IJ1981
Member
My Grandson and I going on a long trip together . We are thinking 2 Glock 29 10 mm handguns and one Ruger Mini 30 rifle and one Winchester. 44 mag 1895 Trapper 9+1 Lever gun..
Your thoughts, THR.
Your thoughts, THR.
In October, Driving From Miami to Kalispell Montana. What Firearms to Take?
- Thread starter IJ1981
- Start date
horsemen61
Member
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2011
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- 6,756
I wouldn’t leave it in the car
tactikel
Member
I’m not sure of your needs. Will you hunt or plink on your trip? If is just for SD only, the Glocks ( along with an edged carry, tactical lights, and possibly 2 pepper sprays) are all you need. Wise council, do not advertise that you have firearms in your vehicle or in your room. Review the firearm laws of all the states you will be passing through. Good luck, have fun!
NorthBorder
Member
Depending the exact dates in October hunting seasons will be open so people will be out in the National Forests that surround Kalispell. So target shooting in the forest may or may not be a good idea. If you go hiking at Glacier Nat'l Park you can carry firearms. I've worked there but never have seen anyone carry any long guns in the Park. Lotsa people carry handguns when hiking the trails. My feeling is, unless you have a specific need for a long gun, those will just be added weight.
Enjoy your trip.
Enjoy your trip.
WrongHanded
Member
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- Jul 6, 2017
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- 4,771
Get a soft guitar case and put your rifles in it. Then going into hotels is easy.
I've done the trip from GA to Yellowstone twice. To Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, multiple times. We plan to go to Glacier and Yellowstone again next summer. If you're camping/hiking in grizzly country I like a 10mm pistol with the heavy hardcast bullets available from Buffalo Bore or DoubleTap. Carry anti-personnel rounds in different magazines for every other threat.
I used to use a G29 and had both 10 and 15 round mags for it. I've changed to the Smith M&P 10mm. I liked the Glock for everything except putting it in my sleeping bag with a loaded chamber and no safety. The Smith has a safety.
If you have a carry permit that is recognized in the state the NP is located you can carry in that NP. While open carry may be legal concealed is better. I like a chest pack. This one in particular.
If not in the bush even in Montana, and if large predators aren't a threat, then any 9mm, 40, or 45 pistol that you like is fine. Of course, there is nothing wrong with 10mm either.
I'd probably not take a long gun but if I did it would be a short barreled pump shotgun. There aren't many places where a long gun would be practical. Removing the barrel makes it easier to get into and out of motels unnoticed. Get some Brennke slugs for the bear and buckshot for 2 legged threats.
I used to use a G29 and had both 10 and 15 round mags for it. I've changed to the Smith M&P 10mm. I liked the Glock for everything except putting it in my sleeping bag with a loaded chamber and no safety. The Smith has a safety.
If you have a carry permit that is recognized in the state the NP is located you can carry in that NP. While open carry may be legal concealed is better. I like a chest pack. This one in particular.
Hill People Gear | Real use gear for backcountry travelers
Real use gear for backcountry travelers
hillpeoplegear.com
If not in the bush even in Montana, and if large predators aren't a threat, then any 9mm, 40, or 45 pistol that you like is fine. Of course, there is nothing wrong with 10mm either.
I'd probably not take a long gun but if I did it would be a short barreled pump shotgun. There aren't many places where a long gun would be practical. Removing the barrel makes it easier to get into and out of motels unnoticed. Get some Brennke slugs for the bear and buckshot for 2 legged threats.
IMHO the rifles (while nice) sound like they will perhaps cause quite a bit of travel hassle.
You will very likely need to make quite a few fuel/coffee/bio/meal/lodging stops.
My approach would be to verify laws for each state and streamline as much as possible.
You will very likely need to make quite a few fuel/coffee/bio/meal/lodging stops.
My approach would be to verify laws for each state and streamline as much as possible.
JTHunter
Member
And IJ, one caveat, avoid IL-ANNOY at all costs !! And, from what I have recently heard, traffic around Nashville is still a nightmare.
A possible route might be I75 to I10, west to I49 west of Baton Rouge, north to I20, west on I20 to Dallas and pick up I35 North. Take it north to I70 west of Topeka, then west to Denver. Take I25 north all the way to Montana (I25 & I90 merge south of the WY/MT border) and I90 will take you to Missoula. Then take US93 to Kalispell. This keeps you out of one of the most gun UNfriendly states in the Midwest.
