Vern Humphrey
Member
I don't say they don't hike with all that weight. But they don't hike very FAR.
Montana Hiking Gun Poll
- Thread starter tomrkba
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billybob44
Contributing Member
GP-100 for now...
For your situation I voted for the GP-100 with 180gr. HardCast.
For ME-I would go with my Glock Gen 3 model 20, with the heavy HardCast bullets.
I do have the GP, and I do also have a G-20 in my safe, so for now, I would use my Glock.
For your situation I voted for the GP-100 with 180gr. HardCast.
For ME-I would go with my Glock Gen 3 model 20, with the heavy HardCast bullets.
I do have the GP, and I do also have a G-20 in my safe, so for now, I would use my Glock.
For me, when I hike I like to save weight if at all possible. I'll usually carry something like a small .380 if I'm trying to save weight and trekking through the hot woods in July. I don't even hike that far.
I might go as large as an SP101 but usually will settle on a subcompact 9mm for capacity an weight. I am more likely to run into a methhead than a bear or other dangerous animal. My Nano stuffed with 9 rounds of 124jhp should be enough, I hope.
That said, the GP100 would get my vote as well for the trip you are taking. It really is hard to beat the compromise of a 4" .357 magnum for most needs. When we borrow my stepdad's cabin, I carry the GP100. It's handy enough to pack around, good medicine for everything from coyotes to intruders, and makes me feel better about my family spending the night somewhere a good hour away from any law enforcement.
I might go as large as an SP101 but usually will settle on a subcompact 9mm for capacity an weight. I am more likely to run into a methhead than a bear or other dangerous animal. My Nano stuffed with 9 rounds of 124jhp should be enough, I hope.
That said, the GP100 would get my vote as well for the trip you are taking. It really is hard to beat the compromise of a 4" .357 magnum for most needs. When we borrow my stepdad's cabin, I carry the GP100. It's handy enough to pack around, good medicine for everything from coyotes to intruders, and makes me feel better about my family spending the night somewhere a good hour away from any law enforcement.
Bobson
Member
The more I hear this, the less sense it makes.
It seems that anyone hiking as frequently and/or for as many miles as it would take to learn to cut unnecessary weight would find themselves conditioned enough that an extra two pounds for a gun and ammo isn't going to lead to a broken back.
I was in mediocre shape when I first did an 18 mile round-trip hike here in WA, which included significant elevation gain. I'm sure most of what I packed was "useless crap;" and I didn't feel bogged down by any of my gear.
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Mainsail
Member
I was once criticized for my use of the Bianchi M12 holster on my pack belt- not because I carry open, but because that meant when I took my pack off to rest I was unarmed! It's nature for crying out loud, not a combat zone.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Welll . . . statistics show that a helmet does very little for you in a typical motorcycle crash -- the forces involved defeat the helmet.
doc2rn
Member
To be honest while hiking I have never needed more than a .22lr. Puts meat in the pot and is adequate for almost every encounter. Even when running into wolves or bear the objective is to get them to leave loud noise and bear spray work well together. You really don't need a .44 in the lower 48 but if you feel so inclined I recommend taking the GP 100 in a chest carrier. More than plenty for them 2 legged vermin you sometimes encounter and the chest carry keeps it accessible with the ruck sack on. I hope you have a great trip.
You pack your fears with your gear. I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in 2013. If I had something that weighed two pounds and wasn't getting used, it was gone. The only "weapon" I had was the smallest Swiss Army keychain knife, and I think I used the actual blade twice. I knew a number of people that took them apart and just carried the scissors piece. During that time, I saw a number of bears and was bluff charged in Shenandoah. It never occurred to me to upgrade my self defense tools before or after that. Granted they were just black bears.
"It seems that anyone hiking as frequently and/or for as many miles as it would take to learn to cut unnecessary weight would find themselves conditioned enough that an extra two pounds for a gun and ammo isn't going to lead to a broken back."
Well, I've spent a couple of months a year hiking in the Rockies for over 30 years. And by hiking I mean a ten plus miles a day, much of it off trail, at over ten thousand feet, for up to two weeks. Let's say my wife and 11 year old nephew are along. It takes close to two pounds of food per person per day. Six times 14 means there is 84 pounds of food to carry. And maybe 20 lbs of personal/group gear per person - these are high mountains where you can get a foot of snow in mid august, so you want some warm clothes etc. Keep in mind that you can't put 80 pounds in your 24 oz. ultralight pack; just the empty pack is going to weigh 6 or 7 pounds.
For some reason we don't divide the weight evenly, so I'm carrying 75 or 80 pounds. That's OK; I'm used to it. But I also know that every pound matters. I've heard novices say that 'past 50 pounds it just doesn't matter'. IMHE that's not true - how far and fast you can travel is directly proportional to how much you are carrying. I'm trying to enjoy the trip, not build character. And so you're looking to pare every possible pound - and that means you have tough choices. Take the gun? Pare the food and risk spending a few days on half rations? Take the light tent and make sure you don't camp high in a windstorm? Leave the camera? Skimp on the first aid kit? Leave the parka home and hope for good weather? Leave the ice axe and hope the passes have melted enough? Etc, etc, ad infinitum.
