Mountain biking ccw options.

[toopercentmlk]

I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I ride occasionally, but when I do we go far. The canyon we ride in goes far and although uncommon, there have been mountain lion "incidents." This canyon also has many stories of cult meetings, homeless creeps, the occasional schizophrenic. I have a camelbak to keep the pistol in, but I want to know what weapon would be best suited. Small enough that I will always take it, and powerful enough within reason.

 

[toopercentmlk]

I've been jumping back and forth between the Glock 30 and the SP101 with magnum rounds.

 

[cluttonfred]

I think the SP101 or S&W Model 60, 3-4" barrel, in .357 would be a great option--handy and discreet, yet heavy enough (all-steel) for control with magnum rounds.

Whatever you get, I have heard great things about the Safepacker holster/bags. If I were in your situation and wanted to carry a weapon at the ready inconspicuously, that's what I'd use.

 

[tepin]

Glock 30 .45acp 10+1rds compact - heavy round & high capacity

 

[Mainsail]

Of the incidents that I have heard about, a gun in the pack was almost useless. When I hike I carry a Ruger Alaskan in .44 mag in a chest harness that attaches to my pack. I haven't tried it with the mountain bike yet though.

 

[cluttonfred]

+1 on the gun in the pack being of little value. If the goal is to defend yourself and your companions from predators on four legs or two, it makes more sense to have the gun inconspicuously at the ready. If you have to take off the pack and fish for it, it may well be too late.

 

[toopercentmlk]

I agree about having it stowed away being of little use, but on my pack there is a media pocket at the top that is big enough to fit a cell phone and a large wallet. My P230 has rode in that pocket before and I can draw it like a sword from my back if you could imagine that. Even if I didn't have some quick access to it, having on the trail is better than having it in the car.

On a side thought, here we go on the Glock 30/SP101 dilemma!

 

[Deer Hunter]

I feel for you. I'm in a mountain biking class, so we can't have any weapons like that. But there are some pretty nasty signs of hog beside the trails everytime we ride. It's pretty sad that the only thing I can rely on if I come across an angry hog are my leg-muscles and a 4" folder.

 

[meef]

When having the "the occasional schizophrenic" as one of the potential threats on your list, you might want to Google "Harold Fish" for a bit of insight.

 

[Guillermo]

I have seen ads for an interesting, small backpack which has a velcro pocket. It appears to place the gun against the middle of the riders back with the access from the side.

Something like that might be useful with regards to quick access.

 

[glockman19]

I would and do carry a S&W 642/442.

It's light and the .38+p will surely take care of any animal or human you might encounter.

of the guns you list I would choose the lightest one. If you're worried about capacity then carry an extra sped loader for the revolver.

IMHO you won't need more than 5-8 shots in any situation on teh trail. Unless you're a really bad shot. I say 8 rounds because I always keep 2 rounds of #9 snake shot.

 

[Bwana John]

will a Tomcat fit in a phony cut out water bottle?

 

[Exmasonite]

the problem with mountain lion attacks is that you'll NEVER see/hear them coming. you're pretty much riding/walking along and then you feel like you've been hit by a truck. there's not much of a chance of a stand-off situation like you'd have with a bear.
whatever you do, i'd be sure the gun is very accessible as your response will probably be after the initial assault but hopefully before the finishing strike.
for one, i'd consider keeping some mace/pepper/bearspray around to deter, too. for one, if the animal is right one you, you can douse both you and the cat without permanent damage to yourself. the cat will most likely be going for your head/neck/throat and last thing you want to do is shoot yourself in the heat of the moment.

 

[riceboy72]

+1 on the Glock 30. Good, potent chunk of lead, and lots of it, too. Sure, the magnum rounds is nice, but you'd have to carry extra. I think you should carry a spare mag with the Glock 30, but if you don't, that's 10+1 rounds for you. Low maintenance, reliable, and lightweight. Easy to field strip and maintain without more tools than you already carry. Just make sure you can grip it well with bike gloves on. I'll assume you can, but you never know until you try; if you have small hands, it may be a chore with padded palms.

