hollow points.
My wife's cousin lives in Sierra Vista and we visit once in while.
My relatives and I have not encountered any problems, but obviously this is not like other hiking areas in the U.S.Trouble could occur at any time.
Condition yellow to orange is advised at all times.But its primitive and gorgeous and worth the risk.
I feel pretty secure with the .357 firepower and am willing to accept the trade off with the preferred 1894 Winchester .44 mag or Marlin 45-70.
But if you can handle the extra weight, go with the rifles.
Miller Peak tops out at over 9400 feet so altitude is a factor.Weight can really start affecting you and water is concern numero uno.
Be careful and don't give up the sport you love.Life is full of risks,many worth taking.
Much luck.
Loads are Remington 125 grain Golden Sabre hollow points.
My wife's cousin lives in Sierra Vista and we visit once in while.
My relatives and I have not encountered any problems, but obviously this is not like other hiking areas in the U.S.Trouble could occur at any time.
Condition yellow to orange is advised at all times.But its primitive and gorgeous and worth the risk.
I feel pretty secure with the .357 firepower and am willing to accept the trade off with the preferred 1894 Winchester .44 mag or Marlin 45-70.
But if you can handle the extra weight, go with the rifles.
Miller Peak tops out at over 9400 feet so altitude is a factor.Weight can really start affecting you and water is concern numero uno.
Be careful and don't give up the sport you love.Life is full of risks,many worth taking.
Much luck.
MICHAEL T
Member
I think hikeing with a company of armed Marines would be about right
Samuel Adams
Member
A Barrett M107 with lots of ammo comes to mind.
Feud
Member
Any handgun should be fine so long as your cautious (I'm from Mesa, not quite Sierra Vista but I've been down that ways before), be careful once the sun goes down.
When hiking in risky areas like that I usually have a shotgun on the side of my pack if I'm backpacking, regular day-hike or exploring I usually just bring a M4 or AK on a sling. To many smugglers and no-gooders and too much distance to have me feeling safe with just a handgun
I used to live in Mesa and made it down to the Chiricauas a couple of times. It's pretty much on the border and has the signs to watch out for illegal activity. I loved it down there. I had a CZ-52 under my truck seat and an SKS behind the seat, but didn't carry while hiking, (except for when I was quail hunting.) I don't recall hearing about any instances of civilians having dangerous run-ins with traffickers while I was in AZ. But I have heard that some of them are armed pretty well, i.e. with AK's.
I like the idea of a .357 or .44 that you can shoot to a good distance if need be.
I don't have one of those, but I might consider going with my Ruger .22/45 and keep an eye out for rabbits on the way.
As I recall, I think it is good bear and cougar country too.
I like the idea of a .357 or .44 that you can shoot to a good distance if need be.
I don't have one of those, but I might consider going with my Ruger .22/45 and keep an eye out for rabbits on the way.
As I recall, I think it is good bear and cougar country too.
DWARREN123
Member
40 S&W in a semiauto handgun and a carbine with direct support artillery on call and perhaps some air support.
denfoote
Member
Welcome to Arizona!!
My traditional tramp through the Sonoran desert gun was the Ruger Blackhawk .357mag.
With full power loads, the way God and Col. Wesson intended, you would be covered for anything you might come upon!!
In the absence of that grand old gun, having been forced to leave it with my EX, I have substituted this:
There's something surrealistically comforting about having a N-Frame Smith on your hip while tramping in God's country!!
My traditional tramp through the Sonoran desert gun was the Ruger Blackhawk .357mag.
With full power loads, the way God and Col. Wesson intended, you would be covered for anything you might come upon!!
In the absence of that grand old gun, having been forced to leave it with my EX, I have substituted this:
There's something surrealistically comforting about having a N-Frame Smith on your hip while tramping in God's country!!
Titan6
member
I would take an AR-15 or a Mini-14 and leave the handgun at home. It is perfect for coyotes and other small varmints you are likely to encounter. Keep a magazine of man stoppers handy as well. No one will mess with you and you can combine your love of hiking with a new love; varmint shooting.
Andy W
Member
A 50 BMG should be about right. Seriously though, I would feel comfortable with any decent powered handgun that I could shoot well.
Seriously though, I would feel comfortable with any decent powered handgun that I could shoot well.Treo
member
First and foremost I wouldn't go alone. Second there really isn't an all encompassing answer to your question. The last time I was in Seirra Vista the issue seemed to be drug runners ( Who obviously have more to gain by killing you) more than illegal aliens. In either case your mission isn't to close with, and destroy the enemy. Your goal is to break ( better yet avoid all together) contact and get the hell out of Dodge. If you get into a fire fight at all you're pretty much screwed anyway. In this situation cover and concealment are much more your friends than shock and awe.
That said I'd carry my normal carry pistol W/ my normal 1 spare mag.
That said I'd carry my normal carry pistol W/ my normal 1 spare mag.
As a resident in the area I'd say first of all that anyone with brains that hikes in the wilderness (which most of this country is) goes armed. The problem isn't so much illegal workers crossing the border as it is drug runners and maybe people smugglers (often the same folks).
You will find hikers with all kinds of sidearms, but those that pick a particular kind of handgun seem to prefer a lightweight, large magazine capacity pistol in 9mm or larger.