There just isn't any 'extra two pounds'. You're always skating on the edge of eating uncooked macaroni because you ran out of fuel or eating nothing because you ran out of food or shivering because you brought the 20 degree bag and the temp dropped. That's why people are so obsessed on light weight - if stove A and stove B both work but one is a pound lighter, that's an extra pile jacket, or a little more distance each day. You're always looking for the same performance for little less weight - because then you can go farther/faster/longer.
That's why I like the 329.
If your hike is an overnight 5 miles to the lake, well heck, by all means carry the air mattresses and the bottle of wine! But the longer you go, the more weight matters.
Well, I've spent a couple of months a year hiking in the Rockies for over 30 years. And by hiking I mean a ten plus miles a day, much of it off trail, at over ten thousand feet, for up to two weeks. Let's say my wife and 11 year old nephew are along. It takes close to two pounds of food per person per day. Six times 14 means there is 84 pounds of food to carry. And maybe 20 lbs of personal/group gear per person - these are high mountains where you can get a foot of snow in mid august, so you want some warm clothes etc. Keep in mind that you can't put 80 pounds in your 24 oz. ultralight pack; just the empty pack is going to weigh 6 or 7 pounds.
For some reason we don't divide the weight evenly, so I'm carrying 75 or 80 pounds. That's OK; I'm used to it. But I also know that every pound matters. I've heard novices say that 'past 50 pounds it just doesn't matter'. IMHE that's not true - how far and fast you can travel is directly proportional to how much you are carrying. I'm trying to enjoy the trip, not build character. And so you're looking to pare every possible pound - and that means you have tough choices. Take the gun? Pare the food and risk spending a few days on half rations? Take the light tent and make sure you don't camp high in a windstorm? Leave the camera? Skimp on the first aid kit? Leave the parka home and hope for good weather? Leave the ice axe and hope the passes have melted enough? Etc, etc, ad infinitum.
There just isn't any 'extra two pounds'. You're always skating on the edge of eating uncooked macaroni because you ran out of fuel or eating nothing because you ran out of food or shivering because you brought the 20 degree bag and the temp dropped. That's why people are so obsessed on light weight - if stove A and stove B both work but one is a pound lighter, that's an extra pile jacket, or a little more distance each day. You're always looking for the same performance for little less weight - because then you can go farther/faster/longer.
That's why I like the 329
.If your hike is an overnight 5 miles to the lake, well heck, by all means carry the air mattresses and the bottle of wine! But the longer you go, the more weight matters.
Thursday45
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I live in MT. When I hike I take either my SW 629 or my Glock 20. Limited to your choices though I'd go with your GP100 with some buffalo bore hardcast rounds or something similar. Of course though, this is a great excuse to pick up another gun
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Another vote for the GP100 given your options.
For me, it would be a GP100 ... or a 4" Redhawk in .45 Colt.
For me, it would be a GP100 ... or a 4" Redhawk in .45 Colt.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Most people who are not serious backpackers have an exaggerated idea of how much they can carry comfortably.
I'm reminded of Colin Fletcher's dictum, "A REAL backpacker has a filed-down toothbrush."
You just named my two favorite revolvers, either would do great.
Deaf Smith
Member
I could have sworn this thread was about HIKING and not week long backpacking.Most people who are not serious backpackers have an exaggerated idea of how much they can carry comfortably.
I'm reminded of Colin Fletcher's dictum, "A REAL backpacker has a filed-down toothbrush."
See I hike often in Crockett National Forrest, but I don't spend weeks there backpacking.
Hence worrying about the weight of the gun is silly.
You guys need to look up the definition of hiking.
Deaf
PowerG
Member
Not to stray too far off topic, but wearing a helmet on a motorcycle is the absolute best thing you can do to prevent or reduce the severity of injuries in a crash.
If I was going to carry a heavy revolver I would opt for the .44, more killing power with the same level of convenience. None of the other choices are in the ballpark for grizzly. The chances of needing it are virtually zero, but if you do need it you're likely going to need all you can get, right then.
If I was going to carry a heavy revolver I would opt for the .44, more killing power with the same level of convenience. None of the other choices are in the ballpark for grizzly. The chances of needing it are virtually zero, but if you do need it you're likely going to need all you can get, right then.
OP
OP
tomrkba
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All--I'm hiking five miles or so for fun, nothing more. The weight of the gun and two full reloads won't be an issue. My mini-pack will have a can of water, some sunscreen and bug spray, lunch and maybe a few other odds and ends.