Good luck and have a good trip.
A possible route might be I75 to I10, west to I49 west of Baton Rouge, north to I20, west on I20 to Dallas and pick up I35 North. Take it north to I70 west of Topeka, then west to Denver. Take I25 north all the way to Montana (I25 & I90 merge south of the WY/MT border) and I90 will take you to Missoula. Then take US93 to Kalispell. This keeps you out of one of the most gun UNfriendly states in the Midwest.
Good luck and have a good trip.
MarshallDodge
Member
That sounds like a good selection of guns.
I have one of these in gray, think it is the 26" version
www.midwayusa.com
When I travel, I put a 16 or 18" AR in it, and nobody even notices when I go into a hotel room.
I have one of these in gray, think it is the 26" version
MidwayUSA Discreet Tactical Rifle Case 42 Black
The MidwayUSA Discreet Tactical Rifle Case is the best way to transport your rifle without attracting unwanted attention. The subdued outside features...
www.midwayusa.com
When I travel, I put a 16 or 18" AR in it, and nobody even notices when I go into a hotel room.
Armored farmer
Member
I like the two 29s and leave it at that.....unless you are planning to hunt, shoot at a range.....or something.
I like the matching pistol/magazine/ ammo theme very much.
I have Couple of different carbines in inconspicuous cases that travel with me sometimes.....but have never been fired or needed for anything while traveling.
I always worry that I will leave it in a hotel or air bnb.
I am comfortable with just my pistol for sd/hd while away.....and I think the G29s are a great choice.
I like the matching pistol/magazine/ ammo theme very much.
I have Couple of different carbines in inconspicuous cases that travel with me sometimes.....but have never been fired or needed for anything while traveling.
I always worry that I will leave it in a hotel or air bnb.
I am comfortable with just my pistol for sd/hd while away.....and I think the G29s are a great choice.
Attachments
Rifles can be difficult if you break down or get into an accident. If you get in an accident your rifles could easily end up with law enforcement for safe keeping. I'd chance it if I was specifically traveling to hunt but otherwise I'd stick with one concealed carry weapon. If I even brought a gun at all.
Old Dog
Member
Well, at least Illinois does let folks who possess concealed-carry licenses in their home states carry loaded handguns in their vehicles while driving in Illinois. 'Course, you can't take it out of your vehicle loaded, but you can still take it into your motel room, load it back up and keep it that way until you have check out and then start over...
And yeah, Nashville traffic is ridiculous.
10mm Glocks are as good a choice as any, I guess. I like the idea of a lever-action rifle, but doesn't that kind of negate the Mini-30? And then I'd prefer it to take the same caliber as one of the handguns I had with me... Also, I'd probably go for an M4 AR with an LPVO, EOTech HWS or Aimpoint red dot. Unless I was passing through states with mag capacity restrictions.
LOL.. the not so discreet tactical case. If you have time enough before the trip you could get a tripod case and maybe a cheap tennis racquet case for the mini 14 (if it has a folder on it). Put some duct tape on the outside of the cases so you look poor. If you leave it in the car throw some dirty laundry on it along with some random trash/wrappers in your car. People will just think you are a slob and not want anything out of your car because its gross.
Good choice of firearms though. BIG Bear and Big cats around that area of the country. I doubt you will run into any problems on the road. Two grown men traveling together are not really a soft target for criminals. Anything is possible so you are right to be capable of defending yourself. I would worry more about hitting deer than anything else. Get a road atlas if you dont have one just in case. Maybe a small fire extinguisher and of course a first aid kit and a work out a plan for car break downs.
Good choice of firearms though. BIG Bear and Big cats around that area of the country. I doubt you will run into any problems on the road. Two grown men traveling together are not really a soft target for criminals. Anything is possible so you are right to be capable of defending yourself. I would worry more about hitting deer than anything else. Get a road atlas if you dont have one just in case. Maybe a small fire extinguisher and of course a first aid kit and a work out a plan for car break downs.
Trey Veston
Member
On my last 3700-mile round trip from Washington to AZ and back, I brought two firearms; a Sig P365 and an Extar EP-9. The P365 was always on my hip and the Extar fit inside my suitcase for hotel stays. Nothing of value is ever left in the vehicle!