I agree with not carrying the gun on your person while mountain biking. Knowing the kinds of falls I've taken, landing on it or watching it skitter across canyon rock or down some embankment into the trees would be no fun. Dedicate the media pocket and put it in there every single time, with nothing else. Sounds like you have most of it figured it out already.

Good luck, ride and shoot safe! Let us know what you decide on.

 

[woolybear]

Mountain Biker

Ive been mountain biking for about 10 years now and raced for a team here in southern california. I own a G30 (heavy and bulky) and really do not see how you would carry that thing anywhere on you unless your carrying a larger sized camel back. I ride with a camel back (Rocket) and it barely has enough room for my berretta 3032 w/ a spare mag. You'll be told by numerous people here on this thread that a 32 is anemic or has "no stopping power". My response is baloney. In addition to being a avid mountain biker I also work in a ER and I see more gunshot wounds with 25 and 32 then 9mm and 45. They are effective as a self defense round.
As for you chances of being attacked by a mountain lion. That is slim to none. I spend about 2-3 hours each ride and cover 25+ miles 4-5 times every week. I put alot of miles in. I have seen two (2) mountain lions in a 10year time period and they were not even close to me. They were on the other side of the canyon (1/2 mile away). The funny thing about mountain lions is they are pretty reclusive animals and just want to be left alone. The mountain lion attacks we have had here in southern california are very rare.

 

[markmc753]

I mt bike most everyday and carry a s&w 360pd with crimson trace grips in a top pocket on my hydration pack... I can reach it and draw it quickly...

 

[jeepmor]

I'd pick whatever gun you please and carry it in this. Size shouldn't be an issue for this bag, but you will need to make some padding to cradle the firearm. A good holster and a little sewing skills would offer a solid location for a single handed draw by fashioning loops of velcro to fish through the clip or loop of your holster. And the trigger would be protected by the holster. One handed open and draw...while riding.

Reaching for the camelback if a cougar pounces on your back is going to be a bit of a stretch. Probably will be in this rig too, but is should be safer for the occasional yard sale crashes frequently associated with mountain biking.

http://www.abikestore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=bushwhacker-tahoe&Category_Code=acc&Store_Code=pbs

They do make them w/o the Police logo, I just didn't find one in a quick search.

 

[markmc753]

four legged animals are not my concern... Mine are pot farmers, meth lab freaks, inbreed, squeal like a pig hillbillies and redneck fourwheelers.. For cycling weight is a huge consideration

 

[19-3Ben]

Ummmm...your poll lists the SP101 as a 6 round gun. It's 5. The GP100 is the 6 shooter in that family.

Were it me, I'd have my SP101 3". No question. In fact, it IS the gun i take into the woods.

(Although I am a fairly dedicated road cyclist, so can't help you with that.)

 

[toopercentmlk]

I have a large camelbak, I like to be prepared so I keep a 6inch K-Bar, medical kit, snakebite kit and usually at least a liter of water if not 3. A full sized 1911 would fit just fine if I decided to carry that, so if a Glock 30 made it my ownership I'd probably take it around. And yes I know mountain lions are a rare sight, 2 legged animals are my main concern. There are many little cozy areas for pot/meth heads to hide out in.

 

[Funderb]

'Dial 911' is a dumb option, because most mountain biking places get very little reception, and even less police traffic, even in an emergency.

I voted 357sig. very good caliber, reliable glock. I like it.

 

[rrruuunnn]

i have an epirb for my boat. but they have locating beacons for hiking and flying. they are expensive. but when one goes off, they will find you.

 

[rrruuunnn]

i would have figured a bigger caliber like 45 acp or 44 special. the extra weight will penetrate bigger animals.

charter makes a 44 special snubnose. glock has a slimline 45 acp.

 

[toopercentmlk]

Who voted 911?:banghead:

 

[boalex207]

I vote for:

A) A safer Canyon and

B) not carrying the gun in a backpack