The rule of thumb is to avoid groups of people that you can't clearly identify. It is unlikely they will bother you unless you intrude into their space. If you do, withdraw as soon as possible. If they are smuggling drugs they won't want to start a gunfight, as shooting attracts attention, and most of this activity goes on at night. However if you start shooting return fire shouldn't be unexpected. Also be aware that those guarding a drug shipment often have AR or AK rifles, against which a handgun isn't too useful. If it will make you feel better, we haven't lost any hikers to gunfire that I know of. But that's because most everybody uses common sense. Hopefully you'll do the same.
You will find hikers with all kinds of sidearms, but those that pick a particular kind of handgun seem to prefer a lightweight, large magazine capacity pistol in 9mm or larger.
The rule of thumb is to avoid groups of people that you can't clearly identify. It is unlikely they will bother you unless you intrude into their space. If you do, withdraw as soon as possible. If they are smuggling drugs they won't want to start a gunfight, as shooting attracts attention, and most of this activity goes on at night. However if you start shooting return fire shouldn't be unexpected. Also be aware that those guarding a drug shipment often have AR or AK rifles, against which a handgun isn't too useful. If it will make you feel better, we haven't lost any hikers to gunfire that I know of. But that's because most everybody uses common sense. Hopefully you'll do the same.
TexasBen317
Member
IMHO,, having lived near the TEXAS/Mexico border in the desert mountains,, our concern was not the Mexicans, ,but cougars.. we carried a cat stopper,, shotgun or 30-30 rifle..
The_Shootist
Member
Go Traditional
Rugers new SS 4" bbl Redhawk in .45 LC
If that calibre won the west, then it should be good enough for any riff-raff you encounter on the border.
Rugers new SS 4" bbl Redhawk in .45 LC
If that calibre won the west, then it should be good enough for any riff-raff you encounter on the border.
armoredman
Member
Drug smugglers, Mexican Army border crossers, illegal aliens, (who are bolder and more desperate, often mixing illegal invasion with being a mule), multiple wild and dangerous animals, and you've got yourself an interesting time there on the border.
Hike with companions, first and foremost. Good cell phone, LOTS of water, energy bars, signal mirror,(miniature flare gun canstart fires in the high desert, not good...), first aid kit, Camelbak, (did I mention water?), and a good sidearm with one to two reloads.
Rifle? If you can put up with the weight, great idea. Lightweight, good for breaking contact with BGs, howabout a KelTec SU16-C? Folded and carried slung across the back, it isn't really noticeable, bulky, or heavy, and can be employed stock open or closed. Carry one spare mag, minimum. Could even be carried in a large daypack, with your CCW permit.
Unless you're going for the weight training hike, then carry an Enfield no4MK1* with 80 rounds in a bandolier!
Hike with companions, first and foremost. Good cell phone, LOTS of water, energy bars, signal mirror,(miniature flare gun canstart fires in the high desert, not good...), first aid kit, Camelbak, (did I mention water?), and a good sidearm with one to two reloads.
Rifle? If you can put up with the weight, great idea. Lightweight, good for breaking contact with BGs, howabout a KelTec SU16-C? Folded and carried slung across the back, it isn't really noticeable, bulky, or heavy, and can be employed stock open or closed. Carry one spare mag, minimum. Could even be carried in a large daypack, with your CCW permit.
Unless you're going for the weight training hike, then carry an Enfield no4MK1* with 80 rounds in a bandolier!
Triphammer
Member
Short answer; anything you're comfortable carrying. I've lived in the Sierra Vista/ Hereford area for the last 10 - 14 years & have hiked the deserts & mountains extensively. While I've always carried a firearm I've never "needed" one. There has been one anecdotal report of someone being carjacked in Miller or Carr Canyon by a group that blocked the road out. The only real danger I can see is our county District Attorney. There's the accout of Mr. Fish that had to defend himself with a firearm in the Huachucas & Mr Ed Rheinheimer saw to it Fish was prosecuted & is spending a 10 term. Not even Federal LEOs are safe from him. So, Carry what you can hit with, a cell phone to let BP know where the illegals are hope you never get to meet our District atorney.
strangelittleman
Member
I agree w/ armoredman, the Kel-Tec SU16-C would excell in this role, also a good heavy fixed sight revolver, such as, Ruger New Vaquero, S&W 10,13,64,65, or service auto would make sense for keeping at hand or on body at night when the rifle may not be as accessible.
I've been on the border quite a few times and it can be quite unpredictable and uncertain at times, especially in the Organ pipe/Mt.Ajo-Lukeville area. It's been said that the Organ Pipe area is the most dangerous Nat'l park in CONUS. Be alert, be safe, have a great time, the southern border is beautiful!
I've been on the border quite a few times and it can be quite unpredictable and uncertain at times, especially in the Organ pipe/Mt.Ajo-Lukeville area. It's been said that the Organ Pipe area is the most dangerous Nat'l park in CONUS. Be alert, be safe, have a great time, the southern border is beautiful!
Ridgerunner665
Member
An AR15 and a 1911...plenty of ammo for both....and a good, alert dog.
Gunnerpalace
Member
Forgive but is it legal to OC a rifle when hiking?
Triphammer
Member
In Az? Yes. But not in Nat. Parks. or Monunemts such as Organ Pipe in western Az or Corinado in the Huachucas.
But you will be mistaken for a "Vigilante" that's looking to "kill harmless illegalls".
The latest border watch/report group has decided to arm w/ long guns & are getting some bad press.
But you will be mistaken for a "Vigilante" that's looking to "kill harmless illegalls".
The latest border watch/report group has decided to arm w/ long guns & are getting some bad press.
skinewmexico
Member
Mules always worry me. I've been told to avoid them, but it doesn't hurt if they can see you are packing.
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