But, my needs were strictly for two-legged protection on my trip, which included time on the AZ/Mexico border. The Extar with extra Glock 33-round mags was barely comforting when the possibility of running into Cartel folks is higher than normal.
For your trip, if you are doing any hiking in Montana, then the G29s are good choices. Other than that, if you are worried about 2-legged threats, then nothing wrong with the G29s, but would go with something more compact that can fit in a suitcase. Avoid rifle cases at all cost.
Maybe go to a pawn shop and pick up a cheap used golf club bag for the rifles? Not sure how long they are, but an old beat up one sure seems like a good way to not attract attention when going from the vehicle to the room and back.
But, my needs were strictly for two-legged protection on my trip, which included time on the AZ/Mexico border. The Extar with extra Glock 33-round mags was barely comforting when the possibility of running into Cartel folks is higher than normal.
For your trip, if you are doing any hiking in Montana, then the G29s are good choices. Other than that, if you are worried about 2-legged threats, then nothing wrong with the G29s, but would go with something more compact that can fit in a suitcase. Avoid rifle cases at all cost.
Maybe go to a pawn shop and pick up a cheap used golf club bag for the rifles? Not sure how long they are, but an old beat up one sure seems like a good way to not attract attention when going from the vehicle to the room and back.
OP
OP
IJ1981
Member
Many fine suggestions. Thank you all. We have decided to leave the Mini 30 out of the trip. The Win .44 Trapper is light and short, 16" barrel, so it will come along. Plus, it is a real fun gun to shoot! We will hit some ranges and maybe do some plinking up and back
The golf bag is a cool idea and my son in law is donating an old bag to house the Winchester. No worries about Illinois, J.T.!
We are stopping in Waynesboro, Mississippi and Springfield, Missouri to visit friends, so our route will be further west going through Iowa, South & North Dakota and then on to Montana.
This will be my 3rd trip to Kalispell. A friend of mine retired to Montana 15 years ago and has vowed never to return to South Florida! So we go visit him and enjoy the trip. It's gun friendly all the way, which adds to the pleasure.
The golf bag is a cool idea and my son in law is donating an old bag to house the Winchester. No worries about Illinois, J.T.!
We are stopping in Waynesboro, Mississippi and Springfield, Missouri to visit friends, so our route will be further west going through Iowa, South & North Dakota and then on to Montana.
This will be my 3rd trip to Kalispell. A friend of mine retired to Montana 15 years ago and has vowed never to return to South Florida! So we go visit him and enjoy the trip. It's gun friendly all the way, which adds to the pleasure.
JFrank
Member
If you were to shoot a Grizzly, moose or big cat in a national park or anywhere else, you’ll have plenty of explaining to do and probably have a court appearance to schedule as well.
LOL.. gotta survive it first. Probably a good idea to record the incident if possible given the resources. I guess thats one justification for having a phone 24/7. Its extremely rare though. When my wife and I spent 2 weeks in Montana (pre children days) we saw Bear everywhere just doing their thing and leaving people alone. Cats we never saw .... which is why they scare me a bit. Zero problems with people there back then. The locals were probably the most genuinely nice people in the country from a regional standpoint. This was back before the west coast invaded it though.. 2007ish time frame.
I would probably take the mini 14. Make sure you hit up the gun shops in Montana. Some of them are pretty amazing.
dbmjr1
Member
If you're camping along the way, you may want a long gun.
I do a lot of camping/boondocking. I have the back of my pickup outfitted with bed, stove, fridge, etc, with solar power.
I'm frequently in bear country.
I would often carry an old S&W pump action 20ga broke down in a locked cabinet. Establish camp and load it up with 00 buck. It's got a light on it.
For things that go bump in the night.
It's a pain to bring along though, as when I leave to go on a hike I have to break it down and secure it. That's usually daily, or more. Plus that cabinet now houses a diesel heater.
I also carry a CCW. I've been carrying a Dan Wesson 715 lately. Loaded with 215gr LSWC's cast from pure linotype, and powder coated.
I loaded them to 1050fps out of a 2" barrel. Truly scary pressures, with a resulting fireball that will singe the hair off any bruin in it's path.
Not the easiest thing to CCW, but at least it's versatile, with hollow points for carry when not hiking alone in bear country.
(Yes I carry Bear Spray too)
Now I'll be packing a Glock 29. It'll be easier to carry. Lighter. Higher Capacity. If anything were to happen to it, who cares.