At this point, I'm probably going to carry the Glock 21 and some +P Lehigh Penetrators. It'll be good enough. I have a pancake holster that will be comfortable and concealable versus the Milt Sparks PMK that is not concealable at all.
At this point, I'm probably going to carry the Glock 21 and some +P Lehigh Penetrators. It'll be good enough. I have a pancake holster that will be comfortable and concealable versus the Milt Sparks PMK that is not concealable at all.
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"I could have sworn this thread was about HIKING and not week long backpacking.
...
You guys need to look up the definition of hiking."
Fair enough. I googled 'definition of hiking' and clicked the first 5 dictionary type results. I got:
-to walk or march a great distance
-to walk a long distance
-To go on an extended walk
-a long walk
-the sporting or leisure activity of going for long, often strenuous, walks in the country
I don't see an upper limit on duration. It's common to hear 'hiked the Appalachian Trail', for example. When we go on a multi week trip, we say we're 'going hiking'. That's common usage in the places I've lived (VA, CO, WY, WA et al).
It may well be that usage varies regionally, and people near you always say 'backpack the Pacific Crest Trail', but I don't think you can assume that a 'hike' is necessarily limited in duration in general usage.
The OP was asked what kind of hiking he had in mind early in the thread, precisely because the kind of hiking planned influences the answer. I don't think he has answered that question, which is why I and others have made the point that you can't answer the question of how important an extra pound of pistol is unless you know whether his proposed hike is one or a hundred miles.
...
You guys need to look up the definition of hiking."
Fair enough. I googled 'definition of hiking' and clicked the first 5 dictionary type results. I got:
-to walk or march a great distance
-to walk a long distance
-To go on an extended walk
-a long walk
-the sporting or leisure activity of going for long, often strenuous, walks in the country
I don't see an upper limit on duration. It's common to hear 'hiked the Appalachian Trail', for example. When we go on a multi week trip, we say we're 'going hiking'. That's common usage in the places I've lived (VA, CO, WY, WA et al).
It may well be that usage varies regionally, and people near you always say 'backpack the Pacific Crest Trail', but I don't think you can assume that a 'hike' is necessarily limited in duration in general usage.
The OP was asked what kind of hiking he had in mind early in the thread, precisely because the kind of hiking planned influences the answer. I don't think he has answered that question, which is why I and others have made the point that you can't answer the question of how important an extra pound of pistol is unless you know whether his proposed hike is one or a hundred miles.
Deaf Smith
Member
Pint,
Did any of that definition say a word about camping? Walks are not week long affairs.
If any of you worry about weight so much just lose 5 lbs on a diet.
Not much point in bringing a ultra-light gun with full magnum power loads and not be able to control or hit with it.
Deaf
Did any of that definition say a word about camping? Walks are not week long affairs.
If any of you worry about weight so much just lose 5 lbs on a diet.
Not much point in bringing a ultra-light gun with full magnum power loads and not be able to control or hit with it.
Deaf
Flatbush Harry
Member
My woods/hunting companion is a 5" S&W 629 with Federal 240 gr JSP .44 Mag ammo. Never needed it but comforting to have it.
FH
FH
"Did any of that definition say a word about camping? Walks are not week long affairs."
If you can 'hike the Appalachian Trail' without stopping to camp, you're one heckuva hiker
"If any of you worry about weight so much just lose 5 lbs on a diet."
And if you have 5 pounds to spare, after you do that, your pack weight still matters!
"Not much point in bringing a ultra-light gun with full magnum power loads and not be able to control or hit with it."
I absolutely agree. Not much point in bringing a heavy one you can't hit with either. And the bear spray in the bottom of your pack doesn't help either: you have to be able to effectively use whatever you bring.
If you can 'hike the Appalachian Trail' without stopping to camp, you're one heckuva hiker
"If any of you worry about weight so much just lose 5 lbs on a diet."
And if you have 5 pounds to spare, after you do that, your pack weight still matters!
"Not much point in bringing a ultra-light gun with full magnum power loads and not be able to control or hit with it."
I absolutely agree. Not much point in bringing a heavy one you can't hit with either. And the bear spray in the bottom of your pack doesn't help either: you have to be able to effectively use whatever you bring.
Well regarding the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail, doing the whole thing is called "thru-hiking", not "thru-backpacking."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thru-hiking
It doesn't really matter though, get out and have fun in the woods. I don't think there is a more fitting adage than from the trail itself: "Hike your own hike" ;-)
ETA: Oh yeah, I forgot to say, personally I don't say "backpacking" because I don't want to be confused with all those 20-somethings slothing their way through Europe or East Asia after college. ;-)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thru-hiking
It doesn't really matter though, get out and have fun in the woods. I don't think there is a more fitting adage than from the trail itself: "Hike your own hike" ;-)
ETA: Oh yeah, I forgot to say, personally I don't say "backpacking" because I don't want to be confused with all those 20-somethings slothing their way through Europe or East Asia after college. ;-)
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