On the subject of securing firearms in a vehicle, . . .
Academy Sports sells a cheap steel lock box that comes with a steel cable you can attach to under the seat. It's like $10, so there is no excuse. It slows them down. It's not intended for overnight storage in your driveway. Bring it inside.
for long guns, (my old SW 20ga), the cabinet I locked it in has a tie down to the bed of my truck. A bicycle cable lock thru the action secured to that tie down.
I do a lot of camping/boondocking. I have the back of my pickup outfitted with bed, stove, fridge, etc, with solar power.
I'm frequently in bear country.
I would often carry an old S&W pump action 20ga broke down in a locked cabinet. Establish camp and load it up with 00 buck. It's got a light on it.
For things that go bump in the night.
It's a pain to bring along though, as when I leave to go on a hike I have to break it down and secure it. That's usually daily, or more. Plus that cabinet now houses a diesel heater.
I also carry a CCW. I've been carrying a Dan Wesson 715 lately. Loaded with 215gr LSWC's cast from pure linotype, and powder coated.
I loaded them to 1050fps out of a 2" barrel. Truly scary pressures, with a resulting fireball that will singe the hair off any bruin in it's path.
Not the easiest thing to CCW, but at least it's versatile, with hollow points for carry when not hiking alone in bear country.
(Yes I carry Bear Spray too)
Now I'll be packing a Glock 29. It'll be easier to carry. Lighter. Higher Capacity. If anything were to happen to it, who cares.
On the subject of securing firearms in a vehicle, . . .
Academy Sports sells a cheap steel lock box that comes with a steel cable you can attach to under the seat. It's like $10, so there is no excuse. It slows them down. It's not intended for overnight storage in your driveway. Bring it inside.
for long guns, (my old SW 20ga), the cabinet I locked it in has a tie down to the bed of my truck. A bicycle cable lock thru the action secured to that tie down.
Besides what you might take for a specific hunt or competition (trap, skeet, etc.) I like to carry a rifle of some description on a long trip. One could always end up in the middle of a civil disruption and need the long range capability.
To that end I've used two methods of concealment. The first was a Yoga bag lined with a large cardboard tube. Only 18" long and about 10" diameter. A disassembled AR, mags, & tools are wrapped in very then foam to keep them from rattling about. Sling that thing over my back and no body questions anything. I've checked in to hotels and been given, with out asking, directions to their gym as well as where to find local Yoga classes.
The other is a very heavy duty rifle case with four locking positions. I drive an SUV where the second seat goes fwd/bkwd and can leave a gap just big enough to swallow up the case. Four locks with locking cables looped through the seat supports on both ends. Makes if extremely difficult to lift it out of the gap, thus difficult to pry it open. Throw some oily old towels in the back to cover the gap. Not a target for smash and grab.
To that end I've used two methods of concealment. The first was a Yoga bag lined with a large cardboard tube. Only 18" long and about 10" diameter. A disassembled AR, mags, & tools are wrapped in very then foam to keep them from rattling about. Sling that thing over my back and no body questions anything. I've checked in to hotels and been given, with out asking, directions to their gym as well as where to find local Yoga classes.
The other is a very heavy duty rifle case with four locking positions. I drive an SUV where the second seat goes fwd/bkwd and can leave a gap just big enough to swallow up the case. Four locks with locking cables looped through the seat supports on both ends. Makes if extremely difficult to lift it out of the gap, thus difficult to pry it open. Throw some oily old towels in the back to cover the gap. Not a target for smash and grab.
JFrank
Member
There are definitely good shops to look through, I’ve been face to face with a big cat and several bears, imho they don’t want anything to do with humans, Moose are really dangerous and run about 30 mph, I won’t get anywhere near them.
Yes most of the time animals are just going to leave you alone... MOST of the time. Every once in a while one will get a little squirrely though for whatever reason. Ive been lucky a few times when running into skunks. They scare me more than Bear or Cats!
Hey some people swim around with Sharks in the ocean all the time and never get bit/attacked (they brag about it). Then one day they just disappear and nobody ever sees them again. POOF! I never trust any animal 100%. Maybe Mr. Ed but he could talk LOL.
There's a whiskey branded Mr. Ed.............terrible stuff.
OP
OP
IJ1981
Member
We have no plans to shoot any living creature! And court appearances are definitely not our bag!
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